In Eckleburg's Eyes - 9/24/2008

For the second consecutive Tuesday I attended a college sponsored play that many students attended to get extra credit for class. I think this pretty much cements my status as a nerd.

My day began by helping my mother with a mission project. I was to take my father’s Ascender and unload items at Westminster Presbyterian Church for a rummage sale. As usual when it comes to chores instituted by DLNV, this was far easier said than done. The SUV was packed to capacity and when I got to the church I discovered that the drop off point was nowhere particularly close to an entrance. I suppose the church had not anticipated someone loading enough items to fill the average apartment.

We donated some quality items. I noticed that my old cassette tape collection was included. Someone is going to get a real treat when they see my cassette single of Gerardo’s “We Want the Funk”. Does anyone remember him?

I also may add a new element to my workout regime - Christmas tree lugging. It proved quite the workout.

The rummage sale is this Saturday (September 27th) from 8 am to 1 pm if interested. All proceeds go towards missions. Just don’t expect everyone to be so self sacrificing as my family.

While at the church, I also noticed that they now have a labyrinth. I have no idea how long it has been there but it was cool to learn that there is a labyrinth basically in my neighborhood.

On Tuesday night, I drove to the UT campus to watch the Reduced Shakespeare Company perform the Complete History of America: (abridged). The performance was held at the Cox Auditorium in the Alumni Memorial Building at 7:30. I had seen an advertisement for the event and I am glad I attended. It was educational and hilarious.

The event was free to the public as it was sponsored by the Cultural Attractions Committee and the Issue Committee. The large auditorium was packed with many of the audience forced to stand in the back. I sat in this seat, closest to the door. Not only was I being a good Baptist, but it was also the easiest way out of the crowded facility.

The Reduced Shakespeare Company is an acting troupe known for its abridged versions of important material. They were founded in 1981 in California. Their first three acts were The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) , The Complete History of America (abridged), and The Bible: The Complete Word of God (abridged). Despite the fact that the play is long running, it had been updated to include the upcoming election. Several jokes involved Sarah Palin (in reference to the Salem Witch Trials) and John McCain (his birth was featured on a timeline in the prehistoric period). The fact that the troupe was not supportive of the current state of the country was not subtle. If you are opposed to the “war on terror” (which I am) you should see this play.

The show condenses the entirety of American history into ninety minutes, from the crossing of the Bering Strait until the present. The performance was presented in two acts with the first act ending at the Civil War and the second beginning with World War I. I liked the first act decidedly better. Despite their irreverence, the troupe presented a very inclusive history. In addition to the very early historical outset they also included a segment on great women in American history. They even gave out trading cards of the latter. “Collect all three.”

There were three actors constantly changing roles and taking pratfalls. It was as if the history of America was told by The Three Stooges. Our cast was comprised of Jeff Marlow, Mick Orfe, and Dustin Sullivan. I cannot praise the trio enough.

There would be too much material too quote. The performance was full of double entendres. One of my favorite moments was the revealing of an anagram they created for Richard Nixon’s vice president Spiro Agnew. E-mail me if you do not know what it is.

I also had a remarkable conversation with the guy sitting next to me. He was a graduate student who obtained his undergraduate degree from Tennessee Tech. He plans on eventually to law school. I was amazed as he told me without asking that he was voting for Obama and that he was an avowed atheist despite being raised in the church. In fact, he is working on a book that satirizes the Bible. All of this was acknowledged after I told him I was a minister. To be honest, I loved his honesty and we had a great discussion.

After the play, I made a late visit to see KLTW, KJW, and RAW. Despite the hour, KJW was in rare form. She had us all play instruments. KLTW played the tambourine, KJW maracas, RAW the xylophone, and I the bongos. We may have been the worst band ever assembled. KJW enjoyed playing which made it worthwhile.

Earlier in the day, the family purchased two fish at Aquarium (6410 Papermill Drive) so that Dwight would have friends. They got an orange fish which KJW named “Tang” and a black fish that she named “Marbles”. Both are in the goldfish family.

In other KJW news, she can now count to twenty though she typically omits fourteen. You may remember that she refused to say “seven” for quite awhile. We anticipate that she will hate the number twenty-one....

She has also been taught to say “ghetto fabulous” for no apparent reason.

KL and MPW stopped by as well. KLTW had escorted her to the orthopedist earlier in the day and to get an MRI. There is still a chance that she will be able to avoid knee surgery. She was to know the results of the MRI the following day. Keep her health in your prayers.