September 29, 2005

I ride a lot of horses

Tonight we went to see Margaret MacMillan read from and discuss Women of the Raj, which I’m currently reading and enthralled by. It’s inspiring me to write poetry! Not every history book has such power. I hadn’t seen her for three years, since I was fortunate enough to be in her Cold War History class, and to be in her presence is a great experience. She is an amazing speaker, a brilliant woman and very funny too. She is just the same, and I was excited for Stuart to meet her, as I’ve talked about her so often over the years- especially July of 2004 which I spent reading Paris 1919, which she signed for me tonight! (My copy of “Women of the Raj” is alas a library book.) It was lovely see her again. Tonight we also heard Barbara Hodgson, who read from her book, Dreaming of East which was wonderful.

I am listening to the new Dar Williams CD. The whole thing can be streamed, follow the link from her website. It’s good. Already, I love “Teen For God”, which is classic Dar Williams and has the line, “This world that you made for us, I know, I know it’s dangerous, so I ride a lot of horses”.

Good graffitti is whoever spraypainted “Anne” over a part of a scaffolding emblazoned with the word “Murray”. Not so good is the poster campaign for literacy at the library on the corner, which directs you to which number to call if you in fact cannot read.