Gamey

GAME ON:  We love board games in a big way here at MPA and today we test drove two new-to us ones. 

First up was "The Case of the Missing Mummy," which we 'won' on the wonderful "Buy Nothing" Facebook group we're a part of. If you haven't heard of Buy Nothing, here's how it's described on the Buy Nothing Web site: 

"The Buy Nothing Project began as an experimental hyper-local gift economy on Bainbridge Island, WA; in just 16 months, it has become a worldwide social movement, growing to over 80,000 members in 9 nations with 415 groups and 500 volunteers."

We're a part of a Buy Nothing group for the Magnolia and Queen Anne neighborhoods on Facebook. Basically, what people do is post things they're ready to be rid of, rather than taking them to Goodwill, trashing them, or posting them on Craigslist. 

To date, we've donated books, toys and more. We've received games, household furnishings, and even a 40-inch television(!). It's an amazing giving community. We'd encourage you to join one in your area, or start one!

We have a practice of leaving a nice note when we pick up a Buy Nothing gift. Here's what we left today when we picked up "The Case of the Missing Mummy." 

The game we played was a cooperative one, which we like, and we four beat the mummy with no trouble at all. Go us!

Next up, we played a science-based game the kids checked out from the library. Called "Power Surge," it has questions about electricity, machines, energy, and magnetism, combined with some "Sorry" game like aspects.

As we were playing it, I was glad we've taken a couple of physics-related classes. :)

ALL ABOUT OPERA: We powered through lecture after lecture today in our classical music course. We were neck deep in Verdi, Bellini, Wagner and Liszt. Speaking of the latter, what a guy, as it turns out.

Ever heard of Beatlemania? Of course you have. Well back before the Fab Four, there was a phenomenon called Lisztomania thanks to a "rock star" before there was rock. I'll let Annabelle tell you more. ... 

                                           "Franz Liszt by Herman Biow- 1843" 

Franz Liszt was a composer of many operatic performances. He was so popular he was considered a "rockstar of the 19th century" and had over 3000 people at some concerts, and even had his own "Lisztomania"! His operas included "Un sospiro" and "Die Walküre", from which his famous "Ride of the Valkyries" came. He also had many Etudes, which are pieces meant for those learning piano, even though his were not of much use for that.

Editor's notes: Liszt's etudes were not good practice pieces because they are almost impossible to play, even for virtuosos. Liszt was known as a 'three handed' pianist because what he played was beyond what the vast majority of two-handed mortals could manage. Apparently many of his concert goers were women, who threw bouquets at him and clamored for a lock of his hair.

One of the most interesting things we learned today was that Liszt was (purportedly) the first  to turn his grand piano sideways during concerts. Reportedly he did this out of vanity, to hide a big mole on his left cheek.  This photo of an elderly Liszt might help bolster that claim. 

We also learned about Richard Wagner. Here are a few things that stuck in CJ's mind from the lectures. ...

Richard Wagner has more books written about him than Beethoven, Mozart, or Bach did, and lived in the same place that Bach did for 27 years. Wagner had to teach himself about music, and was most famous for his composition "The Flight of the Valkyries", which is one of the most iconic pieces of music from the Romantic period. Wagner designed the Bayreuth Festival Theatre, which has a hidden area for the orchestra to play in and had gasoline candles which could be dimmed or brightened for performances.

Turns out Wagner was a revolutionary. We have him to thank for many of the elements of our modern day theater going experiences, like, as CJ noted, theater lights dimming, the orchestra  being hidden (like the audio in modern day movie theaters), not admitting people late to performances (yes! thank you Wagner!), and more. 

Also, Wagner helped re-introduce the 'ring' to more modern storytelling. Unlike his contemporaries, who were enamored of Shakespeare and such, he based his operas on Nordic mythology, and the idea of prequels and rings in storytelling (think Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, etc.). Super interesting and educational

GRAY MATTER:  Yesterday we mentioned Mars Science Laboratory's activities on the Red Planet. Today, NASA released a photo of a recent drilling site. Check it out! 

      Photo: NASA-JPL

Turns out Mars' red is only 'skin' deep. Not all that surprising, of course, but, still, it's fascinating and so cool to see!