Well, that was unexpected.

[venta]

So, yesterday I go to work with plans to trot home at five, cook dinner, do some tidying, maybe a little writing. Then an ICQ from a friend rolls up saying do I want a ticket to see the Royal Ballet perform Manon at the Royal Opera House in the evening, as its intended owner is ill and not feeling up to it.

So... I've never seen a ballet, so it seemed like a worthwhile venture.

First off, we missed buying a programme on the way in, so knew only the rather minimal plot synopsis from the flyer. So, the curtain came down on the first act with neither us having any kind of clue what was going on. One hasty purchase later, we were trying to piece together the story:

"So, I think the rich dude is the one in the orange coat."
"Was there a guy in an orange coat? Is he the bad guy?"

Then, of course, they all maliciously had costume changes for the second act and I was all at sea again.

I'm not wholly convinced about ballet, you know. I'm impressed at the things the dancers can do, and it's technically amazing, but... but... I don't find it all that appealing or pretty to look at. I'm quite prepared to believe that if I knew more about it I'd be capable of appreciating it more, but I was left rather unmoved by the whole experience.

In addition, when younger I knew someone who learnt ballet to quite a high level and I find it very difficult to disassociate what I know of the strain and the bandages and the bleeding feet from Manon pirouetting across the stage. So I'm not sure I'll be repeating the venture, unless someone who's very knowledgable recommends something, and explains all the hard parts to me.

On a related note, Ponti's in Covent Garden do really rather poor sandwiches. Their ciabattas were very dry and chewy, and far too much like hard work to eat.

On getting up this morning, I decided that the bite I collected at the weekend was just too damn painful (besides, it's stopping me from moving my arm) and took it to the doctor. She looked a bit bemused, and gave me antibiotics on general principles (4 times a day on an empty stomach? I'm not sure I have an empty stomach that often). The good news is it probably wasn't a crocodile, but the bad news is it might be shingles :( Wait and see...

Comments

[onebyone.livejournal.com]

Oh, I see what you mean. I thought it was just the old doctor trying to stop your parents leaving - I didn't realise that the new doctor was in on it too, and was refusing to take them on.

[venta.livejournal.com]

I must admit to being a bit hazy about who "they" are, as referred to in my post above. But yes, this is an agreement all the practices in the Darlington area have reached.

Apologies if my slightly frothy-mouthed explanation was unclear in the first place. It annoys me, given how much having their doctor two bus-rides away inconveniences some people.