RLPF.ar

Now I'm in DC, for four days of meetings (and maybe an extra half) with the dancers and video artist for Affectations. Lorne, the video guy, is even more of a geek than I am; my techie side is fully indulged. Good fun!

Today's studio time was first thing in the morning, 8:30 AM, far too early to take public transportation from Northern Virginia all the way out to Northeast DC (actually Prince George's County). The choreographers live only a block from the studio and graciously offered to put me up for the night. They are lovely, most hospitable people and the proud owners of these two demon cats. The cats are just fine, quiet and mild-mannered; this is only what happens to them when you forget to turn off the flash before taking their pictures.

I'm staying with our dear friend Jeffrey, whose car unfortunately developed a flat on the way home from a dinner party the other night. His car has all-wheel drive. Now here's something I didn't know about AWD vehicles: the drive system depends on all the tires having the same level of wear. That means it's no good (so they say) to have one brand-new tire and three older ones. In other words, one flat tire instantly turns into four flat tires, and four times the expense. Tomorrow should bring a second opinion; I'm curious to learn to what extent this is really true, or how much is a tire industry scam.

My cold is mercifully on the wane. Tonight's dinner was tomato-egg soup and hot-peppery bitter melon, after which I coughed up what felt like a lung and a half (pardon the gruesome imagery). That's the end-stage I've been through a dozen times, and not a moment too soon.