Black Watch

Shock and awe, ringing ears, and profuse swearing – key elements that made the National Theatre of Scotland’s production of Black Watch simply captivating.

I know what you’re thinking, nothing is that good, these statements are like the drivel on film posters “A Must See!!!” or “Two Thumbs Up.” In this instance, the production (it’s more than a play, and I certainly wouldn’t detract from it by calling it a musical) in parts rivals the impact one would get at a screening of an action film. It’s the real deal, and as one of the reviews said, “Beg, steal or borrow to get yourself a ticket,” The News of the World.

From the moment of seating in the Sidney Harman Hall at the Shakespeare Theatre, one is in the midst of the action, loud bagpipes play and roboscans fill the stage; which I would characterise as abbreviated in the round, audience seating behind what would be the traditional proscenium, and also in the expected area in front of the stage. With the troops wagon on stage right and scaffolding on either side, one had a real sense of depth on an otherwise bare stage. Suspension of disbelief was not an issue here.

Working on it…

I know the point of a blog is to have fresh content all the time, and I knew this would be a problem when I started this page. That said, once I finish reading the current book I am on (a long-term effort over the Christmas holidays and into the new year), I will work on new content. Promise.

PS – Go Frogs

First Drive – BMW 335d

This morning, I took up an offer at BMW of Arlington (soon to be BMW of Alexandria) to test drive a 2011 BMW 335d.

The model we took out was a black four-door saloon, with the sports and cold weather packages. Shod in pretty nice 18′s with low profile run-flat PZeros (I think).

For about $52k, this isn’t a cheap motor, especially considering this wasn’t even optioned out to the limit, but it is a nice ride.

After pressing the start/stop button and starting it up without a wait for glowplugs, I half expected a pretty loud noise until it warmed up. It was quiet, just about as quiet as my funfer is in the morning. That was impressive.

Venturing onto the roads, we took it on the secondary roads before having a pretty good run on I395 and I495. I let the car shift itself until we hit the on-ramp for the highway (only autos are available – for shame BMW-USA), then put it into sport-shift mode. The car has paddles on the steering wheel, and given the sport-size wheel, everything was in reach and really comfortable. I kept catching myself going for the clutch and gear stick, but that was inevitable.

Putting your foot down, even in the sixth at moderate speed, the torque is quite impressive, almost pulling like a 540i. Considering this is a normal automatic gearbox, not an SMG or DCT, the shifts are remarkably responsive. You quickly forget you are driving an oil burner, and it corners  well (some Dinan parts would spice it up) – that’s more a testament to the large shoes as opposed to the (blech) run-flats I suppose. Turning the nanny switch off, I imagine this is a car that could spend a lot of time going sideways on a track day.

I found the visibility not as good as the 5 series – but that’s inevitable given the car’s smaller size.  A diesel coupe would be a definite win too. It seems that they really restrict the range of diesel (and small in general) models for the US market. Hopefully this tide is shifting as people want small, fun, economical cars.

Bottom line, if this car had a more appealing interior (this one had saddle brown leather and wood trim), this is one I could definietly see myself in. There are tons of incentives too, so this could be a pretty reasonable car to purchase in late-December if one is so-inclined to take advantage of the tax perks.

Still, I say that now, but I cannot wait for the new 1 Series M Coupe to come out, hopefully in Q1 2011.  That will be a car for a test-drive and euro-delivery.

A Great Post from Greater Greater Washington

Following the Securitisn’t series from a while back, David Alpert at GGW has a great post following the capture of alleged terrorists plotting to engage the Metro system in DC. A great line, sure to infuriate Bill O’Reilly:

Instead, they typically just end up being suspicious of people who look Muslim.

Snippet and more:

Overreactions already beginning to nonexistent bomb plot

Following news that the FBI orchestrated its own, fake Metro bombing plot to catch a potential terrorist, Metro transit police are already pondering instituting useless “security theater” methods like random bag searches.

NYC subway bag inspection. Photo by Runs With Scissors on Flickr.

Bag searches look good but don’t do anything. Anyone can simply turn around and enter a different station. If someone wanted to bomb a station, they just wouldn’t do it when the bag searches are taking place. As I discussed on yesterday’s Kojo Nnamdi show, we’ve spent far too much money building security barriers around buildings or running big “show of force” exercises.

Read on… http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post.cgi?id=7897

September Primary Elections

Wow, what a night, and what a morning. Talking heads will have no end of items to chat about today. Are the tea baggers doing long-term damage to the Republicans? With empty suits like O’Connell winning in Delaware, one has to wonder. Likewise, are NYers really ready for Paladino?

Closer to home, the Maryland gubernatorial rematch between Ehrlich and O’Malley might be one of the better, and hopefully more civil general election battles.

Closer to home, Mayor Fenty losing his election will be national news, not to mention a case-study for years to come about how one can: have one hell of a mandate, win every precinct in the city, and have residents believe you a doing a good job – yet because do forget to do the basics, and some good old retail, you lose everything. People can handle an aggressive go-getter who rolls over the Council, but not if you don’t tell the base why. His evasive nature ended up being his undoing.

From WaPo: How Adrian Fenty lost his reelection bid for D.C. mayor.

Securitisn’t – Part 3 – End Game

This is Part 3 of my asking the question about whether or not the highly visible security deterrents  are actually worth it, or just a pretend make you feel good effort.

Hopefully, you are beginning to see that securitisn’t pervades all aspects of life in the U.S. The real shame is as I have stated before, once things change – like the closure of Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House, it will never reopen. (For the record, I do quite like the promenade in front of the WH, but for all the Secret Service vehicles and officers that clutter up this highly secure area).

Arbitrary decision by politicians in Congress and Federal agencies do have a tangible impact on our quality of life in the nation’s capital. For example, why must tour and city buses be subjected to stop and speak with a U.S. Capitol Police officer each time they pass. And to that point, do we really need multiple USCP officers on every corner around the Capitol and house buildings? Does that make one feel safer? Would it really be a threat for me to walk up the steps of the Capitol to experience the U.S. Capitol – the government seems to think so.

Securitisn’t – Part 2 – the TSA

This is Part 2 of my asking the question about whether or not the highly visible security deterrents  are actually worth it, or just a pretend make you feel good effort..

Beyond physical moves, securitisn’t takes on other forms. Since my time as a photographer at the TCU Daily Skiff in Fort Worth, I’ve had a keen sensitivity to the right to be able to take photographs in public spaces, and of people, even if they may not necessarily want it. I never really had any run-ins, but again, since the mid-to-late nineties, there has been a snowball effect of where one cannot take photographs or video, often enforced by poorly informed police, security guards, or other officials.

Another WaPo article “Freedom of photography: Police, security often clamp down despite public right“ got me agitated on the photography front too. Basically, overzealous officers prevent people taking photographs inside such great places as Union Station in D.C. or in front of any of the brutalist Federal buildings in the city. (These buildings, it should be noted, are surrounded by jersey barriers, bollards, planters and portacabins for the officers).