itstery

[itstery]

Every now and then I take a look back and pondered on. So many mistakes. Countless situations revealing my lack of virtuosity in my actions. Why couldn’t I have been like what I am now? Now I am poised, graceful, and strong. I would have been so different right now. I could be feeling even better. All those countless moments. Ah. Could, would, should. So many negative thoughts as well.

Yes, every now and then I dwell in the past. Perhaps... all these kept occuring because that’s all I have been doing. Living in the past. From thinking about it, I began to do things like the past, and the past becomes the present once more. History never learned. So right now, what’s new?

Now I will change. First my thoughts. Optimism is great. I should look at the brighter side more often, channel and harness positive energies. Stop looking at the past, something you cannot change. Truth be told, you already know the lessons of those experiences, so learn from them. Move on.

Also, be patient. Patience is virtuous. 

Also, you’ve already have the worst. So it can’t get any worse, so don’t.

[itstery]

Went to the PNE Playland nights yesterday with Melissa. Rides there were fun. Not death defying, well almost. Then again I guess it varies a lot because of how some people view it. I have always been a fan of the theme park. Giving you that adrenaline rush and thrills, and most importantly for me, the safety. Safety almost guaranteed. Safety inspections, rigid testing, the park actually existing and continues to with the support of the community because it hasn’t killed anyone. Then again sometimes the safety is just an illusion. For instance I’m sure the riders of the Ohio state fair that rode on the malfunctioned ride before it... well malfunctioned, thought the ride was okay. That kid who died probably did at first too.

Anyway. Nobody died. Can’t live in a constant state of fear yknow. Sure the thought of experiencing your imagined final moments is scare enough, but experiences are fleeting. Just like yesterday’s hunger or last week’s embarrassment. They exist as a fleeting moment’s sensory impulses, then they go. Away. You don’t experience it anymore. You might experience feelings that were deeply rooted during that experience, but is it the same? Hardly. Let go of experiences; this was what one book which Joey gave me taught me. You don’t have to experience much. When capable, sensing the whole present is already overwhelming.

[itstery]

Navigating life.

tl;dr: Phantom of the Opera was the first Broadway play I have seen, was interesting.

I watched the Phantom of the Opera yesterday. It was a pleasant experience to have, especially watching an opera for the first time. Okay more of ‘professional opera’ if I had to be specific as I saw a Russian play by UBC Opera back in the winter in which I had to trek through thick snow because the winter of ‘16 was one of the snowiest Vancouver has had in a while. Probably trying to set me in actual Russia.

This Broadway production, in comparison to the UBC Opera play, run by students, was absolutely spectacular in their stage props and dresses and special effects. The props were absolutely detailed, beautiful, and realistic. The stage were created so naturally, the transitions between scenes and the change in their environment was executed seamlessly, flowing through the story line smoothly. Awe was struck throughout the audience when mini explosion exploded across the stage, or when the chandelier which was hanging above the audience in the middle of the theater dazzled and illuminated, and faked a free fall from the ceiling and stopping just a few feet above them. Oh, and fiery flares flashed on the stage a couple of times. And for most of these effects, this poor elderly lady in front of me and Joey got startled. Bad. The ‘jump-up-startled-with-a-yelp’ bad, mixed in with her lightning fast reaction to plug her ears. I ain’t gonna lie, I was caught off guard too but my sense of amazement for those effect triumphed over me instead.

Now onto the cast. Its a diverse cast, with what I’m going to assume a black man, a woman of Hispanic descent and.... that’s about it? I’m not sure if there were any Asian in the cast but that won’t matter much now. But I enjoyed the singing. I said enjoyed because as I thought about I probably can’t tell the difference between the singers between UBC Opera and this Broadway cast. And this is good, because that means UBC Opera has some promising students. Or bad, because that means I can’t fully appreciate this. But perhaps it is best to just view these as the way they are, no need to analyze it so much :)

The singing is also a reason why I didn’t understand the plot of the story much. The exaggerated tones, pitches, and pronunciation distorted the words enough for me to get lost in the middle of their sentences, or even words sometimes. I was listening to the whole play on Spotify during my afternoon walk back home earlier today, and I could understand them better. Perhaps I could have streamed online first, so I could have understood the live play better.

Before I forget, the ballet! It is such a breathtaking form of dancing. I finally understood why it used to so... posh and high-class now. Their poise and grace, eloquence in their body language, and the strength imbued in their bodies. Such magnificent creatures, these ballerinas.  

The opera is incomplete without the orchestra; and for the Phantom, they were incredible. I wasn’t sure which was the orchestra playing or some special effects sounds being orchestrated by a technical team in headsets behind the screens (which by the way, was on point in comparison to the UBC Opera. Although, the Queen Elizabeth Theater obviously has a much better sound system). It felt like a much more immersive experience in this Phantom play because of both stage use and theater use. Double storey, rotating and opening stages sets. Special effects manipulated throughout the stage and also in the theater (does it count if the actors also acted adjacent the theater seats?) These drew me closer to the realism of the stage and the experience of watching an play acted out).

I also stumbled upon the same realization during both plays. That combined, the orchestra, actors, and set, all masterfully mixed the visuals and audio of the play into an experience that elicits emotion. They made me feel drawn towards the situation, the actors’ problems or rejoices, or the mood more. They often made me edge a little closer on my seat towards them, ‘’What... just happened?’’. Usually, the orchestra draws my attention first, perhaps by their change of pitch or tone. Or by utilizing a particular instrument’s chord to reverberate change across the room. Then, with the power of a lone, powerful voice, they confronted the audience and mesmerized them in a one single syllable of a word, repeated multiple times in an increasing tone/pitch/volume, showcasing their talented voice. Together, they reminded audiences why they existed for so long, precisely the reason why the audiences come to them for so long.