In Concert

We are a musical family. We've all played instruments (some better than others), we all sing (some better than others) and we all enjoy live music performances (that's pretty universal though the decibel level tolerated is higher for some than others). So we genuinely enjoy performing and attending concerts. That being said, four in a single week may be a bit much...

The count starts on Friday night, when Allen and I went to see the New Pornographers at the 9:30 Club while the kids stayed home and introduced Mom Mom to Doctor Who. Sunday, Nora had their first performance with the Repertory Orchestra at DCYOP (and then left for their last Sheridan School retreat at Mountain Campus the following day). Thursday, Allen watched as Owen and the Duke Orchestra performed the fourth movement of Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony at the Kennedy Center before picking up a returning Nora from school, dropping them off at home, and then heading out to Wharf to meet Brad and Marlo for the Flaming Lips (I was supposed to go as well, but we figured at least one parent should be home Nora's first night back).

It was a lot for a single week, but definitely worth it and filled our cultural cup until Opera Workshop in June...

(To see all the concert pictures, click here.)

Go Owls!

  

This spring Noa surprised us a bit and decided to join the Sheridan softball team. Maybe it had something to do with Burke (Noa's future high school) exempting you from the P.E. requirement if you play a team sport, or that softball seems like a great sporty LGBTQ+ activity, or maybe it was simply the family love of "base" based sports finally rubbed off on Noa. Whatever the motivation, we're super proud of Noa for trying something new and donning the "tools of ignorance" to play catcher for the Owls.

On Wednesday the Owls took on Westminster in the Capital Athletic Conference Varsity Girls Softball playoffs. With Noa behind the dish, Westminster loaded the bases in the top of the first, but the Owls worked their way out of the jam and escaped the inning without giving up any runs. In the bottom of the inning Sheridan scored a run to take an early1-0 lead. Things got a bit dicey in the second with Westminster scoring four runs, but Noa made a great play at the plate for a one-two put out that limited the damage. The Owls scored again in the third to cut the lead to two, but Westminster put up two more runs in the fourth to take a 6-2 lead. 

With five minutes left before the no-new-inning time the umpire called for one more inning, and the Owls were ready. Noa came up to bat with one out, nobody on, and with a keen eye drew a walk. The next batter hit the ball sharply to short and when they bobbled the ball and threw late to first, Noa made the smart play and hustled around to third. After the next batter struck out, the Owls got a clutch hit driving Noa home to make it 6-3. Then the flood gates opened and Sheridan strung together a series of hits to cut the lead to one. 

With a runner on first, the Owls hit what looked to be a sure double. But with an understandable TOOTBLAN, the lead runner stopped at second while the batter made the turn around first as the ball confounded the outfielders. When both runners met at second and realized their problem, the lead runner broke for third, and the batter ran back to first. While it looked like they were both safe when the throw to first was late, the umpire called the batter out for making contact with the opposing player at first. 

There was a bit of frustration amongst the Owls having their comeback thwarted and their season ended on such a controversial play, but they quickly decided it was one of their best games of the year and celebrated their third place finish and a great season of Sheridan softball.

Mid-Century Modern

While 50th birthdays are generally a big deal, mid-May birthdays are kind of a scheduling nightmare. With Mother's Day looming and end of school year events in full swing, organizing an elaborate celebration can prove overwhelming. At least that's what I told Allen...

Allen was still adamant that we had to mark my entry into the latter half of the century, so we enjoyed tapas at Jose Andre's Bazaar (housed in the hotel formerly owned by they who shall not be named), a night out with the kids to see Spamalot at the Kennedy Center, and finally sushi with Steve & Megan (and Megan's sister) at Love, Makoto. There were also lots of presents and flowers and cards and facebook postings, but to be honest, I kind of leaned into the quiet. All of which made for a low-key yet fully acknowledged and lovely fiftieth birthday. Thanks everyone.

(To see all the birthday pictures, click here.)