Roger Sullivan Blog

There's a pond not far from my house.  I pass it each day on my regular walking loop.  This time of year, one can gauge the depths of the winter by observing whether the surface is iced over - and how thickly.  Years ago, this was an ice pond, meaning that teams of men would saw blocks of ice from the surface and horses would drag the blocks to a nearby icehouses for storage.  In the pre-Freon days of yore, winter ice was the only way to preserve perishable food during the hot summer months.

In the 1800's, icehouses lined the shore of the pond.  Each of them was insulated with winter grass in the walls and between the layers of ice.  Remarkably, these large blocks would last well into the summer months.  There was even a cargo of ice carried to the Far East by one of the New England clipper ships.  Exactly how much of the cargo actually survived the journey is not recorded.

Several years ago, a nearby boat club repaired a culvert under a road near their boat docks.  The stream through the culvert is now more of a torrent than anything else.  Twice a day, at the peak of tidal flow, the water roars through the culvert as thousands of gallons of seawater ebb and flow to and from the tidal marshes on the lee side of the road. 

Unforeseen at the time was the impact that this water action would have on the ice pond situated just at the edge of the marsh.  While the pond is fresh water spring fed, the fresh water content has now been overwhelmed by the tidal action.  The pond water is now brackish and also has tidal movement of about six to eight inches.  Thank goodness for modern refrigeration.

 -------

Each year, my wife and I try to get down to New York City a couple times a year for a long weekend.  What with family activities and other obligations this year, our usual trip during the holidays didn't happen.  One of the primary reasons for going is that we love Broadway theater and have been fortunate to see some great performances over the years.  The BEST way to do this is to take advantage of the opportunity is through the "TKTS" booths off Times Square and South Street Seaport.  TKTS sells same day, deeply discounted tickets for almost all of the Broadway performances.  If you are patient (the lines can be daunting) and go with a list of options, you can get really good seats and see great theater.

It's just as well that family commitments intervened, as the stagehands strike in late 2007 darkened the lights when we otherwise would have been able to go.

However earlier in 2007, we made the trek down on the Amtrak Acela Express from Massachusetts to Penn Station one Friday morning.  Given that it was more of a spur-of-the moment trip than long-planned, we hadn't researched the available shows ahead of time.  So, we ambled over to the TKTS booth Friday evening to see what was listed.  We intended to grab a bite to eat and wanted to discuss the options over dinner.

As we were reviewing the list, a woman approached us and asked if we wanted free tickets.  Now, I admit to an increased sense of personal security wariness and buyer's skepticism when in New York's Time Square, however the magic word ("free") pretty well got my attention and immediately engaged me in the conversation.

"What show?" I asked.

She replied, "Grey Gardens."

At this point, the TKTS person commented on what a great show this is.

"Did you say, 'FREE'?" said I -- still obviously stuck on the magic word and less concerned with dramatic quality.

She explained that she had purchased too many tickets and simply wanted to offer the extras to someone.

Long story short: I gave her some cash (random acts of kindness should be recognized).  We sprinted to the theater.  (The TKTS transaction took place 10 minutes before curtain rising.)  We found ourselves in the orchestra, eleventh row center section -- outstanding seats.

Very rarely does one have the opportunity to see truly great live performances.  This evening was completely and unexpectedly one such time.  Here's a synopsis from the web site:

"Grey Gardens [NB: LINK HAS SOUND] brings to life both the delightfully eccentric aunt and the cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis.  Once among the brightest names in the pre-Camelot social register, these two women became East Hampton's more notorious recluses, living in a dilapidated 28-room mansion.  Set in two eras -- in 1941 when the estate was in its prime and in 1973 when it was reduced to squalor -- the musical tell the alternately hilarious and the heartbreaking story of two indomitable women, Edith Bouvier Beale and her adult daughter 'Little' Edie."

Christine Ebersole played Edith Bouvier Beale (Mother Beale) in the First Act and the adult Little Edie in Act II.  Mary Louise Wilson played Mother Beale in the Second Act.  Both actresses won well-deserved Tony Awards for their performances.

After the show, we promptly bought the cast recording CD and have listened to it many, many times.  (Can you wear out a CD?)  It's not often that I'd see a show twice -- actually I've never done it.  But for the fact that "Grey Gardens" ended its U.S. run in July 2007, we would see it at least once again.

The heartbreaking story line unfolds in the Second Act when the effects of Mother Beale's controlling influence on the young Edie become apparent.  In Act II, when both are living together in the ruins of the once-grand home, Edie sings "Around the World" during which she alternately remembers once-precious "memorabilia" in wistful longing for good times past, and rages in anger against her present circumstances.  This was a powerful performance by Ms. Ebersole.

Another memorable Act II scene for me was "Another Winter in a Summer Town" during which Edie aches at the loneliness of her life and longs for happier times when she was a wealthy New York society debutant engaged to Joe Kennedy, Jr. before it all went so very badly.

As I've mentioned in previous postings, I live in a "summer town."  During this time of year, the opening refrain of the song is particularly poignant:

"Another Winter in a Summer Town

The renters go home
The maple goes from crimson to brown
Oh God, my God
Another winter
In a summer town
The beach is empty
They covered the pools
The patio umbrellas come down. . ."

Until I heard Ms Ebersole sing this, I never thought of winter as a sad or melancholy time.  I have always thought of it as a season for rest, reflection and preparation for Spring and Summer activities.  The show brought a new meaning to this time and this place for me -- all because of a chance encounter with a generous woman in Times Square.

I'll be going back to the City in a few weeks to participate in one of the Information Security Symposium sessions that Oracle is conducting.

During this event, I'm sure we'll discuss some of the unintended consequences of IT projects and how proper application of Security and Identity Management solutions can solve some of these problems.  Please consider registering for one of these events nearby.

I look forward to seeing you at this or another session.

Safe travels