Volunteer work....

The first part of my fun, action-packed Saturday was volunteer work as a computer tutor. A non-profit organization holds classes in basic computer skills at the San Jose Public Library. (I previously said that they were for the homeless, but they're open to anyone with an interest.) The class uses self-paced instruction, and volunteer tutors help when students get stuck.

It was harder than it would seem. I had a tough time explaining things without referring to concepts that presume a certain amount of computer literacy. For example, try explaining the difference between a hard drive and a network drive to someone who isn't familiar with computers and networks.

I was matched with a lady who was somewhat impatient and frustrated. (Poetic justice--she sounded like I would sound if I was in her shoes-;)) I guess that I didn't annoy her too much though because she asked if I would be back next week for part 2 of the class. And yes, I plan to be there.

...And The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe

After the volunteer work, I grabbed a bite to eat, and then headed for the train to San Francisco. I had a ticket for the evening show of The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe with Lily Tomlin. Several years ago, I had seen the movie that was made from the play, and was blown away by it. (I recommend renting it if you haven't seen it.) I also have the play. But I had never seen the play as a play.

Taking the train was the perfect way to transition from one part of the day to the other. I spent the time looking out the window and musing about stuff. Pondered whether mixing domestic and professional partnerships, as Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner (the play's author) do, would be fun or sometimes annoying. (I suspect some of both.) Mused about muses. Thought about the Greek classifications of types of love. Stuff like that.

Had a moment of dismay when I got there. I wanted to book a seat on the aisle (and thought that I had) because lithium tends to make me run to the bathroom. Well, the only way to get into the row was from the other end. Furthermore, everyone else was seated, so they all had to stand up so that I could get in. Okay, I gathered that I was stuck there for the duration of the play. But the view from the seat was incredible. It was the first row of the mezzanine, just in front of the railing. No obstructions of the view at all.

I guess that I don't see enough plays. I was struck by the fact that it really was Lily Tomlin down there, and not an amazing facsimile. And furthermore, she was there to put on the play for us. Her energy was amazing. She was doing 2.5 hours of highly physical acting for the second time that day--and she's in her early 60s. She looked good to go again at the end too.

A few of the lines from Trudy the bag lady made me wince ("...going crazy was the best thing that ever happened to me"), but I loved what she said right after that ("I don't say it's for everybody; some people couldn't cope. But for me it came at a time when nothing else seemed to be working.") Just so.

I wasn't as moved by the play as I was by the movie. I don't know if it was because of the difference between movies and plays (movies are experiences while plays are events) or because I knew what was going to happen. The thing that moved me the most happened after it ended. People were applauding, and Lily was saying something to the audience that we couldn't hear. Then she left, and came back and yelled loud enough for those in the rafters to hear: "I REALLY ENJOYED THIS!" And it showed. Really, really neat.