Peer Gynt with a Peer

We saw an adapted performance of Peer Gynt at the Ordway Theatre in St Paul. It was a production by VocalEssence in conjunction with the Norwegian National Opera, Norwegian National Theatre and the Norwegian National Ballet. (See this site for more information on the production.)

This was the performance that Prince Haakon, the Crown Prince of Norway, attended. The audience received the word at the beginning: stand when the Crown Prince enters and remain standing until he sits. At intermission, stand before the Crown Prince stands and remain standing until he leaves the theatre. Before the second act, stand. At end, stand. For an egalitarian community, this was kinda strange stuff. But, we all complied. I sort of wanted to say "have a safe trip" as he left at the end of the performance but stifled it.

Probably a good thing since we attended with my mother-in-law and a good friend -- both are Norwegian. (Barb's maiden name is Skurdalsvold and her mother's maiden name is Ness.)

There was this kind of nervous silence during the "standing" ... but some last-second applause for the Crown Prince when he left the theatre for good. We all sort of looked around at each other not sure if that was per protocol but gave a collective shrug and figured it was the right thing to do.

Turns out this is the centenary of Norway's independence from Sweden and the Crown Prince is visiting the US (and elsewhere) as part of the celebration. (See Norway Post article for more details.) The King and Queen of Norway will visit the UK to celebrate the centenary (gee I love that word).

Hmmm, wonder if the UK gets the top royalty because they have a Queen and we just get a Prince since we don't have royalty.

One last note. I have to confess I know far too little about Norway, Sweden etc. Here's some information that was news to me:

The Union between Norway and Sweden was established in 1814 following the Peace of Kiel which ended almost 400 years of Danish rule. The King of Sweden also became King of Norway. However, Norway established internal self-rule, based on its own constitution, adopted on 17 May 1814.

Towards the end of the 19th century the struggle for full independence intensified. On 7 June 1905, the Norwegian Storting (parliament) unilaterally decided no longer to recognise King Oscar II as King of Norway, thus dissolving the Union. A referendum overwhelmingly supported the decision taken by the Storting.

A period with tension building up in both countries followed. But through negotiations between Norwegian and Swedish representatives a mutually agreed formula for a peaceful ending of the union was reached in Karlstad (Sweden). On 26 October 1905 Sweden officially recognised Norway as an independent and separate state. The British government formally recognised Norway four days later, on 30 October 1905. The union between the two countries had lasted for 91 years.

A second referendum decided to establish a monarchy. Prince Carl of Denmark accepted the offer to become king and took on the Norwegian crown under the name of Haakon VII. He was married to Maud, daughter of King Edward VII. With their young son, Olav, the new royal family arrived in Norway on 25 November 1905.

From 100 Years of Independence

COUNTDOWN: 30 days; 13 hours to storage.
DRIVEN? Not today ... temperature was only in high 40's when I left this morning and needed three seats for the drive to Peer Gynt!

Keep Your Distance

Another day of Miata driving ... temps in the mid 60's! It's a great car to drive since its handling and steering are so responsive and, while the car isn't a horsepower tyrant, it's pretty peppy as long as you're in the right gear and the engine is not lugging or at the peak of its power band.

Put a Motown Soul Mix CD in the stereo, cranked up the sound and sang along to the Four Tops, the Temptations, Al Green and friends. Lots of fun.

While on 35W, I had an older Camry station wagon get behind me. It had obviously been in a couple (or more) accidents as the wheels were pigeon-toed and both fenders were crumpled. Apparently he wanted to check out the interior of my exhaust pipe as he hung on my tail pretty closely. So I ducked over into the next lane. He did too.

I then slowed down a bit more and went into the right lane. He did too.

So, I speeded up and went into the left lane. He did too.

By now I'm getting a bit nervous ... Miata are great cars but not well known for their rear crumple zone. I spotted a gap in the traffic and felt it was close enough to my exit so I eased back over to the middle and then the right again. He did too.

I exited and as I did so, he drove by and gave me a thumbs up. Apparently he just liked the car.

I still wanted to keep my distance.

COUNTDOWN: 32 days; 15 hours to storage.

Counting Down ...

This Miata season is drawing to an end. Took a look at the calendar and there's only 33 days, 16 hours to the date that I take her in for the winter's storage.

Since time is getting short and while the temperatures were in the 60's today, I took the Miata to drive to my appointments and open house today. The open house is located so that I only need three "tent" signs for directing would-be guests to the home. That's also the maximum number of signs that will fit in the trunk. It's Karma!)

The drive over was fine -- sunny and in the low 60's. The drive home was also fine -- I had an appointment in South Minneapolis and time to kill so I took a longer way around. A nice drive.

But on the way home, the sun set. The wind grew a bit stronger. The temps dipped. And the last ten minutes or so were not quite as much fun.

Note to self: temps in the upper 50's are much more enjoyable at the beginning of the season. The sun's warmer and the psychological boost is greater. At the end of the season, I tend to remember the warmer days (and evenings not to mention nights). The sun is more remote. Falling leaves seem to accentuate the cooler temps.

Now it's 33 days, 15 hours and 23 minutes.