Trying to catch up on posting…a lot in the backlog.
But for now, two videos from the week’s surfing that stayed with me.
The first comes from the Hay Festival of Literature & the Arts, where Sherlock, er, I mean, Benedict Cumberbatch, among others, was on hand to read a group of inspiring letters. There were many wonderful readings apparently, but the finale, Kurt Vonnegut’s letter to the Drake School Board–the famous “I am very real” letter–was something special.
The other inspiration is in the form of good advice from mezzo Joyce DiDonato, delivered during her commencement speech to this year’s graduating class at Julliard, which she disarmingly admits she wouldn’t have been admitted to.
The text of the speech is on this page, with video embedded at the end. 
“[You are] now servants to the ear that needs quiet solace, and the eye that needs the consolation of beauty, servants to the mind that needs desperate repose or pointed inquiry, to the heart that needs invitation to flight or silent understanding, and to the soul that needs safe landing, or fearless, relentless enlightenment.”
I certainly find safe landing in this, her gorgeous singing of “Ombra mai fu,” one of those Handel arias of unearthly beauty. (There are so many!)
Selah and have a great weekend.
A Few Reasonable Words 