Time to Breathe

 It seems to require either exceptional courage or an intense inclination to sadism to attend to the "news" these days. Journalism has always been a slave to a "if it bleeds, it leads" mentality, but the digital nature of today's world allows the industry to rake up any political conflict,  military mayhem, or natural disaster - large or small - from anywhere on the globe with truly depressing immediacy. I don't know if humanity is really striving to descend to new lows, or if our ability to follow the pessimistic storylines just makes it seem so. Either way, I feel a pressing need to take a breath and focus on that which is good and beautiful in the world.

Fortunately, such things still do exist if you seek them out: a walk somewhere green and peaceful, a taste of poetry, or poultry! an art gallery or museum, and, of course, music. And it was in this musical bastion of beauty and tranquility that we most recently sought refuge.

Friends often ask why, upon retirement, we headed north rather than flock with the snowbirds headed south. It seems as though they felt we were going to be running a trap line in the tundra up by Prudhoe Bay. No. We were instead attracted to the restaurants, galleries, museums and concert halls in the little burg a few miles east of here called Chicago. Oh, and my, did it come through for us last weekend.

The event was the season opening of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. We refrained from springing for a couple of tickets in the mid-four figures to attend the Opening Ball at The Four Seasons, but did opt for a couple of less pricey seats for the concert itself. Worth every cent - including car service to and from the venue, for just a bit more than the cost of parking!

Does the name Lang Lang ring a bell? Don't be embarrassed if your guess was one of the pandas at the National Zoo. Classical musicians don't have quite the following of current pop stars. I mean "Langers" just doesn't have the same marketability as "Swifties." Lang Lang simply is, to quote one review, "the best concert pianist alive today." He is a 42-year old Chinese genius who sometimes frustrates purists with his flamboyant style. And he was the guy who opened the Chicago Symphony Orchestra season, and we were among the sold-out audience who sat transfixed by this generational talent.

 I won't try to do a "review" of either the man, his musical ability or charitable activities, you can seek him out online. Although the recorded versions pale in comparison to the live experience. Let it suffice to say he was incredible. Truly a once in a lifetime moment.

But, move north? Oh, yeah.