Like a Prayer

Alex and I survived the Madonna show more or less intact. What an overload of sensory stimulation! I am so grateful that I brought earplugs. Even with them, the sound was way too loud and distorted. Alex refused my offer of a pair, and regretted it later. When it was over, we just wanted to retreat out of the crowds to some place quiet - very, very quiet.

There were some plusses. Madonna brought a lot of energy to the performance. It is amazing how she can keep dancing like a fiend with only short breaks for 2 straight hours. The visuals were quite impressive - a very high-tech presentation with moving screens and all the bells and whistles of a modern stadium show. There were a few quiet moments in the middle, which I enjoyed quite a bit. 

On the whole I'm glad I went, but if the sound had been less over-amped (and if the air conditioning had been running) I would have enjoyed it more. 

Lucky me - I get to go out to the Garden to teach 2nd-graders about bugs. Not exactly what I'm in the mood for right now. 

Update: The 2nd graders were fine. They were quieter and more well-behaved than the first group I led. Plus there were a few minutes before they showed up that I spent picking the brains of some of the more experienced guides for tips and tricks, so I did a better job of keeping them from running ahead on the path. And it was a gorgeous day - all bright and sparkly and sunny. So it was a fun morning.