Sundays In My City: Over the Bridge

The Bridge is always there.

Although it is officially the Governor Thomas Johnson Bridge, it is simply "The Bridge" to us. I'll tell the boys we're going over The Bridge, and they know that it means a trip to Daddy's work, or an opportunity to see the beloved Miss Joanne, or possibly a trip to Target.

Exciting stuff, going over The Bridge.

Last night, Paul and I traveled over The Bridge because it was date night. We decided that we wanted to see a panel discussion on "Twain's Relevance Today: Race, Religion, Politics, and the 'Damned Human Race'"

Don't roll your eyes. Every five years or so Paul and I get to do something like this. It's been at least that long since I dragged him to a David Sedaris reading.

We traveled to St. Mary's College of Maryland, which is known for its sailing program (really), and for being the Public Honors College for the state. It had been a long time since I had been on a college campus, and I learned that no matter where you go, there will always be a college student in a Bad Religion T-Shirt, and students will always, always, laugh at the mere mention of marijuana.

The panel was really cool. It included Peter Sagal from NPR, Mo Rocca, who used to be on The Daily Show, Amy Holmes, a CNN Political Analyst, and Dr. John Bird, a Twain Scholar.

Highlights included:

*During the Q&A, a college student asked Peter Sagal if he had ever read Lord of the Flies. Proving that he is a much more gracious person than myself, he did not do a spit-take or roll his eyes. Instead, he said that he indentified with Piggy. He furthermore said that all people who work for NPR identified with Piggy, and they now hold their microphones in the studios tightly, saying, "I finally have the conch!"

This made me so happy, because when I read Lord of the Flies in eighth grade (ahem, snotty college student), my brother and I thought it was hilarious to announce "I have the conch!" We also danced in a circle chanting the "Kill the pig! Cut its throat! Spill its blood!"

Ironically, of course. I have never killed a pig. Or danced around a carcass. Not once.

Yet, acting out scenes from books? This was what nerds did.

It's safe to say that I strongly identified with Piggy.

*A woman asked if Twain really believed that the entire human race was beyond repair. The panel responded that he was pretty cynical. They added, however, that he adored his wife. He once said, "I would rather be outside of Eden with my Eve then inside without her." How lovely.

I'll spare you the additional details. I'll just leave it at this: Paul and I went over The Bridge, and we did something different. In a way, we built a bridge to our earlier selves. We talked about ideas and held hands while we walked, and returned home to a silent, sleeping house.

I, too, would rather be outside of Eden, if it means I can be with him.


Thank you, Unknown Mami for hosting Sundays in My City.