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Sunday, April 25, 2010

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.

Unknown Mami

23 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds fascinating!
We have a term kinda like 'over the bridge' but it's more like 'to town'.

My Clemens is one of my faves--bet the discussion was fab.

Cat said...

That's a great quote. Glad you had some positive time together.

I hated Piggy, but probably because I saw my own weaknesses through him and didn't like the view.

Nicole @ WhenDidIBecomeMyMom.com said...

Oh that is so incredibly sweet. I love your writing. Even when it's about pictures. :-)

I never knew Twain had a soft side.

Mel said...

Well, as a fellow nerd, I was envious of your date night. I'm glad you had such an interesting night out, and agree completely with you and Mr. Twain.

Rebecca said...

I'm working on my Sundays in my city right now and it includes a bridge that the kids LOVE. Funny.....

Sonya said...

What a wonderful way to spend some time together! as always I loved your post..always makes me think..and smile:)

Bethany said...

Aw...Sweetness abounds.
Love this snippet. Over the bridge we go.

Bethany said...

I never even read Lord of the Flies. Yup, English major and all.

Rinkly Rimes said...

I enjoy your writing and the meeting sounded interesting. But the walk home was the highlight.

DUTA said...

A bridge is something which enables passage over an obstacle - physical , spiritual or both.
Thus it may arouse romanticism in people, like it did in your case on that date night home from the discussion on Twain.

Ms. Moon said...

You know what? I really enjoyed that. First off, I love what Peter Sagal said. Good for him! And I loved the image of you and your brother acting out the carcass dance. And I loved the idea of you and your husband going to such a thing on your date night.
Good trip over the bridge! Thanks for sharing.

Mama-Face said...

SOOOO glad you have never killed a pig. That would change everything.

What a great date night. I would have to tell my husband that we were going to Home Depot, knock him out, and drag him by his head to get him to go to anything this cool...but I KNOW he feels the same way about me and Eden.

I love that bridge...

Erin said...

It's nice to do something different every now and again!

And I'm so glad to know you never killed a pig...I might see you in a different light! =)

Anonymous said...

i love this . it looks beautiful.
http://airiaartphotography.blogspot.com/

Angelica said...

I am always up to doing something different. Your date night sounds perfect and I love your pics of the bridge.

Cheeseboy said...

That bridge is really cool. We have nothing like that near me.

I love Mo Rocca.

Jenny said...

Feeling incredibly un-intellectual here.

Date night for us is sneaking fat-free popcorn into a movie.

Joanna Jenkins said...

"Over The Bridge" to fun places-- love that! We go "over the hill" here and the temps are 10-15 degrees warmer!

You had a very cool date night. Lucky you!

Have a fun week,
jj

Amy DM said...

Awww, love that line about Eden!

Here from SIMC.

Robin said...

Awww...what a nice date night..and Im not rolling my eyes...i think its wonderfull...who likes to do the same old thing all the time..dinner, movie, shopping....I think its great ...!!!Your birdge is so serene..very nice...!!

Kori said...

Apparently I am a nerd, too. Just sayin.

This post made me smile.

Claudya Martinez said...

You rode The Johnson on date night. I think that might be too much information.

4 Lettre Words said...

Lovely captures!