Cold Symphony

This past Saturday evening, Ian and I had the pleasure of attending a dinner at the University President's house intended for new faculty (that's me), which was followed by Prokofiev's Peter & the Wolf and Stravinsky's Petrushka performed by the Greater Bridgeport Symphony Orchestra. I hadn't heard Peter and the Wolf since I was a kid.. it was really quite pleasant. I still find Stravinsky to sound slightly discombobulating when you're not in the mood (which I don't think I was), but it was still pleasant. The dinner preceding the symphony was entirely enjoyable; from the pleasant conversation to the delicious food to the tour of Waldemere Hall, everything was well planned and well attended by new and veteran faculty members. Once I got past the typical nervousness that I initially experience at most social/professional gatherings, I really enjoyed myself.

In other news, chicken is wonderful. I hadn't eaten meat in years, but finally got
back on the stuff per the recommendation of a nutritionist that I was seeing.
Ian made the most delicious chicken korma last night.. so good that I couldn't
wait to have the leftovers for lunch today! We were really excited about being
able to find all of the necessary spices for the dish - thank you, Edge of the Woods!

I was recently recommended a web comic called Basic Instructions by a coworker. Just when I was starting to gain some of my concentration back... *grumble*. Really, this addictive comic definitely rivals xkcd as one of my top favorites.

So.. our oil tank has been replaced. Only then would we be able to discover that the furnace is broken... so still, no heat. Good thing I have plenty of hats and scarves to keep me warm!