The heat is back in Essex County. In addition to 7 clear nights in a row around new moon, which is almost unheard of, comes the heat and humidity of late August. No rain in August worth speaking about, either. It's hot and crispy out there.
I looked through some Covid 19 stats today. Michigan, Ontario, and London, UK, have populations that are not dissimilar, though Ontario might have a few more people. Ontario has had 41,400 cases. Michigan has had 106,900 cases. London has had 35,800. Interesting in itself. but now look at the deaths: 2800 for Ontario, 6700 for Michigan, and 6900 for London. Looking closely at this data, it seems that if you live in Ontario you have a 1:15 chance of surviving the disease. In Michigan, you have a 1:16 chance. But in London, your chance of surviving is only 1:5. Seriously? What is up with that? Extracting data for Toronto and Detroit, in Toronto your chance of surviving drops to 1:13, and in Detroit that drops to 1:10. Anyway, I found the stats interesting. And I'm happy to be in Ontario, and outside of Toronto.
My film choice last week was Wim Wenders' masterpiece, Wings of Desire. We hadn't seen the film in a very long time (1987?), and were hoping it lived up to our memory of it. It did. Observing angels cannot feel or experience what humans can, and once in a while one of the flock decides to come to Earth and see what it's all about. It's difficult not to fall in love with Solveig Dommartin as a circus trapeze artist, and that's what happens to Bruno Ganz, causing him to depart the world of observers forever. Some of the script is a bit obtuse, and a few important points don't come across as well as they should, but overall it's a wonderful and uplifting film. And surprise! Wenders allows a happy ending, no doubt learning his lesson from the feedback he received regarding Paris, Texas. Dommartin died in Paris of a heart attack at the age of 45. She was born in Algiers.
Now showing on Criterion.
I watched episode 9 of Berlin Alexanderplatz alone, as Deb has given up on it. I remain fascinated by the times (Weimar Republic) and the character. Will I read the book? Ask me when this is all over, in about a month or so. It's Deb's movie pick tonight, and I don't know yet know what it is. Next weekend is my pick for the end of the month film festival. So more movie news to come.
Our listening lesson has been disrupted by 5 trips out with the telescope lately. We recently heard Brahms Op 122, 11 organ preludes that are so wonderful that I can't believe I've never heard them before. They will now be filed under favourite pieces to hear. We continue to hear the Corelli concerti grossi, alternating with early Haydn quartets. And we are also making our way through Verdi's Aida. With Deb's Shakespeare film in the can, she is now working on her next short film, based on an old folk tale.
Mapman Mike
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