Limited Perspective

Earlier in June, I saw I and You , a play by Lauren Gunderson at Strawberry Theater Workshop ’s (ongoing until July 9) Strawberry Jam at the 12th Avenue Arts space on Capitol Hill. Near the end, there is a transformative moment where I realized the world I thought I was in, was not really the world at all. Afterwards, talking with friends, it hit me how what I viewed as the conventions of theater tricked me into staying in the old world.  I had been unable to think of a good way to introduce this concept. This week, though, I found the perfect example in the movie The Sixth Sense. It’s the scene where Malcom (Bruce Willis) arrives late for dinner with his wife Anna (Olivia Williams). She is at a table for two but there is only one place-setting. Malcolm apologizes for being late. He thought dinner was going to be at a different Italian restaurant. Then he talks and talks. Anna never says a word. The check comes and Anna appears to snatch it away from Malcolm just as he is reaching...

Seattle, June 26, 2022 -- Having procrastinated on renewing my “tabs,” I needed to pick them up in-person today. Last night, the DOL web site asked me, are you sure you want to have them mailed to you? You have only two days left until your tabs expire (dummy.)  So, I go down to the licensing agency in Ballard today.  I regret it immediately. The line is out the door and it’s pretty hot in that old building up on the second floor. The line moves slowly. I’m glad I paid for 45 minutes on the parking meter.  Finally, a third window opens up. Someone says, “If you’re just picking up tabs you can go to window three.”  I race over there but pretty soon someone else rushes into the place and says, “That’s my dog!” I’m thinking, what, do they sell dog licenses here? Maybe, right? Who knows?  But soon it becomes clear that this person left their dog in their car – remember it’s a really hot day, and somehow the staff had rescued the dog and were holding it behind the co...