It’s been a busy weekend. The end of the Children’s Festival – I saw two more shows, Kraft and The Hobbit Beneath The Stage.

Kraft was both fascinating and clever. It’s basically a show of three people using paper to play out different fantasies – it’s a reincarnation of the cardboard box. But it went beyond that – it truly imitated children’s play – its seeming randomness, its favored cultural references, its short-term rivalries. It was hilariously funny for children and adults alike.

The Hobbit was much applauded, very clever, received much audience laughter – although I found it poignant.

I also hung out with a chalk artist for a bit – well, he’s an oil painter but he’s hired by PPG Zoo and Aquarium for chalk art. All in all, I enjoyed the Festival a great deal and it gave me some food for thought. I’ll have to see if there’s a children’s theater or cultural program group I can volunteer with in New York.

I also had a volunteer appreciation event to attend – it was very nice, although I don’t think anyone else my age was there. I found out that once again, it had been timing against me… that people working there thought I would be perfect for an open position they encouraged me to apply for, but there was already a candidate. Second time that’s happened in Pittsburgh… funny and sad.

Finally, I did some volunteering at the Botanic Gardens today – helping visitors pot silver-blue pansies to take home. I considered bringing one home, but Jasper would eat it like the daisy I gave my roommate a few weeks ago!