Beethoven, Neuroscience, and Die Ritters des Kokonuss

Mittwoch 10. September 2008
Morning lecture from a grad student in the neuroscience department at Humboldt; discussed brain activity in decision-making. Fairly interesting, though not too technically rigorous.
Afternoon workshop with a modern dance professor. I'm almost as uncoordinated at throwing invisible objects as real ones. I also fail at clapping in a timely manner.
Evening performance of Beethoven's "Fidelio" at the Staatsoper. Shorter than the Wagner, but just as well done (beautiful singing! fairly modern costume, but of recognizable archetypes). And, since it was a comedy, the plot was both easy to understand and difficult (lots of crossed love interest, some secret identities, and the villians get their comeuppance... on the other hand determining who exactly was in love with/conspiring against/secretly married to whom at any given time was nigh on impossible).

Dienstag 9. September 2008
Missed the afternoon grafitti gallery tour, as I tried to attend an early afternoon swing event. Bar Speakeasy (over in Prenzlaurerberg). It was a cool (if small) venue, but there was no one dancing (only 6 people total anyway), and the only real option seemed to be drinking beer, which held no appeal to me.

Also, have watched Monty Python in German and English a bit too often. At least, enough to notice differences between the audio tracks and subtitles. The Swedish subtitles at the beginning go quite well with the German ones. Still need to check out the Turkish subtitles. "What a strange person"="O! A Parisian!" <3 Sir Galahad.