Splits

So, Swan Lake. We've seen it twice, once the famous Bolshoi Ballet when it came to Minneapolis, and once the largest Swan Lake in the world, which we saw in Amsterdam. Julie's a fanatic, and I try not to nod off.

In the beginning there's this grand ball, and this guy is gesturing at everyone as if to say, "You are splendid, and we are splendid too! We are all splendid! Come and bask in the opulence!" And they bow at each other, there's more gesturing, and it's all very precious. Ick. The swans are cool, but they don't show up for an eternity.

This particular Swan Lake was amateurish compared to the other ones we've seen. No orchestra, long scene changes, dancers visible in the wings, and we had a sneaky feeling the audience was filled with family and friends of the cast. That's right, folks: I'm simultaneously a ballet cynic and a ballet elitist.

But here's a beautiful thing about pregnancy: Julie got hungry. We left at intermission and went to IHOP for pigs in a blanket. We gestured at each other, bowed, and then stuffed our splendid faces.