Most people ask a question by raising the pitch of their voice at the end of the question. I noticed tonight that it’s possible to ask a question by beginning the statement at a higher pitch and then dropping it at the end of the statement. The falling pitch is much more dominant. Think of the difference between “Go to your room?” with the pitch rising at the end vs. “Go to your room,” with the pitch falling at the end, as a father might say to his child.
The really interesting thing is that parental tonality can be applied to questions as well as statements. I’m going to play around with this…
It’s been a year since I left graduate school. I teach all my workshops on the road. There’s no longer anything forcing me to stay in the bay area. So I’m moving. Seattle, prepare yourself, because I’m coming! Most of my extended family is up there, along with my best friend and college roommate, with whom I’ll be moving back in after four years apart.
I will be picking up a Uhaul truck this evening. I’m working at a workshop this whole weekend, so somehow all my worldly possessions will have to make it into the truck between approximately 6pm Thurdsday and 11am Friday. I don’t know how that’s going to happen, but it has to, so it will. My lease expires in the middle of the workshop, so I’ll spend a couple days sleeping in the Uhaul, and then it’s up to Seattle on July 2. One shot, 13 hours. It’ll be just like the crew trips in college. I’m excited!
On my first trip to Paris, I didn’t have time to see the Louvre. I made it to the outside and wandered around the glass pyramid, but didn’t have time to go inside. My second trip didn’t take me near the Louvre at all. Last Saturday, I finally came close. I came by at 6pm planning to get the reduced evening prices, but discovered the museum is only open late on Wednesdays and Fridays. However, the area under the pyramid is open even when the museum is closed, so I went down and took a look around the lobby. Finally, on Sunday, I had planned to visit Versailles, but thanks to the rain, decided it would be a better day to stay inside and see some paintings.
I saw the Mona Lisa (La Joconde), and the Venus de Milo (Aphrodite de Milo), of course. But the art I appreciated the most were the pieces where I overhead English conversations about them. People commenting on the detail in a painted leg, or the multiple planes of the sculpture let me know what I was supposed to be appreciating. I need to learn more about art before I come back, but it was still a fantastic day.
God bless American customer service. After three trips to London, I really appreciate it. At a Thai restaurant this evening, my dinner was so spicy I could barely eat it. The waitress noticed and brought me a free Thai iced tea. Compare this to London where I almost went into shock when I got the chance to make a free photocopy. More industries should incorporate tips..
