Cirque in Union Square!

Cirque du Soleil, in the City right now with their new show "Ovo," made a public appearance in Union Square this afternoon. Since I work two blocks away, I took my lunch break at the right time to dash down there and catch them in the action. "Ovo" is insect-themed and the performers were acting very insect-like, copying the mannerisms of ants, praying mantises, etc. It was a fun sight to behold. Suddenly, without warning, they fled en masse to their tour bus (Bus du Soleil?) and drove away, waving from the top of the double-decker! A fun way to spend a lunch break.

I fell under the potent spell of Cirque when I ushered for their show "Corteo" in Portland early last year, before I went to work in Glacier National Park. As an usher - unlike the poor kids in concessions who had to spend their whole work shift in the outer tents hawking popcorn and hot dogs during intermission - I got to watch the show every night inside the Grand Chapiteau, which is truly grand. I never lost my sense of awe at the vast size of that huge tent, especially when we met before showtime for a pre-performance huddle before any audience members entered to fill the vastness of the space. The show was beautiful, something I'll never forget. Even after seeing it a dozen times, my heart always picked up the pace when the first act after intermission ("Paradise," the trapeze act) started. The amazing soundtrack, the dramatic lighting, and the perfectly timed buildup to the act's climactic moment, which always made the audience gasp. I didn't gasp, but I marveled, and felt proud of the performers, of how good they were, and happy to be part of something so magnificent, even in my humble capacity.

You down with MSG?

In Portland when I lived on scenic N.E. 82nd Ave (that's sarcasm) there was a pho house not far from my house that I'd eat at sometimes, and I noticed I generally got a weird, unpleasant sensation starting after I'd finished a big bowl of pho, continuing for an hour or two. I thought maybe there was some unusual herb or other they used that gave me the weird feeling, but my friend who ate there with me said, "I bet they use MSG." (Vietnamese Restaurant Syndrome?) Alternately, when I worked in Glacier National Park in summer 2008 we sometimes had these virtually unidentifiable MEAT SLABS served in the employee dining room. They didn't look very good but tasted amazing, and I'd go back for seconds and thirds. The cook later told me they were so tasty because "they have tons of MSG," which according to him isn't really as bad as it's hyped up to be, but rather "just a type of flavored salt." So, what gives? Is MSG really the scourge of Asian cuisine, or not really such a big deal? From what I've read, it sounds like some people who have a special sensitivity to it should avoid it, since in that case it can lead to serious consequences, but that all in all, it's not as bad as it's made out to be. I mean, lots of Asians eat it regularly, right?