In the summer of 1992, I was a fresh-faced -- I think -- college graduate who had a big decision to make. For almost my entire senior year, I had dated the French teaching assistant, and had spent the two and a half months following graduation with him in France. I came home to the States for my brother's wedding; otherwise I might have tried to stay in France, hard as it would have been to get a work visa.
I can't remember if this was before or after the wedding, but I visited the magical place where I'd worked the two previous summers. Chautauqua Institution is an indescribable place. You just can't explain it to someone who's never been there. My job in the independent, arty cinema there was one of the best jobs I have ever had in my life.
I also can't remember who was with me at Chautauqua that day. I'm inclined to think it was my parents. We went there to see the Democratic nominee for President. I speak, of course, of Bill Clinton. He came to Chautauqua with his wife Hillary, his running mate Al Gore, and Gore's wife Tipper (for whom I didn't have much respect at the time, because all I knew about her was her lobbying to have warning labels put on album covers when I was a teenager, and I was a serious music fan, even back then).
I already knew then that I would most likely vote for Mr. Clinton, but seeing him speak (and then Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, and Tipper Gore afterwards) banished any doubts I might have had. I even forgave Tipper for her PMRC crap.
All this is a preface to this past weekend. Six of us saw An Inconvenient Truth last night. I'd wanted to see it; I was interested in seeing Al Gore now that he has no office to run for. The six of us agreed that the audience for this documentary is people who already are concerned about global warming. People with a liberal bent, perhaps. People who have respect for Al Gore.
Well, I don't really care about your politics right now, or what you think of Mr. Gore. I'm just going to recommend this film to everyone. If you care about humankind, see it. If you have children, see it. If you are an educator, see it (and when it comes out on DVD, show it to your students).
Any attempt I could make at describing the film would fall short right now, just as I would fall short in describing the Chautauqua Institution to you.
Speaking of which, a few of us are going to Chautauqua tomorrow to hear Mr. Gore speak. Perhaps we will hear the same things we heard last night. It doesn't matter. It will be good to hear it again. And I'm especially looking forward to visiting Chautauqua again. I've racked my brain, and I'm pretty sure that the last time I was there was the summer of 1992, not long before I decided to move to France to marry that teaching assistant.
Edit, Tuesday, July 25th: We are back in Kentucky, and I wanted to add that Mr. Gore's presentation in the Chautauqua Amphitheater yesterday was standing room only. And we had no seats. We listened to his introduction, then when he started the slideshow, which we'd essentially seen two nights before, I went for a walk with Allan, my (impatient) kids, and my nephew. It was wonderful to be back there, even for just a short time.
Thanks for showing me around Chautauqua. It was cool seeing where you lived and worked.
Posted by: Allan | July 25, 2006 at 20:09
I would like to see that movie; it's probably not anything that I'm not already worried about! (the list is growing)
Posted by: Margaret | July 25, 2006 at 21:11
Welcome back, Ali.
Posted by: schlabby | July 25, 2006 at 22:04
I've always wanted to go to Chautauqua. Thanks for the update. Welcome home!
Posted by: Neil | July 25, 2006 at 22:08
Sounds like you're having a great time, good on you! :hug:
I would have voted for Clinton in '92, were I an American. Gore struck me then as very "wooden", but that was a media perception, not the reality.
I'd vote for Bill today, stained dress and all, if it ended the political career of the current prezident.
Keep on keepin on, Ali.
Posted by: owld_skipper | July 26, 2006 at 06:55
Hey, you're back!
I like Al Gore. I honestly wish he'd run again but he most likely wont. I haven't seen the film but I would like to. I despised Tipper at the time for the PMRC. Now, well, I guess she was doing what she thought was right.
Posted by: Chris | July 26, 2006 at 07:16
i'm on the opposite political spectrum than gore, but have the same concerns, and i will see this movie for sure.
also....i ADORE chautauqua. we go every chance we get. 45 minute drive from my house - TOPS. outside the actual institute, did you see the cool little new eatery there - i hope you did. very 50's rockabilly - your kids would have loved the milkshakes! i forget the name....
they have a great gourmet store in chautauqua now (not at the institute, but the town) - in the same group of stores as a lovely nursery. had some great foodie stuff, and then another store joining it for more items relating to food & wine etc....
i found the most wonderful hanging basket plant there, too, when i visited in june. its still alive, i'm proud to say.
H & i have toyed with the thought of eventually buying a boat and having a slip in chautauqua...or eventually having a weekend home there. mayfield or westville may be more likely...we'll see what happens down the road. you just never know.
anyway, its a gorgeous, magical place - in and around the institute and the area. i hope your kids enjoyed it, too.
Posted by: lily | July 26, 2006 at 08:13
the Chautauqua Institution. wow. somewhere I've always wanted to get to, but never have. i wouldn't care who was speaking, i'd just like to experience the vibe.
of course, maybe next year.
Posted by: ally bean | July 26, 2006 at 09:48
Glad to read that you made it back safely to Kentucky. I really should find my way to Chautauqua one of these days. Friends of mine were there recently and told me of a great dining experience at a fairly new French restaurant there.
An Inconvenient Truth will never play here, but I will try and see it while in Pittsburgh next week. I am a heart-bleeding liberal, and voted for Clinton (once, I was not yet a U.S. citizen in 1992) and Gore who, I have to admit, definitely lacks charisma. I, too, despised Tipper for her PMRC antics.
Posted by: Elisabeth | July 26, 2006 at 10:35
You expect me to believe that this is really you and not someone who kidnapped "my" Ali. No picture, no talk of food. *I* personally am suspicious. Did Ann Coulter kidnap Ali and is this the beginning of her trying to gain trust and slowly turn us toward you know who and you know what before you know what in Novenmber, not that I have an opinion, mind you.
Posted by: Monty | July 26, 2006 at 12:19
Welcome back!
Posted by: kkonmymind | July 26, 2006 at 13:27
I saw the film this past weekend, and found myself walking out of there rather dumbfounded... and feeling a bit naive for not knowing a lot of the information imparted in the movie.
I do agree, it kind of defies explanation, and everybody in the U.S. should definitely go see it — and then tell everyone they know to go see it.
Posted by: newwavegurly | July 26, 2006 at 19:33
I came over from Margaret's site 'cause you said you liked me! WooT!
And I stopped reading as soon as I got to "Chautauqua Institution" because I go to that area almost every year. I have family that has always had one house or another right on the lake.
Speaking of cool places, my great-grandparents hung out at Lily Dale
http://www.lilydaleassembly.com/...
Hope to talk to you soon!
Posted by: Felicity | July 28, 2006 at 13:59
Gardner's Eight Multiple Intelligences is a wonderful addition to any curriculum.
Using all 8 in a "week-long" lesson plan will help to incorporate and blend any concepts you are teaching . . . whether it's math or French.
Posted by: Kathy | August 16, 2006 at 12:48