Why are you reading this - you should be studying!

Happy Monday! Today we wrapped up any loose ends from class and/or spent some time reviewing material for tomorrow's quiz.  Hopefully, by the end of today, you were able to:

• identify characteristics of the Baroque period in the visual arts and music
• identify similarities and differences in the Southern and Northern Baroque (remember, the differences depend entirely on whether one was Catholic or not...think the Flemish Rubens vs the Dutch Vermeer)

For your viewing pleasure, I present to you - the Rubenesque cat.

As we close out our first unit on State Consolidation and Imperial Expansion and you prepare for tomorrow's major-grade quiz, we hope you've been able to see the various ways in which Early Modern states were able to build their power by maximizing efficiency, expanding borders, and patronizing the arts.  The still-life on the right by the Dutch artist Willem Kalf is so great because it alludes to where we're heading the next six-weeks as we study exploration and trade and their consequences.  Dat Ming vase doe. How did the Dutch acquire such a vase? Wait for the next six-weeks to find out! 

So, on an unrelated note, my 2nd period AP Euro class was gracious enough to send my 90+ year old grandmother in Pakistan a video message.  She responded with a video of her own:

She's so cute in all her toothless glory.

Fancy a Humanities Experience already? Here are some recommendations:

• Hitchcocktober at the Angelika Film Center: Every Thursday during the month of October (sorry to those of y'all involved in game-related festivities), the movie theater at the Shops at Legacy plays a classic Alfred Hitchcock film.  Check out their schedule of events here. Your proof of attendance must be your movie ticket!
• The National Theatre's live streaming of Hamlet at the Angelika Film Center: If you're not into black and white films, check out Benedict Cumberbatch (swoon) as the ill-fated Hamlet on Thursday, October 15 instead. 
• Shakespeare in the Park's King Lear: Or maybe you'd rather see your Shakespeare performed live in the park? For the next two weeks Shakespeare in the Park will be performing King Lear at Addison Circle Park.  For more information, check out this. Ms. Siddiqui personally knows one of the actors!
• The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses performance at Fair Park: I don't know much about this, but I figured some of y'all would be intrigued.  Here's more information. 

Here's this month's brunch SUPER (Siddiqui's Unbelievable and Prepossessing Eating Recommendation): The Chicken and Sourdough Pancake from Braindead Brewing in Deep Ellum. Didn't know that was a thing? Neither did I until recently. I still dream about it.

I eat all the pancakes. 

- Warrior Princess Siddiqui