but things have a way of working themselves out and the past week and a half have been amazing. I can't even begin to express how much my friends and family on cape cod mean to me, or how much it hurts every time I have to leave them. I've cried about 20 times in the past two days.
I think maybe I will do a giant wrap up post after this adventure is fully completed, so for now I will not go into too much detail, just a few odds and ends.
it has never been more clear to me that I cannot run away from my problems. I mean, I knew that before, but the events that unfolded during this trip to the cape really drove it home. some of these problems I was able to solve or at least make slightly better (thanks in most part to Agatha, my trusty blackberry). but others are the kinds of problems that have no solutions and seem like they will never go away. I realize this is rather cryptic, but I don't feel the need to delve into such petty matters any longer. what's done is done, I just wish everyone else could realize as much.
I did, however, go to the Philadelphia Museum of Art yesterday. I witnessed upwards of 25 people run up the steps and jump up and down like Rocky. I found it interesting that a movie has made such an impact on so many people...and then I found it incredibly depressing that none of the people who ran up the stairs went into the museum.
I spent most of my time in the European Art 1850-1900 and the Modern and Contemporary Art sections. I got to see so many amazing pieces of art that I've only seen in crappy power point presentations projected on a painted white wall in room 219 at Kendall. It blew my fucking mind.
I stood in front of this painting for about ten minutes and I couldn't stop myself from shaking.
it is one of my favorite paintings ever. it is called Il Saltimbanco and was painted by Antonio Mancini. He is one of my dead crushes. Click HERE to check out a pretty good New York Times page about him.
I did not, however, get to see Étant donnés: 1. La chute d’eau, 2. Le gaz d’éclairage (Given: 1. The Waterfall, 2. The Illuminating Gas) by Marcel Duchamp, which is one of the MAIN REASONS I wanted to go to the museum in the first place. when I checked the website tuesday night to find out where it was it said it was on view. when I got there wednesday, it was closed off. and now the website says it is not on view. FUCK MY LIFE. that museum owns so many pieces that I would fucking DIE to see, and 90% of them are in storage. I asked a security guard if all of the Duchamp items were closed off and he looked confused and said "yeah, uh I think so" and I told him that he had just shattered my universe. I did catch a quick glimpse of The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even (The Large Glass), but not enough to be able to appreciate it. heartbroken.
so tomorrow it's back to Valparaiso. Saturday in Michigan City to attempt to sort out some Grown Ups drama, and then Sunday I hit the road with the Reptilian. if you want to try to keep up with me a bit (cough, Veronica) then you can check out my twitter, HERE, and check out the Reptilian's tour schedule (and listen to some tunes) at their myspace HERE.
