Waterfire

Tonight was Waterfire in Kansas City. I decided it was time to get out and do something even though I work all weekend. I got myself a good spot (in some dirt) wedged between two other groups who had staked out their claims and gone for Starbucks and beer. They didn't seem to mind me though.

I was completely bundled up, knowing I'd be sitting outside for the evening, I'm sure looking like what my mom refers to as "Nanook of the North". But, I was warm!

It started with floating piles of logs lining the canal being lit by a few boats meandering through the water. There was a variety of music, alternating from different stages, either on the bridges or on the banks. It was really lovely. And now I am tired, so another day of work tomorrow and it will be my "weekend". Enjoy the video. It was my favorite song of the night.

"Are the artists in this museum all professionals? This looks like what I used to do in kindergarten."

It's just one example of the variety of questions I get asked at work. What I want to reply with is, "Yeah, I totally agree" but instead I say "Well, everyone has their own opinion about art. Yes, most of these artists do their work professionally" (but how, I do not know...).  This was in reference to an over-sized painting with a solid background and a few round objects floating, and floating we know because there are shadows below them.

I'm not a fan of a lot of contemporary art. Much of it is confusing for me, that is until I read the text beside it. The museum does a nice job of explaining the artist's intentions, because not a lot of people can perceive their ideas through studying a picture of a floating olive.

Usually though, visitors' questions are about locating a specific piece of art, or locating the toilets or nearest exit. Some friendly people like to make conversation, and I appreciate that. Since I work in the evenings, a lot of the time there are very few people in the gallery, and it's quiet. I was told it was best to have a creative imagination for getting through the long stretches. The best method I've come up with so far is to practice Tibetan in my head when I have to count art pieces, or trying to describe them with the few words I know, or just learning a few phrases a day helps pass the time.

Samsara

This evening begins my "weekend" of three days off from the museum. To put my first long week of work behind me and relax, I went to see the film Samsara. It was beautiful! It's a movie without any spoken words, but includes a great soundtrack. It was filmed in 25 countries over a period of 5 years and the best way to describe it is the state of our world as it is today. The title itself means, in Sanskrit, “the ever turning wheel of life”. Not all parts were pretty pictures, but what is presented shows the ways which we are all connected today (whether in a negative or positive sense) and the issues of humanity we face.

(sulfur miners in Java)

As it seems to be the case with any movie of merit, it is only playing in select cities, and for a limited amount of time. I knew it would be worth it to see on the big screen, although I'll definitely buy the DVD as well!

a miracle, almost

It's my third day of work and today I was stationed in some of the Asian art galleries along with another officer. I enjoyed the dimmer lighting and more comfortable color on the walls compared to the all white and bright contemporary gallery I had been in the two days before. Later in the morning, we had a rather large group of Chinese visitors come through a few galleries and then make their way to the Silk Road/Buddhist area. We did our rounds and a few of them unexpectedly told us "God bless you" as they passed. As we were making out way out, we saw a group of them gathered around an American gentleman in a wheelchair being pushed by a woman. At first I thought they were sharing a map, or looking at an iPad together. Then I noticed the Chinese visitors each had a hand on him and were speaking in Chinese. No, I don't speak Chinese, but I can recognize it and even I could surmise they were praying. (There's nothing against praying in the museum, as people often come in for prayer and meditation in that area anyway with it housing a large section of Buddhist temple.)

The other officer and I decided we were going to witness a miracle. All of a sudden we heard someone behind us in a loud whisper directed at us: "WHAT are they doing to my father??" This woman, the 30-something-year-old daughter, looked mortified and confused. She didn't interrupt the event taking place, but told us 1) her father had a leg problem and 2) that she had no idea who the other people were. Well, after they were done praying, they stood the guy up, who already had a cane in his hand, and he shuffled around a bit. Even though walking was nothing new to him, he seemed to be enjoying the attention anyway. Eventually he decided it was time to sit back down and go on with his day.

As part of my training, I was told it was alright to take photos if visitors asked us to do so. When another one of the Chinese visitors asked me to take a photo, I said "sure" and then she grabbed my arm, all ready to pose. Ohh... I get to be in the photo... (which is also acceptable, if the officer is willing). I felt like I was back in China.

Needless to say, it was an interesting day, and a very long one at that. I'm not used to being inside so much, especially without being able to see outside. Evidently it rained all day!

The Guanyin sculpture, in the gallery I was in today.

 

finally settling down... for a little while at least

With all the driving back and forth I've been doing to and from Kansas City lately, I have been able to see the cows enjoying the cool mornings and the fields through their various stages of harvest. After tomorrow, I will see that much less often since I'll be moving into my new apartment in the city.

I've had a lot of "spare" time the past few months which has been spent traveling (I counted: 12 flights in 3 months and I've had my fill of commercial flying), looking for jobs (55 applications = a lot of cover letters) and looking for apartments (also quite an endeavor). It will be nice to have my own place after having lived with so many people in so many different housing situations over the past 7 years. I'm excited to have a real couch in the living room, sleep in my own bed again, and have all my plants to tend to. (Oh, and not to mention: some income. Yay!)