Pictastory: In which I almost get kicked out of a museum

This actually isn't exactly a good Pictastory entry as I don't have a picture to go with the main idea. But that's precisely the point.

Back in nineteen ninety something my family took a trip out east and stopped in Washington, DC. My mom, sister and I spent part of the time in the National Gallery of Art. I remember gazing with reverence at paintings that I had studied in my college Humanities class. I wanted to document the experience by taking pictures. A near-by guard kindly explained that I was welcome to take pictures as long as the flash was off. He helpfully suggested that if I stood at an angle to the picture, I would likely not have a glare when I had them developed. (Yes, this was before digital cameras. Call me ancient!) I have a number of pictures of paintings I had either studied or just liked.

Fast forward almost ten years and I'm in the British National Gallery of Art. Based on my previous experience I have my digital camera ready to go and excited that I would be able to document the paintings I would see. Being the upstanding citizen that I am, I approached a museum employee/volunteer to verify that I could take pictures.

I still remember the look of absolute horror on her face. It was like I had offered her a plate of fried eyeballs--curry or sweet and sour? I slunk away completely embarrassed. How was I to know the British considered taking pictures of paintings akin to treason? Sheesh!

It hadn't helped that when we had visited the British Museum the day before I could take pictures of whatever I wanted. Like this copy of the Discus Thrower:

Or the Rosetta Stone (focus isn't that great):

Or how about sections of the Parthenon:


Feel free to takes pictures of any and all. Just don't point anything at a painting.

Fastidious: excessively particular, critical, or demanding

Along with the new school year, a new principal, and a new curriculum, I am also getting a new classroom. You would think that I would be more concerned about the new Language Arts Enhancement class I will be teaching in addition to regular Language Arts, but no; it's all about color and walls.

In an effort to dress up my classroom, I have various blue and red patterned cloth swagged around the top of my classroom walls. I think it's fun and the star/solar system pattern works in nicely with our team's name: Stars.

My new classroom had two walls painted a very nice sea green; let me emphasize that correctly--a VERY NICE sea green. But sea green with a stars and stripes color scheme? I don't think so. I seriously lost sleep over the very thought.

The next morning I stopped by Home Depot for some color samples before heading to school to pack up books. On my way home for lunch, I picked up a nice light blue and with some help from a friend (Thanks Kristine!) I got a first coat on. Later that evening, the second coat went up and I was done for the week. It was my last week of summer vacation and I committed to stay away from school until my first contract day. Did I have a lot of work to do on curriculum? You bet! Did I do anything about it? No Way! But, my classroom will look great!

So here's the question: Does the title fit?

Take Life Seriously?

I've always had the nagging feeling that I take life too seriously. Being able to reach out to others with an easy smile and laugh is such a simple thing, yet has such profound affects. It lightens life's load for yourself and everyone around you. Those that are blessed with that sublime talent of optimism and seeing beyond their own reality are so wonderful to be around. I want to be more like that, but I get swallowed up in my own little world so easily.

I think my issue is that I see life too narrowly, as something to accomplish--an end--and not a journey with a thousand vistas to be enjoyed. I feel I miss much of the bigger picture that makes life full. Consider this analogy: I play ultimate frisbee with an LDS group on Saturdays. I enjoy it very much, but all I really understand of the game is that you have to get the frisbee to your end of the field despite the obstacles (the other team). I can run, throw, and catch with moderate competence, but strategy is almost lost on me. As a result, I sometimes feel more of a hindrance than a help to those with more sports savvy. I wonder if I as well as others would enjoy the game more if I got the strategy.

So, what's the strategy to not taking life so seriously? Anybody want to weigh in? (Of course the irony is that this whole topic is far too serious, but I needed to air this idea and clear my brain.)