Friday, November 20, 2009

I love it when I'm wrong.


Kneeling musician. What instrument was he playing? Any theories?

I watched a middle-school aged boy, dressed in a ridiculously oversized football jersey, while he sketched the standing archer. He was working hard for a considerable amount of time. Finally I went over to look at his work - it was exquisite, a true rendering of the warrior but in the style of Japanese anime. It was beautiful!

A mom acting as a chaperone for a group of younger students came up to me, after reading about the life of Qin Shihuongdi, and asked, "So what was up with that dude? Didn't his mother breast feed him?"

I sat on one of the benches next to a woman at least twenty years older than I. She looked misty-eyed and deeply moved. She told me (eventually) that she had a past lifetime during the Qin dynasty. Her friend snickered but I, of course, believed her. She was lovely.

A ceramics teacher lectured her class about the way the figures were created, her voice passionate. She told me she wanted to inspire her students, and indeed they seemed impressed.

The above vignettes took place yesterday, the opening day of the exhibit at National Geographic. Those holding tickets were the people who have very much been looking forward to it; folks who have been to China and seen the pits with their own eyes, scholars of Chinese history, and other enthusiasts of all stripes. It was so much fun!

I expected to be exhausted by all that social interaction, but I was wrong. I thought I might be overwhelmed or bored, but I was wrong about that, too. In fact the experience was refreshing in every way possible, just what the doctor ordered.

OK. I'm tired today, mostly I think because I'm processing all the unfamiliar sensory information that came in through my eyes and ears yesterday, but it's not the overwhelm of introversion I had expected. Interesting that still, at my age, I can misjudge my reactions so completely. Very cool.

17 comments:

ellen abbott said...

What a wonderful day. I can see how it could be energizing. And how wonderful that we still have the ability to surprise ourselves.

Tess Kincaid said...

Told ya.

Mrsupole said...

I think it was some kind of string instrument, but since I do not know much about music I am not sure.

I agree with Willow...nah nah nah nah nah...told you so...we know how awesome you are and that you would be spectacular at this. I think that you will be able to talk to people in a way that no one else will be able to. You will understand exactly what they are feeling and that is a gift that they will appreciate immensely.

I am so glad you had a fantastic day and an enjoyable one too. I wish we could have seen what the boy drew.

And there is just something about those pics. Makes you think he really is playing music even without the instrument. The other one is better then any pro could do because of the shadows and reflections. You have a special talent for pics like that. I have never seen anyone who does it the way you do.

Someday you will win awards for this, wait didn't you already win one a while back. Well you will win more. Oh heck, I give you the very first of my "Mrsupole's award for the most reflective reflecting reflection picture" of the year. I think there are about 100 of your pics that are all winners. And let me tell you I just do not give that award out to just anybody. I mean I have only given it to you. It is an award of the highest esteem and I am sure that you will see how many here voted to give it to you and agree.

This award is only given here in bloggyworld which has become the most prestigious award center for the world.

Congrats on the award. Enjoy.

God bless.

Elizabeth said...

Such a fascinating experience and obviously completely worthwhile.
Lovely to interact with people in unexpected ways
or in unexpected situations.

Nancy said...

Great post. This exhibit is such a fascinating subject. I loved the young boy doing a sketch.

tattytiara said...

So true. We never finish learning, not even about ourselves. I suppose that's because we never stop growing.

Ronda Laveen said...

What a wonderful thing to learn about yourself. There is new energy here. I love the pictures. Especially the shadows on the floor of the bottom one. And, now that I look again, the shadows in the top one too. They seem to have a life of their own going on.

Ya gotta love the Mrs.! Quite a cheerleader, huh? "Mrsupole's award for the most reflective reflecting reflection picture" of the year."

The Bug said...

I'm glad you had a good time - I didn't doubt that you would enjoy it, but I thought you might be peopled out by the end. I'm glad you weren't!

JC said...

Good, I'm glad you enjoyed it ...

Lynne said...

I also love the shadow on the kneeling musician. I think he's playing a stringed instrument, but what kind? I don't know.

Is it peaceful there, Reya? I mean the whole mood, not absence of people talking. What exactly do you do? I think it would interesting watching other people's reactions.

Lisa Ursu said...

This post made me smile. Thanks for that Reya.
Enjoy your weekend.

Reya Mellicker said...

Yes Willow, you did!

Deborah said...

a small stringed instrument like a harpsichord precursor, lutish thing

love you

Barbara said...

Sounds fabulous. I'm so happy you enjoyed the experience.

Peace!

karen said...

Wonderful! Isn't it great how we keep on learning about our amazing selves?Love the mini glimpses into both the exhibition and the viewers!

ArtSparker said...

Social interaction with others can be deeply refreshing for introverts in the same way solitude can be refreshing for extroverts. it's good to know that one can learn these things - on a physiological level, I believe - as one gets older.

Barbara Martin said...

I see why you found it energizing, Reya. The figures speak for themselves and they are truly wonderful to behold.