The World is a Wonderful Place (continued)

Other Stuff

The World Is a Wonderful Place (continued)

 I was at the Art Institute in Chicago a few months ago, seeing my two favourite paintings: “Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” by Georges Seurat, and “Nighthawks” by Edward Hopper. I thought I better broaden my art appreciation so I went into the early American furniture section. There is a room full of the most ornate, elegant, beautifully made chairs. Some were upholstered with ornate carvings. Some had the most intricate inlays. In all cases the wood gleamed. Most of the chairs were up on a platform where the public could gaze and appreciate. But one was on floor level with a rope completely around it. The implication was clear: don’t come near this; it’s so precious. It had a plush, puffed up red seat and back and shining wood arms and legs. You wonder who dusts the stuff.

I went up to the guard who was in the room and quietly asked, “Do you ever want to sit in these chairs?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a smile.
“Which one is your favourite?” I asked.
“The red plush one,” he said pointing to the roped off chair in the middle of the room.
“In the off-hours, have you ever just sneaked sitting in one of them?” I asked.
“I wouldn’t be here if I did,” he said.

We both gazed longingly at ‘our’ roped off chair in the middle of the room.

 At The Visit in New York a few weeks ago, I settled into my seat. I was one of the first people in the theatre. The usher standing in the middle of the aisle waiting for patrons to arrive, yawned deeply. My eyebrows went up and I caught his eye.

“It’s been a long day. It started at 6:30 am” he said.
“How come?” I asked.
“I’ve got 10 kids at home including a newborn,” he said.
“WOOOOW,” from me. Not much else one can say after that.

And Sometimes the World is a Sad place.

 I was going to see Bedroom Farce at Soulpepper in Toronto and noted a hand printed sign on a lamppost at Mill Street and Parliament: “Lost male wedding ring close to this corner. If found please call, (and there was an out of town phone number). Thanks for your kindness.”

OY!