There Were Thursday Thrills

I'm writing this up and getting the pics up real quick before heading to work so this won't be a hefty post. But, it's a happy one! Yesterday (Thursday) was quite lovely! The best part was all of the things I got done and enjoyed without anxiety getting in the way too much. I was in charge of myself yesterday, and it was exhilarating! After getting necessary evils conquered yesterday morning, the rest of the day was the best day I've had in a long time. Cheap Indian food and a good book for lunch? Yes, please! Coffee and silliness with Pilot? Yes, please! ART AFTER HOURS AT WIREGRASS MUSEUM OF ART? OH, HELL, YES, PLEASE AND THANK YOU!!! 

Three things about yesterday were beautiful, soul-nourishing surprises: 
1. I did not feel lonely and an outsider much of yesterday. I can't remember the last time I felt warm and truly welcome. 
2. I was so damn brave yesterday. I was downright bold. I did things yesterday that I've been shying away from for quite a while. I don't know what got into me, but I liked it! It reminded me of the power that pulses through me after an improv class or after I've triaged and worked an accident scene. I did not flinch yesterday. 
3. For a little bitty while last night at the museum, I was me. Joy, Joan, and Rita, are y'all reading this? Remember the camera days in Chicago last September? It was an intoxicating hint of that. For an hour or so, I was alive. I didn't know..... I didn't know that hadn't been beaten out of me. I didn't know I could still tap into that. 

OK, let me get the pics up before I head out to work.

Pilot and me

If you see this, either decide to join in or run away because coffee fueled mischief is afoot!

ART AFTER HOURS

WIREGRASS MUSEUM OF ART

About 30min before I left, I did have to talk to myself into it. I was getting ready and was so frustrated because no amount of primping is every gonna make me anything but fat and ugly. And, I was dreading that 2 people I expected to be there weren't going to be so I thought I'd be by myself in the crowd. And, sometimes that's a panic attack trigger, and I'd just assume avoid having a panic attack, thank you. *shudder* But, I knew it was the museum which is always a safe place. And, the theme of the new exhibits is printmaking which is an art form I have long been curious about. And, I have never regretted going to an Art After Hours and have even had a fabulous time before. So, I knew if I could just make myself go, I'd be ok once I got there. But, I was in a pissy mood the whole drive. Ah! But, when I got there! The first people I saw were a dear couple from temple! What a nice surprise! First words out of K's mouth? "I love your hair!" Y'all, I NEEDED that. Shallow and pathetic? Yeah. I don't care. I needed it. Then, I turned to the entrance table and started to reach into my purse to get my membership card out of my wallet. But, before I could even wrap my fingers around my wallet, the director greeted me by name! She was smiling and welcomed me by name. And, all of the knots in my stomach loosened. And, I took a deep, belly breath and set to having an adventure!

The current exhibits are From Here To There: Printmaking In Alabama. The artists included are Amy LeePard, Scott Stephens, Sarah Marshall, Derek Cracco, and Andrew Kozlowski. (I want to go back when it's not crowded and pull on the white gloves and handle Amy LeePard's bookmaking pieces and really take the time to study them.) The new photography exhibit is in the Blumberg gallery. It's documentingBlues by Jenn Ocken. I was excited to see that exhibit, but then I saw that it was entirely Memphis based. Oh, God, y'all, I miss Memphis so bad. I walked through and appreciated the pictures, but it was tugging at my heart. And, I didn't want to feel those feelings. I kept thinking about my people at Temple Israel and about Opera Memphis and taking Shirly shopping at the Asian markets and, and, and. I appreciated the power of the photographs, but I didn't dwell in there. I wanted to protect my headspace. Also, I was put off by photography not being allowed in the exhibit. 

By the way, the contrast between the warmth, engagement, and openness of Bill Steber and his exhibit vs. last night's was striking. There was no magic in the Blumberg gallery last night. The photographs were good, but the atmosphere wasn't.

The BEST part of Art After Hours last night?!!??!!  HELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOO, ART PLAY TABLE!!!!  "Do you want to try making a monotype print?" Ummm, YESYESYESYESYESYESYESYES. More like, I had to force myself to step away from the table and not just stay right there all night using up all the supplies! I had so much fun being completely inept at a new way of making as I created pretty, sparkling blobs. It was pure play. Colors and movement and the best kind of mess making. People asking questions and laughing. Sharing and smiling. The most encouraging part? The table stayed BUSY. People were engaged! So many folks getting their hands dirty! Men and women of all ages. Seeing that unfold was a hopeful and joyous thing to witness. Y'all, I was so happy. I went to look at art, and I came home with paint on my hands. That, my darlings, is bliss. 

I didn't take as many pictures last night as I have in the past. I was too busy being part of things to hide behind my camera! I was seeing with my eyes and not my lens! Also, I didn't always use my camera, and, as usual, my phone's camera let me down on several snaps. Oh, well! 

Yes, the gap in the bottom right made me twitch. LOL

No, I wasn't creepy. She gave me permission to take this photo.

Me being happy!

I've put in a scheduling request at work to have the day of May 20 off with availability to work the closing shift that night. There's a Sarah Marshall printmaking workshop at the museum all day that I desperately want to take. The problem is that my son's graduation is the next week, and I've already got 4 days off on the books for that. So, I don't know if I can get another scheduling variance approved in such close time to that. But if it goes through, next payday I'm going to sign up. It's only $30 for members. Well worth it! I just ordered my sewing machine and bought groceries, And, the truck's gas tank is almost empty. So, I am ruined for money until next week. Hopefully, I won't be too late to get a slot! Just waiting on that square on my work schedule calendar to go from yellow to green, hopefully!