Frantic

Much to do, little time to do it. I must say I achieved almost unheard of balance during my weekend. It was productive and filled with lovely things. Besides the fact I was limping horribly with every step by Sunday evening. 

Last week I read an article in the Wall Street Journal about time and priorities. It's basic argument was that we normally have more time than we think we have, and we need to be better about what we do with our time. Not rocket science by any means. However, it suggested an interesting perspective shift by focusing on priorities rather than focusing on time. 

For me the take-away was that now each time I think "I don't have time" I instead try to say "that's not a priority".

Example:

Over a week ago I received a replacement credit card and proceeded to lose it before I even left the house. I have NO idea what happened to it. Everyday I found myself thinking "I don't have time to call and cancel it" but when the thought shifted to "calling to cancel my lost credit card is not a priority" - when it's put like that, obviously it is a priority. I called and cancelled it.

Or

"I don't have time to do my homework, I'll clean the closet instead" turned to "doing my homework is not a priority, cleaning the closet is a priority" - both false statements. I settled for doing some homework and then rewarding myself with going through my coats (which took much less time than cleaning the entire closet). 

This approach has been fairly effective so far. Mostly because the tasks I regularly tell myself I don't have time for usually are priorities, while vacuuming again to procrastinate is not. It's has helped cut down on the frantic daily pace I set for myself. When I apply 'priority' to my list I realize there are quite a few tasks that are not priorities, which I should stop worrying about. It is lovely. 

SITE2801

Saturday was such a beautiful day C and I walked over to the Crocker. I really wanted to see the Edgar Payne exhibit. We grabbed a quick bite at the cafe and then headed to the exhibits. After being completely underwhelmed by the exhibit full of vagina art (though there were a lot of old people who loved it - maybe its a generational thing) C and I rounded the corner, stopped mid sentence and took off towards Gong Yuebin's SITE2801 exhibit. Turning the corner to face 200 terracotta in a dark room with spotlights was not expected. The lovely security guard I petitioned said "unofficially" that day we could take photos, but that it would not likely be the case in the future. iPhones out! Of course we started a trend. Someone's flash went off - C and I both looked at each other concerned and confirmed it was not us. A flash, in a museum?!?

The artist actually used clay from the same mountain used for the Xi'an terracotta warriors 2,000 years ago. 

In case you are wondering - yes, those are red babies sitting in the front of those nuclear missiles. The description on the wall explains that babies are symbols of hope, but human violence and war destroys that hope. 

If you noticed him hiding in the image above, 10 of the terracotta figures are actually modern soldiers. I think they bear a strong resemblance to James Cromwell. 

From the description "SITE2801 asks viewers to become archaeologists of the future....the apparent lack of progress in thousands of years of human evolution and empire building". It is an impressive exhibit. We don't inter ourselves with 2,000 terracotta warriors, but visual display of power is still as effective as ever. 

Forgotten Suitcases

Imagine this, in 1995 the Willard Insane Asylum closes, approximately 400 suitcases in the attic that belonged to patients who never left the asylum were left behind. Would you like to know what is in them?

Each suitcase, and its contents, is being photographed - you can see them online here.

Fascinating project!

Spring

When the student assistants aren't here I can sometimes make several runs across campus at various times of the day. The trees are currently in full regalia. Impressive, lilies of the field in evidence.

I'm required to muster a fair amount of self restraint to keep walking, rather than plopping down on the nearest bench and taking a long break. Though I suppose nothing prohibits that. I am very much looking forward to Spring. It could rain everyday for a month, but as long as it was green and around 70 degrees I'd be satisfied.