Living In The Year 2024...When Mankind Is Really Beginning To Thrive

    Dodging the giant pit of nostalgic longing is tough sometimes, and not just because the pit is the size of the Grand Canyon. Falling into wistful reveries that center on one's carefree youth is so easy that a caveman's even less advanced brother-in-law could do it. 

   Time has a way of dulling the edges of the sharp pangs of youthful indiscretion and misadventure that seemed to be permanently marring back then, and while the lack of concern for what was important then may make our younger self accuse the older self of cavalier indifference, the truth we all eventually learn is that most of what we endured then that was at one time thought to be soul-crushing and irreversibly ego-scarring (or at least that was what we believed it to be) turns out to be so much dust with little or no permanence to anyone for any reason.

   In short, what was, was, but no longer is, so leave it be.  

   All those people who told you it wouldn't matter in twenty years were somewhat correct.

   Of course, my generation, X if you must have an identifier, may be the last to be able to make that claim. The past few decades have seen the introduction of a tracking system that can store every single misstep you take or mistake you make - the good 'ol internet, aided and abetted by social media.

   So what you do now can matter in twenty years, especially if you seek a career that puts you in the public eye.

   In short, be careful what you say, for what was may still be, despite your desire to leave it in the past twenty years hence. 

   Thank Zeus cameras were not so prevalent back in my youth, and there was no social media (unless you were a celeb, and even then that was limited to gossip rags).

   Because, hard as it may be for some to believe, I was not always this majestic angelic presence.

   But I digress. The pitfalls of waxing nostalgic was the topic, and the point I was going to make was, don't fall into that trap. Chances are pretty good everything you think was better then wasn't actually even 10% as good as it is now (think back to how much a single 5 minute long-distance phone call cost back in the good 'ol days, or how long it took to get the 24 pictures you took (maybe in focus, maybe not) back from the Fotomat).

   Everything wasn't better back then, not for you, and not for anyone else. The world today may seem like a shite storm, but that's only because news coverage (read: coverage of the bad, not good, stuff that happens) is 24/7, worldwide, and in high definition - that is what makes it seem like the past was better. 

   Trust me, it isn't. Just Google mortality rates for everything that can be readily taken care of with over the counter remedies and you'll see what I mean.

   You can do that on your phone for as little as $20 a month these days.

The Abrupt Change Of Plans

 

Not The One

Cannot agree with you more

I'm not the one, nothings more sure

Not the one who would listen as you emasculate

Not the one who would listen when you blame

Not the one who would carry you burdens

Not the one who would carry your shame

  

                         Not the one who could easily tolerate your fears and phobias

                 Not the one who could listen patiently 

       While you told the stories of poor choice past boyfriends

We had so much in common 

       Both of us shunned effective communication 

               When we were feeling even slightly offended

                        Much preferring to play that ol' silent treatment game

Both us liked to hold each others foibles up for ransom

Fly our mutual dirty laundry from the highest flagpole

Give everyone we know a chance to disapprove

And mutter out the words "I told you so"

Cannot agree with you more

You're not the one, nothings more sure

Not the one who decided we just weren't working

Not the one who decided not to give it a 32nd chance

Not the one who proclaimed there was someone else

Not the one who proclaimed this was the last dance

Chester I. Lewis Reflection Square Park

The Agreement

    The charming and unarguably handsome man across the table from her suddenly paused mid-sentence and said "Before we go any further, I need you to read and sign a document."

   He then pulled a few pages of tri-folded paper out from a pocket inside the left side of his perfectly tailored sportscoat and handed it to her.

  She took the proffered paper and opened it. Her eyes flashed over several paragraphs for a silent few minutes before she looked up and politely asked, "What the heck is this?"

   He looked into her hazel-green eyes and replied, "It's a consensual relationship agreement. My lawyer insists that you have to agree in writing that we are both entering into a relationship that is entirely voluntary and consensual on the part of both parties, which may lead to an entirely voluntary and consensual romantic and/or sexual relationship."

   With a look of disbelief mixed with curiosity on her face she shifted her attention back to the document and continued to read. 

   "This is a little off-putting," she stated as she read the terms and agreements section. "What does this stipulation that both parties agree to abide by one anothers pre-determined limitations and exclusions to the agreement exactly mean?"

   "That's an indemnity clause. If, for example, we both agree to never contact each other at our respective places of employment without previously agreeing that such action would be acceptable, then the aggrieved party will have the right to pursue a previously agreed upon remedy either through arbitration or adjudication." His speech and demeanor were calmly direct, free of any hostility or aggression.

   "Wow. I've been in a few relationships over the years and I have never seen anything like this. Is this for real? Do you hand this to every woman you date?" Her eyes were still focused on the document as she spoke.

   "No, I don't give that to every woman I date - this is only second time I've felt like I was with a woman that I liked and trusted enough to present it to. It's a direct result of the Me Too movement. I hope I'm not misinterpreting what I think are fairly strong signals of interest on your part, but I know for myself that I am very much interested in spending much more meaningful time with you, and, well, my lawyer insists I can't risk being publicly accused of inappropriate or unwanted attention or actions, you know?"

   Without reply she continued to read the document, flipping each page unhurriedly and repeatedly rereading a few of the paragraphs. Then she folded the pages back up and placed them on the table next to her wine glass.

   "I have to admit that at first glance this makes a lot of sense for both of us - and it does settle in my mind why you haven't tried to kiss me or even hug me yet. Those compliments followed by hand shakes at the end of every date we've been on had me thinking you were really not as interested in me as I am in you."

   He let out a small sigh of relief after she spoke and said, "I can completely understand that reaction, but believe you me, I am very, very interested in furthering this relationship."

   She held his eyes as he spoke, and when he finished she replied, "This being a contract, even a contract I find agreeable, I trust you won't mind if I have my attorney look it over?"

    "Of course, I insist on it. Would not make sense for you not to do that. Should we set a date to met up and finalize the agreement then? And should we bring our respective lawyers? You know, in case there are details that need to be hashed out?"

   "That sounds like a prudent course of action. Give me a few days to meet with my attorney and I'll get back to you with a few options for times and dates to seal the deal, okay?"

   His smile was one of both happiness and agreement as he slotted his credit card into the little vinyl folder with which the waiter had presented the check. "Fantastic, I 'm looking forward to our next date."

   The both stood as the waiter handed back his Visa. They stepped towards each other and simultaneously extended their right hands to one another. The handshake was warm and reassuring for both of them as they turned and left the restaurant. 

   The waiter, who had heard snippets of their conversation, silently nodded his head as he watched them exit together...but not together....yet.

   

   

 

The Infinity Cloud

 

Part Two Of A Two Part Photo Essay Regarding Public Art In Wichita, Kansas

 Yesterday was sculpture day as far as posting pics of public art seen in Wichita Kansas goes. Today is more of a two dimensional day, as I'll be posting pics of murals and such found in and around Wichita.

       Okay this isn't two dimensional, but it is what I believe to be an "artspace" in downtown Wichita

Well, that's about it. Oh, I did see more 2D stuff, but for the most part it was just dull or uninteresting bad graffiti.

Part One Of A Two Part Photo Essay Regarding Public Art In Wichita, Kansas

   Wichita, Kansas has a lot of public art, and the majority of it is good. Extremely, unexpectedly good, at least to me. 

   Before visiting Wichita my knowledge of the place was limited to various docudramas about the psychopath Dennis Rader, that it was the birthplace of Pizza Hut, Lear jets were once manufactured there, and that a talented basketball player who attended the same high school I did played collegiately at Wichita State.

   I had no idea about the art. 

   However, within minutes of arriving in Wichita I became enlightened as to the quantity and quality of the public art on display as my first stop was a business located in the heart of downtown Wichita, and very close to that business was a statue of a horse that I immediately recognized as the work of the late sculptor John Kearney (well, truth be told my actual first thought was "huh, that looks like something John Kearney might do, wonder if a local sculptor's wearing his influence on his sleeve").

   My familiarity with John Kearney's work is due to all the pieces he created that can be seen in Chicago - notably a large moose on Michigan Ave and a grouping of deer in a plaza near the Aon Center. I had been living my whole life thinking that Chicago was the only place his work was on display until I got to Wichita.

   These are the two I saw in the downtown area:

   John Kearney had a good eye and was a wizard of welding.

   Walking around downtown Wichita is pretty much like walking through a sculpture garden. Earlier I posted pics of many of Georgia Gerber's statues that dot both sides of East Douglas ave, but those are the tip of Wichita's public sculpture iceberg. 

   Several other sculptors have had pieces acquired and put on display by either the city of Wichita or by individuals, groups, or businesses interested in making Wichita a visually interesting place to visit. 

   Here are a few more for your viewing pleasure.

                                              Tripodal by James Rosati, 1971 - 1972

                                          Peerless Princess of the Plains by Frank Jensen

                                              Hardship and Dreams by Dorothy L. Koelling 

                                              Sundial on watch gear stand by Jack Zavatsky

                Interrupted Flight by Harry Bertoia (in memory of former Mayor A. Price Woodard)

                       1/6th scale replica of the Keeper of the Plains sculpture by Blackbear Bosin

   The above 1/6th scale replica of Blackbear Bosin's 44 foot tall Keeper of the Plains sculpture (which will be shown in a later post) is in front of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce, hence it is decorated with small paintings of Wichita specific postcards - there are a number of these smaller "Keepers" throughout Wichita.

   Feather Towers by Vicki Scuri on both sides of the W. Douglas Ave bridge across the Arkansas River

Rotary centennial plaza in Wichita features a kinetic sculpture called the Rotary Time Tower 

                                                              The Rotary Time Tower 

                         "Editorial Without Words" statue in front of the Wichita Midian Shrine

                                               Tyrannosaurus Rex by Phillip M. Brinkley

   The four pictures below are of sculptures known collectively as Rails and Wheels. They were created by the design team/artists/sculptors Terry Corbett, Ritchie Bergen, Larry Goodwin & Steve Murillo with the assistance of PEC (Professional Engineering Consultants) Field Services of Wichita, along with SPT (Spangenberg, Phillips, Tice) Architecture of Wichita.

   I'll wrap this post up with a terrific mosaic featured above the First United Methodist Church on Broadway. The building itself is a beautiful example of mid-century modern architecture but the mosaic, titled "Be Still And Know That I Am God", is a jewel measuring 40 feet by 70 feet and composed of 70,000 individual ceramic tiles.

              

   

Murals Seen On The 1st & 2nd Street Underpasses In Wichita

   Painted on the walls of both the 1st and 2nd street underpasses for Interstate 135 (which runs north and south through the heart of Wichita) are four interesting and visually stimulating murals.

   What makes them interesting (at least to me) is not the subject matter, but rather where they are painted, and why that location affects how they are viewed and what is seen.

   If one is driving down either 1st or 2nd street and passes the murals going the posted speed limit, the artwork can only be seen peripherally, and then only as indistinct geometric patterns of various shades of blue or yellow. 

                                                       Eastbound drivers view of the underpass

   To be able to truly appreciate the subject matter, which is what makes the murals visually stimulating, this art pretty much has to be viewed from the perspective of a pedestrian. 

Blue (top) and yellow (bottom) 1st street underpass murals

                     Yellow (top) and blue (bottom) 2nd street underpass murals 

Helpful Hint For Those That Like To Walk

    If you're like me and enjoy walking, here's a piece of sound advice. Do not get Plantar fasciitis. 

    Not only is Plantar fasciitis devilish to spell (due to the rare double i), it is also painful for those of us who like to walk.

   This morning I was told by the Podiatrist I visited to see about the pain that suddenly popped up in my left heel (after a few brief questions along with a cursory examination of said heel), that I had a mild case of Plantar fasciitis.

   Yikes.

   Plantar fasciitis, for those not in the know, is a condition usually caused by prolonged periods of standing (which I do a lot of), obesity (guilty), and exercise such as extended walking or running on hard surfaces (yes to the extended walking on hard surfaces).

   It is also most common in people between the ages of 40 to 60 (bingo).

   The Doc told me that the best treatment plan for my particular case was for me to procure a pair of orthopedic shoes with a significant amount of arch support and a "comfortable cradle for the heel", and to adopt a daily stretching routine that includes at least 5 minutes of stretching the feet and 5 minutes of stretching the calves.

   Icing the left foot was also recommended and why wouldn't it be.

   He also suggested (strongly) that it would help my cause greatly if I lost a substantial amount of weight, say 75 to 100 lbs. 

   Double yikes.

   Typically, eight weeks to a year is what can be expected as the minimum and maximum amount of time for recovery from Plantar fasciitis, which is a helluva broad range.

   I was able to get the orthopedic shoes this afternoon and they made an instant difference in the level of pain I was experiencing. Exercise bands are on order, and I also bought one of those little foot soaker/massaging tub dealios in order to ice my left foot - which I did just a few hours ago and that also resulted in a significant amount of relief.

   I'll post progress updates when progress is made.

   

The Blue Steel Sculptures Of Wichita

   Some people go to Wichita to get away from Opera, but not me. I went on a short business trip and in the time allotted to me for pleasure, indulged in my passion for public art.

   I found quite a bit, some good, some bad, some perplexing. 

   The art I considered perplexing consisted of steel girders that had been welded into random configurations, painted blue, and then placed along the west side of the Arkansas riverfront north of West Douglas ave.

   No attribution could be found as to the creator of these sculptures, and while they look like the work of abstract expressionist/constructivist sculptor Mark Di Suvero, they are painted blue, a far cry from the international orange or black or rust that Di Suvero prefers for his creations.

   Just going to have to regard them as mediocre derivatives I guess.