Nooks and crannies

Writing is enormously annoying. It demands time and effort to produce a product that, if successful, conveys only a limited viewpoint, and part of that rests on the reader. How can I tell you about running for the bus, only to discover it was late; traipsing about in my rain jacket, though the sun was shining; thoughts on Aboriginal art and nude portraits; and that's not even being half of it? I'd be writing for ages, and you'd give up long before I was finished! Bother.

Suffice it to say, we went to the city. We strode about the Ian Potter Centre and thought artsy thoughts about Aboriginal dot paintings (love those colors!) and strange installations of a banner march. In making our departure, I decided it was best to leave a museum before you become angry that you're still there. SG said walking around museums is tiresome, and I agree. You're navigating, observing, arguing, enjoying, and feeling things, and you can only do it for so long before all you want to do is sit down somewhere and have a nap.

After our striding about the Ian Potter, we happened upon the glass tower of wisdom, the city guide to Melbourne or something. The ground floor is a nearly empty room of glass panels, the basement, a veritable storehouse of brochures. We left before we had weighed ourselves down too much. Just people watching in Federation Square would be enough to keep one occupied for hours, but we decided to see more of the city. We didn't see much of it, but we made it to an antique bookstore, some little shops, and some beautiful churches before calling it quits within the confines of a coffee shop.

Having recently been voted the world's most livable city, Melbourne lived up to her name. Just walking around the downtown area was fun. There were shops and cafés everywhere - even two Starbucks sightings, a Hungry Jack's (Burger King) and a McDonalds. The thing I enjoyed most was the buildings themselves. The shops I could do without, but to see the shimmering skyscrapers nestled next to hundred year old churches and state buildings, that's what I love about cities. We walked around the sprawling St. Paul's Cathedral before we caught our train home. The Catholics and I don't agree on all points of theology, but I'll give them this - they know how to build churches. The sanctuary was lined with stained glass windows telling stories from the Bible and on the back wall (pardon my cathedral architectural ignorance) was a large shimmering image of Christ on the cross. Ornate tile patterns crossed the floors, and dark wood paneling on the walls created a space that you didn't really want to talk in, just sit or walk or pray in.

Walking around the city, I could see what people are talking about when they describe living in cities. They talk about the energy and the constant movement of people. Today that throb of humanity took me by the hand and pulled me along streets and around corners as if to say, "Can you feel the excitement? Have you seen this street of mine yet?" It was boggling to think about all the nooks and crannies of the city. We only walked down a few avenues, and at every cross walk we were only a fraction of the throng that was off on some errand or other. Each of those people have stories and hopes and dreams. This is true of everyone, but the high concentration of everyones in cities makes the fact that much more apparent. For all its grandeur though, I don't know that I could live in a city. They're fun and have ballets and symphonies and the occasional street dance off (we saw one today!) But they don't have stars to wish on or fields to picnic in, or space for pecan trees.

We made it back already talking of our next trip to the city. On the way, I finished my book What You Need to Know about Project Management by Fergus O'Connell. SG is probably fed up with hearing about it, but it is a fantastic book. I would recommend it to anyone. It sounds dry and technical, but it is a light read and helpful for anyone, whether you're managing projects for a large firm, or just planning a dinner party. Heck, it'd be helpful for writing your to-do list for the day! Read it. Read it. Read it. The time you spend reading it will be returned to you ten fold in time saved in projects.

Tonight I started The Promise by Chaim Potok. I'm a sucker for great names, and it was recommended by a dear old man, Mr. M, who is proving his wonderfulness more and more every day as he teaches us how to serve families and live meaningful lives this year and always.

Little Miss Sunshine