a day at the museum

i went downtown the other day to see the Edward Hopper show at the National Gallery of Art. i've seen a lot of Hopper's work, but not this particular painting before and i loved it. it's called "Chop Suey." i loved the content, the use of light and the amazingly vibrant colors. it's been since going to Pittsburgh that i've been in a museum, but moreover, a really long time since i've been alone.

as i was walking around looking at the various pieces in the impressionists' collection, i was listening to Alicia Keys new album on my cd player (the iPod is dead). i felt like i was in a little bubble, immune to interruption and i did not have to interact with another human being if i didn't want to. it was utterly incredible. i don't think i spoke five words during that trip. just to say "thank you" to the woman ringing up my lunch. during lunch, i sat with a notebook and emptied my head of the completely random thoughts that have been filling it.

some people don't understand how i can go places alone and not feel self-conscious. mostly, i don't think people pay attention to people who are alone, unless they are dressed strangely or their behavior attracts attention. i usually am able to blend into a crowd of strangers. if i walk into a room where people know me, it's much harder to go unnoticed.

a museum is easy. a movie theater, very simple. a restaurant...you have to have a book, a laptop or magazine, so it looks like you "intended" to be alone or you'll get the pitying looks. a church, harder if it's small. a concert, easy but i wouldn't do it again. a meeting/room where you are the only minority...sucks.

overall, i think i seem to be unafraid of people looking at me strangely if i'm never really going to see them again. but then again, my friends look at me strangely all the time. so maybe i'm just used to it. i love my partner, my family, my friends and i love spending time with them. but despite what i do for a living, i love NOT interacting with people. i love how i've been spending my time alone these days.