You know you're short of caffeine when you're waiting for the light to change so you can cross the street and suddenly you realize: it changed a while ago and is about to change back.
Without further ado, from BTQ:
1. Tropical Storm Cindy and Hurricane Dennis are causing trouble in the Southeast this week. Share a natural disaster story.
When I was little we lived in Mexico. Our parents decided to take us to a great resort - there were all kinds of natural springs feeding pools of different temperatures in sheltered grottos. Quite exotic. There was a huge stone totem pole type thing at the entrance, a Mayan artifact I think.
One night, I woke up and heard a really loud roaring sound. I looked up at the ceiling, and the light was swinging wildly. I'm thinking, cool. Then my mother was standing in the doorway, frantically calling my name. I wasn't sure why she was so concerned, but I reassured her and by then I think the roaring and shaking had stopped and she went back to bed.
The next day when we left we drove by the stone totem pole and it was broken off at the base. I forget what the earthquake measured, maybe my mother will tell you, but it was impressive. When you're three or four years old, I guess it doesn't occur to you that the roof could fall in on you.
2. What is your favorite work of art?
Ha. No way could I answer this. There are too many. But I'll tell you about one or two that I've seen that were amazing.
When I was in Paris, impressionist and modernist painters were still in the Jeu de Pomme and the Tuilleries. Yes, a long time ago. Anyway, moving on, I was walking through them one day and came upon van Gogh's "Church at Auvers." The paint is laid on so thickly, in so many vibrant shades of blue, that the painting absolutely shimmers. I've never seen anything like it before or since.
Also while there, a Vermeer exhibit came to down. There were other painters too - Rembrandt and whoever - but there was only one painting that dominated the whole exhibit, despite it's small size. There are a rare few paintings that are alive, and this was one: Vermeer's "Portrait of a Girl with a Pearl Earring." It is remarkable and, to my eye, much finer than the Mona Lisa that everyone else is so gaga about.
I also love the portrait of Lady Hamilton by Gainsborough that's in the Frick, and many of the other paintings there, and of course GirlChild's work.
3. Do you squeeze the toothpaste tube from the middle or the bottom?
Bottom.
4. What is your favorite "cult" film?
Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Or The Princess Bride. Unless you mean a movie about cults, in which case Dogma. What do you mean, the Catholic Church isn't a cult?
5. Would you go into space if given the chance? Where would you go?
I'm not sure about this. Do I get to check the O-rings before I go?
Eh, I probably would. Even if only to orbit Earth, it's so beautiful from space. Going other places? Who knows?
Yeah, the orbiting thing would be pretty cool. And purty.
Posted by: kristine | July 08, 2005 at 12:02 PM
Did you know that when I saw "Church at Auverge" it hit me so hard I've never forgotten it? I even have a print of it (inadequate) I take with me wherever we go.Dad thinks that earthquake was about 6.5. The epicenter was where we live now and it destroyed many churches.
Posted by: MatAnc | July 08, 2005 at 03:10 PM
If you haven't seen the movie "Girl with a Pearl Earring" let's rent it. It's a fictional account of who she may have been in Vermeer's life. The movie is filmed with the light and colors resembling one of his paintings. I loved it!
Posted by: Pat | July 10, 2005 at 12:07 AM
Okay all I have to say is those are some AWESOME movie choices you made there. Monty Python and the Holy rail being among them just made you my favorite family member cuz no in my immediate family likes it (are they crazy or what???)
luv ya,
Kent
"I'm not dead yet"
Posted by: Kent | July 10, 2005 at 04:26 PM