Hump Day Art--Woman with a Pearl Necklace in a Loge

This is a new feature on Running With Blue Sponge called Hump Day Art, which will feature a piece of art each Wednesday. I’ve always wanted to learn more about art, and I figured this might be a good way to do that.

Today’s painting is an oil on canvas called “Woman with a Pearl Necklace in a Loge,” which was painted by Mary Cassatt in 1879. Cassatt was an American painter born in 1844 and died in 1926. She created a series of theater scenes in the late 1870s, displaying an interest in city nightlife shared by many of the Impressionists. This work, showing a woman (said to be her sister, Lydia) seated in front of a mirror with the balconies of the Paris Opera House reflected behind her, demonstrates the influence of Cassatt’s friend, Edgar Degas, particularly to the attention paid to the effects of the artificial lighting on the flesh tones.

I saw the painting in the European gallery of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The photo was taken with my iPhone.

My Email to President Obama

I have a comment and a response is requested. During the Presidential campaign, you stated you would work for equal legal rights for same-sex partners that married couples currently enjoy. You said you would stop Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I see no evidence of any action on either of these issues. There was no comment on California's court decision taking away the civil right of a minority of the population by a vote in a popular election. GLBT constituents are feeling let down and left out of this administration. I realize there are other issues facing the country that are a higher priority, but this administration has shown it can multi-task. We need some acknowledgment that these issues are important also. While we wait for some action, hundreds of qualified soldiers continue to be removed from our armed services simply because of their sexual orientation. The President has the power to stop these removals with a stroke of the pen. We want some leadership on these important issues.

When I pressed send, the page said it was unavailable at this time. Try again later. I will.

One Sane Voice on California High Court

These are the six California Supreme Court Justices that voted to uphold Proposition 8 that took away a civil right by banning same-sex marriage based on a popular vote.

There was one voice of reason among the seven: California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno, was the only judge dissenting in today's 6-1 decision. His dissenting opinion was this:

In my view, the aim of Proposition 8 and all similar initiative measures that seek to alter the California Constitution to deny a fundamental right to a group that has historically been subject to discrimination on the basis of a suspect classification, violates the essence of the equal protection clause of the California Constitution and fundamentally alters its scope and meaning. Such a change cannot be accomplished through the initiative process by a simple amendment to our Constitution enacted by a bare majority of the voters; it must be accomplished, if at all, by a constitutional revision to modify the equal protection clause to protect some, rather than all, similarly situated persons. I would therefore hold that Proposition 8 is not a lawful amendment of the California Constitution.

Write to Justice Moreno and thank him for efforts. Also feel free to write the other six and let them know what you think of their judgement. I could only find a snail mail address, which is:

Supreme Court of California
350 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA 94102-4797

The California Supreme Court Upholds Hate

It breaks my heart. California's Supreme Court upheld Prop 8 banning marriage between same-sex couples. I just do not understand how the court can justify people voting away the civil rights of a group of people. It is frustrating that with every step forward, there seems to be another step backward. I just have to keep reminding myself that things are getting better. Write to President Obama and your Senate and Congressional representatives and demand equal rights for same-sex couples. Tell them to push forward on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Demand your rights! Give money to support our cause. Do something today.

More of the Mothership from Close Encounters of the Third Kind

These are more shots from my iPhone of the mothership from Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  It was on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport (such a catchy name), part of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.  There was some interest in my earlier posting of this item.  Sorry the quality isn't any better, but the ship is inside a very reflective case, making it difficult to take pictures, and the iPhone camera isn't exactly high-resolution.  

The top photo with Shane pointing gives some perspective as to the ship's size.  Shane would not be happy if he knew I posted that photo of him though.  He is very particular about photo approval.  It isn't exactly flattering.  Luckily, he doesn't read this blog and will never know.  

You might notice a small CP3O (from Star Wars) located on the edge of the ship in the middle photo.  There is a list of all sorts of items to find, such as mailboxes and other items I don't remember.  The third shot loses much of its sci-fi effect by having a bathroom-like tile wall in the background. 

Walt from the blog, WCS, posted a funny comment on the earlier posting about having a strange urge to make a mountain out of his mashed potatoes.  Enjoy the French Open Walt!

The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest Week #195

But that doesn't explain the lipstick on your collar!

The above is the cartoon for New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest for week #195. Let me know if you come up with a caption.

Concorde

Here are various planes at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum,
including the Concorde, which I saw take off from Dulles airport years
ago.

Mothership from Close Encounters

This is the mothership used in the film Close Encounters of the Third
Kind on display at the Smithsonian with the space shuttle in the
background.

Lady Astronaut Pampers

A display at the Air and Space Museum. On the left is a fecal collection device and on the right is a ladies diaper.  Interestingly, all astronauts now usually wear commercial diapers.

The Space Shuttle Enterprise

This is me in front of the space shuttle prior to watching the
fictional Enterprise in Star Trek.

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum Near Dulles

We were going to see Star Trek in Imax, but it was sold out.  This is the Enola Gay, which dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The museum was pretty cool. We later went to see Star Trek in Georgetown. It was so so. I'm not that into time travel plots.  

Nats Players during the National Anthem

We had awesome seats!

President Washington at the Nats Game

Mingling prior to the game.

Nats Celebrate Loss with Fireworks

The Os win in the 12th. We watched some fireworks on our walk home.

More George

George Will and a male companion stand between innings. It is still
tied 2-2 in the 10th.

George Washington Leans in to Win Presidents Race

Ryan Zimmerman just hit a 2-run homer to tie the game. Nats and Os
2-2 so far... Bottom of the 4th. That's George Will sitting behind
guy standing with the Nats Jersey.

At the Nats Game -- Preshow

Late Lunch

These frozen dinners never look as nice as the picture on the box.

The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #194

Is this a convenient time to discuss your life insurance needs?

The above is the cartoon for New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest for week #194. Let me know if you come up with a caption. Click on the link to enter your caption and share any suggestions you have here. 

Sign the Petition to Urge the President to Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

The military is still discharging soldiers for being openly gay.

One of these soldiers is California's own Lt. Dan Choi, who is also an Arabic linguist. In March, Lt. Choi went on Rachel Maddow's show and spoke honestly about his sexual orientation. As a result, the Army sent him a letter of discharge on April 23. Lt. Choi is now fighting the discharge and fighting the discriminatory "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

I just signed a Courage Campaign petition to President Obama -- signed by more than 100,000 people --  urging him to do the right thing by stopping the discharge of Lt. Dan Choi and other LGBT soldiers, and asking President Obama to uphold his promise to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  The Courage Campaign will deliver this petition to the president -- that's why it is important that as many people as possible speak out right now.

Will you join me in signing and urge your friends to do the same?:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/DontFireDan

Thanks!