Art I Could Get Into (Or Vice Versa)

I took this photo with my iPhone at the Philadelpia Museum of Art last week. The sculpture is called Princess X by Constantin Brâncuşi, a Romanian sculptor, and was done in 1915-1916. I don't know why, but for some reason it spoke to me.

The following is from Wikipedia:

In 1920, [Brâncuşi] developed a notorious reputation with the entry of "Princess X"[1] in the Salon. The phallic shape of the piece scandalized the Salon, and despite Brâncuşi's explanation that it was an anonymous portrait, removed it from the exhibition. "Princess X" was revealed to be Princess Marie Bonaparte, direct descendant of Napoleon Bonaparte. Brâncuşi represented or caricatured her life as a large gleaming bronze phallus. This phallus symbolizes the model's obsession with the penis and her lifelong quest to achieve vaginal orgasm, with the help of Sigmund Freud. Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, condemned orgasm by clitoral stimulation and praised vaginal orgasm with a penis as the superior and only legitimate type. His condemnation echoed the social mores of his era which condemned masturbation as both morally harmful and as a cause of mental disorders. Her search for the elusive vaginal orgasm led her to have two unsuccessful surgeries and numerous affairs throughout her life with wealthy and famous men.

When it Comes to American Idol, I'm a 14 Year Old Girl

Though I hate to admit it, I do watch American Idol and I have to say that I am rooting for Kris Allen over Adam Lambert. Kris did a nice version of this song, "Falling Slowly," from the movie Once several weeks back. I realize that Adam is likely on my team, but I prefer Kris. I'm such a teenage girl.

More DC Flowers

This is from my walk Sunday evening around my neighborhood.

Mess by Ben Folds Five

I don't believe in god, so I can't be saved.

The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #193

You're different Irving. All the other men

I meet want a "no strings" relationship.

The above is the cartoon for New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest for week #193. Let me know if you come up with a caption. Click on the link to enter your caption.

DC Flowers

I spent most of the day in bed feeling tired and recovering from my
cold. I did manage to muster enough gusto to go for a late afternoon
walk. I stopped to photograph this along the way.

C-Span Coverage of the White House Correspondents' Dinner

Obama's remarks begin at about the 20 minute mark in the video. You can slide the video marker about a third of the way over to skip the opening. Wanda Sykes speaks right after the President.

Yet Another Game Night

Archer and the Boyfriend beat us at Trivial Pursuit at our game night
at out house Saturday night. Here they are looking victorious and
adorable.

Jon Stewart on Gay Marriage and Marion Barry

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Gaywatch - Marion Barry
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

Scene of Baltimore

Taken heading south just before entering the tunnel before Penn
Station in Baltimore.

Riding On the Train

Passing through Baltimore and bored.

Heading Home

I'm at the Perryville, MD, train station sitting on the Marc Train
heading home. I have a cold and am worried others may assume it is
the Swine Flu. I hope it isn't. I'm pretty sure it isn't.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #192

Stimulus Package? You're staring at them!

The above is the cartoon for New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest for week #192. Let me know if you come up with a caption. Click on the link to enter your caption.

Mom's Stash

This is my Mom and her cat, Rudy, along with part of her stash from
the garden center we went to today.

Pink Dogwood

This is a pink dogwood tree in my Mom's front yard that I gave her
years ago for a previous Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day!

I took the train from Philadelphia to Aberdeen, MD, early this morning
where I was met by my mother. From there, I drove her to Valley View
Farm, a garden super store in Hunt Valley, MD. She was like a kid at
Disney World. This is her Mother's Day gift. I bought her a variety
of plants and herbs. She seemed to have a good time.

Cezanne @ the Philadelphia Museum of Art

I went to the Cezanne exhibit. The "Beyond" part is other artist inspired by Cezanne. It really was a very cool exhibit. Beside the painting by Cezanne would be a similar painting by Picasso and Matisse and a variety of other artists.

In addition, the museum has an amazing collection. Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Manet --and many more! And that is just the European wing, which is half of one floor. I'm about to hit the American wing.

Here's a very small example of what you can expect to see. Below is "The Bather" by Cezanne.

The painting belolw is by Marsden Hartley called "Canuck Yankee Lumberjack at Old Orchard Beach, Maine" done in 1940-1941. Hartley was a nice homosexual boy from Lewiston, Maine (1877-1943).

Evening Walk in Philly and Chinese Food

Shane had to work all day, but wanted to see some sites when he was finished.  We took an evening walk so he could see the Liberty Bell (from the outside of the building) and Independence Hall.  Below are a few photos from the walk.  It began to rain on our way home. 

We came upon this sign near the Liberty Bell site.  I was not aware of these Demonstrations before.

 

On the way back, we stopped at Chinatown for dinner.  As always, Shane had Sweet and Sour Chicken.  I had Broccoli in Garlic Sauce.  I was given the choice of regular broccoli or Chinese broccoli.  I chose Chinese broccoli, which is much different than regular broccoli.

Kids! What's the Matter with Kids Today?

Every school in PA and the surrounding states has a school trip here
today. It makes me turn into Paul Lynd in Bye Bye Birdie. They
couldn't be less interested in being here -- just like me when I came
here about 35 years ago.

Darwin Exhibit Closed

To get to see this exhibit, I'm going to have to come back tomorrow
evening. It will be open from 5-8 pm. It is the American
Philosophical Society Museum, which is adjacent to Independence Hall.
It includes Darwin's handwritten pages from On the Origin of Species.
Go to their website at www.apsmusuem.org.