Even If It's Wrong --- Days 8/145,146,147,148

Walks:  Hood, Pickleball court
Distance: 3 miles daily. 2-3 hours of pickleball daily, exercise class and 1 on 1 Training

So one of Ciwt's family mottos was "Do Something even if it's wrong!"  In that vein she thinks she should write something about her Chicago trip.

Well, it was quick, which Ciwt likes.  The Chicago Art Institute is Huge, smallish room after smallish room chock full of art, some of which is once in a lifetime outstanding.  For instance:

You know this couple.  Grant Wood's American Gothic

Gorge Seurat. The inspiration for Sunday in the Park with George and many other things.  Very uplifting painting.

Also Uplifting, Chagall's Stained Glass windows made as a gift to the Chicago Art Institute

And at least ten more.  All in all, a great art resource, and a place to go again and again if you live in the Chicago area and enjoy art.  Ciwt would probably go again only if they were having a special exhibition that she couldn't see anywhere else.  Chicago was fine, but it isn't New York where she is happy to go again and again, special exhibition or not.  

Gate C28 = Home --- Day 8/144

Walk: Airports, Mollie Stones for dinner food
Distance: Maybe 1 mile and hours and hours of sitting at O'Hare and on plane

A Frank Day --- Day 8/143

Walk: All Day Bus Tour of Frank Lloyd Architecture, then around town

                          Frederick C. Robie House, Oak Park, 1908-10

Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, Oak Park, 1889

Frank W. Thomas House, Oak Park, 1901

A Day of Icons --- Day 8/142

Walk: Chicago Art Institute, River Walk
Distance:  4-5 Miles

The Art Institute lions are modeled on African lions, made larger than life. Since their installation, they have become icons not only of the museum but also Chicago itself, donning the hats or helmets of the city’s various sports teams and festive wreaths during the holiday season. They “speak” to passersby who scan the QR code near them with a smart phone, in the voices of actors Mandy Patinkin and Tracy Letts, plus they even have their own Twitter account– and one may even be running for mayor!

George Seurat, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, 1884-86, o/c, 6' 10" x 10' 1"

Chi Town Day --- Day 8/141

Walk: SFO and ORD airports, Maybe around the block in Chicago

                    Ciwt is heading East to Chicago today

Five Days in a Life --- Days 8/136, 137, 138, 139, 140

Walk:  Each Day Pickleball and Prepare
Distance: each day,  2 hours pickle, 1 hour exercise/stretch, 2 - 4 miles

So what else is new these five days in Ciwt's life? 

Well, officially extended days and hours at nearby pickleball courts.  (Oh dear....)

AND an upcoming trip to ....

Chi Town!!!  (Chicago)

Sad, Sad, Happy, All Good --- Days 8/134, 8/135

Walks: 1. Opera Plaza Cinema (Love, Antosha   Honeyland) 2. AMC Kabuki (Peanut Butter Falcon)

Distance: 1. 6 miles   2.2 miles

Movie Buffs like Ciwt will enjoy these small inies in this order:

The last one is the least realistic but the most heartwarming and upbeat.  A good way to walk away from a movie binge.

Untouched --- Days 8/131, 8/132, 8/133

Walk: 1. John McLaren Park Pickleball, PGCC Bridge 2. Pickleball, Marin Driving 3. AMC Kabuki
Distance: 2 hours pickleball in Heat; 2 hours pickleball; 2miles 

Viveik Kalra in Blinded by the Light

Occasionally Ciwt has given tours of Andy Warhol's art to high school and college students.  And always she has been dismayed when she sees them staring uncomprhendingly at Brillo boxes, Campbell's Soup cans and even portraits of Brando, Liz Taylor and ....Elvis.  One touree was even googling Andy Warhol on his phone as she talked.  These icons were so out of their time frame that they couldn't really be touched beyond apprehending that the artist and the people he painted must have been important or meaningful.

Today Ciwt had an 'untouched' experience of her own.  In the opposite direction.  She went to Blinded by the Light, an immigrant coming-of-age movie completely based on The Boss.  Ciwt is just on the cusp a. knowing that's the nickname for Bruce Springsteen and b. not knowing his music enough to know Blinded by the Light is actually one of his most loved songs.  So like the young Warhol goers she stared a bit untouched as she watched a lovely young man become transformed by Springsteen lyrics, pictures, lore.

Blinded is a well-acted, enjoyable, heartwarming but probably most touching movie for people with deep, stirring memories of power of The Boss's anthems.