招き猫 「MANEKI NEKO!」

   My dear Gypsy has begun to eat again after a week of feeling puny and dropping significant weight. I was so afraid I was going to lose her suddenly! But she seems to be back to her spunky self, though I'm still having to put out fresh food all the time to entice her, rotate different foods frequently, and monitor how much she's eating. Here's a cute video where she demonstrates how lucky she is (with the added cuteness of her crocheted doppelgänger!)

A Grand Opening for the Kauffman Center

   Today was the official open house for the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. A free event offering not only a peek inside, but a chance to hear over 600 performers on various stages, inside & outside the spectacular building. 20,000 people were expected to attend, but over 50,000 turned out—and that was despite rain that started early in the morning and lasted through early afternoon!

   There was a long line to get inside; my conservative estimate would be that I had 2,000 people ahead of me. But I was undaunted. I've been waiting to get in there ever since construction started. The line wound around and around, and stretched out for several blocks past the Center's grounds. The excitement in the crowd was palpable. It was refreshing, though  quite surprising, but everyone was so happy and friendly—no one seemed to mind the wait one bit. It only added to their anticipation and enjoyment once they eventually got inside.
   The employees were exceptionally friendly, and everything was so well-orchestrated. They did an outstanding job preparing for today's event!
   Some funny synchronicity: as I was waiting, I saw a honeybee who flew right in front of me and hovered above a kid's head—and for probably the first time in my life, I had no desire to swat him away. Seeing those wonderful bees and enjoying the product of their hard work yesterday really made an impact on me. So I let him be.

   I took out my camera and was shooting photos of the Center and of the crowd, when a couple behind me, Ron and Dorothy, struck up a friendly conversation. Ron started asking me about my camera, and I soon learned that he is a professional framer, and an amateur photographer, and a fellow fan of the Adobe CS Suite. The couple opened their own gallery years ago in the now-revitalized 18th and Vine district, but closed it 10-12 years later to find more stability for their growing family—three kids. They said they were thinking about starting up again. How cool!
   I enjoyed talking with them so much that the hour and fifteen minutes in line passed in no time. And we stuck together for a bit once we got inside, too. What a sweet and fun couple. I wish them the best in their endeavors and hope our paths may cross again. Talking to them really made the day special!
   It was also special that about halfway through my wait, I looked over to see Karen Owings & her husband, my former director from when I was an artist in the Licensing department. She looks wonderful—exactly the same as I remembered! I swear she hasn't aged a day. Retirement clearly agrees with her.
   Once inside, the day kept getting better. The architecture was simply stunning: like the product of a marriage between the Guggenheim and the Sydney Opera House. The huge windows afforded an incredible view of the whole city, and there were multiple levels and angles from which to look out. It exceeded my expectations in every way... and then some!

   There are two large theaters inside, and they had set up several stages outside, around the building to entertain the guests in line: everything from Irish dancers to Salsa music, classical, a children's choir, and ballet, to Bobby Watson and his jazz ensemble. 

   I walked around stunned by the immensity of the whole experience, talking with strangers as if we knew each other, trading cameras to take photos for each other.

   And when I left, I headed right for the food trucks lining the block. I bought a tall, fresh-squeezed lemonade and the guys were so nice that they presented me with a free Italian sausage with onions and peppers—their last one. I love Kansas City!

KCTV5 news coverage

Kauffman Panoramas

   I took tons of photos of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts today (just like the other 50,000 people who were there!) and will be posting more later, but these are some of my favorites... the panoramas:

Ode to the Cello

   Seeing Jeremy's performance set me off on many thought tangents. One of them being: The cello has always been one of my favorite instruments, and would be my choice if I were ever to learn to play. There are so many things that intrigue me about it. I watched the performer intently. In the beginning, she commanded the bow by moving her arms quickly and with almost mechanical precision, and at the same time, with fluidly and grace. As the show hit its crescendo, her movements became fervent, natural and primal. Mesmerizing.

Photo from Wikipedia

   The cello is a sensuous instrument. Large and handsome, it nestles comfortably between a woman's legs. She strokes it deftly and makes its deep voice sing sweetly. Its body is smooth and strong, with artful flourishes and lovely curves. Before even one note is played, the instrument is a work of art to be cherished. But it comes alive when the bow strokes it. The bow: strong, straight, simple. They are dependent on each other; the yin and yang.
   Studying it as she played, I wondered how the f-holes evolved into such beautiful calligraphy. When she turned the instrument and I could see its depth, it immediately reminded me of the lettering art of the late Margaret Kilgallen. I'd bet that this was where she found her inspiration for her letterforms.

Deja Vu

   Aki is working overtime to excel on her midyear performance review.
   On Sunday I came downstairs to find a dead mouse on the living room rug. None of the animals claimed it, and I quickly picked it up and disposed of it.
   Today I came home to find another mouse in precisely the same spot as before. Pretty sure Aki bagged it, as she greeted me at the door and was clearly excited to show it to me. Ugh.
   The heat must be driving them inside. It's not as if I leave food everywhere! And how dumb are these animals, seriously? Can't they smell cats and dogs when they enter? Do I need to put up a "DANGER" sign to warn them?
   I'm glad my animals are on the job. I just wish they didn't need to be. Also, very thankful that they're not eating their quarry. Also, need to throw away that rug. It seems to be the depository of choice for rodent spirits.

Only in Kansas City...

   ...Can you get the greatest-ever gourmet ice cream from Christopher Elbow's Glacé, and sit outside on the patio enjoying the perfect weather (and letting your Shiba Inu lick the bowls... they dig the goat cheese and honey, as well as the salted pretzel varieties):

   Then head over to the Nelson-Atkins for a cool-slash-creepy walk around the sculpture garden at night, with the reflection of the classical architecture in the pools, the Bloch building glowing from within, the Oldenburg Shuttlecocks, and the grove of gingkos:

   Then catch the end of Macbeth being performed live at Southmoreland Park. The funny story behind this shot is that we were walking along the south side of the museum and were approached by two friendly but very drunk young guys on bikes. We chatted a bit and then moved on. As we approached the museum, we heard what sounded like a bunch of loud teenagers chanting and holding a seance. It sounded especially creepy in the dark. Dad & Lindsey ventured a little closer to investigate, and discovered that it was simply a theater in the park production! So we stopped for a bit to watch the end. The stage, lights, and smoke effects were great—definitely worth returning to see the whole show!

   Between all this and the annual Dog-n-Jog event, and the always-awesome brunch at Eggtc., today has been absolutely packed...