All I'm Saying there's a joke in here somewhere

I am seriously trying not to waste a minute of time soaking up culture here. I mean, I am definitely focusing on my training, but once we get dismissed, I'm out pounding the pavement.

Today at lunch, I walked across the street from the training and went through part of Millenium Park, where I saw The Bean:

The sculpture is actually called Cloud Gate, and was inspired by liquid mercury, according to Wikipedia. It's enormous and you can walk all the way under it. At the center underneath, there is an omphalous or navel, which creates a strange optical illusion with your reflection being multiplied and distorted. It's very cool, and I find it really beautiful. I've been trying to find a replica to take home with me to use as a paperweight or something, but haven't had any luck so far.

As I stood there at The Bean, I heard live classical music coming from elsewhere in the park. I walked toward it and found a huge amphitheatre with an orchestra rehearsing. I stopped at an information booth and found that it was the Grant Park Orchestra, and they frequently rehearse during the day. Anyone is welcome to come watch and listen. Even better, they offer free concerts many evenings during the summer. You can bring your picnic blanket and food and just sit out and enjoy. I have a ticket for reserved seating for tomorrow night's performance!

After the training session, I jetted over to The Art Institute of Chicago to check out the gift shop, just looking for a Bean replica. I didn't find that, but as I browsed the shop, I realized that my all-time favorite piece of art (besides Freya), The Great Wave off Kanagawa was housed there. How could I not pay the $18 to go look at it. Unfortunately, the museum was closing a mere 20 minutes later, but if you pay for a ticket that late on your first day, they let you go in all the next day for free. I didn't have time to look at a map, so I just followed my nose. My nose didn't lead me to the picture, but here's what it did lead me to:

Renoir

Van Gogh

...and Seurat. When I walked around a corner and saw this painting, my breath was literally taken away and my heart just started hammering. I don't know how to explain away the feeling. Maybe it's partly because it is so damn LARGE. And, as much as it pains me to admit, it is iconic for my generation. Why? Well, if you must know...it's the scene in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" where they're at the Art Institute and Cameron has sort of a tragic break-through moment while staring at this painting. Maybe that makes me a dork; maybe it just means that I was pretty isolated from true culture when I was growing up. Regardless, it's a moment I'll remember forever--when I was there.

I'll be heading back to the Institute tomorrow, both during lunch and after the training, in search of The Great Wave. I may just sit there and goggle at it as long as they'll let me. I am terribly excited to see it.