Our Trip to New York

We had lots of fun. We probably were only in the Met Museum for 2-3 hours or so. But it was good and the whole day was great. The weather was wonderful...most of the day was in the 50s, didn't even need a jacket.

We found free parking near the Met and paid the suggested admission price of $15, per person.
I got to see the Duccio. It was amusing that many of the people were walking right by it. They didn't know it was a $45 million dollar painting and the most expensive one in the museum. Also 700 years old. While it was striking, it was definitely not the best in the museum, although it was the rarest, most likely. I also enjoyed Jacques David's The Death of Socrates. I am no art fan at all. But seeing that there is so much depth and knowledge, I have to explore that area and I want to as well even more in the future.

We had a huge lunch at a place called Nyonya, which was in Chinatown near the intersection of Grand and Mott. I read a review of it and they recommened the Roti Canai, which was like an Indian chapati with chicken curry and gravy. My mom makes that all the time. But this was really good. They had some kind of shrimp, breaded. That was great as well. The whole meal with 3 appetizers and 4 entrees, with two (non-alcoholic) drinks was just under $50 not including the tip. The decor was nice and I liked it...in fact, everyone liked it. After that we walked over to the Brooklyn bridge, and then crossed over the bridge taking dozens of photos on the way. By then it was night, so we will see how they come out...

After the walk, we rewarded ourselves with ice cream from the Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory.
The hot fudge was amazing. I must say the best I have ever had. The ice cream was great as well...similar to Haagan Dazs, or Ben and Jerry's. But I loved it. :-) The ice cream was expensive. But considering the location, and the view of the bridge and the fact it was New York and it was a rare ocaision, it was worth it. The cost of one scoop in a cup was $3, hot fudge was an additional $1. Two scoops were $5, and six with hot fudge. I think Sundaes were $7. Seating was limited, in the summer it must be great to walk out on the area just under the bridge and near the water.

At the ice cream place, my girlfriend poured water on my head. I didn't like it. I was mad at her and then when I told her that she shouldn't have done it, she was angry at me for my tone of voice. We didn't speak until we got back to the car--that includes a long subway ride. :-) We were fine after.

A great day...

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

We are going on a double date. My girlfriend and I, along with another couple (her friend and boyfriend). I really want to go to the Met in New York. I know next to nothing about art. But the fact is this is one of the great museums of the world, and we might as well see it. I want to know, what makes people go there. Why is it so good? What makes it world-reknowned?

The most expensive painting at the Met (I know it isn't about the best painting having the most value), is one by Duccio, called Madonna and Child. Forty-five million dollars was the price. And 1t is about the size of a piece of paper--8 and 1/2 by 12 inches. I guess what makes the painting that desirable is the rarity of the painting and the fact that there are very few that are actually available and on the market. They also are growing in value, so they are probably an excellent investment. They are also a piece of history. An original one-of-a-kind masterpiece that belongs to a city. I guess I can understand why. But I still don't understand what makes them "breathtaking." I have felt awed by nature, by film, by photography, and, of course, music. But I will try and be awed by the art at the Met.

Usually for me, these type of things are underwhelming. But I am learning and hope to spend much time at the Met especially in the future. My girlfriend and I will love the intellectual challenge and the exploration of art. I am so happy to have her in my life, and we can grow old together.

Walk the Line

We saw Walk the Line yesterday. I loved it, she hated it. They only showed Johnny Cash's early life of drugs and sin and booze. They left out the latter part of him becoming born again and how his later life reflected that. My girlfriend bought me the CD My Mother's Hymn Book
by Johnny Cash. I listened to it a lot and started playing my guitar again. I am a little disappointed with today's Christian music scene. I just feel that some of the secular artists have better music. I felt that Johnny Cash has guts--how many artists of any genre would dare make a recording with just voice and guitar. It leaves no room for error. You can't hide behind anything. The album is not the greatest, but his love for God shows through. The pain and hurt that have been healed emerge. This is real, someone who has suffered and has come to know Christ, as a result.