24/1/13 – Matisse’s Truths

Damage still apparent on Pier 1 from Hurricane Sandy

It may have been cold in our flat last night but we kept thinking about those poor souls on Staten Island who still don’t have power after Hurricane Sandy. One might wonder in a country with so much wealth why some people are still waiting for basic utilities in such extreme weather?

I had a great chat with a very nice lady at the gym today. She was seeking the secret to a happy life and was assuring me that it wasn’t the possession of wealth. I told her that I had found the secret - it was teaching teenage boys and she laughed.

Then I gave her the rundown of Martin Seligman’s levels – fulfilling life, meaningful life and then purposeful life (which, in the opinion of Mother Teresa, is to be found only in life spent in the service of others). She took that away to think about and in exchange gave me the name of a great little restaurant for lunch.

Café Alsace on the corner of 3^rd and 88^th was sensational. Their lentil soup and Nicoise salad really hit the spot before we trundled off to 5^th avenue and the Guggenheim to see Mr Wright’s attempt to provide America with economical housing  – the so called Usonian house. Oops after a long walk in the blistering cold we found that the Guggenheim is closed on Thursdays. No worries – short walk south took us to the Metropolitan Museum where Matisse’s ‘In Search of True Painting’ exhibition is on until March 17^th. You have just got to love that about NYC – there’s always something to see.

The exhibition was wonderful. It took us on a journey from his early still life studies, through his famous works: ‘Woman in a Blue Dress’ and ‘Young Sailor’. Naturally Peter bought the book. He liked the paintings of Notre Dame.

Shopped for supplies at Food Emporium on the way home, then back to the apartment for a dinner of swordfish and steamed vegetables followed by a brief ‘Face Time’ chat with Cameron and Alistair half a world and 13hours time difference away in the apartment they are sharing in Mosman Park (Perth) – isn’t technology wonderful?   

ps isn't it great to have the photos back!! My thanks to Greg Wilkinson (my iBuddy). New photos of Obama's Inauguration loaded under 21/1/13 - I love this guy and wish him the best of luck in making his mark!