Well i went to the museum of natural science today and i saw an exhibit on Popes and the Vatican - it was really cool - and a few things came to my mind as i meandered through the exhibit:
1- old people have nothign to do during the day - i realize that this is an exhibit which might spark more interest in older people than younger ones, however - there was just a complete domination of women over 65 - with white hair parading around in groups yelling to each other since they couldnt understand their own words over the "audio tour earphone set" they were wearing...it was so bad- i would gently wisper (it is a museum after all) "excuse me ma'am" and even slightly tap them on the shoulder - no response - it was so stupid - like i tried not to get frustrated but it was futile - however the exhibit was nice but it did spark another set of feelings:
2- with all the starving people all over the world as well as the instability in the catholic church (so it seems to an onlooker) i found all of these exhibits unbelievably, outrageously too much - as i walked through, the exhibit was selfguided and began with many works of art from painters and sculptors ranging from modern works to works from the 400's - paintings, frescos, statues, etc.- and that was very nice - some of the reliefs done by bernini were unbelieveable - then we got to the papal artifacts part of the exhibit - and thats were my mind raced - as i walked through -looking at jeweled crowns made of gold and rubys and diamonds, i thought to myself - wow - this is completely unnecessary - now i understand - it is part of a history of the catholic church - and these were implemented in the past into the papal vocation, however - it just seemed like too much - from the 30 pound hand embroidered gowns that the popes wore once or twice, to the exhuberant staffs made of sterling silver with picutres of the crucifix decorated with rubies and gems. i thought - and actually heard a few comments very close to this one: "i probably shouldnt be saying this but, ya know what - with all of the poor children throughout the world, and the catholic third world countries, it seems as if this is all a little much" - and when i heard that - yea....anyhow - so we went on to see the velvet ivory chair in which the newly elected pope (elected by all of the worlds cardinals) rides around the streets of the vatican and rome in, and we saw the pure white ostritch tail feathers with which him and the 12 men who carry the throne on his shoulders are fanned off with - and it just seemed to me that this isnt what a religion should be all about - it should be about a relationship with God -

thats just my feelings - take it for what you wish -

that was my exciting day - ben also got an airsoft gun - and we're having a war at will's old house at 8 - bring the pain, girls