Terracotta Army

brilliant sunshine, cold, temps minus 6

Minus 6!!! And a wind. Ugh. Still, nice to see the sun.

Finally went out today - I realized I hadn't been outside since we arrived, Tuesday. So Michael and I went to Nick's on Greene Ave for breakfast (bacon and eggs and toast). Then home. He read his manuscript all morning, and I wrote. Took a little while to get into it. But once immersed it boomed along. I still fear I'm running in place - but I think that's just my stinking critic. And if I am, I'll fix it in the next draft. Have to keep reminding myself not to worry about those things at this time.

Just write. Whatever I want. Stay loose, leave my heart open for inspiration. Do not be fearful. All things I whisper to myself at this stage.

After we'd finished - about 1pm - Michael and I hopped in a cab and went to the Musee des beaux arts in Montreal to see the latest major show - China's Terracotta Army.

My God, it's magnificent!! All those warriors they found buried. Found them in 1974....and there are clearly many, many more to be excavated. Apparently it wasn't unusual for emperors to be buried with figurines...but those were all tiny. Miniature soldiers etc. This was the first time hundreds and hundreds of figures - larger than life - had been found.

It is breathtaking to actually see them. There were about 10 of them in the show - along with a couple of the terracotta horses and lots of other pieces found at the site. It was fascinating. And all from the very first emperor of China, so that itself was fascinating.

I, of course, finished in about a nano-second and was in the cafe. Actually, that's unfair...with art shows I often whiz through, but this was really more archeology and history - both of which I find riveting, so it took about three nano-seconds.

Michael, being Michael, stopped and read every bit of information available, including, I think, some of the exit signs and schematics of the Museum. And listened to the audio commentary. I honestly turned mine off after a while. I found the tone patronizing and the content oddly dull....for something so exciting. Happily they had a few films to watch, to really situate how extraordinary these terracotta warriors are.

Then back into a cab, to the corner of Greene and Ste Catherine - to pick up dry cleaning, mail a card, and get my hair done. Not on the street corner (though that would explain why I've never enjoyed the experience) but at a salon new to me. I just walked in - having had enough of my wild hair. Somehow (I think it was the very pretty receptionist) Michael ended up in the chair next to me, being shaved.

So now we're home, with our new do's.

Writing tomorrow morning, then back to Sutton. I wonder if I can talk Michael into another pizza tonight....