Birthday Wishes

For my first birthday alone, I was determined to do whatever I please. California is the perfect place for outdoor reading. So I tucked my Shakespeare Tragedies (best bday present ever!) and set out for the Getty Center.

My other objective that day was the guided tours and the special exhibition on Victorian photography. Having never joined the guided tours the past couple of times I was there, I had the pleasure of discovering more of the museum. I love hearing about the design concepts and the history of the place. Stories of things, they can make everything into art. In fact, what we call art is often more than something that looks beautiful. They tell us stories. For the same reason I enjoyed the Victorian photography exhibition. It showcased the the development of photo taking and of the life story of Queen Victoria. I was even surprised to find that 3D photography, or 'stereography', was invented as early as the 19th century. The aristocrats sure know how to entertain themselves.

I am 23 now. About 1/3 of my lifetime is already gone, less if I am luckier. So little was done and my todo list is still endless. On this day, at least, I was able to tick off a few items on that list. If only birthday wishes always came true, I'd have asked for a few thousand healthy years. But that is not to be, and all we can ever do is to chase after our dreams with relentless vigor.