It's like a train wreck... I can't look away!

Jess and I outside the Legion of Honor

Click to inBIG-en any picture...

To say that I was amazed by the works of art we saw at the Legion of Honor would be an understatement. To see the way that the paper was manipulated, colored, painted, glued, pulled, and gathered was breathtaking. The remaining art at the museum was just as amazing. Portraits of people from hundreds of years ago, painted by people that I actually recognized! Renoir! Degas! WOW! I found several paintings that totally spoke to me, for various reasons. All of which I have included, although, I didn't take the time to actually jot down names or artists. Who really cares anyway? The art is the reason I cared, not the artist. I found several paintings that I just couldn't stop looking at. The signs say, "Stay 1 foot away from uncovered art!" Yeah. Whatever! I got within inches. Longing to see how the simple brush strokes and daubs of paint brought forth such emotion.

This was my favorite. I could just imagine the mother going "Gentle! Gentle!" as I have SO many times!

The sight of the little baby, with his sweater of chub, just reminded me of the wonder of being a mother. I have struggled lately with juggling the jobs I have: mom, wife, daughter, teacher, etc. This was a reminder to me of what a HONOR it is to be a mom. There was also this one:

"MOM! Are you sleeping!"

"I SEE you!"

Sigh. THIS is why I never get to sleep past 7:39 every morning. I love, however, how DEDICATED my children can be in getting my attention. I also saw things that remind me of why I love my husband... and I made sure to text him to let him know! (He was, after all, parenting solo the whole day so that I could have this little excursion... Thanks babe!)

"(insert sounds of kissing here)"

Jess and I had a great day at the Legion of Honor... ate a great lunch, saw some great art, laughed at some of the paintings... I mean seriously?

I would cover up too if those creepy old men were trying to get a gander at my goodies!

Our weather today... geesh!

"I stare at you because I LOVE you..."

But. Little did we know what would happen next. Heading home via Geary Street, we decided to stop in Japan Town. We have been there before, and wanted to visit a few of the shops to get a look at what they had. It was a CHALLENGE to find parking. Raining a ton, hills everywhere, impatient drivers behind us, and Jessica with a stick shift. We voted: parking garage. It was a WAIT to get in, due to everyone having the same thought we did. I almost told her to just head home. THANK GOODNESS we persevered!

As we headed for the elevator up out of the garage we were confronted with some sort of... photo shoot? Some completely costumed, stiletto heeled, masked... cat? Bunny? Wombat? Do they wear short skirts? Hmmm... As we stood in line for the elevator, we each made little comments.

"That was odd."

"Yes. Weird place to have a photo shoot."

"Man this elevator is taking forever!"

Eventually, deciding on the stairs (I am WAY out of shape by the way!) we entered into the Hotel Kabuki lobby. Jackpot! We were surrounded by hordes (seriously!) of costumed, masked, and home-made weapon wielding adolescent (and NOT so adolescent) individuals. HOLY cow! I couldn't help it. I started snapping photos with my camera all covert-under-cover style. I couldn't WAIT to tell people.

This was right out of the stairwell. As you can see we walked right into the heart of the Animation on Display 2011 Convention. Score!

Do they make these costumes? Buy them? They were SUPER elaborate.

O.K... This one we asked. Zachary was SO excited to learn I took a picture of THE Mario.

Everywhere we looked we were surrounded by groups of people just like this. Jessica and I were just dying over some of the outfits and conversations we observed. BUT. Despite the humor, and the awkwardness, and the... lack (?) of deodorant we found... comfort. These guys were COMPLETELY comfortable doing what they were doing. Being who they truly enjoyed being. There was no embarrassment evident on their faces. Society may laugh (and yes, so did I) at their displays, but they were having a GOOD time. They had found a place were judgement had no place.

Sometimes I can't say that for my everyday life. I would like to believe I am less awkward than those I saw, less "nerdy", I fit in... but really? I don't possess that confidence. I couldn't do what they did.

I also, couldn't look away.