I'm ready for my close-up!

[mojosmom]

A while back, a discussion with friends about travel digressed into "why do people dress like slobs when they travel?" which led to my usual comment that, when it comes to plane/train travel, I imprinted on Eva Marie Saint in North by Northwest, and why don't I have a train case?

On Sunday, when I picked my friend Margaret up to go to dinner, she said, "come inside, I have something to show you", and she gave me a vintage Frost Blue Samsonite® train/make-up case! It's got a tray that hooks on the front, and a tilt-out mirror, and a removable quilted pocket. So I'm all set. All I need now is Cary Grant!

Yesterday, I wandered over to the Smart Museum for free concert in honor of a) Valentine's Day, and b) their exhibit, Sites to Behold: Travels in Eighteenth-Century Rome. With soprano, violin, harpsichord and violoncello, the program was called "Love, Italian Style" and featured works of Veracini, Vivaldi and Domenico Scarlatti. I got to the museum early enough for a bite to eat and a browse through that exhibit as well as an utterly gorgeous show called The Darker Side of Light: Arts of Privacy, 1850-1900. I fell completely in love with one piece, Fernand Khnopff's Memory of Flanders: A Canal. I love that one bit of sun in the upper left, and, in person, there is a sheen on the water that is incredibly realistic. My other favorite was Max Klinger's series, A Glove (be sure to click to see all the images).

I've made my hotel reservation for Amsterdam (I'll be at the Europa 92 with some other Bookcrossers), and am looking into hotels in Florence (I really need to just make a decision, but there are so many choices!). I also need to reserve plane/hotels for my trip to NYC in May/June. I'm just debating whether to go out on the 26th, and visit Book Expo, or wait until the 27th. I think I need to check my work schedule/vacation time available.

Comments

[cathepsut.livejournal.com]

I am firmly in the travel slob camp. The comfiest shoes I own and pants with an elastic waistband, sweatshirt and voila, I'm all set.

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Yeah add me into the travel slob class. You never saw the elegant Mojosmom walk away faster than Charleston airport October 2008. Me in cargo pants, plastic belt, poloshirt, hiking boots...

[cathepsut.livejournal.com]

Plastic belt? LOL, oh no! :-)

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Like you see cops wear - a wide plastic web belt with a plastic buckle. No metal in it. Means I can walk straight through the scanner at the airport. Daggy but effective.

[cathepsut.livejournal.com]

Good idea with the scanner! I obviously don't wear one with my stretchy pants... ;-)

[alrescate.livejournal.com]

I love old Samsonite luggage! Picture please?

[mojosmom.livejournal.com]

Ask, and you shall receive!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojosmom/4361479128/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mojosmom/4361478144/in/photostream/

She actually offered me a couple of full-size suitcases, but, lovely as they are, I do prefer today's lightweight luggage with wheels!

[alrescate.livejournal.com]

How lovely!

[greedyreader.livejournal.com]

Yay for the luggage. And yay for Amsterdam and Florence. ANd come out with enough time in NYC. Please.

[mojosmom.livejournal.com]

I'll have a ton of time in New York. My college reunion starts on June 3, with an evening event, so whether I come out on the 26th or 27th, I will definitely have time to get together before that!

[holmesfan.livejournal.com]

Really liked the Klinger series although I could not see the glove in "Homage". I could find the smooth sea but no glove did I behold. No wonder you found the whole Darker Side of Life utterly gorgeous. The pieces you shared were just great.