Just a moment ago, I found myself running up the stairs, heading back to my cubicle on the third floor.  When, suddenly, I was struck by an impulse to turn left on the second floor landing.  I don’t know why I did it, but I’m happy that I went with the impulse.  You see, I’d absolutely forgotten that I work in one of the world’s coolest places. 

The architecture of this building alone is phenomenal enough, but walking around – and, even pausing to take in the depth of a painting I’ve seen countless times – is a delight.  I took a moment to simply sit and contemplate one of the largest paintings.  In truth, the painting has always reminded me of cows hanging out in a sunny field, but today I contemplated why I thought that – how that image of cows had jumped out at me the moment I saw the painting two years ago and today, it’s still true.  I cannot see that painting and not think of cows.  That used to make me feel inferior to the art moguls and students passing through the halls, but now I realize, it’s just my take on that particular piece of art. 

Immediately to the left of the painting (of cows) is an almost-as-large painting that has always made me feel put off – as if a door was opened, letting a cool draft into a warmly lit livingroom complete with fireplace.  Whenever I see it, I move away, turning my shoulder as if to stop the draft from hitting me.  Art is so odd, so ferocious at times, and yet, deeply moving.  Maybe it’s just my lack of food today (as during lunch, I trekked very far very quickly in order to locate yet another aspect of Boy’s birthday gift), but I relished in my working environment… and, really, it’s about time I gave myself the reminder of why I wanted to work here in the first place.