Second Day

Today was the second day … overwhelming is the word that comes to mind immediately. Intimidating is a close second. Last night, our reading was about how to do an object study. There was one reading about the practical way to approach it, and then one about the theory behind it all. The inherent difference between an object and a thing. It got really philosophical, really quick. My head hurt for a while – theory is rough. We practiced an object analysis on my water bottle: strange to try and be that objective about something that is, by nature, not objective.

Then we went downstairs (we were in the Flynt Center, the main exhibits building, but also where the offices & our seminar room is) to the “Into the Wood” furniture exhibit. We were supposed to do an object analysis on a fancypants chest in the exhibit. It did not go well … I think Josh was disappointed in us: we didn’t cover nearly enough information the first time around, and it was awkward and stilted at best. I think partly we were awkward because Josh and Ben were standing there the entire time looking at us & listening, so we were worried about saying something wrong or stupid. Then we didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes and take charge or be bossy because we’re still trying to figure each other out, make a good impression, and form solid friendships without angering each other.

None of this was helped by the fact that none of us really know enough right now to be able to point to wood types, carving & joining techniques, technology used, worth of the item versus labor as separate things and as a whole. The painting, what it’s aspiring to as opposed to what it was. I don’t think I’ve felt that at sea or at a loss for a while. Ugh, it’s rotten.

Anyway, all of this made for an incomplete and not very good object study, and I think Josh & Ben were disappointed.

After lunch, we went to the library to work on research stuff – mostly deciding on a topic and gathering preliminary sources. I’m not going to share my plan with you yet, I want to be a little more sure of it. I’m sorry, I know it’s kind of a pain to be like that, but I just want to be sure so that I don’t create extra or unnecessary confusion. Or (and yes, I’m this superstitious) jinx it.

There was a potluck dinner for us this evening to introduce us to the guides and staff that work here. Most of them are retirees, and all of them are very kind – the guides, I mean. The staff are all regular aged. One of them had a son that went to Allegheny – graduated a couple of years ago. He’s led an amazing life since then, sounds like one of the grads that the school should be immensely proud of and boast about in the magazines and websites and whatnots. Just like with the Fellowship alums, an inspiring story.

Did I mention this yet? I’m learning more and more about what the program’s alums are doing these days – over 300 of them. They are out in the world being the best of the best of the best. Our assistant tutor was a Fellow a couple years ago after he graduated Yale and now, having just graduated from Winterthur, he’s our assistant tutor and then he’s going to be the assistant curator at one of Cathy’s favorite museums after this. Then there’s the ones that run this place and all the other big ones across the country. That’s where the overwhelming and intimidating come in. Egad.

Fellows came back to the Wright House this evening for an epic game of Apples to Apples. Wot larks, Pip. And now, I’m going to read my pirates book and then go to sleep. Woo.

Have I given a list of dramatis personae yet? I probably should, just so that you don’t keep wondering. Here’s a list:

Fellows Living with Me: Lauren and Abby.

Fellows Living at the Allen House: Ryan, Rebekah, and Stephanie.

Head of Academic Programs: Josh.

Assistant Tutor: Ben.

Librarians: David & Heather. (They will be helping us with our research for our projects)