A life milestone was achieved yesterday. Let me explain... In the 1970's King Tut did a North American tour that was so ragingly successful that hit songs were written about it. Everyone went to see it. When it came to Seattle, lines were around the block. People with tickets stood for hours waiting to get in. EVERYONE went to see the boy king....... except me. My parents wouldn't let me go. For reasons which were their own. Even when Feral Jane's parents offered to take me they said no. They would not be budged in their decision. I have lamented their parenting choice for years and I have always felt like I missed something very ...very important. There has been a void in my life for 30+ years.... a big ole gaping whole of 'what if'. Until last night. Accompanied by Jimmy, Feral Jane and two other good friends, I stepped through the hallowed gates of the Pacific Science Center and into the arms of Tutankhamen. He was waiting for me just like I knew he would be. He acknowledged that my pilgrimage had been overlong and appreciated my love and dedication. The reward that he offered for such devotion from a worshiper? I can now get on with my life. That hollow place in my essence , the dark abyss of nothingness, was filled to overflowing in the last 24 hours. I am complete.
Jimmy finished the tour in under an hour because ,as he likes to point out.... HE saw it the first time (pppfffflfffle). When he finished, he came back to find me, only to discover that I hadn't made it through the first chamber yet. He giggle over my rapt attention to every detail and then sighed heavily, resigning himself to a looong wait. And it was a long wait. Jane and I shut the place down. Sweet little ancient docents were gently prodding us forward toward the end, announcing every two minutes or so .... "The museum closes in 30 minutes".... "The museum closes in 28 minutes".... 26...24........ We probably would have pushed the envelope a little harder except the docents were backed up by some pretty no nonsense looking security guards who stood with crossed arms, daring us with their eyes to take a step backwards. I wanted to explain to them how this moment in time was a life changing event for me, the culmination of a 30+ year journey, a peak experience, a catharsis... nirvana even. But one glance at their bored expressions told me that all they saw when they looked at me , was another henna- haired, horned rimmed hipster, dawdling at the back end of a herd of great unwashed. I was keeping them from dinner and they wanted me out. They were so hungry and so bored they couldn't (or wouldn't ) see the glow emanating from every inch of my person. So, I reluctantly said good bye to the darling boy king and the remnants of his short life and headed into the gift shop where I filled a bag with all the Tut gak I could justify.... pencils, refrigerator magnets (everyone should have a mummy rm) a journal with a 3d cover of Tut, a wallet and many golden book marks. I sit here this morning fondling my treasures, equal in all ways to the contents of Tuts tomb. Content at last.
Jimmy finished the tour in under an hour because ,as he likes to point out.... HE saw it the first time (pppfffflfffle). When he finished, he came back to find me, only to discover that I hadn't made it through the first chamber yet. He giggle over my rapt attention to every detail and then sighed heavily, resigning himself to a looong wait. And it was a long wait. Jane and I shut the place down. Sweet little ancient docents were gently prodding us forward toward the end, announcing every two minutes or so .... "The museum closes in 30 minutes".... "The museum closes in 28 minutes".... 26...24........ We probably would have pushed the envelope a little harder except the docents were backed up by some pretty no nonsense looking security guards who stood with crossed arms, daring us with their eyes to take a step backwards. I wanted to explain to them how this moment in time was a life changing event for me, the culmination of a 30+ year journey, a peak experience, a catharsis... nirvana even. But one glance at their bored expressions told me that all they saw when they looked at me , was another henna- haired, horned rimmed hipster, dawdling at the back end of a herd of great unwashed. I was keeping them from dinner and they wanted me out. They were so hungry and so bored they couldn't (or wouldn't ) see the glow emanating from every inch of my person. So, I reluctantly said good bye to the darling boy king and the remnants of his short life and headed into the gift shop where I filled a bag with all the Tut gak I could justify.... pencils, refrigerator magnets (everyone should have a mummy rm) a journal with a 3d cover of Tut, a wallet and many golden book marks. I sit here this morning fondling my treasures, equal in all ways to the contents of Tuts tomb. Content at last.
