A Most Invigorating Day Off

Wednesdays have become my new Saturday, since the latter now is scheduled with clients.  Actually, it's handy when there are appointments that cannot be handled on a weekday.

Anyway, I've decided that each Wednesday is going to be a day for further exploring my new home state--a field trip, if you will.  As busy as I am with work and home life, I cannot allow my world to shrink the way my mother and my grandmothers did.

Several weeks ago, I was listening to Colorado Public Radio, and heard about a most intriguing exhibit at University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, located in Aurora.

Sarah Richter, an artist who first manifested symptoms in 2009, is featured in this showing called Sensory Paradox: An Artist's Experience with Multiple Sclerosis, located at the college's Fulginiti Pavilion, Center for Bioethics and Humanities.  The exhibit shows both pictures and videos, and also an set of headphones, to convey to visitors how Ms. Richter's auditory and visual symptoms now affect her world view, as well as her self-concept.  Although I've had a number of people in my personal life affected by MS, I cannot begin to imagine how I might respond to this diagnosis if  it became mine.  I applaud Ms. Richter for her openness and courage to share part of her inner experience.  To look at the article from the Colorado Public Radio website, follow this link:

http://www.cpr.org/news/story/denver-artist-sarah-richter-finds-beauty-having-ms

That was the beginning of my fun.  I wandered around the campus, feeling warm and "at home."  Any time I've gone onto a campus--as a student, an adjunct professor or just as a visitor--I've felt connected with those who I see around me.  After leaving the exhibit mentioned above, I took a walk around the Fulginiti Pavilion, admiring the wall art, the section with plaques honoring the many benefactors and donors, and even eyeing the piano to one side, with the sign telling people that they could feel free to play, provided they do not disturb any nearby students who are trying to study. There is even an intriguing piece of art hanging from the ceiling that was made to honor Dr. Fulginiti.
Going out a side door into the noon sun and 50-degree briskness, I first surveyed the massive quad--indeed, every campus should have a quad!--and strolled through the Intermission and Emerson cafes.  Wandering still further, I toured the bookstore, and was impressed by the stock of textbooks and supplies for each school, including Pharmacy, Dentistry, Nursing and Medicine.

My journey ultimately took me through Boettcher Commons, ending with my entering the venerable Building 500, the site of the old Fitzsimmons Army Hospital.  I was especially drawn to a suite of rooms on the eighth floor where President Eisenhower convalesced and executed his presidential duties after experiencing a heart attack in 1955.  Being a hard-core history geek, I made my way up there, but was told that tours have been suspended for awhile.  The woman with whom I spoke encouraged me to "keep checking back," which

I certainly will, as I want to see inside this historic suite.  Instead, I settled for taking some pictures of wall hangings.

What also intrigued me was the vintage architecture alone of Building 500, and I snapped many photos of little details that show the era in which this was built.  I love 1930s amd 1940s structures especially.  I will attach my day's photos to this post, and hope you can enjoy them.  Maybe, if need be, the system can allow you to zoom in on some of them.

What's on tap for next Wednesday?  Maybe Evergreen, or to the north in places like Glenwood Springs, Eagle, Leadville or Rifle.  I just can't wait to travel around more...