A Walk In The Park

Today I took a long walk from my house in the Mission to Golden Gate Park. It was pure bliss. Nothing but sidewalks, music in my ears, and sun on my face. I walked over hills, passed endless femininely painted Victorian homes, and into the park.

There was a music festival going on! Who knew? Not me. But the lineup included Goo Goo Dolls, One Republic, and Plain White Tees. More on this later. I walked by the festival and into the de Young Museum of Fine Arts. I felt like a schoolboy on a class field trip, on my own in a museum, with endless works of art pining to be admired. I had lunch at the cafe, and walked around the various exhibitions, including Richard Diebenkorn's "Berkeley Years" and Bulgari jewelry. I barely scratched the surface, but eventually had to leave the museum to make my way back home.

As I walked once again by the music festival, I could hear, "Broadway's dark tonight, a little bit weaker than you used to be." The Goo Goo Dolls show was just wrapping up, finishing with their biggest hits. I caught the last two songs. Back through the park I retraced my steps, making sure to take a different path than the one I came so as to see more of the city. I stopped and got some tea to go, and then completed my journey home.

It was a long walk. I don't know the exact mileage, but I wasn't counting. Sometimes, it's better not knowing.

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about my future--career, life, even my nonexistent future-family. 23 isn't hard so much as it's foggy. There's no sea parted in front of me and sometimes, this can be scary. I dare say I'm not the only person my age who feels this way. I don't know what's to become of me, though I've always felt like I have a gift to share--then again, I suppose I won't know until I know.

Is life so different than a fine arts museum? Will our work be hanging somewhere in a room for others to admire? Or will we be swept away into the pages of time, leaving not even the faintest trail of breadcrumbs that we were ever alive. I wish I knew. And even if I did know, I'm not really sure how that would change things.

All I can do is keep walking, keep taking the "road untaken" and hoping for the best. Walking's not so bad. There's always something to see--always a few surprises waiting for you. Today, I just wanted to take a walk to clear my mind, to get some exercise, and to see where the day would take me. It was just what I needed. A walk in the park. Music, sun, and miles of sidewalk, waiting to be taken.