Valentine’s Day | kcincleveland

“Happy New Year!!” She exclaims, 45 days into 2018. What can I say. I guess I’ve been busy *shrugs*

The roller coaster that was 2017 ended on an extremely high note, and I’m hopeful for what 2018 has in store. My goal, at least during this tax season, is to use some of my tax return on the purchase of a functioning laptop so I don’t have to sneak around on my free time at work to post something. Let’s be honest, my first drafts usually start on my phone anyway *shrugs again*

So, if you use Facebook at all, you know there is an “On This Day” tab where you can see your Facebook activity on that same day, years in the past. For someone who is an avid Facebook user, this can either be full of really fond memories you can share, or it can be a really cruel page filled with things you’d rather forget. If you’re like me (i.e. never post anything on Facebook and use it purely to creep), this section is usually barren and/or filled with cryptic statuses and song lyrics from a decade ago when you thought people actually cared.

Yesterday being Valentine’s Day and all, I got this (kinda sick?) idea to check out my Facebook memories On *This* particular Day.

Spoiler alert, there wasn’t much there. I guess I never had any exciting Valentine’s Days via Facebook? Entirely for the best, I’m sure. However, there was one post I made on this day, six years ago, that I’ve been thinking about ever since I stumbled back upon it. It read, “Always want what you can’t have. Never what you can.”

Now on V-Day 2012, I am pretty sure I was single. This was after my high school boyfriend, but before the post-college one (yes, my former suitors have now been generalized into these two very broad groups). I’m not sure how my 21-year-old self would have interpreted this statement, since I don’t even remember posting it or what prompted me to do so at 11:40 PM on Valentine’s Day; but I know how my 27-year-old self understands this statement today.

There are a lot of things we say we want, that we can have if we were motivated enough. You say you want a nice body, but you’re not willing to discipline yourself in the kitchen and at the gym to achieve one. You say you want a quality significant other, but you push all the good ones away in favor of the assholes. You say you want that nice car, but you’re not willing to stop spending all your money at the mall or the bar to save up for one. Most of what we say we want can be 100% attainable if we just shifted our priorities. Most people would rather just be unhappy and complain, rather than go out and get it. [Side note for all of you thinking, “but I want this person who doesn’t want me???” let me present you with this mind-blowing thought… if they don’t want you, then trust me, you don’t want them either!]

The truth in what we really want lie in the things we’re willing to sacrifice to get it. If you’re not willing to make the sacrifices, then you probably didn’t want it as bad as you think you did.

The only “wants” I hope to have in life are the unattainable… (likeeeee the ability to teleport, for instance) because everything else I’ve already wanted I’ve surrounded myself with.

Maybe I am over simplifying this. I’ve been told Scorpios are very black-and-white.

Just a friendly reminder that St. Valentine was, in fact, beheaded on February 14th.
Stay heartless, my pretties.

But seriously, in honor of Valentine’s Day, I would like to take this time to tell you about my favorite painting at the Cleveland Museum of Art. My final semester of college, I had to take an Art History class to graduate (though, my degree was in Finance and Economics… but… I digress…). I was actually really excited about this particular Art History class, because not only was it Monday and Wednesday nights (meaning, no Friday classes for this bitch), but almost every Wednesday we traveled to the art museum to explore and learn about all this nifty little place had to offer. The CMA is one of the most vast and distinguished art museums in the world, and to this day admission remains free, resonating its founding principle of being “for the benefit of all the people forever.” Seriously, if you live in Cleveland or even visit Cleveland, and haven’t been to the Cleveland Museum of Art… what are you waiting for? EXPERIENCE THIS.

Anyway. On to my favorite painting on display here. I present to you, Cupid and Psyche, 1817 by Jacques Louis David:

It’s just FABULOUS, isn’t it?

So, here’s the story behind this painting (as explained both in my class and what I like to think it means): Cupid is clearly older here than he is depicted in most art, and in his older age I like to think he was kind of a slut. I mean, he is Cupid, after all. He falls for this human Psyche and visits her nightly to… have his way with her in the dark. This way he keeps his anonymity, ’cause, ya know, the wings, and realizing you’re banging Cupid might freak a chick out initially. In the background you can see the sun is starting to rise, and Cupid is trying to sneak out before Psyche wakes up to see him, but she’s lying on his wing, rendering him stuck for the time being. That face gets me every time– it’s described as him “smirking at his sexual conquest,” but I like to think of it as him realizing he’s got himself in a bit of a pickle and finding the humor in it all.

The Cupid and Psyche love story is a reigning theme in Greek mythology, delving into the trials and tribulations of love — Psyche (“soul”) and Cupid (“desire”) are the literal manifestations of this conflict. The couple eventually overcomes and unifies through marriage… but, while most representations of Cupid and Psyche are innocent and poetic, David boldly flaunts the more taboo side of the relationship — the dirrrrty deed. He put a fresh and sort of dark twist on the over done theme of Cupid and Psyche.

And there you have it. Go see this at the museum, a picture does not do it justice.
Happy Valentine’s Day, bitches ❤

kcincleveland

Surviving in CLE one day at a time…

Tag Valentine’s Day

What a difference six years can make

Are you gonna eat that? 💘