From Porn to Priests

Yesterday I had one of those afternoons that while it is happening you stop yourself and ask "wait, is my life a movie?".
It began like many of my days of late...I slept in...cleaned-up, talked on the phone and in general organized my life. Gretchen came home from school early and was putting new strings on her violin when the fun began. I was getting ready to go out so that we could go and visit this little art/gift shop around the corner from her house. I come into the living room to ask Gretchen a question when we hear a loud "Oh....yes!!!" From the apartment below. Gretchen and I look at each other in shock. Could that sound be what we immediately believe it is......the screams continue with a bit more graphic language and we realize yes its true. Gretchens downstairs neighbors were engaged in a little bit of Monday afternoon sex. And while I can't think of a better way to spend a Monday afternoon.....listening in was not our idea of fun...so we headed out to check out the art shop that I wanted to see.

At first inspection this was like any othere art/gift shopt....but to our surprise the gift shop lady starts talking about holy art. Next thing we know we are being ushered back into a smaller hallway into the awaiting hands of Father Vincent. As I soon learn, Father Vincent is in charge of some kind of Holy Art society that was named after his brother a famous artist for the Vatican. This particular society even has in thier posession a reliquiry that contains a piece of the actual cross of Jesus completel with a certificate of authenticity. By this point Gretchen is freaked beyond all belief and no longer will make eye contact with me or Father Vincent.
Next our tour guide takes us out to another room to show us a picture of himself with the Pope, giving the Pope a copy of the book he wrote about his famous brothers artwork. "The Pope was very pleased with such a nice book", said Father Vincent. "Huh....a pope.....cool" was my eloquent reply. During this conversation Gretchen had escaped into yet another room filled with "Holy Art". Father Vincent and I follow with him pointing out almost every painting and telling me its Catholic history as well as the artists who created it, life story.
By the time Gretchen and I finally escaped after 6 rooms of catholic holy art and a reliquiry as well as a great deal of literature on the art organization as well as lectures that we should attend, I thought Gretchen was going to kill me.

I don't think I have ever experience such opposite experiences in a 45 minute period, separated by a one block span. I think next time Gretchen and I should invite Father Vincent to her apartment for some artistic interpretation listening!