I’m a reader, and, I’d like to believe, a writer (I don’t think the desire to write makes me one, even though I get paid to do so). I’ve read countless books, most of them forgettable, but one stands out as the most important I’ve ever discovered. It’s The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo, and it’s about a bunny.

Yes, my favorite book is sold in the children’s section. It has illustrations. And my younger daughter gave it to me.

It changed my life when I first read it a year and a half ago and continues to do so every day. The book tells the story of Edward, a china rabbit that belongs to a little girl named Abilene. A gift from her grandmother, Abilene loves the little rabbit fiercely. Despite this, though, Edward is vain and closed-off to loving her or anyone else. It’s not until he falls overboard during a boat trip that he begins to open his heart and shift the way he sees the world.

Alone and helpless (because, you know, he’s just a china rabbit), Edward experiences life with other people and places, which changes everything within for him. He spends 297 days at the bottom of the ocean before he is rescued and begins his adventure of relating to others. He experiences fear, anger, sadness, joy, attachment and, ultimately, an epiphany. It’s through this miraculous journey that he ceases to be the selfish little rabbit he once was; it takes the experience of literally being broken (again, china rabbit) for him to truly understand the meaning of love and what it means to have a home.

God damn, I love this book.

“If you have no intention of loving or being loved, then the whole journey is pointless.”

Freshly posted on uwishunu.com – my piece on “Skin and Bones: Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor.” Now you have the perfect excuse to visit the Independence Seaport Museum and indulge your love of all things maritime-related.

Philly’s a tattoo, town, all right. Just throw a rock (or a can of PBR) and you’ll probably end up bruising someone who’s sporting ink. It’s only fitting, then, that the Independence Seaport Museum is hosting “Skin & Bones: Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor,” an exciting exhibit that examines the tradition of tattoos among the seafaring Americans who introduced skin art culture to the masses.

Visitors will learn all about tattooing tools and methods and hear recorded stories told by the tattooed sailors themselves. There’s also an extensive display of flash and other tattoo-related art, historic photographs and mementos from way back, including a reproduction of an old school tattoo parlor.

The exhibit is complimented by additional programming, such as a fall screening of the documentary “Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry,” which was directed by Philly native Erich Weiss. And if your trip to the museum doesn’t inspire you to go under the needle yourself, there’s no need to feel like a poser. The gift shop stocks plenty of temporary tattoos, posters, tee shirts and more so you can take the plunge without the commitment. Your mom will be so proud!

Skin & Bones, Tattoos in the Life of the American Sailor, runs through January 3, 2010 at The Independence Seaport Museum, Penn’s Landing. Hours are 10 pm-5 pm daily.

Independence Seaport Museum
211 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106-3199
(215) 925-5439