Month at the Museum!
Unlike most Friday’s, I’m actually quite focused today. I’ve had one thing and one thing only on my mind for over a week now and I think it’s finally time I share it with the blogosphere.
Ohmanohmanohmanohman does this sound cool!
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is looking for someone to live there for an entire month. That’s right, the lucky winner will eat, sleep, work and shower (I hope) in the 14 acre building. From here on out I’m going to pretend that the winner will be me, to make writing this post easier and because I really, really hope it will be. I would have “limited to prohibited” contact with the outside world, including my email, cell phone and yes even this blog. I would however have another blog I’d be writing on to give updates of all the cool and exciting things I’d be doing with my time in the museum. I’d also be working with the museum guests and anyone else they wanted me to interact with, doing pretty much whatever MSI wants. I am totally, 100% okay with this and it honestly sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime.
I already blog almost every day, I write for two publications every month, I love working with kids and spent four years in college creating fun and educational programming for an after school organization, I have degrees in English and Anthropology, I love to travel and experience new things, I’m outgoing and funny (or so I’ve been told), I love to take pictures and have taken some decent ones in my time and my ultimate dream is to work in a museum in Chicago where I could help people of all ages learn and appreciate new and different things. I’m even taking a class at Northwestern in late August that’s all about museum exhibits – the creation, design, set up, funding and implementation that goes behind what we see on the floor. Seriously, this position feels like it was made for me. It’s been rather difficult to not get too excited about it – I’ve literally been kept up at night envisioning how cool it would be to be the lucky person chosen. Honestly, I have a hard time falling asleep because I start to think about what that person will be doing with their nights in a few months and my imagination is off and running before I can do a thing to stop it. Before I know it, half an hour has passed and my heart’s beating too fast for me to even think about sleep.
I first heard about this whole thing from someone I don’t really even speak to anymore but she sent me an email saying it sounded so much like me she had to pass it along. She was right. I got a tingly sensation in my stomach and my heart rate spiked when I was reading the description. It sounds too good be true and it just might be, but I’m going for it either way!
I imagine it would be a little like this, only with super cool science stuff instead of Robin Williams
To apply, I need to fill out an application, write an essay, provide a head shot and make a 60 second DVD about why I should be chosen. I’ve been working on the application and essay for a week and have rewritten the application at least three times. I’ve also been practicing my spiel for the video and will be filming that this weekend. If I make it to the top three, our videos go up online and people get to vote – you can bet that I’d be sharing that link!
I’m not foolish enough to think it would be easy. Staying in one building, no matter how large, for an entire month would be a challenge and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think I’d get scared at night, all alone in that huge place. I’m also so used to having complete internet and cell phone access at my fingertips that I’m sure I’d go through withdrawals, but it would be totally worth it. Like the description says, astronauts and sailors don’t have the web or cell phones and they seem to make it just fine. As for my job…well, I’d probably have to quit but there’s a cash prize for successful completion of the month and that would be enough to last me while I found a new one. It would be my dream come true for my next full time job to actually be in a museum, and this adventure could perhaps help with that as well. See how perfect it is? It feels like such a good fit that I’m all giddy just writing about it.
So this is where all of my attention and focus has been lately. I’ve had to put some things on the back burner so I can work on this entire application but I’m not complaining. If this pans out and I actually win the contest, I will probably pass out from sheer excitement. Or scream like a five year old girl and then do a ridiculous dance that would rival anything ever seen before. Or scream while dancing and then pass out, which is the most likely scenario.
This is one of the most exciting things I’ve ever seen. I know I would do a great job and I know I would enjoy myself, no matter how much of a challenge it might be. Everything is due by August 11th and I’ll find out if I made the top 3 by August 25th. Until then I’ll be holding my breath and keeping my fingers and toes crossed. Feel free to send me some lucky vibes and if everything works out the way I sincerely hope it does, you all will be among the first to know!
*Disclaimer to anyone from the Museum who may one day read this blog…I know the post before this talks about how clumsy I can be but that clumsiness won’t interfere with my ability to live in the Museum – and I promise not to accidentally destroy any of your exhibits!
Clumsy is as Clumsy Does
My mom calls me Grace for a reason – I’ve been blundering around since I was a kid and she likes to make fun of me (remember the whole I-won’t-pay-for-ballet-because-you’re-too-clumsy story?). I run into stationary objects such as door frames, walls and chairs all the time. I trip a lot, often over my very own feet. I drop things, spill things and am generally not very graceful. Obviously my mom enjoys her sarcasm. It was worse when I was younger and I like to think that I’ve grown out of total awkwardness and into a sort of elegant clumsiness that I can somewhat control. It’s what I tell myself anyway.
My clumsiness is endearing
I do manage to use my cat-like reflexes to catch many of the things I drop before they hit the ground, and I’ve made some spectacular saves in my day. And for as often as I trip I rarely fall all the way down (I’d like to thank both my spastic agility and big feet for this). So for the most part I manage, but every now and then I have a day where everything I do seems to result in a personal injury. Yesterday was one of these days.
The story of my life
A light bulb was out in one of the kid’s bathrooms here at the office, so I grabbed a chair and attempted to change it. Notice I say attempted. The fixture over the bulb must have been put on by magic because I tried for a while to get it removed. Then I sliced open my finger on some unseen part and decided to give up. I’m no match for curses or spells put on electrical fixtures. I put a Band-Aid on my finger and went on with my day.
Then it was lunch. Our office treated us yesterday and I ordered a sandwich with banana peppers. They gave me jalapeno, which I realized when the juice leaked into my open wound. That was fun. After lunch, I was moving some boxes of files around and completely lost my grip, causing a roughly 30 pound box to scrape down the side of my arm and land on my foot. That was fun too, and I had a nice red mark on my forearm to prove it.
After work, I made my way to the food pantry for a few hours of volunteering (super awesome in a basement without AC,
These can cause a surprising world of pain
let me tell you). Part of my duty at the pantry is to help our elderly, disabled or otherwise immobile clients up the stairs when they have carts like the one seen here. Keep in mind that their carts are usually loaded down with anywhere from 40 – 80 pounds of food at any given time. I really get a work out doing this and I don’t mind but as I was helping one woman in particular yesterday, I hurt myself yet again. Granted this time it wasn’t entirely my fault, as the woman I was helping didn’t have all of her mental capabilities and didn’t realize she was smashing my foot in between the cart and the stair. My sandal wearing foot. Even after I told her twice that it was trapped, she kept on shoving her cart against my flesh. I finally disengaged myself and limped her cart outside, then took a quick moment to make sure all of my toes were still there. This was not the same foot I dropped the box on, so I had that going for me. Right?
After the pantry I felt like I should find a helmet for my walk home but I managed to make it without anymore injuries. I did manage to give myself a minor burn as I was taking my dinner out of the microwave but after the day I had it hardly seems worth it to mention. I was worried about taking a shower because I could envision myself slipping and busting my head but I tempted fate, had a shower beer and all was fine.
Grace prevails in the end.
100 Days
This is another post about the Gulf Oil Spill, so if you were looking for laughs today it might be best to come back tomorrow.
It’s been 100 days since the rig in Louisiana blew up and 11 people lost their lives. Oil spewed into the ocean at incredible rates for almost all of those 100 days and while it’s been temporarily capped and a permanent fix is closer than ever, it’s going to take decades for the areas affected by the spill to recover. Most will never, ever be the same.
This was pretty much the least upsetting photo I could find
This is a link to a picture slideshow from the HuffingtonPost website. There are 100 photos of the spill and some of its repercussions and I’ll warn you now – they’ll break you heart. I teared up at more than one and it’s not easy to look at them all. It just seems that this whole oil fiasco is fading from people’s memories and it’s important to remember that it’s not over. It’s actually only beginning. This whole situation has affected more land and sea creatures, coral reefs, coastal wetlands and beaches than it’s possible to count. Not to mention the damage it’s done to the fishing and tourism industries in these areas, or what it’s doing and will do to the economy and livelihoods of untold men and women. 100 days later and it’s still making me sick.
BP is trying to save face by bringing in a new, American CEO. Their last CEO caused some embarrassment when he complained about “wanting his normal life back” – surprise, buddy, so do all of the people and animals in the Gulf. Since he didn’t find much sympathy “he” decided to step down and that might be one of the smarter things BP has done in this whole situation.
Last but not least, if you click here you’ll find a map that attempts to track where the oil has landed thus far. Four states have been hit but I doubt it’ll stop there.
Yes, it’s depressing and yes, it’s daunting as all get out. I don’t really know what we can do to fix things, other than trying to reduce our own dependence on foreign oil. I wish I could suit up and help try to clean some of the beaches and animals but real life prohibits me from doing so. It’s still on my mind though and I’m sure it will be for quite a while.
Pizza Pizza
I love pizza. I always have and I always will. I am perfectly fine eating pizza three nights a week and I’ve been known to eat it for breakfast too. My love for pizza runs eternal and nothing could ever change that. Seriously – I really love pizza. Even delivering for Domino’s did nothing to quell my fondness for toppings and sauce on a bit of cooked bread.
When I moved to Chicago, I was excited to live in a city that would cater to my cravings. Not that the college town I lived in before lacked pizza places (quite the opposite – there were many to choose from and quite a few were open ridiculously late) but Chicago is known for pizza.
Deep dish pizza, to be specific
The apartment I live in is directly across the street from a Little Caesar’s. When I moved in, I would look at it disdainfully and tell myself that I could never settle for pie from a chain store while living in the city. Even if it did smell sinfully good, places like Giordano’s, Pizzeria Uno, Gino’s and Lou Malnati’s were surely superior. Then I really started eating Chicago pizza and learned that a little goes a long way.
I might get my Chicago citizen card taken away for this, but I actually prefer thin crust. Deep dish is amazing and all but
Thin crust pizza from Crust in Chicago
I can only eat a slice or two before feeling just a little ill and much too full. Also, traditional Chicago pizza is not cheap. I like New York Style pizza because I can eat ten pieces and still have room for ice cream. I also like being able to appreciate the toppings and not have them disappear into a hunk of bread. Luckily Chicago has quite a few thin crust pizza places around so I’m never too far from a good piece of pie.
And yes, I eventually made it to Little Caesar’s. I held off for months but one night, after a few too many beers, I realized how gloriously delicious a $5 pizza could be. I had a hankering for pizza last night too and seeing as how my manfriend and I were too lazy to do anything else, the place across the street got our business. And I have leftovers, which is pretty awesome.
It’s taken me over a quarter century to realize this, but pretty much all pizza is good. Thick, thin, stuffed crust or not – you can’t go wrong. My personal favorite has BBQ sauce and pineapples (sounds questionable but I swear it’s tasty) though I’m happy with cheese and veggies too. Pizza is great no matter how you cut it and you can bet your ass that I’ll be enjoying it until I’m so old I have to drink it through a straw.
In case you didn't pick up on it...
On Target
Target disorients me with its awesomeness
Oh, Target. How often do people enter your store with the good intention of buying just one item? As we all know, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Even though you are ohsoclose to me, I try to avoid you because I know you’re not always good for me. Or my budget. This weekend, though, I was really looking forward to a shopping spree, courtesy of my landlord.
Yup, he finally came through for me and I had a $100.00 Visa card in my apartment when I came home Friday afternoon. He had been promising me a gift card to Target ever since my bathroom pipe debacle and he was good to his word. Well, not exactly – the gift card was a Visa card which required me to activate it before use. No biggie, right?
Right. So I went to Target yesterday, after carefully planning out my list, and was more than excited to have $100.00 to blow that did not come directly from my paycheck. You know how it is with Target – I thought I’d be in and out in 20 minutes. Ha. I was there almost two hours (in part because they finished the produce area and I had to give it a look-see) but I was pretty happy that I found everything I needed. Various groceries, water filters, prescriptions, a new watch (which I’m going to have to return – damn these stupid dainty wrists), shampoo, body wash…the usual odds and ends that make up any good trip to Target. I had a feeling I was getting close to my hundred-dollar limit so I wandered on up to the registers, my Visa card out and ready to pay.
Except…
What in the wide, wide world of sports? Apparently these cards take a few days to activate, even after you go online and follow the directions to activate them. You can imagine how I felt when I was told that it wasn’t quite activated and I’d have to wait a few days. The shock. The horror. The embarrassment as a line of people behind me rolled their eyes and breathed one collective sigh of frustration. It was a truly magical moment.
So I had to shell out some of my own hard-earned money to get the hell out of the store. Looks like I’ll be holding on to my Visa gift card for a few more days (but not too long, because after every month that goes by where it’s not used, money is taken off the card. They really are jerks like that). I was so proud of myself for saving the card for groceries and other necessary items and now those items are paid for and the card is burning a hole in my pocket. Should I save it for my next day of errand running and grocery buying? Should I spend it on something totally irresponsible and reckless? If so, what?
Yeah, yeah…I’ll probably save it for groceries. Sometimes grown-ups have all the fun.
Friday Round-Up
Because news can be fun!
See how cool some of this stuff is?
This was a big week in Archaeology – a Mayan King’s Tomb was found in Guatemala (and thanks to my Mom for telling me about it!) and a monument similar to Stonehenge was found about a half-mile from the original site. The Mayan King’s tomb had all kinds of ancient relics as well as the bones from six or so children, who may or may not have been sacrificed. The similar to Stonehenge find is made of wood and was likely used during many of the ceremonies that the larger site was known for. To find something like that after all of these years of studying the area really goes to show how much is still out there for us to discover and explore. Man it’s cool. It’s also doubly interesting because I’m currently reading a novel about a guy who was digging up tombs back around the time Howard Carter found King Tut.
My worst nightmare
In completely unrelated news, a Utah woman is pregnant with two children who are not twins. Yes, you read that right. She has a condition called didelphys which affects something like one in 5,000 women and she was born with two uteruses. I have no idea if that means she has double the periods but she did manage to beat the 1 in 5 million chance to get knocked up in both uteruses at roughly the same time. Only about 100 cases like this have ever been documented but so far everything seems to be going well for her and her babies. Except for the fact that she’s pregnant with kids she’s going to have about a week apart. Can you imagine trying to explain how you’re not twins with your sibling even though you were born in the same month? Can you imagine this happening at all? And the woman already has two kids at home! I shudder at the thought.
Speaking of things to make you shudder, some marketing genius decided to start selling beer out of taxidermy. The End
Or maybe this is my worst nightmare
of History, made by BrewDog of Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire, is 55% and $765.00 a bottle. The bottles are made from what appears to be roadkill. BrewDog claims to be the most expensive and strongest beer there is but it also seems like the most challenging to try to get close to your face. Double shudder.
In slightly less disgusting news, an Amish teenager was arrested (his mugshot is pretty great) this week for leading police on a horse and buggy chase after slowly running a stop sign. Apparently the kid soon lost control of his buggy and overturned it into a ditch. He then left the buggy and his horse and tried to flee on foot. He didn’t make it far before being caught. And shocker of all shockers, there was alcohol found in the buggy. I wonder if the penalties for drinking and driving a buggy are much different from if you were drinking and driving in a car? Perhaps I’ll wait until he bonds out of jail and then ask.
Other randomness – the humidity is over 100 degrees in many areas all weekend long, so be sure to stay hydrated. Beer does not earn you hydration points. I’ve had Rocket Man stuck in my head since I woke up today. I’m getting a real big girl dresser today from a friend who’s moving out of town – my current dresser is some fabric piece of crap I got from Bed Bath & Beyond years ago and it’s time for the curb is near. I also got a new downstairs neighbor whom I’ve yet to meet (sorry Mom but I doubt I’ll be baking her cookies). Last but not least – Happy Weekend!
Time Out
My watch died today.
R.I.P
I bought this watch almost two years ago because I had a new grown up job and my Velcro watch with dinosaurs on it no longer seemed appropriate. I’ve worn it nearly every day since then and I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised that its battery was not eternal. In fact, I think my watch has been dying a slow and painful death and I was too oblivious to figure it out.
A couple of months ago I noticed that the inside of the watch, the part that wraps around my wrist, was rusting. Not surprising given the fact that I paid a whopping $12.99 for the thing to begin with, but it was something I noted. Last week I saw some condensation under the face and while I should’ve taken it off then and put it out of its misery, I thought it would recover. Instead, the discoloration of the face and random water bubbles only got worse and the time only got harder to tell. This morning, I glanced at it and actually commented to someone that I thought I needed to get a new watch – and I think that’s what killed it. When I looked at it a half hour later, the time was stuck at 6:30am and it will remain stuck there forever and ever because I’m not going to shell out money for a new battery when a new watch will likely cost me the same (thank you, Target). I do think it’s ironic that it died within moments of me saying it was on its way out and I’m glad I was able to use it once more before its untimely demise. Or not so untimely, depending on how you look at it.
Whatever new watch I get, I can promise you that it won't be pink.
Good grief, I just checked my wrist for the time as I’m typing about how my watch no longer works. I’ve done this roughly 4,578 times today and it’s getting old. Perhaps I should forgo buying a new one and get used to going without? People evolved for thousands and thousands of years without a timepiece strapped to their wrist so I know it’s possible. However, I feels so damn naked today that I don’t think it’s going to be possible for me.
That leaves the question, what sort of new watch should I buy? Obviously, it doesn’t need to be the most expensive thing out there as the one that broke was cheap as hell and worked perfectly up until the very end. Excuse me while I wipe a tear.
So should I go fancy? Sporty? Get one with a calculator so I can finally let my inner nerd out for all to see? Should I stick with analog or maybe go digital so I can tell more easily when drinking? Maybe I could try to find a Go Go Gadget Watch? Or how about a pocket watch, so I can pretend to be old and classy? The possibilities are endless. However, if I’m going to be completely honest, there’s a very strong chance that I’ll buy a newer version of the one that just died. Would that be lame? I really liked it and unless they come out with watches that shoot lasers or make pancakes, I don’t think it’ll matter too much – I just need it to tell time. And yes, I know that cell phones do this for us but my wrist is usually a lot closer than my phone. So I’ll be out on a not so exciting watch hunt this weekend – but if I find one that will maim my enemies or flip my veggie burger you can bet you’ll be the first to know.
Book Club Review
Sunday morning the lovely ladies from my book club and I met up for our monthly meeting. We didn’t manage to get together in June so it had been a while and we were ready to dish about the book and load up our plates. We met at the oh-so-amazing Chief O’Neill’s pub (which I know I’ve blogged about before). I arrived about fifteen minutes earlier than anyone else to secure a spot and to my delight I was seated at the one and only table on the stage in the dining room (they have live music a few times a week). I had a table for five to myself and as I sat, elevated and under spot lights, I couldn’t help but think how awkward it would be if no one else in the group showed up. As our meeting time came and went, I began to get nervous (and warm, from sitting under the blasted lights). Luckily the ladies did arrive and we looked like the literary queens of the dining hall.
The book we read for this month was The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. I’m going to be brutally honest here – none of us really liked it. It was written by a French professor of philosophy, and it shows. The entire first half is dense and difficult to get through and delves deep into philosophical rants and raves. The story bounces back between two narrators, a 50-something apartment concierge and a twelve-year-old girl who lives in her building. They both try to 
appear less intellectual than they actually are, which none of us at the book club really understood. The plot didn’t really pick up until an elderly Japanese character was introduced and even then it didn’t pick up much.
This book has won all sorts of awards and the praise of many critics so when I was reading it, I couldn’t help but feel I was missing something. I worried I wasn’t smart enough to understand what the author was getting at and that everyone at our meeting would be reveling in how meaningful and life changing it all was. I was more than pleasantly surprised when we all agreed from the get-go that we felt it was pretentious and annoying. Don’t get me wrong, there were parts I enjoyed (there always are) but it was difficult to get into and that made it hard to stick with. I did finish it but I will admit it wasn’t the most enjoyable read I’ve ever had. It happens.
I must admit though, I really do love book club. In fact, I’m reading a book right now and I keep thinking to myself how I wish it was one I could talk about with others (it’s not one on our list). I think it’s more fun to be able to discuss what I’ve read with those who have shared in it and I always like to hear how they interpreted characters or situations. I guess this is why I always loved my English classes. However, sitting around a table (even if it is on a stage) and sharing good food and/or drinks with a laid back group of women makes the experience of chatting about books much more enjoyable than sitting in a stuffy classroom. The lack of grading and tuition is a plus, too. I just ordered our next book and I have 4-8 days to finish the one I’m currently on before I can bury my nose in the new one.
Sometimes I think I love reading more than I love cheese, and I really love cheese.
These Shoes are Made for Walking
Over the last week or so I’ve been asked three times about the flip-flops I’ve been wearing. This is mostly because the people doing the asking are incredulous that I’m wearing sandals as I walk miles around the city. I gave them all my spiel on why these are the greatest shoes ever and that got me thinking about all of the people on the web who could benefit from my shoe wisdom as well. So consider this my voluntary plug for Teva (and Teva, if you’re reading this…I’ll write more reviews if you want to pay me).
Here it is, the Teva women’s Olowahu sandal. I purchased these shoes about five years ago and it was the best $20 I’ve ever spent. And I’ve found some great deals for $20 in my day. These flip-flops have traveled with me to three different continents and have stuck on my feet through countless miles around Chicago. I’ve tracked wild animals, hiked through the bush, walked on beaches, dragged myself through muddy music fests and traipsed through volcanic and geothermal areas all while wearing these shoes. They’re pretty much the only pair I wear during the summer and have been for these past five years.
They have to be the most comfortable thing I’ve ever put on my feet (with the exception of feather filled silk socks…but I only did that the once). The straps aren’t plastic or rubber like most flip-flops and so your feet never get that mauled, torn up look. The padding is resistant yet has a nice give and it almost feels like I’m walking on air. I know that sounds hokey but I tell no lies. The shoes are water-resistant too and they maintain a good grip even when walking on wet rocks in the middle of a creek. I walk at least two miles in them just about every day and I’ve never once regretted my choice in footwear.
I’ve talked these shoes up enough that more than one person has bought a pair after hearing me preach. My mom seems to love hers and I recommended them to someone else just yesterday. I would assume that most Teva footwear is comfortable but for the price of these sandals and the array of colors they offer, I don’t think they can be beat. I prefer my straight up black ones as I can wear them with just about everything, but they have lots more to choose from if you’re feeling saucy.
As I mentioned, I’ve had mine for five years, give or take. I just now started thinking about buying a replacement pair because I feel some of the bounce has been lost from my step. That’s really not bad, considering all the mileage I’ve put on ’em.
Thesis: Tevas are awesome. The end.
Old Friends are Great Friends
This past weekend I was lucky enough to spend some good quality time with a few old friends. Two ladies I went to college with came and stayed with me and we had a blast. We managed to piss off a frozen ice vendor, tour a museum, take a boat ride, eat at Harry Caray’s, walk around downtown, have martinis while playing Jenga, almost light some guy’s ass on fire and make a late night taco run – and that was just Saturday. The women in question are two of my favorites and they really know how to have a good time. They also happen to be two of the smartest and most inspiring women I know and just being in their presence makes me happy. I’m so thankful we were able to hang out and I only wish they lived here so we could do it more often.
If I'm lucky, we'll be taking pictures like this in 40 years
They left on Sunday and after I cried for hours over their departure (okay not really, but I was sad to see them go), I went to my monthly book club meeting – a recap of that will appear later this week. I took a big fat huge nap after our meeting and then got ready to have another reunion with an old friend, a girl from high school.
She and her mom were touring the city this weekend and I’m really glad we were able to meet up. This is a girl I was very close with all through junior high and while we drifted apart during our later high school years, she’s always been special to me (cue awww sound here). Her mom is a really great woman too and was actually my guidance counselor in high school as well as my golf team coach. Yes, I played golf, though only for one year as I am no Tiger Woods. Her mom was always really patient with my craptacular golf skills and she would gently reprimand me for my cursing habit on the green when she should’ve probably just kicked my ass off the course.
Anyway. I hadn’t seen either of these gals in over eight years and we were able to pick up right where we left off. Don’t 
you just love that? We reminisced, chatted about mutual acquaintances and just generally caught up on what was going on with each other. We sat and talked for about three hours (there might’ve been a beer or two in there as well) and I didn’t want to leave. Unfortunately, I wasn’t on a vacation and touring the city so I had to head home before it got too late.
All in all, it was a great weekend and I’m still not sure what I did to deserve it. It was good to be reminded that I have some truly amazing people in my life and I try not to take that for granted.
Which is how I’m sure Hillary feels about Barack.
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