Since December was so busy, we were unable to go to that month's cultural location. We finally made it to the Shedd Aquarium today and I have to say I was largely unimpressed.
First, today was a supposed "Free Day". In most museums a free day allows you to see the majority of the museum and often will only charge you for traveling exhibits. The Shedd Aquarium only allows you to see half of the museum on it's Free Day and forces you to pay to see the rest (which is all the stuff most folks want to see - ie: whales, dolphins, penguins, sharks) for a "discounted rate". This discounted rate isn't quoted on it's website. When we arrive we are confronted with a $16.95 charge to see these things (the museum is usually $20.95). Instead of "free day" they should use the term "$5.00 Off Day".
Secondly, I was mostly unimpressed. Sure, it was cool seeing the various fish but the exhibits themselves were unremarkable. Also, the children's area was incredibly lame in comparison to any of the other museums.
Unfortunately, I just don't have much to say about the Shedd Aquarium other than that we will probably not be going back any time soon.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Four of Us (Or Just When You're Up You're Down) - Brought to you by the # 4
( Note: So, I have this 40 minute train ride every time I go to work. I've been using that time to do a little writing. This is something I wrote last weekend while on the train and am first posting now.)
Part 1:
When people refer to my immediate family (the little one I created) as the "three of us", I always stop them. We are a family four! Benny Dog is our first baby. He is as an important part of this family as any of us. I sometimes forget this when I spend my days yelling at him to get out of the garbage. To "Go Lay Down". Or "quiet" as he barks at the neighboring dogs. But it's him who I grip in times of sorrow. His quiet comfort is what I seek when I don't have words to express. And he knows when I'm sad. He follows me around and puts his head on his knee. He lays down and lets me rest my head on his belly while I soak him with my tears. We are a family of four, indeed.
Part 2:
I've been busy being hopeful. Busy putting one step in front of the other. I've been feeling better and then something unexpected arose (a family member was hospitalized in serious condition). This unexpected thing brought to surface ancient feelings and suddenly I had to deal and I wasn't dealing. I spent the first moments of trying to dealing turning to old habits. I got drunk and stayed drunk for most of a weekend. I cried endlessly. Where was this coming from? Where was my hard won composure? Where was the calm I've meditated and practiced and yoga'd into for the last decade? All my new habits faded away. No more healthy eating. No more daily yoga practice. (Was I using this crisis as an excuse to check out for awhile?)
Part 3:
This family of four equates "home" but I'd like to stop and talk about my family at large both by blood and by love. When people ask what I like most about myself I always respond "That I have AMAZING people in my life". (I like to think that maybe my ability is to create solid relationships with people.) I'm surrounded by amazing people. Just immersed in talented, smart, funny and good hearted folks. People whose character is so shiny they glow. I know i'm gushing but I also know that I'm really lucky. Some people have nobody and I have so many. This family of four extends into a community and I am NEVER lonely.
Where Part 1,2 and 3 Converge:
While I was trying to deal last week, I was surrounded by people (and a dog) who knew what to say and who knew what not to say. Who knew how to just be there. Who knew how to hear me cry. People who made sure I ate and slept and that Max was o.k. There was not one but two times I needed to call for help and different sets of folks were immediately there. There is so much value in that and for that I am so grateful.
So maybe this just a shout out of love. Love for my family of four. Love for my family by blood. Love for the family of friends I've been blessed with.
Part 1:
When people refer to my immediate family (the little one I created) as the "three of us", I always stop them. We are a family four! Benny Dog is our first baby. He is as an important part of this family as any of us. I sometimes forget this when I spend my days yelling at him to get out of the garbage. To "Go Lay Down". Or "quiet" as he barks at the neighboring dogs. But it's him who I grip in times of sorrow. His quiet comfort is what I seek when I don't have words to express. And he knows when I'm sad. He follows me around and puts his head on his knee. He lays down and lets me rest my head on his belly while I soak him with my tears. We are a family of four, indeed.
Part 2:
I've been busy being hopeful. Busy putting one step in front of the other. I've been feeling better and then something unexpected arose (a family member was hospitalized in serious condition). This unexpected thing brought to surface ancient feelings and suddenly I had to deal and I wasn't dealing. I spent the first moments of trying to dealing turning to old habits. I got drunk and stayed drunk for most of a weekend. I cried endlessly. Where was this coming from? Where was my hard won composure? Where was the calm I've meditated and practiced and yoga'd into for the last decade? All my new habits faded away. No more healthy eating. No more daily yoga practice. (Was I using this crisis as an excuse to check out for awhile?)
Part 3:
This family of four equates "home" but I'd like to stop and talk about my family at large both by blood and by love. When people ask what I like most about myself I always respond "That I have AMAZING people in my life". (I like to think that maybe my ability is to create solid relationships with people.) I'm surrounded by amazing people. Just immersed in talented, smart, funny and good hearted folks. People whose character is so shiny they glow. I know i'm gushing but I also know that I'm really lucky. Some people have nobody and I have so many. This family of four extends into a community and I am NEVER lonely.
Where Part 1,2 and 3 Converge:
While I was trying to deal last week, I was surrounded by people (and a dog) who knew what to say and who knew what not to say. Who knew how to just be there. Who knew how to hear me cry. People who made sure I ate and slept and that Max was o.k. There was not one but two times I needed to call for help and different sets of folks were immediately there. There is so much value in that and for that I am so grateful.
So maybe this just a shout out of love. Love for my family of four. Love for my family by blood. Love for the family of friends I've been blessed with.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Obsessed
So, I've been waiting the entire project for this exact moment. In fact, I've been very surprised that it hasn't come sooner. I'm talking about the music aspect of my project. Nothing, Not any of the musical genres so far have hit me the way hip hop has. I LOVE it. L.O.V.E. it. And I'm dancing. I'm dancing in my kitchen. I'm dancing up and down my hallway. I'm like an orange colored blur as I groove around my life. It's gotten to the point that Max has had enough - "NO DANCING!" he cries as I plug in my ipod. "NO DANCING!" he cries as I gyrate with the broom. And then? He dances and dances and dances and he looks so cute dancing that I think my heart might explode.
This. This orange, hip-hop, dancing business. To feel this way about these things is what this project is all about.
Generally, I've been in an overall better state. Nothing has changed (well, except for the massive amounts of yoga. 90 mins every.single.day. in a 105degree room.). All the same issues are still there. It's my outlook that's improved. I was so glad to kiss away 2009. 2010 makes me feel hopeful.
And so I close with the song that I listen to at least 10 times a day
ROC NATION!! WHAT??!?!
This. This orange, hip-hop, dancing business. To feel this way about these things is what this project is all about.
Generally, I've been in an overall better state. Nothing has changed (well, except for the massive amounts of yoga. 90 mins every.single.day. in a 105degree room.). All the same issues are still there. It's my outlook that's improved. I was so glad to kiss away 2009. 2010 makes me feel hopeful.
And so I close with the song that I listen to at least 10 times a day
ROC NATION!! WHAT??!?!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Orange you glad it's January?
JANUARY is:
Letters: HI
Number: 4
Color: Orange
Shape: Rectangle
Music: Hip-Hop/Rap (I've added rap since it's so closely linked.)
Medium: Dance
Location: Chinatown
Habit: Drink 8 cups of water a day
From the moment I first saw this month's line-up I was pretty excited. It seemed like a lot of fun. So, far that's come true. Wearing orange has been VERY easy for the baby, he kind of has a lot of the orange stuff. (Except for pajamas. We are going to revert back the bedtime rule.) Me? I have very very little and I may have to allow myself to not wear orange to Yoga unless I can come up some stuff pretty quickly.. I think a trip to the thrift store is in order, I also think that I will be doing a lot more laundry then in green month.
I know very little about hip-hop and rap and would really love some suggestions of artists both current and classic.
We got the dance portion covered. ;) Our kitchen dance sessions are legendary (what's that quote? Famous among dozens? :P )
Additionally, in all the holiday hub-bub we never made it to the Shedd Aquarium, so I will be adding that onto this months activities.
So, that's it. I'm relishing the relative quiet and hibernation of these winter months to really focus on this project, my home, family and body. As the Black-Eyed Peas told me this afternoon - "Let's Get It Started". Yes, Indeed.
Letters: HI
Number: 4
Color: Orange
Shape: Rectangle
Music: Hip-Hop/Rap (I've added rap since it's so closely linked.)
Medium: Dance
Location: Chinatown
Habit: Drink 8 cups of water a day
From the moment I first saw this month's line-up I was pretty excited. It seemed like a lot of fun. So, far that's come true. Wearing orange has been VERY easy for the baby, he kind of has a lot of the orange stuff. (Except for pajamas. We are going to revert back the bedtime rule.) Me? I have very very little and I may have to allow myself to not wear orange to Yoga unless I can come up some stuff pretty quickly.. I think a trip to the thrift store is in order, I also think that I will be doing a lot more laundry then in green month.
I know very little about hip-hop and rap and would really love some suggestions of artists both current and classic.
We got the dance portion covered. ;) Our kitchen dance sessions are legendary (what's that quote? Famous among dozens? :P )
Additionally, in all the holiday hub-bub we never made it to the Shedd Aquarium, so I will be adding that onto this months activities.
So, that's it. I'm relishing the relative quiet and hibernation of these winter months to really focus on this project, my home, family and body. As the Black-Eyed Peas told me this afternoon - "Let's Get It Started". Yes, Indeed.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
"it's about the silence"
My title comes from a piece in the gallery centered around musical phrases. (ie: also "Play, Rest, Repeat"). Common little reminders that come to you during a life playing music. Silence in music is as important as the sound. The "rests" are important to the sequencing. I've always loved breaks and changes and bits of silence in music.
I once went to an art talk at MCA (in the little room where they feature artists) that has resounded with me ever since. Unfortunately, I can absolutely NOT recollect the name of the particular artist but I will never ever forget him. He did photographs of empty rooms. An empty hallway in a school. An empty interrogation area. An empty judge's office. He also did photographs of Lake Michigan. On the left would be a rock and if you got really close you'd see someone laying down on the top of it. And all the rest? Emptiness. Just Lake and sky. His work was as much about what's not there as what is. ("it's all about the silence.")
And I remember that this particular artist was also a Chicago Cop. He wore his black beat shoes with his jeans and chewed on a toothpick the entire time. There were the critics and the professors and the reviewers and the students and they all wanted to break up his work, pick it apart piece by piece. They asked, "What themes are you trying to impart to your viewer?". "Is there a purpose or message your trying to convey with these empty rooms?". And he just said, "I just take the pictures. You see what you want to see." He didn't want any of their art nonsense. You see what you want to see. YES!
So, i'd like to think my silence in this blog was a necessary rest. A poetic pause. This month was like a rest too. Green and folk and fabric were all easy things. Second Nature almost. There wasn't a day this entire month I didn't listen to Green. There wasn't a day I didn't list to Folk music. I made plenty of things out of fabric (arm warmers, hand kerchiefs, finger puppets). With the hustle and bustle of the holidays and my new job and my new work out regime, we didn't even approach this month's task. I think I'm o.k. with that though. This month was full of new habits.
I'm totally late with this green wrap up and I won't get to introducing January's delights tomorrow but just in case you were wondering, I'm wearing Bright Orange pants and Snoop Dogg and I are friends.
I once went to an art talk at MCA (in the little room where they feature artists) that has resounded with me ever since. Unfortunately, I can absolutely NOT recollect the name of the particular artist but I will never ever forget him. He did photographs of empty rooms. An empty hallway in a school. An empty interrogation area. An empty judge's office. He also did photographs of Lake Michigan. On the left would be a rock and if you got really close you'd see someone laying down on the top of it. And all the rest? Emptiness. Just Lake and sky. His work was as much about what's not there as what is. ("it's all about the silence.")
And I remember that this particular artist was also a Chicago Cop. He wore his black beat shoes with his jeans and chewed on a toothpick the entire time. There were the critics and the professors and the reviewers and the students and they all wanted to break up his work, pick it apart piece by piece. They asked, "What themes are you trying to impart to your viewer?". "Is there a purpose or message your trying to convey with these empty rooms?". And he just said, "I just take the pictures. You see what you want to see." He didn't want any of their art nonsense. You see what you want to see. YES!
So, i'd like to think my silence in this blog was a necessary rest. A poetic pause. This month was like a rest too. Green and folk and fabric were all easy things. Second Nature almost. There wasn't a day this entire month I didn't listen to Green. There wasn't a day I didn't list to Folk music. I made plenty of things out of fabric (arm warmers, hand kerchiefs, finger puppets). With the hustle and bustle of the holidays and my new job and my new work out regime, we didn't even approach this month's task. I think I'm o.k. with that though. This month was full of new habits.
I'm totally late with this green wrap up and I won't get to introducing January's delights tomorrow but just in case you were wondering, I'm wearing Bright Orange pants and Snoop Dogg and I are friends.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
M.I.A.
Hey! How are you? Great? I'm mostly O.k. I mean I've definitely been better but I'm doing alright. Do you remember when I said I was SO excited to write in my shiny new blog EVERY SINGLE DAY? Yeah me too. Apparently I don't always mean the things I say. However, remember when I promised to wear a single color EVERYDAY and only listen to one kind of music EVERY DAY for a whole month? Well that's still happening. Sometimes I DO mean the things I say.
You see, when I know that I should have done something and I didn't do it, a certain amount of avoidance/procrastination happens. I completely avoid the very thing I should/WANT to be doing. It builds up and then I wonder how can I possibly ever go back to doing that thing? That writing in your blog everyday thing?
Aren't are little brains so silly sometimes? Of course I can go back and write in my blog whenever I want. Of course it's up to me to choose how and when and why I do things. And if I have a commitment to my "readers" well, I think they'll probably forgive me. This month has been a whirlwind of Bikram Yoga most every day and starting a new job. Remember those Health Things last month that I was dealing with? Well, a major life change happened and I'm adjusting. You add the holiday season to those things and a baby/family - you got one pretty busy girl.
The folk music for me has been a little like coming "home". A friend of mine compiled this lovely list of Folk songs I should listen to. It was like a study of the origins of folk music and I'm really interested in that but right now I just want to listen to this stuff that I know and love. The last two months have been filled with music that has been new to me and the coming months are also going to be all new - so recouping over some Joni or some Ray Lamontagne has suited me perfectly.
The same goes for the green. Green has always been one of my favorite colors. I have a lot of green clothes. In fact, I only acquired one shirt and one yoga pant for this months color. It is not unusual for me to wear green often. This color has been almost TOO easy.
I'll tell you the same story with Fabric. It's a medium I'm pretty comfortable being crafty with.
So maybe that's why I'm not really writing. No major revelations are happening over here but I think that's perfectly o.k.
A little respite might be just what what I need right now.
You see, when I know that I should have done something and I didn't do it, a certain amount of avoidance/procrastination happens. I completely avoid the very thing I should/WANT to be doing. It builds up and then I wonder how can I possibly ever go back to doing that thing? That writing in your blog everyday thing?
Aren't are little brains so silly sometimes? Of course I can go back and write in my blog whenever I want. Of course it's up to me to choose how and when and why I do things. And if I have a commitment to my "readers" well, I think they'll probably forgive me. This month has been a whirlwind of Bikram Yoga most every day and starting a new job. Remember those Health Things last month that I was dealing with? Well, a major life change happened and I'm adjusting. You add the holiday season to those things and a baby/family - you got one pretty busy girl.
The folk music for me has been a little like coming "home". A friend of mine compiled this lovely list of Folk songs I should listen to. It was like a study of the origins of folk music and I'm really interested in that but right now I just want to listen to this stuff that I know and love. The last two months have been filled with music that has been new to me and the coming months are also going to be all new - so recouping over some Joni or some Ray Lamontagne has suited me perfectly.
The same goes for the green. Green has always been one of my favorite colors. I have a lot of green clothes. In fact, I only acquired one shirt and one yoga pant for this months color. It is not unusual for me to wear green often. This color has been almost TOO easy.
I'll tell you the same story with Fabric. It's a medium I'm pretty comfortable being crafty with.
So maybe that's why I'm not really writing. No major revelations are happening over here but I think that's perfectly o.k.
A little respite might be just what what I need right now.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Then December it is......
December is:
Number: 3
Letters: FG
Color: Green
Shape: Diamond
Music: Folk
Medium: Fabric
Outing: Shedd Aquarium
Habit: Cleaning up for 15 mins before bedtime
Some initial thoughts:
Green and Folk music are things that I kind of like a lot and I'm glad to come back to something with a bit of familiarity.
However, as I was downloading Folk music onto my Ipod, I realized it is a very ambiguous genre. There are lots of gray areas (Folk-Rock, Indie-Folk, Neo-Folk, Folk-Country, Folk-Pop). I think I need to do some research on the true meaning of Folk music as soon as I can. In the meantime, today was spent listening to some James Taylor and we liked it a lot.
Can you believe it's december already?!
Number: 3
Letters: FG
Color: Green
Shape: Diamond
Music: Folk
Medium: Fabric
Outing: Shedd Aquarium
Habit: Cleaning up for 15 mins before bedtime
Some initial thoughts:
Green and Folk music are things that I kind of like a lot and I'm glad to come back to something with a bit of familiarity.
However, as I was downloading Folk music onto my Ipod, I realized it is a very ambiguous genre. There are lots of gray areas (Folk-Rock, Indie-Folk, Neo-Folk, Folk-Country, Folk-Pop). I think I need to do some research on the true meaning of Folk music as soon as I can. In the meantime, today was spent listening to some James Taylor and we liked it a lot.
Can you believe it's december already?!
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