Let's Hear It For Science!

When I walk down the garage staircase of the Museum of Science and Industry, I think of all the times I've peered out with the tiniest spark of excitement onto the bright white cavern of a ticketing center and gift shop. Field trips, on a half day with my middle school besties, with Wiz when she visited, with KHo on Spring Break of 2007, with immediate family, with distant family.

I intended to go to S&I last Monday morning for bite of nostalgia--see the Swiss pinball machine, the chicks, maybe buy a postcard and head out. Right before leaving the apartment, I wondered if maybe I should just get some work on my new play done. But, I figured, I could be brief. I stayed for three hours.

Because! Because! Once I was there I was suddenly hit with all the things I love there. The circus exhibit! Omg the model train! Historic Main Street USA for goodness sake! I had forgotten my old friends, and this was the first time I was ever alone with them. I soaked in every signpost about Barnum and Bailey, every turn in the miniature tracks, every brick in the faux road.

And, then, I was captivated by new things! Like you're supposed to be at a museum! I wanted to know about the greatest inventions of today--like a printer that prints edible paper that tastes like what it looks like! Like seeing "What if you could send a hug in the mail?" on a wall next to an ugly sciencey sweatshirt. Because I had gotten in free for being an IL resident, I splurged and bought tour tickets to the Smart Home. Wow eco-homes! The future! The future!

I felt overwhelmed with love for mankind, hope for the future, and a heightened sense of passion for education. I prolonged leaving and stopped in to finish basking in the feel of one of my favorite Chicago spots at the tiny cafe. They had just started serving pumpkin lattes.

It was the best way to spend my morning. I can't believe I almost missed my own life.

Important Idea Regarding $$$

MONEY IS VALUE AND VALUE DOES NOT GO "AWAY."

MUCH LIKE THE WRAPPERS WE THROW IN TRASH BINS LANDFILL-BOUND, THERE IS NO "AWAY" WHEN IT COMES TO SOME THINGS.

SOME THINGS LIKE LOVE--

THERE IS NO AWAY!

YOUR LOVING GAZE MAY FALL ON A HATEFUL FACE,

BUT THAT LOVE HAS BEEN EXPRESSED AND DOES NOT GO

AWAY.

SOME THINGS LIKE JOY--

THERE IS NO AWAY!

SOME THINGS LIKE CARBON.

WE MUST BE WISE,

of course,

BUT MONEY IS VALUE

AND VALUE DOES NOT GO AWAY!

FOLLOW THE DOLLAR,

IT'S GOING WHERE IT NEEDS TO.

SOME DAYS I REMEMBER

I WANT TO SEND ANOTHER CHECK

TO HEFFER INTERNATIONAL,

SO I WON'T GET THE MOCHA.

BUT, SOME DAYS I'LL GO AHEAD

AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAFE'S

MANAGER'S DAUGHTER'S COLLEGE FUND.

AND ALSO,

NOW THERE IS A MOCHA.

IT DOES NOT GO AWAY.

I GAVE THIS BUM A FIVE

AND MADE HIM PROMISE IT WOULDN'T BE

FOR MEAT.

I'M NEVER GOING TO KNOW,

BUT I DO KNOW IT WENT SOMEWHERE.

MAYBE THE DRUG DEALER'S NEW MUFFLER.

THE AUTO-MECHANIC IS SAVING UP

FOR A KINDLE.

He wants to read Malcolm Gladwell on the bus.

WE LOST THE FAMILY MEMBERSHIP CARD TO THE SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY MUSEUM, AND I WANT TO GO TOMORROW.

RATS, MAN. RATS. THAT WAS EXPENSIVE, AND NOW,

I STILL HAVE TO PAY.

BUT THAT MUSEUM IS FULL OF MEMORIES FOR ME.

I LEARNED ABOUT COAL MINING THERE,

AND THE FIRST TRAINS, ICEBERGS, BABY CHICKS.

I CAN DONATE A FIFTEEN DOLLAR ADMISSION.

I HAVE BEEN GIVEN SO MUCH,

AND IT DOES NOT GO AWAY.

Wooden Eyes

Me&Muff made up, Dressing Room, Summer Brave last November

Right now, even after two-face washings and a shower, I've got a bunch of eyeliner stuck to my lids. It's from the One-Acts last night. (Side: Very much enjoyed the experience--very grateful for the cast and all those who came out to support the show.) I use liner pencil. After I shower, my eyes always hurt. They don't sting. They hurt. Like someone is poking my eye. Today I realized, uh doy, I am basically putting wood shavings in my eyes when I wear liner. Huh.

I can't believe so many people do this on a regular basis. I guess a lot of girls have moved over to liquid, but I still prefer pencil. Bu, I am putting wood in my eye. So, there's that. I wonder if in a couple ears all liner pencils will be discontinued because some scientist will be like "Uh...we should prove how this causes cataracts." And, then, poof, it will be a highly known fact that eye pencil is terrible for you. Even then, will I actually stop using it? I mean, I doubt it would be breaking news that using an eye pencil is bad for you. When would I find out? Has such a study actually already been done? I don't even know!

when I'm away she puts her make-up on the shelf