Labor Day always seems to be a mini-New Year of sorts, a time when people take stock of the summer and wonder where it went. A few things I wish I’d done this summer:
- Go to the beach more often. I think I only went twice, and neither of those were even at The Point (the strip of beach near Hyde Park). Really, there are no excuses. It is walking distance from my house.
- Play more badminton. I only played once. Not nearly enough.
- Wear more white. I know the fashion rules are a’changin, and I’ve never been much of a fashionista anyway, but as far as my Texan roots are concerned, Labor Day is still the day to bid adieu to white skirts and pants.
- I only just found out about the Soul of Chicago Express, but wow, what a great idea! A little bit factory tour, a little bit architectural tour. That is to say, right up my alley.
- See more live music.
- Organize my closet. I mean, what better way to take advantage of central air? Alas, my room has not yet fully recovered from the closet collapse it suffered several months ago.
- Eat at new restaurants. Granted, my ability to eat out is largely determined by economics, but I can still wish, can’t I?
- Go on at least one of the Chicago architectural tours. Of course, I can do this anytime, but it just seems like a great way to spend a perfect summer afternoon.
- Explore new neighborhoods. I had so much fun getting to know the street murals in Pilsen last fall that I’m now thinking about moving to Pilsen next year. I wish I’d seen the murals by summer’s light, and I wish I’d explored other murals and other neighborhoods.
- See one of the free Tuesday night movies in Grant Park. In my defense, I did try to see the final movie (Ferris Bueller!), but the weather was horrid and cold and rainy.
- Try to shop some of my essays around. That was totally supposed to be my summer project. Yeah, yeah, I’ll get on it …
One thing that very nearly made the list was going to the Da Vinci exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. My roommate and I walked over today, but they were sold out; fortunately, they still had tickets left for tomorrow, so we’ll head back over at 1:15pm. Hopefully the timed tickets will ensure some crowd-control for the last day of the exhibit.
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current book: I’m trying to finish up The Wright 3 before I get back on the Metra on Tuesday morning (when I’ll return to Coetzee). I love how Blue Baillett takes seemingly adult concepts and delivers them to kids. She doesn’t dumb them down; it’s more like she simply doesn’t acknowledge a distinction between what is “supposed” to be for adults and what is “supposed” to be for kids. Like her discussion of Hitchcock’s Rear Window, for example, or likening the destruction of an historic home to murder.
current music: I told my dad about this country music project I’m working on for John C. Papa Bear is very, very excited about it and immediately offered to burn whatever music I wanted (all my country CDs are at my parents’ house). He sent me a spreadsheet of all the country music the two of us own (yes, he has a detailed database of every song in his music collection, and yes, I perhaps inherited some of the OCD genes, but at least I don’t catalog things like Christmas tree ornaments). It numbers a whopping 1,723 country music songs. John, really, how am I supposed to narrow this down into one mix CD? You might have a deluxe edition boxed set coming to you.
My dad asked me to highlight on the spreadsheet all the songs I wanted burned. When I sent him back the list, the following conversation ensued over a Marty Robbins song that was PUMMELED into my head for the duration of my childhood:
Dad: Interesting that you and I think similarly. Many of these are the ones I [already] recorded.
Me: well, if there’s any theme at all, it’s “stuff i listened to growing up.” i can’t wait to write the liner notes for “cool water.” i expect it will be very therapeutic.
Dad: even I wouldn’t have had the guts to put in cool water.
current socks: still sandal weather, but wait till you see the knee highs I just bought … they picture guitars and say “Rock On” in a tattoo-style banner.
Filed under: chicago, music by admin2
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