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sigersonFirst things first. I should inform you about the Sojourn in WI, the Rest in Chicago, and the Journey to Home.
You may or may not have already seen![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
sen_no_ongaku’s entry about our trip, detailing mileage and Important Things Learned. I thought I’d do something more in-depth, mostly using the ‘journal’ aspect of LJ as a record of a wonderful vacation.
August 9—when last we left our heroine, doing her USELESS entry. DaMan arrives that afternoon, and after much joy, the evening is celebrated with Culver’s. DaMan discovers ButterBurgers. Notable feature: lost in overwhelming feeling of happiness.
August 10—I worked in the morning, joined DaMan for lunch at the General Store. It was damned cold—60? 50?—and just about everyone from the costume shop ordered chili deluxe. Mmmmmchili. We went to the House on the Rock that afternoon; I’d seen it before, but DaMan was positively disturbed. The room with the carousel did it, I think…all those mannequins…all that loud garish music…It’s still growing, you know. The House wasn’t built out of some strange compulsion—not at first, anyway, it was a product of anger and bitterness—but even though the original architect has passed on, the foundation keeps adding these horrid tchotchke-filled rooms, over and over. At least they’re not as eerie as the doll carousels. Saw Playboy of the Western World that night. Excellent performances and good strong Irish accents that never kept me from understanding the show.
August 11—We did less than might be expected today, because again it was so Damn Cold. Taliesin in the morning; toured the Hillside studio and school. Soothing after the House on the Rock, and beautiful. Even if Frank Lloyd Wright was a bit of a control freak, he was also a genius. That evening, we saw Cymbeline, which was funny and sweet and good, with everyone resplendent in their velvets. Best moment, though? Dozing on the couch: DaMan resting against me, the cat curled up on my hands, and the train rumbles by behind the house.
August 12—Woke up late. Felt wonderful. We took a long slow way to Chicago, accidentally skipping the exit to the Mars Cheese Castle (note: not actually made of cheese) and then got lost looking for the Jelly Belly Factory. Assertions on DaMan’s part that I am ‘directionally challenged’ are spurious and baseless. Upon reaching Chicago, J welcomed us to his home, they played Atari and we ate Thai food. J is a kind and considerate host, and I can’t thank him enough. I brought him cheese. Hope that’s sufficient evidence of my goodwill…
August 13—Went to the MCA with Kian! A fantastic fashion/art exhibit, a giant wooden vulva, a cool Icelandic painter, and a truly disturbing toe-sucking moment were the notable features. Visited Ursula and Tallis briefly, then returned to see Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. 30 plays in 60 minutes. Brilliant. Mostly hilarious, with dark, political, or sad moments. One of the funniest bits of theater I’ve seen in a long while, and one I would see again and again. Especially since the available plays change each week. You in the Chicago area, go and see! I command it!
August 14—After waking up late and reading comics and eating French toast (did I mention that J’s a great host?), toured the University of Chicago with Kian and Ursula. Beautiful Gothic campus; we peeked into Rockefeller Chapel around a wedding, climbed out onto the roof of Ida Noyes, and I slavered at the gates of the Divinity School. That evening was the Dresden Dolls concert, and they were good but not awesome—a fairly long cover in the middle of the set, and the truncated nature of the set itself were to blame. The other act, Devotchka (sp?) was freaky Slavo-emo-punko-with violin, accordion, bass, tuba, and theremin. I liked them. Coffee along a walk by Wrigley finished it all…
August 15—Brunch! J took us to Martyrs, his brunch joint, and it was all he’d promised. I had an Irish Meat Sampler, and can report that white pudding is nearly as good as scrapple. Fine coffee, too. Kian, Ursula,magdalene1, her friend M, J, DaMan and I watched music videos and a weird short film. (The Strange Tale of Balthazar Hyppolite, in case you’re wondering.) Then DaMan and I wanted time to ourselves, so we went walking in the Loop at night. Millenium Park is lovely at night. So is watching the boats on the river. And I will never tire of saying “Wacker”.
August 16—In the morning, we drove to the University of Chicago so I could meet with a professor. It was a good meeting, though I’m still nervous about the impression I made. He gave me a great deal to think about, some of which I might be hashing out on LJ. Ate with Kian, then headed straight into construction and traffic. We didn’t even leave the Chicago area till 4. DaMan drove till midnight. I discovered that the tickle at the back of my throat was, in fact, a nasty cold. We picnicked in Ohio and slept in Jamestown.
August 17—DaMan and I share a weakness for fast-food breakfast sammiches featuring biscuits. New York seems to last forever. I sniffle and hork throughout the day, despite Sudafed. At about eight o’clock we arrive Home. Home, home, home, which he’s left for two weeks and I’ve left for six. The cat purrs and shows tummy, then requests food.
And now I’m back. And all is well. Even as people disappear for school, I am at peace knowing that I will never lose the good things we’ve shared. Perhaps that’s denial, but it feels deeper.
(Meanwhile, my siblingsal_sal is being treated to the sight of Amish with jackhammers.)
You may or may not have already seen
sen_no_ongaku’s entry about our trip, detailing mileage and Important Things Learned. I thought I’d do something more in-depth, mostly using the ‘journal’ aspect of LJ as a record of a wonderful vacation.August 9—when last we left our heroine, doing her USELESS entry. DaMan arrives that afternoon, and after much joy, the evening is celebrated with Culver’s. DaMan discovers ButterBurgers. Notable feature: lost in overwhelming feeling of happiness.
August 10—I worked in the morning, joined DaMan for lunch at the General Store. It was damned cold—60? 50?—and just about everyone from the costume shop ordered chili deluxe. Mmmmmchili. We went to the House on the Rock that afternoon; I’d seen it before, but DaMan was positively disturbed. The room with the carousel did it, I think…all those mannequins…all that loud garish music…It’s still growing, you know. The House wasn’t built out of some strange compulsion—not at first, anyway, it was a product of anger and bitterness—but even though the original architect has passed on, the foundation keeps adding these horrid tchotchke-filled rooms, over and over. At least they’re not as eerie as the doll carousels. Saw Playboy of the Western World that night. Excellent performances and good strong Irish accents that never kept me from understanding the show.
August 11—We did less than might be expected today, because again it was so Damn Cold. Taliesin in the morning; toured the Hillside studio and school. Soothing after the House on the Rock, and beautiful. Even if Frank Lloyd Wright was a bit of a control freak, he was also a genius. That evening, we saw Cymbeline, which was funny and sweet and good, with everyone resplendent in their velvets. Best moment, though? Dozing on the couch: DaMan resting against me, the cat curled up on my hands, and the train rumbles by behind the house.
August 12—Woke up late. Felt wonderful. We took a long slow way to Chicago, accidentally skipping the exit to the Mars Cheese Castle (note: not actually made of cheese) and then got lost looking for the Jelly Belly Factory. Assertions on DaMan’s part that I am ‘directionally challenged’ are spurious and baseless. Upon reaching Chicago, J welcomed us to his home, they played Atari and we ate Thai food. J is a kind and considerate host, and I can’t thank him enough. I brought him cheese. Hope that’s sufficient evidence of my goodwill…
August 13—Went to the MCA with Kian! A fantastic fashion/art exhibit, a giant wooden vulva, a cool Icelandic painter, and a truly disturbing toe-sucking moment were the notable features. Visited Ursula and Tallis briefly, then returned to see Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind. 30 plays in 60 minutes. Brilliant. Mostly hilarious, with dark, political, or sad moments. One of the funniest bits of theater I’ve seen in a long while, and one I would see again and again. Especially since the available plays change each week. You in the Chicago area, go and see! I command it!
August 14—After waking up late and reading comics and eating French toast (did I mention that J’s a great host?), toured the University of Chicago with Kian and Ursula. Beautiful Gothic campus; we peeked into Rockefeller Chapel around a wedding, climbed out onto the roof of Ida Noyes, and I slavered at the gates of the Divinity School. That evening was the Dresden Dolls concert, and they were good but not awesome—a fairly long cover in the middle of the set, and the truncated nature of the set itself were to blame. The other act, Devotchka (sp?) was freaky Slavo-emo-punko-with violin, accordion, bass, tuba, and theremin. I liked them. Coffee along a walk by Wrigley finished it all…
August 15—Brunch! J took us to Martyrs, his brunch joint, and it was all he’d promised. I had an Irish Meat Sampler, and can report that white pudding is nearly as good as scrapple. Fine coffee, too. Kian, Ursula,
magdalene1, her friend M, J, DaMan and I watched music videos and a weird short film. (The Strange Tale of Balthazar Hyppolite, in case you’re wondering.) Then DaMan and I wanted time to ourselves, so we went walking in the Loop at night. Millenium Park is lovely at night. So is watching the boats on the river. And I will never tire of saying “Wacker”. August 16—In the morning, we drove to the University of Chicago so I could meet with a professor. It was a good meeting, though I’m still nervous about the impression I made. He gave me a great deal to think about, some of which I might be hashing out on LJ. Ate with Kian, then headed straight into construction and traffic. We didn’t even leave the Chicago area till 4. DaMan drove till midnight. I discovered that the tickle at the back of my throat was, in fact, a nasty cold. We picnicked in Ohio and slept in Jamestown.
August 17—DaMan and I share a weakness for fast-food breakfast sammiches featuring biscuits. New York seems to last forever. I sniffle and hork throughout the day, despite Sudafed. At about eight o’clock we arrive Home. Home, home, home, which he’s left for two weeks and I’ve left for six. The cat purrs and shows tummy, then requests food.
And now I’m back. And all is well. Even as people disappear for school, I am at peace knowing that I will never lose the good things we’ve shared. Perhaps that’s denial, but it feels deeper.
(Meanwhile, my sibling
sal_sal is being treated to the sight of Amish with jackhammers.)
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no subject
Date: 2004-08-20 06:21 am (UTC)Welcome home!!!
no subject
Date: 2004-08-20 09:13 am (UTC)i wonder how much more business they've had since "american gods" came out? that's certainly the only reason i've heard of it.
problem is... when the heck will i ever had reason to be in WISCONSIN? sure, if i ever find time to do a cross-country trip, but that doesn't seem likely...