i keep forgetting to be cold

I'm curled up warm on a rug in Chicago and watching the snow fall.

My relationship with snow is like anyone's relationship with a miracle: startled awe and not a little fear cut with a general sense of unreality. Who expects ice falling from the sky? People not born and raised in the south, that's who. I got up this morning finally before eight feeling too awake and bothered svmadelyn for keys to go to the 7 Eleven for coffee and trip over piles of white fluff like marshmallow cream piled messy around the doors and by unexpected corners. It was still perfect and still falling, and I slid through pristine white bewildered by the flakes melting into the sleeves of my coat.

It's taking my breath away.

We're going to get cupcakes and then to the museum to look at--something, I have n idea why, I don't have a relationship with art more complex than pretty and what is that? Really?

I, for one, imagine the cupcakes will be very, very good. And the person looking blankly at anything abstract and saying blankly "Very interesting," while covered in snow, well, that will be me and you know, that will be good, too.

(svmadelyn and V are getting along a little too well. I cannot prove they are going to leave me friendless and alone in the snow, but it could happen. Also, I left my phone on the plane (yes, go ahead, laugh), so I could be abandoned to die very easily. At least I have snow, which I understand standing under could be dangerous? I am pondering this eventuality.)

Comments

[doublehelix20.livejournal.com]

Oooh, helpful. I can do museum-y stuff, yeah. I am a Southerner, so the potential cold sort of frightens me, and I'm looking for inside, mostly. I'm staying right by the Northwestern medical center, and I don't want to spend too much time getting from place to place, since I still have to fly out Saturday evening.

[bunglegirl.livejournal.com]

I tried Google but I couldn't figure out where the medical center is because there's so many Northwestern sites. If you're in the city and not way up in Evanston (which would take you an hour on the El to get to the loop) getting around should be easy. And if you are really that freezing there's lots of cabs in the loop.

The Art Institute is free through the end of February. It's best known for its impressionist collection but it has a lot of famous paintings like "American Gothic", "Nighthawks," Monet's haystack series and the huge Seurat that you've seen before. But it also has these cool miniature rooms hidden away, armor and some more applied arts like stained glass, textiles & furniture. The Modern Art Museum isn't worth it if you have a short time.

The Mexican Art Museum always free) in Pilsen is really cute and fun but a bit more of a hike. It's right off the pink line but if you don't have much time it may be too far.

The Science & Industry & Field Museum are pretty great too depending on what you're into. The aquarium is awesome except that the huge exhibit with dolphins etc. is closed until the Spring.

If you're at the hospital on Chicago Ave. try to head to Portillo's for a Chicago hot dog, yum. It will be too cold for your fragile Southern temperament for an architectural walking tour but you can see a good overview of the city from the Hancock building's lounge on the 95/96th floor.

If you're here on the weekend and want to see some comedy I always recommend "Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind" on the North side.

I hope that helps! Have fun and ring a hat and scarf!

[doublehelix20.livejournal.com]

Oops, sorry. Yup, it's Chicago Ave. Thanks so much! I think free art is totally the way to go. And hot dogs!