happy birthday to me.

It's been a pretty good one, although not much exciting has happened on the day itself. I muse how technology has changed our lives... I received one actual birthday card, but found over 40 Facebook posts on my Wall! Including from friends from college, many of whom I have not seen since then...

No flowers this year but my mum made dinner (she's a fantastic cook) and we had cake, with candles and singing and the whole she-bang.

Then I had to go to class, boo. And it is on metadata, boo. But my professor emailed us last night she was giving us another week on the project that was due today so, hooray! This class is k i l l i n g me. I celebrated by blowing off all my homework and laying in bed and reading a good book.

Lest it appear my life has NO fun at all, this weekend I have dinner out Saturday night and Sundayyyy... we have plans to go on a haunted cemetary tour with costumed interpreters! wheeee!

Last weekend I went to the Sara Evans concert. And the weekend before that, I went to see Cabaret downtown.

So going to class instead of out to party on a Thursday night is my attempt to be a responsible adult. I'm applying for jobs all across the country, and of course, the North Carolina digital libraries fellowship *crosses fingers*. So I wonder where I'll be on my next birthday. Not here, I think.

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Photo 1: Flowers from Mom on my 19th birthday. Beloit College. Beloit, WI. 14 Oct 1987.

Photo 2: Sara Evans in concert. Performing Arts Center, Dominican University. River Forest, IL. Taken by me. Oct 2010.

Here, Life Is Beautiful!

Well the most stressful part of my fall has passed and I survived (barely). I'm trying to settle in to my new situation and adjust, keep up with my homework, and of course look for a job to replace the one I have now. I had an interview a couple of days ago, but I am pretty sure I have no shot at that job. I will be beyond shocked if they offer it to me.

Friday night I went to see a production of Cabaret with my friend Amelia. I saw this play many years ago at the Shubert when it starred Teri Hatcher, and I also have the soundtrack to the version starring the late Natasha Richardson. This was a student production at the DePaul Theater School, and it was very good. Lots of talent in the cast, amazing voices.

As we were leaving the theater my eye was caught by a beautiful sight, and I wish my camera had been up to the task of documenting it.


{contrast}

I had to lighten this shot significantly in PhotoShop to get both buildings. I just loved the juxtaposition of the Sears Tower (I am NOT calling it the Willis Tower) and it's purple neon crown with the cruddy neon-rific liquor store across the street.

I love this town.

While I was getting the shot, crowds were still at the theater door half a block down, students and parents and theater goers all talking and laughing and socializing in the beautiful city night. A lanky young man in a plaid shirt and baggy khakis walked past us alone, looking down, with his shoulders hunched and his hands in his pockets.

Amelia called out to him: "CONGRATULATIONS!"

He glanced up briefly and said "Thanks!" then looked back down at his feet and kept going.

Oh gosh! He had played the MC!


{Alan Cummings in the role}

I had not recognized him with his clothes on!

I called after him: "Oh Congrats!!! YOU WERE SO GREAT!!!"

He sort of waved a little back at us and kept walking. He turned the corner and strode off alone into the night.

I hope he is famous someday.