When you are starting a new job in less than a week, you’re dealing with at least two lists. There’s the long errand and shopping and chore-focused to-do list (get dress tailored, do laundry, buy black boots, sew buttons on cardigan…), and then there’s the more abstract list of things that would be fun or smart or healthy for you to do while you have the time, so you can at least tell yourself that you took advantage of the last few days of this period that gets dramatically and not entirely accurately referred to as “freedom.” If you live in New York, topping the list of things you always want and mean to do, but rarely manage is: Go to a museum. Miraculously, Alice had free passes to the Museum of Natural History. Even better, she was willing to play hooky from work to go with me.
In the special exhibit about the brain, I learned that if neurons were marbles, each of us would have enough to fill the New York Public Library. Some of the text in the exhibit was hilariously matter-of-fact, like, “Just when you’re trying your best to be reasonable, your emotions can lead you astray.” There was also this: “By the time you reach your twenties, your brain is functioning at its peak. After that, little by little, the number of neural connections declines.” We played games designed to test your memory and reaction time and various other things we all hope to be good at: trying to trace a shape while looking in a mirror, reading names of colors printed in other colors, attempting to learn the Braille alphabet in a couple of minutes. Then we went to the museum café and each had an $11 panini.
Since it was snowing and a weekday, there was hardly anyone in the butterfly conservatory, so we got to walk around in the humid little tank for as long as we wanted, pointing and exclaiming at the butterflies flying around (The giant shiny blue one! The lacy orange and white one! The one with transparent wings!) and getting a little delirious from the sudden heat. Being in that place is perfect therapy for wintertime; it makes you giddy and melt-y and prone to hugging your friend and telling her how happy you are to be right there with her.
Later, we listened to Whoopi Goldberg narrate a “journey” into space. We watched a strange IMAX movie about aquatic dinosaurs. We went up to the fourth floor and walked through room after room (or “hall” after “hall”) of those dinosaurs and their relatives, skeletons and reconstructions and missing pieces. We went to the Hall of Ocean Life and looked up at the giant whale and at the dioramas that are my favorite, favorite thing—so carefully staged and gently glowing—and then traipsed through the North American Forests and New York State Environment sections, clearly the least loved and restored parts of the museum, with their dated signage and general quaintness, on our way to the hall of minerals and gems, where we wanted to go because we are girls and we like sparkly things. Or really, because I used to be obsessed with rocks.
I used to be obsessed with lots of the things the museum is preoccupied with, which is maybe why I have more affection for it than I do for the Met. The Natural History Museum feels more personal, making me think about how fiercely I used to love dinosaurs—how all kids love dinosaurs, and always will, and how mind-bendingly cool they are to people of all ages, whether or not they want to admit it (the array of dino-themed merch in the giftshop testifies to this, and while I’m on board with a dinosaur-shaped ladle and an ice-cube tray that makes ice in the shape of dinosaur bones, I could do without the pink kiddie t-shirt emblazoned with a sparkly dinosaur and the words “Prehistoric Princess”). All these dinosaurs remind me that, at one early point, I vaguely wanted to be a paleontologist (who didn’t?). The oddly straightforward and therefore semi-uncomfortable histories of various peoples remind me that I wanted to be an archaeologist. The meteors and big hunks of crazily colored rock remind me that for a little while, I really, really wanted to be a geologist. Or an environmentalist or some kind, testing rain with little ph strips to find out its acid content. Or some other profession that involved catching salamanders and subjecting them to a series of random, gentle tests. The trappings of science have always been a real stimulant for me, probably more than art, even though art is technically where my loyalties lie. Science sucks me in with its taxonomies and patient explanations (even if I don’t understand them; Whoopi’s narration in the planetarium was enthusiastic, but it didn’t make it any easier to process the idea of space or dark matter or how a star is born), its objects lined up and labeled behind glass.
My various science-y aspirations pretty much ended when I got to middle school and realized I couldn’t wrap my brain around carbon dating or isotopes or even fractions. It’s a little sad, mostly in retrospect, and mostly because it lines up so neatly and misleadingly with the abilities girls are and aren’t supposed to be confident about at that age. It’s depressing to think about how I much I used to love experiments, until I had to do them in a classroom with an accompanying worksheet or lab report, and grades. But I don’t think I was ever really going to be a scientist. The way I love all this stuff now is the same way I loved it as a kid, based on emotions and aesthetics. I’m romanced by it in a way that doesn’t require real understanding or expertise, and in some ways depends on the lack of exactly those things. It’s enough for me to look at everything laid out so carefully, the volume and detail of it overwhelming, and to let myself be amazed by big things like time and extinction, and little things like the birds painted into the background of a diorama, and the way stars looked on the curved ceiling of the planetarium. There’s the memory of a field trip here to see “Dinosaurs Alive” when I was in second grade, two Rainforest Alliance galas held in the shadow of the giant whale, tumbled rocks in the gift shop that my fingers are still drawn to. And now this quiet, perfect, snowy day in a museum with a good friend, right before things change again.
Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your blog.
You have some really good posts and I think
I would be a good asset. If you ever want
to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love to write some
material for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please blast me an e-mail if interested. Cheers!
My blog :: best realtor in Long Beach CA
I was able to find good advice from your blog posts.
my website :: best realtor in Poplar Bluff MO
I have been browsing online more than three hours today,
yet I never found any interesting article like yours. It’s pretty worth enough for me.
In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be a lot more useful than ever before.
Feel free to surf to my site … realtor in Philadelphia PA
Great article! We will be linking to this particularly great article
on our site. Keep up the good writing.
Also visit my blog real estate agent in Bedford NH
I am sure this post has touched all the internet people, its really really good
paragraph on building up new website.
Here is my blog: real estate agent in Woodbridge ON
Hi there, I enjoy reading all of your article post.
I wanted to write a little comment to support you.
Have a look at my homepage – best real estate agent in Katy TX
You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the highest quality sites on the net.
I will highly recommend this site!
This page truly has all of the info I needed about this subject and didn’t know
who to ask.
Look into my web-site best realtor in Houston TX
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on websites
I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be useful to
read through content from other writers and use something from other web sites.
My web site: real estate agent in Chicago IL
Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am impressed!
Extremely useful info specifically the remaining phase :)
I deal with such info much. I was looking for this certain info for a very long
time. Thanks and best of luck.
Feel free to visit my web blog – real estate agent in Las Vegas NV
It’s actually a great and helpful piece of info.
I’m happy that you shared this helpful info with us.
Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Here is my web blog: best realtor in Houston TX
Greate post. Keep posting such kind of information on your site.
Im really impressed by it.
Hey there, You have performed an excellent job. I will certainly digg
it and in my opinion recommend to my friends.
I’m sure they’ll be benefited from this website.
Review my blog … best realtor in Philadelphia PA
Good day! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with SEO?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing
very good results. If you know of any please share. Cheers!
It is perfect time to make a few plans for the future and it
is time to be happy. I have read this put up and if I could
I desire to suggest you some fascinating things or tips.
Perhaps you can write subsequent articles relating to this article.
I desire to read more things about it!
Feel free to visit my blog – real estate agent in Chicago IL
Hiya! Quick question that’s completely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly?
My web site looks weird when browsing from my iphone.
I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be able to resolve this problem.
If you have any recommendations, please share. Thanks!
Look into my web-site: best real estate agent in Poplar Bluff MO
Thanks for your marvelous posting! I really enjoyed
reading it, you happen to be a great author.I will always
bookmark your blog and will come back sometime soon. I want to
encourage you to definitely continue your great posts, have a nice weekend!
Here is my blog post … best real estate agent in San Antonio TX
With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot of completely
unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it appears a lot
of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you
know any solutions to help prevent content from being stolen? I’d
truly appreciate it.
my web-site realtor in Poplar Bluff MO
What’s up to all, the contents present at this website are actually amazing for people knowledge, well, keep up the good work fellows.
Feel free to surf to my page; best realtor in Chicago IL
You are so awesome! I don’t think I have read something like
this before. So wonderful to discover somebody with unique thoughts on this subject.
Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This web
site is one thing that’s needed on the web, someone with some originality!
Here is my web-site – best real estate agent in San Antonio TX
I pay a quick visit every day a few blogs and sites
to read content, except this blog provides quality
based posts.
Hello to all, since I am genuinely keen of reading this
webpage’s post to be updated daily. It includes pleasant information.
Here is my site: realtor in Chicago IL
Really when someone doesn’t understand after that its up to
other viewers that they will help, so here it happens.
My web site … realtor in Houston TX
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the
images on this blog loading? I’m trying to determine if its a problem
on my end or if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
My blog :: best realtor in Long Beach CA
?????? ????????? ? ???
????????? ???
?????? ????????? ? ?????-??????????
?????? ????????? ? ?????????
???????????? ????????? ??????
????????? ??? ?????? ??????
????????? ??????
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you might be
a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back from now on. I want to encourage you to
continue your great job, have a nice evening!
Also visit my web page: realtor in Bedford NH
This is a topic that’s near to my heart… Cheers!
Exactly where are your contact details though?
Here is my blog post – real estate agent in Long Beach CA
Hi there everybody, here every person is sharing such knowledge,
therefore it’s nice to read this blog, and I used to pay a quick visit this blog daily.
Feel free to surf to my website – best realtor in Chicago IL
Thanks for finally writing about > welcome to the human brain best realtor in Katy TX
You are so awesome! I don’t think I have read through something like this before.
So great to find someone with unique thoughts on this issue.
Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is something that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality!
Outstanding quest there. What occurred after?
Take care!
my web-site; best realtor in Poplar Bluff MO
This web site truly has all of the information I needed concerning
this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
Feel free to surf to my blog … realtor in San Antonio TX
Jetton Casino pleases its users with a variety of bonuses. For newcomers, there are welcome packages, including deposit incentives and free spins Jetton Casino ??????
Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this article and the
rest of the website is also really good.
Feel free to visit my web blog; best realtor in Philadelphia PA
Does your site have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to send you
an email. I’ve got some creative ideas for your blog you might be interested
in hearing. Either way, great blog and I look forward
to seeing it improve over time.
Stop by my web blog: realtor in Las Vegas NV
This paragraph will help the internet viewers for creating new webpage or even a blog from
start to end.
Feel free to visit my website :: real estate agent Myrtle Beach SC
It is not my first time to go to see this web site, i am visiting this web site dailly and obtain nice information from here daily.
Take a look at my web site :: best real estate agent in Township NJ
Admiring the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer.
It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed material.
Excellent read! I’ve bookmarked your site and I’m including your RSS feeds to my Google account.
Also visit my webpage real estate agent in Bedford NH
Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea
shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to
her ear and screamed. There was a hermit
crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
LoL I know this is totally off topic but I had to tell someone!
My homepage – best real estate agent in Long Beach CA
Jetton Casino pleases its users with a variety of bonuses. For newcomers, there are welcome packages, including deposit incentives and free spins ??????? ?????? ???????
??????? ?????????? https://cialisbrand.ru/ ??????? ????? ??????
???? ??????? ???????? ?? ?????? ???????? ? ??????? ?????? ??????
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of valuable familiarity on the topic of unpredicted emotions.
Here is my site best real estate agent in Philadelphia PA
https://????????????.??/product-category/eds-polsha/kardannye-valy/
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d without a doubt donate
to this superb blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your
RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and
will share this website with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
Take a look at my webpage best real estate agent in Katy TX
https://????????????.??/product-category/eds-polsha/flantsy/
https://????????????.??/product-category/eds-polsha/shlitsevye-soedineniya/
https://????????????.??/product-category/eds-polsha/truby/
https://????????????.??/product-category/eds-polsha/mufty/
I am sure this paragraph has touched all the internet visitors, its really really fastidious paragraph on building up new web site.
my webpage :: real estate agent in Chicago IL
Since the admin of this site is working, no doubt very shortly it
will be famous, due to its feature contents.
hello!,I really like your writing very so
much! percentage we keep in touch more about your article on AOL?
I need a specialist on this area to unravel my
problem. Maybe that is you! Having a look ahead to look you.
Review my page: best real estate agent in Township NJ