Travel on the Write Track

When I packed my bags and moved to Chicago, I arrived by train. And ever since that May day in 2009, I find myself taking the train quite often. While the CHI—STL length isn’t nearly as glamorous as travel up on the East or West Coasts, there’s still something comforting in the travel. Train travel seems timeless to me, classic. I love finding myself in Union Station and knowing the rush of traveling and the look of the building were what people many, many years ago experienced.

So imagine my excitement when I came across Amtrak Residency. There’s a ton of press going on about the program, though here’s the gist: Reporters tweeted at Amtrak how cool this would be. Amtrak agreed, and made said writers take a train ride. And now, the Residency is open to writers of all levels for various lengths of time.

What I really love about this whole initiative (despite the fact it’s right up my alley) is it came about from one writer just tweeting about a love for writing on trains. Amtrak listened and decided there was something powerful there. As more brands continue to use their consumer base for more than just customers, I’m excited for more things such as this to come to fruition.

As this weekend is another family wedding, I’ll be taking that well-traveled CHI–STL train ride. And I’m excited to sit there, put in the headphones and just start writing.

To see the power and beauty of train travel on the Coast, visit my gal pal Leela’s blog. Last month she spent 36 hours on a train from California to Seattle (now she’s moving all throughout Europe).

“At the end of hours of train-dreaming, we may feel we have been returned to ourselves — that is, brought back into contact with emotions and ideas of importance to us. It is not necessarily at home that we best encounter our true selves.” — Alain de Botton, “The Art of Travel.”

 

And the Oscar Goes to

One of many freak-out-while-holding-a-golden-man poses

So my Art Director partner and I ventured to the Art Institute today to get our hands on Oscar. It paid off. I must say, the statue was a bit awkward to hold, not what I was expecting. And the weight! Those winners aren’t lying when they say they didn’t think it was going to heavy. I can’t wait to win one for screenwriting in the near future.

The Oscar Roadtrip is still making stops (in fact, I think it’s due in St. Louis relatively soon). You can follow them on Twitter for stop updates or on their website. It wasn’t the event site I thought it was going to be, so it doesn’t take all that much time. Note: Can’t you tell someone in marketing took this photo of me, call to action perfectly displayed…

 

Fam Fest 2012

For this year’s Fam Fest/Gram Fest, we decided to participate in St. Louis Public Radio‘s MetroQuest–an adventure around St. Louis using only your feet and MetroLink (and okay wheels in our case). Rounding out our team were our fearless leaders, Grammy and Grandpa, Aunt Nan, Aunt Suzi, Mom and myself. Aunt Suzi named us (“Fam-A-Lam-A-Ding-Dongs”) and Mom dressed us (in capes and white sunglasses courtesy of Stoli). Then we literally were off.

Fam-A-Lam-A-Ding-Dongs

Taking flight at the first Metro Stop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Along each stop, you answered trivia and completed challenges. Not having a smartphone, we didn’t upload our photos to the site for points. Instead, we were the team creating chaos and laughter along the way. Case in point: the elevator.

It was here the wheels of the Gramses’ got tangled and refused to come apart.  While the elevator door opened and closed at the Metro station, Grandpa used his cane to make it stop and Grammy attempted to use her arm. All to no avail. I made sure to document the fact the sisters could barely get it together in the back to figure out a plan.

Upon exiting, I think everyone was newly invigorated as we took the Missouri History Museum by storm in our photo scavenger hunts.

Sing “Proud Mary” to a stranger. And to think, we were rollin’ all day!

Your best 50s housewife pose in the pink kitchen

Proudly display the beaver pelts

All in all, the day might have started out with this….

But it ended like this. Successful Fam Fest 2012!

National Honor

Yesterday, The Society of Professional Journalists recognized what so many journalism students from St. Louis have known for years: Mr. Eden is amazing. Mr. Mitch Eden (or E Dawg as I liked to call him) recently won the Society’s Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award and for one, am so happy for the guy. If it weren’t for Mr. Eden, I would not be where I am today. I am a writer because of him. A vivacious reader because of him. A continually curious specimen because of him. And someone who remembers to laugh on an hourly basis because of him. He instills much more than how to write a feature story (Make the O) and how to use the inverted pyramid.

And I’m so glad the rest of the nation can see the inspiration and class he brings to the profession and more importantly, to humanity.

“If you’re gonna do it, do it right. If you’re gonna hype it, hype it with the facts. I don’t mind what you did.                                           I mind the way you did it.” –Bob Woodward, All the President’s Men

 

RedBall Project

Saw this total cool, traveling exhibit from artist Kurt Perschke. He plants a red ball in various spaces throughout the city. Apparently it’s already come to Chicago and I’ve missed it. And it already appeared in St. Louis (how Mom missed this is beyond me). Guess I’ll just have to hit up another city!

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Game 6

I love jubilation and joy that just brings you to your feet and tears streaming down your face.

 

 

 

The List

Everyone seems to be putting out lists of regret sorts: “25 Things I Wish I Knew…”, “10 Things Someone Should Have Told Me”, etc. And I for one, am sick of it. Why reflect back on life with wishes? Regrets? So here’s mine:

25 Things I’m Damn Proud of and Glad I Did By the Time I Was 25

1. I studied abroad out of the college setting. In today’s world, it seems like you’re a rarity if you don’t study abroad in college. But going in high school was quite the wake up call. Living in a city where you don’t speak the language at the age of 17 is mortifying. Living in an apartment with 6 other people is hell. Using a “hose” to bathe with really makes you wish for the days your biggest problem was the shower ran out of hot water.
2. I quit a job. And not like a part-time job (because I don’t think I ever “formally” quit the Dairy), but like a full-blown grown-up job complete with a resignation letter. And yea, doing it during the downfall of the economy just made it that much more exciting. I felt like an adult. An adult who knew what she wanted and was going to go and get it.
3. I got fired. And again, like a real, full-time-with-benefits kind of job. Talk about an ego blow. Talk about knocking you off your high horse. Talk about a moment of “Holy Mother what do I do now?!” I learned you can lean on people you never imagined. I learned life goes on. And I learned that if you’re going to be unemployed, Chicago in the summertime is the perfect place to host the event.
4. I made a lasting impression. After helping Louise secure funding for her sculpture, there today, at one of the busiest LUAS stops in Dublin stands my Summer 2007 work. It will be there forever. Carrying with it graffiti from hooligans and snapped in tourist pictures as they make their way to the Guinness Factory for a tour.
5. I read. Even after the 600-minute club stopped, I still had a healthy appetite for books. And I still do. I’m so glad I learned how a book can cure any ailment.
6. I answered the volunteer call. I don’t remember when it happened, but at some point during childhood, I learned that volunteering isn’t volunteering; it’s just doing what’s right. I’m still so amazed when people are like “Oh my gosh! That’s so great you volunteer!” When my reaction is just simply, of course I do!
7. I realized the benefits of a public library. Public libraries in Chicago are insane. Books for a month, DVDs for a week and museum passes for a week good for up to 10 people. Seriously, thank you ChiPubLib for satisfying my culture palette.
8. I do activities you would never do alone. This includes movies, eating at restaurants, going to events, etc. Learning to just be with yourself is scary and so rewarding. Opens your eyes to new ideas, people and more importantly, who you really are.
9. I moved away. While others still wonder why I have yet to move back to St. Louis since I left in 2004, I’m proud that I haven’t. I would have fallen back into a groove I already created. Instead, I’m exploring new cities, new time zones and new people.
10. I drove cross-country. Granted, Katie and I nearly killed each other in Western Kansas, we made it. And we learned a ton about each other in those few short days than we’ve learned in our 3-year friendship. I know that girl inside and out. And I know that the sweet sounds of Enrique Iglesias can elicit euphoria in two gals.
11. I lived without a car. After being fortunate enough to have a car early on, I’m used to the luxury. After moving to Chicago, the luxury became a hassle. A costly one. And then…
12. I mastered public transit. Growing up without public transit and all of a sudden having to use it takes a bit to get used to. But now I know how to map my route (with the help of Google Maps) to anywhere in the city. I’ve even grocery shopped with it and lived to tell the tales.
13. I asked a boy on a date. Man, that seriously is so nerve-racking. And I now have a new appreciation for all boys who continue to do this. The guy I asked said yes, we had a great time and then things didn’t work out. We’re still friends and he still says that’s one of the things he’s always liked about me, my assertiveness.
14. I asked for help. After getting fired/let go, I realized I lived in one expensive city. So I asked for help from my mom, who fortunately could help me. And while it was hard to swallow at 24, I think it made me humble. Made me appreciate what I’ve known was always there. And made me more willing to help a friend when they need it, even if that just means buying them a bottle of wine or some Ben & Jerry’s. Because I’ll probably be there again too.
15. I didn’t change. Some people might think that when they hear, “God you’re just like you were at 17” is an insult. But I don’t. I’ve stayed true to the person I was. I’ve always shown my true colors. And I will always continue to do so. I now the kind of person I am. I own her. And my interests at the age of 13 are pretty similar to interests today. That shows passion, not the fact I still might be immature.
16. I tried seafood. I’m not a huge fan. But I’ve tried it at various points of my life. And with enough sauce, butter, salt, you totally cannot even taste that fishiness. Sometimes something you thought was so scary younger (eating things that could potentially rise from the dead and swim in your stomach), isn’t all that bad these days.
17. I never lived alone. I know everyone harps on how you need to live alone, but frankly, I’m glad I never did. Yea, I’ve had terrible roommates that make me wish I lived alone. But then I remember the few amazingly awesome roommates I have had. And then I remember how if you live alone and start choking, you could potentially suffocate and die and no one would know. Yea, I’m pretty glad I never lived alone.
18. I don’t have regrets. Looking back, there are definitely dumb things I’ve done. But I’m not wishing it never happened. They provided life lessons. And some hilarity (but only when looking back, at the moment, not very funny). Besides, wishing and hoping doesn’t lead to a whole lot of doing.
19. I started a journal. I’ve got a lot of journals, from travel to Ireland to happiness to quote to texts…It never ends. And man, they provide the best laughter in my day. When I’m struggling to find something that made me happy on the day, I flip back to that day in past years. I find that I got excited over a phone call with Jeremy. Or the fact Grey’s was on. Or the fact a class got cancelled. Really puts things into perspective for you.
20. I went on a blind date. And now I don’t have to waste my prime dating years on ever doing that again. Seriously, that can really make you zero in on what you want from the dating world and in a potential partner.
21. I achieved some goals. I firmly believe that writing down your goals makes you more determined to meet them. So I started doing that. And I started achieving some. Which is an awesome feeling of self-worth. And a great practice to continue throughout your years.
22. I found a mentor. I have many mentors in my life, but this was my first stranger, real world mentor. After reviewing my favorite paper store on Yelp!, the owner contacted me and thanked me for my kind words. That was a year ago. She helped me work through my unemployment. She kept me to continue my path of excellence in this world. She continues to inspire me.
23. I wore my confidence proudly. Starting in the real world takes a certain air in a person. Moving to a new city where you know no one takes a certain kind of boldness. I’ve always worn my confidence on the heart of my sleeve. I’m glad I realized the importance of this characteristic early on. It’s definitely gotten me to where I am, and more importantly, where I’ve been.
24. I got a disease that can’t be cured. Getting Rheumatoid at a younger age made me really value life and my life and things that I can do, while other sufferers can’t. While I know my road ahead is a long one, I’m thankful that I get to spend years managing this disease. I have the time to constantly search for a new medicine to try out. I’m confident that whatever comes my way, I can find a solution, both a short-term and a long-term. I lost my fear of needles, which was huge.
25. I plunged a toilet. Growing up with just a mom around, I have seen a woman figure out how to catch a mouse intruder, plunge a toilet, kill bugs and mow a lawn. These factors have made me very desirable as a roommate. Also, Lisa legitimately called me to come over in college to kill a spider. They’re things my friends truly admire about me.

    Your turn! What do you think is something everyone should do by the time they’re 25?

The Golden Child

Growing up, we were extremely fortunate to host foreign exchange students. Mainly, mom was super nice and let me sign up so the Spanish teacher would think I was an all-star (which I clearly was). Our first go around was with Kovanc. We didn’t really get along, but he taught me that people in Turkey really do ride horses for fun.

Next up was Francesco from Italy (whom Mike penned the Italian Stallion), who stayed way too long with us. How long did he stay? Long enough to send roses to my best friend asking her to Homecoming, stab my friend in the leg with a pen while sitting on the bench for soccer and get himself kicked out of the program.

After those two, I can’t believe Mom signed on to have another one come. I remember being super nervous especially when I found out he was from Germany, those accents just scare me. Matthias (Matt/Matthes/German Destroyer) turned out to be one of the coolest kids around. He fit right in with my group of friends and was even a part of the infamous Treehouse Dash that we still talk about to this day, seven years later. And he’s the only foreign exchange student to truly keep in touch with us. He came back right before I left for college to hang with us one last time. He showed up wearing a mullet. We forced him to get a haircut.

He doubles as Zoolander

Matthias sent HANDWRITTEN notes from Germany all throughout my freshmen year, all of which I still have. I still remember the call when he found out he was going to play football for Central Michigan and then his stop in St. Louis right before I embarked on my own study abroad excursion in Ireland.

While we saw each other sporadically during the past few years, I will never forget when he came back into St. Louis when mom was going through a hard time after losing a friend. That’s when I knew he was a permanent fixture in our home and lives.

Matthias is someone you can always count on, no matter how busy he is with school, sports and girls (yes plural). He’s always willing to hear my latest drama and tell me how it will all work out okay. He’s the older brother I never knew I needed and can’t imagine living without.

He’s going to play Northwestern next week and a few of us are venturing up to Evanston for the game. He actually played Kansas my senior year in Lawrence, so it’s been awhile since I’ve seen the German Destroyer suit up.

Big exciting news: Matthias was named the Scholar Athlete of the Week this week!! That’s right, Matthias Berning is not a BDA (Big Dumb Animal); he’s a BIG (Big Intelligent German). Congrats to the new Golden Child of Mom’s house!

36-Hour Man-cation

Every year, the Oakville boys come up to Chicago for Cubs/Cards games. And no girls are ever allowed (though a few manage to sneak in from time to time). This year, it was all man, except a few of the boys needed a place to crash…so I obliged and in turn received the coveted invite to the Man-cation event.

On Friday, once the boys decided to leave STL, they got here at like midnight I believe. It’s pouring rain, I’m exhausted, but in true man fashion, we head out to the pubs around my place. Which means we’re out until four. I tried not to nag (nothing worse than a woman nagging on man-cation), so I just casually fell asleep at the table. Thankfully, they took the hint.

The next morning we awake to……..Deutman cooking up some meat. I had my first ever, steak ‘n eggs. A slab of meat with some scrambled eggs. Manly. Finally we’re out the door and heading to Wrigley for the game and meeting up with a few more boys. I literally was in tears throughout the whole game just laughing. And I’m sure everyone around us sat there wondering what a little lass with pigtails was doing with 6 dudes. After the game, we ventured into Wrigley, met up with even more high school guys and ran into some other boys (more STL, Kansas). It was just so fantastic to turn around and see more friendly faces dressed in red.

Needless to say, I never once was in the company of a gal (until Jackie showed up) and I loved everything about it. I loved the fact there was always at least 2 guys looking around wondering where I was. There was always someone to talk to and someone to make you laugh until your sides split. There was always a dance partner to hit up the dance floor with. And most importantly, there was always someone ready to leave with me.

Most of these guys I have known since 7th grade, but some of them, I never really talked with during school. And I rarely see these boys when I head home. But when Erik & Company left the apartment on Sunday morning, I felt a little sad. Then I immediately scrolled through my contact lists and got in some serious chat time with all my gal pals.

We’ve come along way from our days at OJHS

Street Fest with Jeff & Co and wrestling masks

A friendly face from Q’s