The Philisophical Works of a Pseudo Author

I didn't plan on it, since I didn't know exactly what date it was, but apparently I'm in Canada for the Volunteer Brunch with the museum. So, guess where I'm going this morning? To Crossroads, where they film '100 Huntley St.', which is 500ft from my house and I place I swore I would never set foot in. All for free food. I am so easy.

On the upshot? PANCAKES!

I hate it. I know that makes NO SENSE to non-museum people, because it is commonly considered the Best Museum in the World by most people. But I have spent the last 4 years of my life (and we'll not count the number of years before that, shall we?) analysing museums; what works, what doesn't, etc. And the British Museum doesn't work.

The best evidence I can come up with for this is that I love museums. I love them so much I am trying like crazy and putting myself head over heels in debt in order to have a career in one, maybe, one day, if I'm lucky. Every time I travel somewhere I visit museums, no matter what the purpose of the trip.

And I hate the British Museum.

So after that little philosophical ramble, let's move on. It was a long day. We were only there for 5 hours and it felt like 10. I just sort of wandered around aimlessly and got annoyed at all the tourists and school groups that were crowding hallways and galleries. I poked (not literally) at a few statues and then spent an hour walking around the Enlightenment room, because it's the only new thing the BM has done in about 150 years (yes, I'm exaggerating; the point is that I'm not exaggerating much). It's an "interesting" exhibit. I'm not sure it quite worked the way the curator wanted it to (and I listened to her talk about it for 30 minutes during the tour I stole in on). I think it works for non-museum/history people, but I just identified all the thinks that didn't jive at all well. It just looked like a rather large mish-mash of forcing things into some sort of theme, according to the curator's view. Interspersed with a library. Now, it's the enlightenment period, so books are a big part of that, but many of the books were much more recent than that and many of them were on topics that had nothing to do with the values and philosophy of the period. So, I don't think that worked. They were just going for the 'it looks very traditional right?' and the 'we have all this stuff and nowhere to put it...'. That's only half an excuse for how you design an exhibit. Especially when a lot of it is on loan (and don't get me started on that one, because designing a permanent exhibit with stuff that's on 5-year renewal loans is asking for it).

To that end: the Parthenon marbles are still in London, the Rosetta Stone is still the most visited piece in the whole museum, the gift shop is still deadly, and the humidity readings are 20% higher than they should be in all the textile galleries.

In conclusion, I cringe about a lot of things when I walk around the BM. But hey, despite the 6 hours on a bus, it was still nice to get out for a day.

I had a lot of free time this summer. In hindsight it was more than I thought I'd have, and it's probably why parts of the summer seemed to drag along forever. By now I've already forgotten what free time feels like. I haven't had a day to just veg and do whatever appeals since I got back to Burlington. And you know what's really strange, is that I like it.

Keeping busy and having multiple projects and places to be is very motivating. I'm gearing up my social life again! There are people who live nearby that I'd all but forgotten about. Now there is coffee and dinner!

Of course, there is PhD proposing and applications and references and research. And retail work to pay the bills (or at least the gas). Also, I'm officially on board as a consultant for the local museums for a virtual exhibition funding bid. I won't get paid unless it's a success, but talk about incentive! I'll be doing project management stuff and heavily involved in lesson plans for the bid with one of the museum educators. I'm absolutely thrilled to have been asked, even before I got back to Burlington. I'm also getting into the educational programs at the museum for the school year. Lots of things to do and great fun. And of course, I'm still applying for jobs and *hoping*.

I've decided come January, after the funding bid and applications for the PhD are in that I'm going to find something else to do that makes me money. I'll hate it, but MONEY! Probably start temping or get a job as personal secretary. I've got the experience; years of it, in fact. Not much, but better than retail post Christmas! I also plan on intensive French tutoring. Yes, I've caved. But if it gets me a $80,000 job in Ottawa or Toronto by the time I'm 40, it's worth the blood and tears. Yes, that's my new mantra. I just have to figure out how to pay for it, but if I had a full-time temp job, I'd have the money at least month for month. No rent to pay in the coming future, unless a job outside Burlington/Hamilton appears. Also thinking of maybe doing some volunteer work in Hamilton come the winter, but that'll depend on how busy other things keep me. It would only be until September (HOPEFULLY!!!)

I am trying to forget that I just paid my car insurance and I'm $1200 dollars poorer (hard to believe poorer is possible). Pretty much that was my summer income, right there. I'll have to start putting away for next year this Christmas too. That's about the only negative thing right now, however, so I'm calling this weekend a win. Hopefully the week too.

Exam tomorrow. We'll see. But after that? No school for 12 months! (Except French)

So incredibly tired. The headache started at noon. It's mostly gone now, but it made for a really long afternoon that dragged from 2 onwards. But the event was - I think - a complete success, minus the stupid parents who wanted to hunt for eggs instead of let their kids do it.

I ate too much today. And none of it was good. I can forgive the hot dog, because it's been months since I had one. But I didn't need the 4 oatmeal cookies, 4 sugar cookies, or the piece of spice cake. At least the cookies were all small. I also ate a handful of chocolate eggs because...really. I'll enjoy them while they last.

12 months ago I was on my way back from Prague. ::sigh::

Okay now I'm starting to feel used. When I get back from holiday, that's the end of it.

And a reference is the lease they can do.