the writing type

A life update for people who haven’t heard, or who haven’t gotten the details. I was promoted at my job to program manager, which is a boring title but a super cool job. I manage our birthday parties, scout workshops and youth employment. It’s a big collection of responsibilities, and it’s exciting to take it all on because I’ve worked in the programs from the other end before.

Six years ago (when I was a punk kid — you should see the pictures) I was hired as an education assistant helping with our summer camps. I stuck around and worked a few jobs during summer camp, and then worked as a supervisor for our overnight program and as a birthday party host (I partied my way through college, har har).

At the end of 2008 when I graduated from the museum I was hired as the registration coordinator for our programs. It was mostly a way to fill the gap and get some pay and benefits, but being around my coworkers opened me up to informal education and youth development work. Since my degree is far from these things, I have a lot to learn and some things are a challenge, but it’s exciting to give it a try.

Right now my work days have been crazy crazy, but they’ll calm down (I’m praying) once we get into a rhythm with summer camp. A big thank you to my coworkers for allowing me to grow up in a program where I really feel cared for. The Science Museum is my second home!

I am currently obsessed with the following two items:

Sweet tea: Oh so yummy! I can’t get enough of this stuff. I think the warming up weather is brining out a need for refreshing drinks. If you’ve never had it before, sweet tea is a southern version of iced tea that’s brewed with a lot of sugar. A lot of sugar, if you’re making it the authentic way. It’s also a pleasant alternative to coffee if you need a caffeine kick. I make my own with regular tea bags and Splenda (blah blah cancer whatever, it’s calorie free, damnit). I highly suggest you try this drink. I hear the McDonald’s version isn’t half bad, and I’m guessing Chik-fil-A in Minnesota would have it too.

Mika: So not only is this guy charming and oh-so-easy to crush on, but he can sing too! I fell in love with We Are Golden, but pretty much anything he sings I will swoon to (and as I mentioned on Twitter/Facebook, if they sing this on Glee I will watch it). His dancing is amazing; even though it’s mostly just him jumping around, it feels choreographed and fresh at the same time. I really want him to cover more songs to hear his range. Check out We Are Golden below, and then look at Grace Kelly, Lollipop, Rain, Big Girls, and pretty much anything else from him.

Does anyone else feel smarter when they listen to BBC News? I have it on the TV right now and I think someone talking in a British accent just sounds more informed.

This weekend my friend Stephanie is getting married! I absolutely cannot wait for the party. Yeah yeah, ceremony will be fun, whatever, but it’s a party! With yummy food! And dancing! And a bar! And let’s face it: Me on the dance floor is just hott. But seriously, I will probably sob when they’re doing their vows. Congrats guys!

On a serious note: This story is from my friend Pam’s little sister’s family. They are in a hotel right now and didn’t start out very well to begin with. If there’s any sort of benefit, I’ll let you all know.

Take care!

Upcoming highlights:

Wednesday: Going to a lecture by Dina Temple-Raston at St. Thomas. I hear the NPR folks every day when I walk to and from work, so it’s neat that one of them is going to be in town. (Sidenote: Do radio people ever turn out looking way different than you imagine? Every radio woman is brunette in my head.) I’ll be petitioning for a visit from NPR sweetheart and my news-crush Ari Shaprio soon.

Friday: Party at Pam’s! She wants an early night (understandable — I guess), but I fully intend to enjoy myself. Badger Chris to come!

Saturday: Highlight of the week! I’m going to Avenue Q with Chris! Additional exclamation point! I’ve heard the soundtrack and read about the play for about two years and I’m in LOVE with it, so it was awesome when Chris surprised me with tickets for Christmas. And we’re making a full-on date with drinks and everything.

Bonus! What I’m reading: Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs: A Low Culture Manifesto by Chuck Klosterman. Now I know I’m a bit behind on this one, but it’s been on my list ever since Chris got it for me for my birthday (noticing a pattern?). I’m three-quarters through it and enjoying it a lot. It moves at a nice clip and balances well-argued theses and philosophy with pop cult references and humor. Even though Klosterman tries too hard with his writing style (he hasn’t met a semi-colon or footnote he didn’t like), it’s an enjoyable read. I recommend it for any movie and music buffs.

Harvest moon over downtown St. Paul, originally uploaded by mwilcox.org.

Last night was so nice and clear just before moonrise that I went to take some pictures at the Cathedral. I was treated to a harvest moon (I should really get a schedule of those), but I don’t have a great lens for taking the shots I wanted. So as I was plunking around looking for an angle, a nice woman walking her dog pointed me to a great place for shooting. And lo, this shot. It was a 25 or 30 second exposure (note the “1st” sign lit up in two places). Of course I can think of a million things wrong with it, but it’s also nice. That night I also added to my alleys collection, which I can’t really explain other than to say I think they look cool.

Harvest moon over downtown St. Paul, originally uploaded by mwilcox.org.

Last night was so nice and clear just before moonrise that I went to take some pictures at the Cathedral. I was treated to a harvest moon (I should really get a schedule of those), but I don’t have a great lens for taking the shots I wanted. So as I was plunking around looking for an angle, a nice woman walking her dog pointed me to a great place for shooting. And lo, this shot. It was a 25 or 30 second exposure (note the “1st” sign lit up in two places). Of course I can think of a million things wrong with it, but it’s also nice. That night I also added to my alleys collection, which I can’t really explain other than to say I think they look cool.

This week has been up and down for going to the gym. Mostly it’s been after-work things getting in the way, but on the open nights I’ve have next to no energy for working out. Something just has me wiped; I’ve been taking really deep naps after work, which I almost never do. Hopefully I’ll shake it and get back on track next week. Not going to the gym really affects my mood for the worse.

I had my first cavity filled today! Not sure what everyone’s talking about, they’re not so bad at all. The doc shoots you full of meds and you don’t feel a thing. The bill will probably hurt more.

Work is busy. I’m processing all of the summer camps into the database so we can sell them online and on the phone. There’s about 225 programs, so it takes a hefty chunk of time. I think I might go over by a few hours next week and then just skip out a little early sometime else to make up for it. Always busy!

One Miss Pam Henrickson passed me this article from Newsweek written by Theodore Olson, a lawyer challenging the constitutionality of Prop 8. Though framed as a conservative person’s approach to the marriage debate, it comes across as a even-handed argument anyone could adopt. The article is a stirring read and a well-written, rational, thorough explanation of equal marriage rights:

Certainly, we can agree on the value of strong families, lasting domestic relationships, and communities populated by persons with recognized and sanctioned bonds to one another. Confining some of our neighbors and friends who share these same values to an outlaw or second-class status undermines their sense of belonging and weakens their ties with the rest of us and what should be our common aspirations.

Be sure to read it!

I’m skipping the gym tonight and putting it off until tomorrow, so I figured I should do something good instead. Hence the blog post! I laid down for a nap and overslept by about 45 minutes. After I was reoriented to the world and called my little brother, I decided it was just too late and I was too groggy to have a good workout. When I go too late I just have really lazy, depressing lifts and I end up pulling something. So I’ll head over there … tomorrow? Friday? Hm. This might get put off until Saturday.

I had a great meeting today about job responsibilities at work. A member of our team is transitioning out of the department to another part of the division, so we need to parcel out her responsibilities to everyone else. It’s not definite what will be put on my plate, but I’m eager to expand to anything.

I refuse to be one of those people who make a New Year’s resolution to post on their blog every day, and this year I really mean it! Bull. But I really do need to start writing here more. Owning a personalized URL (i.e., mwilcox.org) does cost me money, and who am I to throw away my money?

Speaking of New Year’s resolutions, I do have a couple of my own. I have some specific fitness and training goals (get to a 31 inch waist and a 44 inch chest, and run 20 minutes at five mph with ease), some specific financial goals (reduce dining spending to $50 per month, etc.), and some specific personal life goals (hang out with Seth three times per month, etc.). Wish me luck! They’re written down and on my desktop, so I can’t ignore them.

So tonight I’ll be tackling that first set of resolutions by going to the gym. I have one of my favorite workouts lined up, and while I’m thinking about it I should probably plan out the rest of them too. Pretty sure my gut got really big over Christmas, so wish me luck!