That's a wrap

You should congratulate me! Tonight I finally finished a paper that was due in November. Actually to be clear it was due November 22. Technically, I finished it last week but I read it again and made some more changes yesterday and today.

I remember the exact day it was due. It was a really disappointing day for me because it was when I realized I was going to have to take an incomplete for my class (the first time ever). Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the extra time and the professor is awesome for giving me more time, but I have hated having this paper hang over me like this plus I hate seeing that "I" on my transcript. I already feel good thinking about how I am going to hand it over to my professor Thursday night. I don't even care if I make a "B" on it. Well, actually I do. I want an "A" but I may be asking for too much.

So, yes - you should congratulate me. Buy me a drink or something.

Relationship advice

For the record, I'm single. I haven't dated anyone in a long time (read: the 90s) but I am surrounded by people who are in relationships. They always seem to ask me for advice like I am some sort of expert. It must be my PR training. Who knows?

I always seem to give the same advice over and over and nobody seems to catch on. If my advice doesn't work, why do people come back for more? Is it that people don't learn from their past encounters? So here is my relationship advice for the whole world to know, free of charge!

1. Be honest, always. If something bugs you or makes you sad (or mad) then tell your partner. Don't let things fester. It makes things worse later. This doesn't mean you have to be rude when you're honest - just be frank about what is on your mind.

2. Compromise. The world isn't perfect and you can't have it all. Learn to give and take a little.

3. Make your special someone feel special. We all want love. Everyone wants to feel like they are special and have someone who cares for them. Surprise them by doing something nice or unsuspected. This is especially important when they are feeling down or vulnerable.

4. Listen. All of us have problems with this one. While I write this blog, the tv is on in the other room, I'm heating something up in the microwave, and my computer is playing Internet radio. We have a lot going on around us and sometimes miss what people are saying (or not saying). Silence can sometimes be deafening.

5. Don't waste time thinking about stupid stuff. I always laugh when people are worried about how to respond to a text message or an e-mail or when to call someone. It's also hilarious to see people fret about what he or she meant by this or that. If the other person isn't worried then you probably shouldn't be either. Learn to go with the flow.

Is there something else to being in a relationship? Let me know. These all seem simple enough, don't they?

Like my body?

On Thursday I saw the Body Worlds exhibit at the Museum of Nature & Science in Dallas. The controversial exhibit is one of three touring collections that explores the inner-workings of the human body. The bodies are preserved through plastination which basically makes real body parts become plastic.

Here are a few observations from my visit.

1. Get your tickets early. We tried to get tickets for early afternoon on the same day and there weren't any until 6 p.m. Although the exhibit hasn't been as popular in Dallas as it has been in other cities, tickets may not be available at the time you want.

2. Bring your patience along with you. There were tons of people coming through the exhibit while we were there, and we had to wait to see parts of the collection. There are people who read quickly and people who take their time closely examining the pieces, you will have to ebb and flow with the crowd to fully enjoy it.

3. At first, I was a little squeamish about the exhibit but eventually the bodies lost their shock value. This can make you feel bad when you realize you are staring at a real person not a dummy, but it also helps you not be nauseous through the whole thing.

4. The exhibit sits at the crossroads of art and science. This is not something I have seen a lot at museum exhibits. I think it is interesting, and also amazing to think how beautiful and intricate our bodies are. They are much more complex than any painting or sculpture you've ever seen.

5. The crowd at the exhibit (on a Thursday night) was extremely diverse. I witnessed the most diverse crowd that I've ever seen in Dallas the entire time I've been here. There were young, old, many races, families, people who didn't speak English, and every other group you've ever imagined. It was great. I'm so glad to see all people enjoying the exhibit.

6. Diversity of the crowd notwithstanding, it is really sad to hear that attendance at the exhibit has been less than other cities. I think people (from the suburbs and other small-minded parts of the Metroplex) are afraid to come to Fair Park to see the exhibit. To be fair, not all people from the suburbs are small-minded. This is a great part of town, the museum is a nice place to visit, it is safe and conveniently located, and well worth it.