- Black jersey dress – thrifted
- Red blazer – Ross
- Red belt – thrifted
- Silver necklace – thrifted
- “Spy” pin – museum conference
- Black heels – thrifted
Remember when I said I had a “curator uniform”? Well, the ensemble strikes again! And I didn’t even bother switching out the blazer.
Today I went with my awesome colleague L. to a high school career fair in a school the size of one of those islands Richard Branson owns. I was signed up to speak at three breakout sessions: Archaeology/Anthropology, Education and Science.
Because I work with artifacts, specimens and the processes of those fields, but am not a specialist in any of them (now, if there’d been a breakout session on “Awesome,” no problem), I figured I’d better look at least professional-ish as a way to trick those jaded teenagers into believing that I knew what I was talking about.
On second thought, perhaps the “Spy” pin wasn’t the best choice for conveying trustworthiness.
Yep, should have gone with the “Mathematics” medal. Someone wearing those must be a genius, no question.
Overall, the sessions went really well. The summary of my talk in each session went something like this:
I’m passionate about archaeology/anthropology/education/science, but I didn’t want to be a traditional archaeologist/anthropologist/teacher/scientist. So I went into museums. Come and join us, all of you who are too indecisive/distractable to focus on one thing!
It was more eloquent than that, and I did meet quite a few students who were interested specifically in museum work. Yay! Sadly, the students weren’t nearly as interested in the fossilized dinosaur poop. Oh, youth.
This is me preventing the wind from pulling a “Marilyn” on me. After all, there are small children present.
Currently reading: The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee, on the recommendation of the hasn’t-steered-me-wrong-yet Raych. However, I’m pretty sure it’s made me a cancer hyperchondriac. So there’s that.
Currently watching: Blame it on Fidel! I first saw this movie when The Rocket Scientist rented it as a way to practice the French he was teaching himself (darn you polyglots, how I envy your polyglottal ways!). It’s adorable, and just as good the second time around.
You look great! As for the uniform, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I have a strong urge to root around in your obviously fantastic collection of pins and brooches.
The fossilized dinosaur poop would go over very well with kids not yet concerned with whether or not such things are cool. Heck, I bet plenty of the high school kids thought it was awesome but just didn’t want to convey interest. You know, in case their friends were watching.
The uniform looks perfect! Not only to you have a really cool job but you also get to have cool outings!
I heard an interview on NPR with Siddhartha Muhkerjee, and was convinced that I must read that book. It sounds fascinating.
Also, SPY pin! Yay!
You look fabulous. I love you in red. And still fail to see how the SPY pin was not the right choice. I feel like it’s always the right choice.
You look great. I am inspired to go work in a museum just looking at these photos! I’m sure you were a hit with the youth. I’m going to an information fair for youth and families tonight, hopefully I will be just as impressive
Fossilized poop and a spy pin? You so would have had my attention!
Professional, but not stodgy. You’re the perfect spy!
The Spy button is the perfect touch for talking to high schoolers in your curator’s uniform. The learning community I’m teaching this semester pairs me with an anthropologist/archaeologist and we had a great session this past Thursday passing around pelvises and skulls to see if we could identify the male and female markers on each.
That pin is the best thing I’ve ever seen, excluding a few African sunsets, Mariah Carey’s music video for that glitter song (or was that a movie?) and that flash of full frontal Viggo in “Eastern Promises.”