The significance of Orion
(at least, for me)
Christina (my snister) is in Chicago for work, so we used her visit as an opportunity to do something touristy that has been on our list for awhile – visit the Adler Planetarium (which has stunning views of the city)!
In typical museum fashion, I was overwhelmed by the amount of information (and in this case, overwhelmed by feelings of by insignificance after reminders of how large the universe is) and attracted toward the exhibits meant for children:
Ha, and toward anything I could poke fun at. Apparently all the hipsters had telescopes FIRST in 1608.
There was a small exhibit on the constellation Orion, with an interactive display showing how it appears in different areas of the world. I have gleaned no new information to share with you, BUT! Seeing that exhibit reminded me of something really cheesy, and I don’t think I have ever shared it here.
When I lived in Rome (I know, enough with the Rome talk, it was 8 years ago, let’s hear something new!) I volunteered at a cat shelter every night of the week, and always walked home in the dark. The summer walk was a bit longer than the spring walk, because I had moved a bit outside of the city and away from the shelter. And being outside of the city, that walk felt a bit more open, so I paid more attention to the sky.
So every night when I walked back to my flat, the Orion constellation would guide me there (I mean, I paid attention to the streets and such, it was just always in my view, ha ha). And this oddly made me feel at home, because I related to being out late at night doing studio work in the states, and seeing that constellation on my way home in the fall/early winter. I also had memories of pointing out this constellation in the sky when Steven and I were together, and that made me feel comforted.
Like I said, cheesy, right?
But anytime I hear/see something about Orion now, I am immediately brought back to those memories – walking back to my place in Rome, up a huge hill, and seeing Orion. I knew that my loved ones in the states didn’t see him then, but they saw him other times of the year, and that that connected us.
Okay, and thanks to Men in Black, I also think about a cat when Orion comes up.
Themocracy
Sounds like telescopes in 1608/1609 were like iPhones in 2007/2008.
Buah ha ha. That is exactly what I was thinking. We said everyone who got a telescope in 1609 was just a poser 😉
Yeah in 1609 if you showed off your new telescope to a hipster you would hear: “1608 is sending you a hand-written paper note, it wants it’s telescope back!”
Ha ha ha! I am happy you find this as amusing as me. 😉 I wonder how many other people read the quote and interpret it that way!
Only the super cool people. 🙂
My black lab is named Orion 🙂 He’s my ever present warrior of the night!
How cool! 🙂
I love the planetarium! Being a tourist in your own city always rocks.
Yeah, we were saying how it’s nice when someone visits cause then going to the city doesn’t feel like as big of a pita if just the two of us go 🙂
Fun post!! It’s really fun that your sister is in town, but I’m sure it’s also very stressful for her when she feels like she has a million things to do for the wedding 😉
I can’t say I even know what the constellation Orion looks like. You’ll have to show me when it’s in view around here. I don’t think your sentiments are cheesy at all. I rather like them.
She seemed to be having a good time! 🙂 I hope it gave her a good break from planning 🙂
I will show it to you! And thanks 🙂
i love when there are little details that can just take you back to a different time/place. The stars always remind me of camping trips when i was a little girl and staring at the stars.
Aww, that is sweet! Did your family teach you certain constellations?
Aww that is a very sweet story! We’re heading back to Europe next summer with the brood in tow. It’ll be so great to see the old “stomping grounds”!
Our community garden is about 2 blocks away and it can be locked at night (but isn’t).
Are you headed to London or other places as well? 🙂
I love this! Orion has always been my favorite. When I first started running on my own, I would always look for it when it was clear enough. It still makes me smile when I see it, and reminds me of college days working in the BWCA where you could see ALL THE STARZ!
It is so amazing how many stars we can see in Guttenberg, IA. It’s just… so dense. It’s… yeah. Amazing. Lack of words for how cool it is 😉
Orion always reminds me of playing jailbreak with my friends in high school and laying out under the stars afterward. Also, the summer triangle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Triangle) because we named the three stars for me, my best friend and her brother (who was also my first ‘boyfriend’). It comforted me whenever I was away (at camp or whatever) and would see those three stars. I still think of those carefree high school summer days when I see them!
Oh, neat! I will have to look for the triangle!
That’s so cool!
When we lived in Germany I would often look up at the moon when I took Lola out to do her nightly pee and think to myself that my mom also looked at the same moon every night when she took her doggie out. I also found comfort in that. It’s cheesy yes, but when you’re so far away you miss your people!!!
Aww! It doesn’t sound cheesy to me when you say it 🙂
Orion is my favorite constellation. It has been ever since I was a kid. It’s so easy to spot and has so many great sights within it. Alas, nearby city lights (and my aging eyes) have significantly dimmed it.
I thought this said Orton (like my lion), not Orion. So I totally get the cat reference.
Harrison and I have a running joke that I can’t pick out Orion. To me, it just looks like any three stars in a line, but I guess it is more distinct (once someone points it out to me, ha!). I like your cheesy story; it’s meaningful! Unfortunately, we have too much light pollution here (and fog!) to see many stars.