So which one of you guys do I start rooting for?

September 5, 2010 3:00 PM

Updates on this?

This post (which probably isn't even about the MSI) got me thinking... Did any MeFites actually apply for Month at the Museum at Museum of Science and Industry? There were a couple of people in the thread who said they would.

Apparently they're selecting finalists now.

Good luck to any of you who entered, and keep us updated!

posted by phunniemee to MetaFilter-Related at 3:00 PM (80 comments total)

I'd like to call for this thread as well as the original thread to be deleted and the contest removed from the universe because I am just hearing about it now and missed the deadline. FUCK.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 3:04 PM on September 5, 2010 [17 favorites]

Awwwww, dammit. Of all the times for me to not have a functioning time machine!
posted by palomar at 3:12 PM on September 5, 2010 [1 favorite]

I did apply (and the application was reasonably demanding: 14-page PDF with questions, a 500-word essay, a 60-second movie, and a headshot) but didn't make the semi-finalist list (which the MSI announced August 26th). Obligatory sad face.

But! I assume that that means they got applicants even better suited than I am, if you can imagine such a thing. I'm disappointed, of course, but excited to see whom they select!
posted by Elsa at 3:19 PM on September 5, 2010

Sorry, to clarify: the MSI didn't release the list of semi-finalists; they announced that semi-finalists had been contacted.
posted by Elsa at 3:20 PM on September 5, 2010

Off topic, but I got to about 500 views on flickr before someone correctly (as far as I'm concerned) identified the location of that photo. More than I expected, given that it appeared to be a big public place. Someone in the thread mentioned that many cities probably have a similar setup, but there were only two wrong guesses before the right one. Hmm... if the annual attendance at the museum is 630,000, and, assuming a US population of 300,000,000 (and that every visitor is American, the visitors are unique, etc...), one in every 476 Americans visit the museum each year.

I'm pretty sure this means absolutely nothing.
posted by erikgrande at 3:47 PM on September 5, 2010

I'm pretty sure this means absolutely nothing.

One guy went twice.
posted by Devils Rancher at 4:31 PM on September 5, 2010 [3 favorites]

I was going to apply, but then read they limited your personal cell and laptop use. That and I have a day job.
posted by cjorgensen at 5:24 PM on September 5, 2010

I saw this and really, really wished I could do it. I have a job, debt, a child, a husband - all of which require me to not spend a month isolated in a museum.

But I love, love museums and this museum made a huge impression on me when I went as a kid. I had a MOSAIC t-shirt with a skeleton on it that I wore everywhere until I outgrew it.

I also think I have a fantastic temperament for this. I'm basically an introvert, but I can also get along with people really well. A month of helping people enjoy the awesome museum by day and spending quiet time alone by myself at night sounds pretty fucking awesome.

Bummed
posted by jeoc at 5:50 PM on September 5, 2010

Way back in elementary school, we used to go to MOSI every year for the Christmas Tree exhibit. I'd go, of course, but I really wanted into the Hall of Elements or the giant ear instead.
posted by jquinby at 5:55 PM on September 5, 2010

Oh yeah, I applied and get accepted.
posted by nomadicink at 6:10 PM on September 5, 2010

IN MY DREAMS.

Yeah, it's supposed to be got.
posted by nomadicink at 6:11 PM on September 5, 2010

Of all the times for me to not have a functioning time machine!

This shouldn't be a problem, assuming you eventually do obtain such a device.
posted by Sys Rq at 6:22 PM on September 5, 2010 [12 favorites]

Like Potomac Avenue, I am just hearing about this now and am bummed. I grew up in Chicago (mostly just outside Chicago proper, 1 mile from the Zoological Gardens located at Brookfield) so the MSI was a several-times-yearly visit.

Adult thrill: the Creative Reuse and Recycle Center that used to be down just off of Maxwell Street & Roosevelt had a load of storage cases from MSI and the Field Museum & I got a half dozen woden boxes that used to hold fossils, which I used to hold artifacts of another dinosaur era, compact disks & I got an oak wall cabinet with glass & oak sliding doors (think Chem Lab) that came from MSI. It once graced my living room to hold even more CDs but now is up in my office holding LPs.

Small consolation for not being able to frolic through the Coal Mine in my Dr. Dentons.
posted by beelzbubba at 6:36 PM on September 5, 2010

I applied but wasn't contacted as a semi-finalist. It was fun to try, though.
posted by Heretic at 9:36 PM on September 5, 2010

Consider yourself lucky if you missed the deadline, or if you applied but weren't chosen: how do you think they get these?
posted by barrett caulk at 8:48 AM on September 6, 2010

I was very seriously looking into this when I saw the following criteria

- limited cell/internet use
- lots of scheduled stuff which i figured meant obligatory morning attendance at stuff
- limited [if any] sleepover guest ability
- drug test

I loved loved loved the idea, but it's clearly aimed more for the sort of person who doesn't find any of these ideas total deal killers. I am looking forward to seeing what happens.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 10:08 AM on September 6, 2010 [1 favorite]

Aw hell. I would have applied/done this in a heart beat. Double damn.
posted by FlamingBore at 11:00 AM on September 6, 2010

Awwwww, dammit. Of all the times for me to not have a functioning time machine!

Give me your contact info. Pay me after we get back. Must bring your own weapons. Safety not guaranteed. I have only done this once before.
posted by codswallop at 3:19 PM on September 6, 2010 [6 favorites]

Not sure if anyone's still checking this, but I'm one of the 5 Finalists!

I've had to keep quiet about this for a good while, and it's been pretty excruciating not being able to tell anyone. But since MSI announced things today... I'm now free to spread the word and to ask beg people for votes.

Wish me luck!
posted by avoision at 8:33 AM on September 27, 2010 [16 favorites]

Luck! I would never be able to do it.
posted by rtha at 8:48 AM on September 27, 2010

Done, avoision
posted by Rumple at 8:59 AM on September 27, 2010

I have had the rare and wonderful opportunity to drink alcohol and run around at the MSI after hours and I can only support your bid for the same.

PS: stay away from the underground circus exhibit after 10 pm. I mean it
posted by theodolite at 9:13 AM on September 27, 2010

Holy cow! This is marvelous, and you totally have my vote.
posted by shiu mai baby at 9:15 AM on September 27, 2010

Awesome avoision!! Voted!
posted by MultiFaceted at 9:22 AM on September 27, 2010

Voted!
posted by MustardTent at 9:25 AM on September 27, 2010

I voted for you. Good luck!!
posted by contessa at 9:34 AM on September 27, 2010

Hooray avoision! I voted for you.
posted by Metroid Baby at 9:36 AM on September 27, 2010

Done, avoision :)

Good luck!
posted by Grlnxtdr at 9:37 AM on September 27, 2010

It's Chicago. I voted twice. Can I drive the submarine?
posted by timsteil at 9:43 AM on September 27, 2010 [1 favorite]

One more vote for Felix. Best of luck.
posted by KB.Boston_implant.By way of NY at 9:49 AM on September 27, 2010

Voted and done. Good luck, avoision.
posted by SPUTNIK at 9:53 AM on September 27, 2010

Fan-freakin' tastic. Voted. I assume they are tracking based on IPs. I'm at the Prague airport, soon to be in Paris. I'll be voting twice. :)
posted by FlamingBore at 10:01 AM on September 27, 2010

You have my vote!
posted by agatha_magatha at 10:07 AM on September 27, 2010

MetaFilter reprezent! I voted for you, Felix. Good luck!!!
posted by widdershins at 10:18 AM on September 27, 2010

I voted for you. Good luck!
posted by Tesseractive at 10:22 AM on September 27, 2010

Voted!
posted by lizzicide at 10:26 AM on September 27, 2010

So I can vote from work and home? Is there a way to see who is ahead?
posted by CunningLinguist at 10:39 AM on September 27, 2010

This is so cool. Voted. Good luck!
posted by zoinks at 10:50 AM on September 27, 2010

Voted.
posted by joedan at 10:52 AM on September 27, 2010

Yay! I voted.
posted by peep at 11:08 AM on September 27, 2010

Vote early and often!
posted by Blasdelb at 11:20 AM on September 27, 2010

By the power of Greyskull the internet!
posted by djgh at 11:41 AM on September 27, 2010

Voted. Godspeed Felix.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 12:43 PM on September 27, 2010

Voted. Good luck avoision.
posted by cazoo at 12:57 PM on September 27, 2010

At first I was all, "Man, I'm not going to vote for someone just because they're a Mefite!" So I read the other entries, and I ended up voting for Felix/avoision anyway. (a) His essay excerpt totally rocked, and (2) avoision is a word that totally haunts me. I can't help saying it instead of both "avoid" and "aversion".
posted by muddgirl at 1:09 PM on September 27, 2010 [1 favorite]

What a coincidence! I have a meetup proposed for the MSI! Let's hope you win so we can all come see you there!
posted by IndigoRain at 1:23 PM on September 27, 2010

Voted and plugged.
posted by cjorgensen at 1:25 PM on September 27, 2010

Voted. Good luck!
posted by trip and a half at 1:31 PM on September 27, 2010

voted! good luck!
posted by milestogo at 1:42 PM on September 27, 2010

Way to go avoision. I sent an application, but had no luck. The ones they selected look really well put together and its going to be a tough competition. I voted, best of luck.
posted by roguewraith at 3:27 PM on September 27, 2010

Felix 1111!!!!!1!!!!1111!!! Another MeFi vote.
posted by beelzbubba at 3:27 PM on September 27, 2010

yeah, did it! Good luck!
posted by ouke at 3:32 PM on September 27, 2010

Voted! Good Luck, and I envy you!
posted by pjern at 3:45 PM on September 27, 2010

Awesome. I voted, and will come visit you at the MSI if you win.
posted by booknerd at 4:33 PM on September 27, 2010

You can vote once every 12 hrs according to Felix's blog.

Just sayin'
posted by selfmedicating at 4:38 PM on September 27, 2010

Voted, and will do my best to continue doing so. Good luck!
posted by miratime at 5:10 PM on September 27, 2010

Voted, and will vote again. Good luck!
posted by vidur at 5:52 PM on September 27, 2010

Voted
posted by Jahaza at 7:11 PM on September 27, 2010

vtothefuckingoted man, congratulations!
posted by Think_Long at 8:29 PM on September 27, 2010

Voted for avoision!
posted by nickyskye at 8:30 PM on September 27, 2010

Voted! Yay I am so excited to see if Felix wins. Go Felix go!
posted by DarlingBri at 9:51 PM on September 27, 2010

OK, Felix is great, but can someone get this guy a TV show, or Old Spice commercial, or something?
posted by niles at 10:38 PM on September 27, 2010

so awesome...hope you win!
posted by dan g. at 10:52 PM on September 27, 2010

From this morning's Trib.
posted by timsteil at 9:54 AM on September 28, 2010

You definitely seem like the best geek for the job, so you got my vote!
Ahhhh, and you get to spend as much time as you like inside that 727, sans the sticky, screaming children. So jeally!
posted by heyho at 10:18 AM on September 28, 2010

Voted! You are definitely the man for the job. Good luck! I have my fingers crossed for you, Felix.
posted by misha at 10:46 AM on September 28, 2010

Holy WOW, that's a lot of MeFi love here. Thanks, everybody!
posted by avoision at 11:21 AM on September 28, 2010

☒
posted by Potomac Avenue at 12:45 PM on September 28, 2010

Got my vote. Go [continue to] be awesome Avoision!
posted by Alterscape at 2:51 PM on September 28, 2010

Congratulations and good luck! Your video is great, and you have my vote!
posted by Elsa at 3:09 PM on September 28, 2010

Oh, cool! I hadn't seen the update until now. Congrats, avoision! Good luck!

T minus 11 hours and 58 minutes until I can vote again!
posted by phunniemee at 3:10 PM on September 28, 2010

Yipes! Done.
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 5:18 PM on September 28, 2010

Voted. Good luck!
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 12:38 PM on September 29, 2010

Voted. Did you find out about it through Metafilter?
posted by Wordwoman at 2:15 PM on September 29, 2010

I found out via BB, but remember seeing it on the Blue as well.
posted by avoision at 4:49 PM on September 29, 2010

I nearly tried out for this - but voting for a mefite is an awesome second best. And you're the better man for the job. Voted. Take lots of pictures and videos!
posted by loquacious at 11:51 AM on September 30, 2010

You've got my vote.
posted by aclevername at 12:04 PM on September 30, 2010

I voted!
posted by headspace at 3:10 PM on September 30, 2010

Canadians can vote too! You got mine.

Now remember: the dinosaur likes to play fetch, the statue needs gum, the Neanderthals will want your lighter, the monkey gets the baby keys and Attila the Hun gets a hug.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 8:08 PM on September 30, 2010

Voted.

I'd have voted for you out of Mefite loyalty-- but I've gotta say, you really do seem to be the best candidate for the job.

Fingers crossed!
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 8:38 PM on September 30, 2010