We went grocery shopping this morning, and when we returned with the groceries there was half an inch of water in the mudroom, steam on all the windows, and the mysterious sound of rushing/spraying water—like the sound when the washing machine is filling. A hot water pipe in a closet had burst; and really, if a pipe were going to burst, it almost couldn’t have done so more conveniently: in the mud room, which has a literal DRAIN in the floor (there was a carpet over the drain, which is why the water had built up to half an inch or so, but as soon as I moved the carpet it all went swirling down); it happened while we were gone, yes, but we came back very soon after it started, apparently, and if we’d NOT left home I don’t know how long it would have taken us to go out to the mud room and see that something was wrong; and, like, NOT in the middle of the night when it could have done FAR more damage and wasted FAR more water before being discovered. Very, very considerate.
Paul first tried to, like, fix it while it was spraying? And then I wondered aloud about wasn’t there some sort of water shut-off, so he went flying into the house to shut that off, and he didn’t wipe his feet (AS USUAL) and karma chose that delicate moment to give him a little instruction about foot-wiping, so down he went, very dramatic but unhurt, and then up again and turned off the water. Elizabeth was in the shower, it turned out, because about five minutes later she appeared in our midst saying that the water had “suddenly disappeared.” Meanwhile Paul had done whatever it was he did to separate that pipe from the others, and had turned the water back on, so she went back up and finished showering. An invigorating start to the day for all involved!
Elizabeth has been accepted into the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, so we are planning a little field trip out there, even though it is exactly what she said she didn’t want: small, and art-only. But she is interested. I would be interested in hearing anything anyone knows about it. And I do mean anything: if you know it to be, say, an overpriced and low-quality school that accepts literally anyone, then don’t worry about hurting my parental feelings, just go right ahead and spill. I have seen plenty of things about how some art schools are great and some art schools are for people who can’t get into real college, so I will not be shocked by anything you say. Well, let’s not speak too soon. But I DOUBT I will be shocked by anything you say.
My artist daughter went to a summer program at MIAD and really liked it. But she didn’t apply there for undergrad and I’m not sure why. I liked Milwaukee. I felt more that SAIC (School of the Art Institute of Chicago) accepts everybody but they are very expensive, and if you can pay for it, you’re in. At least that was my take. She wanted to go there and we said it was too expensive so she went to the big state university in our state. It was “fine.”
Congrats to Elizabeth. It’s always nice to have choices.
I (an old) have taken a class there and really enjoyed the experience, and I have worked with several MIAD alums, so it turns out people who get real jobs afterwards. It’s also in the fun, safe, and full of public transit part of downtown. Go to Purple Door Ice Cream while you’re visiting.
I don’t know anything about MIAD but I live close to Milwaukee and it’s a great city. It’s easy to get around, there are lots of amazing restaurants and things to do, and it’s not overwhelmingly large (a point in its favor, in my book). I will happily be a Midwest auntie to Elizabeth if she ends up here and having that bit of a safety net would make you both feel better.
I have no idea about MAID but whew, you kind of dodged a bullet with the burst pipe! Luckily it wasn’t worse for sure.
Milwaukee is a great city, so if nothing else the visit should be fun.
I am impressed by your ability to see the glass as half full, and thumbs-up to karma for delivering its friendly little message (I would not be grateful if Paul were actually hurt, but stern reminder seems good).
I went to Marquette (in Milwaukee in case you didn’t know) 20ish years ago. I had friends who minored in art and took classes at MIAD and loved them. They spoke highly of the school and felt the classes were challenging and fulfilling. One friend works at a university in California on the marketing job in her dream job. The other started her own mural company and is very successful.
Milwaukee is a great city. Lakefront paths for walking/exercise, tons of festivals, easy to navigate public transit, nice restaurants, a wonderful art museum that raises and lowers its “wings” at different times of the day. I happily go back to Milwaukee with my family to get together with various friends I still keep in touch with. I studied engineering at school but was friends with many art majors/artists. Many settled in Milwaukee after school because It is a lovely place.
Side note, when you talk of your weather or living environment, I have always pictured you in Wisconsin. I’m guessing if you need to visit, you don’t live there, but its startling to think about you somewhere else. I have been reading since you were considering that you might be pregnant after the twins.
This is very fun for me. I have family in Wisconsin, and my first 8 or so years were spent in Illinois and Michigan, so your impression is pretty accurate!
I also went to Marquette, a little after you! I loved Milwaukee and ended up living in a burb for a few years after graduation. The food, the vibes, living by the lake, it’s all just the best! It’s a smaller, funkier Chicago.
It gives me such warm and fuzzies to see Swistle talk about my beloved 414!
I don’t know anything about MIAD but am delighted to hear she’ll be in Milwaukee! It’s a great city, and I have to think the Milwaukee Art Museum is a tremendous resource for the college as well as just a wonderful place to visit. I live about 90 miles north but get to MKE regularly — if you ever want to meet a loyal blog follower when you’re there, say the word!
Hi! Congrats to Elizabeth! I don’t know much about MIAD but I went to college in Milwaukee and loved it. It’s the perfect small city–enough things to do as others have mentioned but still manageable in size. My husband and I met there and often visit for long weekends.
I asked my close friend who’s an art professor and a successful painter. She said she doesn’t know much about it but that it has an excellent reputation in the art world.
I went to the Racine Art Museum back in September and really enjoyed it, if you have time to wander around (it looks like it is 40 minutes or so away).
That was a very considerate pipe-bursting event for sure! I’m glad Paul was not hurt, but I’m also glad that he got a gentle reminder of why you wipe your feet and don’t run when the floor is wet.
I have no knowledge of MIAD, but congratulations to Elizabeth!
Congratulations to Elizabeth. I’m in Wisconsin but not Milwaukee and I know nothing about the art school. I just know the Wisconsin weather (winter is depressing) and Milwaukee scares me because of crime / guns. But that’s probably the same with most big cities?! I had a friend who used to live there and she loved it.
Phew! How lucky the burst pipe situation wasn’t worse!
No direct knowledge of MIAD here. I agree with the comments that winters in that area can be LONG! Its an hour or so away from Chicago, which could be a win for a city lover. Wisconsin is pretty, for the nature loving types! So there’s that too.
I love Milwaukee! Wisconsin is beautiful. I don’t know anything about the art school, but I’m in Illinois and wish I could live in Wisconsin.
MIAD is a great school! I live in Milwaukee and work at a neighboring small college. MIAD has a great reputation. It’s also in Milwaukee’s third ward, which is a very hip area and lots of shops and restaurants within walking distance. Check out the Milwaukee Public Market and the art museum! Let me know if you need any tips! I love my city!
MIAD is a good school from what I know of it! I work for another local Milwaukee-area university and we had several art professors who graduated from there and speak very highly of their experience.
I also know they don’t take just anyone because my artistically inclined but slightly academically challenged cousin applied there and didn’t get in!
I’m sorry about the burst pipe, but I like your take on it – we once had a car breakdown on the first leg of a massive four-province road trip, but also in the best possible way (right near a garage, got fixed in a couple of hours, there was a Tim Horton’s with batting cages right next door, we got back on the road and to our planned hotel that night).
It’s nice to be accepted even if you don’t end up going to the place. Art college sounds so romantic and movie-worthy.