In November of 2008 I went on a LARK ADVENTURE.
I was invited to be one of 5 people to go to the Art Institute of Chicago & see a particular painting housed there. The only catch ~ I had never actually met the other 4 girls who also were going to be on this trip.
I met the "Ringleader" MissIve through a daily blog site called the Petermans Eye ~ She whipped onto the site & made quite the impression on our lovely host Mr. J. Peterman himself as well as the rest of us "regulars" with her very first post ever an all of them ever since. (you can check out Missive's Blog at http://sandinmyswimsuit.blogspot.com/)
She proposed to Mr. Peterman to send us dresses so we could all go to the Art Institute of Chicago & see Jules Bretons painting entitled "Song of the Lark" Mr. Peterman being a World Adventurer himself & understanding that being proper dressed while adventuring is of great importance graciously sent us all dresses for our LARK ADVENTURE.
For me personally the LARK ADVENTURE was a grand adventure in facing my worst fears of being alone. I had begun the journey in doing so in early September by doing this:
"One of my Greatest Fears was eating alone, in a restaurant, a hostess seats you to a table, wait staff tells you the specials type of a restaurant. Don't really know why cuz I do the Movie or shopping thing alone all the time... Anyway on Labor Day I decided to face this fear of mine, (I know its not like a fear of sharks but hey I live in the Midwest the closest thing I have to sharks are Lampreys & I already caught one those) so I got all dressed up I'm talking dressy top & skirt, heels, make up, & clutch purse and drove around town until I found a place that I felt like eating at. Walked up to the two 16yr olds at the hostess stand & said table for 1 please. (WITHOUT FAINTING, it was Shocking I tell you) It was not that busy but I was left waiting for 10 minutes.... Then the table they led me to was never even close to having been occupied at all that evening... I think the hostess thought maybe someone would show up & I wouldn't be alone. I ordered a drink ordered off the menu, people watched, had dessert paid the bill & walked out. The funny thing was that I had the feeling that the staff was trying to rush me out. That having someone eat alone was a bad for their image or something. Nonetheless to my GREATEST SURPRISE I ENJOYED it & can't wait to do it again. Of course this time it will be at a different restaurant."
So the LARK ADVENTURE was a HUGE 2nd step for me ~ as the other 4 girls were arriving together from the MI area I was coming from WI. I decided in order not to pay for overnight parking I would take Amtrak from Milwaukee to Chicago & back. Walk to the Palmer House from the Station ALONE on the streets of Chicago (I'm really a small town girl at heart) & meet face to face with the other LARKS.... It was one of the GREATEST things I ever decided to do. In doing this I got to spend time with some of the most funny, interesting & smart people that I have had the pleasure of being able to spend time with. You can also watch the trip at MissIve's website...
Today at the Peterman Blog is the mention of our LARK ADVENTURE & discussion as to what just being CRAZY or being on a LARK means to everyone. Please Log on check it out http://www.petermanseye.com/ Heck on a LARK just signup & stay for awhile Mr. Peterman has saved you all a seat at his table & there is plenty of room. You'll even learn at least 1 new or interesting thing everyday... really you will...
Enjoy,
Erika
