Five years ago, on May 9, 2021, I moved to my new home in Rogers Park, and lived happily ever after! I am not saying my life was infinitely happy since them but my home continues to be my source of happiness 🙂
Category: everyday life
“Unavoidable Like Taxes”
My two previous tax seasons were very eventful, to put it mildly, and not because of me, but mostly because of the organizational changes happening at my tax preparation company, plus me being in the middle of two tax brackets. Details do not matter; what matters is that my tax returns were late twice, the prep firm was filing extensions, and I also owed a lot.
This year, it was a nice change: there were no issues, they filed everything in time, and I ended up with a substantial refund. Only it was two weeks past the tax return was sent and presumably accepted, but I didn’t receive either a refund or approval. I started to worry, especially because the IRS website showed my taxes were not filed, but the prep firm assured me that everything was filed, and most likely, the IRS needs additional verification, and I should expect the letter. They also suggested me to create an online account with the IRS.
Still, nothing was happening. I called the IRS on April 15 and was able to reach a human, and they said that they didn’t have my tax returns, and I went over the full circle again.
About two weeks ago, I finally saw a notice on my online IRS account saying that they sent me a letter to which I need to respond ASAP. But nothing about what this letter is about. I kept waiting. Finally, last Monday, I saw the IRS letter in my Informed Delivery Digest. However, it turned out I spoke too soon: the letter didn’t materialize in my mailbox, and I was worried sick about what was going to happen now. At this time of year, there was no way to reach a human by phone; they kept routing me to the automated system.
Finally, when I was ready to write to our Congresswoman’s office, specifically, last night, when I opened the door to accept a grocery delivery, I noticed an envelope on the floor – it was my IRS letter! I am super thankful for someone who received it, realized that it was dropped into the wrong mailbox, and dropped it at my door!
At that moment, I submitted all additional documentation, and I hope that the issue will be resolved, as they say, within the next 6-8 weeks. When this is over, I will be sure to report details, but now, I am just happy to be out of uncertainty!
American Dream Documentary, And A Surprising Discovery
Since neither Igor nor I had an opportunity to participate in any of the May Day events, and I couldn’t even get out of the office to watch a march, I suggested watching one of the Labor Movement documentaries screening at the Siskel Center during the first days of May. We went to see the American Dream documentary produced by Barbara Kopple in 1990. It shouldn’t be a surprise that I didn’t know about the labor strike against Hormel Foods of 1986. My complete cluelessness added suspense because throughout the whole documentary, I didn’t know how it would end! Sometimes (often?) it’s important to learn not only about impressive victories, but also about great failures.
There was something else, quite unexpected, that caught my attention while I was watching this documentary: the way everyone talked. A couple of weeks ago, I saw an article reporting a recent study finding that people now use fewer words than they did twenty years ago, and this documentary was striking proof of that! As a frequent participant in political rallies, I know very well how even the best speakers talk these days! In this movie, the union leaders, the members, and everyone talked intelligently, used a lot of words, and spoke complicated sentences. Nobody was shouting slogans; instead, people reasoned, considered different aspects of the matter at hand, listened to others’ arguments, and offered counterarguments. And trust me, none of this was rehearsed! There were heated debates, and at one point, a debate turned into a physical fight, but still!
I was shocked! Where did all of this go?! How did we get there? And how can we return to normality?!
Mindfulness In Nature: Spring
On Saturday, I attended a meditation session organized by the Nature volunteers group. I attended a similar session last year, and I liked the experience and the instructor. As last time, we gathered by the Leone Beach clubhouse, observed the lake, and recalled our previous interactions with nature. We shared our stories, and then we walked in the Nature Area, paying attention to the signs of awakening nature, and then gathered together again to share our thoughts and observations.
With the weather being like it was for the previous month, I was surprised to see that many flowers were blooming! In early spring, I always notice new bright green coming out of the dry brown patches of the previous season grass. Life goes on :).
Matisse’s Jazz
On Thursday, I finally went to the Art Institute to see Matisse’s Jazz exhibit. Usually, I try to see every new exhibit on the day it opens, but as I’ve mentioned multiple times, it’s been a stressful month. Or a couple of months:).
This is a small exhibit, and it made me think. At first, I didn’t quite get the concept. I could not understand why Matisse abandoned painting and drawing in favor of colored paper cutting. I learned that he started using scissors and paper after the surgery, when, for a very long time, he could not stand long enough to paint. But then he switched to this technique entirely, and I was looking and looking, and trying to find the rhythm which I am always looking for in Matisse’s works. And then I finally found it.
A Silent Movie At Guarneri Hall
On Wednesday, I went to a show at Guarneri Hall for the first time after a long break. The show was rather unusual – it was an accompaniment for a classic silent movie.
The program featured
Pianist and composer Stephen Prutsman returns to Guarneri Hall for the third time, amping up the fun for one of our most-anticipated events of the season. A Night at the Movies pairs a silent-era film comedy with a brilliant, original film score written and performed live by Prutsman and a small ensemble.
In Buster Keaton’s College, Ronald, a nerdy scholar, pans sports in favor of academics. This attitude wins him no points with his peers and especially coed Mary, who favors the athletic Jeff. Ronald’s effort to win back Mary through his failed attempts at various sports is the setup for Keaton’s unique physical comedy in this hilarious film from 1927.
Here is a more detailed description of this movie, and also the interview with the composer.
I think that most of the audience had more fun than I did; for me, it was more educational than funny, and I am unsure what cultural context I am missing. Still, I didn’t regret going, but I liked the other two concerts I attended there more.
Guarneri Hall always has small receptions following each concert, where you can grab a glass of wine and some bites. Since that’s too late for me, I would grab some fruit, cheese, and crackers and not stay for long. This time, an older gay couple asked me if they could join me at the table, and at first, we had a lively conversation about silent movies. They told me about their visit to the Lumiere Museum in Lyon a month earlier, and I shared how I watched Lumiere le Cinema at Siskel. Then we talked about other cultural venues and places to have a pre-concert dinner. And then they asked me where I lived before coming to the US. Since it was not the first question they asked, I felt it was appropriate, and told them that I am from Russia, and that I have lived here for thirty years. Then they asked me whether I ever go back, and I replied: not since the war started. They nodded, but then immediately started telling me how they had visited Russia, what Moscow and Saint Petersburg were like, and how they loved museums. Then, they started about Navalny, “who is the only person who is capable of changing the course” (they spoke in the present tense, so it looks like they completely missed the last several years of development). At this point, I stopped nodding politely and told them that although I condemn the killing of political opponents, Navalny wouldn’t be better for Russia. To which they said that “they stay away from politics” and “of course, we were true innocents abroad“, but then kept going on at length about the great culture.
… just saying that when people are “selectively innocent” about politics, that’s when bad things happen.
Stress Release
I made a couple of the right decisions over the past several days that dramatically improved my quality of life. First, I decided not to go to the Nature Volunteering workday on Sunday. It was not obvious that this was the right decision, because the nature volunteering season had just started, and I already knew I wouldn’t be able to make most of the workdays due to scheduling conflicts. Still, I had several major tasks related to the conference that were already past due, and I knew that I was pushing them back, and I even knew why. It was important for me to have a mental space to finally start working on them, because otherwise, I could give myself an excuse that these tasks required more uninterrupted time than I had. I also knew that if I kept pushing them back, their weight would make me even more anxious.
Exactly at the moment I was about to leave the house for a workday, I started working on the conference lanyard design. It was a more difficult task than usual because we had a lanyard sponsor, so the design should have included their logo, and I couldn’t say that if I mess up, I will just order a new one. It took me an hour and a half, but in the end, I was happy with my design. Also, after several back-and-forths, I signed the contract for our speakers’ dinner, which was my second hanging task, and I suddenly realized that a big portion of my worries was gone!
Another thing that helped me a lot was the way I communicated with my mom. Firstly, I told her in advance that on Sunday, I would be in transition between activities, so instead of sitting with her in her apartment, I would take her for coffee at Common Cup. And then, I didn’t visit her on Monday and Tuesday, not because I had events to attend, but just because I don’t have to visit her every time I have a free evening. I hate to say it, but it was the best thing I’ve done for myself! I didn’t have to cope with stress during or after the conversation with her, and I was also surprised by how much extra time it provided. I felt like a human after several weeks of not feeling that way 🙂
New Year’s Resolutions Four Months Later
My trainer calls the people flocking to gyms at the beginning of the year “resolutionists” :). We both wait till this tide subsides between the end of January and the end of March. To be fair, some people stay, and good for them!
Having this “resolutionist” effect in mind, I was cautious about reporting my results and waited for an extra month. Now, at the end of April, I am happy to report that I was able to change my yoga practice habits the way I wanted. Now, I consistently have one private lesson a week, a group lesson when time permits, and an additional 1 – 1.5 hours of practicing yoga on my own.
For about a year, I felt I was losing flexibility, and that each time I took a break from practicing in general or from a specific pose, I was losing more. I made a resolution to practice consistently and set these specific measures, and it is definitely working.
As for my other two resolutions, I haven’t succeeded yet. One was getting six hours of sleep most days (at least five days a week). I am still not convinced that I need six, because when I sleep longer in Helsinki, after a couple of days, I just lie awake and wait for when I can get up :). But getting between 5.5 and 6 hours is definitely a goal.
Reading Kindle books at least for a part of my commute is not happening either, and I know that “I have other things to do” is not a great excuse. I need to find a way to develop this new habit, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Lyric Opera Season Preview
That was the event where I lost my phone for 20 minutes! As a subscriber, I had an invitation to the Lyric season preview, to which I planned to go with one of my friends, who canceled at the last minute. I thought I would still go, although I already knew what would be performed during the season, and I had already renewed my subscription. Still, I thought it would not be bad to attend; after all, the Lyric Opera House is just two blocks away from my office.
Then I looked at the email with the event details and saw that they would have a reception from six to seven, and decided to come earlier to get some fine bites.
I was glad I went, because everything looked very festive, and the snacks and desserts were delicious, and then I found that there was not only complimentary wine, but complimentary tea and coffee as well. And five minutes later, I realized that I didn’t have my phone on me, which meant that I had nothing literally!
During the next twenty minutes, I deeply regretted going, and was trying to figure out how I could restore my life (I have my State ID and my physical card in the phone case, and I wouldn’t be even able to get home!
Fortunately, the phone was found and returned to me twenty minutes later, but those were very miserable and scary 20 minutes!
Another Concert With Mom
I think I will stop taking my mom to the concerts :). On Sunday, I took her for another one, this one was at the CheckOut, a new venue relatively close to where I live. I’ve been there several times, both on my own and with my mom. She is always complaining that the sound is not good enough, and the venue allows her to be super-close to the performer, and see and hear everything.
To be quite honest, this concert was a disappointment for me. To put it politely, it looked like the performer used to be an excellent piano player many years ago, and now is rapidly losing it.
I know that this can happen even with the most outsatnding musicians. I will never forget how I went to listen to Van Clyborn concert at Ravinia many years ago, and he was not even that old, but it was a micerable experience.
My mom didn’t get what was going on, but she was saying that “the movements of his hands were not in sync with the sound,” which was totally her imagination and that “it was bum-bum-all the same over and over,” which was also not exactly the case.
I have another pair of tickets for both of us for the concert on May 3, but I looked at the program and at the performers and realized that it wil be another “what is his national origin,” situation, so most likely I will return these tickets. Actually, than was a replacement for the concert which I could not attend because of my travels, and I knew it won’t be an adequate one, so I do not have big regrets!
Hettie's Reflections 