On days off of work, I can't help but consume my minutes and hours with excitement or adventure. Whether indoors or out, I always seemed to find something new to try or see. My patient loved one sits and stares as I ramble and change subject after subject about the possibilities that our day offers. My morning ritual consists of waking up, and really giving a solid twenty minutes to just lye there and brainstorm the possibilities.
The night before, I had watched a preview of the re-release of Titanic. It was specially going to be featured in 3-D and IMAX theaters. I flashed back to my 6th grade field trip to the Milwaukee Museum. I was mesmerized by the exhibits like, "The Old Streets of Milwaukee." Most of all, I was amazed and captivated by, The Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater. "That's it!" Followed by the, "Oh Please Please Can we go?" Yes, like a child, he could see the excitement in my eyes, and of course he couldn't help but gave in to my extreme joy from my childhood memories.
I jumped online to make sure the place existed. The website revealed a new addition to the IMAX Dome Theater, The Daniel M. Soref Planetarium. The Planetarium had a new projection system that creates enhanced 3-D animations, which produce planets, stars that highlight constellations, that can be seen throughout the dome theater. A live tour is even included, which gives an overview of the current night sky.
We loaded up with snacks upon arival and tickets for, "Cleopatras Universe" and "Born to Be Wild." The Dome Theater is lit up with bright blues and greens, and the background of the giant dome is a stary night. Choosing our seats was difficult with a line of people trailing us, the decision needed to be quick. We headed up the steps, and then into a row, just a glance down made me a little dizzy. The seating was specially arranged and designed to give full effect to the dome screen, making all of the rows seem really steep.
All of a sudden, the lighting became dim, and a sun setting took place. A voice took over, Brian our tour guide, explained the evening sky, and moon phase. He pointed out constellations, planets, and added special effects like sounds and shooting stars. It was awesome and much better than the 6th grade.
Cleopatras Universe amazed me every single step of the way into history and into ancient ruins. Her power and intelligence intrigued and fascinated me. Although the loss of battle against Actium lead to her suicide, Cleopatra the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt was a significant period in history that is still studied today.
As people left after the first showing, we stayed in our seats and awated the next film, "Born to Be Wild." This documantry about orphaned orangutans and elephants really captured my heart. The people that travel to great lengths to protect and raise these endangered animals really touched my heart. The special effects, music and scenery was amazing. In forty five minutes it was as if I traveled to Kenya, Africa and through the jungle. It was as we were along the entire lifetime, from the birth and rescue to the release back into the wild, their home. Watching the heroic rescues of baby elephants being hunted and rehabilitated completely changed the mood from the educational movie before.
My new experience back at, The Milwaukee Museum was well worth it! I really encourage a walk though of the exhibits themselves and an extraordinary movie experience at the Humphrey IMAX Dome Theater and Panitarium.
If you have ever seen, Earth (I think it was the national geographic, or Discovery) one or the other, but anyways, there is a baby elephant who gets lost from his family. I say family, not herd, b/c I am an animal person, and that's just how we roll :), anyways again... he gets lost in a dust storm, and ends up alone. He can go left or right. It takes him a very long time to make up his mind, one way if his family, the other way is desert and death. He mulls over it turning back and forth for awhile seemingly understanding the importance of his choice. Eventually, he turns the wrong way and dies. Terrible. I have never ever ever watched another animal documentary!! and can't look at elephants the same. SO so sad.
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