Domestication

Yeah, you heard me, I've been domesticated. I made dinner tonight. Not just any dinner, a meal that I planned out. Those who know me know that I don't typically do things like that. I cooked cod (first time ever), mashed potatoes, steamed beans and had Duchy Originals organic ale to drink. Technically Michael made the potatoes and steamed the beans, but that's only because he got home way earlier then he was originally supposed to.Now you might ask why I had a domestic moment, and frankly, the only logical answer I could come up with is that I've been feeling better and it was my first night to really be able to relax and not work on anything. Also, I wanted to be nice to Michael, since he is letting me stay for free, and has uber long days on Wednesday. He's also been the one cooking, so I figure it was my turn. I somehow ended up making home made mac 'n' cheese the night before as well. Not sure how he got that out of me. The only issue I have with feeling like I've been domesticated, which I normally don't mind, is that there are no physical benefits. I believe one should not be domestic without them. But then again, that's just me.

As far as my week goes, it's been long. Sleep deprivation has hit and is no good. Finding it hard to stay awake and focused in class the 2nd week is a very bad sign indeed. Coffee has helped, but even then I haven't really been drinking it; still have yet to go to an ATM to get cash and that's the only form of payment the Starbucks in school takes - lame. Being broke blows and I can't wait for money to start rolling in.

My favorite lecture of the week was by James Stourton (chairman of Sotheby's UK). He basically gave us the low down and history of Sotheby's. Here's some juicy tidbits.

Sotheby's was founded in 1744.
For the first 200 years they sold books.
The main difference between Sotheby's and Christie's is that Christie's focuses on turnover, while Sotheby's focuses on high end. Both have about the same turnover profit.
The institute was founded to recruit young people to work for them.
6-8 students were selected, and the first 2 years they paid them to attend.
The most famous alumni is Carolyn Kennedy - helped make Institute famous.
Their biggest marketing tool is the press and both auction houses are the only companies to get daily home news spots.
Contemporary art and design selling wise is 35% and growing.

My only complaint about the lecture was how late it got out. 6pm! That meant I got to ride the tube during rush hour. Boy did that suck. Cramped in-between countless people and hot as hell. They didn't even want to let me get off at my stop. I had to literally push / squeeze my way through, saying excuse me and giving mean looks when they wouldn't budge to let small me out the damn door. So frustrating and rude. I don't like rush hour on the tube one bit. People are so rude, and no one says excuse me or sorry if they bump into you. Err.

Had a weird thing happen at Sheppard's grocery store last night (it's the local grocery store) when I went in to buy some beer for dinner. When I got to the front there was some dude that I've never seen working before, all that I've met have been super cool. Anyways, when I handed him my credit card to pay, he looked at it funny and said he couldn't take it because it wasn't a chip card (they don't use slide cards in the UK normally) and asked if I had another card. Obviously I had to say no because I have yet to set up a bank account, and in fact, they do except sliding cards, he was just being difficult. After waiting a minute or so he asked to see some id (which is normal because it's a US card). Now I'm not sure if / how bad identity theft is in London, but this dude studied my license like he had to memorize everything on it (it was creepy and made me extremely uncomfortable - you don't do that shit in the states). He then went on to say that my photo on my license didn't look like me and asked if it was indeed mine. Come on now, really?!? Then I had recite my address on it. The whole thing was so dumb. He did in fact run my card (so hard) and then told me if my signature didn't match exactly that he would keep my card. WTF?!? I didn't even know what to say to that. I just ended up giving him a look like give me a break. He said it wasn't exactly the same, but still gave me my card back. Boy did I hold my tongue with him. Normally I'm really good at telling if someone is playfully giving me shit, but this dude, he was hard to read. He was tense and serious and didn't change that at any point throughout the whole ordeal. It blew big time and I'm considering boycotting the place because of it. Michael said he would go in with me next time, but I don't know if I even want to waste my time. You don't get more customers by being an ass.

On a better note, the home front situation is getting better, slowly. Still need to meet more people, but that will happen. I just need to not be so hard on myself for it. I think catching up on some sleep will help with that and give me more energy to go out and meet people.

I learned an important lesson yesterday as well. I've noticed that mini is in, with tights. So I decided to dress up, feel pretty and try my best to fit in with London fashion. I wore my black, red and white mini dress, tights and black boots (my Uggs were for home). Anyways, the dress is loose and thus flows. Well, think about it, the tube creates a good breeze and so does mother nature. I constantly had to hold my dress down so I wouldn't flash everyone and their mother. Plus, it's one of those dresses that has a tendency to ride up. Now I know why all those mini's are more form fitting.

Albums of the week - anything by Citizen Cope and Katy Perry.

Blue Ball of Happiness

Last night I had one of those moments when dealing with someone that instantly flushed my mood down the toilet. It resulted in me not being able to sleep, and when I finally did conk out it was well after 4am. Even then I ended up tossing and turning all night until I woke at 13:30 (1:30pm). Don't you just love how the Brits use military time? When I awoke, the first action I took was to open my laptop and check my email (not my typical routine). To my happy surprise I received an email from a dear friend that I needed desperately and was probably secretly hoping for. It prompted my blue ball of happiness to sparkle and gleam with joy and give me the boost and drive to do things besides feel sorry for myself. Which I have to admit is a bit silly. Everyone keeps telling me how lucky I am to have moved to London (The mecca of the art world. That's right, rumor has it it has taken NYC spot!) and able to study art at Sotheby's Institute of Art. It's becoming clear that willowing in self pity because I miss my friends and family and have an interesting living situation to say the least is ridiculous and the lamenting will be no more.

But let's get back to the email. I'm choosing to share part of it because I think it could be helpful to others. It opened my naive eyes of the power of the universe and the abilities that always lie within us; a great lesson has been learned on my part. My only advice for others is ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!


So reading your blog posts and such - it occurred to me that perhaps you've exceeded your own vision for the future - and thus for the moment are stalled in the space of wanting. A few months back when you declared the impossible - I AM MOVING TO LONDON - there were so many insane obstacles that should have prevented that, which erased themselves and provided a path for you. Now you're there... you got to London - you got into the art school - you're living in the flat with the dude - EVERYTHING worked out. So now what?

Rather then getting into a mental funk about the "now" - you need to accept that the now is always irrelevant, because you have no control over it (and pssst... you have everything you wanted). What does the future look like? Are you with this guy? If so - act like it. What are you going to accomplish at the school? Do it! What does six-months out look like? Do you want an awesome internship? What sorta folks would you like to be going out with? What is the life you wish to live?



As for Sunday's go, it was nothing but a lazy day. I walked down the street and got some groceries, did a load of laundry, wrote more emails then I should have, cleaned a little, talked to my family who had gathered altogether and talked to 2 of my best girlfriends. I still need to study some reading for a discussion tomorrow and try to start my first paper that I have been putting off unintentionally. No worries though, I still have a few more days until it is due, and by no means will it be hard to write. It's a visual analysis on a piece of our choosing from a selection of pieces from the V&A. I have chosen to write about a vase that is secessionist ware. It was designed by Leon Victor Albert Solon and John William Wadsworth and made by Minton & Co. about 1905. It's earthenware with cast raised decoration and painted. I thought it was beautiful and that's my reasoning for selecting it to write about. I figure when it comes to papers, you must follow your heart and pick something that calls to you. That is going to be my motto for grad school writing. Enjoy enjoy enjoy. Well, as much as one possibly can.