Week 3

Sunday:
I did indeed venture to Camden Market. I was in search of a Burlesque outfit for an event Tuesday night. It was packed since it was a nice day and everyone wanted to be out. It's not sunny very often (or at least it won't be for much longer) so the Brits tend to take every chance they get to be out in the sun. Or at least that's what I've been told.

I spent hours upon hours looking up and down isles, venturing into one store then another, having strange men eager to strap me into countless tops/dresses in the hopes I would buy something. To my luck I finally found a black corseted dress at the very last minute, which the salesmen gladly went down 10 pounds. After being successful in my hunt I meandered on home via the canal. It was nice and peaceful. I also passed my favorite bakery on the walk home - Primrose Bakery, and decided to stopped in and get some delicious cupcakes! Basically after talking to Natali and Amanda back home, and hearing how they were venturing to a party in Seattle and having cupcakes, it made me want some! Let's just say I almost died of sugar intake and I only ate one. Mmmmm... Below is a picture of one of the main streets in Camden Town that connects to the market and a view from from the sidewalk next to the canal.
Monday:
Oh, Monday was an exciting day alright. Part 1 of the Hirst sale at Sotheby's UK. The school hosted a viewing of it (at the school not the auction house itself). Basically we got to watch the sale happening live via broadcasting on projected screens; the viewing wasn't open to the general public. What lovely perks we get. Plus having it be such a big event at Sotheby's and in the contemporary art world there was of course lots of free alcohol. Yes, the Brits sure love their alcohol. Anyways, the Hirst sale, which was done in 2 parts over 2 days with over 200 lots brought in a whopping 111 million pounds. Yeah, you heard me, when banks are going to hell an artist known primarily for putting animals in formaldehyde is hitting it big. Hirst mentioned how some of that money would go to charity. Apparently that will only be around 3 million pounds. Bummer. You would think the chunk of change would be bigger. Anyways, I didn't stay for the whole event because all you got to see on the screen was an auctioneer badgering people to bid higher and they didn't even bring out the pieces being auctioned so you could get to see them.

By the time I left school it was dark, but thought I would take some night shots for Sherrie. The first one is a sculpture in Bedford square right outside of school. Apparently at night they have colored lights on it that change color every few seconds. The second is on Tottenham Court Road on my walk to the tube. The third one is when I was on the tube. Northern line via Edgeware. I promise the next time I am caught in rush hour I will take some photos. It really is a site to be seen. And finally, the last photo is from dinner that Michael made. Yummy! He even made it look pretty - go him. Poached egged on a fish cake on top of mashed potatoes with a side of broccoli. I almost ate the entire thing!

Tuesday:
Now Tuesday had to be by far the best day of the week. Actually, it was probably the best day I've had since being in London. We started off the day at the V&A where upon arriving I saw some rad chalk drawings out front. Of course, when seeing rad chalk drawings, one must take photos instantly. Once inside we got to have a private viewing/lecture on some kick ass wall coverings and the techniques used to create them. I'm actually becoming quite interested in textile design (which we had some other lectures on this week).

After the V&A Ben (a classmate) and I grabbed a bite to eat at Cafe V. It's a kick ass cafe down the street from school where you can get tasty sandwiches, pasta, coffee, etc for cheap. I'm sure I will be stopping in there quite frequently from now on, especially when I forget to make/bring something for lunch. After eating, Ben accompanied me to Boot's to get make-up for a party later that night. O.k., really, it wasn't just any party; it was a fashion preview show/after party that was part of London fashion week. Some of Michael's good friends are designers and have a label called BERRIE. Check their site out, they have some super cute stuff. Also check out the photos from the BERRIE fashion show.

The theme for the BERRIE event was burlesque. I got into it. After classes I rushed home to get ready, and within 40 or so minutes I had put on make-up, done my hair (you can't see it in the photo but I had a wild side bun), changed my clothes and painted my fingernails black (ok, I did that at school during a break). I apologize for only having 2 photos up, and neither from the event. I atlas had a bit to drink (3 beers and a jack and coke) and enjoyed being able to relax and have fun (which as many know, was desperately needed), so my camera didn't come out much. Other people took photos, so hopefully I can get some copies of those soon. I have some videos I will post later, but the files are huge to upload and I need to sort things out and see if I can make them smaller. Oh and Sherrie, good call for choosing to pack the suede boots over the leather. They worked perfectly with the outfit!

Of course, there were actually burlesque dancers in-between design sets (what the videos are of). The downfall of the night was that hardly anyone got dressed up in theme. Bummer! At one point, some dude after the show mentioned how he liked my outfit and that he thought I was part of the show. Haha...that could have been fun depending on my mood.

The after party was really fun. Only the cool kids stuck around for it...hahaha. Most people skipped out on it because it was a Tuesday night. Anyways, I really enjoyed Michael's friends. They're wicked cool/nice/fun. Highlights were getting a lesson in subtle British come ons and meeting a cute bloke (one of the designers brothers) that I seem to fancy. There's been an open invitation to Scotland. Hmmm...I just might have to take it. :-)

Thursday:
All dressed up and no where to go. Bummer! Thursday was a preview show of Eve Arnold's photography at the Magnum studios. Smoozing with photographers and seeing beautiful photographs seemed like fun. Michael got home late, and Eve wasn't going to be there anyways, so there was no going out to the event. I did put some effort into getting dressed up (which as of late I have enjoyed tremendously) and that is why I am posting a photo of myself before the disappointing news came. To make up for it, Michael said we could go on an upcoming Friday afternoon and take Eve with us! Yay! I have wanted to meet her since I first saw her photographs of Marilyn Monroe in Michael's flat. Anyone who hung out with Marilyn Monroe or any other old Hollywood star is rad in my book.

One Hug at a Time

Here's my theory: one huge at a time. I'll elaborate. Sometimes, in certain situations or places, things are tense. Thinking of a time when it all can be forgotten and everything is one with the earth, is when two people are hugging. Now it can be more then two if you prefer, but on average, I personally prefer two. It's calming. It's intimate. It's a place of solitude for one single moment when everything is right in the world. And by far the biggest advantage of hugs is that they make you feel good.

Have you ever seen or heard of the Free Hugs Campaign? I learned about it quite some time ago, but never really put much thought into the power of hugs until I moved to London, half way around the world from everything that I have known to be my life. It was then, two weeks ago, that I realized I needed hugs; for the sole purpose of giving and especially receiving. Poor Michael, he feels the brunt of this newfound need I have on a daily basis, sometimes more. But he never fights them, and frankly, why would you? I like to think they've helped our living situation get better (I'd elaborate, but that goes against my policy of not getting into personal matters). Again, pointing to the fact that hugs are plain and simple goodness.

My blue ball of happiness is smiling.

An Off Day

Today has been one of those days where nothing seems to be working out quite right. You know what kind of days I'm talking about because we've all hand them at some point or another. It's where even the tiniest of things you normally are capable of you suddenly aren't, or you drop everything that you put in your hands. That's been my day. Dropping this or that, spilling, splashing, etc etc etc. Bummer! I'm in a funk today. Too many unresolved issues, worrying creeping in wanting to cover me completely, letting self pity take over, questioning if I've done the right thing. Is London really my happy place? It hasn't felt like it, but then again I haven't been trying. And if I seek my next set of goals, does it involve staying? NYC has been entering my world lately in various forms...maybe after London that will be my next stop? I think I need to get my priorities straight. What do I really want out of London? It's been on my mind since a good friend sent me that email, but it seems to change, and I haven't actually written anything down. There's only one thing that I know is at the top of my list, but everything else needs to be sorted out. I need to be sorted out. I feel balanced, but not. I know myself all to well. I can deny how I'm feeling or what I'm thinking, but I know the truth, and so do a lot of other people that know me well. A designer I once met and look up to said my eyes are all telling... And as I get older I see it more and more. I can try my best to portray something different, but in the end, they reveal everything. It's either one of my biggest assets or greatest faults. Right now, I can't decide. All I know is that I need to get out. Camden market? Most likely. Anyways, a good song to have when you need a pick me up is "I Should Get Up" by Teddy Thompson. And yes, music is my refugee if you couldn't already tell.