Week 4 - Wednesday Night to Saturday Morning

Wednesday Night:
Frank came for the night. He always makes dinner and brings alcohol. He had just returned form Sicily and brought the best Parmesan cheese ever. I guess he was inspired because he made pasta with seafood along with some decent red wine. I always have a great time when Frank comes. He's a man of my own heart. Plus he always makes me laugh/smile and my god, I enjoy that. It's nice and relaxes me. I apologize Sherrie for not taking a photo of him. He'll be back sometime this coming week and I promise I will do it then.


Thursday:
Rush hour on the tube - finally. Oh man, how it blows. You have no idea. You're squished in-between mass amounts of people, or mass amounts of people and a wall. Plus, there is no AC so you're wearing heavy coats, can't take them off, and suffer from heat of too many bodies crammed into a tiny space. This morning on my way to Victoria Station to catch a train to Brighton it was the mass amounts of people and the wall. Typically if you can get an edge it's not as bad, typically. The last photo is the queue to get into the tube at Victoria Station. Thank god that is where I was getting off.






Field trip to Charleston! For those of you who don't know, Charleston was owned by Virgina Wolf who bought it for her sister Vanessa Bell and her menage a trois of lovers, their lovers, and their children. Very bizarre. The inside of the house is almost entirely covered in paint. They literally lived in an environment where art, creativity and expression was the motto. It made you want to come home and paint murals and what not in your flat. Sherrie, you would have loved it! It reminded me of your art and I loved that even more. Atlas, no pictures where allowed inside. What's the deal with that? The British can be so lame sometimes!

















Pebbly Beach. I think not! Yeah, that's how Brighton was described to me. Image my let down upon arriving and seeing a few pebbles, but mainly just big rocks. WTF?!? That is not what a beach is supposed to look like. Being by the sea though was exactly what I needed. Water is my serenity, and my god, have I needed some of that lately. We didn't stay long, and only went to the pier and onto the non-pebbly beach beside the pier. It was good enough. Got donuts and then headed back to the train station to go home. Check out my first uploaded video.









Friday / Saturday Morning:
Had a day off. So what was I supposed to do? Research for an essay! Boo to that! Seriously, the whole writing thing is so not fun. And yeah, I know I chose to do it, but still, I'll bitch if I want to. I often have trouble getting started. But once I start to get in the groove I'm typically o.k. This time though, I find it hard to motivate myself enough because of things that still need to be sorted back in the states and will ultimately determine if I even stay in the program. Send white light and prayers my way that it will all work itself out soon. Lord knows I am tired of dealing with and ready to move onto the next obstacle.

Anyways, I did manage to make it to the library at Sotheby's and reserve some books and check out a few. Of course, the ones I needed/wanted to check out where the biggest and heaviest. That was a fun journey home trying to carry all of those home. Haha. I did manage to take a photo of a tube add that I find quite amusing. Moobs. How silly. I love that add.


After returning from the library I made some dinner and got ready to meet up with Janet and Simon. Again, another set up through Natali; before moving I met Janet and Simon's cousin Sarah, and technically she's a Brit, so she got us in contact. They seemed super cool through email so I was stoked to finally be able to meet them. Guess what? They rocked! We went all over the place. Primrose Hill, Camden Town, Angel, Kings Cross and then back home. In traditional British fashion beer was consumed at all places. And yes, we were all good and drunk and having a lovely time. We stopped at some noodle place and got food along the way. After that Janet and I sent Simon to the grocery store to get beer and wine for a house party we were going to while we had another beer and girlie talk at some pub. I really like her! New girlfriend! Yay! Her birthday is 6 days before mine, and we're going to be the same age. Possible joint party. Double yay! The house party was cool. It ended strangely though. Around 3 AM everyone just seemed to clear out. Weird. The only form of transport at that hour is car/taxi or one of the 24 hour buses. Janet was determined to get me home, so we walked forever until we got to Kings Cross. Then they put me on a bus to Camden Town (crack town) and send me on my way. Oh man, that was interesting. Luckily I asked the bus driver where I should get off and how to get to Chalk Farm Tube. He was helpful, but then at the bus stop I was lost again. I've never ridden the bus by myself, and it can be quite confusing, especially if you've had too much to drink. No worries though, I always have good luck with strangers willing to help me find my way. Some dude asked where I was going and told me to get on the next bus. I made it home safely but there were sketchy dudes everywhere. Even in safe and pristine Primrose Hill. Not cool. But again, I made it home safe, in one piece, and have decided that getting pepper spray would be a good idea. ***I will post picture of Janet and I once I get them from her.




Upon arriving to the flat, I thought Michael was still up. 4:30 AM though? I couldn't believe it. Nope, he wasn't up, in fact, he wasn't even home. What a harlot! He just left all the lights on and a mess in the kitchen (there were more dishes then the photo lets on). True, some of those dishes are mine, I admit it openly. But the peeled potato skins? Come on. The rubbish bin is literally 3-4 feet away. Give me a break. I did do most of the dishes later that afternoon after I woke up and tried to recover from a proper night out in London. Easier said then done I might add. Ah, London was good to me that night.

Inspired? Possibly.

Apparently I have been inspired to actually start taking photos of my adventures and non-adventures around town. Maybe this is due to my 4 day weekend I had where I was actually able to rest, de-stress and just plain chill out. Of course the stress is still there, but I seem to be able to manage it better - although it's most likely from a good girls trip to a pub after class, acupuncture and a pill with some codeine in it on Monday. Haha...I realize that doesn't sound like the best combination, but it certainly did the trick and combining all 3 won't be happening on a regular basis I assure you.

Now let's get down to the descriptions:


Sunday:
I went to Southbank on the River Thames to meet up with a new friend for drinks. It was sunny and fairly warm until it started to get late. Then my toes froze. But as we were walking back to Waterloo tube the sun was starting to set (which happened in what seemed to be a matter of a few short minutes). The first 2 photos are from the view of where we were sitting at the second pub and the third photo is a shot as the sun was quickly setting. Sadly the photo does not give justice to what the visible eye saw. It was absolutely beautiful!





Tuesday:
Got out of class about 40 minutes early. Yay! That's always a lovely thing to have happen. On my walk home I noticed something new - a women feeding pigeons from her bike on the bridge in-between Chalk Farm tube and my flat. Personally, I think pigeons are pretty damn disgusting and could never image actually trying to attract them close to me. YUCK! They're the rats of the bird world. But for the sake of grossness, and my aunt Sherrie, the women and her birds had to be photographed. She saw me by the way and the shots where taken while I was walking past her, hence the blurriness in the first photo.




Wednesday:
No classes today, just a meeting with my tutor (aka adviser) Lis Darby. Can I just say I adore her. Not only is she on top of her game/knowledge in the art world, gives amazing lectures (some that do indeed border on sensory overload - too many slides) but is a super women to talk to about anything and everything. My meeting went very well.

Before meeting Lis I met up with a classmate/new girlfriend (double yay!) at the British Library. I didn't get any research done, but did manage to get registered so I can go in any time I like and look up stuff. I didn't realize that the downfall to the British Library is you can't check anything out. Boo to that! You can make photo copies, and I image you can take snap shots, but still, it's pretty lame. What can you do though except go along with it, especially if you need the information?

Guess who I saw in the tube? Obama! Yep, he's advertising in the UK. Doesn't really make too much sense, but reminded me that I still need to register as an absentee voter - which actually could be the point of his campaign - remind procrastinating Americans (like myself) to make sure they can vote even though they're overseas. I also saw Martin Luther King Jr. in a lovely poster for VSO - one of my obsessions is to photograph design that I like. And of course I took the "random tube" photo. They all have the same look/feel, but I love them anyways.





There's a field trip tomorrow to Brighton - Yay Pebbled Beach! We're having lunch on a coach again, so I decided to head straight to my favorite Italian sandwich shop on Regents Park Road (2 minute walk from the flat) to pick something up for tomorrow. It's great because the sandwiches are so big that I had half of it for lunch today, and can save the other half for tomorrow. I got a butter, goats cheese and smoked turkey sandwich on ciabatta bread. Yum.

The first photo is on Regent's Park Road on my way to the sandwich shop, about 1 block away. The second photo is for my little cousins Simon and Max. Construction outside of my flat. The third photo is a street number on a building that I thought was much more original and modern then all the rest. Oh and look, in the forth photo I found some hippies! Tibetan prayer flags - reminds me of home. :)





Now the next photos are more on the inspired side. I decided to experiment with my micro lens feature on my little hand held, point and shoot, digital camera. Surprisingly, they turned out pretty rad and the feature works better then I thought it should. All the photos of flowers and whatnot are right outside the building entrance of the flat. It had sprinkled right before (and luckily stopped by the time I was ready to make my 2 minute walk home) and left water droplets that intrigued me beyond belief on everything. Let's just say I had some fun taking them.

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.

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.