Monthly Playlist: January

Week 3, originally uploaded by chlorinebeach.

Let's Misbehave, Elvis Costello: I spent all of the first week of January re watching the YouTube video of Christopher Walkin tapdancing in "Pennies from Heaven." When I went to the mall with my dad to hit up some New Year's sales, FYE was going out of business, and along with a lot of other CDs, I snagged the soundtrack to "De-Lovely", the movie.

I Don't Care, Fall Out Boy: Milton burned me the new Fall Out Boy CD, and I played it in the car for a while. I find this song really quite funny, I think in the way it's actually supposed to be perceived for once (I don't know what's weird anymore).

I Miss You, Bjork: I love Bjork. 'Nuff said.

Rave on, Buddy Holly: We went to see "Buddy" with the program, and it re-ignited my love for Mr. Holly. And you know what? After seeing that show, I hear his music EVERYWHERE. What is it with these people and 50's Americana?

Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off, Panic! At the Disco: In my Modern Drama class, we're doing a scene from "Closer" (I'm the director apparently, yikes!), and the title of this song is actually a line from the show. Re-listening to the song, I think the song may have been written about the show, so I'm planning on using it. Somehow.

'Alfie' + 'Smile (Gutter Mix)', Lily Allen: I have the Time Out London bumper on my iGoogle homepage, and the other day it was advertising a concert of hers in my area. It was sold out, however, so I jumped onto iTunes to see if I couldn't find anything I like. She's a ton of fun, it turns out, and her new album comes out soon, so I'll have to check that out.

Until it Talks, Divide + Create: the Bootie blog just released their Best of Bootie 2008 album (what's that you say? Never heard of bootie? RUN, don't walk, to your nearest search engine and check them out. They make mashups that will one day rule the world). While it's not quite as good as the Best of Bootie 2007 album, there are still some incredibly danceable tunes on that thing that make me miss my bangin' speaker system I have waiting for me on my desk at home.

things I love Thursday

DSCN2229, originally uploaded by galadarling.

(Things I love thursday, or TiLT for short, was started by the fabulous Gala Darling, life/style icon to the world. Check out her site at www.galadarling.com!!!)

♥Victor Grippo: I went to the Tate Modern today, and his art was just exactly what I needed to see at that very moment. I think it's magical when things like that happen.

♥ Texture I felt very texturally dressed today, and walking around TM I couldn't help but admire some of the outfits that people were wearing more than the art itself. You ever want to run up + lick the art in the museums? I felt that way about some sweaters today.

♥Don Boros: This man is a fantastic professor, and one of my personal heroes. His 309 class I took last spring was uber informative and had been the most fantastic thing in terms of understanding museums I have ever done for myself. I can't wait to take the Alternative Performance techniques class with him!

♥ Waiting for Godot: For the uninformed, I am going to see Godot in March, starring Ian McKellen, Simon Callow, + Patrick Stewart. Needless to say, I am vomiting with excitement!!!!

♥Honorable Mentions: Lioness hair, Metallic Pink Nail Polish, New Friends named Jill, Skype, Getting my Hands dirty, Paint, Couples, the South Bank, Friendly Londonders, Settling in, Tent Dresses, Tea.

The Dublin Debacle ('Bitch Goddess city of my Ancestors '-K)

Dublin, originally uploaded by chlorinebeach.

Got up early on Friday morning + put my things together, + then we (Sarah H, Sarah L, Susannah, Laura, Amanda, Adrianne + I) got to the train station far too early. Got on the train with some good seats, and after a short nap, watched the scenery go by. Wales and upper England are BEAUTIFUL. I took a thousand pictures of the rolling countryside, the sheep, and the coastline. We also went straight past the Castle Conway, an old fortress built right next to the train line. The steep hillsides and rolling country reminded me of a less steep, less densely forested putnam county. From the train we got right on the Ferry, + it was much bigger than I had though it would be! It looked like a cruise ship, but they were driving sixteen wheelers out of it, so I guess it had to be quite large.

We got off the boat and into a bus with some incredibly intoxicated Welshmen, who were out for a Stag Slag (Bachelor Party). The bus dropped us off in front of a train station, but we had no idea where we were because our map was crap. I eventually made us go into an Hotel, where the concierge pointed us in the right direction.

The Hostel, Avalon House, was decent, I think- I've never been in an Hostel before. We slept in a room with two bunk beds which seemed pretty clean, and all of the people staying at/working in the hostel had a pretty cool vibe. After some diner food, everybody went out to a pub but I stayed in and wrote/slept, because I was feeling a bit ill.
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Up early the next morning for free breakfast (that's toast and orange juice to all of you with food allergies), + then out into the city. We wandered around, looking at Christchurch Cathedral, the Book of Kells at Trinity College (which wasn't actually there, there was a reproduction of it! But we got a discount + the exhibit beforehand was informative), and the Garden at Dublin Castle (we couldn't get inside), which was very beautiful + made me realize why they call Ireland the "Land of the Green"- everything looked lush and growing, even though it was January.

We stopped at a little place in Temple Bar for lunch, + all got Guinness/Beef stew, which was yummy and filling. Afterward, some of the others went off to the Guinness factory, but Sarah H + I didn't care about that, so we wandered around looking at whatever we wanted to. I must say that Dublin is a much tougher city than London- you can feel from the people that they more recently went through periods of intense violence. I never felt directly threatened, but I was nervous for most of the time we were there.

In the evening we went out + got some Vegetarian takeaway + sat in the Hostel kitchen arguing about literature + racism + politics + women's studies- a very interesting, collegiate discussion. We all mozied out to a pub afterward, but I got in there + instantly didn't like it- it was too dark, + loud, + not my scene, so Susannah + Amanda + I bounced. We fooled around a bit on the hostel computers, and then decided to call it a night.
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On Sunday, we got up early, checked out, ate, and then went to St. Patrick's, which you had to pay to get inside of so we gave it a skip. We walked out to the Kilmainhaim jail, which was the one thing we wanted to see not directly inside the (tiny) city centre. I loved the tour, because I learned a lot about Irish political history and nationalism from it. It was also interesting to see the evolution of (prison) architecture- from the old freezing castle wing to the open Victorian section, it very much typified all of my visions of jails from different eras.

We took the bus back to the town centre and ate at a cute little place called "The Queen of Tarts", which was probably the best meal I have had so far during my entire time in the UK. I had a goat cheese and roasted tomato tart, which came with a green salad, potato salad and a big slice of Ciabatta bread. Everything tasted really fresh + good, and afterward we sat with a pot of tea and some desserts and people watched, because it was raining outside.

Back over to Dublin Castle, for another tour. The more modern section (think Queen Victoria until Thatcher) was kind of boring, because it looked like every other mansion from that era, but we got to go into the basement and see the remains of the old Nordic city walls, and have a bit of the viking/norse conflict explained to us. In the gift shop, I bought some stickers to give out to people when I get home.

We hung about in the hostel until it was about time to go, + then walked over to the bus station for what felt like a much longer ride than we had taken to get into the city, and no wonder- it brought us to the wrong ferry station. So with less than an hour until its departure at 8:55, we caught cabs to the other, north side of town, where we leapt into the ferry. Once we were on, we tried to relax + sleep, but the water was choppy + making me kind of sick. The ferry ride finally ended at 12:05, and we waited in the Holyhead ferry station (where they didn't seem to care about our passports) until the next train, at 4:50. It was quite cold, so we all put on all of the clothing we had packed and huddled under our towels together to try + keep warm. There was a creepy guy we had had the pleasure of meeting on the Ferry who kept trying to talk to us, but after we repeatedly expressed complete + total disinterest in him he eventually took the hint and left.

When we finally got onto the train, I fell directly asleep and didn't wake up until we got into London Euston, at which point we dragged our sorry butts home + went to sleep.
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Overall, Dublin was enjoyable and informative, but it's definitely a weekend town- we saw everything we had wanted to see within two (admittedly rather active) days. It was a bit rough, so I recommend knowing where you're going and (for young women) not going out alone, especially at night. They say the Irish locals are friendly, and while the cabbie was nice, and the young man I stopped on the street to ask for directions was nice, it mostly seemed like the Dubliners were a little pissed at having foreigners there- I did in fact hear two very drunk young men screaming obscenities at an Asian couple.

Forget London, I'm going to Hogwarts!

1.19- I'm going to Hogwarts!, originally uploaded by chlorinebeach.

Today we walked to Euston station to buy our tickets for the train/ferry to Dublin, and in our usual roundabout way, we wound up at King's Cross station, where we of course HAD to take photos of ourselves at platform 9 3/4 (ultra touristy moment #1, check!).

The weather held up quite nicely, and only rained while we were inside buying our tickets, which I find a quite agreeable arrangement. Mostly the weather here seems to be like Binghamton- doom and gloom predicted every day, but then bright + sunny when I get up in the morning, and sort of variable throughout the day.
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So, who is reading this Blog? I know of a few people who have said they are, but even if you've already told me, give me a shout out in the comments (a blog is very lonely without comments)! Tell me somewhere you think I should go, or something you think I should write about, or just say hi.

And if you want a postcard, you had better send me an e-mail with your address before I run out of money...

Stuff I (Already!) Wish I Had Packed:

Suitcased, originally uploaded by Krissy Anne.

No, not a baby!

Stuff I was told not to pack that I wish I had:
-Face Cloth
-Another pair of jeans
-More socks
-More shirts
-More Bras

Stuff I would have brought if I was clever:
-Hand Mirror
-A suitcase I can do weekend travel with
-Nail File
-Lap Desk (We haven't got desks here... it makes me really bitter)
-Stuffed Animal
-Different Art Supplies

Week in Review

My creation, originally uploaded by chlorinebeach.

Thursday: Sarah + I went to go to Cirque du Soleil's Quidam at Royal Albert hall in the evening. We only got a little lost on the way there, + got in + got some pretty good tickets for 22 pound before the hall even opened. We were sitting in the circle, which was at the very top, but in the front. They were quite good seats, as we had a pretty good angle on watching the aerial acts. The show was AMAZING. It was everything I had ever thought a Cirque show should be, and more. Over and over again I was amazed by how strong the people were: yes, they were flexible, and had great balance, but really it was just a test of human strength. My favorites were the man in the circular ladder (I don't know what else to call it), + the four girls with the diablos. The aerial acts mostly made me nervous. The costumes were also really cool, + there was another part where they stacked four guys on top of each other, + it was very dramatic- you could hear the whole audience gasp as they threw the fourth guy up into the air.

Yesterday: It took us about an hour to walk to the Tower of London, + we stopped in at some places along the way, + took our pictures in front of "Gringotts" bank. I had been to the tower before, but it was quite interesting still- I really liked the crown jewels, + the medieval castle. They had a little display of all of the different types of fabrics used in a King's bedroom, + I guess it never gave it much thought before, but the fabrics were H-E-A-V-Y, because they had no heat, so they had to have as much insulation as possilbe- hence the fur blankets and the tapestries everywhere. I was stil mad jealous of the King's bed, though.


Today: We (Sarah, Jason, Jill, Laura, Susannah + I) trotted off to Camden Markets, to have a look around. There was a lot of crappily made clothing there, but once we explored a little deeper I also found some artisans selling jewelry they had made, and some people with legit antiques. It was a very over-stimulating experience, but it was pretty cool + I think I would go back. I got a long black skirt, which makes me happy because I had been wanting a new one for a long time. I also bought some tasty tea from some hippies, ate some free falafel samples, and laughed at the punks- that style was edgy maybe 30 years ago, + stylish 25 years ago. I don't know, it could also have something to do with the fact that I got over that look in eighth grade.

Tomorrow: Homework + Laundry. Jealous?

ps- Have a look at my flickr for more photos, + better descriptions of what's in them.

Edward Scissorhands

I had to post this one too..., originally uploaded by massdistraction.

The theatre itself (Sadlers Wells) was definetly very "we are a modern dance company!!!" I had forgotten that British audiences were more laid back than Americans, so I tried not to be annoyed when it started late + the audience was a bit chatty.

Overall, I really enjoyed Edward Scissorhands (lots of cool pictures and video clips on the site, if you care to check out more). All of the dancers (and there were about 25) were very strong- the company numbers were enjoying (but overwhelming) to watch. Because it was a dance, you could tell each of the dancers had worked really hard to develop a strong characterization of who they were playing. The physicality was big big big, sometimes almost bordering on the absurd, but in a really delightful way.

I must say that I think the two main dancers were the ones that I enjoyed the least- maybe because I felt like they hadn't worked so much on their characters. The guy who was Edward was certainly a great dancer, but I think he relied too much on the characterization that Johnny Depp had developed + didn't bother to make it his own.

I loved the costumes- each of them were very strong and clear, + I kept wondering what they were made out of that would allow them to look so good and be flexible at the same time. But lots of really eye-popping colors, all very broadway. Since it was my first show since taking costume design, I found myself analyzing them- I noticed all the uses of white on borders to make it so the more important characters were highlighted, and the play of different blacks against each other. I did lose Edward sometimes in the mix because he tended to blend in. Oh, also, all of the wigs were really good.

the sets were very... technological? They didn't really do anything for me- lots of flying in + out, + yes they told you where you were etc., but it wasn't anything I hadn't seen before. So no impression there.

The choreography (not that I know much about this sort of thing) was communicative and energetic. Overall, I had a lot of fun watching the show + was rather moved several times.

Yesterday- 11/1/09

Last night I fell right the hell asleep.

Alarm clock went off at 9, and after some fussing around (I watched the telly, but we only get 8 channels so there wasn't much of interest) I went out for a walk. I saw some stuff, met up with a main tourist-y drag, and bought a TOLondon and a paper (which I later discovered was Irish, oh well).

I stopped to admire a church (The Church of England at Langham Place), and there was a deacon outside (Cedric) who chatted me up. Apparently it was built during the Victorian era, so it is made entirely from brick + decorated with tile. It was much prettier (I think) on the outside than on the inside, but still rather decorative and interesting to look at the nave. I managed to go at a time when they were having a service soon, so I didn't want to be rude, but it was sort of unnerving for me, because they did the service in a completely different way than my church does- it felt rather Catholic (incense, singing priests, hymn books without the music scored, lots of marching the Bible and the cross around the church, crossing ourselves, and kneeling during prayer are a few examples I can think of). Which isn't a bad thing, I just didn't know what to do. My mom told me to find a church of Scotland, and I think I will do that instead.

When I got out, I got quite turned around as to where I was, but I wasn't too put out, because I feel it helped me get more of a feel of the neighborhood.

I got back in time for the bus tour, which went down Haymarket square, along the side of Hyde Park, down out of town back + forth over the Thames a few times, back up past Parliament, around Soho and back to Bloomsbury. It helped give me an idea of the lay of the land, and quite a few ideas for things to do. We stopped at St. James for a little bit, and I went to a sandwich Shop behind it called James, where I got the best Mocha I have ever had- it was much thicker and richer than one from Starbucks- it tasted less milk based. I also got an elephant's ear, and a strangely shaped olive loaf- it looks like it was made the same way fried dough is made.

Back to the apartment where I fooled about on the computer with some other girls, + then eight of us trucked off to Wagamama for cheap(ish, not as cheap as people would have you believe) noodles. It was an interestingly formatted place, and my Ginger Chicken Udon noodles where quite tasty, with plenty left over to take home. Also, Plum Wine is to be added to my list of favorite drinks.

Later on I am going downstairs to play Taboo with the same folks I went to Wagamamma with. I think it may wind up being an early night- I am confused by everything being closed on Sundays, + the Tube closing at all. I suppose that since I grew up near New York, my idea of a city is a bit different- things should be open all the time, and the Tube should never stop at all.

I aim to get up early tomorrow + go buy a handbag (I can't believe I still don't have one) before our series of meetings- we have a meeting with some of our Professors, and then a meeting with the people who run the buildings, when I will (hopefully) be able to buy wireless.

Going on the tour made me realize even more how much there is to do, + how little time I have, + it re-enforced my plan to not travel every other weekend- it just seems like there is so much I would miss out on. I should sit down some time in the near future + create a list of things I want to do, maybe tomorrow evening when I have wireless access.

Organizing my Brain

My pretentious closet, originally uploaded by chlorinebeach.

Anybody who has seen my room/handbag/planner/brain knows that I am a hyper-organized person. A bizarre system of sticky notes and post-it flags helps me remember when to do my homework + why I exist on this planet. So when going to London, I see it as the ultimate organizational challenge, as you may have surmised from my previous posts.

Today I went to Barnes + Noble to spend Christmas gift cards, and I found a great planner- the Burde 08/09 planner (it pained me to have rip out half a year of pages, but there was really no point in keeping them). I love it because it has the whole week on one page, but each day has hours going from 8am to 8pm- I saw a planner once that ended at 5pm, which is completely useless for most human beings. Also, it has a spot on the side for writing to-do lists, meaning I will perhaps not have to make such vehement use of a post-it note system. Joy! It's also very lightweight (read:cheaply made), so it won't weigh me down too much.

In addition to this, I am going to bring my blank Moleskiene (for sketching on the go), my lined journal (because I can't blog everything), and my London Moleskiene, for writing down exciting places to go + generally keeping track of where I am.

However, this means at least three notebooks in my bag at any given time- do you think this is too much? Should I stop obsessively chronicling the banalities of my life? I'd love to be able to slap them all together into one book, but desfortunadamente that is not possible, and it would have to be a damn big book. Also, if I lost it, I'd be totally screwed.

Even at this I'm leaving behind my big sketchbook, which I would love to be able to take. I'm trying to convince myself I won't have time to sketch in the flat, what with homework and running around being fabulous and all, but a tiny part of my brain goes bring it, bring it! So I may succumb to that and cram it in if I have extra space.

Speaking of art, I also have no idea what to bring in terms of supplies. I've decided I'm allowed to bring EITHER markers OR colored pencils, but I don't know which- the markers take up less space + the pencils are heavier, but the color range available with the markers is far smaller. Or should I wait until I get there + find a supply store + just buy some decent markers there? Or should I just completely cut myself off + only allow myself to bring art pens? Decisions decisions.

Suggestions? I'll take them from writers, sculptors, wanderers or dreamers- I'm not picky.