Little Time Capsules: London's Tube

These vintage film posters and advertisements were recently uncovered in a London Underground tube station at Notting Hill.  The passage is closed to the public, as it's been out of use since the late 1950's, but getting to look at the pictures is like seeing a little time capsule.

It's like a preserved graphics museum.  Although looking at images of this old subway station tunnel makes me think of Celia's watery ending from the movie Atonement... my step-sister Courtney is reading the book now, and has made me want to pick it up.  Or, at least re-rent it, if nothing else for the emerald dress.

Celia's final hours hiding from an air raid in a soon-to-be-flooded tube station.

"I Was A Jerk Who Preferred The Sea": Guest Blog

 Jennifer of The Novelista Barista just got back from a vacation in Jamaica, and asked for guest bloggers while she was gone.  I sent her a post about traveling, journals, and my time studying abroad in Spain.  Here is the post I wrote for her, and I'm so excited to see it on her lovely blog!

Quoted throughout most of my journal, and the title of this post:

"Promising Light" by Iron and Wine.  Any surprise I taught myself this other song as soon as I knew the chords?

About a month ago, I was perusing my blog reader when I stumbled upon a post in the Live Journal group jr_nal.  A girl had posted her diary writing and collages from a trip to Turkey, pressed into the pages of a Miquelrius book, known for their soft covers and lightly lined graph paper.

Having grown up as a military brat, I traveled all over the world, keeping pages and pages of scribbles, art work, and scrap book memorabilia to document my trips.  In ninth grade, I lived in Izmir, Turkey, so her mentions of the almost ghostly call to prayer at 6 a.m., and the incessant meowing of street cats written next to pieces of an apple tea container brought back, literally, volumes of memories.

When I studied abroad in Malaga, Spain, in college, I took with me a similar Miquelrius notebook that I bought at Barnes and Noble before my trip.  After reading her post, I decided to pull it out and share some of the pages, hoping to remind myself what it feels like to find everything about a new place wonderful - movie ticket stubs, embossed napkins, postcards, photographs of sunsets - with the thought that maybe I can inspire myself to find a similar wonderment amongst the artifacts of my current daily life.

Here are a handful of pages I found in my Spain diary:

 

As I've grown up I have stopped journaling this way.  I am not sure if this is for lack of time due to work, boyfriends, Gossip Girl reruns, or simply because I do not value spending time alone with myself, a blank book, and the fragments of days I want to preserve the same way I used to.  Trite as it may sound, I often hear Ally Sheedy's voice in my head, when, in the movie The Breakfast Club, she says, "when you grow up, your heart dies,"  which I can't help but feel to be true when I choose more "practical" pursuits over saving the bits and pieces of my day and pressing them into books with the hope of creating something lovely.

I know I do not want that to be true of myself, and that may be the only thing I know for certain at this point of my life, straddling the line of young adult and full fledged adult the same way I used to stand between being a teenager and a young adult, like a person frozen between two railroad tracks with the sound of a horn in the distance.

There are some beautiful inspirations for art journaling in the world, and I mean to revisit these to help me return to a once-favorite hobby.  Dan Eldon, the photojournalist killed in Africa, kept intricate, layered pages of journals that chronicled his travels across Africa's continent.  There are art books dedicated to the beauty of journals, and even friendly tips to be found on how to keep travel and scrapbook journaling part of your writing routine. 

While rereading entries written only a few years ago in actuality, but what feels like centuries ago, can be both embarrassing and humbling, it's moving me to pick up a book with a blank page, a pair of scissors, a pen, and go outside to try and see my day as something beautiful, and worthy of both exploration and preservation.

Meeting God

Because I am incapable of going to sleep before 2 a.m., regardless of what time I woke up this morning or when responsibility dictates I should wake up tomorrow (today?), I was possessed by the whim to scan a few of the vibrant photographs from one of my favorite college "text books," (being an English literature major with loads of elective courses in religious studies, I had very few actual text books). 

Meeting God almost looks like a coffee table book because of its full size, color photographs on every page, but it's so rich with information, text, explanations, stories, history, and new things to wonder about, that it most certainly earns a title over the waiting room status of "coffee table books."  The American Museum of Natural History stocks it, so surely it has some heft in the world of academia.  Regardless, the photos are the selling point.

My copy is filled with underlinings of purple pen from my notes when reading it for a world religions summer school class in college.  And for the sake of honesty: I'm one of those people who took summer school classes for fun.  Every year.  Religious studies, Mesopotamian history, civics, survey of international politics... whenever I'm interested in something, I devour it, (although civics and politics are two interests I really couldn't care less for now, which is terrible, yeahyeahyeah - so I hear we passed a health care bill?). 

I'm not sure if I'm simply hungering for some sort of visual inspiration, or a color feast, or if wanderlust is setting in and I'm craving anything I associate with travel.  Either way, I scanned a few of my favorite photos to share.

I really want an elephant to pat me on the head.  And to wake up early in the morning and pray in cold river water.  And to wear a sari and not look like a lame tourist, (I have no delusions about this ever happening).

Also for the sake of honesty : before anyone calls me an over idealizing romantic in terms of other cultures, all I have to say to you is this: salmonella, my old friend.

I check Lonely Planet for openings for writers almost monthly, but am yet to ever see a call for a position I could actually fill.  Although after reading Do Travel Writers Go To Hell? I may be tempted to one day say "forget the safety of sponsored travel," as "safety" was a loose term according to the author.  All I need is my camera, a writing utensil, and some gumption, right?  I have gumption.

Now back to my day dreaming.  Er, night dreaming.  It's really time for bed.

Jug Wine Comics

 

The list of awesome people I work with goes on: Meghann, one of our program specialists, draws comics, and they're GREAT.  She has also taught me to knit, but that's another story.  According to her blog, she'll be on KVRX 91.7 on Tuesday night, 8:30PM, "chatting about being a cartoonist, being a lady, and being a lady-cartoonist."  

She also has mad style, and if I can ever remember to take my camera to work, I'm going to barrage her with camera flashes, (and Meghann, if you're reading this, that's your heads up).  

Michelle Lang, Danny Pearl, Dan Eldon & Lives Well Lived

Aside from the innate tragedy of losing people, it stands out to me, especially, when stories hit the news of soldiers dying, since I'm from an army family with friends in every branch.  Or, when stories hit of journalists - writers - who have died in their profession.

Michelle Lang, a Canadian journalist and blogger in Afghanistan, was killed a few days ago from a land mine explosion on a routine surveillance ride around Kandahar, along with four young Canadian soldiers.

The perils of journalism are not unfamiliar territory, especially after the book and movie A Mighty Heart, chronicling the kidnapping of American and Jewish journalist Danny Pearl, by his wife, Mariane Pearl, was released.

The part in the movie that broke me was when Angelina Jolie, as Mariane Pearl, was asked what she wished to tell her husband's kidnappers.  She had her hand on her belly and said simply, "I'm pregnant."  The story is like the Titanic, in that, the viewer knows he's not going to make it home, and their baby will never meet his dad, and they won't get to raise the child together.  It's impossible not to speculate that these are the fears going through her mind, and to not suffer knowing that those fears became actualized.

Not long ago, I was laying in bed reading when my roommate, Eirik, came upstairs to visit.  He noticed a book of Lennon's on the shelf, pulled it out, and told me I needed to put down what I was reading and start on this book instead.

The book was The Journey is the Destination, a collection of journals and art by Dan Eldon, compiled posthumously by his mother and sister.  Being a huge fan of art journals and not knowing anything about this guy, I liked the book immediately when I saw that the pages were vibrant collages of writing, photography, clippings, and paintings.

Eldon was a British citizen who grew up in Africa, and developed an intense compassion for people suffering from hunger, war, displacement, and lack of medicine.  He loaded up his friends into a land rover and drove across the continent to deliver food and supplies to people in refugee camps, (twice), and documented everything he encountered through words and art.  Not long after, (when one dies at 23, there's not enough time for things to take long), he was hired as a photojournalist, and traveled to the scene of a bombing to document the destruction and the effect on the people.  A mob turned on him and several others, and they were all stoned to death. 

This is one of his photographs:

A movie about his life is in the making, and I believe that Harry Potter's Dan Radcliffe will be portraying Dan Eldon.  I can not wait to see this, and I certainly hope that Hollywood doesn't muck it up.  I want to share a few of his journal images that I found online:

  

"The most important part of vehicle maintenance is clean windows, so if you are broken down, you will enjoy the beauty of the view." - Dan Eldon

The thing I want to take away from this is the reminder to be brave.  In travel, in art, in career choice, and in the practice of compassion.  It seems a fitting memorial, that when someone who lit up the world with their work disappears, to amplify our own lights, both out of necessity and in their honor.  The saddest thing of all is the thought of the world going dimmer each time someone with a strong heart goes out of it too soon.

Before I wrote this post I was starting to clench my muscles and jaw over past relationship drama, but letting things like that darken my day would not be putting their lessons into practice, and what good is inspiration if it is not acted upon?

I'm intensely curious to know: who inspires you?

50 Of The World's Best Design Blogs

The Times Online posted a list of their picks for the top fifty design blogs on the interwebs.  If you're girly, domestic, or just visual like me, then you'll probably find more than a few blogs you'll want to follow from here on out.  I poked through a few and my eyes are still sore from stretching to take in all of the lovely photographs.  I'm including a few teaser pictures of all of the delicious images and ideas there are to peruse from the blogs on this list.

 Dinner under the gum tree and open bird cages

Country Style via Delight by Design

Frank Juery via Please Sir

Thai paper lotus flowers photo by Ellie Snow at Mint

Can we talk about how much I want the "paper" crane pendant?

Collage by Oh Hello Friend

 Kane Longden photo via Bliss

Collage by Pia Jane Bijerk, partially based in Amsterdam.  Her Amsterdam photos are dear to my heart as I lived in the Netherlands for three years, (Never Never Land, according to my 1st grade self).

I admit it.  I like blurry pictures of pretty girls staring off at things.

Photo by Daydream Lily

After watching Marie Antoinette on the home theatre screen, I'm feeling a renewed passion for turquoise.

Photo from 1st-Option via Lobster and Swan

(although I love this blog, I want to poke fun at the name, as well as the Snail and Cyclops - another I love - and start my own mishmash-named-blog called "Lice & Prawns."  Don't copy!)

Starry eyed, photo by Dress, Design & Decor via Frolic!

Apparently, I'm not the only one who felt the need to dig up Marie Antoinette for it's lush imagery.  Apartment Therapy did, too.  I feel stylish now.

The Marie must still be in me, since I was instantly drawn to these lovely cake stands.  That, or I've always felt affectionate for vintage tableware, mint green, and peony pink... if you need more proof, see the invitations from my wedding that were never mailed.

Photos from BBC Homes & Antiques via Tea For Joy, the compiler of the Time's list.

With that, I'm going to go survey my own messy domain, maybe reach for a vacuum.  Maybe.

More Feats of Upper Body Strength: Aerial Silks in Austin

The E.A.S.T. Austin Studio Tour has not been limited to traditional gallery art; it also incorporates workshops, demonstratoins, and performances.  Last Sunday, a few girls from Blue Lapis Light aerial silks studio hosted an outdoor demonstration of their "in-your-face-Newton" stunts on a large yellow rig with long, ominous, silk scarves flowing to the ground where a single yoga mat stood as cushion between aerial mishaps and the grass.

Rolling in late, per usual, I only caught the last part of the performance, but luckily for me...

Winnie Hsia was gracious enough to climb back up the silks to pose for me in a splits position.  My legs threatened to buckle under me if the thought of attempting that even crossed the frontal lobe of my mind. 

I think I'll hedge my bets on gravity-defying moves by sticking to my beginner pole tricks, since at least a pole is anchored to the ground.  On second thought, maybe I'll just continue to be the girl taking pictures.  I'm ok with that.

At the end, all of the girls came out and took a bow.  There was quite a crowd gathering, and the mosquitos had found us, so it was time to go back to an air conditioned gallery.  Be sure to watch for other events put on by local performers this weekend, since the studio tour extended it's run, and if you find Winnie on facebook, she can tell you of other upcoming aerial silk events. 

Also be sure to check out her boyfriend, Danny Strack, Austin's slam poetry team captain for the National Poetry Slam last year! It's hard not to hold a grudge against talented people who, when combined, have the same affect as the Captain Planet rings joining forces to save the universe, but it's worth avoiding the talent-jealousy-grudge to meet them.

The Flying Saucer UFO Club's Newest Member & Plan Your Week

Last night, a friend from Arkansas drove down to Austin, and it was just in time to attend our friend JB's UFO party at the Flying Saucer.  JB has, over the course of many months, tasted 200 beers at the Saucer, earning himself a gold rimmed platter with his name on it (in the corner, above the hallway to the restooms!).  The Saucer in Little Rock was a second home, as many a Monday Pint Night, Tuesday Trivia Night, It's-sleeting-and-work-is-cancelled-tomorrow night, and weekend no-good-bands-are-playing-elsewhere night were spent drinking Shiners and Blue Moons in the warm glow of the copper penny back splash.  So, who says you can't go home again?

This weekend/week in Austin is going to be nuts, there's so much going on.  Here are my picks for the week:

Friday - While my friend might have driven in to see Mastadon and Dethklock at the Austin Music Hall, I'll take the Monsters of Folk with Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes playing at Stubbs.  Plus, Bishop Allen is at Mohawk, but I've already seen them in Little Rock.  Leave it to Beverly at The Off Center is also happening tonight - a play about 60's sitcoms gone wrong.  Either way, I'll be at a birthday party, bringing a six pack as a present.  I should also mention that it's the Boys and Girls Club Fall Gala - which I could never afford a ticket to, but if I didn't already have plans, I could go to for free/as a volunteer... and the menu, steak aside, was certainly tempting. 




Saturday - The East Austin Studio tour kicks off!  Be sure to stop by the studio of Michael Long, an artist and photographer who teaches art to my kids after school five days a week.  Even some of our toughest, don't-like-anybody-in-authority teenagers, like Michael Long, so you should too. 

Sunday - The Swell Season at the Paramount!  If you've seen the movie Once, then you probably love them.  I got to see them play at BU in Boston last year, which is lucky because I certainly can't afford a ticket to the Paramount.  Last year, I used the movie to do a compare/contrast essay with my senior English class over James Joyce's short story Eveline.  A few soundtracks were purchased afterward.  Seeing as I am poor, I will be attending the Flipside Flyers aerial silk performance at 4:30, and then the Austin Garden Party at 6:00, both more within my budget.

Monday - Bob Schneider and Rosie Flores at the Saxon Pub.  Enough said. 

Tuesday - Eisley at Emo's.  They aren't the featured act - but I love their vocals, plus they're a Texas band. 

Wednesday - The Get Up Kids at Emo's!  Get out of my way, because I will be front row and center.  I've loved them since the tenth grade, and Something To Write Home About is still the only CD I've ever had to replace because I played/play it so much. 




Thursday - Girl crush night - Holly Miranda playing solo at Mohawks.  Tickets: bought. 

What are your plans this week?