Just got back from a weekend in Paris.... man my life is tough.
I was only there for a few days, but it was wonderful and relaxing.
I love the really well dressed businessmen on the train to London, who set up shop with their businessmen friends (not being sexist... I've only ever seen men). They have newspapers out, working on some chart things on their laptops, talking on their cell phones. Then I follow them off the train and walk to St. Pancras... passing by the British Library, some red telephone boxes, and nice looking pubs. This time, after I went past security and passport control in London, I saw that they had some performers set up in the Eurostar... terminal? Is that what you call that? Where I wait for my train. They were playing jazzed-up Disney songs to entertain the children who were waiting to go to Disneyland Paris.
Yesterday when I got on my Eurostar train in Paris, there was someone standing at the door to check my ticket.... which has never happened before. I thought maybe they upped the security for some reason. Then I got into my train and saw that the seats were bigger than the ones I usually sit in and they had leather headrests. I thought maybe they changed up the seats in the past two days. Then I fell asleep for a few minutes, woke up and saw people drinking wine and soda all around me. I never get wine or soda on my Eurostar trip! I kind of let myself accept at that point that I was in a higher class seating.... but how the hell did that happen? I don't even know how to book first class seating on the website and I certainly did not pay for a first class ticket. So I started feeling guilty, like I had done something wrong and at any minute someone would walk past, see I was an impostor and kick me off the train by the coast of France. Next thing I know, a server walks by and hands me a tray with delicious food on it. I didn't respond at first because I thought I didn't deserve delicious food after conning my way into first class, but then he motioned for me to put my tray up... and I didn't want to look silly. This will remain a mystery for the rest of my life. Was it just a glitch in the matrix? How can it happen again? My seat was so big I could curl up in the fetal position!
Back in Warwickland now... and my workload is getting pretty heavy. In order to stay on top of things, I'm going to need to read about 200 pages a night, while attending lectures, rehearsals for two plays and one radio show, production meetings... and hopefully I'll find some time in there to eat and breathe. I'm not hoping for much sleep, though. Sleep will be put on the back burner. Anyone know a way to increase the number of hours in a day to 30? Maybe 32? It would be much appreciated.
Good to be back, though. Even if I was threatened by a swan today (and yes, I stood my ground and acted tough, but it was really big and wagged its tail at me, so I ran away). They aren't as pretty when they're out of the water.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Antarctica, my only living relative...
One of my favorite songs in the entire universe.
Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day, everyone!
Happy Anna Howard Shaw Day, everyone!
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
For well you know that it's a fool who plays it cool...
"The sweat wis lashing oafay Sick Boy; he wis trembling. Ah wi jist sitting thair, focusing oan the telly"
Who knew I would learn how to read another dialect while I was studying here? That's the first line from Trainspotting, by the way. I just started it and, minus the freaky cover, I'm liking it a lot. In my Devolutionary British Fiction class, we read a lot of novels written in different dialects... just read one written in Glaswegian, which was easier to understand than these junkies, but I guess my professor was just easing us into it.
Tonight, I walked into my kitchen, starving, and tried to cook something in the microwave.... which wouldn't turn on. I then looked to the television, which would also not turn on. Everything, minus the lights and stove was dead. I kicked some chairs and tore down the fliers on our billboard which were covering up the number I needed to call.... you know how I get when I'm hungry. I saw that I needed to call the security desk, since it was past 8pm. After ringing for about five minutes (what if there was a serious emergency??) a man picked up.
Security Man: Hello, Warwick Security.
Me: Hi, this is the number I'm supposed to call for kitchen power outages, right?
Security Man: It appears so.
Me: Um.. right. Well my kitchen has a power outage. Not the lights, just the TV, microwave, toaster--
Security Man: So anything connected to a socket?
Me: Yes. I live in flat --
Security Man: Are you American or Canadian?
THIS. THIS IS WHY WHEN MY FRIENDS ASK ME TO CALL SOME KIND OF SERVICE, I SAY NO. Why is my nationality in any way related to my kitchen not working properly? Shouldn't you get me off the phone asap so you can call someone to fix my kitchen before my food spoils?
Me: I'm American.
Security Man: It's obvious.
Me: Right. Well I live in flat tw--
Security Man: It's a lovely accent.
Me: Thank you. Will someone come to fix my kitchen soon?
Security Man: Well, you're going to need to tell me what flat you're in first! Hahaha!
Not funny, Security Man. Not funny. I was very hungry and on the verge of a meltdown. You did not help me. You are a bad Security Man. Terrible, some might say. The worst.
Other than that unfortunate incident, life is pretty damn good. Too much fun is being had here... I went out Friday night with some friends to see a stage rendition of The Triplets of Belleville and then went out dancing at this event at the union. At the end of the night, the DJ said, "Alright, well we need to close up now, so we thought we'd play a song we can all sing a long to." They then proceeded to play "Hey Jude," and everyone got in one big hugging circle. I took a little video. Sorry about the shaking...
Who knew I would learn how to read another dialect while I was studying here? That's the first line from Trainspotting, by the way. I just started it and, minus the freaky cover, I'm liking it a lot. In my Devolutionary British Fiction class, we read a lot of novels written in different dialects... just read one written in Glaswegian, which was easier to understand than these junkies, but I guess my professor was just easing us into it.
Tonight, I walked into my kitchen, starving, and tried to cook something in the microwave.... which wouldn't turn on. I then looked to the television, which would also not turn on. Everything, minus the lights and stove was dead. I kicked some chairs and tore down the fliers on our billboard which were covering up the number I needed to call.... you know how I get when I'm hungry. I saw that I needed to call the security desk, since it was past 8pm. After ringing for about five minutes (what if there was a serious emergency??) a man picked up.
Security Man: Hello, Warwick Security.
Me: Hi, this is the number I'm supposed to call for kitchen power outages, right?
Security Man: It appears so.
Me: Um.. right. Well my kitchen has a power outage. Not the lights, just the TV, microwave, toaster--
Security Man: So anything connected to a socket?
Me: Yes. I live in flat --
Security Man: Are you American or Canadian?
THIS. THIS IS WHY WHEN MY FRIENDS ASK ME TO CALL SOME KIND OF SERVICE, I SAY NO. Why is my nationality in any way related to my kitchen not working properly? Shouldn't you get me off the phone asap so you can call someone to fix my kitchen before my food spoils?
Me: I'm American.
Security Man: It's obvious.
Me: Right. Well I live in flat tw--
Security Man: It's a lovely accent.
Me: Thank you. Will someone come to fix my kitchen soon?
Security Man: Well, you're going to need to tell me what flat you're in first! Hahaha!
Not funny, Security Man. Not funny. I was very hungry and on the verge of a meltdown. You did not help me. You are a bad Security Man. Terrible, some might say. The worst.
Other than that unfortunate incident, life is pretty damn good. Too much fun is being had here... I went out Friday night with some friends to see a stage rendition of The Triplets of Belleville and then went out dancing at this event at the union. At the end of the night, the DJ said, "Alright, well we need to close up now, so we thought we'd play a song we can all sing a long to." They then proceeded to play "Hey Jude," and everyone got in one big hugging circle. I took a little video. Sorry about the shaking...
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Brussels: A Two-Part Tale
All their personal belongings have intertwined.... a.k.a. part one
I hopped on my train to Brussels on Thursday night, which ended up being delayed half an hour because *I think* the train before us got stuck under the ocean for a bit? But thankfully, we exited the ocean safely and quickly.
It was really nice to see Leah again. And the house she lives in is fantastic, minus the lack of heating which was compensated for by some snuggle time and lots of blankets. The first night we ate dinner, drank maybe too much, went to a karaoke bar.... it was really really fun.... I sang "Mr. Big Stuff" and...yeah. Enough said.
The next day, we had a lazy morning... drank some coffee, ate some cereal, etc. Then we went downtown with Leah's super sweet roommate, Jess. We went to the Magritte Museum, which was really interesting. I had kind of the same feeling I get when I go to any art museum, which is, "Well, it's pretty... I just don't understand what they're saying." I kind of got Magritte though. Something about defamiliarization and disassociating words with images... I dunno. I'm not an art history person. I got some nice postcards though, including the "Ceci n'est pas une pipe" one... it was a must-have.
We walked around some more, went to a bar that has two thousand different kinds of beer, and then fell asleep early, as we had to wake up at 5:30am the next day....
I got soul but I'm not a soldier... a.k.a. part two
Leah is on a CIEE program, meaning she and all the other participants from across the states get to go on occasional excursions. Luckily, I was allowed to accompany them on their trip to.... The Battle of the Bulge!
The bus left Brussels at 7:30am, so I fell asleep pretty much right as I sat down, with my head against the window and one of Leah's earbuds in my ear. I woke up to the sound of bombs, screaming, and gunfire in my right ear and Joni Mitchell in my left. Turned out they were playing an episode of Band of Brothers on the coach bus to get us in the mood.
It was a long, war-themed day, complete with cemeteries, army bases, and foxholes. It was also the first time I had been around a large group of Americans in about five months. Reverse culture shock? I think so. But they fed us well and it was nice to sit and eat with Leah, Jess, and their French friend who, when unable to remember the word "robe" said, "you know, like Big Lebowski?"
I was sad to leave Leah, but I think we're going to travel somewhere exciting over spring break.
And now I'm back in England, on campus, on my computer, with my coffee. I had a crap day yesterday but tea with the flatmates and drinks with the Shakespeare folks made it all better.
I'm going to go do some research now so I can sound smart in my first rehearsal today. Last night, I actually got my friends admit that I am always always right.
I like it here.
I hopped on my train to Brussels on Thursday night, which ended up being delayed half an hour because *I think* the train before us got stuck under the ocean for a bit? But thankfully, we exited the ocean safely and quickly.
It was really nice to see Leah again. And the house she lives in is fantastic, minus the lack of heating which was compensated for by some snuggle time and lots of blankets. The first night we ate dinner, drank maybe too much, went to a karaoke bar.... it was really really fun.... I sang "Mr. Big Stuff" and...yeah. Enough said.
The next day, we had a lazy morning... drank some coffee, ate some cereal, etc. Then we went downtown with Leah's super sweet roommate, Jess. We went to the Magritte Museum, which was really interesting. I had kind of the same feeling I get when I go to any art museum, which is, "Well, it's pretty... I just don't understand what they're saying." I kind of got Magritte though. Something about defamiliarization and disassociating words with images... I dunno. I'm not an art history person. I got some nice postcards though, including the "Ceci n'est pas une pipe" one... it was a must-have.
We walked around some more, went to a bar that has two thousand different kinds of beer, and then fell asleep early, as we had to wake up at 5:30am the next day....
I got soul but I'm not a soldier... a.k.a. part two
Leah is on a CIEE program, meaning she and all the other participants from across the states get to go on occasional excursions. Luckily, I was allowed to accompany them on their trip to.... The Battle of the Bulge!
The bus left Brussels at 7:30am, so I fell asleep pretty much right as I sat down, with my head against the window and one of Leah's earbuds in my ear. I woke up to the sound of bombs, screaming, and gunfire in my right ear and Joni Mitchell in my left. Turned out they were playing an episode of Band of Brothers on the coach bus to get us in the mood.
It was a long, war-themed day, complete with cemeteries, army bases, and foxholes. It was also the first time I had been around a large group of Americans in about five months. Reverse culture shock? I think so. But they fed us well and it was nice to sit and eat with Leah, Jess, and their French friend who, when unable to remember the word "robe" said, "you know, like Big Lebowski?"
I was sad to leave Leah, but I think we're going to travel somewhere exciting over spring break.
And now I'm back in England, on campus, on my computer, with my coffee. I had a crap day yesterday but tea with the flatmates and drinks with the Shakespeare folks made it all better.
I'm going to go do some research now so I can sound smart in my first rehearsal today. Last night, I actually got my friends admit that I am always always right.
I like it here.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Dishes, etc.
We've been having some... sanitation issues in our flat. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday cleaners come to make our kitchen sparkle. But, if people have left too much stuff out, they won't clean. If this happens for a week or more running... which it has... they're liable to fine us. I am officially the kitchen coordinator, which means I am the one who has had to start yelling at people to pick up their crap. It's not hard. And really... it's just the boys that are unwilling. The girls clean their stuff up right after we use it.
Yesterday, to great whining, I instated a new law: clean up your stuff, or I will move it to right outside your door.
My newly appointed vice kitchen coordinator, Anjlee, the Dick Cheney to my W, assisted me in this task and I am happy to say... we have a clean kitchen today! Although I did get a pile of a pizza pan and frying pan in front of my door from someone who was unhappy I mistook these dishes for theirs. But really, when it's between two or three people, what could we do other than split it evenly and hope we got it right?
I should go into politics. Screw literature. When has literature cleaned a kitchen?
This song has been my mantra lately, and today I found the music video... starring Jason Schwartzman and Marc Wahlberg. It's funnier if you've seen I Heart Huckabees (which everyone should).
Lyrics:
Yesterday, to great whining, I instated a new law: clean up your stuff, or I will move it to right outside your door.
My newly appointed vice kitchen coordinator, Anjlee, the Dick Cheney to my W, assisted me in this task and I am happy to say... we have a clean kitchen today! Although I did get a pile of a pizza pan and frying pan in front of my door from someone who was unhappy I mistook these dishes for theirs. But really, when it's between two or three people, what could we do other than split it evenly and hope we got it right?
I should go into politics. Screw literature. When has literature cleaned a kitchen?
This song has been my mantra lately, and today I found the music video... starring Jason Schwartzman and Marc Wahlberg. It's funnier if you've seen I Heart Huckabees (which everyone should).
Lyrics:
It’s something unattainable
That you can’t live without
And now the unexplainable
Has you riddled with doubt
Things begin, things decay
And you’ve gotta find a way
To be okay
But it you want to spend the day
Wondering what it’s all about
Go and knock yourself out
Why we're put in this mess
Is anybody’s guess
It might be a test or it might not be anything
You need to worry about
But if you’re still in doubt
Go and knock yourself out
That you can’t live without
And now the unexplainable
Has you riddled with doubt
Things begin, things decay
And you’ve gotta find a way
To be okay
But it you want to spend the day
Wondering what it’s all about
Go and knock yourself out
Why we're put in this mess
Is anybody’s guess
It might be a test or it might not be anything
You need to worry about
But if you’re still in doubt
Go and knock yourself out
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
And if a doubledecker bus crashes into us...
My professor mentioned the Smiths yesterday in class while talking about the 80's, AND I just re-watched (500) Days of Summer two nights ago, so I felt some Smiths lyrics were appropriate for my title today.
I'm feeling pretty good. With the help of hundreds of cups of coffee and tea, thousands of biscuits, and lots of whining, I finally turned in my 5000 word essay on gender and nature yesterday, and I think it went okay... I won't know until I get my grade. And a week ago I turned in a 2500 word essay... lots o' work lately.
These past couple of weeks have been horribly busy, due to the ginormous essays and casting for The Taming of the Shrew... which has been officially cast all of.... ten minutes ago. People look at me funny here when I say "ginormous," and I have to explain that it's a portmanteau of "giant" and "enormous" and that Lewis Carroll would be proud of me.
And to think my friends call me "nerd."
Casting was really awkward! Theater is a tough business. Also, I'm not as good at judging people as I thought I would be. It was really difficult for me not to show emotions during auditions, so I wound up *always* covering my mouth with my hands in some creative way. I was either eating something, drinking something, or just holding my head in my hands. Next week, casting for Julius Caesar begins, which should bring in an interesting crowd.
And my reward for all the hard work....... I leave on Thursday to go to Brussels for the weekend to visit Leah!! We haven't seen each other in five months and thirteen days.... but who's counting?
I just got back from one of my favorite classes. It's all girls (no boys wanted to be in a Feminist Perspectives on Literature module, I guess), really relaxed, and our new tutor is really sweet. There are a group of us that go get tea after class every week and talk about silly things. Last week, all the other girls complained about their younger sisters and how they steal their clothes and purses while they're at university. I kept my mouth shut. And I didn't tell them until today that I'm a younger sister.
At Wisconsin, I've never been asked to go get tea or coffee or anything after class... and it's such a normal thing here. It's really sweet. I decided that when I go back to Madison, I'll start asking people in my discussions if they want to go get a Spotted Cow on the terrace with me. I'm bringing this back home with me... and Wisconsin-izing it a little.
I'm feeling pretty good. With the help of hundreds of cups of coffee and tea, thousands of biscuits, and lots of whining, I finally turned in my 5000 word essay on gender and nature yesterday, and I think it went okay... I won't know until I get my grade. And a week ago I turned in a 2500 word essay... lots o' work lately.
These past couple of weeks have been horribly busy, due to the ginormous essays and casting for The Taming of the Shrew... which has been officially cast all of.... ten minutes ago. People look at me funny here when I say "ginormous," and I have to explain that it's a portmanteau of "giant" and "enormous" and that Lewis Carroll would be proud of me.
And to think my friends call me "nerd."
Casting was really awkward! Theater is a tough business. Also, I'm not as good at judging people as I thought I would be. It was really difficult for me not to show emotions during auditions, so I wound up *always* covering my mouth with my hands in some creative way. I was either eating something, drinking something, or just holding my head in my hands. Next week, casting for Julius Caesar begins, which should bring in an interesting crowd.
And my reward for all the hard work....... I leave on Thursday to go to Brussels for the weekend to visit Leah!! We haven't seen each other in five months and thirteen days.... but who's counting?
I just got back from one of my favorite classes. It's all girls (no boys wanted to be in a Feminist Perspectives on Literature module, I guess), really relaxed, and our new tutor is really sweet. There are a group of us that go get tea after class every week and talk about silly things. Last week, all the other girls complained about their younger sisters and how they steal their clothes and purses while they're at university. I kept my mouth shut. And I didn't tell them until today that I'm a younger sister.
At Wisconsin, I've never been asked to go get tea or coffee or anything after class... and it's such a normal thing here. It's really sweet. I decided that when I go back to Madison, I'll start asking people in my discussions if they want to go get a Spotted Cow on the terrace with me. I'm bringing this back home with me... and Wisconsin-izing it a little.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
God Save the Queen
There's a drinking game here that I thought I should share with you all.
If someone is holding their drink, but not drinking it, then you drop a penny in it and start singing, "God Save the Queen." That someone needs to finish their drink by the time you've finished singing or else the Queen drowns. I'm not positive, but I think people generally sing just the first verse of the song... which doesn't leave much time... which I guess is the point.
An odd form of patriotism, I think.
So you can play at home, here are the lyrics to "God Save the Queen." For us Yanks, we know the tune as "My Country, 'Tis of Thee"
Amen.
If someone is holding their drink, but not drinking it, then you drop a penny in it and start singing, "God Save the Queen." That someone needs to finish their drink by the time you've finished singing or else the Queen drowns. I'm not positive, but I think people generally sing just the first verse of the song... which doesn't leave much time... which I guess is the point.
An odd form of patriotism, I think.
So you can play at home, here are the lyrics to "God Save the Queen." For us Yanks, we know the tune as "My Country, 'Tis of Thee"
God save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen:
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.
O Lord, our God, arise,
Scatter her enemies,
And make them fall.
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On thee our hopes we fix:
God save the Queen.
Thy choicest gifts in store,
On her be pleased to pour;
Long may she reign:
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen
From every latent foe,
From the assassins blow,
God save the Queen!
O'er her thine arm extend,
For Britain's sake defend,
Our mother, prince, and friend,
God save the Queen!
Long live our noble Queen,
God save the Queen:
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen.
O Lord, our God, arise,
Scatter her enemies,
And make them fall.
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavish tricks,
On thee our hopes we fix:
God save the Queen.
Thy choicest gifts in store,
On her be pleased to pour;
Long may she reign:
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save the Queen
From every latent foe,
From the assassins blow,
God save the Queen!
O'er her thine arm extend,
For Britain's sake defend,
Our mother, prince, and friend,
God save the Queen!
Amen.
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