I'm back in LA!
In just less than 24 hours of being home, I have had Mexican food and In 'n' Out (duh) and gotten fed up with traffic. I have visited the beach and blasted music while driving with a good friend. I have basked in the sun and caught up with many friends. There is so much more to come.
This jet lag is killing me.
My cat is in bad shape and it's heart breaking.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
LDN
I'm back in London! And it feels great.
I don't even love London, but I have this amazing feeling here.
How will I react to going back to New York? I love New York.
The sun is in the sky
Oh why, oh why would I want to be anywhere else
Today:
Came into town and met my friend at his work. We went to lunch.
He went back to work.
I sat in St. James' Park and wrote a letter to a friend.
I admired life, amidst alternating basking in the sun and shivering.
I walked around to look at old familiars.
I visited the Photographer's Gallery for an interesting exhibit on self-reflection in fashion photography.
And now I am at my friend's work, waiting for him to finish his work.
Tonight, we will go to a pub quiz.
And he will make scones and clotted cream for me!
Oh my goodness, I missed this!
I don't even love London, but I have this amazing feeling here.
How will I react to going back to New York? I love New York.
The sun is in the sky
Oh why, oh why would I want to be anywhere else
Today:
Came into town and met my friend at his work. We went to lunch.
He went back to work.
I sat in St. James' Park and wrote a letter to a friend.
I admired life, amidst alternating basking in the sun and shivering.
I walked around to look at old familiars.
I visited the Photographer's Gallery for an interesting exhibit on self-reflection in fashion photography.
And now I am at my friend's work, waiting for him to finish his work.
Tonight, we will go to a pub quiz.
And he will make scones and clotted cream for me!
Oh my goodness, I missed this!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Debtor
Not sure that I wanna stay alive. It's so expensive; it's cheap to die.
--Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson lyrics
I feel ya, man. I feel ya.
--Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson lyrics
I feel ya, man. I feel ya.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Loud Pipes
Sometimes I think about strange quirks I have, and I wonder if other people have these secret quirks or if it's just me. I like to generalize some of them and just guess that other people do the same things, but I can't be sure.
For example:
I think it's funny how people play music on their iPods as if the rest of the world could hear it. Again, by people, I mean that I do it and I am really just curious as to whether or not others do it too. I was thinking about this during lunch just now, at the pizza place right across the street from my work.
A kind of cute boy walked into the pizza place midway through my meal, and I changed my music. I had been listening to relatively girly music, and then I switched to a more relaxed and cool Ratatat. Or, when I'm in the elevator with a bunch of suits and I look like a ruffian gamine, I sometimes switch my music to classical or jazz or some worldly genre, as if they could hear what was "Now Playing" on my iPod. Perhaps visually, I look one way and that's how they perceive (read: judge) me, so I want to appeal to their perceptions of me aurally.
I don't know why I do it. I know it doesn't work. Even blasting my music through my ear buds won't do the trick. And it's not quite the same feeling as creating the "Soundtrack to your Life", because I don't necessarily pick music that would fit the scene. I pick music, mostly, that I think a person looking at me would least expect. When I'm alone, it's more of a mood thing than a soundtrack thing, though I do have my soundtrack moments.
What a fucking generation this is that these kind of thoughts and actions actually have an effect on me/my life. Sixty years ago, no one ever thought these things. There was no technology to justify having such feelings.
It rather reminds me of silent discos, where everyone is listening to the same music on headphones, so they are all dancing to the same beats at the same time, but it's all silent outside of the headsets.
Maybe my life is just one big silent disco, but I'm the only one with the headphones.
In other news, my dear Ashley is in a music video for a very talented musician:
She's in the baby blue with a headband. Here's the link to the video of "Buriedfed" by Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson.
Enjoy.
For example:
I think it's funny how people play music on their iPods as if the rest of the world could hear it. Again, by people, I mean that I do it and I am really just curious as to whether or not others do it too. I was thinking about this during lunch just now, at the pizza place right across the street from my work.
A kind of cute boy walked into the pizza place midway through my meal, and I changed my music. I had been listening to relatively girly music, and then I switched to a more relaxed and cool Ratatat. Or, when I'm in the elevator with a bunch of suits and I look like a ruffian gamine, I sometimes switch my music to classical or jazz or some worldly genre, as if they could hear what was "Now Playing" on my iPod. Perhaps visually, I look one way and that's how they perceive (read: judge) me, so I want to appeal to their perceptions of me aurally.
I don't know why I do it. I know it doesn't work. Even blasting my music through my ear buds won't do the trick. And it's not quite the same feeling as creating the "Soundtrack to your Life", because I don't necessarily pick music that would fit the scene. I pick music, mostly, that I think a person looking at me would least expect. When I'm alone, it's more of a mood thing than a soundtrack thing, though I do have my soundtrack moments.
What a fucking generation this is that these kind of thoughts and actions actually have an effect on me/my life. Sixty years ago, no one ever thought these things. There was no technology to justify having such feelings.
It rather reminds me of silent discos, where everyone is listening to the same music on headphones, so they are all dancing to the same beats at the same time, but it's all silent outside of the headsets.
Maybe my life is just one big silent disco, but I'm the only one with the headphones.
In other news, my dear Ashley is in a music video for a very talented musician:
She's in the baby blue with a headband. Here's the link to the video of "Buriedfed" by Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson.
Enjoy.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Ce Jeu
I have a sudden rush of ambition. I feel like I have been so...not me...in several ways since I have been in Finland. This is not in every aspect of life, mind you. But I feel like I lack creativity and the motivation I usually have for the things I love. Maybe that's just the day job syndrome. I sometimes feel like I write uninspired shit at work. (And that's not because my writing is uninspired shit; some of my assignments are uninspired shit.) When I come home, I make dinner, watch TV online, and, depending on my current supply of booze, I may or may not partake in beer-drinking.
But I suddenly got a rush. I feel like writing something. Maybe it's the fact that I finished my strange episode of binge-watching 30 Rock, the beer I just drank, or the corn I had for dinner that has done this to me -- but I am going to start a project. Let's hope it's half-decent.
Hurrah!
But I suddenly got a rush. I feel like writing something. Maybe it's the fact that I finished my strange episode of binge-watching 30 Rock, the beer I just drank, or the corn I had for dinner that has done this to me -- but I am going to start a project. Let's hope it's half-decent.
Hurrah!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Space and the Woods
Some pictures of Finland sans Jaba.
My new friend Orvokki at a BBQ, where I met her.
BBQ.
Some design-y architect party. The architect is hula dancing.
Bars and clubs, duh.
Relaxing in the sun in the park up the road from my apartment. With music, a book and some grapes, it's a good time.
My new friend Orvokki at a BBQ, where I met her.
BBQ.
Some design-y architect party. The architect is hula dancing.
Bars and clubs, duh.
Relaxing in the sun in the park up the road from my apartment. With music, a book and some grapes, it's a good time.
Empty Shell
I'm actually doing things with my time now. The first few weeks of being here in Helsinki, I didn't do much. I was incredibly inactive. I'm sure it was in part because of being apart from Jaba and part because I had no motivation to go out and do things. But that has definitely changed, at least partially.
I am starting to be a lot more active. Last weekend was so much fun. I spent all of Saturday volunteering at a music festival (Basso Festival) held in Koffin Puisto. It was really fun and I hung out with this girl named Orvokki, whom I had met the week before. I talked to one of the bands that performed about a possible story. I ate and relaxed and drank in the park, in between helping out and photographing the event.
I got to ride a segway at the Basso Festival!
On Sunday, I played in a soccer tournament at Finnair Stadium called the Lapin Kulta Cup. Lapin Kulta is a Finnish beer, and they held a small tournament. Not many strict rules. I played in converse and without shin guards. The fields were small and the games were only 20 minutes each, but it was so tiring, especially since I hadn't played in two years. One of the rules was that a girl had to play the whole game every game. I was the only girl on my team, so while the guys got to switch in and out, I had to keep playing. But I survived. The team advanced to finals, and the guys were all very grateful to me for playing, since most of the girls (save maybe two) were shitty players.
Finnair Stadium.
I scratched up my leg something awful from sliding so much.
That night, some of the group went to Molly Malone's, the bar that the team represents in the tournament. There are some Finns on the team, but the others were Irish and English generally.
Monday and Tuesday, however, I was extraordinarily sore. I was walking around like I had a tree stuck up my ass -- not just a stick. Laughing and coughing were even slightly painful. I had muscles hurting in places I didn't know I had muscles! But the soreness is lessening now.
Yesterday was Fern's birthday, so we went out for drinks again. Tomorrow, I might go see a French film with Riikka. I was initially supposed to go with Hanna, the girl Tuomas' introduced me to, but she's busy. This weekend is Provinssi Rock, which has many big name bands and DJs playing. I still don't have a ticket, but I'm going anyway. I will see if I can get a ticket at the festival doors. But the festival is in Seinäjoki. If I don't get a ticket, Riikka offered to drive me to Ilmajoki, where my grandmother and other family members live, so that the trip won't be wasted. That way I get a free ride to visit family.
It's nice that I actually have stuff to do. I don't sit alone in my apartment sulking as much anymore. Life has been tough here, but being this active takes my mind off of things, at least for a little while. On the sulking note, I have been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I think I need to organize some sort of resolution, good or bad. It will just be better in the long run, I think.
I am starting to be a lot more active. Last weekend was so much fun. I spent all of Saturday volunteering at a music festival (Basso Festival) held in Koffin Puisto. It was really fun and I hung out with this girl named Orvokki, whom I had met the week before. I talked to one of the bands that performed about a possible story. I ate and relaxed and drank in the park, in between helping out and photographing the event.
I got to ride a segway at the Basso Festival!
On Sunday, I played in a soccer tournament at Finnair Stadium called the Lapin Kulta Cup. Lapin Kulta is a Finnish beer, and they held a small tournament. Not many strict rules. I played in converse and without shin guards. The fields were small and the games were only 20 minutes each, but it was so tiring, especially since I hadn't played in two years. One of the rules was that a girl had to play the whole game every game. I was the only girl on my team, so while the guys got to switch in and out, I had to keep playing. But I survived. The team advanced to finals, and the guys were all very grateful to me for playing, since most of the girls (save maybe two) were shitty players.
Finnair Stadium.
I scratched up my leg something awful from sliding so much.
That night, some of the group went to Molly Malone's, the bar that the team represents in the tournament. There are some Finns on the team, but the others were Irish and English generally.
Monday and Tuesday, however, I was extraordinarily sore. I was walking around like I had a tree stuck up my ass -- not just a stick. Laughing and coughing were even slightly painful. I had muscles hurting in places I didn't know I had muscles! But the soreness is lessening now.
Yesterday was Fern's birthday, so we went out for drinks again. Tomorrow, I might go see a French film with Riikka. I was initially supposed to go with Hanna, the girl Tuomas' introduced me to, but she's busy. This weekend is Provinssi Rock, which has many big name bands and DJs playing. I still don't have a ticket, but I'm going anyway. I will see if I can get a ticket at the festival doors. But the festival is in Seinäjoki. If I don't get a ticket, Riikka offered to drive me to Ilmajoki, where my grandmother and other family members live, so that the trip won't be wasted. That way I get a free ride to visit family.
It's nice that I actually have stuff to do. I don't sit alone in my apartment sulking as much anymore. Life has been tough here, but being this active takes my mind off of things, at least for a little while. On the sulking note, I have been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I think I need to organize some sort of resolution, good or bad. It will just be better in the long run, I think.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Let's See It
Here are some highlights from Jaba's week long visit in Finland!
We went to Erottaja Bar for my birthday.
He did some graffiti for me.
We went to Zetor for Finnish food. He hates Koff and he hates the smell of reindeer.
My apartment is bigger than it looked in the first pictures.
This is mess from when James' stuff was all over and I had just moved in. NOW, that stuff is gone, but it's still just plain old messy.
Jaba bought this Marimekko dress for me, half as a birthday present, half as a going away present. I bought him a guitalele (the smallest guitar in the world) and drew a Moomin in Sharpie on the back. I also bought him a cheap little Moomin poster.
We made Chicken Tikka Masala together!
On his last full day in Helsinki, I took him to Suomenlinna.
Jaba's head is a cannonball!
Fernando and my cousin Riikka joined us at Suomenlinna.
That night, Jaba and I went to Mikko's for dinner and sauna. It was the first time he had ever tried sauna. He liked it.
Riikka took us to see a band called the Winyls that night. Jaba got a tambourine and went on stage!
I took him to the airport the next morning.
SO SAD! I miss him very much.
We went to Erottaja Bar for my birthday.
He did some graffiti for me.
We went to Zetor for Finnish food. He hates Koff and he hates the smell of reindeer.
My apartment is bigger than it looked in the first pictures.
This is mess from when James' stuff was all over and I had just moved in. NOW, that stuff is gone, but it's still just plain old messy.
Jaba bought this Marimekko dress for me, half as a birthday present, half as a going away present. I bought him a guitalele (the smallest guitar in the world) and drew a Moomin in Sharpie on the back. I also bought him a cheap little Moomin poster.
We made Chicken Tikka Masala together!
On his last full day in Helsinki, I took him to Suomenlinna.
Jaba's head is a cannonball!
Fernando and my cousin Riikka joined us at Suomenlinna.
That night, Jaba and I went to Mikko's for dinner and sauna. It was the first time he had ever tried sauna. He liked it.
Riikka took us to see a band called the Winyls that night. Jaba got a tambourine and went on stage!
I took him to the airport the next morning.
SO SAD! I miss him very much.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Lights and Music
I promised Banksy photos, so here they are, along with a collection of other things that wrap up my London experience.
My art class went to visit the Henry Moore Foundation. Lots of sheep.
Two of my courses held one of our last classes in a pub. One of the teachers even bought all the drinks.
Kristen and I had a good last go at our favourite bar, The Italian Place. (It's actually called The New Evaristo Club, but we like to call it the Italian Place still.) We actually went there one more time after this, for Ladytron's after party (because Kristen knows Ruben from the band), but it was so packed that we didn't stay long.
The two James'. On the left is Kristen's James (also known as Banjo) and on the right is my James (also known as Jaba). Banjo is sporting Kristen's sweatshirt and Jaba is wearing mine.
My final night out in London was not my last night in London, but it was fun nonetheless. It was the night of the Ladytron party, but again, that was too packed. We found a funny, empty club across the street that played good music.
Good memories at King's Cross.
Banksy Photos:
Ice cream before we found the exhibit.
My art class went to visit the Henry Moore Foundation. Lots of sheep.
Two of my courses held one of our last classes in a pub. One of the teachers even bought all the drinks.
Kristen and I had a good last go at our favourite bar, The Italian Place. (It's actually called The New Evaristo Club, but we like to call it the Italian Place still.) We actually went there one more time after this, for Ladytron's after party (because Kristen knows Ruben from the band), but it was so packed that we didn't stay long.
The two James'. On the left is Kristen's James (also known as Banjo) and on the right is my James (also known as Jaba). Banjo is sporting Kristen's sweatshirt and Jaba is wearing mine.
My final night out in London was not my last night in London, but it was fun nonetheless. It was the night of the Ladytron party, but again, that was too packed. We found a funny, empty club across the street that played good music.
Good memories at King's Cross.
Banksy Photos:
Ice cream before we found the exhibit.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
LANYUK
I'm getting actual work! It feels nice to be relied on. I edited a sort-of proposal for work and I was thinking that somebody else had final say, so I made my changes tentative, but they told me that it's my decision. They trust me. That feels good.
Today, Mikko and I arranged to get me internet at home. We decided to buy a 12-month package because I get everything I need, and it's all free for the first three months. Then, when I cancel the package, I have to pay a 99 euro fee. But that's all. I don't pay anything else. And considering it would cost 30 to start and about 35 per month for service without a plan plus some extra fees (for equipment), it was actually cheaper to just get the package. I will, of course, cancel it in three months' time. Mikko is helping me with everything so I don't fuck up. Plus, he got free cable TV from it (at least for the time I have the package). Since I don't have a TV, I didn't care about the cable. But Mikko also said that if I do end up getting a TV somehow, he would give the cable TV card back to me. Good deal, I think.
I (accidentally) stole a pack of BBQ sauce from McDonald's today. Mikko and I went to eat there for lunch. We had to find something quick since we had spent so much time arranging my internet. I forgot that you have to pay for condiments in Finland, so I walked up to the counter, picked up some BBQ sauce and walked off. Mikko laughed and told me I had just accidentally stolen it. No one cared, though. Hm.
I might take Friday off of work, which everyone is saying is OK, since Jaba leaves on Sunday. Who knows if I'll ever see him again. I'm not sure yet. I need to see how much work I have to get done before then.
I'm also randomly sick again. Apparently, what I have went around the office a few weeks ago (and all winter), so I just picked it up from the air. Ugh. It sucks.
I LOVE LANYUK.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Feel the Love
You know, I really like Finland.
It's kind of chilly right now, but I don't mind. Today is sunny. Today is my first day of work. I like my work thus far. The people I work with seem to be pretty cool dudes. They are relaxed and fun, but also very serious about their work. They deal with some pretty cool stuff too. I think this summer should be nice.
Yesterday was my birthday. I slept until 11:30 (since I had the day off). Jaba and I went around to do all of my errands. I was so productive on my birthday! I registered my address, visited my work, went to the bank to get rent money, got my tax card for work and, duh, had pear ice cream. It kind of sucked having to do so many boring things on my birthday, but I got to drag Jaba along, showing him the city along the way. Too bad he doesn't like pear ice cream.
At home, we napped. I made dinner -- Karalian pies and makkara -- and we went out for drinks at a bar I remember really liking two years ago. I still like it. Jaba bought all of my drinks, and he's poor, so that was nice of him. He sang "Happy Birthday" to me in parts throughout the day, finishing with the last line just a few minutes before midnight.
Jaba is thinking about getting a tattoo in Finland. And when I say thinking, I mean he's legitimately looking at tattoo parlors. Crazy boy.
I feel so bad that I have to work four of the days he is here, but he seems content. I'm trying to get him to do stuff (like go to Tallinn or the zoo or something), but he's poor and wants that tattoo.
I don't think I'll be too lonely here, even though my apartment is one big room. The guys I work with are definitely very accepting. The first night I was here, Mikko got me trashed (of course), though he was definitely more drunk than I was. I met several of my to-be colleagues that night. And today, several of the guys brought me to lunch at Mount Everest, a Nepalese restaurant that I have been to before. It was good, but I don't think I can afford to go to lunch with those guys every day. They also told me about drinking hijinks and stuff, so I feel like it will be a good time.
And now, I will try to meet up with Jaba for the evening.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Time to Pretend
Today was a good day. I finished my last essay and handed it in. I returned my last library books to Senate House Library. Kristen and I went to an art gallery. Then we went shopping.
I bought London souvenirs:
£2.50
From Upper Playground. Niassa works for this design company in San Francisco. There are a few London exclusive designs, this being one of them.
I might return it for another shirt from the same place which had a walrus head (the UP thing), but its tusks were the Tower Bridge upside down. And it said London. I'm still not sure. I have two days to decide.
And Kristen and I ventured to make dinner together again last night. This is what we came up with:
Couscous with diced cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, chunks of chicken (with basil and ground black pepper on them), feta cheese, and pesto-vinaigrette Italian dressing. The lettuce leaves were for added visual effect.
School is over! Time to enjoy London while I'm here!
I bought London souvenirs:
£2.50
From Upper Playground. Niassa works for this design company in San Francisco. There are a few London exclusive designs, this being one of them.
I might return it for another shirt from the same place which had a walrus head (the UP thing), but its tusks were the Tower Bridge upside down. And it said London. I'm still not sure. I have two days to decide.
And Kristen and I ventured to make dinner together again last night. This is what we came up with:
Couscous with diced cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, chunks of chicken (with basil and ground black pepper on them), feta cheese, and pesto-vinaigrette Italian dressing. The lettuce leaves were for added visual effect.
School is over! Time to enjoy London while I'm here!
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