Valentine's Day, I had planned to go to a burlesque show with Kristen and another girl, Stephanie. I realized, however, that I had to go to the opera for my Reporting the Arts class that night, which interfered with my previous plans. I don't mean that going to the opera is such a pain; I actually really enjoyed what we saw. But it was just disappointing that I had to spend my Valentine's Day evening with a bunch of kids from one of my classes watching an incredibly depressing and tear-jerking opera.
The opera itself, Madame Butterfly, was fantastic. It was beautifully set and performed. The colours were brilliant and bright, the singing was gorgeous (when the orchestra didn't overwhelm the voices), and even though our seats were crap, it was an overall lovely experience. I was also rather happy that the story is so depressing. After the wedding and night of passion in Act I, all of the cutesy couples in the audience stared into their partners' lovey-dovey eyes and exposed their tongues in passionate (and very public) make-out sessions. However, in Acts II and III, happiness and love and passion all go way downhill until, at the end, Butterfly commits an intensely dramatic suicide. After the curtain went down -- ah the looks were priceless. Couples turned to each other awkwardly, no longer in a daze of romantic ecstasy. "Happy Valentine's Day!" I said, suddenly full of an extreme feeling of victory.
Not jealous. Just envious.
After that, I hurried to join Kristen at a club called Volstead. She recently got a job as a party promoter and photographer and, as her roommate, I get the benefits. Volstead is apparently a hip, little club where Kate Moss, Uma Thurman and Josh Hartnett have been spotted partying. It's £15 to get in, which is absolutely ridiculous. BUT I was on the list, thanks to my dear roommate, so, for me, entrance was free. I was happy to find that coat check was also free. This was, however, a horrid club. The music was poor (for the most part) and the people were appallingly shameless. Drinks were expensive (£8.50 for a whiskey coke!) and...and...ugh. I purposely left home without any money so that I wouldn't spend money on exuberantly priced things. I was sober, but at least I didn't pay $17 for a drink! Kristen ended up getting a free drink for us since she was working there. I spent my time there split between excusing myself for a breather in the bathroom, dancing to music I haven't heard since my middle school dances, and sitting in the corner, making sure my lipstick hadn't smeared. At least it was a free night, right?
Friday, I spent reading Bleak House. My friend Jessica from New York is in town, visiting her boyfriend who is also studying abroad here. She wanted to hang out, so I thought I would take her to Kristen's next club, Embassy, and the little Italian bar that I like so much. Remembering the prices of drinks from the previous night, Kristen and I bought a $6 bottle of wine, which we split beforehand. We went to Embassy, dressed in upscale casual attire: jeans, heels, big earrings, etc. We didn't look like street urchins or anything. But when we got to Embassy, where Kristen just had to stop and meet the other photographer for her new employers, we were told that we weren't dressed up enough. How posh! I had to pee with the force of a rainstorm, but they wouldn't let me in because of my jeans (yet they permitted guys wearing jeans). Apparently, I have to wear a short skirt and freeze my ass off on the way to the club just to get in to the club. Kristen said she'd slip in, say hello and slip out again so we could advance to the Italian place. She was quick, and I was thankful. As was my bladder.
The Italian place was very packed and I don't think Jessica liked it. Her boyfriend joined us and soon after, they left. I assume that he was the one who encouraged Jessica to leave because she was having plenty of fun before he came. He's, essentially, a buzz-kill.
Kristen and I stayed at the bar a bit longer. We had a drink or two more, left and stopped for food before catching the bus. Kristen and I also like sporting a southern accent in these going-home adventures, just to see the reactions of locals. Two guys stopped us, asking for a decent bar that would still be open at around 2 am (which is really hard to find in London). We put on our little charade and fooled them with no problem. They were intrigued. They engaged us in conversation and it wasn't until I mentioned my two kids (ages two and eight) that they got turned off by the two southern belles from Ten-eh-say.
We got home and took hilarious videos of us dancing and lip-syncing to some of our favourite hits. We're quite a pair, Kristen and I.
And as for today, I think I should just stay at home. There is a problem, though. Today marks the birthday of not one, but two guys on my floor. I can of course abstain from partying, no problem. But peer pressure and possibly free booze are incredibly convincing! (That was half-sarcastic, though free anything is generally a plus.)
Good news and bad news...
Bad news: Morgan and I were not completely coordinated with our Spring Break plans so, as of now, Sicily is out. Unless of course I can find someone else to come with me. If Kristen makes enough money from her new job, she said she would come.
Good news: Morgan's Spring Break is a week before mine, and she's never been to London. We decided that she could come visit me while I'm still in school. While I'm in class, she can go do her Art History major stuff (such as visiting museums and galleries). And at night, I'll give her a tour of the London nightlife. She needs a bit of the metropolitan lifestyle to remind her of New York. She'll be here March 7-11.
Other news: I get to photograph Nouvelle Vague at Scala this Wednesday. I am not photographing for any publications, nor am I writing about the concert. But I guess my photography repertoire is impressive enough now that bands will just let me photograph them, especially since I provide the band with my photographs. I am so excited, though!
I went on a tour of Dickens' London. That's me and Charles Dickens' head!
My photo, my shadow.
Valentine's Day!
No comments:
Post a Comment