“I have to write another funeral scene, ugh. I think I’m just going to skip over it and describe what everybody is wearing instead.”
“The proper, WASP response to bereavement.”
– Katarina and C. betray their sort-of-heritage
Category: Friends
“Also, for your daily dose of Clueless Writing Inspiration, I literally knew nothing about diving when I started [nameless novel here], and now I have gone drinking with Olympians, have a chronic diving-related injury, and can pretty accurately score elite-level dives as well as describe any dive based on its numbers.”
“Are you saying I need to kill someone to write a good mystery? I question your methods.”
– Katarina and C.
“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.”
― T.S. Eliot, Four Quartets
Well, hey there, well-beloved-but-desperately-neglected minions! We’re back from the States, back at work, and back at the grindstone. Let’s catch up. Jeff has dived straight into studying for his next round of exams (we’re down to less than a year of this slog), and I’m back freelancing and in the world of London luxury development. The first couple of week of a new year are always a bit hectic, but we might be setting a new record for post-holiday self-destruction. Luckily, there a few things keeping us sane.
We finally coughed up the money for a shiny new laptop that is causing me to coo, “the precious…” every time I open its sleek lid. It’s long overdue. I’ve been using a refurbished laptop we bought for about $400 at least three years ago that’s been getting increasingly clunky and hard to manage over the last year. When I couldn’t have two windows open at the same time without the whole thing freezing, I knew it was time to let Marvin go to his rest. Let’s just hope all my image and music files transfer over alright.
The intrepid Caitlin Kelly is in town and crashing at our place this week as she journeys around the city, conducts research and interview for assignments, and generally puts us all to shame with her pace. Last weekend, completely backward due to jetlag, we all went out on the town and had some much needed adventuring. We ate good food, had great conversations, and did some truly impressive vintage shopping. Caitlin’s got the touch for spotting a deal, let me tell you!
Less immediately important, but still pretty vital, I finally got my local library card and might actually have made headway in getting a British bank account. Long story, will rant later. In the meantime, I’m putting together budget proposals of numbers so high as to give me a nosebleed, working with a grade-A creative team and a world class illustrator, and checking off new items from my list with satisfying ticks. Here are your links, catch me up on your holidays and tell me what you’re up to this weekend in the comments!
Some people have more…something…than sense. Not sure it’s money.
You lucky ducks, Caitlin is blogging her adventures (plus tips on renting flats in Paris).
Unsure about the background of Tolkien’s mythology? CPG Grey is here to help.
Jezebel gives a pretty good account of the “fluffication” of this history surrounding Empress Elisabeth of Austria.
Headline of the week, I feel.
I barely use my iPod for music anymore, it’s all podcasts through and through, so this list from Medium about interesting podcasts from 2014 (minus Serial, because obviously) hooked me.
Women’s issue news worth sharing and a cause worth supporting.
Since I’m still working in London housing, this is fascinating.
Carmen Sandiego and Oregon Trail forever.
A response that moved me on the attack in Paris, a city where Caitlin is just visiting us from and returning to at the weekend. Thoughts for safety all around, please.
“Your editor and I are clearly too practical for psychoses. If ever I run mad, I shall do so quietly and with chilling dignity, I’ve decided. How boring. But imagine the possibilities!”
“Since we’re comparing notes, if I ever go crazy, I’ll probably be on the international news.”
– C. and Katarina
She’s…probably not wrong…
“I met Benedict Cumberbatch today.”
“In related news, I’m breaking up with you. Not really. Tell me everything.”
“He came in to tape for his new movie, and we filmed a promo.”
“You’ll forgive me if I purr a little?”
“Oh, of course.”
– X. and C.
I am by far the least impressive of my friends. But I’m fine with that because even the vicarious adventures are thrilling!
“How goes your week of not observing thanksgiving due to living under the oppressive rule of the tyrannical Queen Elizabeth II?”
“Ahem. I am partaking of Thanksgiving dinner this year at a pub called The Mayflower, situated near the site where the Mayflower ship was originally moored before setting off to the Netherlands and then New World, and across the street from the church where the Captain of the Mayflower is buried. Why, what tawdry, subpar festivities are you enjoying?”
“That’s awesome! I’m just taking a bunch of Raleigh Tavern pies over the river and through the woods to the family dinner…going to avoid the kitchen since that one time I made a turkey. I also made an oven fire (which was, however, my roommate’s fault).”
“Last year I had takeaway curry.”
– Katarina and C.
“Traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion.”
― Leigh Hunt
Another week, another Friday! There are a lot of great updates from various Friends of the Blog, Caitlin Kelly started teaching at the Pratt Institute, Katarina picked up a book agent (!!!) for her first novel, and a respected acquaintance found housing in Kenya where she just moved.
However, there’s some bad news from me. My grandfather’s health has taken a very bad turn with an infection that went to his heart. The family is taking the situation one step at a time, and my father and his sisters are with my grandparents, but any positive vibes, prayers, or supportive thoughts you could send their way would be very appreciated. Thank you, kittens.
Here are your links, just a few for your Friday, and tell me what you’re getting up to this weekend in the comments!
I had to chortle because Jeff definitely owns this shirt. And I may or may not have the lady version…
This headline alone should make you want to view the gallery.
Romantic friendships, an interesting subject for those interested in gender dynamics and history. As I happen to be. The notion that they grew most during a time when men and women’s spheres were so cut off from one another is something I hadn’t properly considered before, but that makes a lot of sense. Obligatory pearl-clutchers warning, queer relationships are discussed and some sexuality.
Trying not to break into song…
Disease has always been the soldier’s stereotypical companion, but the Paris Review has put together a piece and gallery on the anti-VD campaigns of WWII.
The Spanish royal family has had a rough time of it, but this article in the Daily Beast is positively dripping with scandal.
I’m a big fan of Pop Culture Happy Hour on NPR, and Linda Holmes (editor of the Monkey See blog and panelist) compiled a pinterest board of every “What’s Making Us Happy This Week” ever mentioned on the show. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Have a listen and then browse, ducklings!
When you’re both cultural heritage employees and history types.
“Patrick Henry’s birthday is may 29…I am so bummed that I missed out on sharing a bday with the loudest, most out-of-control founding father by a mere TWO DAYS.”
“Have I ever casually mentioned that my family’s 40 acres contains the pathway that PH walked daily to get to his first law job…incidently located in the town where my parents now live? Which he was eventually elected to represent in the Virginia House of Burgesses at the start of his political career? Never? Not even casually? If so, a lapse on my part.”
– Katarina and C.
“The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”
― Jane Austen
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I made it to a book launch? Well, this is the book
GLAZE
One of the posters from the launch.
More importantly, one of the hilarious pun posters some of her friends and supporters made up.
“There’s nothing––absolutely nothing––half so much worth doing as messing about in boats.”
― Kenneth Grahame, The Wind In The Willows
― Kenneth Grahame, The Wind In The Willows
Katie and Adam have left the typically-less-sunny-climes of London for the infinitely sunnier climes of California as Adam finishes up the last leg of his business program. We’re missing our buddies, but lucky we got to hang out with them one last time in Little Venice for a weekend market and festival.
Little Venice is a portion of Victorian canals in Paddington, that is about as charming an area of London as you could possibly find. It’s packed full of Edwardian houses, beautiful houseboats, and lovely (if somewhat pricey) restaurants.
Some of the houseboats have been transformed into businesses, even though most are still residences, it’s kind of impressive to see what people can create in a limited space. (In other words, I have no excuses not to have our flat in order.)
This one was turned into a second-hand bookstore, but I saw artist galleries, full cafes, shops, and I’m pretty sure at least one yoga studio. Resident house/boat cats abound, there were full gardens on the roofs of boats, and many captains hats to be seen. I approve all of this.
There’s an entire culture related to houseboat dwelling in London, and I wish I knew more about it! Just wandering around Regent’s Canal, there was a common style of dress, a shared aesthetic taste (a colorful, out-of-time sense of color and composition that clearly calls back to the days when the canals were first built and used). Houseboat doors were open to reveal furniture that intentionally rustic rather than modern, crockery on display like old farm kitchens. It’s an interesting take on minimalist or small home living.
Frankly there are few better ways to spend a weekend than wandering through the city, eating from food stalls and ending up in Hyde Park for a long talk over cheese and olives.
Small Dog Syndrome 