Preston Lesson 1,232,008:

everything takes longer than you expect

SK-RRRR- ATCCCH scratchscratchscratchscratch

This probably isn't appropriate, but oh well. =)

I have had so many sightings of "crotch-itch" since I've been here.  I try so hard not to see it, but people with itchy crotches like to find me and stand in my line of sight and/or have conversations with me while they're doing it.  I won't mention who I've witnessed this fax paux from, because that would be inappropriate and there more than you would expect. 

Anyway, there's not much more to say about it, except that I've seen it and considering the amount of times I've seen it, it must not be fax paux around here.  

Twice in a night

I have a critique on Thursday for my fashion design class. I have A LOT of work left to do. If Amanda (my teacher) asks what I do with my time, I'll tell her this: my time is usually spent in small amounts, to a large number of different distractions: eating, playing around on the internet and people I live with. That's all part of the experience, right? (the people I mean)

Anyway, tonight while I was eating dinner Rakib said something amusing. He has recently learned that he was pronouncing a fellow flatmate's name wrong. He tried 3 or 4 different pronunciations and finally concluded with, "Ah- it's just easier to call her hunny." I was amused.

I go to the library a lot. It's open 24 hours. I cut back on about 65% of my distractions here. I've seen a guy here a lot, it seems we're always here at the same time. Usually we just kinda look at each other, sans any facial expressions and then look away and carry on with our business. A very slight acknowledgement. I also see this man when I'm leaving/returning to my flat sometimes. Again, we will look at each other for a few seconds- sans expression and move along.

Tonight I saw this man on my way to the library. I was going to make a brief stop at a flat before leaving, the same flat this man was leaving from. I said hello and asked him a question regarding the gathering going on inside... he didn't really hear the question. So I introduced myself and noted that I seen him often at the library. He made the same notation and introduced himself- as Hunny. I figured I didn't hear it right and/or it was some kind of cultural thing. I asked if he was going to the library- he said yes, I told him I'd see him there.

We chatted a bit at the library and soon found out- Hunny is not really his name, but it's easier to call him that. Once I tried to nickname myself SweetPea, it didn't work- "Hunny" probably won't stick for him, but it was amusing never-the-less.

Also, I just heard that I didn't received a scholarship I applied for. =( I always feel like a failure after reading emails like that. *sigh*

Learning

There are some things in life that just aren't that hard, they take practice, but they're not complex and not so difficult.

When I was in Paris, I never navigated my own way on the metro until at least a month into the trip.  I was always with someone, usually Julie or Sari and usually- they did the navigating.  At first I didn't think too much of it, but quickly it started to bother me.  So I would read the map myself, but they would always figure it out before I did- they were faster, they had more practice. Eventually I went somewhere on my own and had the opportunity to read the map at my own pace while still finding my own way.  Reading a Paris metro map isn't that hard (I've heard otherwise about the New York subway) all you need is a little practice.  

I've found myself in the same position with Photography.  Light reading, equipment set up and picture taking isn't all that complex- all you need is some practice.  This may come as a shock to some, but I'm timid.  Our class isn't big, only 7 if there's a complete attendance. Even with this small number, I'm not outgoing enough to take the camera and dink around with everything that needs dinking with in order to learn.  My other problem is that in order to learn, I must, at some point in time, do it myself.  I can observe and listen until the cows come home,  but I'm a hands on kinda girl.  ;) 

So what am I gonna do about it?  Of course, take a trip on the metro alone... or do a solo photo shoot in the studio.   That's what I did tonight.  I took some 250 pictures, half of them were terrible- technically speaking; the model was terrific.  I nearly quit in the beginning because I couldn't figure something out.  Somehow, things worked out and 2.5 hours later we wore the battery out.  =)

Taking this solo journey was a lot of work and quite intimidating.  Logistically speaking, there was nothing convenient about getting everything booked- I'll spare my bitchy details. =)   When I first walked into the studio... well, I couldn't find the light switch.  After that there was so much to do- they key word being DO.  Not so much to watch people do, but to do myself.  I gave it a go and it went well.  

This posting was initially inspired by my feelings of frustrations.  I was frustrated because every time I turned around someone was doing this for me or doing that for me.  Even when I walked out the door today, on my way to the studio, I ran into someone that could offer me photography advice, but I didn't want it- not at that time anyway.  I still have a lot to learn, but now that I've experimented a bit on my own, I'm ready to listen to my teacher again and I'm open to taking advice from my peers/subjects.

I may not have mentioned what my project is.  I'll be taking portraits of 6 people, with black, white and w/e backgrounds.  There should be some sort of theme.  My theme is culture.  As of now it kind of ends there.  I'm not sure how subjects should portray their country or culture without being super obvious... like holding up their county's flag.  I think I'm content with whatever their appearance and expressions are- the audience can guess their nationality.  Although, any ideas are more than welcome... I'm not so touchy on creative advice. =)

I haven't been to the ATM in a while... gbp to usd: $1.98