the thing itself and not the myth
:: songs about death and the sea
Filed in photos | travel 3 Comments
So! Earlier this month I visited friends on the east coast. I flew into NYC & took the train to Springfield, MA. The train, by the way, was basically the best idea ever. So much more comfortable than the bus. And prettier! And with legroom! And food! Basically, it was awesome.
In Massachusetts we did lots of outdoorsy things. After the jump, more pictures than you could possibly ever want to see. As always, click through to Flickr to embiggen. Continue Reading
Filed in photos | theater | travel 3 Comments
Then we were off to London. Eventually. It took a crazy amount of time to get out of Oxford, and we wound up completely reorganizing the plan for the day thanks to transit in general hating us, but it worked out okay because I got to do two things I had failed at when I was in London in July. Plus one bonus thing.
First off, in July for some reason, the portrait of Richard III was not on display at the National Portrait Gallery. I do not know why. I suspected it was just to torture me, as I had gone to said Gallery solely to visit him. I attempted it again this trip and there he was, precisely where he was supposed to be! It was amazing. I have been a bit obsessed with him ever since I read Shakespeare’s take on him, but it was only heightened when I read The Daughter of Time, in which the main character is inspired to research him based on this portrait.
Perhaps the best part of visiting him was that there was a tour going around, and I got to hear the tour guide say that they probably knew Richard best from Shakespeare, and that said play was “high propaganda”. Oh my heart! I bought a postcard of Richard down in the gift shop. How could I not?
Also in July, I failed to find the marker for 84 Charing Cross Road. This is apparently because I am an idiot. I found it this time, no problem, though it was mightily depressing to see it on the side of an irritatingly trendy restaurant. Click through to read the text.
Finally, I had really hoped to see The History Boys when I was in London. They were only selling matinée tickets at the half-price booth, but I had my heart set on it, so we stopped by the theater box office, and since I was going alone I got a seat in the SECOND ROW OH MY GOD AMAZING. Happy birthday to me! I had an issue with the casting for Posner (too old, played it way too camp), but I think I actually liked this Dakin better, and though Irwin & Scripps had a lot to live up to, I rather loved them.
Other London things after the jump… Continue Reading
Filed in photos | travel 1 Comment
Back in Oxford we walked down the canal and over to (flooded!) Port Meadow for a knitting photo shoot with bonus horses.
& 
I enjoyed some street stencil art (after the jump)… Continue Reading
Filed in photos | travel 3 Comments
In January, I went to England to celebrate my 30th birthday. Best. Plan. Ever. I realize that it was about ten bazillion years ago now and most of you have looked at the Flickr photos already, and the rest of you don’t care. Too bad! This is *my* poorly updated web diary whatsit! You can deal! In three parts, no less!
Here are some things that are important to mention in the order that I remembered them:
After the jump are really quite a lot of pictures and possibly even a little description, but not much. As always, click through to Flickr to embiggen.