Tuesday, 29 September 2009

London, and the curious tale of a Mr. Dorian Gray

A fortnight ago I had the great privilege to go to London for the 'Open House' event, when 700 or so usually private buildings are thrown open to the public for one weekend only.
And I had a great time. We went to the Tate Modern on Friday evening to have a look at the Futurist exhibition, where I bought a copy of a folio of Futurist manifestos. I always think one appreciates art more when one knows the rationale behind it.
On Saturday we necessarily had a hectic afternon, going both to Richard Rogers' Lloyd's Building and Norman Foster's City Hall. Then onward to the New London Theatre for a performance of Warhorse.
Sunday was a little more relaxed. We had a pleasant stroll through the parks (Hyde Park, St James' Park and Green Park) to Whitehall and the Foreign Office.
And then last week I and some absolutely wonderful friends went to see Dorian Gray, for which I shall simply say this: it is an epic piece of art.

Sunday, 13 September 2009

In which prospects finally improve for our protagonist.

My dear readers! Behold, for after a long recess I return and beg leave to inform you of events.

I believe the last missive I posted for your perusal involved my being turned down for a postgraduate course. I cn now tell you that I applied to three more universities, attended three interviews and succeeded in getting nowhere. So, for a year at least, I shall be becalmed still. Or at least, my studies shall. More disquieting for me is the notioon of spending another year sharing a bedroom with a brother- who mistakes hospitality for subjugation and thinks it entirely appropriate to allow his girlfriend into the room for hours upon hours at a time, thus keeping me out of my own room...

I also believe I brought tidings of a temporary position at an architect's practice and that they had kindly allowed me to work on my portfolio at that time. They've now offered me a full-time position as an architectural assistant. So I can now accumulate the prerequisite experience needed for a successful postgraduate application next year, which is absolutely outstanding news.

Next week I've been invited to spend the weekend at my boss' London house, which is going to be an interesting experience, as I've only been to London once before and that was... quite some time ago. Nearly, or actually, rather over, ten years ago, now that I think about it.

But that is a tale for a future date...