Greetings from NewYork! This entry is by special request for my dear friend Gary, and because I’ve been so miserably out of touch, and because I need to get started on something, anything, even if it’s not technically WORK before I waste my entire vacation to computer games. I’ve been busy for the last few months but not so busy as to be excused from pulling my weight.

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AND That was as far as I have gotten in terms of a blog entry in the last two months. In brief: toured the Highlands with my climbing buddies, started dating, went to North Yorkshire to help sheep birth lambs, saw Manchester, and went on vacation. Now it’s exam time but our lectures are not yet completed so we’ll have some more of those too in between (during what for 2nd years is study time and for me will be a trip to Germany.) before wrapping for the year at the end of May, moving, spending three more weeks doing extra-mural studies / animal handling “training” experiences with pigs and horses, then -fingers crossed- starting an amazing summer. Photos to follow whenever I actually figure out how to get the new camera (thank you again Dad!) to communicate with the old laptop.

Is it insomnia that dissolves the border between reality and fantasy? Or is just being enough to make the mind unable to understand the world awake? Is it enough to be able to understand someone else? To love someone? No, and no, says Gondry; has so many tics and quirks, I love the way he sees the world. Our communication skills are shabby, particularly for the quantity and quality of emotion. How deep. So what does it take to break through that wall? The doubt. The memoryscapes. The colors and playfulness, and the painful self-awareness that traps. His poor men, so sensitive and insecure. And his Stephanie, in love with the Alpha-dog; nice but the wrong girl. So far, the men I know all say, “Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.”

So, shrug.
Moving on.

The crocuses came up - on Thursday it was all golden yellows, on Friday the purples and whites joined in too.
Spring is here. In February! They inspire: “If they are brave, I can be too.” Life is worth doing right the first time.

OK, - me again just talking talking boring noise - whatever. Time for this one to sleep. Pleasant dreams, sleeping tight and no bed bugs.

Edited after waking: Was just thinking about the way the main character slips back and forth between three languages. His French is poor so even if you understand what he is saying there is the probability of misunderstanding. He is by definition miscommunicaton. Miscommunicating. Speaking most clearly through symbols, artwork and dreams.

I’m going back to the States for a few days in April.

I’ve been challenged (that is to say, it was suggested to me in a very charming sort of way) to put down the pen for awhile, to live without the reflection and distillation for public consumption, to keep my thoughts to myself and only discuss one-on-one. OK, I’ve been mulling it over and I now accept. That’s my Valentine to you.

From Wikipedia: “Dreamgirls, a 1981 Broadway musical, is said to be inspired by the Supremes, and the central character of Effie White, originated by Jennifer Holliday, is said to be modeled after [Florence] Ballard. That character was played by Jennifer Hudson in the film version of Dreamgirls released in 2006, which featured more overt references to Ballard’s life and the Supremes’ story than the stage musical. Both Holliday and Hudson’s portrayals of Effie have received rave reviews: Holliday won the 1982 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance, while Hudson has been awarded a number of critics’ awards, including a 2007 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. At the conclusion of her Golden Globe Award acceptance speech, Hudson dedicated her win to Florence Ballard. Several days after receiving her Golden Globe award Hudson was nominated for the Academy Award in the Best Supporting Actress category.”

Saw it. What wouldn’t I do to be as gorgeous and perfect as Beyonce? Sigh. Pretty flawless cast, pretty flawless costume and makeup and set design, pretty pretty film. Walked home with the songs still stuck in our heads and started singing disco to my poor flatmate who missed out on all the gorgeous fabulousness of the 70s. I’ve always loved Diana Ross and this doesn’t shake that but now I know a bit about our tragic Florence Ballard too. Thumbs up.