recentering

i think it's a good idea to be free and open with the internet.

I've take a semester off my grad program to re-centre myself.
I'm coming off one medication and onto another, and ... well. yes. I just want to take my time and do things right. Nothing worse than rushing through something just to get it done, when it could be done well. I've had a lot of support from my doctor, and dylan, and understanding from ECA, which has been such a relief. I put a lot of pressure on myself, and it's good to take it easy.

I'm reading this book, 'the poetics of space' by gaston bachelard. It has some wonderful things in it. Will likely comment more on this subject in later posts.

some good things are coming up or happening, which is really nice to focus on:

I'm teaching 2 workshops at Scottish Parliament on Friday. A very brief history of photography with focus on the British pioneers, and cyanotype. I'm then going to show them how to make digital negatives, and we're going to make our own. I'm nervous, but more excited. I really love teaching processes. I hope they enjoy it. I'm really looking forward to seeing all the images that come from it and will surely post more about it later.

I applied for an artist residency/fellowship, which is very special/specific to a dream being realised. I got notification on the 15th that i have been shortlisted, and will hear back next week if i've got it or not. I don't want to say too much. I really would love to get it. More on that, possibly.

2 friends from highschool and beyond have got themselves engaged and are getting married june 8th. I now have a very happy reason to return to the states for a visit. I am looking forward to that immensely.

Hailey Beavis is interested in 'hiring' me to do some publicity photos for her. This is very exciting. I have wanted to collaborate with her photographically for some time, and i think we could make some really cool stuff. Thinking back to the 'Calloo-cally' photo...  and a combo of Maleonne and Meatyeard... Of course it is also a mega plus if they become publicity shots for her. I'm happy to have some more 'commercial' work i can actually be proud of.

just a few 

i've also taken up chain maille again... it's like knitting but a little more hardcore- less hipster, just as therapeutic. I love slow methodical tedious attention to detail. My plan is to (was to get 20) 50 pieces and set up an etsy/ hang out near the royal mile and sell em... maybe also in the tollcross craft place/ teach some workshops. I was working on a chain in the Royal Oak a few nights ago and two girls from Singapore bought a bracelet each- and i wasn't even trying. So that's pretty encouraging.  I'm going to put 50% of sales into getting more metal working tools- i'm finally going to get myself a crucible i miss casting- there is nothing more fun and satisfying than melting metal and turning it into something. (i feel warm and fuzzy just thinking about it- no joke)

sold at Royal Oak £15

gold plate, sold at Royal oak £10

there's also a midsummer nights dream. I've always wanted to put on a production of the play... not to sound totally insane, but i often slot people i know into different roles and think of them in that way. Anyway, i brought it up casually at a dinner party over a month ago, and pretty much everyone had some theatre experience and a whole lot of interest. So, we've got it casted and working through physical and vocal training in addition to group scenes and character working. I'm playing Titania, cause damn it it's my play and no one wears more glitter than me... and not to be totally narcissistic but, i always see myself as her- i guess i'm just waiting to wake up...  and i get to hear one of my favorite lines ever-
lysander -> hermia 'how quickly bright things come to confustion'....
it makes my heart skip in context and i feel a small joy.  if only i could purge my gross Romanticism i might be able to function more 'normally'. C'est la vie.

then there is the not so happy news... there are of course silver linings.

It is likely unprofessional to put this online but... I was freelance working for a biodegradable plastics company- which was really cool- they had hired me to do some graphic design work for them and basic photo editing etc. Over xmas they asked me to design a new logo for their company transition. Short version is- they didn't pay me for the work i did, insulted me and were very backhanded, then took my work and now have it up on their website. Straight up thievery. Now i have to deal with small claims court. It's really not something i want to deal with at all. But what can i do? Hopefully it will be smooth and i'll get paid and call it a day. I really would rather not deal with drama. I guess the plus is that i may actually get paid...

The not so happy part two: happy part first: my most dear friend and so much more has been retained by Oxford University's library to head a project creating an archive and distro for broadside ballads (there's a lot more to it... it's all very technical) anyway. It couldn't be a more perfect job for him, combing two of his loves- it's as if the universe decided it loved him the most and invented it just for him. It is really wonderful, and i couldn't be happier for him.
Alas, it means he's moving to Oxford, and Edinburgh will be missing one of its finest musicians around in the folk/bluegrass sector. All i know is that sessions in Oxford are about to become a lot more sunny and fun and i'm going to miss the crap out of him. But then- i've never been to Oxford, and it's nice to have a reason to go visit.  ah dear. he was a bit of a muse for me. . . . one i really didn't get a chance to tap... . rats.

one plus one is less than three.