Van Gogh museum

First of all, I love Van Gogh. No, not because he was slightly crazy, and I love crazy. But because his art dabbled in a bit of everything. He was bold with his art statements. His art was never perfect either, but in a weird way it was absurdly everything that could be described about the object being painted.

His story is interesting though. Well, his later years rather.

Van Gogh lived with Ganguin. According to Ganguin all they did was quarrel. And after one particular big quarrel, Ganguin left and while he was gone Van Gogh cut off part of his ear. He took his ear wrapped it up in paper and tried to give it to a prostitute. Needless to say, the police were called in. He was admitted to a mental hospital. He got out and returned to the yellow house, where he has yet anther mental fit and is admitted again. And he got out, again. His neighbors drew a partition to have him expelled from the yellow house, because he had another fit. He got let out again. Then he admitted himself, but got out again to go paint. He moved to an area close Paris, where he began seeing a new doctor. Things were well, until he went out to paint one day and ended up shooting himself in the chest. He came home, like that was normal, but ended up later dying from that wound in the hospital.

Interesting, huh? Such a creative and artistic genius though.

Sunflower
Thanks http://nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zonnebloemen_(Van_Gogh)

Starry Night
Thanks https://secure.imvu.com/catalog/modules.php?op=modload&name=phpbb2&file=viewtopic.php&t=441829.

Bedroom in Arles
Thanks http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedroom_in_Arles

Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette
Thanks http://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vincent_van_Gogh_-_Head_of_a_skeleton_with_a_burning_cigarette_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg

Almond Blossom
Thanks http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond_Blossoms

Tree Roots
Thanks http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree_Roots

Eight interesting things I learned today at the Warner Bros Harry Potter studios, London:

1. All the wands in Olivanders wand shop were hand written with names of everyone who worked as part of the crew.

2. Only two places in the world sell Butterbeer: universal studios in Orlando Florida and Warner Bros Harry Potter Studios.

3. Hagrids character, XX, had a stunt double that was 6’10” … But he still had to wear stilts and a fake mechanical mask to be as tall as the Hagrid seen in the movies, which was 7’2″.

4. The Hogwarts gate has hogs on it, inspired by ‘Il Porcellino’ in Italy. The about on the hog is said to represent good luck.

5. All of the portraits that were still were painted to look like part of the staff or crew, including various producers, writers, and directors.

6. The beds in the boys dormitory were created on from the very first set and never changed size. They for eleven year old boys comfortably, however as the boys grew up through each movie, their feet hung off the sIde. The directors filmed so that no one would notice.

7. J.K. Rowling’s favorite house is Hufflepuff.

8. Moaning Myrtle was played by a 37 year old woman, the oldest of the cast to play a student.

Some photos:
http://zebratigerfish.blogspot.com/2011/03/hearaldry-of-harry-potter-by-jk-rowling.html

Miserable, Moping, Moaning

http://seveninchesofyourtime.com/lee-jordan-and-the-nastily-exhausting-wizarding-bracketology/

June 11, 2014 — Traveling Alone Is…

Just a Highlight

1. Terrifying. — Landing in a crowded, foreign airport with mobs swarming in every direction, 100+ degree heat and blaring announcements echoing off the walls in a language you’ve never heard before — Alone — is absolutely terrifying. You just kind of stand there for a second, looking around, thinking to yourself that maybe, just maybe, by by some twisted stroke of fate, you’ll see a familiar face — Nope —Why would you?! You’re 8,000 miles away, idiot! 

The initial panic for some might be safety and getting targeted or attacked or something out of the Taken movies, because well, people see you’re alone. ATTACK!!

That’s a nice thought,  but don’t flatter yourself. You look around and instantly realize that everyone is so consumed in their own personal travel battles that no one cares about the tall, awkward American girl in the corner.

Given that I’m a control-freak/extreme planner,  the administrative planning and logistics…

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London Poem: Day 100

Satellites in the System

25 November

A milestone, one hundred days,
And I am split.
I am here, miles apart
Wondering what is happening there.
Gather and laugh,
Thanking each other for being present,
Taking for granted the simple
Joys of what you have.
Fortune masks itself in
Unfamiliar shapes, illuminating
only the shortcomings –
But then, what I have here
Outshines the glowing
Memories that provoke a longing
For familiarity.
So, when it’s dark,
And the mind builds what it
Doesn’t have,
I only need to turn to you,
And remember why I’m here.

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Amen.

This spoke to my heart.

Stolen from my cousin’s social media.

Idol

Today in London I discovered a new idol. Who would have known, on a free walking tour.

Nell Gwyn an actress, but more importantly the long time mistress to King Charles II of England and Scotland, was one badass woman. She lived her life, whored it up, and literally went from rags to riches. My two favorite stories:

1. She had an illegitimate child with King Charles II.Well, King Charles II had about a million illegitimate (I apologize for the “technical” terms) children. One day, while they were hanging out in the apartment he bought her, on the most expensive stet in London at the time, she asked him to recognize their child, Charles Beauclerk, and give him a place in his court. He said no. What does she do? Like any logical woman (ha) she picked little Charles up and hung him outside of the window by one leg. She threatened to drop him to his death if King Charles didn’t recognize him. Of course he acknowledge her request after that and baby Charles became Duke of St. Albans.

This story was my everything.

until I heard story number two.

2. So, one day Nell decided she wanted to run errands in the Queens carriage. The carriage had the Queens logo on it. Well, during that time everyone in London hated her because she was catholic and it was predominantly Protestant at that time in london. On her day adventure she ends up getting mobbed. The carriage is rocking and she’s wondering what do I do? We’ll a quick witted women like herself stuck her hand out of the carriage and said, smiling, “Good people, you are mistaken; I am your Protestamt whore.” And, then went on about her business.

I have a new idol.

Nell Gwyn, I seriously want to be as witty, charming, manipulative, and straight out honest as you are.

Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September3, 1802

I read this on the train to London, and ended up on the bridge the next day.

Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
The City now doth, like a garment, wear
The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,
Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie
Open unto the fields, and to the sky;
All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.
Never did sun more beautifully steep
In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;
Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!
The river glideth at his own sweet will:
Dear God! The very houses seem asleep;
And all that mighty heart is lying still!
– 1807, William Wordsworh

Photo cred:
http://www.nikdaum.com/news/category/london/page/5
Courtesy of Google images… Because we all know I’m not getting up for sunrise to take a picture.

Man of my dreams

If there was ever a man of my dreams, he wouldn’t be tall dark or handsome. Well he might. But mainly, he would travel the world with me. He doesn’t need to be too rich in money, but rich in experience. Someone I don’t have to “deal” with; someone who is always fun. I envision a successful, clean, hippie soulmate. This couple is such an inspiration.

Wanda and Bart, at least that’s what I named them.

Mix this with Wanda and Bart and I think that will create the perfect hybrid couple.

Sliánte! (Cheers!)

This was right before we checked our bag and saw a man getting CPR. I couldn’t help but question our fate after that (we prayed for him though)

Well, I’m all about adventures but I wasn’t too sure what kind of adventure this was going to be when Nicole and I went to check our bags and there was a man on the floor receiving CPR. I couldn’t help but think “Is this my fate?” “God, are you up there? What are you trying to tell me?” (Although I’m not sure what happened to this man, my deepest sympathies and prayers are with him!)

Anyways, things got better. We managed to make all 3 of our connecting flights, however we definitely almost missed the final seeing as how we wanted to have a “sit-down” traditional English breakfast (see below).
(did a bit of plane drinking…..)

No worries though! We arrived in Ireland as lost as ever. By the time we finally caught the right bus to where we were staying we walked around for an hour on the street looking for the house, with no address. Definitely a rookie mistake. Finally, as I am in breakdown mode Nicole starts knocking on random doors and finally a sweet, sweet girl directs us to the cute little Holly college that we stayed in. Teresa opened the door,call of 4’9″ , a full head of gray hair, and a thick Irish accent saying “girs, girs, girs! I was abou’ to have them look for ye'” … And that’s basically when I fell in love with Ireland.

…damn near impossible to find!

I could not get comfortable on that seven hour flight…. I had to call in for back ups! Tito’s aWays saves the day.

After resting for a bit, we went to explore Temple Bar. We wandered in to the Old Storehouse to have dinner. There was live music and beer. Perfect. About five hours later, we were drunk made friends with the guy singing, two bartenders (Ian and Eamus who called us “Princess”), a patron who was also a bartender, and an older scottish man. Needless to say we were thoroughly entertained. I had every Irish beer on tap, an Irish coffee, and a brandy and baileys shot…. Yes, the night went downhill especially when we got our check that was €104.75 (That translates to about $160). (WTF!)

We left just in time to make one of the last trams home (of course getting lost in the process).

What a great first night.

Ian told us to go behind the bar so he could get our picture and Eamus the other bartender hopped in!