fast times in the big city

Today I realized how nice it really is to be living here. I decided to walk from my interview (more on that later) to the Tate Modern (for class- more on that later too) and it took me about an hour, all through the city. It's really an incredibly beautiful place, and the differences between neighborhoods are brilliant. I feel like I'm repeating our orientation lecture when I say things like this, but the dichotomy of the old, old architecture with the newer structures is great. Really great. Like, I walked an hour in heels and a dress and got lost multiple times and was still happy. It helps that it was beautiful outside, I suppose. I'm loving the lack of rain (knock on wood).

Anyways, my interview. I have a lot of problems blogging about work situations (for many reasons), so it'll have to suffice to say that I had an interview for my formal placement and it went pretty well. The women I interviewed with seem nice, and they were really pleased that I know how to use Flash and Photoshop, etc. I think there's a lot of potential for working on projects bigger than just my day-to-day duties, which is one of the perks of working somewhere so new (the site I'll be working on just launched last fall). I made it clear (I hope) that I really want to be involved in the whole team and everything going on, and they said that they always have interns and always give them a lot of responsibility and a lot of opportunity, so that sounds good. 

One of the big highlights for me is the location of the office- it's right on the edge of Covent Garden and the theatre district (apparently called Theatreland, which I thought was a joke, but that's what it's called on maps and street signs). The surrounding neighborhood is filled with amazing shops and restaurants and beautiful architecture. The building I'm working in isn't as fabulous as the Boston Mag building, but it'll do. (It's under construction currently, so maybe that will change.) All in all, I feel both very old and very very young all at the same time, which is kind of what always happens to me at interviews.

^tate modern

^ I love this sign. Temporary Eyesore. Only in the UK.

The afternoon was spent at the Tate with my theatre class, touring the permanent galleries to observe the "performance" of the artwork. (Don't ask.) It was nice to be back there because I've always loved the converted warehouse space. Plus, they have a great little bookshop (as my professor would say) and a lot of interesting things to see. There are also a lot of things that are so not up my alley, so our discussion of the galleries next Monday should be interesting.

^ love this painting... i think it's the typography. Albert Oehlen's Loa.



^ this proves the judy black theorem: "bigger is always better."

Last night our class went to see Duet for One at the Almeida Theater with Juliet Stevenson. (I had to look at the program to see what she's been in- I recognized her but couldn't place the face, and it was driving me crazy. If you're wondering, she was the gay professor in Mona Lisa Smile and Keira Knightley's mom in Bend it Like Beckham.) The theater is a converted church, and an incredibly beautiful space. Of course, we walked in on a beautiful set and fantastic lighting, so I was predisposed to like the show from the start. Everyone else seemed to dislike it, but I generally enjoyed myself... maybe because I tend to base only part of my judgement on the acting. Great tech could take me through almost any show.

Etc. etc. etc... we've formally booked our tickets for Wales this weekend, so I'll be in Cardiff for Saturday and Sunday. Should be fun! It'll be good to start off the travelling with somewhere close by.