Monday, October 30, 2006

Dinner for two.

Saturday night and we had a house party to go to near Brick Lane. Planned to get there by 11 at the latest as it was kicking off at 10. With this week being as hectic as it was and having only seeing each other 1hour tops each day we decided to go and have a quiet meal together and 'catch up' before moseying down to the party. I was frantically trying to find a decent restaurant for Sunday dinner with some old mates while Kyle chose this place:


Andy's Posted by Picasa

I thought.. Greek food? Feta cheese salad. What are we going to talk about over Greek Salad? Then as soon as we got there (after much confusion with the time- as the clocks were changing that night) I remembered. Moussaka, stuffed vine leaves, cheese filled pastries, roast lamb legs and other properly stodgy dishes that make you sit back in your chair at the end of the meal and refuse to move.

We started with stuffed vine leaves and haloumi cheese in a filo pastry which were lovely although were on the large side so we started on our mains feeling quite full already. The stuffec vine leaves were just that little bit too big and dry but the holumi pastry was fantastic. Fo mains Kyle had a roast leg of lamb which was done perfectly - the meat falling off the bone with the juices still running through. Which is quite something since lamb always seems to be overcooked here, a little too tough and dry. I had the moussaka which was dissapointing to say the least. The mince was undercooked which gave it a tinny taste and had me a little paranoid while the aubergines were few and far between as I had to disect the dish in order to extract a few morsels.

All in all it was like we had a meal where one of us had ordered from the chippy next door. So after our desserts we made as quick an exit as possible, a plan terimated as the waitresses kept forgetting to hand us our bill.

Still, with the chance to catch up and share our worries and hopes about the next few weeks of work, the food played secondary fiddle to good conversation.

An hour later we found ourselves walking off our dinner as we were left wandering the uber funky streets near brick lane awash with 20-somethings with their suspenders, leotards and vintage frocks taken straight off the racks in Spitalfields market nearby. Eventually finding our way to the house party full of even cooler Bartlett kids talking about everything from Led Zepplin to the latest in the Icelandic music scene, I couldn't help but find myself wondering whether this Jungle Jane was just a little out of her depth. xxw

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Library Chic

My week generally goes like this:

Tuesday: reviews/crits at 2 so sleep in until 10 resulting in 3 hours of sleep and four hours of talking from 2.
Wednesday: relax a little but get stuff done that has been neglected and begin work for Friday.
Thursday: work ass off for review on Friday
Friday: reviews/crits at 10, leave uni after lunch and take the rest of the afternoon off.
Saturday: begin work for Tuesday's review, and if there isn't too much to do, go out (rarely!) - or in some cases go out anyway and pay back for it on Sunday.
Sunday: work for Tuesday's review
Monday: continue work for Tuesday's review into the small hours of Tuesday.

So yeah.. Nothing too new/exciting for a university student but that's my general routine.
This week I've spent a little extra time in the library since Tuesday's review. As with the workshop the library isn't such a different place. Except the codes of conduct are far more strict although there is no danger of losing a limb.

Our library has three floors, getting progressively quieter the further up the stairs you go. The levels of hierarchy are not so obvious the first few times you go in although you begin to get the pattern and stay in your designated area.

1st floor: the computer users and groups. Dresscode: trendy, ghetto fabulous.

2nd floor: 'silent' study. Still very busy and impossible to find a seat. Dresscode: geek chic. Glasses optional although always perched on top of strawberry blonded hair. Rude boys and slick chicks made to go downstairs. These guys are a little more serious.. but has to let everyone else know about it.

3rd floor: quiet, research students, mature students and masters students. Dresscode: none. Comfort for most, although noisy clothing - this includes: heels, shell suits, jewelry, velcro etc will get you the evils from those around you. Here, talking/phone vibrating/ruffling/sneezing may lead to public stoning so beware.

I usually hide up on the 3rd floor, as that's where the architecture books are. So perched quietly in the corner I take out my papers and a couple of pens, the ruffles from my bag beginning to annoy the guy opposite me who obviously takes himself very seriously as he shoots me a look over his glasses. Strike one, newbie.

On the day I had my regular 'the weather is doing weird things so I'm going to get away with loads of layers' on which involved my favorite comfy dress over leggings, boots, long cardi, scarf followed by my faithful trench coat (as it was raining) and two bags. An outfit I figured was 'quiet' enough for the top floor until when I got up to get some books I heard it.

Click. Squeak. Click. Squeak.


Oh great, I thought. My boots have decided to start squeaking- again. So as I clip clopped squeak squeaking I tried to step on my left and tip toe on my right, then step on my right and tip toe on my left- only to catch a glimpse of my reflection and realise how ridiculous I looked. As though taken straight out of an amateur dramatics panto. Right, back to clicking and squeaking.

I headed back to my pew armed with my entire reading list as I didn't want a repeat performance. Established the pages to photocopy, I headed downstairs to the copying machine. Its okay to squeak on the first floor.

Upon survival from a near fist fight with an obnoxious lady about the photocopying que (its a jungle out there! Only the fittest survive. Or in this case, get to use the two of five copiers that are working). I gathered my things and headed back upstairs leaving the brawling and clanging of gold chains downstairs. I had begun to think that upstairs was more of a haven in comparison and the rules set in place to filter out the unwanted, argumentative, Neanderthals what with their hairy hands and penchant for bling.

So as I sat in a mouse-like state of quietness I enjoyed a couple hours of reading and research, hoping to make it my permanent place in the library. Mr.Serious opposite gave me an approving nod goodbye as he left as though to say 'goodbye young one, you are one of us now. nano-nano.'

Now with the library and workshop down, I think I can now say that I understand the system in my new University, its social hierarchies and codes of conduct. Its not such a scarey place after all. xxw

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

My issues with Raya.

I suppose I could write a long teary homesick post on not being home during Hari Raya so I thought I'd write about the things I don't miss (simply because I'm a little spiteful but humour me).

5. Baju Kurung. Okay, this one goes two ways. Some years you hit the nail on the head and the tailor delivers your baju, a perfect fit, lovely handiwork and best of all, flattering. To me, the baju kurung is at best, demure, traditional, graceful and to an extent, wearable art. At worst, it screams fashion victim, try-hard, bordering on the tent-like and worst of all - just a little too tight and/or just plain a little inappropriate. We've all fallen victim to the BK at some point in our lives. Whether it was the checked skirt+thai silk season which managed to incubate our bodies much like wearing an embroidered bin bag, or the boxy, just under the hip cut which, lets face it - only truely flatters the stick thin of the 14-16 year old variety. My worst crime I believe was during the cheongsam phase where I thought that the high collar and cheeky vertical slit just under the collar just so, was original and edgy like the 15 year old me. Little did I realise that the high collar did little to flatter my round face a la Rene Zellweger circa 2004 in Bridget Jones, and the vertical slit just looked like I had ripped my baju trying to get my face through the hole in the top.

4. Stress. This one comes in all forms.
The pre-raya stress, making sure the house looks nice, is the food ready? have we enough drinks? Maybe not, okay - go down to the shop and buy 6 more cartons of Soya Bean (that we will be drinking for the next 3 months)
The visiting stress. Do I look okay? Mum, which relative is this one again? Should I call them aunty or nini? Damn and blast these strappy shoes that go with this baju. I'm going to be hopping around on one foot outside their house for a good five minutes before I can come in. People! A chair would be handy!
The post-avalanche-of-people-I-don't-know stress. Quick! Tidy!
..and so on..

3. 'The bilatah' convo. Another one that comes in several forms that eventually grinds down your defenses so that by the end of the day you begin asking yourself 'those' questions.
The classic example for the 20 something, recently graduated, in a relationship:
Aunty X: Bah lai, bilatah?
Me: Bilatah?
Aunty X: (squeezes arm) Bila kahwin bah lai?
Me: *again with the e-heh noise* still young aunty..
Aunty X: Ehh inda jua. Next year kali you ni.
Me: Err.. balum abis Uni aunty... bila abis... kan cari keraja lagi.. (trying the career driven, spirited, brainy independent woman thing here)
Aunty X: Bwoh.. mana bulih ni lai baik lagi you (insert individual aunty's advice here)

You get the picture. Its harmless though as they mean no harm and are looking out for you.. until this happens:

Mum: Aunty X's son is your age kan?

BWOH! RUN! RUN WHILE YOU CAN!

2. Discussing point number 5. I'm not of the elite few who have that one tailor who makes fantastic baju every year. So year after year, I make the same mistakes - its too tight, its too big, its a hideous colour and the usual -what was I thinking?! Yet I see my cousins and immediate family float around in their lovely baju, in lovely material, with shoes and accessories to match while I flounder around in the back re-arranging my skirt as I realise that the fan is 'meant to go at the back'! *slap head* All the while I try and get clues for tailors and kain shops. This however, among the elite, are closely guarded secrets and seldom disclosed lest a hopeless bk-er like me discover the secret. So as we exchange our 'oh I love this brooch' and 'oooh your kain suits you so well', I'm left oohing and aahing with little feedback and vow yet again that I will not try and do anything 'origianal' next year.

1. This one, I think affects everyone. Overeating.
As you go around the circuit of houses and family you want to make enough room for food at everyone's house. Still, the system is flawed as you go to your aunty's house that makes the best rendang ever and help yourself to a generous portion. Twice. By the end of it, you're left bursting at the seams, and in some cases, smelling curiously like the acar/belacan spilt on your lap.

Ultimately, you're left feeling a little guilty for lack of self restraint, but with a gut full of teh/bandung/milo and rendang/laksa/kuih mor there is that moment you get home, mandi, change into your baju rumah, flop onto the couch and go
AAaaaaahhhhhhhhh..


And do the same all over again tomorrow... have a good one folks. xxw

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

Wishing everyone a memorable Hari Raya Aidilfitri & Maaf Zahir Batin.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Pretty things..

I bought some cut flowers about a week and a half ago from Sainsbury's with a label that read: Guaranteed for fourteen days. Fourteen days? Crikey thats not half bad is it?

So last night I was taking some photos for this project I'm working on on my old faithful camera and had a few shots left in the roll so decided I'd take a couple around the living room. Close up with the flowers I found something a little beautiful about the imperfect, about to wilt flowers so I thought I'd share. Pardon the quality as my scanner was bought while fifty cent was still 5p. xxw


flowers_one Posted by Picasa


flowers_two Posted by Picasa

Kambing Sasat.

I decided with much trepidation to make a frame to support my next submission, a drawing/collage. In true Widarchitect stylee I decided oh no, I wasn't going to do an Ikea £2.50 jobby oh no. Not me. Heck, if I'm going to make a frame, I'm putting all the bells and whistles on.

Whats the big deal
, you say? Its not so much the 'technical skill' or materials I might need because any monkey with both (or limited amounts of both) can fashion some form of frame. Four sides and bob's your uncle. But its not that. Its where you do it.

Now if you remember this post where I ask where the workshop is you'll remember the trouble I had getting to it. That was the first of my worries. The rest came today when I finally ventured in.

The workshop in my old uni was equally as difficult to find. Perhaps as a deterrant for future sacrifical lambs who might stray into the foggy, noisy, scarey den that is the workshop only to face the carcinogen induced convulsions followed by the ritual skinning and mass ridicule. Though, once in, and versed in the rules of the workshop the lamb begins to shed its doe eyed naivity which eventually peels away to reveal its slick, quick, savvy undercoat worthy of true blue workshopman(mutton)ship.

The process is long and arduous requiring patience and poise though fruitful in time. By the end of it the lamb is welcomed within the workshop, brought in to join the banter and the best of all, is able to graze and produce in the limitless realm of. Model making.

So returned once again to grade lamb, I venture into the workshop for the first time today making little eye contact with the veterans already there drilling and milling away. Lauren, a girl I used to go to school with calls my name and I tread carefully into the inner circle. We chat for a little bit and make small talk and eventually I slink away and take my perch on the far side of the workshop. Rookie mistake numero uno.

I quickly discover that the flatbed saw is a no-go ground as students ask the technician to cut their pieces of wood. AAAaallll the way on the other side of the workshop. I make a few trips to and fro and eventually pluck up the courage to ask Mr.Technician if he would so kindly cut four pieces for me.

Me: hi, do you mind cutting this for me?
Mr.T: oh no. you aren't going to ask me to do something are you? (in sarky drawling manner)
Me: aah. *nervous giggle/e-heh sound* just this little piece please...
Mr.T: right. (pulls face) how many how long.
Me: oh I've marked it out for you..here. (smile?)
Mr.T: you haven't made room for the cutting bit. that's 600 then. sigh.
Me: um. yea. ok. (as he walks away leaving me talking to myself)

So yes, good first impression I've made there. Mr.T, one. Lamb, minus one. Mr.T, satu. Kambing, kosong.

Eventually things start rolling and there are two more encounters not unlike the one just mentioned probably both rating a 4/5 in embarassment factors, but things start moving a little quicker. It comes to 1pm and he tells me to get lost. Que doe eyed oh-please-don't-hurt-me look. Its lunch time, get lost. So I did.

I hide in the library away from the lunch eating crowd and mull in my embarassment. Cursing the guy sat opposite me who is whispering to the girl next to him in what can only be described as a stage whisper. I'm here to sulk. Let me sulk in peace.

Determined to eleveate my now less-than-lamb status, I approach the after lunch session with a little gung ho. Quickly finish off the last pieces I need like a pro. Now to put it all together. Ah. After much floundering with glue and several types of nail, hammers and recutting damaged pieces Mr.T walks past with a very audible tut tut. Realise that am simply lamb in wolves clothing.

5 o'clock arrives and I'm told to get lost again and scamper out with my sorry excuse for a frame with no bells and a broken whistle. Breathe a sigh of relief that I am out of the slaughter house and back on the pavement. I scan my phone again in hopes that Dengku will text me so that we can meet for break fast but alas, computer says no.

Home again and Mr.M is inspecting Kyle's work:

Inspection Posted by Picasa

... He decides he doesn't want to bother looking at my screen and walks past it. I have been rejected by my cat.

Its 2.20 and even though tomorrow is already today. In my book it hasn't started yet. So away this curried lamb goes to bed. And to all a good night. xxw

Monday, October 16, 2006

Ink Photos

Lately I've had a little obsession with illustrating and drawing so I've been experimenting with inks, graphite and last night charcoal. The charcoal pissed me off so I went back to the inks and this time using it a little more fluidly with water etc etc. So this morning I was experimenting with the ink and discovered the shapes in the water when I dipped my paintbrush. I couldn't help but take a few photos..


inkseries_one Posted by Picasa


inkseries_two Posted by Picasa

We have this huge lamp on my desk which I used to create this one.. looks a little more photoshopped though. Just wish my reflection in the glass wasn't so obvious!


inkseries_three Posted by Picasa


inkseries_four Posted by Picasa


inkseries_five Posted by Picasa


inkseries_six Posted by Picasa
This one is my favorite... Its just a little spooky, no?

Might try experimenting with a square glass next time. I'm not much of a photographer but I love trying out things at the spur of the moment ( when I left the ink too long it sank to the bottom and I had to get a fresh glass)... I have a feeling there will be more of these. xxw

Sunday, October 15, 2006

We don't have a tin opener.


just a little brute force.. Posted by Picasa

Must. Get. In.



result! Posted by Picasa

xxw

Simple.

Work has meant lots of reading and big ideas at the moment which has left me a little under the weather lately so I was happy to see the sun come out today as Kyle's dad was coming down to visit us from Chesterfield. Went to grab some lunch in town at a Spanish tapas bar I had been to before, Jamon Jamon.


Sign Posted by Picasa

I'm a little picky about my Spanish food so this place I think rates a three and a half out of five. The half comes purely from this:


Bonbon Coffee Posted by Picasa

Thats a Spanish Coffee and condensed milk. I know, I know just your regular Kopi (local coffee either with condensed or evaporated milk) from your regular kedai/coffee shop down the road but... if you haven't had one of those in a while - this tastes like heaven in a cup and an instant picker upper.


Camden Lock Posted by Picasa

As usual went down to the lock which was thronging with people.

Finally got home and saw this:


in bed Posted by Picasa

I says to Kyle: Do you think he's cold?
K says : I think he thinks he's people.


whats up pussycat? Posted by Picasa

So I'm back at my desk about to get back to being stuck in and I can't help but think that maybe the big ideas aren't worth the heartache and complex thinking and maybe when its cold all you have to do is get under the covers with a cuppa. xxw

Friday, October 13, 2006

Frieze Art Fair 06


Sign outside the fair Posted by Picasa

The Frieze Art fair opened last night to an amazing reception. Stories in the paper show us glamourous photos of Kate and and her daughter Lila Grace at the show. In fact, I was there. Well.. it felt like I was there since the strobe lights from the opening I saw from my window. Daydreaming that I was there on the red carpet 'talking art/arse' because it is really so crass isn't it? hurrah for hoi polloi.

So today after a few errands I thought to stop by on the way home since the park is so close to the house and saturday would be swarming with people. Since getting there well into the afternoon we figured that if we bought our tickets we wouldn't have been able to see everything by closing time so planned to come back tomorrow. Instead we took a wonder down the (free!) sculpture park.


close up - acrylic on grass Posted by Picasa

Unfortunately I didn't get the name of this artist so if anyone knows please let me know! They had formed some flouro acrylic and laid it on the grass.. Because of the nature of the material it glowed brightly in the mid-afternoon sun which looked brilliant.


Tom Claassen Two Rabbits 2004 Posted by Picasa

AAhh! How cute you must be thinking! These ones were lovely too.. far more tactile than the other ones in the park as there weren't no-touching signs like the other ones. After all, how can you resist these shiney happy bunnies?


Kenny Scharf Madgladtree 2005 Posted by Picasa

I think I took this photo because I loved the name of the piece. I think there should be a song after the Madgladtree.


finished! finally! Posted by Picasa

Getting home, had my dinner and finally finished this drawing I've been working on... I had to leave it a while since being bombarded with yet more work... I would have liked to have worked more on this one although time constraints and briefs don't allow me to. :(


L.W.Bahrin. Close up - left vs. right Posted by Picasa

Small close up. The brief was to trace a routine. This small part shows me deciding what clothes to wear, putting on some slap and smelling the lovely coffee aroma from the kitchen.

So after a decidedly arty 24 hours I'm feeling a little inspired if a little envious of all the artists out there so happily practicing their art. It boils down to feeling constrained this week because instead of being allowed to go with the flow - have been told that I should be trying to fit into a certain type of presentation/thinking when I am none of those things.

As I sat on the crit panel for a third year project on a part of London my tutor goes to me - 'see that's the kind of mapping presentation I want to see.' Looking back to the panels I see the beenanddone dots on a page and coloured lines jobby. Surely doing all that stuff again would be going backwards. So what do I do? bollocks to that, I say. xxw

Time Off

Lately work has been quite hectic and we both got back into the three-hours-of-sleep-a-night routine a little too early in the term for our liking. So last night we had a little treat/quiet time for ourselves and went to the theatre at the Barbican. (Which I think is one of my favorite parts of London only because of the massive scale and 'architectural urban utopian vision' feel about it- another post altogether!) The performance was set in The Pit of the Barbican which is apparently where all the 'experimental' stuff goes on. From the adverts on the website we knew that there would be nudity and was perhaps a little racy than going to see some of the big west end shows for the family, as you can see from the program here.


programme Posted by Picasa

Little did I know! There was an 'unforgettable striptease' as promised, which was hilarious as hoots of appreciation from the crowd only fuelled her on. She came back later on for a 'post show discussion' with a completely different persona that was utterly original and fun to watch.

Managed to get the bus back to Angel and finally a yummy dinner at 10pm. Wandered on home to a mug of hot tea and the kitty purring in my lap. All the ingredients for a perfect evening so now can't wait for Korean Romeo and Juliet in November. In the meanwhile, the tickets wait patiently on my desk for our next date. xxw


woohoo!! Posted by Picasa