city break

Yesterday I had my first day away from a big city and it was lovely, a bit wet and foggy but really nice to get fresh air and time to think. I really enjoyed the tree top walk. None of the other tourists seemed to find it so I spent an hour up in the top of the forest on my own it was magic. The first image is of a bear proof bin and good reminder that Canada is properly wild.

seattle - it never rains...

I’m really sorry to say that I didn’t love Seattle. I had so many high .expectations for this city that I guess it was inevitable that it would fall on its face. Maybe it’s a city that has been hit hard by the resent economic down turn or maybe I just landed on a bad day either way I’ve never felt so unsafe and threatened. There is a real homeless problem and they are poor, cold and need help and that’s all I have to say on the matter.

In my 24hour stay these are my highlights. A row of pretty indie craft shops; Schmancy a kind of Manga and hand made toy store for grown-ups, Nancy selling cards, prints and lots of bits and bobs and Fancy the nicest of all three selling hand made jewellery.

I also went to the iMax and saw “Where the Wild Things Are”, which is the most perfect film about the isolation and hopelessness of childhood. I can’t believe it’s a children’s film. It’s beautiful, hard, imaginative and has the best film sound track I’ve heard since “The Life Aquatic”.

"Please don’t go, I’ll eat you up, I love you so".

never give up on any child - red hook

Yesterday, my last full day in New York. I have very little time left as I have to catch a flight in a couple of hours but I wanted to post a couple of pictures from Red Hook. I finally made it to sunny’s the bar daisy recommended and it really was in the ass back of beyond. I got there and it was closed!!! I know I’ll be back in NY soon so I’ll make the trip again as it did look pretty fantastic. Red Hook was a real taste of Brooklyn, much more rough and ready than Manhattan. It had a few little gems hidden in the boarded up derelict houses. I really love the “we never give up on any child sign” both positive and negative in one breath.

I also revised my two favourite shops yesterday, "kiosk" which I would have never have found with out daisy’s instructions. Very cool, very New York the sort of place you only know about by word of mouth. I also went back to the letterpress house “Bowne & Co., Stationers” 211 Water Street and really wanted to buy the whole shop. OK off to Seattle see you on the west coast.

kendra ross

This is who I went to see play last night and I got to briefly meet her as well. She scared the shit out of me – but in a good ‘what the hell am I doing with my life’ sort of a way. She’s a one-woman power house who doesn’t seem to waste a minute of her time. She’s hugely talented with a beautiful soft voice. It most be sickening to be that gifted and bright and be stuck playing to a room full of people while girls like Cheryl Cole are hitting the top of the chart for doing what exactly!

www.kendraross.com

liberty

Sunday was a bit of a tourist sight seeing day for me. I got up early and went down to battery point to catch the Ferry to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I didn’t much enjoy the whole tourist experience and found myself wishing that I’d just gone back to East village. Luckily the ferry emptied of the Statue leaving just me and three other people who went on to Ellis Island. I really liked Ellis Island (click here to read about the history of Ellis Island) and would highly recommend it. I took the audio tour, which was full of stories told by the immigrants well worth $8. It’s a strangely positive place but it also acts as a reminder of the transience of life. People used to have to be so much braver than they do today. I’m adding just a hand fall of photos now I’ll put the rest on flickr once I’m in Vancouver and hopefully have a little more time. I’m now off to face another busy day if my feet are up to it, I walked 8 miles yesterday and finally the blisters have come.

a place for gilly

So many things here that my friend Gilly would love. All the great folk and hill-billy music. Endless people watching (just so many hipsters in amazing cloths). Green tea flowing like tap water. But mostly this shop so reminded me of her. Gilly I think I’ve found your spirital homeland and it’s call anthropologie. I couldn't get away with taking any photos in the shop but I did take some of the windows. I really like the paper dogs and suitcase big apple. You must come to NY you would love it here.

I heart williamsburg

Another long day in NY. I spent the morning at the American Museum of Natural History but left early, just too many kids. The Hayden Planetarium is amazing thou and I’m very glad I when to see that. It’s a cinema in a giant ball, the film is projected onto the roof, so you look up to watch the show and it really does feel like you’re flying through space. Once I escaped I traveled over to Williamsburg and I’m very glad I did, vintage clothing stores, reclamation yards, junk shops, deli’s and fashion boutiques. Heaven. It's also full of the most beautiful people and wonderful bikes. How can anyone not fall in love with a place that has a drum school called BANG!

happy accidents

I'm in New York and can hardly keep my eyes open. I've walked maybe 4 or 5 miles today and all the fresh air is just knocking me out. It's too long a story for a sleepy girl to type but due to getting lost on the Subway (again) and the MOMA being way to busy to even think about, I ended up falling into the American Folk Art Museum and I'm very glad I did. It's a beautiful place full of bright, funny and clever pieces, clearly make with love. Lots of Paintings done by sign writers, quilts and tin models. I spent a good couple of hours just enjoying the work but the best was still to come. I had planned to go and find some live music tonight little did I know that the museum held a free music friday for folk musicians. Three people sang but this guy (matt jones) was by far the best. Right I'm off for some shut-eye will aim to post some pictures tomorrow.

www.myspace.com/mattjonesband

www.johnschmittalbum.com

manifesto

"You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle." Steve Jobs

I was planning to write a little bit about what I'm doing and why but not surprisingly the great Steve jobs sum's it all up so perfectly I thought I would just let him do the talking. It's a long film but the single most inspiring thing I've ever seen. If you can spare 15 minute I highly recommend it. My next post will be from New York... I'm off to find what I love.

merci au revoir

I have so many people I need to thank that I'm just going to start by saying one big THANK YOU to everyone. Thank you friends, family and work colleagues you’ve all been endlessly supportive and positive. Sorry if I forget to mention you by name. Everyone that is mentioned I’ve highlighted so you can just skip to your bit.

I owe a very big thank you to Carol, Martin and Tony for the amazing gift. You know how much it means to me. Carol I'll be in touch to get your Sydney contacts soon:) Everyone else at work thanks for the fab leaving presents, love them. Jemima and Linda thank you for being excellent taxis the lifts really made a difference. I’m learning to drive so maybe one day I’ll be able to return the favor. Jemima - See you in a year. Justin thanks for finding route 101 and CS2. Sally cheers for the Seattle book I’ll return it someday, email your address! Dave I now have the best sound track for the states, cheers. Let me know what you think of the Kills. Eric the stories from your America trip inspired me to do this, I hope I fair better on greyhound buses! I have a chance to come back to the UK for a couple of weeks early next year so if I can wing it maybe I’ll make the Paris show. Having a catch up with you and Bernadette in Paris would be amazing KEEP ME POSTED. Mary, Mary thanks for putting me in touch with Evelyn really looking forward to meeting her. One day we’ll make it to New York at the same time and have lots of gallery fun. Evelyn thanks for putting me up. Daisy, you done good girl. I love the list and can’t wait to try and fit it all in. Touched you took the time to write so much. Karen thinking of you always, I’ll take the postcard to Gilly and I know we’ll both be wishing you could be with us. Mary, Marion, Margaret and Muriel thank you for the gifts, far too much you’re all very kind. I’m glad I got to see you at the weekend. My family in Victoria really excited about coming to meet you, I’ll be in touch soon.

I can’t put into words how much I owe my parents sorry for perpetually being a child and a drop out I just need to find whatever it is I’m good at. I’ll get there I promise. Thank you for everything I love you both. Finally the biggest thank you has to go to Gilly and Unge the kindest most welcoming people I know (who’ll both hate how soppy I’m being) I can’t wait to be the freakish raven haired girl in a family of gingers. Tell JimJim he’s going to get a lot of hugs. Look at how many people I had to thank aren’t I blessed.