Your Blood (Honey)

Fruit rituals are great. With oranges it’s the peeling, and the juicy eating. I like it when the juices get on me, and my hands are sticky. There are thousands of little tiny sacs of juice inside. Everything smells great when peeling an orange. Little sprays come out like invisible geysers of mist from every finger punch through the skin. It’s pretty too, orange is a great color for something edible. With Banana’s it’s much more simple. I’ve heard that in Japan they have some sort of toy for children that allows them to just peel banana’s over and over. Banana peeling is beautiful, and simple. I almost always do it into the four standard sections; but, I’ve heard that you can peel it much easier (purportedly like monkeys) simply by squeezing it or peeling from the right angle or something. This is a mystery to me though—I’ll stick to the four floppy parts. The texture of a banana is really something else. It’s unlike anything else in the world, and when frozen and mashed is almost creamy like the beautiful liquid suspension that is milk cream. What a dream. With apples, capital A actually, Apples, it’s the crunch. The wonderful crisp noise of teeth on Apple is intoxicating. On occasion one might have the chance, while perhaps baking an Apple pie, of attempting to peel one. It’s possible, and I have gotten close, to peel it in one swoop—the whole magnificent skin comes off in a single curling skin (a.k.a awesome). This takes some practice, though. If you’re bored, or need some sort of release, I highly recommend it—with friends if possible.

I went to the Canterbury Carol service last night. There must have been at least a thousand people there. Last week, we had to stand in line for about half an hour to get tickets. Actually, I had even stood in line the day before too, for another half hour, to get tickets and failed! The service was magnificent, and really really fun. I sang christian Christmas several songs. I especially enjoyed Silent Night in 5 languages, I even tried to sing the French version (no Japanese though). I went with a friend from America, Cecily, my roommate Theo, and his friend (my recent acquaintance) Fisher. Afterwords we walked out with our candles lit, and I ended up with four because no one wanted to keep theirs. Then we went to a ridiculously bohemian coffee joint: Coffee and Corks. We sat at the part of the place which has pillows on the floor for seats, like at a Turkish restaurant…or an opium den. I played the most intense game of Jenga in my life—we literally got down to the last 5 possible moves possible (I think). I won! Holler.

This is about the halfway point, I reckon, for my abroad experience. Or getting there at least, I suppose it really will be about halfway through Christmas break. Still, I was talking with Monica, and she mentioned that they say that the third month is the hardest. I think I hit bottom and and escaped without any heavy wounds or causalities. I’m pretty comfortable at this point, it should be easy going (socially, and lifestylishly) from here on out. I understand what it means to live in Britain and can describe it with confidence and accuracy. The number one thing I’ve learned overall though: self-confidence, and it’s partner in crime, self-knowing. You answer to yourself, not others (though, thankfully, they help a whole lot though). If you’re confident, particularly in making and taking responsibilities for mistakes, you’ve got it going on. This is one of the main things that makes the world the way it is (for better or for worse—I can’t help but think about bad things first). Being kind, nice, and happy are private goals subservient to confidence. Et cetera. Et cetera. This is a really simple realization, I know, and it’s certainly not the first time I’ve had it (or anyone has for that matter), but really, I think it’s one of the most important to come back to.

I finally got an appointment to meet with another doctor, and the nearest open time was in A MONTH. Look, socialized health care IS slow. But, I’m assuming it’s free and I’m in no rush, so no major complaints here—at least I hope it’s free. That’s what Michael Moore said…

I love English chips, as in fries. At first I wasn’t all that into them, but at this point, I’m pretty addicted. There are like a billion kebab places in this country and all of them serve chips. They are huge chunks of potatos, not little baby shreds. I like them soggy with lots of vinegar, salt, tons of ketchup, and hot and garlic sauces, if I can get them all. Soooo good.

I feel lazy this semester. I really have been doing less work than I would in America. It’s a plain and simple fact. Look, I’ve been in school for several months and all I’ve done is watch movies, a bunch of movies (most of them on my own), and write two papers. In America I would have produced several films, wrote more than two papers, taken classes outside my major (including Japanese), had a job at WTIU, and probably done something with some other club on campus. Not to say I haven’t done stuff here, it’s just that I don’t feel like it’s as good. I joined trampolining, and won a competition. I’ve seen lots of new places. I am taking classes, even if they don’t feel as challenging. I’m working on movie stuff personally, outside of school, and as a part of a society. I am trying to learn French, and keep up with Japanese on my own time. But all this stuff is on my own steam, my own motivation. Perhaps, there’s a large lack of anxiety and competitive atmosphere. Needless to say, I am discontent with the state of my education at this point. And, to be honest, I really wouldn’t recommend coming to Canterbury if your a desperately passionate film student. That’s the cold hard truth. Sorry Kent. But, I’m going to stick it out, and hopefully feel more accomplished by the end of the whole stay, again, by my own steam. There’s talk of manufacturing a more ‘American’ environment here to encourage myself, but I’ll update you more on that if and when it pans out.

There has been weekly film talks which Sagan and I helped to initiate with our friend Liz. At this point about 6-8 people show up, probably it will continue to grow. A big part of it’s success thus far is the location: Bramleys (a fantastic pub), right next to Orange Street music—where they have a free blues night after our talks. I haven’t been yet, but I hear it’s really nice. I love these talks, and I hope that they will continue to move beyond my expectations.

Speaking of obsession, fungi are probably the most promising one I’ve had in awhile. They are truely amazing, and still mysterious in some ways. Main sources of inspiration: Paul Starnets on how mushrooms can save the world, and the Zeri project. I saw a presentation by a Zeri representative like two years ago and one particular part about mushrooms has been in my subconscious since then. Don’t worry, I am still obsessed with bees and time, too.