when the keels come to town

I haven't seen James for over two years, and oh, the antics when our paths finally crossed once again.



Here's to a good gin and tonic, treating Thursday like Friday and waking up the neighbors.

a reminder of how inspired I am, to keep me going once I leave London

I've been feeling very half-full lately.

Possibly triggered by the recent Free Range Openings in and around Brick Lane, I'm reminded that I am still not very close to where I want to be, job-wise.

Admittedly, I came to London to experience a different way of living for awhile. I wanted a break from the half-assed attempt at a graphic design career that I was currently sleep-walking through. I imagined brushing up on my data-entry or receptionist skills - nothing that involved any speck of ambition in any way whatsoever. And most of all, I wanted to be inspired.

And oh, I have been. Inspired. Every single day.

But what now?

This is the part that I find hard. There are so many things that I want to achieve, so many things that I want to do, but I can feel myself holding back. I want to illustrate. I want to create. I want to print things. And bind things. And sew them. And hopefully sell them (or at the very least trade them for other beautiful things).

Nothing makes me happier than to dream of that. I honestly think that I could have nothing, live in a split-level cardboard box and eat beans on toast for the rest of my life, if I knew that I wasn't spending 8 hours a day, 5 days a week at a job that felt so much like work. Oh yes, I could even give up shopping for polyester. My dream is that big.

I know that my deepest fear is that I won't succeed. It's such a tired song, but it's so true. I've been banking on designing my own shwag for so long, that if it doesn't work out, I really don't know what else to do...

Try again, I suppose.

This much I know: I feel most at home, most like myself, when I'm wandering around markets, living amongst other people who create for a living. When I'm being inspired.

I will be leaving London in a short while, filled with a two-year backlog of daily inspiration, and I really, really don't want to let that go to waste. Here's hoping that I can handle the pressure and live up to my own expectations.

Isn't that always the toughest challenge?

With a futuristic look and feel

I was recently sent on an IT-related course through my work, and the company that hosted the course keeps sending me spam.

Today's spam was bad enough to actually push me over the edge and remove myself from their mailing list, once and for all. Behold, the wonder of the pen...

"I invite you to ...

Get a Free Cross ion Pen
when you enrol on this valuable related course in London on the following date:

Microsoft Access: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction
Monday - Friday, 21 August - 25 August, 2006

That’s right. You and any colleagues you refer will receive a Free Cross ion Pen when you attend this valuable Hands-On IT course on the date specified above.

(This is where it really gets exciting)

The ion is the perfect pen to take anywhere. With a futuristic look and feel, the ion provides you with a soft ergonomic front section for writing comfort. It offers easy, one-hand open/close operation and a choice of six different colors in gel ink refills (black cartridge included with pen).

Plus for your convenience, it provides an easy-on, easy-off "quick clip" that can be attached to your keyring or a lanyard so you can always have a pen at hand when you need it.

Take advantage of this special opportunity to further increase your skills set and get your Free Cross ion Pen.

Now, I understand that there is some weird stigma attached to pens, and admittedly, my favorite pens are blue bics that leak - which hardly makes me an authority on pens, but is it just me or does this sound like EVERY PEN YOU'VE EVER OWNED?

Those crazy IT people. They make me laugh.