Could things bee any more pathetic?

And so it goes.

I've been in London now for five days and Adam has been gone for the same.

It's been an interesting experience. Being in a fairly 'new' city. Alone. Without a job. It's pushing the limits for me. I can assure you that. The evenings are the worst. I'm thinking about coming home, depending on how the next few days go.

On a lighter note, I currently have the worlds dumbest wasp stuck in my bathroom a. My attempts to 'free' it were something out of an I Love Lucy episode:

I decided to make a makeshift 'Bee Protection Costume': Barbour Jacket on, zipped up to my neck and hood on, stuck my hands into really thick present bags (since we don't have oven gloves), put my sun glasses on for protection, and attempted to open the window further. No such luck. Finally, after standing there for a few minutes, hoping said wasp would figure out that the window opened at the BOTTOM and not at the top, I decided to brave the elements. Turned on the taps to the shower. Got in for a few minutes. And then...all hell broke loose. Some shadow from the outside 'pissed off' this very unfortunate wasp (one I'm sure that was nothing more than the village idiot in its home hive. There's no way this thing had any lineage to the queen or anyone with brains) and it started for the shower. I yelped, jumped out of the shower as fast as I could (unfortunately without a towel. The hallway carpet is mildly damp now), and made a run for it, leaving the shower head on the floor of the tub sticking up. Realising this only seconds after fleeing the bathroom, I (screaming at this point) turned the taps off, only to find that the wasp had resumed its normal position by the window and water was now dripping from the ceiling. What a way to start my day. Sometimes I can empathise with Alexander from 'Alexander and The Horrible No Good Very Bad Day'. Maybe I should have stayed in bed.

'I hear you're counting sheep again, Mary Jane...'

*Two weeks until I'm officially finished at Walton High. I still stand by what I said: I'm going to miss my students and the staff. I have made a few really great friends and taught some phenomenal students (ones I'll always remember).

*I've decided to take part in תיקון עולם (tikkun olam--Hebrew for 'repairing the world'). Over the summer I'll be volunteering at the Baytree Centre for women and girls. While the Young People's Activities (Ages 14-19) run for four weeks, I'm taking part in two; one week for Photography and one for Journalism. Though my search for jobs will probably be ongoing, I'm really excited to be doing something good for the community. I miss social action. I've been away from it for far too long. Adam and I both agreed, earlier this year, that we needed to get back into social action; this is my opportunity to do just that. If you're interested in finding out more about this programme, you can go to http://www.baytreecentre.org/index.html

* On a lighter note, tickets for the Royal Albert Hall came the other day. We'll be seeing Lord of The Rings performed by the London Symphony Orchestra on my birthday (what an awesome birthday gift, eh?). And no, I don't know how many holes it takes to fill The Royal Albert Hall (that statement is primarily targeted towards my father who never fails to ask me that question :)).

*Finishing the year teaching The Gothic to my year 12/13s has rekindled my love for Gothic novels. I think over the summer I'm going to sink my teeth into Mysteries of Udolpho and The Monk. Come to think of it, I have tons of books I need to read this summer. And I can. Because I will not have anything else to plan. I'll be plan-free for the first time in three years (counting my student teaching). Wow, that feels so odd.

*Must be off. My summer plans also include updating this thing far more often than I have in the past few months (and running more, and taking more photography, and writing more poetry...)

Long time no write...

It's been a while since I last properly posted. It's all been very crazy around here, what with trying to figure out a new job, how I'm going to move my stuff from MK to London, photography related items and over all work stuffs.

My job hunt has been the main issue of contention for me, as of late. I apply to two or three a day, but I've heard neither yey nor ney as of yet. It's frustrating. Some people say I should continue to look in the area of teaching, but I feel as though if I don't take a step back from it, I'll loose the passion all together. Besides, only being 23 leaves me open for a great many career options (and not just in the London area). While Dubai has had to take the back burner (for family reasons), Adam and I have started looking in Mumbai. To live in India for two years would be incredible, not to mention we'd eat like kings (Indian food for three meals a day = culinary heaven). I suppose I could say (in the most cliche way possible) that the world is, indeed, our oyster. I only hope I find the pearl soon; otherwise, I'm going to find myself with a free (though unwanted) plane ticket back to the US.

The photography exhibition turned out great. After my momentary mini-meltdown after almost everyone had cancelled 10 minutes before it was intended on starting, I ended up having 15 people in total (more than I originally thought I would have). It was great to see Yvonne, who I hadn't caught up with for over a year (she even purchased a photo--my first sale!). Having my pictures in that Pub means that Notting Hill like folk will be going in and out. My prices are incredibly reasonable (for the reason that I'm new to the photography world and cannot justify charging outlandish prices) which hopefully means they'll be willing to make a few purchases. I'll keep everyone updated on the progress of this through photos on facebook, here, and my new website that Qasim put together http://www.ashleybess.co.uk/

I must head off. Currently at Jackie and Tony's for Jackie's birthday. It's great to see them (especially in Manchester--what a city!).

Change of date!

Hi all--an update for those of you who do not have facebook--my photography opening has been changed to the 19th of June. I figured that most of you would be watching the UK vs US world cup game (rooting for the US, of course... ;) ) that night.

Looking forward to seeing you all there :)

New Jersey Success Story?! I think so!

Alright kids, some big news to share. I've been given the go ahead of hanging and selling my photography in one of the nicer pubs in Notting Hill. Those of you who do NOT have facebook and are living in the London area, please come to the opening on the 12 of June 2010. Details are as follows:

Where: The Academy 7, Princedale Rd, Holland Park, London, W11 4NP

When: 12 June 2010 6pm until close

Why: My first photography opening. Come shmooz, drink, eat, and enjoy a night of photography

Price: Free to get in. Average price for food and drinks

Website: http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/17/17682/Academy/Holland_Park

You can contact me on my mobile or at info@ashleybess.co.uk for more information regarding the opening.

Looking forward to seeing you all there! :)

Epic win :)

*I realised today I haven't posted in almost a month. Work has been, for the lack of a better term, nightmarish, for the past week in a half. Bogged down with work, I've found very little time to write or update. I have two more books to mark, but I figure I might as well take a break and update those of you who still follow this (almost two years and going...).

*A huge change from last week, I started this week with some fantastic news. One of the pubs in Notting Hill is considering the idea of allowing me to put up my photography for sale. I've already met with the manager, he's interested in taking me on, and just needs to run it by the owner. I never though I'd be able to make money from a hobby. Either way, I'm excited. I've had some suggestions that it would be more profitable if I were to actually start up a proper website, rather than just my Flickr account. Luckily, I have a friend to help me out with this (I get the domain for free, which is a huge help as well) so I'm well on my way to possibly starting a serious side project! I'll post the website name/URL here once it's up and running.

*Exactly two months from next Tuesday I'll be fully moved out of Milton Keynes and into Notting Hill with Adam. It's been a fabulous year living on my own and getting acclimated to the 'real world' (that's not to say that living in the house last year wasn't 'real life'--though it was certainly different, to say the least) and all the responsibilities, which come with it. However, given the opportunity to move in with Adam, and to Notting Hill for that matter, is far more attractive of an option to pass up.

*With that said, still no job sorted for next year, but I have a few pokers in the fire and I'll keep you posted if anything comes my way.

This was the trip that doesn't end...

And so I'm back in the UK. Arrived last Friday and have pretty much recovered from my jet lag. First day back at work was exceptionally difficult, what with my early Monday rise from London, meetings and moderating, I felt dead after 11 hours of work.

Not much of an inkling to write tonight. Pictures up on flickr. Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lifelessordinary7/