travel

Today I am wanting to travel more than ever.

I like looking at pictures for inspiration and this little Tumblr is a favourite.

butterfly

There is a bench I visit most evenings, not far from my house, that boasts the sort of silence I have been craving lately; the sort that tempts and teases out worries, coaxing them into the open air. Tonight as I left it, a butterfly landed on the waistband of my skirt. Before I could tell her she was beautiful (and she was, daintily flaunting the curves of her papery wings), she flew off. It made me wonder how many people in the world find someone beautiful but haven't the time, nor the courage, nor, perhaps, the honesty to tell them so.

I am not sexist; I simply admire chivalry. I would like all the boys I know to turn to their girls one day soon and tell them of their beauty, as they see it every day. But I don't want them to stop there. I want them, then, to tell them of all their virtues; their imagination, their creativity, their intelligence, their wit. Because that is the thing: beauty, unless she is wed to something meaningful, is always superficial.*

I like to think that the butterfly today was not just beautiful in her aesthetics, in the way she waltzed, un-partnered, through the air, but also in her kindness. Her landing and the blushing of the sun on her wings was just a little reminder that everything will be okay.

*A quotation from The Secret History, by Donna Tartt. Read it.

york

York is a beautiful city.

It was nice to travel there and to explore with friends. I don't think it was possible to visit all the beautiful archaic nook and crannies I desired (Betty's Tea Rooms, antique/thrift shops, second-hand bookshops, etc) so it is definitely a city I will hopefully return to soon.

It was in York, too, that I became even greater friends with my Diana - pictures which I am bound to post at a later date (the above are digital). She is an exciting and enthralling lady.

diana mini

My new Diana Mini came in the post yesterday. I have already had one roll of film developed and cut.*

A child of the digital age, it frustrates me that I have never used a proper film camera before. The expectancy, the unknown, the pure artistry (which I confess to not having yet mastered) is a lot of fun.

In the book related world, I came across this:

I thought it was pretty fun, too. (See more here).

This weekend I am off to York. Hopefully, it will involve some more Diana fun - especially if I work out my ISO/light confusion. I have never been to York. I am quietly excited about seeing the city.

*If I work out exactly how to use my scanner, maybe some of my pictures will be posted.

introductions (part II)

Because I have been unsure about who I am addressing (if, in fact, I am addressing anyone), I have neglected to properly introduce myself. I haven't known what details are necessary, nor have I truly known what it is this blog is really for.

Perhaps now is a good time to discuss the basics.

I am an English student (meaning both that I am English, studying in England, and that I am studying English Literature).

I am in love.

I believe in language and in literature.

If I could take any career in which I feel I could whole-heartedly dedicate my life, it would be to write.*

And I guess this blog is a little journal for all the things that inspire, interest and enthral me.

(And this, below, is me. I am a massive crazy-golf-playing dork).

*I really, really do want to write.

somedays

Some days are scavenger hunts for the heart.

sculpture

I am slowly trying to work on greater things to substantiate this blog.

In the meantime, I like looking at things like this.

Art, for me, is made up of books.

*More can be found by artist Su Blackwell here.