Newcastle UK
I landed three days ago and have finally gotten over the jet lag which was exasperated I believe due to the lack of oxygen on the airplane. I guess airlines are saving money now to compete with companies like Jet Blue and Southwest by cutting down on the Oxygen in the cabin. The plane was so hot and stuffy it felt like a 10 hour monsoon season bus ride in South India. I sat next to an 80 year old farmer from the Faro islands and a 21 year old Marilyn Manson fan from London. It was a strange journey. The farmer was Danish and was having a hard time due to the lack of room. I sat in the middle seat, and he had to keep jabbing me about every five minutes to relieve his discomfort. The man behind me was in the same predicament, kneeing me in the back to relieve his arthritis. I don't remember airplanes being a such a form of torture. I think it's getting to the point where we'll be forced to stand up like cattle and the stewards will just come in and hose us down every 5 hours.
My pal Helen picked me up at the airport and immediately reminded me of just how hospitable and warm folks are in the North and Scotland. I did a screening of some shorts and RNC related stuff at the Side Cinema the following evening which went pretty well. Helen brought a ton of people which was so super sweet. Folks seemed to enjoy the program but Alan who runs the Side says there is a glut of Amercian Docs available. Personally I think that is because in the US, the media is such a huge perpetrator of what is happening right now, and making media that counters that seems a logical step. I asked him why there isn't more stuff coming out of Europe and he said there weren't as many resources. That really surprised me seeing as he gets funding from the city and here in Newcastle alone there is a Music Center, major arts center and a number of theaters. I think all Europeans think Americans have oodles of money coming out of their ears and endless financial resources, failing to see that living in the states as a working class person doing the arts or activism is actually a major struggle if not impossible in the long term. Honestly, when it comes to institutional support for arts and culture, not to mention healthcare and welfare, Europe can't be beat. Alan and I decided to enjoy our pints rather than get into a heavy debate about this.
I was here in Newcastle a year ago, and I have to say the level of gentrification that has happened within a year is pretty intense. The entire Quayside has changed and there are loads of hoity toity expensive restaurants everywhere. It looks like all of Europe is getting consumed quite heavily by the market economy and real estate is the driving force. I feel bad for folks as it seems they're being forced into something that is beyond their control, ie what we in the US have to deal with: High housing costs, no healthcare, no time and a standard of living based solely on consumerism.
I went surfing yesterday with Helen in the North Sea. They're actually holding the Nationals surf competition at the same beach coming October. There's a lone sweet little surf shop with super nice folks who run it including a cute little blond gal who works behind the counter!!!The wetsuits we wore were twice as thick as what you would wear in Northern Cal because the water is so damn COLD but we had a good time and caught some nice waves. We're going again Sunday if all goes well.
Mostly I've been just getting my bearings and figuring out where next after Edinburgh. It's strange having so much freedom. Almost freightening. Half of me is wanting a really structured itinerary, but I'm afraid if I do that, I may miss out on some opportunities of meeting some interesting folks.
Besides Edinburgh, I'll also be heading the Faslane on the West Coast of Scotland. Faslane is an anti-nuclar settlement that has been in existance since the 80's. You can check it out at: www.faslanepeacecamp.org.uk
I should be heading over there next Wednesday or so if all goes well. Evidently they have a bicycle powered indymedia trailer!
Tonight it's an art opening by some artist who draws vaginas. Sounds like a San Francisco event. I can't wait to see the Newcastle version of this. I can only imagine a lot of nice straight folks in black leather jackets and a ton of alcohol consumption. I've noticed most folks look at me like I'm a scary hairy American bull dyke. I really felt this in the airport when I put some money in a vending machine for some potato chips (after being effectively starved of food and Oxygen on the 10 hour flight [don't ever order a vegan meal on BA, they will only give you a banana for breakfast!]) Of course the chips got stuck in the vending machine, so I tried to hit the glass to knock it down. The dozens of British passengers looked in horror as it seemed as though I was in an act of vandalism against a Cadbury vending machine. I was too hungry to care. Unsuccesful in my attempt to free the crisp package. I sat there waiting for some other sucker to buy a candy bar that could perhaps knock my potato chips to freedom, but no luck. I guess wherever I go (in and out of the United States) I will feel like a freak. At 34, alienation doesn't seem to phase me.
Next stop, Scotland.
My pal Helen picked me up at the airport and immediately reminded me of just how hospitable and warm folks are in the North and Scotland. I did a screening of some shorts and RNC related stuff at the Side Cinema the following evening which went pretty well. Helen brought a ton of people which was so super sweet. Folks seemed to enjoy the program but Alan who runs the Side says there is a glut of Amercian Docs available. Personally I think that is because in the US, the media is such a huge perpetrator of what is happening right now, and making media that counters that seems a logical step. I asked him why there isn't more stuff coming out of Europe and he said there weren't as many resources. That really surprised me seeing as he gets funding from the city and here in Newcastle alone there is a Music Center, major arts center and a number of theaters. I think all Europeans think Americans have oodles of money coming out of their ears and endless financial resources, failing to see that living in the states as a working class person doing the arts or activism is actually a major struggle if not impossible in the long term. Honestly, when it comes to institutional support for arts and culture, not to mention healthcare and welfare, Europe can't be beat. Alan and I decided to enjoy our pints rather than get into a heavy debate about this.
I was here in Newcastle a year ago, and I have to say the level of gentrification that has happened within a year is pretty intense. The entire Quayside has changed and there are loads of hoity toity expensive restaurants everywhere. It looks like all of Europe is getting consumed quite heavily by the market economy and real estate is the driving force. I feel bad for folks as it seems they're being forced into something that is beyond their control, ie what we in the US have to deal with: High housing costs, no healthcare, no time and a standard of living based solely on consumerism.
I went surfing yesterday with Helen in the North Sea. They're actually holding the Nationals surf competition at the same beach coming October. There's a lone sweet little surf shop with super nice folks who run it including a cute little blond gal who works behind the counter!!!The wetsuits we wore were twice as thick as what you would wear in Northern Cal because the water is so damn COLD but we had a good time and caught some nice waves. We're going again Sunday if all goes well.
Mostly I've been just getting my bearings and figuring out where next after Edinburgh. It's strange having so much freedom. Almost freightening. Half of me is wanting a really structured itinerary, but I'm afraid if I do that, I may miss out on some opportunities of meeting some interesting folks.
Besides Edinburgh, I'll also be heading the Faslane on the West Coast of Scotland. Faslane is an anti-nuclar settlement that has been in existance since the 80's. You can check it out at: www.faslanepeacecamp.org.uk
I should be heading over there next Wednesday or so if all goes well. Evidently they have a bicycle powered indymedia trailer!
Tonight it's an art opening by some artist who draws vaginas. Sounds like a San Francisco event. I can't wait to see the Newcastle version of this. I can only imagine a lot of nice straight folks in black leather jackets and a ton of alcohol consumption. I've noticed most folks look at me like I'm a scary hairy American bull dyke. I really felt this in the airport when I put some money in a vending machine for some potato chips (after being effectively starved of food and Oxygen on the 10 hour flight [don't ever order a vegan meal on BA, they will only give you a banana for breakfast!]) Of course the chips got stuck in the vending machine, so I tried to hit the glass to knock it down. The dozens of British passengers looked in horror as it seemed as though I was in an act of vandalism against a Cadbury vending machine. I was too hungry to care. Unsuccesful in my attempt to free the crisp package. I sat there waiting for some other sucker to buy a candy bar that could perhaps knock my potato chips to freedom, but no luck. I guess wherever I go (in and out of the United States) I will feel like a freak. At 34, alienation doesn't seem to phase me.
Next stop, Scotland.
posted by Mr. Sophie at 3:39 AM
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