The whole point of coming back to London from the warmth and relative safety of friends and family in the USA - was to be in Paris for Christmas with our other friends. We haven't seen them for awhile. My parents have passed on; her mother has Alzheimers and her dad is focused on mom. It is her first Christmas without her family in 56 years. 56 years - truly amazing when you think of it......56 years of family Christmas from wherever on the planet she has been. I can't come close. And now; our celebration thwarted by English transit and Eurostar. Can you believe the Tube wants to strike on Boxing day? I doubt the Olympics will occur with anything other than problems.
How many ways can I say this country (UK) simply does not work?
But I am here to find work again - work not forthcoming in the US. And, my squirrels. In both my garden and Holland Park; my babies keep me sane and with a camera. And laughing. Something I have had a hard time finding reason to do - even though I know all about the health benefits.
Dear Daughter of mine:
Please, use your education for the arts and humanity. Never put on business attire and feel serious about it. Live your life in colours and feelings and music. Perhaps by the time you are grown; there will be no "FT" because our currency will be laughter and love and art. I will support your decision to go to design school when others do not. I will work to make certain you share love, color and talents with the world and not slave away in an office in business attire. This is what my mother wanted for me; but I could not listen because we were so poor. Now - I want you to have what I did not give to myself. And I will wear a suit to make it happen - and I will use my alter-ego and avatar with my camera to balance myself against the forces of mediocrity.
