Category: Weeks Five and Six

Weeks Five and Six

Being a Pasadena Jogger

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Things I have discovered whilst out on a run:

– Californian culture of understanding: You're flashed the empathetic smile as you huff and puff past, the smile that urges you to keep going and says ” oh I've been there…” It has also become apparent that more fellow side-walkers acknowledge you when you're running than when you're walking

– Cars: running right of way: At a crossing, car drivers are more likely to wait and wave you over, than trying to edge in front of you when you're a pedestrian

– Pedestrians: running right of way: Ditto! On the pavement, fellow walkers/joggers move out of your path to let you pass. When you're walking, there is no such courtesy, and the people traffic jam that ensues initiates the dilemma: you can either barge past loudly stating “excuse me!”, cut them up by stepping off the pavement and onto the road, or by waiting for the next crossing to overtake…

– Jay-walking is not okay-walking: You can make that light surely? You're fast – there's no cars around. It's safe, right? Wrong. You will eventually get caught, reprimanded and fined. I have seen it happen. Twice.

Oh and you get to run against backdrops like this…

 

Weeks Five and Six: Sunshine Study, SAG Screenings and Ice Cream

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In a bid to get fully invested in my project these past couple of weeks, I have set up a study in my back garden in full sunshine view and right by the pool.

Perfect

 

As fuel to this endeavour I have been enjoying some local food delicacies which were recommended to me by fellow workers at the Library

Carmela Ice Cream

East Washington Bld, Pasadena

The most delicious home made ice cream from this tiny little parlour. There are queues at all times but it is completely worth it. Get the hot sauce too – indulge yourself!

Dog Haus

North Hill Ave, Pasadena

True American style hot dogs and I discovered Hawaiian sweet rolls on which they are served – the fluffiest, cakiest bread I've ever tried and, surprisingly, it just works!

Robin's Woodfire BBQ

North Rosemead Bld, Pasadena

The photos say it all. Wow.

I have always found that the antidote to my overworked and overactive brain is to try and completely zone out and watch a film – this is something that I haven't really thought about doing since I arrived as there's so much other exciting stuff to do. So, when Pat (the lady I am living with) invited me to a Screen Actors Guild screening of The Monuments Men, I replied with an uncontrollably definitive YES!

The Monuments Men, Directors Guild of America Screening

West Sunset Bld, 21st February 2014

This is a place that takes film screenings seriously: members and invited guests only; bag checks on the way in; no food; no drinks; no adverts; no leaving during the movie; no leaving until the end credits have ended. Despite this being an obviously disciplined space for art appreciation, the audience were highly reponsive and animated during the film. Huge laughs, leg slapping, tears, gasps, applause, all narrated this film. And something that I have never experienced before happened – in a scene close to the end (don't worry, no spoilers!), an American flag is raised by the American forces and left as a gift for the Russian Army. At this moment of revelation, the whole audotorium fell into racuous laughter, raptuous applause and a large propotion actually gave it a standing ovation. This was by far the outstanding scene in the film for the audience, as its “hilarity” and “brilliance” were repeatedly remarked upon after…read what Cold War and nationalist politics into this that you like…

I was told that this sense of national pride is instinct for most Americans as it is bred into them from childhood, through their families and education.

This was a true, Hollywood experience.

 

 

Weeks Five and Six: Brain Busting Burton

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The past couple of weeks at the Huntington have definitely been the hardest with the project, at times, appearing to be insurmountable. BUT, I finally finished wading my way through Burton's Hakluyt Society volumes yesterday! I have spent a large amount of this time trying to understand and make transcriptions of Burton's indices which appear in nine of his most heavily annotated publications of his 57 volume Hakluyt collection. This has presented the most frustrating puzzle for me to try and solve (especially as there is no cheat sheet with answers on to refer to, or a “answers printed in next week's edition” to check my inkings against!) I have worked through as much as I am able to at the moment and, whilst there are still some outstanding, my eyes and brain need a rest! The process has worked to instill a greater friendship with Burton's handwriting and I am now increasingly more aware of his little idiosyncracies, such as when he writes “5” it more likely means “8” or even “9”… In fact, my own handwriting is slowly beginning to resemble his!

I broke up these brain teasers by spending some time down in the basement with Burton's Library, perusing the shelves and picking a new trolley load of material that I want to work on next. The collection is so vast that I quickly found myself being distracted by other titles – I definitely want to read his books on the history of the sword! I really wish I could work down in his Library, in and amongst his works, just to completely immerse myself in how the physical and material presence of these books impacts modes of reading… Maybe I could ask?