Friday 27 April 2012

I would stay and chat, but I moustache...


So this is what I've been up to for the past few weeks, among moving back into university and getting back into work, preparing for our college arts week! I am so damn excited about it (my job is producing a play and hosting a Mods and Rockers after-party, so much watching of Rookie's tutorials has been happening)Our logo is a moustache, which has been so much fun to work into everything! And one of the amazing committee people has put together this trailer. I am so in awe of people who can do that, and this is a thing of beauty. And therefore is a joy forever.
Oh and the feet in the puddle? That would be me..

If you are in England, and can get to Oxford fairly easily, have a glance at what we've got on! http://www.wegottickets.com/f/4307 I'll be ambling round with a huge grin and a camera most probably.

More Washington and New York to come, I promise

Saturday 7 April 2012

Damsels in DC: Blissful bookshops...


I don't quite know why all my posts require alliteration at the moment, but they do. You could not take two rather geek-loving literature students on any holiday without expecting some bookshop trawling. Armed with some insider advice, we went a'hunting. And were not disappointed, there were so so many little independent or secondhand shops everywhere(although we did also have to go into a Barnes and Noble)Here's some of our favourites...enjoy!

Day One - Kramerbooks
We somehow managed to be staying literally a minute away from this one, bookshop and cafe by day, bookshop and bar by night. We never ate here, but went in there several times to browse and the shope design just made me happy 

.CAKE AND BOOKS.


 On the first day we also ran into a brilliant basement secondhand bookshop near the crossing of Wisconsin/Resevoir Avenues (?) just called USED BOOKS. Sadly I didn't get any photos in there, it seemed like an Aladdin's Cave, and a mysterious place...Next time.

Day Four - Capitol Hill Books
I've seen some packed bookshops in my time (Moss books in Cheltenham for example) but this was insane. Every nook was crammed with things, and what was even more amazing was the fact it was actually in alphabetical author and genre order. Very impressive.

 
 Day Nine - Politics and Prose 
A real thinker's scene this one, there was a rather intense political talk going on when we went in, so me and my friend went searching for literary wonders (there are many, MANY, photos of us with our favourite finds, but I won't bore you even more with them) instead of paying attention to that. You had to talk a busride a bit out of the centre to get here, but it was obviously well known and well worth it. Especially for the pizza and pingpong that followed. But that's a tale for another day. 


So I said I wouldn't post a photo of a book...but we were so excited to find the book of one of my favourite procrastinatory sites ever Hark a Vagrant which I've never come across before in print. Brilliant.

Sorry for the long post and poorly aligned photos. Happy Easter to all! And many commiserations to the poor rowers today, what a crazy race!

Monday 2 April 2012

Spring Adventures #1 : Damsels in DC...


Part of the reason I didn't fill the first few weeks of my holiday with manic procrastinatory blogging and flickr-ing is because I was swiflty jetted off to spend 10 amazing days in Washington DC to stay with my lovely friend Rachel and a few of her relatives. I feel incredibly lucky that I was able to go, the weather was beautiful and it's an incredible city full of art and books and cakeshops and history and everything that I enjoy. We spent the first few days just wandering the city to get to know it a bit rather than heading straight for the sights. And so glad I did as it is such a gorgeous place! We both fell in love I think. Doing homage to the holiday requires a fair few posts, so I apologise in advance, but here is Blackberry Horse's 'Best of DC'


 
Although this took place on the 6th day of our trip, I feel like I have to start with our tour of the Cherry Blossom round the Tidal Basin, as this is apparently a big deal. Due to the unseasonably good weather (hurrah!) it was all out early on Sunday. It was packed by late afternoon, but it was lovely to see families (and the odd politician) enjoying the sunshine and the trees.