Here is some footage I took from a photoshoot we had at a designers flat.
Notice the "staple" Greece anthem I spoke about a few posts back, playing in the background.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Shit Happens
Shit happens.
It's true. It's a phrase that's commonly used when things aren't rainbows and butterflies. It's used lightly, even when situations aren't so light. Whether it be a flat tire, a death, or quite literally a bird drops its fecal matter atop your head.
I'm home. I came back to The land of Liberty early. It was with great purpose, and it feels 100% right to be back here.
Being abroad made me appreciate things that I find a majority of Americans talking shit about.. We complain about all of the things our country is doing wrong, and lack the ability to be thankful for what the 'restricting' laws do bring to the table. Us Yankees may not be "Free" like European countries. We may not be able to smoke in restaurants, drink under the age of 21, and many other things that matter on a more grandiose scale.
A big big problem that many have with the U.S. is healthcare. While I do undetstand the outrageous financial constraint that healthcare may have on all of us. We need to at least look at the positives, our hospitals are extremely sanitary; Although Hospitals are quite eerie on their own, even when the floors sparkle and everyone is dressed in white and turquoise, (that sounds comparable to an aquafresh commercial) We have it pretty nice over here.
Example:
My roomate needed to go to the Emergency Room while in Athens. So myself and another friend took a taxi with her to the nearest (And reportedly the NICEST) Hospital in Greece. When we arrived we walk into the entrance, there is a rancid smell and people laying on stretchers in the waiting area unattended, the floor and walls were covered in filth. The medical staff seemed to be scarce. Feeling like we were in some weird dream; went from room to room asking for the emergency room, each person pointing us towards a different direction.
Ultimately, we stumble into the appropriate "Emergency Room". There are 3 or 4 doctors sitting there Smoking cigarettes and chatting away. The Male doctor- in jeans, long scruffy hair and an unbuttoned white coat; which looks as though he pulled it out of his dirty clothes hamper while rushing out the door to work.... actually I take that back, he most likely didn't rush to work. The three of us fish-out-of-water foreigners stand there in shock and awe. As if we weren't starttled enough by the first impression of the hospital, we now stand there staring at a clique of smoking doctors staring at us.
"can I help you?" says the skinny scruffy guy.
[Eh, no we just felt like leaving our apartment at 11pm on a sunday night because we had nothing better to do than pick up a few diseases and another good dose of 2nd hand smoke.]
Reportedly from my dear friend, the doctor continued smoking, while giving her an old re-usable thermometer, had her wipe it off and tuck it away in her armpit. George McScruffy joked around about how "They probably don't let doctors smoke in America, do they?!"
The answer: no, no doctors, patients, visitors, not anyone, not even in the waiting area. Even in some places, not even outside the hospital.
He told her that he made her friends (my friend and me) wait outside because we were destracting him. I understand that if a couple of nice young girls come in, it may be a bit destracting, but keep it to yourself George. They then, ask her to stay for an ultra sound, when suddenly a man with blood gushing down his face is placed next to her. They just sit people in the same room almost like it's a room for a support group, not an F-ing Emergency Room!
Meanwhile, after I feel like I'm bout to faint, Anna and I find a nice cold dirty chair to sit on in the waiting area. There wasn't a place out of the eye's view which didn't have some sickly being sitting there or lying there in a stretcher. Soon we see our friend exiting the restroom looking like she'd just seen a ghost, barely able to explain that the toilets had no seats, there was no toilet paper, and there were urine filled bed pans laying around everywhere. She claims a reign check on the Ultra Sound without needing words...tells us through her eyes "Let's Get the HELLL out of here".
We go to the front desk. The lady hesitates to look up and notice us. When she does, she holds up her finger- the Universal "one moment" finger. shuffles around for a minute, discovers her cigarettes, lights up, and then finally proceeds to help us. I don't think the lady had a friendly (or funny, for that matter) bone in her body...
25 Euro's later, the three of us find ourselves walking down the Exit pathway, speechless. I truly wish I could have documented that place with photos because words cannot even roughly paint a picture. So while America is all up in Arms about healthcare, at LEAST be bloody thankful that we are kept in sterile conditions. Rather than gaining a few sicknesses through the hospital visit.
And to any of you on your way to the Hospitals in Athens; I do in fact, have good news! You just saved 20% on your car insurance.
It's true. It's a phrase that's commonly used when things aren't rainbows and butterflies. It's used lightly, even when situations aren't so light. Whether it be a flat tire, a death, or quite literally a bird drops its fecal matter atop your head.
I'm home. I came back to The land of Liberty early. It was with great purpose, and it feels 100% right to be back here.
Being abroad made me appreciate things that I find a majority of Americans talking shit about.. We complain about all of the things our country is doing wrong, and lack the ability to be thankful for what the 'restricting' laws do bring to the table. Us Yankees may not be "Free" like European countries. We may not be able to smoke in restaurants, drink under the age of 21, and many other things that matter on a more grandiose scale.
A big big problem that many have with the U.S. is healthcare. While I do undetstand the outrageous financial constraint that healthcare may have on all of us. We need to at least look at the positives, our hospitals are extremely sanitary; Although Hospitals are quite eerie on their own, even when the floors sparkle and everyone is dressed in white and turquoise, (that sounds comparable to an aquafresh commercial) We have it pretty nice over here.
Example:
My roomate needed to go to the Emergency Room while in Athens. So myself and another friend took a taxi with her to the nearest (And reportedly the NICEST) Hospital in Greece. When we arrived we walk into the entrance, there is a rancid smell and people laying on stretchers in the waiting area unattended, the floor and walls were covered in filth. The medical staff seemed to be scarce. Feeling like we were in some weird dream; went from room to room asking for the emergency room, each person pointing us towards a different direction.
Ultimately, we stumble into the appropriate "Emergency Room". There are 3 or 4 doctors sitting there Smoking cigarettes and chatting away. The Male doctor- in jeans, long scruffy hair and an unbuttoned white coat; which looks as though he pulled it out of his dirty clothes hamper while rushing out the door to work.... actually I take that back, he most likely didn't rush to work. The three of us fish-out-of-water foreigners stand there in shock and awe. As if we weren't starttled enough by the first impression of the hospital, we now stand there staring at a clique of smoking doctors staring at us.
"can I help you?" says the skinny scruffy guy.
[Eh, no we just felt like leaving our apartment at 11pm on a sunday night because we had nothing better to do than pick up a few diseases and another good dose of 2nd hand smoke.]
Reportedly from my dear friend, the doctor continued smoking, while giving her an old re-usable thermometer, had her wipe it off and tuck it away in her armpit. George McScruffy joked around about how "They probably don't let doctors smoke in America, do they?!"
The answer: no, no doctors, patients, visitors, not anyone, not even in the waiting area. Even in some places, not even outside the hospital.
He told her that he made her friends (my friend and me) wait outside because we were destracting him. I understand that if a couple of nice young girls come in, it may be a bit destracting, but keep it to yourself George. They then, ask her to stay for an ultra sound, when suddenly a man with blood gushing down his face is placed next to her. They just sit people in the same room almost like it's a room for a support group, not an F-ing Emergency Room!
Meanwhile, after I feel like I'm bout to faint, Anna and I find a nice cold dirty chair to sit on in the waiting area. There wasn't a place out of the eye's view which didn't have some sickly being sitting there or lying there in a stretcher. Soon we see our friend exiting the restroom looking like she'd just seen a ghost, barely able to explain that the toilets had no seats, there was no toilet paper, and there were urine filled bed pans laying around everywhere. She claims a reign check on the Ultra Sound without needing words...tells us through her eyes "Let's Get the HELLL out of here".
We go to the front desk. The lady hesitates to look up and notice us. When she does, she holds up her finger- the Universal "one moment" finger. shuffles around for a minute, discovers her cigarettes, lights up, and then finally proceeds to help us. I don't think the lady had a friendly (or funny, for that matter) bone in her body...
25 Euro's later, the three of us find ourselves walking down the Exit pathway, speechless. I truly wish I could have documented that place with photos because words cannot even roughly paint a picture. So while America is all up in Arms about healthcare, at LEAST be bloody thankful that we are kept in sterile conditions. Rather than gaining a few sicknesses through the hospital visit.
And to any of you on your way to the Hospitals in Athens; I do in fact, have good news! You just saved 20% on your car insurance.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Brushfire Fairytales #13
Today, I arrived early to my job. While listening to my iPod, and unable to focus my mind into the mental investment some call Earnest Hemmingway, I just picked up a pen, flipped over my direction (to my job) sheet, and started writing... I haven't been able to focus on anything the last couple weeks, not the blog, not my book, along with many things...too much going on in my head and for once i was able to put a fragment onto the back of my paper.
Finally a male model arrived and peeked over my shoulder after I neglected to greet him with the standard hello and a kiss on each cheek
"What are you writing?!?!" he asked
I pulled my left ear phone, gave him a 'mind your own business' glance and said
"Just what I'm thinking".
I was actually able to translate my sloppy chicken scratch, without going in and editing what would sound or looks better and type it into an email to Andrew. He then swayed me into posting my intimate laundry onto the blogspot for my 2 viewers, so here it goes....
This song brings me back to 2003. Late August, early September. I'm laying on the beach, staring at the dark sky. Hopelessly forecasting into the future through the stars.
Dreams of having a fighting chance to prove myself to a young man that seems as achievable as it was to reach up and grasp a cluster of stars. I dreamt of holding his hand, touching his lips, and spending the rest of our lives together. As the waves crashed onto the shore, in sync with the beat of the song; it all did seem like a mere dream. I'd of never thought I'd be living on an island, gazing into the nights sky as a hopeless romantic.
How come when dreams become true, we so easily forget the value of what we achieve? I mentally put myself into the future with Andrew. 1 year and 4 months later I no longer was seeing a dream of our future, but was together promising eternity with the man of my dreams.
I now sit bundled up in a warm winter coat in a cobble stone studio, awaiting some photo shoot with pays a measly 250 Euro that I find myself ungrateful for. I used to not even dream of traveling to Europe to work as a model, and quicker than I could allow myself to dream, I've already lost appreciation of everything that was placed so high on a pedestal. I cringe when I feel myself falling away from my love. I try to fix these feelings and put things back to how they once were unknowing if it's attainable.
While I do love my job, as it has taken me to various parts of the world, it has lost its lustre of how I thought it would be. When are things going to be as they seem? Is is just me or this this a common occurrence that life is misunderstood? Whats funny is the song that struck these thoughts is called "it's all understood".
Finally a male model arrived and peeked over my shoulder after I neglected to greet him with the standard hello and a kiss on each cheek
"What are you writing?!?!" he asked
I pulled my left ear phone, gave him a 'mind your own business' glance and said
"Just what I'm thinking".
I was actually able to translate my sloppy chicken scratch, without going in and editing what would sound or looks better and type it into an email to Andrew. He then swayed me into posting my intimate laundry onto the blogspot for my 2 viewers, so here it goes....
This song brings me back to 2003. Late August, early September. I'm laying on the beach, staring at the dark sky. Hopelessly forecasting into the future through the stars.
Dreams of having a fighting chance to prove myself to a young man that seems as achievable as it was to reach up and grasp a cluster of stars. I dreamt of holding his hand, touching his lips, and spending the rest of our lives together. As the waves crashed onto the shore, in sync with the beat of the song; it all did seem like a mere dream. I'd of never thought I'd be living on an island, gazing into the nights sky as a hopeless romantic.
How come when dreams become true, we so easily forget the value of what we achieve? I mentally put myself into the future with Andrew. 1 year and 4 months later I no longer was seeing a dream of our future, but was together promising eternity with the man of my dreams.
I now sit bundled up in a warm winter coat in a cobble stone studio, awaiting some photo shoot with pays a measly 250 Euro that I find myself ungrateful for. I used to not even dream of traveling to Europe to work as a model, and quicker than I could allow myself to dream, I've already lost appreciation of everything that was placed so high on a pedestal. I cringe when I feel myself falling away from my love. I try to fix these feelings and put things back to how they once were unknowing if it's attainable.
While I do love my job, as it has taken me to various parts of the world, it has lost its lustre of how I thought it would be. When are things going to be as they seem? Is is just me or this this a common occurrence that life is misunderstood? Whats funny is the song that struck these thoughts is called "it's all understood".
Monday, February 4, 2008
she's got the whooole world in her room.
In our room we had representatives from America, Austrailia, Brazil, Hungary, Russia, Serbia and Slovakia. Kara and And I were talking about it as we walked to the store, everyone surfed the internet on our computers while we were gone....and Kara and I started to sing " We got the whooooole world in our room, we got the whooooole world in our room, we got the whole world in our room! "
The roomates keep on piling in day by day and while each girl's arrival can be very much like a blind date, we find ourselves falling in love every time. I especially am so fascinated be the female specimen. I haven't solely lived with females ( and a large variety at that) in over 3 years.
I cant remember when I've laughed sooo much... When Someone says something, it usually has to be repeated a handful of times due to the variation of accents and the speed at which all words exit our mouths. I laugh my way through it because I find it humorous and beautiful at the same time. I think how the hell am I standing here with these girls from around the world, whom i feel like Ive known my whole life....talking about everyday things while still being able to filter through everything and still understand eachothers humor, whether there be a few seconds delay or not...
Kara and I have formed a bond that you think wouldn't be acheivable in a measly month... We clicked instantly. Being American as well, we've got eachother to fall back on when our jokes initially bomb, we just get it, we get eachother. Sunday we woke up and went to the Akropoli, We sat atop the parthanon and overlooked athens and talked for hours. by the time we left it felt like that feeling you get after an hour long massage..... so relaxed from this natural high of the peace and calm of everything. It was finally a chance to step back from all of our daily chaos and soak in where we are, the beauty and the history of Greece. When we stepped into the area after getting off of the subway Kara sighed and said "Whoa, it feels like we're in a different country"... What's funny is almost simutaneously the same thing ran through my head. We of course got quite the laugh out of that because well, we are in a different country... But the magic hasn't quite been there with the pressing time constraint, and the weight of our portfolios, shoes, water bottles, food and dont forget stress on our shoulders while running around athens for castings. It was the first time that we could've gone out without any jacket. The day couldn't have been more beautiful. We ended up eating in a cafe, finding ourselves friendship bracelets to consimate our romantical day together. We made it to this really swanky cafe/lounge place on the beach by sunset and continued to unwind.... we then walked along the beach and talked some more... and laughed again, because our day just continued to get more and more dreamy and romantic. We then met up with some friends who suprised us that they have a boat and we went there for a while and talked while we waited for some others to meet up with us. Shortly after we made it to the cinema, where we saw the new Jack Nicholson/ Morgan Freeman movie. It took place in LA... It did make me a bit homesick for California to be honest. It was actually a really great movie ( Called the bucket list) It inspired Kara and I to soon create a bucket list of our own.
The weather has continued to be sooo beautiful, which is quite the gift after the freezing cold rain and snow storms we've been having here. I learn something new about myself daily... I love walking alone whethere it be to a casting or the supermarket. Its a sense of freedom and independence that's unexpectedly unexplainable.. I guess it happens when you are out and about and can't really communicate clearly with anyone but yourself. Everyday I'm falling more and more in love with this city, though the smells on the subways and buses are a true test for our love.
I've got to get to sleep but I will leave you with a blog that my roomate Kara had posted a little while back... Kara and I both have sleep walking/talking in our past:
Thursday, January 31, 2008
"I go out walking after midnight"
This is really funny to me and I have to write about it...
So Brynn had a booking for a runway show last week. It was a crazy kind of runway show and in it she was required to rollerskate. Well, the night before...after talking for a few hours we turn off the lights and go to bed. What happened next is so foggy but here's what I think I saw. Brynn was in her blue american appearal shirt and her PJ pants in the kitchen. I woke up to go pee and all I could see was Brynn's blue shirt gliding across the kitchen floor. I realized that she was practicing roller skating in her socks on the kitchen. Now Brynn does not remember this so she claims! She's either the best model in the world to stay up all night practicing...or was sleep walking..I'm not sure!
Two nights later I had this crazy dream that I was walking with some people and I fell into a hole. I climbed up on a platform and started running back and forth and banging on the ceiling yelling "help" "help". I finally heard Brynn say "Kara?" in a very confused tone of voice. When I heard her say this I woke up and was standing on the top bunk of my bed. I had no idea why I was up there or how I got there. Appearantly I was running back and forth on the top bunk of my bunk beds banging on the ceiling and screaming out loud "help". I woke Brynn up. In the morning I realized I completely destroyed my bed...there was wood everywhere...best sleep walking adventure yet!
Can you imagine waking up to your roommate running back and forth on beds and screaming...OR...waking up to your roommate roller skating in the kitchen? I can't stop laughing!!
Hopefully more sleeping adventures to come..just less dangerous!
The roomates keep on piling in day by day and while each girl's arrival can be very much like a blind date, we find ourselves falling in love every time. I especially am so fascinated be the female specimen. I haven't solely lived with females ( and a large variety at that) in over 3 years.
I cant remember when I've laughed sooo much... When Someone says something, it usually has to be repeated a handful of times due to the variation of accents and the speed at which all words exit our mouths. I laugh my way through it because I find it humorous and beautiful at the same time. I think how the hell am I standing here with these girls from around the world, whom i feel like Ive known my whole life....talking about everyday things while still being able to filter through everything and still understand eachothers humor, whether there be a few seconds delay or not...
Kara and I have formed a bond that you think wouldn't be acheivable in a measly month... We clicked instantly. Being American as well, we've got eachother to fall back on when our jokes initially bomb, we just get it, we get eachother. Sunday we woke up and went to the Akropoli, We sat atop the parthanon and overlooked athens and talked for hours. by the time we left it felt like that feeling you get after an hour long massage..... so relaxed from this natural high of the peace and calm of everything. It was finally a chance to step back from all of our daily chaos and soak in where we are, the beauty and the history of Greece. When we stepped into the area after getting off of the subway Kara sighed and said "Whoa, it feels like we're in a different country"... What's funny is almost simutaneously the same thing ran through my head. We of course got quite the laugh out of that because well, we are in a different country... But the magic hasn't quite been there with the pressing time constraint, and the weight of our portfolios, shoes, water bottles, food and dont forget stress on our shoulders while running around athens for castings. It was the first time that we could've gone out without any jacket. The day couldn't have been more beautiful. We ended up eating in a cafe, finding ourselves friendship bracelets to consimate our romantical day together. We made it to this really swanky cafe/lounge place on the beach by sunset and continued to unwind.... we then walked along the beach and talked some more... and laughed again, because our day just continued to get more and more dreamy and romantic. We then met up with some friends who suprised us that they have a boat and we went there for a while and talked while we waited for some others to meet up with us. Shortly after we made it to the cinema, where we saw the new Jack Nicholson/ Morgan Freeman movie. It took place in LA... It did make me a bit homesick for California to be honest. It was actually a really great movie ( Called the bucket list) It inspired Kara and I to soon create a bucket list of our own.
The weather has continued to be sooo beautiful, which is quite the gift after the freezing cold rain and snow storms we've been having here. I learn something new about myself daily... I love walking alone whethere it be to a casting or the supermarket. Its a sense of freedom and independence that's unexpectedly unexplainable.. I guess it happens when you are out and about and can't really communicate clearly with anyone but yourself. Everyday I'm falling more and more in love with this city, though the smells on the subways and buses are a true test for our love.
I've got to get to sleep but I will leave you with a blog that my roomate Kara had posted a little while back... Kara and I both have sleep walking/talking in our past:
Thursday, January 31, 2008
"I go out walking after midnight"
This is really funny to me and I have to write about it...
So Brynn had a booking for a runway show last week. It was a crazy kind of runway show and in it she was required to rollerskate. Well, the night before...after talking for a few hours we turn off the lights and go to bed. What happened next is so foggy but here's what I think I saw. Brynn was in her blue american appearal shirt and her PJ pants in the kitchen. I woke up to go pee and all I could see was Brynn's blue shirt gliding across the kitchen floor. I realized that she was practicing roller skating in her socks on the kitchen. Now Brynn does not remember this so she claims! She's either the best model in the world to stay up all night practicing...or was sleep walking..I'm not sure!
Two nights later I had this crazy dream that I was walking with some people and I fell into a hole. I climbed up on a platform and started running back and forth and banging on the ceiling yelling "help" "help". I finally heard Brynn say "Kara?" in a very confused tone of voice. When I heard her say this I woke up and was standing on the top bunk of my bed. I had no idea why I was up there or how I got there. Appearantly I was running back and forth on the top bunk of my bunk beds banging on the ceiling and screaming out loud "help". I woke Brynn up. In the morning I realized I completely destroyed my bed...there was wood everywhere...best sleep walking adventure yet!
Can you imagine waking up to your roommate running back and forth on beds and screaming...OR...waking up to your roommate roller skating in the kitchen? I can't stop laughing!!
Hopefully more sleeping adventures to come..just less dangerous!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
thank heavens it's hump day
Today started off with a hot shower... and it remained hot until I was fnished, which is rare... I think the whole shower scheme with roomates is like a game of tertis, only with timing. You see you have to push these two buttons approximately 15-20 minutes prior to your scrub a dub dub. You need to make sure that you're not interfering with someone elses routine or strategy... My poor Kara can't seem to get it right, she thinks she waiting a few minutes too many or too few, but she can't seem to get a hot shower. My problem is waking up with enough time to wait for the water to heat up. Anyway thats besides the point, The fact that wednesday the 23rd started with a warm shower means it started well.
Then I left an hour and half later than recommended for castings/fitting... Why? Because I sat and waited like a school girl for my loverboy to get online. Then there he was, andrew popped up and we chatted on Gmail chat forever. So that put a little hop in my step and I ventured out to the city.
Usually when I ask the people of athens for directions I've got a system; If they are over 50, don't ask. If they are a bus driver, they don't know. If its a male, he will help you even if he is making something up in order to lengthen the conversation. If I see an asian I go straight for them. Today I saw a twenty something asain standing at a corner, I asked him where sdhqweoriuzxcjh street was and he doesn't know, but pulls out his trusty map. Whiledragging his index finger to display "we are here" he says " It sucks traveling alone doesn't it?" I shrugged my shoulders and thanked him and headed in the wrong direction... He found me a few blocks down getting accurate directions from a 30 something male who walked me to the actual street, he laughed and said sorry.
I was early to the first casting. So I sat and ate a few helpings of sweet treats out of the clients candy dish and read my book. I'm reading For Whom The Bells Tolls by Hemmingway. It gives me the reality checks that I need, and of course inspired me to be a better writer and everything. But when Im feeling so far away and homesick for Andrew, I tell myself people are abroad doing much more difficult things. (but I bet they're not doing it in heels). I walked 8 flights of stairs in heels because I couldnt figure out the elevator, eurpean elevators- thats a different blog in itself.
I passed the most amazing bead shop next door and when I get me some euro I will be back to let my cretive juices flow. an hour later as I near my 2nd casting I realize it's at the studio where I just shot last week. So I was feeling confident in my navigation skills, but not so confident because I was not a fan of the whole shoot, the photographer talked about how he wanted a new job and was just very very uninspiring to work with as an "artist". As I got closer I realized i still had 25 minutes. So I get bottled water and some chocolate for 1 euro. I got up a few flights of stairs and wait for Disheveled George to come down, he introduced himself and I said I know, I worked with you last week. And he says oh yes, sorry I am so tired and so forth about how horrible his life is. He tells me (gasp) he loved working with me and will try to get me more work soon... I couldve sworn we'd had one of the worst shoots ever but go figure.
I now have to wait by the Iraklio train station for 3 HOURS!!! So Hemmingway and myself camped out in a coffeeshop. I was completely into this one chapter when suddenly; a man with a cane, who looked like he could've hopped right out of the story, starttles me and starts begging me for money. I said I don't speak Greek but if he finds some money can I please have some?.. Not really but I did say the first part, and thought the 2nd. 2 hours and 45 minutes later 2 models come strolling in and plop down right in front of me, they were waiting for the same mini bus as myself. So we stopped and chatting and then headed to the herd of cattle-i mean models- at the train station waiting for our mini bus to take us to our fitting for mondays fashion show.
5 outfits, 2 slices of pizza, and 8 hours later I find myself on the train, metro, bus, and last but not least- 2 feet, thinking about how the hell I'm going to rollerskate down a runway? there will be four of us on the skates... You probably will be able to watch us fall on our asses coming to a youtube near you, I'm sure... I'm trying not to picture it happen-because you know, when you create something in your head it gives it power, and it will happen... I just keep seeing myself falling down on my arse.
I am soo tired, im going to bed.
Then I left an hour and half later than recommended for castings/fitting... Why? Because I sat and waited like a school girl for my loverboy to get online. Then there he was, andrew popped up and we chatted on Gmail chat forever. So that put a little hop in my step and I ventured out to the city.
Usually when I ask the people of athens for directions I've got a system; If they are over 50, don't ask. If they are a bus driver, they don't know. If its a male, he will help you even if he is making something up in order to lengthen the conversation. If I see an asian I go straight for them. Today I saw a twenty something asain standing at a corner, I asked him where sdhqweoriuzxcjh street was and he doesn't know, but pulls out his trusty map. Whiledragging his index finger to display "we are here" he says " It sucks traveling alone doesn't it?" I shrugged my shoulders and thanked him and headed in the wrong direction... He found me a few blocks down getting accurate directions from a 30 something male who walked me to the actual street, he laughed and said sorry.
I was early to the first casting. So I sat and ate a few helpings of sweet treats out of the clients candy dish and read my book. I'm reading For Whom The Bells Tolls by Hemmingway. It gives me the reality checks that I need, and of course inspired me to be a better writer and everything. But when Im feeling so far away and homesick for Andrew, I tell myself people are abroad doing much more difficult things. (but I bet they're not doing it in heels). I walked 8 flights of stairs in heels because I couldnt figure out the elevator, eurpean elevators- thats a different blog in itself.
I passed the most amazing bead shop next door and when I get me some euro I will be back to let my cretive juices flow. an hour later as I near my 2nd casting I realize it's at the studio where I just shot last week. So I was feeling confident in my navigation skills, but not so confident because I was not a fan of the whole shoot, the photographer talked about how he wanted a new job and was just very very uninspiring to work with as an "artist". As I got closer I realized i still had 25 minutes. So I get bottled water and some chocolate for 1 euro. I got up a few flights of stairs and wait for Disheveled George to come down, he introduced himself and I said I know, I worked with you last week. And he says oh yes, sorry I am so tired and so forth about how horrible his life is. He tells me (gasp) he loved working with me and will try to get me more work soon... I couldve sworn we'd had one of the worst shoots ever but go figure.
I now have to wait by the Iraklio train station for 3 HOURS!!! So Hemmingway and myself camped out in a coffeeshop. I was completely into this one chapter when suddenly; a man with a cane, who looked like he could've hopped right out of the story, starttles me and starts begging me for money. I said I don't speak Greek but if he finds some money can I please have some?.. Not really but I did say the first part, and thought the 2nd. 2 hours and 45 minutes later 2 models come strolling in and plop down right in front of me, they were waiting for the same mini bus as myself. So we stopped and chatting and then headed to the herd of cattle-i mean models- at the train station waiting for our mini bus to take us to our fitting for mondays fashion show.
5 outfits, 2 slices of pizza, and 8 hours later I find myself on the train, metro, bus, and last but not least- 2 feet, thinking about how the hell I'm going to rollerskate down a runway? there will be four of us on the skates... You probably will be able to watch us fall on our asses coming to a youtube near you, I'm sure... I'm trying not to picture it happen-because you know, when you create something in your head it gives it power, and it will happen... I just keep seeing myself falling down on my arse.
I am soo tired, im going to bed.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Beggin'
The current anthem in greece:
when i replay the memories of the times out here, this song will be playing over and over, while tapping my toes and doing jazz hands.
only 3 castings today so we still felt like human beings and not (as andrew would call it) model-robots. Kara and I spotted a Macintosh store.. I hassled the guy to give me a free european charger for the laptop they most likely had laying around somewhere, but no cigar. Instead, I paid 95 euro.. Im a sucker but ca'mon..dont act like you wouldn't either... images of future video chats with friends and family flashed before my eyes, my bookmarked favorite sites, and i could not marinate one more night in the 2nd hand smoke pit some call an internet cafe.
We are truly sick of eating fried potatoes and mystery filled pastries..So sinfully delightful at first, but now just plain.....bleh. We spotted an applebee's on the way to casting 2 and backtracked to the destination Americana itself before casting 3. We were bound to introduce Anna (from Hungary) to American food at some point so, we went, and she sat with an open mind. We had previously ran into a dude who just got here from alabama and was stoked to hear of an applebees, him and his german roomate eventually lingered in.. Soda was 4.50 euro which is like 8 dollars and a salad is like 10.50 euro...
Obviously, people in Greece don't leave tips.. AND its even more apparent that the waiters don't work for them. One american trait I love- customer service!
poor kara is tryin to sleep and my size 40 footsies have got to be out and about tromping around athens at 9am. Here it is already 1:am on tuesday... To you westcoasters its 3pm on monday.
I've already spent the first hour of your tommorrow on gmail chat with andrew.
Hope you're enjoying yesterday :)
when i replay the memories of the times out here, this song will be playing over and over, while tapping my toes and doing jazz hands.
only 3 castings today so we still felt like human beings and not (as andrew would call it) model-robots. Kara and I spotted a Macintosh store.. I hassled the guy to give me a free european charger for the laptop they most likely had laying around somewhere, but no cigar. Instead, I paid 95 euro.. Im a sucker but ca'mon..dont act like you wouldn't either... images of future video chats with friends and family flashed before my eyes, my bookmarked favorite sites, and i could not marinate one more night in the 2nd hand smoke pit some call an internet cafe.
We are truly sick of eating fried potatoes and mystery filled pastries..So sinfully delightful at first, but now just plain.....bleh. We spotted an applebee's on the way to casting 2 and backtracked to the destination Americana itself before casting 3. We were bound to introduce Anna (from Hungary) to American food at some point so, we went, and she sat with an open mind. We had previously ran into a dude who just got here from alabama and was stoked to hear of an applebees, him and his german roomate eventually lingered in.. Soda was 4.50 euro which is like 8 dollars and a salad is like 10.50 euro...
Obviously, people in Greece don't leave tips.. AND its even more apparent that the waiters don't work for them. One american trait I love- customer service!
poor kara is tryin to sleep and my size 40 footsies have got to be out and about tromping around athens at 9am. Here it is already 1:am on tuesday... To you westcoasters its 3pm on monday.
I've already spent the first hour of your tommorrow on gmail chat with andrew.
Hope you're enjoying yesterday :)
Greece Lightning
This was copied and pasted from my myspace blog from Saturday.....
Current mood: mellow
I was walking to the grocery store the other day and lightning struck in the sky... I found myself singing Grease Lightning.
I am going a bit crazy without my computer, the crazy part is that it sits right under my bed day and night. While my charger is floating around at the Greek customs somewhere. In the meantime Ive got the internet Cafe which drives me bananas, not knowing what kind of germs i am picking up while marinating in a thick aroma of secondhand smoke. For now my roomate is nice enough to let me use her computer.
I will be back on blogspot. (not that i share it with anyone but my self and my mother anyway) as soon as I find an apple store out here so i can get a european charger.
Its trippy to be out here, and i feel like a jackass because I only speak english.. and the other day at a shoot this guy was talking abotu how americans just expect everyone to know english and how easy we have it.
Im living with 5 other girls. Kara from Chicago, Anna from Hungary, Lucia from Slovakia and Jess and Emilie from Austrailia. Its soo funny to be living with girls again. I tell my roomate Anna I could just watch her for hours, cause shes so funny, think gidget with a hungarian accent. Kara and I have been teaching Lucia things of much importance to the english language... i.e. the camel toe, Which I think is to Greece as hairy pits are to the french? They are everywhere! Then I was having a heated discussion with some of the girls about bowel movements and such and Lucia enters from the other room asking ?WHATS POOP??... which lead to appoximately 5 minutes of pure laughter and the winning quote of 2008.
I find likes of people making out and shoveing their tounges down eachothers throats in the metro station or on the streets. It makes me shudder, but I dont know if I am really that repulsed or if I am just a little jealous that I wont be indulging in a juicy makeout session anytime soon. Let alone in Athens. I miss Andrew and Im sure my roomates are sick of him, due to my reflex to relate any topic or conversation back towards him. Im really not that bad..
Its not as fun to talk about my ailments or leave cluttered messes around when i dont have ol gomez to hassel me about it. Not that ive quit talking about my ailments. Because everyone knows about all of my shoulders and my uneasy stomach. But Ive learned that I think its kind of a thing that women do. After 10 to 12 hours roaming the streets, catching buses, trains, subways... all of us ladies take our turn on sharing which toes are numb and who has to pee or is famished.
I was attacked by a grasshopper the other day...twice. it was probably 4 inches long. HUGE. It had a dingle berry which was nice since it probably got lost in my hair. I really dont talk about poop that much but since Ive been here I feel like Its a daily subject. There are tons of stray dogs everywhere and they dont feel the need to look for a plush piece of grass to go number 2...therefore there are landmines on the cobblestone streets and sidewalks (which there are not many here). Tommorrow is sunday. Maybe going to the Parthenon? We shall see.
hopefully soon I will have my computer up and running
Current mood: mellow
I was walking to the grocery store the other day and lightning struck in the sky... I found myself singing Grease Lightning.
I am going a bit crazy without my computer, the crazy part is that it sits right under my bed day and night. While my charger is floating around at the Greek customs somewhere. In the meantime Ive got the internet Cafe which drives me bananas, not knowing what kind of germs i am picking up while marinating in a thick aroma of secondhand smoke. For now my roomate is nice enough to let me use her computer.
I will be back on blogspot. (not that i share it with anyone but my self and my mother anyway) as soon as I find an apple store out here so i can get a european charger.
Its trippy to be out here, and i feel like a jackass because I only speak english.. and the other day at a shoot this guy was talking abotu how americans just expect everyone to know english and how easy we have it.
Im living with 5 other girls. Kara from Chicago, Anna from Hungary, Lucia from Slovakia and Jess and Emilie from Austrailia. Its soo funny to be living with girls again. I tell my roomate Anna I could just watch her for hours, cause shes so funny, think gidget with a hungarian accent. Kara and I have been teaching Lucia things of much importance to the english language... i.e. the camel toe, Which I think is to Greece as hairy pits are to the french? They are everywhere! Then I was having a heated discussion with some of the girls about bowel movements and such and Lucia enters from the other room asking ?WHATS POOP??... which lead to appoximately 5 minutes of pure laughter and the winning quote of 2008.
I find likes of people making out and shoveing their tounges down eachothers throats in the metro station or on the streets. It makes me shudder, but I dont know if I am really that repulsed or if I am just a little jealous that I wont be indulging in a juicy makeout session anytime soon. Let alone in Athens. I miss Andrew and Im sure my roomates are sick of him, due to my reflex to relate any topic or conversation back towards him. Im really not that bad..
Its not as fun to talk about my ailments or leave cluttered messes around when i dont have ol gomez to hassel me about it. Not that ive quit talking about my ailments. Because everyone knows about all of my shoulders and my uneasy stomach. But Ive learned that I think its kind of a thing that women do. After 10 to 12 hours roaming the streets, catching buses, trains, subways... all of us ladies take our turn on sharing which toes are numb and who has to pee or is famished.
I was attacked by a grasshopper the other day...twice. it was probably 4 inches long. HUGE. It had a dingle berry which was nice since it probably got lost in my hair. I really dont talk about poop that much but since Ive been here I feel like Its a daily subject. There are tons of stray dogs everywhere and they dont feel the need to look for a plush piece of grass to go number 2...therefore there are landmines on the cobblestone streets and sidewalks (which there are not many here). Tommorrow is sunday. Maybe going to the Parthenon? We shall see.
hopefully soon I will have my computer up and running
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