Domestic Day

Today was entirely unplanned. Anything could have happened. And of the things that were supposed to happen, two did and one didn't. Not a great statistic but, equally, not awful. And what it ended up being was a day of utter domesticity. I got up, did some washing, decluttered my kitchen (don't get me wrong - there's still plenty of stuff in it I've just cleared some of the surfaces of stuff that had been lurking for far too long) and made crafty things - including a cutlery tidy for the back of a cupboard door.

This is actually quite an achievement - my kitchen doesn't have any drawers and so since I moved in all my cutlery has been in a cutlery tray on one of the surfaces. Not ideal by any stretch of the imagination and I hadn't worked out what to do with it - until today. Why I hadn't thought of this before I have no idea - sometimes ideas just take time to ruminate before the lightbulb eureka moment of - ah ha! THIS is what needs to happen. And when those moments do happen, it's a good day.

Not much enjoyment of the sea - it's been overcast all day and pretty cool to boot. I did walk along the prom a bit this afternoon and then again when I'd been out to collect Marlen & Larissa (two couch surfers who are staying with me tonight) from the train station but I do long for the beautiful sunshine and long light evenings. They will come in time. But overall a successful day - post has been sent, stuff has been done and the evening remains full of possibilities (mainly including food and conversation with Marlen and Larissa, methinks).

Travelling

Am I travelling? Or allowing myself to be transported?

This was the thought that struck me as I was travelling through the South Yorkshire countryside, the sun was setting and creating some gorgeous colours, and I realised I had inadvertantly passed the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (which I have yet to make it to - but I look forward to the day when I do!)

So, back to the philosophical question. I travel a lot. And when I'm physically involved in the act (be it walking, cycling, or perhaps even driving a car, as I do on occasion) I feel like I'm travelling. But today on the bus I very much felt like a passive actor, permitting the process of travelling to happen to me. Allowing someone else to take control of my safety and guide the bus through the countryside. Maybe it struck me today because I'm normally on a train and feel a further step disconnected from the driver. Maybe it's because I was dozing and happened to feast upon this idea. Who knows. But it was an interesting reflection.

As was my art gallery experience on Saturday morning (I also ended up in the Tate Modern on Sunday afternoon, but that was somewhat incidental). I was on a bit of an extended trip around various South London furniture shops (resulting in me probably purchasing something from ebay...of course) and had all day to do it so when I realised I was approaching the South London Art Gallery I decided to stop and say hello. Having cycled past it many times previously and not done so, nor remembered to go back at a more opportune moment. Unfortunately for me it was mainly dedicated to a video installation (not my favourite type of art) but they also had an exhibit which was auditory - after climbing a flight of stairs (the whole exhibition was pretty dark) it got even darker, wound round a corner and I ended up in a round space, with cushioned benches in the middle. I stopped and listened for a while and really rather enjoyed it. Not what I was expecting, but an experience all the same.

Many thoughts and many possibilities reside in my being at the moment. And right now I must go and read some paperwork. Oh, the joys.