Every third storefront, it seems, is a pub. Yet even the pubs are interesting, even when one it not drinking. The architectural details, the people, the menu items, the decor. It is not as hard as I expected not to drink. (That goodness for diet coke- a habit which I plan to give up eventually, but have decided definitely NOT to tackle during 2014 since I have committed to no alcohol this year).
This is the view from our hotel window:
I have been sitting here, just looking one-by-one at each of the individual elements of the designs, sketching and photographing various elements that will undoubtedly show up in my glass beads and quilt designs. I know the resolution on this photo isn't great- but if you look at the doorway just above the red van, and just over that, flanking the smaller window- there are two life-sized statues, which are amazing.
Why am I mentioning all this in a Sober Blog? Because in my prior way of traveling, involving lots of glasses of wine, I might not have seen, really seen these details at all. I certainly wouldn't have had to patience to sketch design details. And while I might have flirted with maybe someday perhaps making something incorporating these elements, it would never have happened. And now it will.
And I really really like that! I like noticing and appreciating details around me. This feeds the part of me that used to feel starved, and that starvation is another thing that pushed me toward craving the numbness of alcohol. I like knowing I will make more wonderful things. And some month soon, when I am feeling really centered, I will tell y'all the URL of my other main website, which is all about the things I make.
Me too, me too! I love noticing the tiny stuff that would have just blurred by before.
ReplyDeleteIf we can't over-achieve one way, we'll do it another, lol! I have this game I call the Noticing Game. I can do it with a photograph or in real life. Instead of just absorbing the gestalt, I start focusing on every little detail, seeing how many interesting things I had missed. Even in a normal sort-of boring place like a department store or my office, it is quite surprising how many things there are to notice. And when traveling, it proves a cornucopia of fascinating things!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for you! All of those details would be so easy to overlook if peering through drunk goggles. Looks like such an amazing place. Enjoy!!!
ReplyDeleteDrunk Goggles? Giggle- funny and accurate!! And it is soooo satisfyingly fun!
DeleteI look forward to seeing your creative URL and so glad you liked Oxford. I'm a Cambridge girl myself :) xx
ReplyDeleteNext trip to the UK: Lucy and Cambridge!
DeleteI'm looking forward to seeing your creative work too Carrie. Glad you're having such a good holiday, enjoying the details. Life gets like that when the fog lifts from our brains, and we've got more clear time to notice all the amazing things that are right in front of our faces. X
ReplyDeleteAs usual, Sue, you are right on target! 'amazing things that are right in front of our faces'. And they were always there, and we just didn't see them... Every time I get to thinking: Ho, hum, over 5 months, just another sober day- another astounding revelation like this thwonks me between the eyes, and I am staggering from another life-altering realization!
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