The Odyssey of Elizabeth Shaw
Chocolate, Whiskey and the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605 by Guy Fawkes
Brad said it best, "Would you be enticed to read a blog about a girl with no plan?"
She thought, "No, I would not," then reached for another chewy, mint, luxuriously tempting, dark-chocolate cookie, which intentionally was dunked into a cup of hot tea as he took a sip from his third glass of whiskey that Sarah pulled out from a room in the back. Her private stash: Lagavulin, Talisker, Ardbeg and Aberfeldy. If you know anything about whiskey, and I don't, then you'll know these are some of the best. According to Sarah. She's a connoisseur.
The late night gathering came after drinking pints of beer and eating bratwurst at a pub watching fireworks celebrating the failed terrorist attempt lead by Guy Fawkes.
A Brit 4th of July.
Four days into the journey of nothing really planned, what's next, who cares and let it roll, Elizabeth finally slept like a princess after months of stress. Nights in the pub, days spent walking in the country, a bit of gardening but not much else. She even fit in an episode of Graham Norton because she was told he was funny. He is.
Arrival Halloween (Fancy Dress Night).
Oct. 31
Boo
The Horse & Carriage promises warmth
Double Decker Double Vision
Couple of the Night Goes To...
Beer and Books.
Nov. 2
She finally woke up three days later...
Guy at his gig
Nov. 3
In search of scones but settled for these!
Day at the garden with Mr. Green Thumbs & Chickens & Pigs & Goats, all about to get taken away and eaten.
Everyone told her not to bring the rain boots...Wrong!
The light is so pretty!
She came upon the mystical Gruffalo in the forrest
Mr. Green Thumbs was responsible for making this park so very, very pretty.
Elizabeth Shaw prepared her morning coffee with a splash of cream, peruvian beans in a tiny little french press.
Nov. 4
Elizabeth Shaw prepared her morning coffee with a splash of cream, peruvian beans in a tiny little french press.
Mr. Green Thumb returned from the community allotment with a bounty of healthy treats. Elizabeth Shaw wanted only chocolate.
A group of Italians, English and Americans came together to eat a shit load of not very tasty food on a cloudy, Sunday, November afternoon.
It won't be long now for Elizabeth Shaw to pack on the extra 15 pounds if she keeps this up!
Inspired by lights at the Coach & Horses
Nov. 5
Elizabeth Shaw began the morning paying bills, delighted she had a lot of money deposited in her American account that she hardly worked for, then went out for a walk with no specific plan.
14,876 steps lead her from Isleworth to Richmond in search of scones, art and any welcome surprise. Somewhere she took a wrong turn but it didn't matter because there was no plan. No place to be. Nothing to do.
Things looked familiar and then they did not. She had been here before and she'll be here again.
She walked and walked and walked over the bridge to the center of Richmond. Elizabeth Shaw loves a fine bridge and boats as long as she's not on one.
Curious why she could not stumble across a place that served scones......
14,876 steps lead her from Isleworth to Richmond in search of scones, art and any welcome surprise. Somewhere she took a wrong turn but it didn't matter because there was no plan. No place to be. Nothing to do.
Things looked familiar and then they did not. She had been here before and she'll be here again.
She walked and walked and walked over the bridge to the center of Richmond. Elizabeth Shaw loves a fine bridge and boats as long as she's not on one.
View from the Bridge
Follow the Poppy's, just like Dorothy.
In celebration WWI
She thought of Amy, Deborah and Leah. Those girls love a good film!
Curious why she could not stumble across a place that served scones......
She settled on coffee, un croissant avec jambon et fromage and thought maybe she should live in France?
As she sat eating and sipping, Elizabeth Shaw recognized since her arrival in London she has never slept so soundly, luxuriously, out, dead to the world, recognizing it's the first time in a very, very long time, she is required to do absolutely nothing.
Nov. 7
Elizabeth Shaw ventured out in the evening to the Dorsett Hotel in Shepards Bush and ate Dim Sum at Shikumen, which was delicious and each little dumpling looked like a sea anemone!
And then she decided to buy a ticket paying 32 Pounds to see a show at the O2 Shepards Bush Empire, a stunning venue, to see Kurt Vile and the Violators, where she was violated by a young drunk man who managed to keep his balance like an expert tight rope circus clown, while occasionally spilling his beer, gratefully not on her. Like flies to sugar, it was not lost on Elizabeth Shaw that she seems to attract liquored up men. Had she daintily poked her slim long finger into his back, he would've toppled over the edge of the balcony. She couldn't do that to the people below so instead she looked him straight in the eye and said Shhhhh! I'm trying to enjoy the show. He tried to kiss her and that's when she really did push him. Nicely. Like a lady.
After the show, she took the 237 Bus home....
Right along the park in Richmond off a side street is the quaint little joint where you can grab a drink and spin some vinyl. Elizabeth Shaw clocked in 7 miles!
As she sat eating and sipping, Elizabeth Shaw recognized since her arrival in London she has never slept so soundly, luxuriously, out, dead to the world, recognizing it's the first time in a very, very long time, she is required to do absolutely nothing.
Nov. 7
Elizabeth Shaw ventured out in the evening to the Dorsett Hotel in Shepards Bush and ate Dim Sum at Shikumen, which was delicious and each little dumpling looked like a sea anemone!
Look at Kurt!
After the show, she took the 237 Bus home....
Elizabeth Shaw ventured out to Richmond where she grabbed a sandwich and coffee at Gail's. Her new favorite place to sit, think, people watch and catch up with American friends via iMessage.
Right along the park in Richmond off a side street is the quaint little joint where you can grab a drink and spin some vinyl. Elizabeth Shaw clocked in 7 miles!
Strolling through the Queens field in Richmond, Elizabeth Shaw came upon some deer and some interesting wood arrangements.
Bianca came to London with a dream. A dream of making chocolates, her favorite thing to eat and do. Her dream came true beginning first with small chocolates and carmel, an English Fav! They aren't cheap but Elizabeth Shaw has never tasted anything so goooood. And she tasted many and went home with a box.
They love to put this on everything!
This one beer will get you loopy. Damage following four pints!
Mr. Green Thumbs and Coleman Mustard at the pub.
China Town
Elizabeth Shaw is glad she brought her square toed boots!
The City was alive, bustling with activity on a Sunday evening.
Elizabeth Shaw in a private downstairs eating room in China Town.
Elizabeth Shaw was amused by the names people label their business with.
Mr. Green Thumbs and Lady Layla.
Elizabeth Shaw is one month into her Odyssey, bouncing all over London, meeting people, running into friends from America, seeing art, reading The Book Thief and eating cookies, of course. A possible romance is on the horizon, so stay tuned to see what December brings.
This was kind of funny. Popping into a new pub operated by Australians...we were told the food is top notch yet they serve seafood in Tins! Elizabeth Shaw had to ask...what is Tinned Fish? Exactly that. Not very fancy...
Me Too is over here as well. And there's something else called Cyber Flashing, which is all over the news. Men send pictures of unsolicited penises!
A day in Shoreditch
Under the tracks. Literally.
I love this artist. A day at the national Portrait Gallery
Njideka Akunyili Crosby
AMY! Love.
Marlene Dumas
Thanksgiving Day although not celebrated in England. Gobble Gobble.
Royal Festival Hall. Jazz Festival in Town. Lots to see, much of it free.
Radio Tour! The TATE Modern
Walking along the Thames in the evening...
Outside Waterloo Station
Julia came to town and the two went shopping along Portobello Road. Elizabeth Shaw picked up two vintage jackets. One leather, one military Rock n Roll Chic. All for 20 quid!
Kennsington, about to catch the bus!
Mr. Green Thumbs and Lady Layla cooking in the kitchen.
A day in Chelsea at Cafe Colbert where Elizabeth Shaw sipped on coffee, ate crepes and read The BookTheif. Her friend Fiona's father is a partner in the place and Elizabeth was treated like a queen.
Mayfair and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
The Royal Academy of Arts where Elizabeth Shaw met a friend, talked the day away and saw some art...
December 1st Elizabeth Shaw finds herself in the country with Rock-n-Roll Gurrl Roxanne Fontana. A bit of antiquing and photo shooting.
Leominster, Herefordshire. A 3 hour drive from London. The weather was stormy and wet as we headed west but upon arrival the sun broke out and created the most beautiful light! These old towns haven't changed since their beginning. Cobble Streets, crooked buildings, bad plumbing. It's a simple life in all it's beauty but Elizabeth Shaw prefers the big city. What an earth would you DO out here?
Always time for tea!
Crooked Tudor!
Roxanne's farm, place of creativity, serenity and music videos. A far cry from NYC!
Dec. 4
Elizabeth Shaw began her December at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea to view some work by 3 emerging artists. The crowd was more colorful than the art and after and hour she bounced over to Polpo for Venetian Tapa's with Pierre.
The Lighting at Poplo's inspired Elizabeth Shaw for a project when and if she decides to return to the States.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. . .
For the next five days, Elizabeth Shaw took to her bed with the flu. She woke up sometime around Friday and by Saturday, was anxious to walk outdoors under the limited hours of sun one gets in England in the winter time. So she headed to Chiswick for coffee, scones, and a bit of Christmas cheer!
Chiswick. Dec. 7
She believes the London Fog is a myth Brits started to keep the immigrants away...or is that Brexit?
As you can see, the sky is quite blue.
Elizabeth Shaw has her favorites spots.
Rhythm and Brews
Chiswick
Later on her walk, she went in to grab some Bourbon Single Pouring Cream for her afternoon coffee and encountered a nasty woman in a red coat with a very pinched face. Elizabeth Shaw, in her most polite voice, excused herself when she stepped back into the woman who then in turn, scolded her for doing so. So Elizabeth Shaw brought to her attention that she did not have eyes in the back of her head and it was she, the pinched English woman in Red who was at fault.
Have a nice day!
ON DECEMBER 8TH ELIZABETH SHAW WENT TO THE ODEON IN RICHMOND WITH MR. GREEN THUMBS AND LADY LAYLA AND WATCHED BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY WHICH MADE HER CRY AND CRY AND CRY. FUNNY WHAT TUGS AT YOUR HEART STRINGS ~ SHE THOUGHT...SHE'S BEEN WAITING FOR A GOOD CRY FOR YEARS!
Sunday. Dec. 9
Elizabeth Shaw peeled herself off the couch at 5:45pm having previously painted an amusing portrait of a clown. The one that looked like an alien, she gave to Sir. Lance. Swiping a few coats of mascara and a touch of rogue, she managed to find something in her wardrobe that was "smart" according to the dress code. Nothing that resembles anything on the way to the gym. Which is a relief because she doesn't have anything resembling clothes for the gym.
Her standard uniform: Jeans. Chocolate JBrand (purchased never worn at Mary's Thrift in Chiswick for 25 quid), a charcoal, cashmere sweater, leather jacket and knee high boots. She skipped the heals because the last thing she wanted was to tower over the man at the bar she was supposed to meet.
One bus. One tube. Within 30 minutes she arrived at South Kensington and weaved her way through the coble stone streets until she reached the Chelsea Arts Club. Members only. Curious whether the Studio 54 sign was brought in from NYC, she soon discovered the place was getting snazzed up for the annual New Years Eve Bash. So soon. So soon.
Upon making her entrance, she was soon greeted by Patrick J., a charming photographer whose father stood in the picture of old club members right next to Frances Bacon. A terrible man. Not Mr. Jackson but rather Frances Bacon.
What followed were cocktails ( "while in Rome" ) and a three course meal that left Elizabeth Shaw in a food coma. An expression that delighted Patrick.
Absolutely charmed by the place and the people and the conversation, the energy, the vibe, she thought I could eat here every night . I've found my place.
She was dying to take photographs but cameras strictly forbidden.
To paint the picture ~ imagine a dining room with a long center table with outrageous flower arrangements...as if you were eating outdoors, but indoors in a french garden in a cave. She would have liked two napkins but that's beside the point.
A lively, easy conversation of family, travel, homes, work, moods, sex, Paris, Rome, London, skiing, motorbiking, art and food accompanied a giant bowel of mussels, followed by lamb, mashed potatoes, spinach and then the Christmas pudding swimming in Brandy Cream and an espresso. And that is only what Elizabeth Shaw ate!
She was off to Rome. He was off to Paris, then Spain and a ski trip with friends so they made a pack to meet again after the first of the New Year.
Kiss. Kiss. Both Cheeks.
A night in Chelsea Dec. 9
December 13th Elizabeth Shaw went to Rome! She arrived at night, in the rain and struggled to find her hotel, because she liked to walk and not take cabs, she was grateful to be wearing her boots. Always thinking ahead. Rome was a different kind of chaos than Central London. Lot's of yelling. Lot's of smoking. She thought to herself, if she was going to fit in, she should buy a pack of cigarettes and stand on a corner and blow smoke like she didn't have a care in the world.
Exciting that she had several pieces in a show on fancy Via Margutta. Location of Roman Holiday and home of Fellini. Her old friend Marco, Italian (she loves Italians) was recently snapping pictures all around the center of Rome, telling Elizabeth Shaw she was in for a treat.
It helps tremendously to take pictures of maps while connected to internet so that when she ventures out, she know's when to turn right and when to turn left.
Lucky for Elizabeth Shaw, when she wanted to eat, there was an amazing place right down the street so she went often, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Hours before opening night, indulging in one of her favorite things. Coffee and toast.
The Borghese name was all over the place. Churches, statues, gardens and museums. Elizabeth Shaw only appears on a box of cookies!
Inspiration because she was cold or because it had eyes and full lips and lots of red? She could paint a fury coat like this but then would anyone buy it? Fascinating.
Incase she gets lost or locked out again, she decided to take a picture of Fancesco's cell number.
Lucky for Elizabeth Shaw she was joined on day three by the lovely Lady Layla and Mr. Green Thumbs. She took them to her favorite of all favorite places and they dined for three hours.
Venturing out on what became a clear blue day, she roamed the streets. Not one for making a check list of notable Roman sites to see because she felt she was surrounded by art and history, absorbing without seeking. Besides, she didn't like to rush around.
Joshua, from Los Angles was in the show and after opening night they drove up a very, very twisted windy road to the top of Rome and had dinner at a place called Zodiac, which was the home of Movie stars, directors, writers and painters. The who's who of Rome.
Pictures from the gallery, opening night and two days later.....just hanging. Talking.
People are coming in....
Borghese has a garden.
Following a stroll through the park and to say goodbye to him and her, she jumped in a cab and went to the station to catch a train to the airport to fly back to London, 18 hours BEFORE the drone incident, which captured international news and shut down Gatwick Airport for 48 hours. A narrow escape for sure.
Back in London, just prior to Christmas, Elizabeth Shaw found herself walking along the Thames and arriving at The Tate where giant ice glaciers were slowly melting while creating much fun for small children.
Inside, she went to the Clock Exhibit which did not disappoint. She could not wrap her head around the amount of time, notes, organization, dicipline and well...TIME it took to create such a spectacular piece.
Christian Marclay’s acclaimed installation The Clock 2010 has captivated audiences across the world from New York to Moscow.
24-hours long, the installation is a montage of thousands of film and television images of clocks, edited together so they show the actual time. It is a thrilling journey through cinematic history as well as a functioning timepiece.
Not pictured here...no camera's allowed....
Artist Olafur Eliasson and geologist Minik Rosing have installed Ice Watch, a group of twenty-four blocks of ice, in front of Tate Modern
Sometimes you come across a person who is a work of art on their own. Him. His. Hands. Legs. Feet. Inspiration for a larger piece of work!
Borough Market. Is there a more delightful place on the planet? Especially if you love cheese and hams...
Full moon walk along the Thames.
Shakespeare in the round. Elizabeth Shaw had never been in all her visits to London. Tonight she snuck a picture although strictly prohibited. The English have A LOT of rules! Snapped before the actors took the stage for a Christmas Show including drunks and well, more drunks.
Dec. 23
Twas the night-night before Christmas and Elizabeth Shaw went to Bath to visit the famous pools and churches and Jane Austin's Garden.
Nothing more festive than a merry go round.
Elizabeth Shaw discovered this magical cream. Where the Bath-bath waters failed, this was the cream that removed all the pain and tightness from sitting in cars and busses and planes. She decided she's going to bring back a case to the States.
So this happened and she's not sure why there are no pictures of the outside of Harrods because it really is beautiful ... But she went to meet Natasha at the Rolex Boutique where watches begin at 10,000 pounds. Natasha took her through a tour of Harrods which was the most crowded place in the world following Christmas. What was she thinking?
Speakers for your rad home
Mohamed Al-Fayed, who used to own Harrods and was the father of Dodi, the lover of Princess Diana, spent a great fortune and attention to detail to make sure the
escalators in Harrods captured an Egyptian vibe and the stairs themselves travelled at the speed of the Nile. Seriously.
A shopping frenzy, apres Christmas at Harrods.
Don't ever, ever do this.
Don't ever, ever do this.
Kew Gardens. The Hive
Dec. 29
Elizabeth Shaw has another show in Italy. This time in Frosinone.
Nice way to kick off the New Year!
Elizabeth Shaw now finds herself on the Second day of the New Year. It makes sense to point out that the Odyssey she has embarked upon has not been easy. Although many adventures have been had and more to come, she finds the experience sometimes lonely and questions what she's doing here and what the point is. Holidays are tough and the escape from America, as she was beginning to realize, was for less of an adventure and more for healing a tortured, shit upon heart and the recognition that she played a role in it too. Humble pie. Drum role please. She kept going back. Accepting. She placed no value on her own life.
Enough.
She could hide here forever, move through the world without a care. Open to all possibilities, which are still to come by the way. But often, like Dorothy, she just wants to click her Ruby Red's and transport herself back home. To her friends. To her art. To her Ochre Colored Couch. To celebrate her self value and fierce independence.
She will but not yet.
Homer had some challenges too so she's unwilling to give up and determined to see it through. She took care of herself while everyone was out celebrating, drinking, exchanging gifts and eating Christmas pudding. She slept. She wept and she read and she slept some more and then around the 1st of the year, she came back to herself. Stronger. Clearer. Recognizing what she needs and how she wants to move through the next year of her life. That's an Odyssey. The Discovery of self so not a day has been wasted and she is very lucky to have a friend like Mr. Green Thumb to point out that it is all part of the master plan. Things are happening now even if they don't feel like they are. Like seeds planted in the late winter, they will bloom in the spring in all their fresh, vibrant colors. Alive, reaching toward the sun. To the warmth. To Life.
Things are never as bad as they seem even when it seems they are hopeless. There are good people everywhere and as the saying goes, the grass isn't always greener.
Elizabeth Shaw's odyssey is never ending. She figures now, she's somewhere in the middle and has set an intention to relax. There's nothing that needs to be done today that can be done tomorrow, although she is going to paint the house, because she promised.
What's interesting is that a gallery director, Jose Moreira, of Colorida Art Gallery has approached her for representation in Lisbon, Portugal, which sounds a whole lot warmer than London right now. So perhaps she will spend the time painting and reading and not trying too hard to do anything at all. Because time itself is a gift.
New Year, New-New
YOGA
TriYoga in Ealing and Soho and Camden
Elizabeth Shaw is hitting it hard.
Leaving a Vinyassa Flow class after hitting the Infrared Sauna. Be gone toxins.
Artisan Coffee
Ealing/Broadway
A place Elizabeth Shaw liked to go to grab a coffee and a scone
Before Yoga
So there you have it. Love is everywhere. Even in a bowl of crisps.
January 10
Now moving into the second week of the New Year and the third month of living in London Elizabeth Shaw woke up with some thoughts in her head and things were beginning to make sense. The first thing she thought of was that book - Eat, Pray, Love, which she did not like and liked the movie less. However, a friend from back home wrote something to the effect of ~ have a great Eat, Pray Love ~ when she took off from the States.
Reflection on the Odyssey to date: It goes something like this:
Play, Paint, Eat, Eat Some More, Pray
The pray is more mindful meditation, self reflection intention setting rather than actual praying but it is not lost on Elizabeth Shaw that she is ending the three month Odyssey in a yoga class every day. Sometimes two classes per day. The eating part, she eats every day, in excess according to her, but the weight despite the amount of cookies and scones and bread and pasta, seems to be disappearing rather than gathering around her waist, so she's beginning to take her health a little more seriously and has made a "note to self " to go to a doctor when she gets home just to make sure there isn't some looming cancer growing in her body, eating all her food, that will eventually kill her in two weeks. That's dark, but it just happened to a friend of a friend. Undetected cancer, so by the time she found out, she was dead in two weeks. She got the call at 8:30 Saturday morning on Dec. 29th. Sad.
BTW
That is how Elizabeth Shaw would like to go...in the future. Very fast.
So, November was all about exploring, delighted she was far, far from home. But in reality, it was really about working. Creating. Making art for the show in Rome and Frosinone and that had its challenges from figuring out where an art store was to then figuring out how to get there to then figuring out how to get the supplies back home and then figuring out where to paint and then figuring out WHAT to paint. She was never any good at painting on demand and now there was a deadline. Pressure. So it was a little stressful. The first example of living outside ones' comfort zone. However, it got done. It got done because it HAD to get done and Elizabeth Shaw is a grown-up and that's what grown-ups do.
Looking back, The Work was different because Elizabeth Shaw was in a different place so how could it not be? Her friend Amy liked to remind her of this.
What's interesting is how the work progressed from November through December based on Elizabeth Shaw's experiences in the world. She painted complicated multi-layered images of defiance and anger, a throw back really to earlier days (Bye Bye Baby, Good-bye) to Eggs. That's right. Eggs. And Toast and Butter and Jam.
She worked through something and now is left with splashes of colors designed with effortless simplicity.
December was about Italy and food and art. Followed by the holidays, which brought on more food layered with a dark cloud of depression. I don't think Elizabeth Shaw is alone, singular in her Holiday Blues but knowing that still didn't it make it feel better. Sometimes you just have to sit in the shit.
By January she decided to take a break from painting and exploring and decided she needed to Move. Stretch. Reflect. So without really planning on or intending to or making any silly New Year resolutions, she embarked upon the journey of self-care.
She also came up with a plan!
Upon arrival back in America she will create a showroom of her art. Appointments Only with collectors, art advisors, interior decorators, google, hotels, etc. She will wear a pretty dress and serve expensive wine and sell plenty of art. She already has two appointments.
This is the power of Intention. Manifestation. This is what the two yoga teachers said, in different classes on different days. One meditation and mindfulness, one Vinyassa flow. It doesn't really matter; what matters is that Elizabeth Shaw was there to HEAR it.
Words, Ideas, Thoughts that keep coming up:
Art. Success. Money (yes money and Elizabeth Shaw is so tired of people who say they don't like money; don't need money. It's not about money. Money is good. Money is FREEDOM), Love, more Love. Beauty. Simplicity.
So she's going to focus on those things.
So on Day 10 of January 2019, Elizabeth Shaw decided to relax and be open to whatever happens in the next several weeks. Her plan is to return to America but that could change. Today is only today so all we know for sure is the moment we are sitting in. Not a moment from now. Not tomorrow. Just now. So for NOW, she sits writing and drinking coffee, secure in the thought that everything is going to be ok.
Now she has to paint the fucking room.
January 11
Elizabeth Shaw set out to paint the room and get over the fact that the paint is different and this project of love could take forever.
Somewhere between dipping the brush or moving the paint, it's all kind of foggy now, she found herself free falling from the top of the ladder. A backwards swan dive, in slow motion, with a gentle twist up and over the couch, where she landed on her back with her spinal cord smacking into the corner of the coffee table. Did it hurt? Yes. But Elizabeth Shaw figures if she gets up fast enough and brushes it off, it's as if it didn't happen, so it didn't happen. Although, the image of her being found flayed out on her back, legs up, eyes open in a blank stare looking up at the ceiling, dead, did flash in the projector of her mind. Which made her smile. It didn't happen. But it could have.
So she completed the room despite the pain and although she would have chosen a different color, she had to admit it looked good. Clean. Fresh.
She twisted and turned in the mirror but was unable to see the extent of the bruise on the middle of her back but she knew it was there.
Showered, she went out into the twilight of the night and took the E8 over to Ealing for a 18:00 Yinyoga class, which she never took before and after decided she liked it very much. Holding long poses. A real stretch! Sauna followed.
Jan. 12
As Elizabeth Shaw was trolling Instagram this morning she came across a post that intrigued her. A flickering message of Letting Go prompting one to take a screen shot to see where the words land. So she did. She did it three times and all three resonated. In order:
Yes. Yes. and Yes.
She has no idea what else to do today and it's only 9:44 in the morning, so she decided to make
another cup of coffee.
💡
Elizabeth Shaw has decided to go to Beers Gallery all the way over on the other side of London. Its going to take one train and two tubes to get there in 1 hour and 5 minutes but she has an in with the gallery and wants to go support the last viewing of Works on Paper.
London is more massive than LA.
In the meantime, she reworked an excerpt from her novel: The Ophelia Diaries.
The Ophelia Diaries
Chapt. 7
I could hardly contain myself and giggled all the way there. This was one of the best days of my life. My father questioned my behavior, thinking maybe he was wrong. I seem fine. The thing with the knife was just an isolated incident. But I begged and pleaded just this once. Please. And then I said through my teeth.
“It could happen…”
So off we went. Gosh mommy, you’re missing all the good stuff.
When we arrived at the address I was surprised to see that it was a normal house. Well, a normal house if you were rich and lived in Fairfield. It was two stories, red brick with lots of deep green vines growing all over the outside. His office was in a separate entrance off the side of the house. We waited in a cozy room on a heavily embroidered couch and I wondered what happened to people who went to the wrong door. The front of the house. When Dr. Depice finally came out to greet us he was not what I expected. He was old and fat, wearing a checkered flannel shirt tucked in only on one side of his baggy pants and he had on suspenders and a red bowtie. He reminded me of one of those characters on TV, before the advancement of color. If he wasn’t a Doctor and lived in a big house I would have pegged him for poor. His thick eyebrow crawled across his face, above his eyes, which were framed by glasses so bottle like it was hard to see what color they were. His hair, like his eyebrows should have been combed. I think he was trying to hide a bald spot by combing some of the hair over his exposed skull. It made me sad for that vulnerable piece of flesh.
You must be Ophelia and you must be Robert,” It wasn’t a question as he extended his speckled hand for Daddy to shake, which Daddy did not.
“I just want you to know, I don’t believe in psychiatry,” Daddy said, “But under the circumstances, um, I thought she needed to talk to someone.”
“Yes, well of course, that’s why you’re here, correct?” So let’s get started. Ophelia, would you like to come in?”
“With Daddy?”
“No. Your father will wait out here while we talk. Get to know one another.”
“Daddy?” I looked at him for some kind of approval. He was looking over his shoulder at the door like he expected someone to walk in.
“Go on Ophelia, I’ll wait out here. I’ll be right here when you’re done”.
So I sucked in a little air and followed him obediently into his office, which was a mess. Daddy would have a cow. There were books and magazines everywhere, not only on his desk, but the floor, total disorganization on the overcrowded book shelves. It made me dizzy just being in the room.
On his desk there was a wire metal basket like the one my teacher had on her desk where we handed in our quizzes but his one was full, like a year of quizzes that had been forgotten. Ungraded. A graveyard of mistakes, wrong answers and small triumphs. It was dark and something smelled but I couldn’t figure out what it was. I tried not to sneeze and sat in the only chair facing his desk because there wasn’t a big leather couch to lay down on. I played with my hands nervously. It was so quiet I could hear the door open in the waiting room. I wondered if Daddy was leaving or someone, like me, was coming in.
I kept my eyes on my hands but I could feel his big huge eyeballs staring at me from behind his thick rims. I didn’t know wether to talk first or not. I really had to pee.
“So Ophelia, tell me about the knife,” he said. Right to the chase, I thought. “Do you want to kill yourself?”
I never thought about that. All I really wanted was a little attention. So I didn’t answer that particular question but I launch into a whole lot of information about my life. I talked about my horse. I talked about school. I talked about some of the kids I knew at school, the ones with real problems. There was one girl I knew who just had an abortion. I gave her $100 because I thought it would help. I wonder if it did? I talked about Daddy and his beautiful garden. I talked about Uncle Phil. I talked about how much mascara Mrs. Givens wears and how it makes dark circles under her eyes. I talked about what I ate for dinner. I talked and talked and forgot about the time. I was having so much fun talking and having someone sitting there listening to me. I also noticed, at times that he was writing things down on a notepad, so I talked some more.
After 55 minutes had passed Dr. Depice closed his notebook and said, “Well that’s enough for one day. Let’s go see how your father is doing.”
January 15
The Royal Mail.
"I find this comforting"
Elizabeth Shaw was out walking around Shoreditch, East London where the hipster art scene lives. Having come from a meeting with Beer London, a gallery-
not a pub, she was walking along the High Street and was struck how the front of a building under renovation was covered and comforted by a pillowy exterior and that in fact,
the Post Office was Open As Usual. Why was she struck by the site of this? It could represent coverage. A blanket of protections. Safety. Production. It could mean a lot of things but in the light of her own government lockdown, and in the face of Brexit, a country she currently resides in, it was not lost that the Royal Mail was still open for business. Upon further pontification, and this is digging deep, it represents Elizabeth Shaws own life: A lifetime of choices. Some good. Some bad. Some easy. Some hard. Some failures. Some celebrations. All equaling the place where she stands right now. Today, she is open for business.
I am enough. I am enough. I am enough.
And with that information, a sign on a building, a world in turmoil, economic despair, a future, yet to be determined, she realizes she is enough because the reality is, is that she is all she has. Left to her own whimsical views and moral integrity, it all circles back to the original thought, the ultimate plan of no plan. Today is today. Tomorrow not yet here. The aggravated energetic stress of having to have it all figured out is, well....exhausting.
Then her mind wandered back to Brexit because thinking abut her country was too depressing, and then she thought, if no one can make a decision, the Queen could step in. The Queen can call the shots. Why not be Queen?
January 24
Elizabeth Shaw woke up with a headache and she doesn't think it is due to the discovery of Hippie Heaven over in Ealing where she bought a package of mint flavored chocolate "candies". Or it could be, but who cares?
Things are quiet overall. She's trying to think what extraordinary things have happened over the course of the last ten days and can't come up with one things... life has just been moving along. Quietly humming. That's good. Very, very good.
Hippie Heaven find!
A dinner party in West London with an entourage of people celebrating a birthday that was a month ago but a good excuse to gather and drink, proved to be a lot of fun. She dazzled with her conversation about self and realized up until that point how quiet she has been. Sometimes it's nice to engage! Most people were from England but there was a woman from Russia who Mr. Green Thumbs thought was from France because somehow he gets the accent confused.
WHAT????
Elizabeth Shaw and Honey @ The Ship.
The star of the party was not the Birthday girl Jenny but rather the Cockapoo, Honey. Honey has the softest fur! The weather was cold and the bar full of people trying to balance on two legs. The outdoor smoking area was more crowded. Elizabeth Shaw took all this in as she sipped on nothing. She found it amusing and somewhat of a triumph that no one cares how much they drink or what they look like when they fall over. Just a story for tomorrow morning. It's refreshing. And a little scary.
Traveling home on the SWR there was a young woman in her early 20's running up and down the aisle. Sometimes swinging around the poles singing at the top of her lungs a song Elizabeth shaw could not make out. it was probably from the 80's. Everyone loves music form the 80's in England. Why? The girl was incredibly happy and limber like a wet noodle. Clearly high on something other than alcohol, she determined this is something only one can enjoy in their 20's. As she lay on the floor, Elizabeth Shaw had to step over her to exit the train but only after she asked if she needed anything. The girl laughed and said no. Elizabeth got off the train.
Over the last week. Yoga. Yoga. Yoga.
Nothing too strenuous. She's exploring teachers and practices and enjoying the sauna. The main thing is trying to keep her head clear. Dismissing all the negative thoughts so she can return with a light suitcase. Speaking of which, she's decided to throw everything away. Except the art.
Observations...
Every Barbershop along the High Road in Ealing is filled with men. The salons are empty but they'll tell you they are booked.
Walking around SoHo in London, Elizabeth Shaw enjoyed the last few hours of sun you get in the winter. As she was making her way back to the Victoria Line, she popped in to have a scone, read a paper, have a conversation with the woman next to her who was working on a book. As she slathered butter and jam on top of the crispy scone she tried to think how many she has eaten and at what cost....65 scones? at 1.50 a pound but more if you eat IN. She's probably spent over 100 American dollars on scones. It's kind of disgusting when you think about it but because she's so skinny she doesn't care.
More coffee, tea and something with sugar, butter and flour.
Ealing. Soho. Chelsea
In Soho, Elizabeth Shaw went to Cass because she was too lazy to go all the way to Islington to buy sheets of canvas knowing what she really wanted was not at this location. But Soho was cool to stroll around and duck in for tea, right before it began to rain and then SNOW!
Again, back to the headache. Why does she have a headache. Too much Yoga?
January 25, 2019
Elizabeth Shaw eats things like this every morning because she can.
After yoga she strolled around Ealing LOVING the unusually warm day. She came across a very sweet little wine bar next to Ealing Studio and spoke to Halle (spelled just like Halle Berry) and she wasn't rocking an English accent so Elizabeth Shaw asked where she was from and Halle said Canada but I've been here 16 years...The British, she said, hate Canadiens and Americans--calling us Foreigners. That brief conversation ended after purchasing a lovely bottle of wine for Lady Layla and Mr. Green Thumb's combined birthdays and sucked Elizabeth Shaw back into her head of thoughts. It occurred to her that she was a foreigner and the idea of being a foreigner seemed rather romantic. And then she thought some more and thought.. but aren't we all foreigners? Or are we? Aren't we ALL from the same planet? Home Sapiens were the last of the human species but not the first. So there's that.
It's this labeling of differences that manifested into all these pockets of differences people put themselves in creating this catastrophic conflict people always seem to be in.
Human. Bam.
End of story.
"We are all foreigners"
Recycled Paper Bags
Jan 2019
Elizabeth Shaw is remembering years ago when she was an actress. The thought made her happy and confident and she marched herself into The Drama Studio and picked up a schedule for summer classes. Why? Because she can.
She's got the low down on what it's all about in her hot little hand and read about the school, history, mission statement of the prestigious school of dramatic arts on the E8 home.
Exciting!
Then she painted a sweet little picture.
"You belong among the wildflowers" Tom Petty
Mr. Green Thumbs playing air guitar singing along to Little Feet's Willin" on the eve of his birth on planet earth.
The Birthday Day
Country, Birds, Food, Beer, Tranquility
Arriving in Hambleden
It's not much more than what you see in these pictures but apparently there's a 3-Day kick ass Music/Film festival in the field on Feb. 14th. Sounds cold.
Lunch in this Pub!
Lady Layla and Mr. Green Thumb
Filet and Jerk chicken of all things.
Elizabeth Shaw ordered the mussels which she shouldn't have. Every other one was shit so eventually, she gave up eating them.
Off for a walk. Again, it was a GOOD idea to bring the boots.
Mistletoe Tree. Who knew?
Bird watchers.
So pretty.
Funny.
After a one hour drive homeland followed by a one hour nap, they were ready to go again. Off to The Gates, a very popular vegetarian restaurant frequented by the likes of Madge, Gwyneth, Sting and Stella.
Elizabeth Shaw was inspired by the walls decorated by distressed pieces of multi-sized drift wood. She thought it might look nice on the wall of her bed and made note to begin that project when she got home.
The food at The Gates was top notch. Unbelievable. A famous German comedian snuck in and sat in the corner sipping water and reading a paper by the light of a candle. People whispered. We noticed he had nothing to eat.
A place full of gorgeous people and beautiful food. What more do you need?
Elizabeth Shaw was clever enough to whisper to the waiter that is was the
Birthday of Mr. Green Thumb, so when dessert arrived, they decorated the plate! Lady Layla thought that was very clever indeed.
Tuesday January 29
On Tuesday morning Elizabeth Shaw woke up and ate two pieces of toast and a fried blue egg with a rich yellow yoke, cooked to perfection. Then, since she had an entire day of nothing to do, she decided to go to yoga and caught a ride with Mr. Green Thumb. Time to spare, she popped into Artisan, one of her favorite little coffee shops in Ealing, and had another cup of coffee and a lemon and rosemary cake. She liked the look of the woman sitting next to her who obviously arrived on her tiny scooter.
The cake was delicious.
Elizabeth Shaw before stripping down in the locker room of TriYoga. She thinks she's finally gained a pound or two!
Looking Strong.
Before class she hit the sauna and met Sam who was enjoying a steam as well. They started talking London, Austin, coffee, yoga and general things and it was decided: Tomorrow they would hit the town. Sam would show Elizabeth around. He invited her to his show that evening, which she had to decline because she already had plans, but it was nice to be invited. Sam's a musician. Dark messy hair, a creative flair...just the way she likes them.
Vinyasa yoga was...how does she put it..challenging because her brain would not shut up about how much she hated yoga. Does Elizabeth Shaw really like yoga or is she just doing it because she has nothing better to do? She does not like going upside down in any kind of pose and decided to NOT engage in plank, downward dog or anything else that had to do with supporting herself on her hands. She curled up in child pose and thought only of pleasant things and how much she hated yoga.
Her rule of thumb: if you don't like it, don't do it. Doesn't mean you have to leave the room, although that would have been just fine. Elizabeth Shaw is tired of keeping up appearances to please and is only concerned with herself. How SHE's feeling in the moment.
Maybe she just doesn't like Vinyasa.
Another sauna after class. Elizabeth Shaw has the best non-schedule of anyone she knows! After 25 minutes of deep thought, sweat and infrared heat, she went to shower and met Anna in the locker room and engaged in a very interesting conversation about acknowledgement of one's self, choices, action, politics, education, spirituality, foreigners and being human (because this theme keeps presenting itself in Elizabeth's brain) and yoga. She, being Anna, recommended that Elizabeth Shaw check out Camden, the market and the yoga studio. So Elizabeth said she would. Then Anna offered to exchange numbers, for you know, when Elizabeth comes back to England they can hang.
Elizabeth Shaw was touched and it just goes to show that she was right. It takes three months to get acclimated to a new place, to make friends, to discover some system that works for you, a comfort zone. So tally all this up to laying the groundwork for the next visit.
The Odyssey of Elizabeth Shaw Part II. But hold on. Don't go anywhere because we're not quite done with Odyssey 1.
She could stay. She thought about staying but like Homer, the voyage continues and the strong pull of home is moved along by the whispering winds.
Home.
Where $15,000 worth of art sales await. Motivation alone. Plus she's tired of wearing the same clothes. And she wants to hang on her porch with her friends. And she wants to eat a big juicy ribeye. And she wants to see her son and hug the cats.
But right now, she's needs to hop on the E8 and head home to get ready to go back out.
Tonight she is going to the Olympic Cinema. Old school. Very cool. Can hardly wait.
Tuesday Night, Jan 29
The snow is coming down in London Town!
Walking to The Olympic Studio in Barnes to see The Favourite
The Olympic Studios on Church Road have a hugely important place in rock history. The roll call of artists who recorded there is stellar and ranges from extraordinary female vocalists - Ella Fitzgerald, Barbra Streisand, Bjork, to incredible guitarists - Eric Clapton, and the best of British rock groups, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Queen, Oasis and many more.
Sadly the studios were closed by owners EMI in February 2009. However the building now has a new lease of life having been returned to one of its original uses as a cinema.
Not Sadly for Elizabeth Shaw because she enjoyed a fantastic movie in a very posh surrounding. As a matter of fact, she's going to go back again! Elizabeth LOVES the Village of Barnes; it appeals to her New England Snottiness and if she moves to London, she wants to live here.
Back in Soho after a morning of Yoga....1/31/19
A record that was playing at Sounds of the Universe Record
7 Broadwick Street
London W1F 0DA
So beautiful that Elizabeth Shaw took a picture to see if she can find it when she gets back home. This place is right across from Crosstown Doughnuts where Elizabeth Shaw ate two delicious pillows of sweetness and wonders why she didn't take any pictures? Too busy eating and drinking coffee.
Speaking of records, Sam is up for New Album of the Year! Big shout out that he gets it.
Fingers crossed. Envelope....Jan 31st.
Le Labo
Soho
Ok. Sam thought it was weird that he asked her to go to a "Smelly Shop" but Elizabeth Shaw loves this sort of thing. Sam bought something to make his beard smell nice and Elizabeth bought the London Scent because it really, was nice. And new. And specifically for her!
Algerian Coffee Shop has been in business for 131 years! Elizabeth Shaw almost lost her mind when she entered. Chock full of beans from around the world, tea and everything in-between. She bought three pounds of coffee and half a pound of dark chocolate dipped breadsticks!!!! She gave it all to Mr. Green Thumbs and Lady Layla. You know, for being so nice.
Liberty of London. What can you say? An institution on Carnaby Street that still makes it cool.
These are squash picked at the allotment that are cooking and will eventually turn into veggie burgers. Picture taken because it looks almost science fiction ~ like aliens about to rebirth and grab you by the nose. Colors are beautiful Elizabeth Shaw is inspired to paint.
Last day of January 2019
It's very, very cold.
February 3
And so the Odyssey of Elizabeth Shaw is coming to a close. Time to pack up and leave. Bitter sweet. Her thought, when it's time to go, it's time to go. Her idea of packing? Throwing everything away and returning with an empty suitcase and a head full of memories. She hates to pack, always has, which is why she ends up in places with too many things and not enough things. Like velvet dresses never worn, 20 pairs of panties never worn, a blue dress never worn, boots never worn. What she did wear were a pair of jeans and two white t-shirts now gray and remarkably, the fur lined leggings. The biggest win were the Hunter boots which everyone said NOT to bring. She wore them practically every day.
Her biggest fear is getting stuck in Atlanta because the government is a mess. Getting stuck anywhere at this point would be shit because now she just wants to go home. Sit on her couch. Paint a big picture. See her friends. Sit on the porch. Assess the damage (if there is any) and maybe, just maybe come up with a plan. A plan? Maybe she'll hold off on that for now and just sit on the porch.
She didn't think the cherry would be so big.
February 4
A freezing but clear blue sky, Elizabeth Shaw found herself back in Barnes on a Sunday afternoon; a place she has decided it good enough to live if she comes back. And she will come back.
She walked through the town and came to a pound where a family of goslings was making their way across the ice. What could be cuter, she thought?
One of the most enjoyable things about England is that winter is treated like spring. Where ever you go, no matter how cold, there are flowers and vegetable stands our on the sidewalk and many people at outdoors. maybe because they all smoke.
Curtains: Olympic Studios
And that's a wrap.
Fini.
Wait....one last scone.
Tune in for part II of The Odyssey of Elizabeth Shaw: the girl with no plan.
(Elizabeth Shaw gained 2. 6 pounds on this Odyssey!)