I was in bed for 11 last night, with the aim of getting to sleep early so I could likewise be up early this morning, my first day in college. Just as I was about to climb into bed though, I spotted
a book on my shelf which I haven't looked through recently, and it occurred to me that it might contain something which could help me with my still life research. Indeed it did, so after writing down the names of the relevant painters, I was about to lay down for sleep when I realised it might also be a good idea to note down the ideas about them which were running through my head, to make sure I didn't forget them when I finally came to writing the piece. This soon developed into writing the piece itself, though in a draft form. When I had finished all this, it was half past one. So much for the early night. At least I got some work done finally however.
This morning was bright, if a little breezy, and I enjoyed walking through Leeds Uni's campus, which is always picturesque, whatever the time of year. It took me a bit longer to reach college than I had allowed for, I still haven't been walking much and am out of practice. I wasn't too late though, and arrived before several other people, so I didn't feel as bad about it. We soon got given an exercise to with charcoal - we had to explore its line and mark making abilities. No pictures, that wasn't allowed. Just marks. For an hour and a half. A couple of years ago, such a task would have completely overwhelmed me, but first I took to it quite well. Having been given such a large time period to do it in though disconcerted me, and I started questioning what I had made, as I will always do if I have too long to think about something. I think my sheets were typical of the class, the tutor attached some to the wall so we could see what we all had made, though a few really stood out, none of which were mine. I can tell I'm going to be overshadowed quite some way in similar exercises later. And there will be similar exercises later, as we were told we would have to do the same thing with watercolours, oils, pastels, gouache... And then next term we have to do life drawing! Oh boy, this is going to be
hilarious if past pictures of mine are anything to go by.
We broke for lunch and reassembled afterwards to be told we would now be engaged in a getting-to-know-you exercise similar to
Speed Dating, just without the dating. And as it wore progressively on, without the speed too. Talking to people I don't know is not a skill I have, and although we had been given a small sheet with suggested questions on it (What is your age? What is your ambition? Do you have any interests? Describe yourself in three words.) I soon gave up and started working on the still life history piece I started last night.
An hour and a half later (oh, the torture!) we were scheduled for a library induction. I got out of this as I had one last year, and I used the time to finish of the still life article. After that we were free to go, and as I left I bumped into my photography tutor and the receptionist from the college's main building having a cigarette outside. I stayed to chat to them for a few minutes then went to my appointment with my psychologist. My penultimate appointment, no less.
On the way home I stopped by the Leeds Uni Union, as I was craving sweets and I knew they sold the kind they wanted. They also sell Portion Paks of cereal. I bought four. Oops.
Coco Pops Crunchers are gorgeous and I highly recommend them.
21:19
