An Embarrassment of Riches

For the past two days I've walked to the mile to the British Library from my hotel, enjoying the hustle and bustle of London mornings. I watch the locals scurry around the slow-moving tourists and I listen to the buses screech at each stop. I've been incredibly productive here, which is a wonderful feeling since I've been quite the opposite since I moved to Seattle. I'm comfortable in the British Library, which is saying a lot right now. I get there before it opens (9:30am), down a quick espresso, and stand in line to have my bag searched. My manuscripts are waiting for me in the Reading Room and I open my computer and get to work.

Last summer was an embarrassment of riches; there were so many manuscripts to look at I didn't know where to turn. I was so wonderfully overwhelmed that the logical part of my brain turned off and I just basked in how lucky I was. Honestly, I think it was the right move -- part of last summer was about filling life-long dreams for me. Now I'm back with more of a logical eye and I'm transcribing, taking notes, and quickly moving through the tasks that I need to accomplish. It feels good.

I've been seeing lots of friends from the Library, which is lovely to say the least; The Boot, my favorite pub, welcomed me with open arms -- to say nothing of the pint of Guinness and my dinner of a traditional Irish Bacon and Cabbage. I also gotten to catch up with Dr. Virago over Bangladeshi food last night, which was super yummy.

I woke up an hour earlier than usual so I could talk with K. a little longer. I should probably head off for my last full day of research before tonight's orientation with the kiddies.

Our House, In the Middle of Our Street

It is supremely strange for me to be in London again. I’m actually staying at a rather posh hotel right now – okay, maybe not posh, but it has high ceilings, feather pillows, and I have my very own bathroom! I arrived here last night around 6pm, had a pint of Boddington’s at the hotel pub, and went to bed by 9pm. Judging by how tired I am right now, I’ll probably go to bed early tonight as well so I have a little energy when the kids descend in a few days.

This morning I walked to the B.L. since it was only a mile away from the hotel, and it was so nice to be greeted by familiar streets. I’ve been a fish out of water in Seattle. Every time I go in the car or walk around I require extensive directions; it just doesn’t feel like home yet. London felt like home this morning, something I haven’t experienced since I moved away from Los Angeles (even though I never really felt at ease with L.A.). I walked along the hustle and bustle of morning traffic and dodged around cars and tourists just like old times. I went to “my” Waitrose and picked up a few British supplies I’d been missing since I’ve been stateside. People are drawn to certain cities, and the more I visit London the more I realize that I just have a kinship to it. Yes, it’s partly because I spent a very wonderful summer here, but I felt the same way when I first visited back in college. I love the cobblestones, the people, the foggy weather.

Walking into the British Library from the public entrance was strange. Even eerier was finding a locker for my bag and going to the manuscript reading room and turning in a reader’s ticket for the manuscript I needed to consult. “90 minutes,” the staff-person smiled. 90 minutes? I could just go down one flight of stairs, grab the manuscript myself in half that time. Sigh, I was a good girl and waited for my manuscript to be delivered.

J., the closest friend I made last year and an employee of the B.L. found me as I was waiting and whisked me off for a morning tea. My lunch card still worked, so I bought us drinks and we started giggling and laughing like old times. Funny thing though, nobody recognizes me! My hair was in a pixie cut last summer, not to mention it was dyed a very light blonde; right now I have my usual dark-blonde hair and I’m wearing it much longer. It’s not until I smile that people seem to realize who I am. I’m trying not to assume it’s because I’m fat or ugly. Soon, many of my colleagues from last year joined us for morning tea and I felt completely in my skin again for the first time since I left Los Angeles.

Lunch was much the same. I ate at the B.L. canteen because it’s really cheap ($4 for lunch, which is much less than the typical $12 or so at a cafe). Mmmm cabbage and Lancashire Hotpot.

Tomorrow I’m meeting my boss to discuss working at the B.L. this winter. It’s something I’ve been keeping to myself because I’m frightened that if I get excited, it won’t work out. I’d be working on the same project as I did before, and since I know the drill, I’m a good candidate for the job. K. has started calling the B.L. my mistress; he knows, though, that he will always have my heart, even if manuscripts do occupy a large portion of my brain. I know many people don’t understand our peripatetic relationship—it’s all very John Donne, trust me.

And we're back...

I'm sitting here on our couch, looking at the last of our moving boxes. We've just started making a home in Seattle and I'm leaving for a month? It doesn't seem very fair to Kevin or Gus-the-cat, but a job is a job, so off I go.

I'm teaching a Shakespeare course this summer for English majors at my university. Two professors, to teaching assistants (of which I am one), and 80 undergraduates, many of whom have never travelled abroad before. Perhaps I should pack some Maalox? In the course of a month, we'll read eight plays, see the Royal Shakespeare Company perform them, and in most cases, talk with actors and directors about the plays. Our first two weeks are in London (where the 'kids' will go completely crazy), and we'll be in Stratford for the last two weeks (where they'll soon realize how boring English villages really are).

But before the students descend on Thursday, I'm visiting my home-away-from-home, the British Library, for a few days to get some research done. Sadly, I won't have my fancy pass like I did last year, so I'll be using the Reading Room like everyone else. I am very excited though because I get to see my friends and be around manuscripts again.