“In prose, the worst thing you can do with words is to surrender to them.” — George Orwell Theory. The word has a ring of the classroom about it–the act of learning and not doing. That’s how the Greeks themselves defined it–the word theoria meaning “a looking at, viewing, beholding”–and as Wikipedia says, it’s more about … Read More
“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.” — Samuel Johnson Well, it happened again. Just like my walk through Surbiton last Monday, I took too many pictures while exploring central London yesterday. I was “on assignment”–by which I mean I’ve … Read More
“We want to rediscover the magic of the instant camera.” — Florian Kaps, founder of the Impossible Project Florian was upset we’d started serving the guests before his speech. He ran back into the kitchen, his face a little red and flustered, saying, “No, no, no. If they eat now, they will leave. They will … Read More
There was a small handwritten sign on the door of the Kölnischer Kunstverein. (That’s German for the Art Association of Cologne–but not that I would know.) “Dear Impossible Volunteers!” it read, “Please ring the bell!” I was reassured to know they were expecting us. Someone came to let me and another volunteer in. We were … Read More
“The simple act of taking lots of pictures helped me see the city, its details, shapes and patterns. The more I looked for beauty in San Paolo, the more I found it.” — Rob Verger I was on my favorite travel writing website the other day, World Hum, when I came across an audio slideshow … Read More
“Don’t undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible.” — Edwin Land, inventor of the Polaroid “What is it you love about Polaroids so much?” a good friend recently asked me. I gave the question a minute to sink in. “I’ve always preferred film photography,” I told him, even after the advent … Read More
“The essay must lap us about and draw its curtain across the world.” — Virginia Woolf Maybe I’m stretching it, but today I started reading Virginia Woolf’s 1925 piece titled “The Modern Essay” and couldn’t help but think, maybe she does have something relevant to say about our 21st-century ways of communicating. Her essay is actually … Read More
Tomorrow is a big day. Not only do classes begin at Kingston but – and what’s about to follow eclipses even the excitement of finally starting my master’s – I get to move into my flat. It has been a long two weeks at my hostel in southeast London. Of course the price was right, … Read More