a whiff of art in the air

In keeping with my 3rd year Fine Art subject matter (for studio practice and Dissertation purposes) - 'the silencing and objectification of the vagina in a post modernist, porn-obsessed culture' I made this lovely little 3D vulva sculpture, which will enhance the front cover of my sketch book for the next year. I have to say, that as a first attempt, I'm rather pleased with it. A neighbour visited yesterday, and I discussed with her the possibility of knitting a vulva.... not much chance of finding a pattern for that, so assuming we shall have to 'knit freehand!!'

Having purchased and activated my new iPad (and fallen in love with it too), I bought this natty little keyboard to work with the iPad, and make my typing skills usable, even with a touchscreen. The iPad sits in the slot, and my fingers do their walking over the keys at high speed, a more efficient way for me to move text into the iPad than tapping the screen. The iPad fits with the tiny keyboard to make a hard case, which keeps the screen safe for travelling. All in all, pretty delighted with it. iPad World somewhat different from Windows world, and I am adjusting, slowly but surely. Probably got an app for that.....

And this book arrived yesterday. Much excitement when I opened the box from Amazon. My poor son and his guests raised their eyes to heaven and shrugged their shoulders, french style, at the madness of the mother. What an embarrassment I am proving to be! The reference book, however, appears to be full of absolute gold-dust for research, and I am delighted to have found it and secured a copy.  Three cheers for Amazon book-store (and the iPad app.....)

The farm is currently playing host to the lovely D's brother, who is an infant soldier. On a training course in deepest Lincolnshire his wisdom teeth have decided to make their presence felt, his face has swelled up like a melon, and he is experiencing a great deal of pain. We have, therefore, whisked him away from training camp to rest and be medicated, and to see whether he is going to mend without further dental treatment. UPDATE: looking unlikely that he is going to recover quickly, poor lad is in a real pickle with pain and swelling 4 days after starting the antibiotics, so he must make his way to the South Coast, and home, to be seen and referred by his local dental and health service. What a horrible experience Lincolnshire has turned out to be for him.

 

Our other lodger is labouring away at Butlins on split shifts looking after dining guests, and learning much about the eating habits of the general public. Its not pretty. Someone did an anonymous widdle on the restaurant floor today. The old and the young on holiday. They need careful watching!

 

The lovely D is working on her Masters dissertation, as the clock ticks for her return to hospital working within the next two weeks. She seems to have much to do, and not enough time to do it all in. It seems that training to be a Doctor is one long, long, long, hard slog, with not much time off for good behaviour, nor financial support to ease the long years of study. She must want it very much, and I applaud her dedication.

 

The baby boy continue to learn from the rural chartered surveying practice which has taken him under its wing. He has about another two weeks working and learning and he is then set free! September should see him undergoing laser eye surgery, cycling from the top to the bottom of the UK, and then preparing for the Royal Agricultural university.

 

The big boy spent 3 1/2 hours flying around in a helicopter last week, allegedly surveying an oil pipeline, though it seems to me he was also thoroughly enjoying himself. Helicopter surveying seems to be 'the way its done' so he can look forward to enjoying quite a bit more flying time during his year's work experience with FisherGerman. We were delighted to welcome the boy home last weekend, and it was really lovely to see him. I have no idea when he might have time to visit again. Sad but true.

 

I keep having a small panic at the speed with which my own break from University is disappearing. I start back at the beginning of September, and then its a relentless progression to my Degree show and graduation. I worry whether I will be able to create enough original and skilful work, and also write the 12000 words I need for the dreaded dissertation. Every time I think about it my knees knock and my heart speeds up. Going to have to calm down slightly or I shall have some sort of heart attack!

 

Quiet week this week as care of visitors has taken priority over everything else.

 

Enjoy your week. X