The City

Just got back from London.

It was a nice 4 day break in a different location. Met Sam at Victoria and then managed to find Hugh and Gemma's place somewhere south east (I think) of London. Its the first time I'd been to the capital for fun since the production environment trip I did at uni back in 2005. We didn't do the touristy things, just drifting round London, visiting the Tate Modern, a noodle place that was off the pH level, and a retro sweet shop. London has made a different impression on me this time round. Beforehand, I was always intimidated by the big city with its overwhelming buildings and masses of people pushing through the intricate network of public transport. This time round though I got to see the appeal of London. I still don't know whether I could live there myself but I can see why others do. I took with me Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino to read, which presents a series of ficticious accounts by Marco Polo of fictional/actual cities. I haven't read a book quite like it. Not only does the writing flow so well, but the brief impressions it gives you of each city stay with you until what you end up with is not a series of cities, but one city. What Calvino therefore presents is individual facets of the cities we all know and are part of, whether we are outisde of them, perceiving them as a whole, or within their walls, an active part of their construction.

"The city, however, does not tell its past, but contains it like the lines of a hand..."

"Many are the cities ..., which elude the gaze of all, except the man who catches them by surprise." 

"For those who pass it without entering, the city is one thing; it is another for those who are trapped by it and never leave. There is the city where you arrive for the first time; and there is another city which you leave never to return."

"Elsewhere is a negative mirror. The Traveler recognises the little that is his, discovering the much he has not had and will never have."

"It is not the voice that commands the story: it is the ear."

 Before leaving for London, I also started my first day of shooting on Shields of Justice. It was basically just background stuff, which was fine by me, which involved me looking confused in the lobby. The level of detail and attentions put into the production is simply staggering and the energy of everyone involved is relentless. It looks like I'm going to have a lot of fun on this one. Although I'm probably going to have to grow some sideburns.

Before then, Holly and Laurence drove down for the day. It was great because it was the first time in which the three of us got to hang out in ages. I took them round Exeter, stopping at the Imperial for lunch, before heading to the Quay and through the highstreet. Turns out Laurence is looking at going to Plymouth this year, so if I get the funding, he'll just be round the corner.

I still need to do some work, and learn lines I guess.