My classmates

I have settled into class and have some really great class mates. There are students of all different ages and backgrounds in my class; men, women, Polish, Indian, British, American, from early 20s to middle 40s. 

half way through each class we take a lunch break. Our campus cafeteria is quite large. There are many places to sit, yet we all find ourselves eating at the same table together. I love this about our group! I think in some situations back home some of the younger students would not want to eat with the older group and vise versa, but so far we all have been like this one single unit. I am learning so much about other cultures and lives. The world is such a large place with so many difference and we fight over these differences, yet we all sit together and connect together in our group. 

Houri is one of my classmates and a true sweetheart! I had been without cash a few times and the school doesn't take cards, so she shared her lunch with me on a couple of occasions. She is great! 

A life saving lunch thanks to Houri!!! I love this girl! She can talk up a storm as well. We have a great time chatting together! 

Stephen Lynch Concert

My friend Amelia got tickets to see Stephen Lynch and invited me along. He played at the Shepherds Bush Empire. It was a crazy ride! His comedy act is just insane. He sings all types of gross, perverted and down right crazy songs!  I have heard is stuff on CD before, but It was a blast to see him in person! A much better bit live I think! 

A bit of creativity

About a month ago my friend Amanda had to go back to the US and gave me a great deal of her craft and art supplies before she left. Amongst the items she gave me, there was a bit of yarn, so I made this scarf...

That was fun! Thank you Amanda!! 

A Package

My friend Chris, in Ashford Kent, sent me a huge container of instant coffee in the post. I love coffee! This container just might last me an entire year..haha.

Thank you Chris!!!!

St. pancras Train Station

I must say i am a bit obsessed with buildings and architecture. This is St. Pancras Train Station. I could stay here for hours and watch people and enjoy the atmosphere here. The structure is amazing. 

On the way to Camden Town...

One place I love to go to is Camden Town. A great arty area of London. You never know what you might see there. 

To get there I walk through Regent Park. Autumn is here. The scenery is beautiful with the contrasting grey sky and golden leaves on the trees.

Amelia and I stop to catch our shadows...

There is an art exhibit there and take time out to enjoy a few of the pieces.

I took this image at Camden. I just love that chandelier!

On the way back from Camden Lock I found these images in the Tube station....

It is a great time!!!

Filmstock, Luton, UK November 2008

I didn't take as many photographs as I would have liked to for Filmstock and feel that my writing on this even will not do it justice, but I am going to give it a whirl!  

Luton UK is not only home of some pretty incredible people, but also home of Filmstock, which is a film festival that takes place each year in November. It last two amazing film-packed weeks! From the 6th to the 16th there was nothing but fun to be had by all. My friends, Neil Fox and Justin Doherty, along with volunteers, put on this amazing film festival each year. 

I heard about this event a few years ago and hoped to make it one year. Because I am living in London this year I was able to attend!!  I saw so many incredible films and was able to actually talk to the producers of the films and get real insight on why and how they created the films. 

Neil was kind enough to let us stay at his and Roma's home. They are great hosts and I always feel like part of the family. I love waking up there. The view is so beautiful. This time of year it is a bit more colorful with the fall foliage. 

I think I had the best breakfast ever!! 

The festival is just minutes away from Neil and Roma's home. I enjoyed the walks to and from each day. How beautiful is that!?...

When I enter the doors at Filmstock, there is the scene of the crime....The theme was great! Neil greets everyone with a warm smile and guides us to the check in table to get our film passes. 

This is one of the many viewing areas. I had never been to a short film festival, so it was great to see full day packed full of short films! There was a showing of anywhere from like 6 to 8 films and then a break before there was yet, another bunch of short films!! 

There is a break between each set of movies, which people can meet and mingle with the producers and cast of the films showing! They also had a voting system set up so each break you could mark down your favorite films and make comments about the work. It was an amazing opportunity for me to sit down and talk with all these great artists. 

Mark, a good friend, also helped out a great deal throughout the event. Another friend, Willow helped out throughout Filmstock, but hid from my camera, sneaky boy! You guys rock!

 

Me and director, Declan Cassidy having a chat before the films start again. His film, 'Whatever Turns You On', about a homeless man on a mission, a security guard and a nervous shop assistant, was one of my favorites! 

I talked with many other directors, including Alex Barrett, Adam Procter, Jeremy Moss, Jonathan Harris, Dylan Haskins, and Ginita Jimenez.

 

Gary Hall and myself

Gary and Amelia chatting 

Neil and Justin stopping for a look at some photographs

Its Justin Doherty in his busy hustle and bustle to make sure all is going well with the program. He was in charge of running most of the films throughout the week. he was brilliant! 

Most evenings after the showing of the films many of us would gather at a local restaurant and have a meal together.

It was an amazing event. I met so many people and had so many good times this past week! 

I hope to make it to the next one!