Henry's Birthday

Shirfu Dog

We met when Henry took me to the Red Capital Ranch for a get-away to celebrate his birthday.

I love this dog. He is an un-neutered male Shepherd mix who had been condemned to be forever chained under this tree for having bitten someone. I found him to be loving and quite shy. His animal instincts in tact, who knows what really happened, but I imagine he must have been mishandled in some way.

The best i could do is to try to communicate some gentle caring while I was a visitor there. I helped untangle his chain from the tree and Henry made sure he got some fresh water.


Celebrations started on Friday, July 25th with a dinner out with friends at Saveurs de Corée. After attending an opening for a new friend, Lukas Birk, we mosied over to nanluoguxiang. We followed dinner with some lounging and dancing at Song bar. All in all a good start!

Saveurs de Corée
29 Nanluogu Xiang, Dongcheng District
东城区南锣鼓巷29号
6401 6083

Saturday we spent out at the Red Capital Ranch, where Henry has been wanting to go. A night out of the city is always a good idea, but with Olympic restrictions, we were told climbing the Great Wall was off limits. I didn't mind so much, but then again, I'm not into over grown trails and steep climbs. Henry and the couple that we later found out got engaged on the wall were upset at their plans being foiled! I am not one for proposals on tourist hot spots, the Great Wall and Eiffel Tower especially, but I was not the one being asked, so it doesn't matter so much. Just FYI. No overly romanticised locations with monumental expectations. I'm a down to earth girl. I like my leisure time. And I don't like agendas when I'm on holiday.

Tuesday, July 29

On Henry's actual birthday, we kept it low key and went to a local Tex-Mex with a down home feel. I found out Henry doesn't do well with tequila and so margarita's are out. And he prefers no salt on the rim. We had a nice comfortable time, which I have to say is so nice and relaxing.

Lesson learned:
Sometimes "romantic" get-aways are high pressure zones.

Trip 2: Week 11 Plans Re-Structured

Henry and I decided we couldn't go for the LIVE/WORK space. It was too much work, too much commitment, and the Olympic month. I was disappointed, but I saw his point and I couldn't logistically do it without his help communicating. Since then, I have had to reconsider the plan for the next year. I think it will be better in the long run, but I feel like I lost a part of my dream in that deal. I hope this is not a trend that continues.

Meanwhile, things are ramping up in the studio and work is going well. I have found a good printer and gotten some prints I am happy with. Looking forward to picking up some framed pieces Wednesday. And the doc series I have been working on will start this Saturday!

Little pieces of the puzzle are coming together. I find a lot of support from strangers. People who know how difficult it is to be an artist and just get things done in this town for foreigners, especially ones who can't communicate properly. Help comes from nowhere sometimes. Just enough to keep you from giving up sometimes. I find it difficult when I can't just do things for myself, but the kindness of strangers has been immensely satisfying.

Thank Goodness.

Have to put my academic hat on to do a write up for this doc series and well an artist statement, too. I thought that physically writing this (b)log would help me get over the hump that keeps me from writing more. But...I'm afraid I'm still slow going when it comes to getting started. I've always been a fan of getting writers to do what they do. Sit and chat with me then write it for me. Irony is Henry is a writer, but I can't seem to communicate my ideas about art to him. It just that all the intimate stuff lays heavy around us, so I can't speak freely and confidently the way I might with other artists. It always seems to be like that. That the person you are most intimately involved with can't really see or know that other part of you. Like only being a macro lens. Can't pull out and get the whole picture. Or something like that.

I do love research though, so I will just use the deadline to push me forward.

BY THE END OF THE WEEK:
I have printed more photos than I have in years. Gotten some framed. Borrowed projectors for some screenings I am planning for my time in residence. Got a lawyer in Florida to deal with a crazy bogus claim on our family condo. Got new name cards made with new cell number. And have organized multiple Birthday surprises for Henry's Birthday week. Officially it was Tuesday July 29. His sister Vannessa's is just a year and day before and my brother's is 15 years and one day after!
LEOs LEOs LEOs

I haven't slept well with worry keeping me up at night or late night skype calls with family or lawyers.
Stressful, but I've had some successes, so all in all I must be grateful. I will write more about what is happening here in Beijng rather than just personal business, but thanks for bearing with me.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous summer!
I cant wait to reunite and have Henry and Meta with me.
I will feel complete.

XXX

bye for now.