Hello World,
I started this blog for no real reason. I found at times I had thoughts I felt compelled to share, even if no one is listening (as I expect no one is), and this became that space.
Here, you may find my critical essays, my creative work, and other random material within my postings. This blog will likely evolve as I do, and, to one degree or another, simply serve as a chronicle of my thoughts and my life (as boring, or amazing, as they may be)!
Having graduated with my undergraduate degree in English literature, with an emphasis on the Renaissance, I moved to the other side of the world in pursuit of a masters at the University of Sussex, and now make my home in Brighton, UK.
With that in mind, this has become my forum for sharing my life, for my family and friends to stay, at least somewhat, updated on my life (if they so desire). I’m horrid at keeping to a schedule, so my posts are, I admit, unusual and irregular.
As far as how an American from the midwest ends up in Brighton, of all places, I first journeyed to the UK, and studied in London, in early 2006 for a term, and have visited Europe on a few other occasions since. While I have a special place in my heart for France and the French language as well, I couldn’t resist the siren’s call of the United Kingdom, so here I am yet again. I came here with few expectations, and now I am, quite content in the life I have found!
A question of… why? may come to mind, and the honest answer is… I don’t know. I got this feeling that I should be here, and that’s it really. Life-challengingly simple. Now, I’m looking at the idea of moving on, but we will see what develops!
As far as what constitutes my world, my interests focus, on the plays of the English Renaissance, Queer Theory, Victorian novels, Classic Hollywood and World Cinema, and Popular Culture.
I’ve spent large stretches of time without television (being a student on a budget does these things) so, if I watch the television at all, it’s the American sitcoms of the 50′s and 60′s (I Love Lucy and I Dream of Jeannie are my favorites!), or British comedies, such as Outnumbered, or Fawlty Towers, although I will admit to a growing fondness for Doctor Who and Torchwood.
When it comes to films, I enjoy a hodgepodge stretching from the Golden Age of Hollywood to today, particularly anything with Kate Winslet, Judy Garland, Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, or directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Pedro Almodóvar, and Éric Rohmer.
But, whenever I get the chance, you’ll find me in the theatre; I’m happier few other places than a packed theatre in the West End or here in Brighton, and I’ll admit much of my musical taste comes, unapologetically, from the theatre world. I’m a divas boy, and I love no one more than Céline Dion. She’s never been cool. We’re both perfectly fine with that.
As far as my taste in books goes, since I have a fondness for the written word… I’m random at best. Among my favorites are: William Shakespeare (who, incidentally, I detested before university), Jane Austen and Virginia Woolf. A complete list of books/plays/poetry (barring shorter works) I’ve read can be found at the top of this page. That being said, if you’ve read some of my blog and think you may have a good suggestion, I not only welcome, I encourage it!
If you care to stay and listen, I can’t promise you anything particular as I really do pontificate on what might be on my mind at the moment, but I do promise to try my best to make it interesting.
Feel free to email me about anything you read!
Best wishes,
Austin
Happy Boythday!
I enjoyed reading this. Now I know why you spelled defence with an s!
I hope you continue to be happy in Brighton, and get to see as many shows as is humanly possible.
My spelling is some form of mutated British/American variety all my own. I try my best to stick to American English, since I was initially raised and educated in it, but sometimes I mess up, particularly if I might not know the distinction, which, I admit, at times, I don’t!
Concerning the theatre, thank you! I certainly continue to do my best to get to as many shows as I can! My rate of theatrical consumption is down somewhat at the moment – continuing to look for a job at the moment causes such things – but it is far from dead!
Good luck on the job front.
Maybe bump into you in a theatre foyer one day!