Christmas in Brighton :)

The Churchill Square Clock Tower, brightly guarding my daily bus stop.

The North Lanes, also down the street from my flat.

Thankful in Brighton!

Although not in the states for Thanksgiving Day, we still managed to pull off an amazing meal here in Brighton. With the help of Maya, my flatmates, and other friends from the area (some of which were in fact American), each person left with the traditional feeling of overwhelming fullness... in other words, it was a success!

 I was eager to play the matriarch in an attempt to make my Nana proud by cooking the bird. Chauna and I named him Alejandro (his American name though was Alex, and his Native name was Running Feather). Please note the past tense. Alejandro's final moments are documented below. 

Running Feather Before

Running Feather After

A Review of Propeller's Production of Henry V

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition:

And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Sait Crispin's day"

Last Thursday I went to see Shakespeare's Henry V performed by "Propeller" at the Theatre Royal Brighton with a few others from my MA program. Clearly this was a rather momentous event for such devout Shakespeareans. Discussion prior to the curtain rise included thoughts on how the scenes with the women would be played (as Propeller is an all male cast of 14 players), and if props would be used (as the original production is thought to have been done without any sort of stage props, as the text has numerous "interruptions" by characters reminding the audience that willing suspension of disbelief was vital as they took us back and forth to France on sea without, well, the sea). The modest theatre of Brighton was rather empty, with perhaps half of the seats filled prior to the production's introduction. And then the lights dimmed. My expectations were slightly high, as Henry V is performed less often than most, and I had heard good things of this cast...


In marched all 14 men, dressed in modernized army drab, chanting as they entered the stage. The noisy school groups enveloping my small nerd herd came to an immediate silence as the deep voices and heavy stomps echoed through the theatre. All five acts of the production carried on in this demanding war-like manner, occasionally spruced with utter silence to support the most significant dialogue, particularly Henry's St. Crispin's Day Speech. Staying almost completely true to the text, but using modernized songs and chants, instruments of war, and a construction site-like set, Propeller provided me with a beautiful ode to the bard and his ambiguous nationalistic/anti-war sentiments, as well as a relevant glimpse into the political repercussions of cross-nation battles. The roles of the females were played with much humor, as well as much awareness of the gender of the actor. Such metatheatrical moments made  the final scene when Henry marries Catherine incredibly powerful, as only here does the actor playing Catherine abandon all cross gender-related humor to heighten the seriousness of this pinnacle moment in history. The continuous asides and addresses to the audience were used as moments to change the mobile scaffolding of the set, or clean up the bloodied or dirtied stage from a previous scene. Such addresses fit seamlessly with the staging, making sure we as the audience understood that the props were only minor enhancements to this battle, and that the action and the language should continually maintain priority in the audience's experience.


Needless to say, I was blown away with the production. Once again, I am reminded that choosing to move to the UK to continue my studies of Early Modern Literature was vital to enhancing my experience as a student of Shakespeare, and hopefully one day, a teacher of such brilliant materials.

So Properly British

I just cooked lamb for the first time.

It was "lamb rump steak," and was rather fatty. I guess my lamb had a fat ass? Maybe it would have been less chewy if it did crossfit. Just sayin.

Is someone following my blog...?

Looks like they saw my last post. Grammar rules.

Gems of the UK

And you probably the only people in the UK that make curry while mindful of health but not verbs.

Sonnet 65's Longevity v. This Morning's Boundless Sea

"Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea,

But sad mortality o'er-sways their power,

How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea,

Whose action is no stronger than a flower?

O, how shall summer's honey breath hold out

Against the wreckful siege of battering days,

When rocks impregnable are not so stout,

Nor gates of steel so strong, but Time decays?

O fearful meditation! where, alack,

Shall Time's best jewel from Time's chest lie hid?

Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back?

Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid?

O, none, unless this miracle have might,

That in black ink my love may still shine bright."

Does this post prove, in fact, that his pen still wins?

Nerd Alert: Today's Shakespeare Reading

This week's readings include "As You Like It." Arguably one of the most well-known Shakespearean quotes is "All the World's a Stage" from this play:

"All the world's a stage

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances,

And one man in his time plays many parts."

According to Jacques, our lives are but acts, and our roles are varied. Still true today? I think Harry would agree with me ;)

The NHS: An Unexpected Encounter

The NHS (National Health Service) and I recently became acquainted when I broke my toe on Wednesday attempting HSPU's in my narrow hallway. 

Scene of the incident: 

At the A&E (Accidents & Emergencies = ER) Thursday morning, they gave me crutches, took x-rays, said I broke it in what looked like 3 places, and that I would see the fracture doctor on Monday to confirm treatment, etc..


Today is Monday.


Kenni [whilst looking at the x-ray]: "Which three places is it broken in, Doctor?"
Doctor [whilst staring at Kenni with disgust]: "Kendyl, it's not broken in three places. We have before us a bag of bones. It's completely shattered. What am I supposed to do with this?"

Happy Monday everyone.

Desperate: Need Veggie Recipes Immediately!

As you may recall from an earlier post of mine, veggies on this island are incredibly expensive. However, I still need to integrate vegetables into my diet as much as possible, as training is leaving me hungry 24/7 despite the fact that I am getting plenty of proteins (you know it is taking every ounce of effort to NOT turn this into a crossfit blog).

Nearly every meal I add a few vegetables, but it is time to step it up and branch out (pun intended). Family, friends, CFers, anyone really, please send me an email, FB message, even comment on this post (with your name) on how you cook, bake, fry, grow, WHATEVER YOU DO to your veggies.

Below is this morning's breakfast--an omelet complete with garlic, mushrooms, spinach, a bit of tomato, and onions. How can I add more vegetables to breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack...?

And family, don't worry. This is in addition to my juice plus ;)

BRILLIANT Hat Spotting Today!

Just another day's stroll home.

Star-Crossed Lovers

Really, babe? Right as I leave?

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/05/us/california-prince-harry/

Aside: Shakespeare coined the term "star-crossed lovers" in Romeo and Juliet

Listing

I've been in England about a week and a half now, and am already developing strong opinions in the form of ever-growing lists.


Things the UK Needs Immediately:

• more dryers
• larabars
• cold coffee creamers
• cold eggs
• cheap, and free range
• my family
• a crossfit closer to me
• pandora & hulu
• less floral print clothing
• people who shower more often (more relevant in Brighton, DFH's)

Things I Will Bring Back to the US:

• an accent
• a Masters
• Prince Harry (this one is proving more difficult than expect)

And just for fun, my "Uni" is pictured below. Yes, I took that shot.

Nerd Alert: Today's Shakespeare Reading

While attempting to get some summer homework completed before school starts next week, I came across this passage from Shakespeare's "King Henry VI, Part 2:"

"Was ever king that joyed an earthly throne

And could command no more content than I?

No sooner was I crept out of my cradle 

But I was made a king at nine months old.

Was never subject longed to be a king

As I do long and wish to be a subject."

The character of King Henry, like so many others, laments his role in life and strongly desires to instead be a subject of the kingdom rather than king. So often I hear of people today who wish to be in someone else's shoes. Have we not considered that perhaps those we wish to be also desire a change in their position? 

Today I will work on being content and grateful for the position I am in.

That's enough nerd-speak for the week. I'll stop thrusting my modern readings of Shakespeare on my family and friends (until I read another beautifully relevant passage in a few minutes :)).

Good Morning, Brighton

I woke up this morning cursing seagulls and their sunrise cries to each other. And then I realized I was hearing seagulls because I live at the freaking beach. Baller.

This is what I opened my eyes up to:

Meet the Captain?

Today's the big day! 

I hope my special request for a specific pilot went through...

One Fail and One Win

Yesterday I participated in Crossfit's Fight Gone Bad, and was really happy with my performance. I finally broke 300 on this workout (306), which has been a major goal of mine for a while.

Ken for the win.

And now here I am, trying to fit my life into 2 3 suitcases.

Ken for the fail (or a no rep).

Kate Middleton Double Anyone?

Sisters?

I Have So Much To Learn!

So my professors are called tutors, just one of many English to English translations I will need to learn. Regardless of their titles, I hope they become my Sassy Gay Friends:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnvgq8STMGM&feature=relmfu

U.S.A.!

As of yesterday, I am no longer a resident of Northern California. All of my things have been moved down to my parent's house in Temecula. BUT I was sent off in style with a little appreciation of America and liquor. 

My last WOD at CFSC was bittersweet. I'll truly miss this box but will be working hard to keep KI Athletics proud at my new CrossFit in England.

Hit a new max on my push press to leave the gym in style, but got my ass handed to me by my dear friends on our 400m sled pull relay... post WOD.

T-minus 20 days until I hop over the pond!

I Have Housing!

I received my housing offer from Sussex early this morning, and got my first choice! I am beyond thrilled! The building is specifically for graduate students (thankfully no 16 year old freshmen roommies) and apparently has a good number of international students. It is off campus, but near many bars pubs. Darn. 

As you can see in the below picture, I'm practically already there. Yes, my photoshop skills are brilliant.  

The building literally faces the water. I don't know yet whether my room or apartment flat will face the water like this guy's.

Email me if you want my address so you can start sending me gifts in September. To be honest, all I will want is avocados, which you legally cannot send me, so everything will be appreciated but pale in comparison. 

Cheers!

Methinks the truth should live from age to age.

-from Richard III


Once again, my man's pen still speaks relevance to today.

Yup. I'm bloggin.

Although THE move (or jump over the pond) has not yet occurred, I decided it was time to begin exploring options for keeping in touch with everyone. Mass emails, obnoxious facebook status updates, and post by owl were all thoroughly considered options. However, I ultimately decided on a blog as more interactive, casual, and hopefully less intrusive method of sharing my thoughts and misdeeds via the internet to all of you.

My blog's name, "On Hats and Harry," plays gently on the American generated stereotypes and symbols of modern British culture. I will let you decide which Harry of England I reference...