Schedule today:
9 a.m.--Survival Czech Language. Very fun--teaching pronunciation and a hopefully a few key words!

10 a.m.--lecture given by Pietro_______ must look up his name....an expert on Czech Literature. He gave a talk on female figures in Czech literature from ancient myths to the present--way cool!

11:30 a.m.--lecture given by Alison Hawthorne Deming--an author that I have enjoyed reading before. She is a distant relative of Nathaniel Hawthorne. I read one of her non-fiction books: Temprary Homelands, as well as her poetry. She has a special meaning for me because I remember I was reading her when Grammy, my dad's mother, was in the hospital. I read it to Grammy as a way of getting through the hours. Seeing Deming on the reading schedule made me happy!

then--lunch for an hour...spinach pasta and bleu cheese...hmmm...rather bizarre combo--but it worked!

Photography Class--2:00-6:00 p.m.
This is heaven to me. How can I describe it? We followed our teacher up the hill to his private studio. He kind of reminds me of Mr Degroat my high school orchestra teacher...but in appearance only. He gave presentations on light, color, use of space and shape. He shared a huge amount of his own work which was really funky. Basically, for his photos, he manipulates the living environment through various means, creating almost like an art installation outdoors. And then he photographs it. The effect is almost like supernatural photos--looking like otherworldy planets, etc. Jan Pohribny is his name.

7:30-9:30--Then, on to two hour night Reading Series at the Ypsilon Theater, this theater downtown where there is a funky bar open for drinks before the readings. Then, we descend down into this actual theater that has a small, intimate feel to it. Alison Hawthorne Deming read some of her poems and an essay. Michael Waters, a poet, read several cool poems. Then a Q and A.

Now--home to bed! haven't been home since 8:30 am this morning!
But, great day. Honestly--looking at the photos in photo class and thinking about light and compostion and shape--felt like heaven. Such an indulgence to be able to do this! is what I kept thinking to myself--but--i doesn't have to be an indulgence! It is something I really love to do!

The photographer's studio is exaclty what I pictured. A lot of room for lights and other equipment that he uses to set up his work. It is in a lower level--a basement. He has one bare wall for projecting his photos. A table for laying out his work. And, he even has a little area where he makes coffee or tea for us during our breaks!
Heaven.

other funny details: i am living in the land of the tatooes, the pierced and the smoking. I'm not talking about the Czechs--although they may have all of these too. No, I am talking about the artsy undergrads who are in this program. They are cute. I think I need to get some crazy tattoos and pierce my nose in order to fit in. :)
Don't worry mom--just kidding! :) Although I do like that pierced nose look...