The Difference In Rain
Rain is different here. Rain at home had a different feeling attached to it, a different excitement.
Australian rain is: the rich smell of bitumen sizzling as the drops fall; the screech of windscreen wipers; spiralling explosions on the surface of a swimming pool; my favourite crocheted blanket draped across my knees ; earth being churned, leaves being refreshed; warm drizzle; fat downpours; a watering day for everybody!; free car wash; the steam of the ground warming your feet, while the cold of the rain coats your shoulders; a longing to go outside and stand for a moment; take a deep breath; heavier rain now; struggle to keep your car on the road; feel comfort at the sound of rain thrashing the roof; letting in the cat, speckled with damp and looking for a lap to warm up in; a light jumper; no umbrella; crystals of water clinging to hair and clothes; sudden puddles, squishing shoes; drought relief.
British rain is: an unending drizzle of some kind; never warm; teasing glow of sunshine behind light grey clouds; a constant threat to turn into snow; six layers of clothing; umbrella; waterproof shoes; waterlogged squirrels; radiators whirring; never heavy, but ever present; no protection between home and train; pathways slimy with built-up rain; no announcement, a quiet note of ‘oh! is it raining?’; nobody smiling; no escape; no relief.
March 30th, 2006 at 10:21 am
I agree whole-heartedly!
It never rains, but it drizzles.
I find myself getting “toey” over here just for a good downpour.
ha, i have just come upstairs to get the subtitles for “Salo” after torturing you with my musicals collection to find this half finished comment.
Finished!
March 31st, 2006 at 12:17 am
I don’t know if ‘torturing’ is the right word. And it was all worth it just for the moment when James came home and walked into the lounge room with a look ‘what on Earth are you listening to???’ on his face.
And bring on the downpour, I say! I used to love getting drenched head-to-toe (sometimes when it rained I would go for a nice long walk, without an umbrella), but back home if that happened you knew you’d be dry in ten minutes. Here, you’d probably die of pneumonia.
April 3rd, 2006 at 5:26 am
I can hear your voice baby girl don’t let it get you down (being away from so much of what/whom you care about) - you never expected it to be all a bed of roses now did you? It gets better - so very much better, trust me when you are in the wilds of the English country and it’s a true summers day - I don’t care where you have travelled in the world, there’s not many better moments. I love reading your life unwrapping and if you were here or I were with you I’d give you the biggest, softest hug. Enjoy every moment for what it is - insight. For it will reward you with so much more understanding; of life, what makes you tick, what makes you smile, a sense of contentment (eventually). Travel is hard work (you are such a beautiful person all the photos show you smiling your way through it all) so you know it’ll be okay, stay happy Angela - there’s lots of people who care about you.
Much love
April 3rd, 2006 at 5:33 am
Hi Shirley!
Thank you for your beautiful words. You got me all choked up! I know it’s not all bad, and I’m really not as glum as I probably sound. I content myself with childish excitement over seeing squirrels and wild daffodils. There’s a lot I love about being here, but it’s certainly no romantic getaway. At least not yet. I’m sure there’ll be a much perkier entry after we’ve visited Bath. I remember adoring the countryside when I was here as a kid, and I can’t wait to get back out to the lush green country lanes. I feel like we’re missing something, though. I can’t quite put my finger on it. It might be that we’re living outside of central London? There’s just a vibe that I wish I was experiencing, but I’m not yet. I think I just need to get back into the creative world again, and stop being an Arts recluse!
April 5th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
Dear Angela,
I stumbled across your vibewire.net blog when googling about temp publishing jobs in london. Wondering: has it been difficult to break into the publishing machines of Random House and Penguin, even as a temp? Also, did temp agencies give you a difficult time registering since you are from overseas?
I’m curious because I’m considering moving to London from NY for my doctorate in September, and would like to continue temping part-time in publishing. As an overseas student the UK would technically allow me to temp 20 hours/wk, but I do worry that temp agencies would be overly-bureaucratic about my status.
I’m now temping at Random House in NY, and that first job took a few months to get. Anyhow, I do think that temping is a quick way to build your administrative credibility, so keep accepting those temp jobs (even if they’re in boring finance spots) while reminding your temp agencies that you want to temp at RH!
Hope to hear from you,
Elisa
dontyouforgetaboutme@hotmail.com
April 6th, 2006 at 12:28 am
Hi Elisa,
I’ve sent you an email rambling about the state of publishing and recruitment in London. Well, the state of publishing is a little better than the state of recruitment (which isn’t difficult considering that most agencies fairly incompetent)!
I look forward to hearing from you again.