(no subject)
Nov. 12th, 2006 11:06 pmI got a haircut today. My goodness, my life is exciting. One of my two friends at the hostel (to whom I should really give pseudonyms) is a trained hairdresser. While she's intentionally taking a break from the industry, she's more than willing to give haircuts to friends. The charge was £10, which is an amazing deal considering that she says she sometimes charged $80 in Canada. I could probably have found something cheaper in town, but I figure I stand a better chance of a job with a really good haircut.
One thing I must say in favour of living without income: it simplifies one's life marvellously. All entertainment and leisure activities must cost between nothing and £5. One doesn't have to worry about choosing between foods at the grocery store according to taste, merely about which foods and which stores are cheapest. Currently, I'm alternating between Tesco and Lidl; I've heard Farmfoods is good too. I don't eat out, drink (unless other people give drinks to me, which happens), order takeaway or buy snack foods unless on the verge of collapse. Charity shops and pound shops are the place for supplies. I don't have to decide when to give money to buskers or panhandlers. The only charity getting money from me is the church I attend. And, of course, I never pay for internet access. Strictly speaking, I'm sure my parents wouldn't let me starve. But I'm determined to do my best to survive on the money I made over the summer.
I finally saw a concert today, PWYC of course. Though the selection of songs and piano music was excellent--Coward, Britten, Ibert, Poulenc, Menotti, Gershwin, Sondheim, Flanders and Swann--the soprano had a tendency to sing slightly flat. Oh well. It was basically semi-professional and fairly enjoyable nevertheless. Their finale was a marvellous F&S song I'd never encountered before (and I own their songbook!), called "A Word on my Ear" and concerning the singer's tone deafness. (Ever-so-slightly ironic...)
One thing I must say in favour of living without income: it simplifies one's life marvellously. All entertainment and leisure activities must cost between nothing and £5. One doesn't have to worry about choosing between foods at the grocery store according to taste, merely about which foods and which stores are cheapest. Currently, I'm alternating between Tesco and Lidl; I've heard Farmfoods is good too. I don't eat out, drink (unless other people give drinks to me, which happens), order takeaway or buy snack foods unless on the verge of collapse. Charity shops and pound shops are the place for supplies. I don't have to decide when to give money to buskers or panhandlers. The only charity getting money from me is the church I attend. And, of course, I never pay for internet access. Strictly speaking, I'm sure my parents wouldn't let me starve. But I'm determined to do my best to survive on the money I made over the summer.
I finally saw a concert today, PWYC of course. Though the selection of songs and piano music was excellent--Coward, Britten, Ibert, Poulenc, Menotti, Gershwin, Sondheim, Flanders and Swann--the soprano had a tendency to sing slightly flat. Oh well. It was basically semi-professional and fairly enjoyable nevertheless. Their finale was a marvellous F&S song I'd never encountered before (and I own their songbook!), called "A Word on my Ear" and concerning the singer's tone deafness. (Ever-so-slightly ironic...)
no subject
Date: 2006-11-13 03:12 am (UTC)Anyways.... great to hear an update on your UK adventures! Best of luck with the job hunt :)
no subject
Date: 2006-11-13 06:45 pm (UTC)Thanks for the good wishes.