Next Chapter

After settling in London for 3 & half months, it’s time to get up & move again.  This first chapter was certainly a magnificent opening for the story.  Now the next one is about to begin.  Are you ready?

I am ready as you are.  The upcoming artist residency in Barcelona will be such a different experience from London.  You will focus your energy on creating and expressing.  Can’t wait to see the process and outcome of your latest artistic exploration.

The dream is finally coming true.  I will get to make and exhibit art in a vibrant and passionate country on this journey!  Wonder how my heart will evolve in the next phase. 

Grow into a more wholesome soul – that’s for sure.

Yet just when I thought I have come such a long way and have so many breakthroughs, loneliness haunted me a couple days ago.  He also brought other old friends along – self-pity, body-disgust, emptiness, and hopelessness...  They were having a barbecue in my heart.  I felt so defenseless.

Baby, you are one brave man.  Leaving all the good works and established contacts behind and start fresh in Europe is no easy task.  This genuine spirit is what keeps you going.  Those old acquaintances may visit once in a while, but they don’t define who you are.  Being revealed from within, your true self is at peace but full of compassion, sentiment, creativity, and energy.  Remember the image when you were meditating this morning?  The glow surrounded you and loosened your tense shoulder and back.  That very power came from above and within.  Don’t listen to your ego.  Dance with my soft voice.

It will be terrific if you can just take over, so I can have this clarity with me all the time.

You and I are one.  There is no such thing as one taking over the other.  Without you, I am nothing.  We are like Yin and Yang.  This inner journey you are stumbling through will let you experience the texture and flavor of life.  This is what you always believe, right?

Yes, but no one likes the feeling of weakness and not in control…

What about this expedition you are on?  Were you ever in charge?  One thing led to another as you started to say YES to possibility.  The flow of life took you to far more places than you could anticipate.  My boy, listen to yourself. “What’s wrong with being weak at times?”  The society and media always dump this picture of strong and sorted individualism upon us, and you are going to buy into all these bullshxt?  Excuse my language.

Can’t believe you just swear on this blog, haha!  I know what you mean.  In my past experience, sometimes it is our weaknesses that link us together.  Please remind me from time to time.

You are one big silly boy, who craves for a lot of love and intimacy.  Next time when those folks came to knock on the door, invite them in and we will have tea together!  It is just a matter of time.  Their stay will become shorter and shorter as you can embrace who you truly are.

I long to see that day when you & I wave the last goodbye to them.  THANK YOU again, my love.

Say no more.  Let’s have a hug.

近日的倫敦陽光普照，到處都是藍天白雲，回想過去三個多月的經歷，明白到一切都不是必然，無須付款的住宿、有善得過份的同屋、當藝術模特兒的機會、久違了的終極飛碟遊戲、還有能夠分享交心的新朋友...

離開熟悉的環境，放下舊有的包袱，連一些以往的禁忌都衝破了，又再認識自己多一點，但我清楚明白到自己的內心和這個旅程還有很長的路要走，故事的第一節快將完結，下一章緊接上演，中間只有數小時的航程，準備好了嗎，巴賽隆納 ？

Attracted by the glorious sunshine in London, I had to capture this moment at the overground station.

A brainstorm section with my beloved gang!  Gotta love that wallpaper.

A pleasant life drawing session at an artist's studio though one of my lower leg almost got burned by the heater.  

Woah... simply blown away by the artists' "sketches".  Don't I look gorgeous by their hands? LOL

This second floor studio has a huge open gate toward the street.  It may look dangerous but has a splendid view and brings in fresh air.

Visit from Hong Kong no.4 - Peggy Mom enjoyed a "free" lunch at where I worked.  This is called Kiwi burger (bunless). No worry, it's beef, not kiwi bird meat...

Ali took us to an excellent Chinese restaurant for my first dim sum experience in London!  Thanks dear, yummy yummy~~

How can Peggy Mom miss out on a free hug activity?

Everyone deserves to have a little fantasy, right?  Chase after them, kiddo! 

We then stopped by the Press Photographer's Year - 2010: the year in pictures exhibition. Loads of spectacular photos of all those major happenings last year.

Time to swing again!  

Dazzling Alexandra Palace - perfect for swing dance party.

Meeting for our collaborative art project at this elegant bar/cafe called the Bridge.

Look at all the neat decorations which are pleasing to the eyes.  This is a great place for film.

Why so serious, bro?  And what are you hiding from us, sis?

Love this shot!  So full of life and capture the spirit of the city.

Hung out with two friends, a world traveler & a film artist, at a spacious park during sunset.

They both expressed that London is a city where nothing is permanent.  Everyone kept moving in & out.  Hard to have a sense of belonging, even lasting friendship...  

A modeling session took me to Brighton again.  This time it's SUNNY!  Yeah!!!

Long and wide beach, but not very suitable for swimming.  Too cold, man.

LOOK, Dragon, here's Brighton and the ocean in nice weather.  Wish you were here, haha...

Back to London.  Walked through the river thames during low tide.  A guy took advantage of it and attracted quite a bit of attention with his music down here.

Stopped by Liberty 2011 - London's Disability Arts Festival & watched two marvelous performances. This is "Wheels on Broadway".  Who said not everyone can enjoy art?  You can as long as you are open enough to try.

Fittings Multimedia Arts - a combination of tap dance, poetry, and drumming.

Continued walking.  This path could lead to Buckingham Palace.

Passed by Green Park - here is one more reason I love London - so many huge parks to ease your mind.

Decided to take off my shoes and feel the ground toward my next destination.  My feet were delighted to sense various texture on the way.  My friend Gale said it's an excellent way to be connected to and be harmonized with the earth.

Finally made it to Hyde Park and played two hours of Ultimate Frisbee.  Though my back hurt a little afterward, I don't regret tasting the last bits of summer in London.

Farewell, my frisbee couch-surfing buddies!  Hope to see you guys for other occasions in November.

An intriguing bar as the waiting area for the Southwark Playhouse, where my host & I watched two experimental plays.  I often wonder what this kind of places used to be.