Perfect Places Plurality Problem

There is an unending supply of taverns, pubs and coffee shops or tea houses for hanging-out and taking in London. My flat (apartment) is in Central London. So, it is the obvious place to begin my search for the one place to call my home away from home, just a couple of happy hurdles to jump though, there are 5 coffee shops and 6 bars on my city block alone AND there are 3 transport hubs within a 10 minute walk, giving me full access to the whole of London. My “know it all” buddy the internet is only making it worse. Now, coffee shops, little diners, “perfect” views, parks, cows, and ice-cream shops are buzzing around my head with just as many contradicting opinions about this, that and the other. Time to narrow down the search with some specific criteria:
My perfect place will not be too far, not to quiet, with a real taste of London, coffee and comfortable chairs are a must, close to artists or art venues and most importantly staff that doesn’t care about artistic vagrants.

Today, I will mention the first place I tried out that is on my narrowed down list from the narrowed down options I gathered from the all knowing internet.

1. Ciao- Italian Gelato Ice-cream - 6 ½ out of 7.
If you visit me in London I guaranty we will end up here. The ice-cream is so good that those mouth water advertisings (advertizings) that always look beyond delicious are measly shadows of the real thing. Ciao is only an 8 minute bus ride from my place, located perfectly just behind Trafalgar Square, next to several major galleries and theaters and open till 11:00, which is late for a place that has no bar. Comfy chairs in the back for eating the heavenly combo of fresh ice-cream and coffee. The only part of my criteria lost here is the Vagrant Threshold. Ciao is a popular spot, that is a plus for people watching, but it is so busy they like to keep patrons rotating in and out. If you come often enough or just have a bull for a head like me you are given the honor of passing the threshold of a patron, and are honored with all the rights and privileges of a regular. At that point they don’t care anymore and the servers come over occasionally just to chat and see what you are up to.

(My Criteria: I. Distance from me; II. Mid-volume Chatter; III. London Experience; IV. Caffeine; V. Comfort VI. Art Access; VII. Artist-Vagrant Threshold. BONUS. Wi-Fi)

Beam Me Up

They say “The journey is more important than the destination.” Who are they, and where were they going? Don’t get me wrong there is no other journey I would rather be on, but more important? I don’t think so. Each day and the little victories they bring, propel me forward to a vague artful uncertainty, like diesel in a dusty convertible with the music on full blast driving toward the sunrise. Fearful exhilarating future sunrise I feel your warmth as we come closer and I would trade my tricked out ride for no other, but why cant I just teleport like in those sci-fi movies I watched as a child? I want my international solo exhibition with all the accolades ribbons and bows, NOW. But until I rate a starship I am here on earth driving toward perfection one step at a time. The impossible dreams are the ones that keep us alive after all.

It looks like the most likely month for my first London art show is either April or May. There have been plenty of landmarks along the way and there are a few between now and then. I have a new business card, new webpage (no more pop up ads) and 12 new drawings with post cards in the works (send me your address if you want me to mail you one), research for printing full fledged art reproductions done (now I just have to do it), 3 online art venues for art writing (one of which pays, the others use the bartering system) and energy endless energy. I don’t know, maybe there is something to that whole journey vs. destination thing. I do find my goals and my ascension toward them blending together. Maybe they should say (cue wise man voice) “Focus on the right path and the righteous destination will follow."

Thank you for coming along for the ride in my tricked out art mobile. It is good to have company.

Sal