Seven Weeks

And so ends my travels and studies in Iceland. I'm now in New York City, which I will call home for at least a year, perhaps more. I unfortunately did not book time back home or in Seattle, a decision I am somewhat regretting. The city hasn't yet eaten me alive just yet (it's only been two days...), but the move from Reykjavik to NYC is, not surprisingly, staggering.

I know this blog has been rather fragmented, I simply didn't have the time to update on a regular basis. I didn't even get to talking about my studies! Oh, shucks. Suffice it to say, Iceland was a wealth of experiences and a distinctly weird way of finishing my undergraduate. Indeed, there are people and events that I shall never forget.

And, of course, if any of you (ie people who know me in real life, or various channels of virtual life) find yourselves in New York, do not hesitate to look me up! contact me here: perstare [AT] gmail [DOT] com.

I JUST HUNG OUT WITH ANTON NEWCOMBE FROM THE BRIAN JONESTOWN MASSACRE!

Hakarl

Back in Reykjavik

I saw Bjork and Matthew Barney at Sirkus last night! Most of you know I'm pretty indifferent towards Bjork, but I must admit that actually seeing her was pretty cool. I guess the trip is complete now.

Grimsey

Holar

I am now in Hólar, a very small town (er... village?) in northern Iceland. It is achingly beautiful, small, and smells nice. When I say small, it's not like how Anacortes or Bellingham might be considered "small"; it's small as in we have to go to a neighboring town to buy supplies. Small as in it doesn't have a main street. It does, however, have a plethora of horses (there seems to be more horses than people). I miss the city muchly, but I find tremendous peace here. I've gone from the distracting restlessness of Reykjavik to the soothing, almost monastic regularity of Holar. I've taken to some lovely routines. I feel incredibly focused here - I can read for hours, wander about the valley, feed the horses, and write. I'm so far removed from everything - moving to New York, grad school, even Reykjavik itself has somewhat faded.

And so we go North...

!!!

Okay, so two things...

1) I just saw Jón Birgisson of Sigur Rós hanging out at a coffee shop, who showed me that

2) I'm on the front page of Morgunblaðið, the largest Icelandic newspaper.

I swear I'm not making this up.