The studio repairs are over. That’s a huge relief. It took a while, got there at 3 AM and didn’t leave until 8 AM but I’m so glad it’s done. It was incredibly spooky this time around, more so than the last time. All of the lights were shut off this time and I couldn’t figure out where the hallway lights were. I used my flashlight and blasted videos from my phone to feel slightly less… vulnerable? We have these unusually long corridors in the graduate studios So you spend a lot of time walking back and forth from end to end. My studio is all the way in the back corner by the rear exit so trips to the bathroom take a while.
I captured some footage of the experience:
The darkness and singular paths made me start thinking about horror movies and video games. Specifically if I would survive in a horror setting. I’m pretty sure that’s a resounding no. I’m able bodied but I’m not particularly, strong, fast, or physically intuitive. I’d probably freeze from the shock of fear and fascination from whatever I was seeing and get got.
Cleaning took very little time. I didn’t have to think too hard, it was pleasant being able to indiscriminately throw things into the garbage. There wasn’t a lot, it was quite literally trash. I was amazed at how much accumulated on the floor that I couldn’t see amongst the stained concrete. I very thankfully had a bag of homemade sweeping compound hiding in the corner that I was able to use to gather everything efficiently and keep the dust down. The problem came with painting.
I liked painting the walls for the first 30 minutes, then I realized it’s a process that takes stages and saw the time breeze by. I also think the studio manager might have told me to paint the studio the wrong color because I spent two extra hours covering clean walls with new paint because it had to match. My shoulder still hurts but I did my best with the limited time I gave myself. At the very least it looks like I was never there. I have micro paint splatters all over my skin and a little in my hair. That’s from the paint roller unsticking from the wall as I pushed and rolled. I sweat quite a bit. Oh, I did shuck a light Ikea futon couch into the dumpster. While that doesn’t take a lot of strength it made me feel good. It was a pretty beat up and old couch that I inherited from someone else so don’t get concerned about it going to waste. We also have to be stricter with sanitation now so it couldn’t stay, sadly.
I’m exhausted. Still have a lot to clean and pack. I’ve been on the phone again today cancelling services and trying to time everything right so my roommate won’t suffer without utilities. It would be very nice to just sit still.
Also, the car getting transported is a whole other ordeal. I’m not even going to talk about it. There’s nothing I can do about it right now so it is what it is.
But something lovely I got to see as I emerged from the darkness of the studios:
Purple has been a favorite for me recently. So pretty
Isn’t that nice? I don’t even know what kind of tree that is, I was too tired to go and inspect further. While I did go out with Heidi not too long ago to pick up my boxes I don’t think I saw any flora like I did today. I had no idea Los Angeles was in full bloom but it is spring and there’s been a good amount of rain. It was nice to just be outside too. I know it’s the daytime in that photo but I wish hanging outside at night wasn’t so risky. Nobody is around and the air is crisp. But it’s not exactly safe. I like being alone to recharge, though.
I have to get up to pack soon but I’m going to try and catch some more sleep. I’ll rinse off in the shower when I get up to reboot and go in for the final push. Wish me luck!