blogness

Dames en Heren—
Normally I begin my updates with a hello, hope all are doing well, sorry I haven’t corresponded for a while, etc. Forget it. This time the only thought running thru my mind is holy cow… WHAT in the world just happened?!

For the past seven months I have been plotting, planning, dreaming and at times hanging on by what feels like a single fraying thread. It has been amazing and horrifying all rolled into one. Since I last left you I was writing from a coffeeshop here in St. Louis preparing my portfolio for severe scrutiny. Well, after countless sleep deprived nights and moments of total joy as well as frustration I finished last February. At first I was convinced my portfolio was dreadful but as the days past and the schools and my peers responded I began to see it in a different light. Actually, not bad at all especially given the timeframe. Humpf. Who knew?!

Anywhos, since February I embarked on a world wind tour, couch surfing my way across the globe. Utilizing my sister’s and her mister’s apartment in Brooklyn as my hub, I spent a few weeks in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, Rochester, Amsterdam and of course NYC. It was glorious and overwhelming. There were many high points such as: the fabulous houseparty my California crew threw for me; hour long and very festive dinners with Uncle Winn, Bob, mom and many fine wines; an unbelievable Queensday made great by Dave’s hospitality and kindness; and a particularly super special afternoon with Jenny and Gregory complete with a walk across the Brooklyn bridge. Yet even with the superb company I’ve kept in several beautiful settings my usual sunny demeanor has not remained wholly intact. The most succinct way of putting it is I have not been at my best for quite a while now.

I’ve tried rationalizing with my emotions upon many occasions these past few months. I can vividly recall riding my bike along the canals to Dave’s apartment reasoning how can I be down in such a lovely place? I am so lucky and so privileged. What a waste it is to be blue given such opportunity for experimentation in life. Cheer up Dylan, walk it off, I told myself. To some extent the rational worked. More often than not, though, I just simply could not shake these overwhelmingly dark feelings of detachment, instability, loneliness and uncertainty.

Moreover, several ghastly dates, a strange flu, the death of Chippie (Dave’s beyond sweet kitty), the acute stress of preparing for my interviews and the stinky bomb that was my Design Academy Eindhoven interview further darkened my usually bright outlook. I fully enjoy being a travel whore yet after abruptly uprooting myself from California last year and not having one iota of solidity in work, home or love the glory is somewhat pale. I was not meant to be a nomad in a tribe of one. This aspiring lovechild of Bob Villa and Martha Stewart is ready to set up camp, hang up some clothes, meet and greet, work like a madman and embark upon some semblance of a routine that is only then worthy of fabulous vaca disruption.

Well, today the news officially hit me. Head on.

The acceptances and rejections have slowly floated my way and the possibilities have begun to whittle down an actual future reality. Last week there remained five possibilities in my mind: (1) go to San Jose State (2) go to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn (3) go to Rietveld Academie in Amsterdarn (4) scrap school completely and start randomly badgering US companies in the Netherlands to hire lil’ old enthusiastic me (5) throw in the towel and join the circus.

In most ways all of my plans make sense which is hugely convenient but only one may prevail.

Well, after months of limbo and a week of obsessively checking my e-mail I finally got a green light this beautiful May morning from my top pick, Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam! Ta Da! I am indeed accepted to an unbelievably prestigious academy in the city I adore and have lusted after for years for almost pennies by US standards of higher education tuition. I couldn’t be happier and I couldn’t be in more shock.

The deal is sealed. I will spend the next four years of my life living and studying Art and Design in Amsterdam. Unbelievable! It is frightening, exhilarating and downright unfathomable despite the fact that this exact reality has been my distant desire for many years now. Dreams and reality are bizarre forces and their intersections and missed connections even more strange.

I believe this program is the perfect fit for me. It will not be easy tho, I am already very sure of that but more than ready for the challenge. My game face is shyly starting to shine thru, my cracked mojo finally beginning to have a pulse again and the shock is fully all encompassing. Like I said before, what in the world just happened?

The academy and curriculum are phenomenal. It is beyond an honor to be accepted to Rietveld. I am ready to hit the ground running. Look out folks, this cornfed’s on a serious mission. I have no clue where it’ll lead… hopefully somewhere that’ll keep me afloat, inspired and productive and ideally in a position to give positive substance back to this insane world we call home.

Before I get to that point, however, there is much on the agenda.

Tomorrow several family members will arrive in town for a surprise mother’s day weekend. Hilarious. Mama’s gonna loose her nut. Then the day the fam leaves Jen will arrive for a few day tour of the St. Louie roots complete with an intro to my amazing old school buds. By this time next week, however, Jen and I will already be cruising cross country terrorizing the locals Romy and Michelle style. After that I will be blessed with a couple months of beach bliss with best friends in good old Santa Cruz where all sorts of debauchery will no doubt ensue. Juggling friends, family, working for my stellar old boss, other escapades and a summer school drawing class will no doubt make it all fly by far too quickly. Whomever said, ‘Life is short, eat dessert first’ knew what they were talking about. Time does indeed fly by too quickly and it feels so great to finally have some solid footing to sprint along side it, if only for a little while.

The past seven months have been insane in all aspects of the word. This delirious and often difficult journey was made brighter by all the sweet people I get the joy of calling friends and family. Hopefully all of your collective days are absurd enough to be interesting and real but calm enough to be grounding. I wish everyone big smiles and lovely laughter this delightful summer.

Anywho, nuff ramblings already. Everyone knows how I can chatter on til the cows come home.

I hope to see all of you before my departure across the pond near the end of the summer. My apologizes if I was recently in your town but was shy about announcing it or getting together. I just haven’t been myself during these limboesque dayz but that tide has turned and summer is upon us so please don’t be strangers! And, of course, if you’re ever in Amsterdam….

Big love to everyone.
Dylan