writeaboutflowers

Zugunruhe: A german compound word, consisting of "Zug" ( movement ) and "Unruhe" ( anxiety, unrest ). Originally describing unusual behaviour in captive birds in the days or weeks surrounding migration period, it also illustrates a human condition of never feeling at ease, not knowing where or how to go. It can happen anywhere, and for no reason at all. There is no reason to feel happy: In the midst of everything there is a pull towards clearer skies, of warmer wine, the sound of feathers rustling against a cage. Your feet are twitching - the faintest itch of a feeling that somebody wants you, somewhere, far away in a different world, beneath blue skies and other dreams. We do not know why.

If you are reading this then it may very well happen that you've bought one of my handmade notebooks. Here is a little information on what they are made of. First of all, any good notebook needs good paper. So far I've been using paper from Fabriano, which I think is the oldest paper mill in Europe. They have a wide range of paper available, and I usually stick to 160g drawing paper for large books (A5) and 120g drawing paper for pocket sized ones (A6). These papers are well suited for most drawing media - pencil, pen, charcoal, pastels. The paper will even handle light splashings of watercolour, but I would be careful with large washes. If that is your style I can offer you special made books with medium weight watercolour paper. Now, a good book needs a good cover. I am rather boring in my preferences, I am happy with a monochrome, sandpapered cover. But I love creating more striking books suited for other personalities. I search through atlases and photobooks, old maps

Slowly the world starts to emerge with all its sounds and beauty. Distractions are stripped off one by one as I am no longer connected to the internet all the time. The apartment where I am staying has no Wi-Fi, no TV, no music. Allthough I have some songs on my phone, I usually leave them alone while working. Rule number 1: Do one thing at a time. When I brush my teeth I look out the window, and not my facebook feed. When I go to bed, I go to sleep. No show on youtube to accompany the day's last waking minutes. No last check to see if there are any new notifications. While folding paper - yes, that is my job right now - my hands are occupied, but my minds wanders. The world is still only a window away, cats are fighting in the streets, carhorns honking and the loud mumbling of turkish youth are slipping in and out of my consciousness. When I read for an hour or two every evening I know that no snap, tweet or message is going to disturb my focus. Of course, I am addicted to the net

Another year. I woke up with one plan today: to rest. To build up energy for the next week. I come from a culture and a perspective where New Year's Day is regarded as something holy, something to respect. And by respect I mean just don't do anything. I did some research on Turkey and New Year's Eve, and I enjoyed the results. Internet told me that January 1st would be a quiet day, shops closed, people heading out of cities to visit family, everything would be calmer. So I woke up with no plans, no schedules, and thought: Go to town! There wont be any tourists or crowds, just walk around and see the city and sites and the places. I've been here before and I've seen how crowded places can get. Istiklal is a river of people, and it flows two ways: up and down. I am constantly manouvering between shoulders and handbags going in both directions. It is very stressing, but my introvert nature keeps me from reacting. I just keep fluttering between these people who have