A learning curve

This is the first time I can honestly admit to an emergency blip moment. What little daylight there was today had gone. I have been easily sidetracked from several jobs I have stacked up.

I saw this wall-mounted vase in a dark space on the staircase, and thought if I moved it I could shine a light on it. So I did, and realised I have a lot to learn about lighting. But as I learn best by my mistakes, I already have some idea of what could be improved. So it has been worth the (small) effort tonight.

I found this vase lying on a sarong on a back street pavement stall in Kuala Lumpur in 1982, and bought it from its vendor. I was intrigued with its pretty colour and art nouveau ceramic style, which has a flat back to let it lie flush against a wall. On the back it has Chinese hieroglyphics, like a maker's mark, which suggests that it was made locally (in Asia) for the European or British colonial market.

I carried it in my backpack for about 8 months, as I wandered further south via Bali, to Australia. It flew back via Los Angeles to London, has been with me ever since and is still much loved.