364 or is that 365 : 365? - The End

Now Darlin no going to the photographs and not reading the post, especially as this is the final one for this blog ;-}

Where do I start, how do you start a finish, begin an end?  I have so many things I want to say I am wandering around this word editor with my head spinning.  This has been one of the most eventful online experiences I have ever had without approach.  This year has been full of so many highs and lows yet I know it was a good year overall as I sit here smiling as I write the final post.

We have been through so much together; some good some bad, yet I bet as you read this you have a smile on your face.  Well I do as despite all that has happened I have not forgotten how to smile. I have learnt so much about the people around me both personally and online and judging by the responses to this blog so have you.  I have no idea what lasting impression this blog will leave you with but I hope it is a positive one.

I’d like to thank, in no order of preference,  G, Darlin,  Brenda, Jen, Jenny, Jarnell, noi, Pam, M, Laura, Rachael, Caroline, my mum, Cecily, Jo, Rachel, ex work colleagues and all of my FB or blogger friends I have forgotten to mention.  Without you all this blog would not have had the depth and meaning it has, it would not be as special.  I also don’t think I would have made it this far either if it was not for your support.

It is a strange feeling to know that 365 days ago we were strangers and now you know more about me that I possibly know about myself!  I would like to say I have followed all your blogs, where appropriate, but my lack of time did not allow it.  Next year that is going to change as I intend to follow and be part of a number of blogs so look out I will be around.

Now as I am going to turn this blog into a book I’d really welcome your comments to summaries your experience and feelings about this blog even if you post anonymously or via email.  Please let me know what you funniest or strangest post was, what is your over riding memory of the blog as a whole.

Now I am not going anyway as I have been bitten by the blogging bug.  But I have other priorities that need my attention as in girlfriend, kids, soul mates, family friends, and job (again not in any order!)  I have decided to post on a weekly basis next year, how different or enlightening this will be who knows but it cannot get any worse than this blog can it?

Now what photograph do I end this year long project with?  Is it one photograph, two or more, well I think I will leave you with what I are the best photographs I have taken this year.  Looking over the year I have almost lost track of the subjects I have covered, churches, abstracts, birds, macro, trains, and landscapes to name a few.  Now yesterday were my favourite photographs, the photographs below are the ones that I found the most challenging to take.

I cannot thank you enough for being part of this blog and my life this year, for following it or just popping in on the off chance.  Regardless I have had a scream and I hope you have too.  Remember many pigeons were lost in the course of making this blog and a lot of bleach was used to keep it clean.  It was brought to you thanks to Scritti Politti, Julie & Julia, Enya and many more song and film artists.  There is blood, sweat, tears, a fair few glasses of wine and one or two curries.  A lot of walking, getting down with nature, lying on the floor of a field and graveyard or two and miles and miles of driving.  Now I have done some working out and to bring you 365 photographs the shutter on my camera has opened over 20,000 times.  I have spent over 1,000 hours writing this blog and processing the photographs.

Now if you are searching for one thing to take away from this blog let it be the following:

COMBINE HARVESTER SONG

I drove my tractor through your haystack last night

(ooh aah ooh aah)

I threw me pitchfork at your dog to keep quiet

(ooh aah ooh aah)

Now something's telling me

That you'm avoiding me

Come on now darling you've got something I need

Cuz I got a brand new combine harvester

An' I'll give you the key

Come on now let's get together

In perfect harmony

I got twenty acres

An' you got forty-three

Now I got a brand new combine harvester

An' I'll give you the key

She made I laugh ha ha

I'll stick by you, I'll give you all that you need

We'll 'ave twins and triplets

I'm a man built for speed

And you know I'll love you darlin'

So give me your hand

But what I want the most

Is all they acres of land

Cuz I got a brand new combine harvester

An' I'll give you the key

Come on now let's get together

In perfect harmony

I got twenty acres

An' you got forty-three

Now I got a brand new combine harvester

An' I'll give you the key

Ooaah she's a lovely bit of stuff an' all

For seven long years I've been alone in this place

Eat, sleep, in the kitchen, it's a proper disgrace

Now if I cleaned it up would you change your mind

I'll give up drinking scrumpy and that lager and lime
Cuz I got a brand new combine harvester

An' I'll give you the key

Come on now let's get together

In perfect harmony

I got twenty acres

An' you got forty-three

Now I got a brand new combine harvester

An' I'll give you the key

Who loves ya baby ha

Weren't we a grand couple at that last wurzel dance

I wore brand new gaters and me cordouroy pants

In your new Sunday dress with your perfume smelling grand

We had our photos took and us holding hands

Now I got a brand new combine harvester

An' I'll give you the key

Now that we'me both past our fifties I think that you and me

Should stop this galavanting and will you marry me

Coz I got a brand new combine harvester

An' I'll give you the key

Aahh yu're a fine looking woman and I can't wait to get me 'ands on your land  

It could have been worse so stop complaining it will only take a day or two to get out of your head again and what a way to start the New Year signing such a cheery song.

So if you have not had enough and feel like more punishment next year and want to continue to  follow sign up for the new blog as a follower and bookmark the new site.  If you would like to receive an email notifying you of a post let me know.

http://siweekbyweek.blogspot.com/

Remember this is could be the start of something completely different or to use a quote for a famous source “And now for something completely different”.

Well done to all those who have managed to do a 365 blog this year, it is good club to belong too isn’t it?

So I will say this, thank you and I hope your 2011 brings you all your dreams and wishes and if it does not look that way give it a good slap to ensure it knows where you want to end up.

Before I forget I guess none of you has noticed that day numbering in my posts titles went a little wrong a while back and it has been out for most of the year.  Well one of you did, gold star to Brenda for spotting it and the gentle reminders too!  As you can see we end the year on day 364!!!!!!!!

I also think my computer is pleased this is the last daily post, at least my word processor’s grammar and spell checker can have a rest now.

I wonder what my Dad would have made of this blog, uuummmm?

Now I usually say “Until tomorrow take care” but there is no tomorrow, well not for this blog that is.

So I will say:

From your friend, soul mate, fellow blogger, son, and cheeky chap may 2011 be a good year to you.

Happy New Year and take care.

Love

Si x

THE END

363 : 365

Well it is almost at an end, this is the penultimate post for this blog and I must admit to feeling a little sad about it.  It has become a very important and interesting part of my life.  I was not able to take a photograph every day of the year but at least I had a photograph to show for each day.

I’d like to think my command of the English language has improved over the year but I think that is questionable.  That is one of the things I am going to address for sure next year.

Well as it is the second to last post I thought I’d treat you to a new photograph and five of my favourites from the year.  The new photograph shows the two main things that brought this blog and the photographs to you.

"So who we have to blame for the torture!"

Now for five of my favourite photographs from the year, I hope you like them too.

Well until tomorrow take care.

Si x

362 : 365

Well today was a complete wash out, I woke up this morning to totally drained and devoid any energy.  I went to bed at 9pm Tuesday evening as I was not feeling very well hoping a good night’s sleep was going to sort things out.  I slept like a baby but still felt like poo when I woke up.  Having spent most of day in bed I finally managed to get up early afternoon.  I have no idea what caused it but if it happens again I’m off to the docs for sure.

Well we are down to the last three days, difficult to believe that 363 days have already been and gone.  I can remember my first post as if it was yesterday, the photograph was black and white and of two graves at St Frideswide in Frilesham.

I did manage to take a photograph today, one of my old favourites but with a foggy theme today.  I got it when I took Archie to the petrol station to top him up and sort out his tyre pressures.

"Foggy Two Trees"

As you know next year it is going to be a weekly blog so if you are interested in continuing the journey with me sign up to be a follower.  I have already decided that I will broaden the subjects covered and I intend to make it quality rather than quantity.  Expect a candid outlook on all that I see and think over the course of next year and plenty of photographs.  I intend to become more adventurous with my photography and try and take a lot more photographs of people around me and wherever I go.

So if you want to follow me sign up to my new blog or make sure you bookmark it in your favourite browser.  The link below will take you to it:

http://siweekbyweek.blogspot.com/

Well until tomorrow take care.

Si x

361 : 365

Well I am going to leave today’s post short as I am not feeling very well.  I have been feeling queasy all day and have hardly been able to keep my eyes open.  It is back to work tomorrow so I want a good night’s sleep.  Today’s photograph is of a little chap, or chapess , who has been visiting the grass area at of the back of the flats every morning.  It is not often you see a Woodpecker, I think this is only the second time this year for me.

"Woody Woodpecker"

Until tomorrow take care.

Si x

360 : 365

As promised it was out to get a fresh picture for today.  As the weather was overcast and gloomy it was decided to play it safe so a trip to the "Living Rain Forest" was the order of the day.  I am going to leave it short for today as I had a very late night last night and I am tired, no knackered.

"Pretty Polly"

Well until tomorrow take care.

Si x

359 : 365

Today was another day of a fine dinner, so wine, and TV but with a difference.  This time I had my mother over for dinner.  So I got best clothes on and trust my mum to notice a hole in one of my socks.  Apparently I should through it way, does anyone know how to throw away a hole?  After all it would be a shame to get rid of the sock.

Now I understand that my mum is going to visit another follower of my blog who is also a member of the family tomorrow.  Apparently this member of the family was very worried about me after reading the post on day 348.  Well Rachel I was ok and I still am so don’t panic.  So long as nothing happens to those I hold dear nothing can get in the way of making me unhappy.

I get the impression that my blog has on occasion been the subject of more than one conservation concerning the contents or lack off.   Well I never intended to offend anyone, it has always been written from the heart; I always tell it as I see it and I have always tried to be honest with myself.

This morning I took a look around at all the Boxing Day Sales to see if there was anything worth having.  But I could not find anything I could justify so I went and had a look on Amazon at the Kindle Book store.  Well so far I have downloaded over 50 books and it has not cost me a penny.  Impossible I hear you say, well no, all the books in question are over 50 years old and therefore no longer subject to royalty payments and have not been published for a while.

 Here are a few of the titles I’ve chosen to read.

·         Mugby Junction by Charles Dickens

·         The Adventure of Wisteria Lodge by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

·         Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

·         Puck of Pook’s hill by Rudyard Kipling

·         The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

·         Crito by Plato

·         History of Julius Caesar by Jacob Abbott

It is an amazing device, I have over 500 books on it, and 99% are free.  That should keep me out of trouble for a while.  I have decided to read a lot more in 2011, a lot more.  I don’t need to tell you that my command of the English language is, well wanting to say the least.  I promised myself that I would sort this out this out but have not done too much about it.

I think 2011 is going to be more about quality rather than quantity which is another reason to cut the frequency of the blog down.  I have started designing the new blog, it will have a new web address so if you want to follow it you will have to let me know or watch this space as I will let you know it shortly.  Some of you get my posts emailed, let me know if you want that to continue.  I am going to make Sunday the new day for each weekly post

Next year I am going to put some of my work on sell to see if I can start to make some money, it will mainly be online and hopefully via a shop in a local town in the form of postcards and greetings cards.

The fact that there is only one week to go came home to roost today.  In a way I am not looking forward to it and I am determined to get a fresh photograph for each day.  And as challenge to myself the last post will be grammar and spelling error free. 

So to the photograph of the day, well I did not spend very long taking it and on the post processing but you have seen it before.  It is of an Orchid we have growing in the flat.  It has gone crazy over the last couple of months and it flowing and producing new growth on a weekly basis.  What I like about it at the moment is that three flowers have grown of the same stem in a row.

 "Three in a row"

Well until tomorrow take care.

Si x

358 : 365

Ok I don’t need a new sofa, or bed, or carpets, or curtains and I certainly do not need a new kitchen with my very own personal designer.  Don’t you just love Christmas adverts NOT lol.

Well dinner was very tasty and it felt so good to cook it.  I have been lucky to receive some amazing presents and I am even luckier to have some amazing people in my life too.   The true reason for Christmas does not come from a store; the true meaning of Christmas is so much more.

The year has gone so fast and so much has happened, a difficult year in so many ways yet a year where I sit here richer as a person than I have felt in a long time.  A year of reflection and I think this blog has a lot to do with it.  I have never written my thoughts, feelings or extracts from my imagination down before let alone over the period of a year.  Now I have not detailed all of my inner most feelings or emotions but writing what I have has brought from the depths a lot I did not know were there or were hard to find and understand.

I come to understand that my life it richer because of the people around me and that I know than the things I own, my job or films I like and music I listen to.

I have made some amazing friends through Facebook, Flickr, my blog and photography over the last two years.  I would like to thank those of you who have been following my blog this year.  I have no idea why you have but can I say it has been an honour to have you on board.  I have often wondered what you have made of my posts and on occasion found myself pausing before pressing the submit button.  Then again it would not be a true 365 / diary / blog if I did not write and submit without question.   I have drawn warmth knowing that so many people have been following my blog and on occasion is has kept me going when I thinking of stopping.

I have met so many amazing people and had some amazing times with them.  From people I worked with to family.  There is so much I would like to say but I would be writing for days and days.  I want to say so much but don’t know how.  Yet to say so little seems to undervalue but I hope that those of your how know me know how I feel about you and how much having you part of my life means to me.  Thank you everyone for allowing me to be part of your life and allowing me to share mine with you.  I only hope I can continue to grow as a person and continue to enjoy having so many unbelievable people in my life.

Thank you for everything and making me feel warm and good inside.

 "Thank you"

Until tomorrow I hope you had a good Christmas and take care.

Si x

357 : 365

Now I know Santa will visit me tonight as I have been a very good boy today, I only hope he does not take the rest of the year in to account as I might be on a bit of a sticky wicket there.

In the space of one morning I did two weeks ironing, cleaned the kitchen, living room and bathroom and vacuumed all over.  I think that is enough to make sure I am in Santa’s good books.

I know I won’t sleep tonight I’m so excited about tomorrow; the presents are under the tree.  Now before anyone gets excited I must explain the tree is only 18 inches tall.  So to keep with the tradition of putting presents under the tree they needed to be very small!  You have no idea how hard it is wrapping such tiny presents; mind you it saves money on wrapping paper and sticky tape.

I did manage to go and see some old friends at the Council I worked at for 20 years.  It was nice to them all again.  I then shared a glass of wine with a lot of women, well he had a glass each but I was the only fella.  It felt a bit like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in reverse.  However, I do not think I am cut out for the role of Snow White, she is fair, pretty and charming and looks good in a skirt, I am none of those.  Come to think of it I’ve never tried the skirt so I cannot say completely.

Now if you remember my post of a couple days ago about perfume adverts I had a thought today.  There are an equal number of adverts about sofas and beds.  So next year why not kill three birds with one stone and just have one advert selling all three.  I have no idea what the punch line could be but here is one for the road.  “The Passion in Leather by DFS”, I know its lame but hey I cannot be funny all the time, hard work that would be.

So swiftly moving on to today’s photograph.  Well I have been posting photographs from one side of the camera all year so I thought you should see the view from the other side.  Looking  back at what the subject sees every time.

 "Simon is behind it all you know!"

Well until tomorrow take are and do not try and catch Santa out, I’ve spent over 40 years and not done it yet.

 Si x