Simon's Photographic Project 365

364 or is that 365 : 365? - The End

2010-12-31T17:48:00.001Z

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

2010-12-30T19:09:00.000Z

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

2010-12-29T18:04:00.000Z

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

2010-12-28T17:33:00.000Z

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

2010-12-27T19:21:00.000Z

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

2010-12-26T20:25:00.000Z

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

2010-12-25T20:43:00.000Z

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

2010-12-24T19:53:00.000Z

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

356 : 365

2010-12-23T20:29:00.000Z

I start today’s post in somewhat of a ponder and I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. I learnt that a friend of mine had some bad news as their father passed away and I was unsure whether to mention it. I am not going to mention names but I wanted to show that my thoughts are with them through today’s post.

It is difficult to find yourself in this position, I have been there with my dad as you all know, but I find it a time to look down and feel sad or alone. He never left; he has always been around in my thoughts and memories. He is always with me; if anything I did not lose a Dad but gain the best bits of my life and my time with him. I don’t care if that sounds silly it is how I see it and how I feel.

I see my Dad in my Son, in fact I see my Dad in all my kids and if I can be half the man he was I will leave you all with the best parts of my life a very happy man. I am lucky in a way as aside from my Dad still being here he also ensured that I had sole mates too. In fact every day he reminds me that I am very lucky to have so many amazing people around me.

To my friend I say this, don’t feel alone, don’t feel sad, your Dad is still around, he is still there for you. He will always be next to you, listening, quietly giving advice and watching. If you ever want to quiet moment do what I do, visit a church with a camera and sit and talk. Why a church, well it is quiet and more often than not no one disrupts you so you don’t feel silly talking to yourself. Believe me I have had a few conversations with my Dad whilst photographing Churches or driving up and down to my new job or picking the kids up or writing my blog. If you cannot find a Church and camera find you own place, sit down and have a chat, you don’t even have to say anything.

Remember we never lose anything; nothing can take away your memories and feelings. They are yours forever. Life is rich not because of money or houses or things we own, life is rich due to the things we cannot touch. You cannot put a price on your feelings and thoughts so don’t let anyone, any event or anything try and buy them off you or sell them cheap. Life is rich because we can touch, feel and experience a rich canvass of sensations and emotions and then hold those memories inside.

Now how do I choose a photograph for today? Well with all the snow and grey skies and today’s post I thought something colour to banish the weather and something vibrant and rich to reflect life.

"Nature's rich and colourful canvass"

Life is not simple but we do not need to make it complicated, keep it simple and true.

Well until tomorrow take care, stay warm and remember you are never alone.

Si x

354 : 365 Again!

2010-12-22T19:45:00.000Z

Well you know it is coming up to Christmas when 9 out of 10 adverts on TV are about perfume and always involve young “attractive”, or is that pretty, people running around with hardly anything on or sailor suites.

ou know the score, that single line delivered at the end in a husky voice:

· * Feel the passion by Smell You Once

· * The Heat of the Moment by Flash In The Pan

· * Revolution for him and her by Dizzy De Mare

· * Blue Velvet by I’m A Soft Touch

· * Channel 5 by The Is Nothing On The Other Side

· * Sheep Dip by Farmer Giles

· * Lynx by This Is The Cats Whiskers

· * His and Hers by It’s Just A Different Bottle

· * Very by It Is Very Expensive And Very Naff

They all cost a small fortune, come in the smallest bottle ever and always last until the week before the birthday of the person it was brought for.

Lunch time I went and got the food for Christmas and Boxing Day, forgot about tomorrow and Friday but hey ho. For Christmas Day I am going to cook Roast Gammon with Marmalade, Roast Potatoes, and various vegetables. It is a Jamie Oliver recipe that I have only cooked once; best get it right this time.

I’m so looking forward to Christmas Eve, still lots to do but it is so exciting. I have been singing a Christmas song all day; well singing is the wrong word, more like humming or talking painfully. Here are the lyrics:

Let It Snow : Lyrics

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping,
And I've bought some corn for popping,
The lights are turned way down low,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight,
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight,
All the way home I'll be warm.

The fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we're still good-bying,
But as long as you love me so,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

The last time I heard this song was whilst watch Die Hard 2, very festive. Well it was set around Christmas time and there was snow, what more do you want. Now if you know the song you will be singing it for the next day or two as well; why should I be the only one!?

Well on to the photograph for today and this blog would not be complete without the snowy landscape so there it is.

"Oh the weather outside is frightful"

Well until tomorrow take care and stay warm.

Si x

354 : 365

2010-12-21T19:58:00.000Z

Today has been very frustrating to say the least, from the moment I got up it has felt like I have been taking one step forward and two steps back. Not the sort of day’s I like, hopefully tomorrow will be a lot different.

Christmas dinner has been sorted and I am looking forward to cooking it, my favourite meal of the year. I’m cooking it for midday as the rest of the day is going to be spent watching TV, drinking wine and writing a very special blog post for Christmas Day.

Well I am going to leave it there for today.

"I feel drained by all this snow!"

Well until tomorrow take care and stay warm.

Si x

353 : 365

2010-12-20T19:49:00.000Z

Today was not an ordinary day by far; it was very interesting and a little be scary in places. I started my journey to the office this morning early as usual. It took 20 minutes to defrost the car as both the inside and outside was thick with ice. The car temperature display was showing -15 and my blue hands confirmed it.

Once I had the car clear I set off wondering what was going to unfold given the weekends weather. The roads were reasonably clear but the main roads were very interesting. Whilst clear for the main there were patches of very thick ice that caused the car to move from side to side and made any attempts to use the brakes fruitless. The journey to work was long and I must confess I have never seen so many abandoned vehicles and accidents.

I got to work but could not get in the car park as it was covered by 10 inches of snow and there were already 3 cars stuck. I parked the car by the side of the road and slowly made my way to my desk. The office was empty and those who were in were very surprised to see me as I have the furthest to travel. Given the weather, the difficulty getting there and forest for the rest of the day it was decided that I would go home straight away.

The journey home was equally eventful with more accidents and breakdowns. I had a very interesting moment when Archie went from the outside lane to the side of the road very quickly and without warning thanks to ice. Thankfully as I was only doing 40mph and the wall of snow put there by the snow plough I avoided the ditch and bounced harmlessly on my way.

Now thanks to the weather I am faced with spending this week working from home and if I am honest that is not something I am looking forward to. I spent too long in the flat when I was out of work. Still on the plus side I can get on and make some progress on a number of projects I am working on.

Well the day did end on the right note with dinner, Sausages, mash potatoes and baked beans and gravy. There is nothing better for warming the toes on your feet and fingers on your hands than baked beans and gravy.

Well I did pop out and take a photograph today, it is one I have taken before but I wanted to see what it looked like with the snow.

"St Bartholomew Church, Oare"

Well until tomorrow stay safe and warm and take care.

Si x

352 : 365

2010-12-19T19:57:00.000Z

Well kids returned back home after an amazing and very funny weekend and I will have the last word. Annie, Jessica and Theo “Shut up” sad with a very big smile on my face and with a slight accent.

Today was a bit of a lazy day as they could not agree on what to do so we sat and watched programs about our amazing Emergency services. My eldest wants to be a Police woman when she leaves school and I know for sure she would be so good at it.

Every time they come to visit they surprise me and make me laugh and smile. They are growing up fast so look out world they will be out there soon doing their thing.

The one thing that did make me feel a little sad was that the end my 365 project is looming and part of me is feeling very sad about this. It is surprising how much this blog has become part of my life this year. But hey the journey is not over yet there are still plenty more days to come and maybe a surprise or two.

Well I am going to leave you with another photograph from yesterday’s trip to the Nature Discovery centre as I did not take a photograph today. I spent a bit of time trying to get as much detail in all areas of the photograph.

"It's Ducking Cold sitting on this snow"

Well until tomorrow take care and say warm. O and don't get all stressed out about Christmas looming, just think about the Past, Present and future, just like the ghosts. Think about all the smiles you have since up until now and how many you have to look forward to in the future.

Si x

351 : 365

2010-12-18T20:30:00.000Z

Well we had the first proper snow today, around 6 or so inches in the space of the morning. Everywhere looked very pretty and very cold but it thankfully stopped around midday and as I write it is not snowing. Tomorrow will be interesting as it is going to freeze overnight so the roads will be fun tomorrow.

It has been an excellent day all in all topped off by a very nice trip to the Nature Discovery Centre and a very funny and enjoyable dinner. Given the weather it was nice to get out but unwise to go too far. The eldest had a friend around whilst me and the two youngest went out for an hour.

The lake was frozen over and covered in snow and all the birds were swimming around a small area that remained clear of ice. We spent some time taking photographs of the birds then took off for a walk around the lake.

Whilst there we bumped into an old gentleman who I had met previously whilst out taking photographs. It turns out he once worked as a photographer in Thatcham and was the one responsible for my first official baby photographs.

Well as you guessed it today’s photograph is from the Nature Discovery Centre. The black bird on the right was squaring up to the gull and 10 seconds after this photograph started a fight. They both flew off to different parts of the lake with neither getting the upper hand.

"What you looking at?"

Well until tomorrow take care and wrap up warm.

Si x

350 : 365

2010-12-17T21:22:00.000Z

Today felt like it was going to start well and getting the replacement camera for my daughter seemed like a good way to start. We went shopping to get things for the weekend as the kids are coming over. Well when I say coming over they arrived today so they are having an extra night here. They broke up from school today as well, lucky sods.

Again the town was very quiet, still cannot get a hang that fact given the time of the year. The chap in the camera shop said things were very quiet, not like Christmas as all.

So all we have got to do now is some food shopping and we are done, sorted, finished, dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s.

The only downside of today was that I took a photograph on the way home from the shops and came to upload it to my computer and zip, nothing, diddly, naff all on the memory card. I tested the camera and card and both working so I have no idea what happened there.

I even put my main Christmas decoration up, my HOHO sign. It is a bit of a tradition now, each year it sits pride and place on my monitor. My parachuting Santa has lost his parachute so he is now stood on my desk next to my mobile phone holder.

So today you are going to be treated to a photograph I took a couple of weeks ago, at bit of an abstract one.

"Row by row waiting for the knobbly knees"

Well until tomorrow take care and stay warm.

Si x

349 : 365

2010-12-16T20:05:00.000Z

Today I woke up with a very bad head, self-inflicted so deserved it. I think yesterday’s post was playing on my mind and I got a little bit. Not in a bad way it just got me thinking I guess. I would like to thank everyone for the kind and supportive words. It felt strange taking a photograph of myself but I think it workout well. It is a shame I could not spell the title correctly! But then it would not be Simon post without a mistake or two.

Well after seeing off the hangover it was time to finish the Christmas shopping and sort a few bits and bobs out. Surprisingly the town was very quiet as were the bus trips to and from town. It fun watching everyone scuttle about between shops with an ever increasing number of bags in hand.

At one point this afternoon the sky turned jet black in a single moment, it was almost as if the end of the world was upon us. It then rained like nobody’s business.

The festive period would not be complete without people dressing up and collecting for charity, selling something or just having a bit of fun. The chap below was out having fun despite the weather.

"What a big fairy - who's going to tell him?"

Well until tomorrow take care.

Si x

348 : 365

2010-12-15T20:21:00.000Z

What does being human mean, more specifically what does being yourself mean? Well I have learnt that you cannot be everything to everyone that does not work. You can be the most likable, agreeable and kind people in the world and you will still have your distractors. You can be the most shallow, selfish and spiteful person and have your supporters. Is that a problem well I don’t think so but does that mean you become cold and calculated to protect yourself from any harm or more open and brazen to make yourself feel good?

I have always found it difficult to find an emotional balance in life. For those of you who know me well you will understand what I mean. If I was not buried in my work those close to me were happy, if I was they were not. There have always been stark emotional contrasts in my life and it is time to banish them. I never seemed to be able to find or have the strength to be something to all those that mattered let alone everyone. I don’t think it is because I can’t, I have just not found the how to do it. Or have I let myself be influenced by those around me when it comes to my feelings for others. Again I don’t think so. No this has been down to me and me only.

Now if you are wondering where this leaves me or what the point of the above was, well it is rooted in me understanding something new about myself today. Today I experienced a feeling I have never knowingly felt before, venerability. Today I felt venerable, not to anything or anyone specific but to the whole world around me. I was sat in the car looking out at the countryside around me and it hit home. I have no idea where or why is appeared or made it presence felt but it did.

Now I had taken a number of photographs today that would have been ideal candidates for the photograph of the day but given the way I felt coming home none of them felt right. No I wanted a photograph to reflect how I felt, feel.

I am not going to apologise for today’s photograph, as I said I cannot please everyone and given it is not intended to offend anyone who finds it so clearly does not know me. I wanted to show using my photography how I feel and I think I have done that. We are all born venerable, helpless and unaware of things around us. We all used our basic instincts to get by, crying when we are hungry or uncomfortable. That is how I felt today but having the ability to control and reason too, I felt in the middle if you know what I mean. Caught between the basic instincts and the reasoning 40+ years of life have taught me.

Even my dad did not get it right and I count him amongst a handful of people who I aspire to be like. He did, however, get very close to getting it right, something I hope to do.

"Venerable"

Well until tomorrow take care.

Si x

347 : 365

2010-12-14T20:58:00.000Z

uuummm today was a very bitty day that did not start as planned. I was due to receive a parcel today and sure enough it turned up. Signed for I opened it and looked inside, then put it down looked at the paper work. Yes the paperwork said the correct item but staring at me from inside the box was something completely different. I had ordered a remote control but sitting in the box was a DAB digital radio. So a phone call to the supplier confirmed that all records showed that a remote control. Given it was ordered over the internet to sort it out would not be done before Christmas and would have to wait until the New Year. However, it transpired that a shop in a neighbouring town had a remote so it was agreed to exchange at the shop. A 30 minute journey each way and bingo remote swapped out. I wonder if someone got my remote instead of a Digital radio?

Well the Christmas decorations are up and furniture in the living room has been rearranged so we now have a dinning time we can use. The table has been decorated too. O and the tree is up, it was a tight fit but it is now looking pretty. So Christmas has finally come to the flat.

Now you are going to be expecting a Christmas photograph aren't you, well nope you are going to have to wait. Today I went through my photographic catalogue and decided to show you a macro photograph as it has been a while. I hope you like the little chap despite the spooky eyes.

"Pretty Lady Bug"

Well until tomorrow take care.

Si x

346 : 365

2010-12-13T21:27:00.000Z

Well if this is how my week is going to be I am going to stay in bloody bed. I woke up this morning to thick fog which lasted right up until to the last 5 minutes of my trip to work. Still the chocolate cake went down well with one and all. As I did not get home until gone 7pm this is going to be short tonight as I still have work to finish off before tomorrow. I think the fog made me foggy headed today!

Whilst on a little jolly a couple of days ago I stopped outside our local church. Like today I was feeling in a bit of an abstract mode so I took a couple of abstract style photographs. The one pictured below is my favourite.

"A window on abstract time"

Well until tomorrow take care.

Si x

345 : 365

2010-12-12T18:27:00.000Z

Today has been a bright and beautiful day with blue skies and little fluffy white clouds. Yep that and Star Trek, Norman Wisdom and coming up the x-factor final. I am going leave today’s post short and sweet as I need my beauty sleep for tomorrow which is going to be an early start for me. Not only that I need to give my keyboard a rest.

Now today’s photograph was taken yesterday whilst at the Nature Discovery Centre. I have posted it to a number of photography websites and so far it has received more comments than any other before it. I must confess I am rather proud of it and it sits in my top five of favourites.

"Perfect Reflection"

Well until tomorrow take care.

Si x

344 : 365

2010-12-11T20:02:00.000Z

Christmas shopping was the order of the day today and taking back my daughters broken camera for a second time. This time they are not going to repair it but replace it so a new one is on order. The shops were full people, all trying to find that present or trying to remember what it is little Jimmy wanted. I managed to get sort out a large part of my list but I have another trip to make that is for sure. You can tell things are not as rosy as previous years as there are already a lot of bargains and sales on, something that is unheard of at Christmas time.

The presents aside I brought my first Christmas related item, a Radio Times. Now for those of you not in the know the Radio Times is the TV and Radio listings covering the Christmas period. It is like Quality Street, Peanuts, Walnuts and lots of different cheese they all have to be brought at Christmas time.

Thinking about it this is the earliest I have ever brought Christmas presents, ever. Good job I am sat down otherwise I would have fallen over. I also did my good deed for Christmas in helping those not as fortunate as most. Whilst in the camera shop sorting out my daughters camera I was stood next to a chap who was replacing his film SLR. On the table was a Canon, Nikon and Sony and he had been clearly been pondering for a while. The camera shop is a little biased towards Canon and Nikon and they were pushing him in that direction. But sat on the counter was Sony’s new a55 which is one of the new generation of DSLR’s and is so packed with features. It has imagine stability built into the camera body which means any lens you put on can take advantage of it unlike the rest who do it in the lens.

I opened my camera bag to get the paperwork out for the broken camera and I think he got a peek at my Sony. He told the salesman he wanted the Sony and I could see the salesmen readying a pitch for the Nikon as he picked it up and started to hand it to the man. I turned to the chap and said excellent choice you won’t regret it. Well there was no going back now and the salesman put the Nikon back down. Result and then we got taking about memory cards, I think should have asked for commission.

Don’t get me wrong in reality Sony, Nikon and Canon all make cameras that are amazing and in anyone’s hands they can take amazing photographs. My god how to you think I get away with it, if it was not for all the features in the camera and software most of my pictures would look like they were taken by a muppet.

On the way home we stopped off at the Nature Reserve to see if the lake was still frozen. Well it has started to thaw but at least 80% was still ice. It was rather funny watching the birds trying to walk, take off and land on it. I through some seed on the ice and a number of birds flew over to get it, landed and then slid right past it and off down the lake. The smart ones walked over to it!

Whilst watching the birds I noticed that when they flew close to the ice their reflection was almost perfect compare with over the water surface. So I spent my time trying to get a bird in flight over the ice. As soon as put the camera to my eye they all landed and just stood there, bloody prima donors. I did manage to get one photograph as they flew off just as I turned my back to go!

"He is going let go"

Well until tomorrow take care.

Si x

343 : 365

2010-12-10T19:38:00.000Z

I bet you day did not start the same way mine did. I woke up to a strange feeling in my head and 10 seconds later my nose started to leak. Lots of blood stains tissue later it finally stopped, I think I had run out of blood at that point. I cannot remember the last time I had a nose bleed, not the norm for me that’s for sure. What makes it a pain is that it delayed my first cup of tea of the day and that is a big no no; the day needs to be started with tea.

However, today’s post is largely about a film I saw last night called Shutter. I was channel hopping as you when I came across the film. The plot goes something like this:

After celebrating at a drinking party with his close friends, Tun the photographer, and his girlfriend get into a car accident hitting a young woman. Scared and bewildered they drive away leaving the poor girl lying in the road.

The photographer begins to discover mysterious white shadows and what appear to be faces in his photographs. This girl starts to investigate the faces suspecting that it is the woman they ran over. It turns out the girl they ran over was the photographers ex-girlfriend who was assaulted by two the photographers friends at a party which the photographer was forced to photograph. The young lady committed suicide as a result and it was the they ran over.

The ghost started to appear in the photographer’s photographs and it started to haunt the photographer’s friend who assaulted it. The two friends each died as a result of the hauntings only finding out who the ghost was at the last moment.

The photographer’s current girlfriend started to investigate and she soon confirmed that it was the photographer’s ex-girlfriend but she did not know about the party yet. In the meantime the photographer was haunted more frequently and each one became more brutal.

In the end the ghost lead the current girlfriend to the camera used to take the pictures at the party and she learnt of the events at the party. The photographer broke down and had to be admitted to a mental institute. The parting scene was a nurse giving him his medicine and the door of his room closing as she left. In the reflection of the door window was the ghost comforting the photographer.

I don’t get scared very easily but this film gave me the frights.

Today’s photograph was inspired by the film I hope you like it. Mind you seeing more than one face of the chap pictured in a single photograph is enough to scare anyone.

"Me and Mini Me's"

Until tomorrow take care and sweet dreams.

Si x