ReadWrite

Thought I'd catch myself up

2012-01-08T22:36:00.003Z

It's long since been new year's day and all that, but f*ck me, but 2011 was a busy one. I did all sorts. Some of it was in previous posts (gloating), like the award for 39 Steps and the sheer joy of doing the play itself. Also did some, if not a great deal, of photography. Miss Liz (my wife) and I have coined a new term, awesome fatigue. As in we look at some of the photos we create, and go 'well, it's all right. I suppose.' I totally have to give here the 'we' these days'. Which is to say she has a more or less equal hand in creating the photo, not that I provide her with liquid excreta.

I will take a big old chunk of the credit for most of the execution, but in terms of quality ideas, sly motivational techniques and wings she's right up there. That, amongst a great many other endearing and impressive qualities, got her to the front row. I mean, check it:

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OU is going well. Apart from having been sick on day of my Child Development exam and now having to resit the fecker. Bah. Incoming seriously heavy year of study. Cognitive Psychology amongst other things. I look forward to it and actually is part of the reason for the blog post. Bit of a brain dump and starting afresh with the power routine. Went very well last year, up until September which was a total crash and burn but that was due to waaaay too much on the plate and downing from doing the play in August. I have learned from that experience. I'm not sure what, exactly, but I definitely learned. *sigh* Probably to not do a play in August, but I really really want to. We'll have to see how things go. If I also want a First (which I do - with a fiery passion) then I need to get a distinction in Cog Psych. But I'll have done several TMAs (tutor marked assignments) by the time I'd be auditioning for anyting Fringe-ified so I should have a decent idea of how I'm going. Level 3 module is Cog Psych so a bit of a cut above what I've been doing so far.

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Work. Yeah. Um...let's move right along, shall we?

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Still a complete lack of husband. Honestly. Where are all the eligible, handsome, witty, intelligent well-dressed (GAY!) men? Eh? Is it so much to ask?

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So this year is:

Three OU modules (and a resit).
The usual Men's Health 10K in October.
Half marathon (you heard me) in May.
A play (maybeprobablyhopesomightnot)

And that'll probably do, to be honest. One thing I definitely will be (WILL. BE.) doing this year is not too much. Only so many hours in the day and fuel in the tank, eh?

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Semper superne nitens (bitches),

C :)

Commitment

2011-09-11T00:11:00.001Z

Given that it's 1am and I'm not less than a given value of drunk, I'm not going to wax philosphical on commitment. I totally could, you understand, I'm just not going to.

I do hereby commit to hit the 2016 Burning Man with Jenni (word to ya, the small sister!). I can totally be that guy who hits forty and says, "Oh yeah, I really took a new direction this year; I went to Burning Man and I really feel that I found myself in that environment."

You know. A wanker. :)

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Semper superne nitens,

C

I still think she's here

2011-09-08T20:49:00.003Z

Le chat, that is. Miss Patsy. Coming home I thought "I'll go and squirrel in bed with laptop," leading to concomitant and largely visual thoughts of "but the cat..." Only she's not here, you see. She's dead. Some time ago, now. Some months, anyway, which is what allows me to use the bleak term. At the time I took refuge in 'gone to the vet' or 'she's away.' Miss her dreadfully but it's what you sign up for. They don't last.

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Not so very cheerful start, eh? And it has, in fact, been an 80% cheerful year, I'd say. Downsides of incosiderate doctors (not medically and, actually, with some truly wicked smile moments) and some work troubles too tiresome to go in to.

On the upside - and I write this post as I enjoy reading back and thinking 'actually, yeah, that was good' - it's been a joyous year for creativity. Although I haven't done a lot of the 'tography, what I have done has been very much transferring what's in my head into an image. Deeply satisfying. I don't draw often, so I'm not very good at it and have been continually frustrated by this. Being able to make the picture in my head real is satisfying all the way down to my bones. In general, feel free to check them out.

www.flickr.com/photos/readwrite

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Acting. Out-frickin'-standing.

I'm stuck as to how to say it so I'm going to go with childish glee. We only went and won a bloody award!

I performed in the 39 Steps with Arkle. I don't think (hope) that anyone in the process would jump up and down and swear at me for saying the process itself had its ups and downs, but the actual week of performance was a fucking joy. I truly have not had a more fulfilling experience in theatre and I am thankful for it.

Oh, and yeah. Won an Evening News Drama Award for Best Production. *polishes fingernails*

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And I would wax greater philosophical, but maybe another time. In another year. :)

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Semper superne nitens,

C

Never enough time

2010-08-24T17:25:00.002Z

Certainly not for everything I wish to do. I occasionally think about my sixth year at school's botched attempted at a yearbook. Doomed for failure from the start what with there being a maximum of twenty of us in sixth year. One of the things we did manage was for each of us to write a couple of paragraphs on ourselves; aspirations and such. I had a great many. The fella who was editing the yearbook took great exception to this, I couldn't possibly do all of these things. Looking back, I've actually done quite a lot of them or at least am making reasonable headway toward.

That said, there's never going to be enough time. But choice, focus; these are good things.

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Just finished being Puck.

Was awesomes. Definitely a big tick on my 'things to do while alive'.

In a tiny bit of a slump following, however. Unsurprisingly. Plays - or other significant events - are like that. Pile energy and energy and energy into them and then, all of a sudden, they're done. And the energy seems to go with them.

I wisely took a few more days off than needed, though. Plus, Jane and Clare - lovely London friends - came up to see the play and to do Festival things so we went out and had a passing lovely time on Sunday. Went to see Smoke and Mirrors at the Spiegeltent, amongst other things. Which links back to never enough time. I'm totally running away to join the circus.

Or maybe just join aerial classes with Miss Kim. That would be a cool answer for 'what you doing tonight' on Tuesdays? 'Trapeze, actually.' :D

Speaking of people coming to see, I was very fortunate / flattered that a great many came to see the show; 38 in all, with (sorry the rest) Jane, Clare and Barbara winning the 'most effort' prize for distance travelled. Hope it was worth even the smaller effort for the most local. Which, everyone, flatteringly, said it was. But these are my friends so they may have been lying...

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And on to what's next. As discussed with some few, I'm totally doing at least A N Other play next year. The intention was to not do any more theatre for a while, and concentrate on OU studies. But plays are just too much fun, I have decided so I'll have to find the time somewhere.

Next three OU modules should all be grand; Exploring Psychology, Biological Psychology and Developmental Psychology. I've done the latter two before and, while I was a bit daunted by the bio-stuff, I've started doing a bit of reading and am finding it far more fascinating than I did previously. I think possibly I have more confidence in my learning abilities than once I did. And if it all starts to get too terribly much, I have both Ellie - psych lecturer pal - and not commiting to any plays until Spring of next year anyway so I'll have a definite feel for how well / much I'm doing by then.

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In the meantime, I've signed up for (very manly!) 10K. Men's Health Survival of the Fittest. Ten weeks from Saturday behind us there. Am feeling reasonably fit at the moment so looking forward to it, with a bit more training.

FriendRich has also signed up, which is excellent. A pal to train with is hugely motivational.

Also need to get back into photography, which has lagged for the last month or so and my Flickr contacts have been doing jaw-dropping things of late. Much inspiration. Check out TCB and Lapp Pro De, as for instances.

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Today has been my first day of Nothing in quite some time. Haven't even showered yet - lazy bugger! Watched a movie, read a book, slept incredibly late. All quite delightful. Tomorrow; back on the merry merry merry-go-round.

And my wee to do list for the next year or so...let's say by 35th birthday. (Yikes - middle age!!!)

10K (and maybe a half marathon)
Finish the Gnome fishing story
Organise an exhibition of my light painting photos
Three OU modules
A play of some sort
Driving Licence - I'd forgotten that one. Start lessons on the 6th of September.

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Semper superne nitens - because otherwise life is Too Boring,

C

Utter procrastination

2010-05-29T16:00:00.003Z

Woot! To quote a certain film: "I got the part! I'm going to play Puck! I'm going to play Puck!"

Many things will lead from this. First one is complete and utter glee. It's right up there on my list of 'things to do while alive' (I don't do 'before I'm dead' - so dreary a way to look at it. So a Big Tick in the life column. Also - getting fit. Has been a goal for quite some time now, mostly in my head, but I'm told the costume is being designed to a factor of skimpy, so the love handles need sorting. Towards this, I'm started *shudder* focussed exercise. There's some good sites - onehundredpushups.com (etc - sit-ups, squats, chin-ups). You do as many as you can then it gives you a programme to build from there.

The utter procrastination comes from the fact that I've just completed todays push-ups and squats and I am a bit bushed for now doing the hoovering. So blogging. Blogging becomes important.

I'm also planning to dye my hair green. :D But not for a while.

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I have once again been playing with fire.

Definitely go team on that lot, though. Came a Liz, and a Kim, and a Rich, and an Ivan, and a Sonja, and a Helen. All of whom are simply the best minions money couldn't buy.

Did I say minions? *insert preferred term here*

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The OU is going to well. Not a great deal to talk about. I'm reading chapters, and sitting quizes and getting through them grand. Even if it is only multiple choice...

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Semper superne nitens,

C

Hatred and Psychic Abilities

2010-05-15T14:49:00.002Z

It's amazing what you value in your friends.

I have been playing with fire. It's *awesome*. Take the next opportunity to do something your mother told you not to. Seriously. Make this a goal for the week.

SteveO hates me. This makes me cheerful as he and I collectively hate these people. I mean, seriously; how good to you have to be? It's offensive.

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Liz is psychic. Or we are psychic together. One of the two. We half decided not to bother talking in the future as it seemed somewhat redundant, but any opportunity for affirmation is a good opportunity.

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It has been busy since my last post. There has been a play; A Madman Sings to the Mood by Mark Thompson. I played the part of Frank, a 'PR Man' and total and utter prick. Serious fun. And seriously unmitigated character. It's always way better playing the baddies.

Mr Thompson is the artistic director of the Lyceum Theatre Company in Edinburgh and he was kind enough to come see us. Also hung out a bit after the play and bought us some champagne. He professed to be pleased with the performance which was flattering and pleasing. Also pleasing was the positive reaction from m'pals and colleagues who were all supportive enough to come along. Always a bit nervous about asking people to come along, as it might suck / they might hate it and they've given up not only their time but their hard-earned to be there. Everyone very positive, though, and I have several friends - even the untelepathic ones - who have *no* problems with honesty. i.e. if it had sucked, they'd have said so.

Overwhelmingly positive experience, rehearsal and performance. Co-actors were very professional in their outlook and ability, as was director and the company, Arkle, is very well managed. Have auditioned for A Midsummer Night's Dream, as Puck, for the Festival, but not finding out about that for a couple of weeks.

Have always always always wanted to play the part, but have two mitigating circumstances. One - I already have a holiday booked for the week of the performance. Oops. But have spoken to the friends (hi guys!) I am ostensibly going with and they are understanding the dream-partness of it all.

Secondly - have started my OU degree. Only one module to kick off with, but it's a serious investment of time. That + a play = who *really* needs sleep?

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Semper superne nitens!

C :)

You have to check the links...

2010-03-17T22:44:00.004Z

...otherwise you won't follow the entire point.

What I like about light painting. You have to be taking part. You have to *do* something in order to achieve the shot. Consider this. Amazing photograph. Techniquely, it's unsurpassable (if you take a certain definition of 'perfect' as a given). But...once you've reached that level of knowledge, it's a bit too...easy.

Sorry. Really. I recognise that it takes a lot of work to get to be that good, to have the level of knowledge that allows you to execute something like that. Not only is the single red rose a great choice for total bokeh, but the composition between it and the background is flawless. Add to that the sizeable circles of sunlight you're getting from the raindrops on the background roses and it really is a perfect picture.

But what you have there is a finished product in terms of the human. Someone who knows what the lens is going to do at a certain aperture at a certain shutter speed. It's not rocket science.

Hard work to get to that level of knowledge, no question; dependent on how fast a learner you are. Once you're there, though; it's just another picture.

Plateaus suck. But they make you look up at the next summit, even if it's just to interest the eye.

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And, also, you know; light painting is *COOL*!

And doesn't Kate look like a proper angel? She knows something we don't...

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I've registered with the Open University. To do *another* psychology degree. This is necessary for the overall plan.

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Futue te et ipsum caballum,

C :)

I'm getting my wish

2009-10-05T20:14:00.002Z

Or at least, my formulation.

I was reading over past posts and found one bitching about those people who consistently blog about how wonderful all their wonderful is.

Life is not wonderful just now. That said, it's not shit either. I still have my well-paid job, my nice flat, my affectionate and respectful friends. The cat's still a demanding little fecker, but she is also very cute.

Family remain family. Only more so. Take from that what you should.

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I've been playing with light...

Me and SteveO both:

Cool, neh?

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It's very nearly the Wedding of the Year. Gregor and Caroline, dear friends, tying the knot. They've asked me both to usher (no, not the twat with the sticking plaster) and to do a reading. I wrote the reading, and have already made Caroline cry so I figure job done. :)

And I have a nephew since last I wrote. I think. Definitely got a nephew (in the best-pal of mum, so therefore counts as uncle sense), just not sure if it's since last I wrote.

He is the very cute and I made him smile no less than four times on Saturday. He's a delight. And he's past the 'not crying is a victory' stage, which is nice. So big, though. Already. Soon I'll be pointing his parents in the other direction so I can get him to the bog to throw up what he's drunk without their noticing.

I look forward to it. Well. Maybe not the puke. But the rest of it for sure.

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Semper superne nitens,

C

Lookit me!

2009-07-19T12:10:00.003Z

All alive and sh*t.

Howdy. How y'all been?

Life progresses. The high points - bucking for promotion at work; lovely friends remain lovely; primary passion remain the 'tography. I done a portfolio; still no fella, but I'm accepting applications *grins*; family remains family.

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Stumbling is pretty damn cool, have to say. (each and every one its own wee link. check 'dem.)

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Nearly headed out to take some photos. The weather reports keeps saying 'vile for the weekend' and lo - there is decent weather. I figure some randon fluctuation of the space-time continuum is trying to tell me something. And, as noted above, I don't need much prodding to go take photos. Finding it very relaxing.

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Radio2 also playing large part at the moment. In re-jigging the flat, I moved the telly too far away from the cable. Obvious solution was going to get a longer cable, but I delayed and delayed and realised anything I actually want to watch is on one of the catch-ups. It's not like I'm creating new worlds or a radical solution to the energy crisis in the time this has freed up. Reading and the radio seems ever so slightly better than endless episodes of Two and a Half Men, though.

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...yikes. Looks like I spoke too soon. Great deal of cloud coming in.

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semper superne nitens,

C

Courtesy

2008-12-18T20:11:00.002Z

I am very much for courtesy. But I may take it too far. There's an awards show on the TV and some poor, but shockingly brave, soul was being honoured with an overcoming adversity award. And I felt that, really, the done thing there should be to merely announce the winners in a newspaper. The Times, possibly. Not intrude on the ceremony with cameras and such. I think that's discourteous.

But, there again, I am proper mental.

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Everyone's a hero in their own way, in their own not that heroic way. - Joss Whedon, Zack Whedon, Maurissa Tancharoen, and Jed Whedon

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That is where I stayed, with people, in October. Was pleasant. If you look closely, you can see Patrick in the window.

A whole big set of trundling around and up and down a mountain.

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This one...

...although small here is Frickin' Big. Many shots, all stitched together. I reckon it's one for on the wall.

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Semper superne nitens,

C

Fade

2008-11-11T20:34:00.001Z

Fade
Originally uploaded by Erin_T

This is just exquisite. Not mine. Click on through.

To the tune of 'dedication' - much popularised by the late, great Roy Castle

2008-11-11T20:27:00.004Z

"Procrastination, procrastination, procrastinatiiiiion - that's what you need..."

There's something I should be doing, so naturally I all of a sudden find time to blog. Not necessarily a bad thing. I tend to think in the background. I believe that's where the whole lady-in-the-ducts thing comes from. At times, I can in fact think of several things at once. Usually when I'm at a frantic peak, usually at work; juggling clients or customers; advice or beer; it's kind of all the same thing.

I know that the ideal length of time letting my thoughts wander in order to come up with a plan is the walk between Steve's flat in Tollcross to Mary Queen of Scots' Bathhouse. (Very nearly got the apostrophe wrong there.)

Hopefully, by the end of my babble my brain will have delivered on the task at hand.

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Pops. :)

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Semper superne nitens,

C

It translates in my head as a distant weeping

2008-11-06T21:50:00.002Z

The email I get that informs me that some few are still faithfully checking in, expecting me to say something. This both surprises and gratifies me.

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Life is...good. And I fuckin' hate that. Folk on their blogs that are all 'I'm wonderful, my wonderful wonderful is wonderful and wonderful is wonderful too.'

Well. Wouldn't say wonderful, necessary. As a strict interpretation of the word. I could do with one or two other adendums to la vida. But I'm not complaining.

Work - cushty. Destroys my ambition, though. Home. Sit. Aaaaah. I am keeping up with those people I can see in the Big Room. Most of them, anyhow. But many people are making reference to how busy I am. I worry that I'm saying something too often when I hear it echoed back.

Speaking of which, 'awesome' has got to go. Boring myself. 'Wicked' seems to be taking up the slack, though. It's just so very Grange Hill, however.

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I've taken shedloads of photos, but very few are making their way to Flickr. Haven't even dragged my lazy ass through to the desktop to process all those landscapes (to which the trusty laptop screamed and fell over).

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Christmas is coming. Hurrah for that, I say. Instead of bitching and groaning at all the pretty lights - and decorations which are in the shops an admitted far too frickin' early - I'm going to look forward to time spent pleasantly in fine company.

And shitloads of chocolate.

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Nice talkin' wit y'all, but I feel I may be babbling.

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Semper superne nitens,

C

Forward start

2008-08-31T13:51:00.003Z

I don't mind looking back on things and realising that 'Gods, I was awful.' I don't like watching videos of plays I've been in. It never works, anyway, because it's theatre, not film, and you kind of have to be there. But also - and I've trying to get to the end of this sentence without sounding an arrogant pr*ck - I did think I was better than that. (No. Didn't manage it.)

"You've changed, man. You've changed. You're different."

"Well, I would bloody well hope so. Time has passed."

That's my point, you see. Change and growth. Always striving upwards as it says at the bottom. So definitely hurrah if I see improvement, but sometimes despondent that I seem to have improved so far. Hence - 'Gods, I was awful.'

I'm designing an event, which I've been doing for about ten years now, and looking at previous years' materials for inspiration. They weren't awful. I specifically remember them not being awful, everyone always has a good time and I've had a no quibble increase in my fee every second year for the ten. So I must be doing something right. But Gods, they're awful. There's gaping holes in the scoring structure (it's a scavenger hunt type deal) for a kick off.

On the flip side, though, I am now able to spot the gaping holes in the scoring structure (easily enough that I wonder how on earth I missed them before). And that's very me. Crippled with shame and smug all at the same time.

Not a bad line to walk, I suppose.

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Did I say smug? I meant uber-smug, I think. UBER! In my new toy. Got me a Canon EOS 450D. I mean, I had to. Shooting Justin and Karen's wedding in a couple of weeks and the beast (my heavy as shit but well loved Samsung Pro 815) was just not going to deal with the light levels. So I absolutely had to buy this camera.

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Which, please the Gods of Heavy Drizzle, I am taking up Blackford Hill tonight, to shoot the fireworks. It's fairly distant, but we (SteveO and I - surprise) are heading up just before sunset to catch focus and the like.

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The book thing moves on. Not hugely, but I've got a kind of a mind map thing on the blackboard (next to a darts game of Malcolm and Ali's - no respect) of plot. Half a plot. OK, a quarter of a plot and I've still no idea how the Avatar fella meets up with the lady who lives on the edges and the trend setter, but I'm getting there.

It's actually quite a good visual reference. Whenever I'm lying on the couch in forced servitude to Patsy the Cat, who must sit on a lap, my eyes wander over the different colours of chalk, and it's giving me ideas.

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Like mutual and discrete, for instance. Which is best?

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#shout out to Ali, whose photos I have still not forgotten - swear#

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Semper superne nitens,

C

Wuss

2008-08-10T17:33:00.002Z

I was out walking around town, with Steve, en-camera'd. And I saw the most amazing woman. She was in a box.

A little lady, or person, as I believe the preferred nomenclature runs. Can't have been more than a foot and a half tall and she was sitting in a box being held by a man. She was grinning like crazy and clearly having the time of her life.

Did I stop, and engage them in conversation, shoot what would have been some incredible portraits? No. I kept walking.

Wuss.

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Semper suterne nitens (even if that means a public admission of being a pansy-ass so the next time...),

C

OK, so considering I've just done the accounts...

2008-08-03T13:22:00.003Z

...and it's not looking awesome (when is it ever), I'm feeling surprisingly chipper. I really, really, really want to get myself going on the photography and writing; this is what I want my career to be. I love m'job and all that, but creative has always been my goal in life. Ever since small. Not been terribly organised with it - even though I make a great many protestations about it. So, what better spur than finance?

There are competitions to enter. And publishers to submit to. Go to, Reynolds. Go to.

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You should click through. Works much better in the large size. Apologies to anyone I just grossed out.

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And, to catch up:

Work's decent. Damn hard, but I'm still happy day to day. Long may it continue.

Malcolm's still about, but that's still grand. He fixed the plumbing. Well. Fixed it 'ish'. The original problems are gone, but now there's a new one. There is a plan in place, though, so it's all good one way or the other. Given that the other option was an actual plumber - I don't think I have the strength for anymore DIY with my Dad - bonus, I say.

Very little friend guilt at the moment. I am doing better there. Not seen small Jen in a while (word to ya, small sister), but she's been on holiday. The immediate family are...their usual selves. Quite a lot of guilt about not having visited my Gran more recently.

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M'flat remains grand. Absolute nonsense of an electricity bill. Truly horrific (kind of prompted the finance thang) and the worrying thing is, their numbers don't seem to be very out. What I don't get is how the estimates were so wildly out on previous bills when I've had four different meter readings since I moved in.

Ne'er mind. At least I can pay it. We're talking serious 'OUCH!' but one of the multitude of good things about my job is that it gives me daily perspective. I am absolutely certain that I have it not just good, but great.

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OK. I'm now off to put all this good cheer to good use and target my first five photo competitions.

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Semper superne nitens,

C

Id Boy

2008-06-16T20:47:00.002Z

Id Boy lives on a high hill,
in the deep wood; gorging himself on dreams.

He demands and shrieks,
laughs and weeps,
wanting the live-long day.

His house is vast
and empty;
sprawling, dark and grey.

He sleeps often,
and deeply.
Pleasures himself weakly.

Id Boy lives in his skin,
on his nerves; full of beans
and dreams.

Achieved my goals, by the way

2008-06-09T19:47:00.002Z

Yon action plan tasks. Tick, tick, tick. I'm actually ahead of the game as bed has been sold and uplifted. Bonus.

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The windows are open. That's definitely summer time. When you can have all of your windows wide open to the breeze.

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I was in China - look, there is photographic evidence. Of the 1200+ photos I took in China, about six have me in them. I kept having to explain to people that I know what I look like.

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So - action plan tasks.

I dunno. I know damn well and fine that if I state I must do something creative, I damn well shan't. I should plan. Think or something. OK.

Action Plan Task: Chris will decide, by Sunday, which night of the week he will use to pursue writing. He has lots of things he can twiddle away at - nine stories by last count (thank you, Sulya), research for a couple of things that are kicking about, and other such stuff.

So it would be no chore to say "I'll be at my desk for two hours. And that's desk, not internet. On a..."

And that's a reasonable deferment. Think about which night it's going to be for a week. I'd give a client a look for that sort of lameness, but I'd let them away with it.

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Shout out to y'all I haven't been speaking with as often as I would like.

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Semper superne nitens,

C

Action Plan

2008-06-04T17:31:00.002Z

This is what I do all day, in large part.

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Where are you now?

Chris is happily engaged with his job at WorkDirections UK. Chris works as an employment advisor supporting people in incapacity benefits. He is satisfied with his salary and working conditions.

Chris lives by himself, currently with a house guest, in a one-bedroom flat which he owns. His flat is pleasant, and set up to his liking. There is some work Chris would like to do, but this is not a priority. The flat is an admitted tip at the moment, as far as bits of bed, too much cabling and piles of clothes lying around are concerned. Plus, his modelling materials are in various boxes in various places; there iss no surface upon which to make lizards, small people and other sundries of plasticine.

Chris' immediate plans are to continue with his current employment, but he would like to find energy for creative projects. Specifically, he would like to prioritise photography and bring creative writing back as an activity, which he has lately been neglecting. This is understandable, as Chris' new job is far more demanding in terms of energy than any other he has had. Chris enjoys whining about this.

Chris has been achieving well as a hobbyist in photography, with a recent trip to Shanghai a great learning experience and highlight. Chris has very nearly processed all 1200+ the photos he took.

What do you want to do?

As noted, Chris' priority is creative projects in photography and writing.

Constraints and Solutions

The demands on Chris by his job, and adjusting to them, are his main constraint to achieving time for creative projects. He is often tired on returning home from work and the 5.30 finishing time puts each evening slightly more behind time than he is used to. He also needs to get to his bed by 11.30 or he's wrecked the next day. He is not used to this at all.

He is inspired by photography at the moment; and supported by his friend, SteveO, who is also an enthusiastic photographer. SteveO has applied to an HND in Photography and, should he be awarded a place, his continued interest will hopefully push Chris forward, too.

Chris would like to generate income from his creative projects, with a view to moving towards this full time. He feels that finding time for photography, writing, and his other prioritiy, keeping up with friends and family, is highly demanding. In order to create appropriate time for all three, he will be making better use of the calendar on his phone, as he has achieved success in this way in the past. He will also be scheduling social activity in advance more, which has also worked for him in the past.

Action Plan Tasks

Chris will move the bed parts and mattress onto the mezzanine level.
Chris will put the bed up for sale.
Chris will arrange a desk space in the space bed parts and mattress are currently occupying.

For: Sunday

Date for Review: Sunday

...

And...for reading all that, some pretty pictures:

...

Semper suterne nitens,

C

Well.

2008-05-27T19:29:00.003Z

Godsdamnitall to heck. I had just paragraphs of insightful chatty prose and accidentally pushed the bliddy back button.

So..there was something about being responsible. Yeah. All that shit. And busy. Because I always am. Night off tonight - hurrah! Plans what were blessedly rain-checked from the other side so I don't even have guilt. I'm contemplating some Final Fantasy in a bit.

Not unpleasant plans, by the way. Just...nice to have a night off.

...

The Jinmao Tower. On the 84th floor of which I had cocktails with Claudia. That was fun. Sunset over Shanghai.

...

Malcolm is happily in situ, house-guesting for a bit. Happily for me, too. He is as unobtrusive as a 6'2" man can be in a small space. Plus, how awesome is having food cooked for you in your own home?

...

Semper suterne nitens,

C

Earthquake

2008-05-15T03:16:00.003Z

Having had a couple of phone calls and a few emails saying, "I'm pretty sure you're nowhere near it, but..." I thought I'd better reassure.

The earthquake, though horrific, was nowhere near me. If you were above the 20th floor in Shanghai, you would have felt it; one of Claudia's friends who lives on the 42nd floor was terrified - her flat swayed from side to side and everything fell over. I was on street level at the time - wondering why so many people were pouring out of skyscrapers. Luckily, I was with Meina at the time (Claudia's pal / my new pal) so she could translate the radio broadcasts for me.

...

Shanghai is just fab, I've decided. Definitely a great city to be a moderately-well-off Westerner in. At first I was really intimidated by it all, but I've gotten used enough to the stares to smile at most of them, and everybody smiles back. Just curious about the funny looking white boy.

Of course, it's a smile-and-firmly-shaken-head on the street my hotel is on. "Bags? Watch? DVD?" And, of course, after sundown, "Massage? Pretty lady?"

...

Had a test-pack last night and at first I was worried, but got some room still. I don't - quite - want to stop shopping, though, so I'm just off to check my baggage allowance.

***update*** SIXTY frickin' quid! Maybe I don't need that hoodie after all...

...

Semper superne nitens,

C

Ni hao!

2008-05-09T08:39:00.002Z

That's 'hello'! (I know at least five words in Mandarin now. *laugh*)

Hanging out at Claudia's school for a couple hours, so on t'internets. Lindsey wanted to observe a class as she's thinking of doing the whole English-teaching thing, only in Moscow. Which is handy as that's somewhere else I've always wanted to go.

Lindsey leaves tomorrow, which is poo. :( I've had a really great time hanging out with her over here. We think a lot alike, which is nice. Makes for easy conversation. Plus, she can quote almost as much of 'The Emperor's New Groove' as I can. Weather's been a bit rain-like the last couple days, but that has concomittantly emptied the streets of the vast crowds that normally range through the place. Lindsey, Mei Na (Claudia's colleague) and I had a really lovely day in Tai Kang Road, which is a really boho sort of place. Some guy bought a big warehouse and converted it into low-rent studios and such for artists. It's now a collection of alleyways filled with lovely little designer shops and galleries. Some great photography and some incredible ceramics. I managed to keep my hand out of my pocket, with the intention of going back. You know you definitely want it if you have to go back and get it.

Renmin Park and MOCA (contemporary art gallery) today. Only in the art gallery for about twenty minutes as we had to get to Claudia's school for Lindsey to observe, so I'm going back. Incredible work, really amazing. If you / I'm lucky, the attendants will be just as inattendant and I might be able to snap a couple of them. God bless the top-side viewfinder. :)

Going out to some reasonably posh gaff this evening. Collection of boutique bars and such. Got seven days left (fly back next Sunday) and I'm starting to wonder if I'm got time to fit everything in. At least one veryvery early start as some of the photography I saw yesterday was of people doing tai chi and such on the riverside, contrasting with incredible effect with the hugeous buildings in Pu Dong, the financial district. Only problem is they do that at 5am. Yeesh. At least I'm only ten minutes walk from the place.

Heading for at least one day trip next week - Hangzhou (the 'zh' is pronounced 'j'). Described as 'the Garden of China' and it's only an hour and a half away on the fast train. Photosphotosphotos.

...

Semper superne nitens,

C

A superhero who's lost his powers

2008-05-08T03:03:00.002Z

Well, hell, if there's one thing I can do it's communicate. Only not in Shanghainese. Hard to charm people with broad smile, hand gestures and 'yes/no' 'please/thank you'.

Shanghai ver' cool. Can't be on here long as I have a seriously fatigued battery and I want to sneak in a couple of flickr uploads.

Been to Yu Gardens - very lovely (and incredibly relaxing after the busybusyBUSYBUSY of central / anywhere Shanghai) 400 year old gardens laid out by some Emperor or other (what? there is wikipedia if you're that interested - how lazy we become!).

Day trip to Nanjing (pop. 6.5 million) yesterday. Site of a massacre in 1937. Japanese troops killed 300,000 Chinese people who were mostly civilian and in large part children, female or elderly (it being OK to kill able-bodied men). The museum was very well done, if a bit heavy on the 'we must use this example to become a glorious nation'. But hey - what's wrong with a bit o ambition on any scale - personal, or national? (Cat amongst pigeons for comments, that one, I'm sure). Museum was also huge. Took us about two hours plus to get round it, by which time I was about ready to throw a screaming paddy if I saw one more greygreygrey room of death. Funny how little one can know about the world, though, eh?

...

Shanghai itself is...stinky. I know that's a terribly trite summation, but it is a bit. Good smells as well as bad, but a combination of not-always-brilliant sewers and the heat (up in the 30s yesterday) make for a nasal assault every 100 yards or so.

Ver' cool, though. Incredibly busy and a bit daunting (all right, shit-scary) at first, but I'm getting my head round it. I don't like being as conspicuous as I am, but some very off-the-cuff helpful people have got me into a decent headspace. I'm staying right on the touristy-shopping mecca, which actually sucks a bit. Can't set foot out of the hotel without 'bags - dvd - gucciprada' every five steps. After five pm you also get 'massage? pretty girl?' because obviously being white, male and by myself, I must be after a hoor. ;)

...

Trotting off now as I've only got 19% battery left, but I'll drop more words. Couple of pics (not the best ones as I haven't processed any RAW yet) up on Flickr.

...

Semper superne nitens,

C

Just quickly

2008-05-01T22:11:00.001Z

Because I'm off, I am. To the other side of the frickin' world. Crazynonsense.

Excitement.

...

Spot the ned.

...

Hi to the everyone who needs a hi. :)

...

Semper superne nitens,

C

Let's get a bit more aspirational, shall we?

2008-03-31T18:30:00.002Z

A few things:

...

Been resting on my laurels a bit recently. Unacceptable. It's all very well to have the marvellous job and the pleasant flat, but really - that doesn't allow for sitting on yer arse not even managing to keep up with your emails (that one's for you, Sue ;-b).

SteveO's doing well by me at the moment. Getting said arse off the couch and out to take photos.

Liz and Patrick have also been useful in the same vein:

...

Writing - in an action planning, just like at work kind of way:

I'm most enthused about yon sci-fi effort that some few of you have seen. The woman in the ducts. (And there's an interesting little non-sequiteur for those of you who haven't read it.) I've got a half a chapter more. And a page or two of another chapter, both of different characters. Who may in fact be different incarnations of each other.

Oh, and there's that other effort I came up with the other night. About those two fellas.

...

I have a printer. Courtesy of Hamish. It's shiny and good. I may just take this whole 'not resting on one's laurels' thing and print out some comics to put up in the bog.

...

Semper superne nitens,

C

Self Indulgence

2008-03-18T20:17:00.002Z

Small creature.
Tiny bundle of chaos that purrs.
A treadling, nuzzling lapful of fur.
With claws.

A velvet, meowing face.
Idiocy. On a grand scale.
A demanding presence.
Smells.

And fluids.
Unfortunately.

A constant, uncaring companion.
Who will tolerate love.
And belly nuzzles.

A curious burrowing.
A suddenly proud stance.
A quiet, hunting beauty.
A walking grace.

The cat.

...

...

Semper superne nitens,

C

Check it out

2008-02-23T12:49:00.003Z

I'm still alive!

...

One day this knowledge will be precious.

...

I've been doin' some HDR:

SteveO is no officially a 'tog, I think. Can't keep his hands off the camera for more than five minutes. Which is handy, as he drives, and likes to have a pal along on night shoots. Which means I've been getting ample opportunity. Still early doors, but we're getting there...

...

Work continues well. I'm knocking hell out of my target this month. Which is good. I've got ambitions, me.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Wednesdays then

2008-02-13T21:16:00.003Z

Seems to be a good day for it. Blether. And that. And Reaper's good. Programme, on E4.

...

It's a photo of me and Alexis! This is positively unheard of.

...

Hen Weekend was excellent. Good food, decent hotel, painless travel, nice bars, spa was chilled, good club. Dirty tunes.

All props to the ladies what organised a lovely book of photos and testimonials for Lex. And a lovely plate for us all to sign and then get fired. Not like one of those hideous efforts you see in magazines. This is nice.

...

Work continues fine. I think fine is the word. Every day is satisfying, but challenging. And I could always do better. But I like that, too.

...

I give myself a public row for not doing enough in the way of photography. 'Course, now that I think, I did take about 180 over the course of the weekend. And there's another couple of gems over and above the one of Alexis above. But still. Of late - poor show, Reynolds.

SteveO's started.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

A good word in any language

2008-02-06T20:54:00.000Z

Stags n' hens are progressing apace. The chaps are off to Munich next weekend and we ladies (aye, very funny) are going to Newcastle this weekend. We shall spa.

Was chatting to Steve and Malc about German, what with me knowing some and all. Wieleicht means 'perhaps'. Or 'maybe'. Reference the title.

...

Breakfast

...

Work continues well. Demanding, but well. Out in Musselburgh today - I'm covering one day a week of East Lothian until we can recruit into the post. It's interesting. Different way of working as we refer off the job-brokerage (you don't actually want me to explain that term, do you?) do Carnegie College. So your approach to the client differs.

What we do, you see, is get people ready for and into work. This takes many forms. Our basic service is the 'Choices' menu, which breaks up into three elements:

1 - Personal Advisor
2 - Condition Management Programme
3 - Jobstation

I'm number one (yes, I realise).

The Condition Management Programme comprises of support from two specialist advisors, one physio and one psychologist. They're available for consultation, advice and support. Direct intervention, but only in a time-bound job-focussed way. And workshops.

I'm upskilling to run the confidence building workshops. Yes. I use phrases like 'upskilling' now.

Fear me.

The third part, which is kind of where we started, is Jobstation. Basically, the material goods you need to find and apply for jobs. Internet access, a phone, printing and other stationery, postage.

What makes the one day a week I spend covering Musselburgh interesting is that they do the last part, the job brokerage. (I know - I said I wasn't going to define it). So my job is very different in Musselburgh. It's identifying goals (SMART, obviously), a plan for achieving them, making sure their health is managed, all that kind of stuff. And then hand them over.

They're very good, though, the ladies of Carnegie College. Had a wee chat with them about a couple of clients and they produced solutions from two neatly labelled folders. Got to love that.

...

I is going to Shanghai. Where they speak Wu. Wu! It's practically Hu. I wonder what that means.

Because it's tricky, getting any kind of Chinese off the web. If you're in any way interested, here's the wiki for 'Chinese' - it seems that whether or not the individual variations are dialects or languages is hotly debated.

It's tricky to learn because it's all in character, innit? I can't read Chinese. And there are so few audio clips available. But Lindsey (of Whitehead, a careers service colleague - she and I are visiting Claudia, likewise) and I did manage to work out that "Qing", pronounced "Tching" is please.

Waterstones for a phrase book cd type thing, I feel.

...

Nihil obstat (never more true),

C

Fourteen clients

2008-01-30T21:29:00.000Z

In one day. Wow.

...

Scatter!

...

Reaper seems fun. If a bit thin. Watching it just now. On m'new Virgin Media TV. Tell you what, though - spent about ten minutes flicking through various 'on demand' and 'tv choice' menus to decide I was going to watch something that was just on the telly. Seems daft.

...

OK. On demand, I'm going to go and do a wee bit of writing.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Might be called away at any second

2008-01-29T19:29:00.000Z

I'm expecting chaps for dinner. Gods, what a busy day. Twelve clients. Two cancellations, but they were replaced by three others dropping in en spec. With happy things - jobs and such, needing clothes for interviews they've gotten. And, admittedly, I enjoy running around with my head on fire. But still! Twelve!

And tomorrow it's fourteen. A...challenging day ahead.

...

...before...

...

My double oven is in stock! Yippee! Missed them to phone and organise a delivery date today, but will do that tomorrow.

Pretty new double oven and matching ceramic hob top.

*glee*

...

The scifi thang is taking a shape in my head. I had that first chapter, which some of you may have seen. And I thought for a while it was just a short story and -

Ooops. Guests.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Monday - in the bag

2008-01-28T19:09:00.000Z

Weeks are going by incredibly quickly. I have no bother at all getting out of bed in the morning these days because I know I'll blink, and it'll be five thirty. Is good, but we were joking today at work about looking up from one's desk and thinking, "Damn - when did I get to be fifty?".

Not that I'm complaining. It'll be Friday in a minute. Weekends are definitely not long enough.

...

The sun has set, and so to bed.

...

Works for me.

...

So, this week marks the beginning of A Photography Competition or Submission a Week.

I figured I was let off trying to fit internet cafes into an already hectic schedule and t'internet is obviously the best place for this sort of endeavour. But I gots the connection now, so enough hanging around.

...

Hit the portrait gallery with Alexis on Sunday, then went to John Lewis to get picture frames and had a coffee. A mostly pleasantly middle class afternoon. *laughter*.

The exhibition was good. Bought the book.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

I'm ba-aaaaack

2008-01-26T10:52:00.000Z

Give it up for internets in da house! :)

And it was just as easy as Virgin said it would be. Got big box o' electronica delivered, hooked up cables and made a phone call. Woot!

...

One who has seen the eye...

...

Life is good, life is great, life is grand. Alliteratively and literally. :)

Loving my job. It's hard work, but it's great and damn, but the weeks go fast. It's that magic moment I've been waiting for when the alarm goes off in the morning, and I'm quite happy to get out of bed. Plus, given how busy the weeks are and how nice the days are, I'm generally quite happy to toddle off to bed long before midnight. Makes a big difference if what you're getting up for in the morning is worth not watching that last episode of Angel for.

I'm performing well. Or so I'm told, and so it seems as I'm meeting my targets so far and I'm on to meet February's at a canter. Targets increase every month until May when we settle on the operational standard. (Which is eight a month!)

...

Extra-curriculars have been suffering, though. Barely been taking photographs - but the hideous weather and cold has had an effect on that, too. I do have a new knapsack (I just like the word) and a thermos for tea, so hopefully I'll be getting out a bit more often in coming weeks. That said, it's just so damn grey in Edinburgh at the moment. It seems like the only time we get decent sky is when I'm at work.

Did manage out for a playdate with Madam Babb last week, though:

...

It's going to be a big year - and I plan on keeping you up to date.

...

Nihil obstat,

Chris x

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-26T15:27:00.000Z

Or Good Eid, or Hannukha or, for the atheists, have a nice day!

And given that this is at least a day late for at least one of the above, does it matter at all, anyway?

What I mean is, have a good end-of-year festival, no matter how you choose to celebrate it.

And a happy new year when it comes!

...

Nihil obstat,

C

OK, so we've settled a bit

2007-12-13T13:49:00.000Z

And I see by my visitor report that some few of you are still checking in. You should probably have something to check in on, eh?

...

Job continues maaarvellous. Very cheerful. Busybusy and nicely so. Each day whistles passed. And, one more week and then I'm on Christmas holiday. Woohoo!

...

Been playing with photoshop!

...

The flat, the flat, the flat!

Moving in on Saturday, but have had keys since Monday and been popping in and out. :)

The last couple of weeks were right busy, obviously, but I was still thinking about it and thinking it down. You know - "It won't be as big as you remember. It won't be as nice as I remember." Etc and so on.

Turns out it's BIGGER than I remember and NICER than I remember.

Photos of that incoming.

Hope everyone's Christmas prep is going well.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

It's a definite hiatus

2007-12-09T12:09:00.001Z

Not that I couldn't find ten minutes to blether on the blog, but I'd decided on self-indulgence.

Random ramblings returns in the new year...

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Service Interruptions

2007-12-01T11:02:00.000Z

Been a bit not here of late. But finally, finally finished the training!

Well. Not quite. Still some stuff to cover and bits of refresher training as various parts of the programme come online, but no more Birmingham! Wooooo! Not that Brum was bad, it's a nice city, saw Gregor and Caroline etc, but for the last few days I've been very much wanthejobwanthejobwantthejob. Start in the office proper on Monday. Clients on Thursday and Friday!

Bring it on, baby!

...

The flat is nearly here too. Hardly had a chance to feel excited about it, really. Exchange date's been pushed back from Tuesday to Friday, but that's no problem as I wasn't going to move in until Saturday anyway, so there's no hold up to actual plans. It's just logistics.

...

Off into town now to catch up with various peoples I've not seen in weeks, dahling!

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Week the second

2007-11-27T19:19:00.000Z

Of training. Still going well, still very much enthusiastic.

Today was bluddygood. Shadowed in the morning and my 'buddy' was very complimentary. Add to that I think I actually achieved a few things. They were having 'Jobarama'. Basically getting a whole load of folk in to apply for jobs. The advisors print off a big stack of jobs for a whole load of industries and the clients look through and bash phones / whatever for application. It was good to support them in that. Felt like I was achieving something.

Not that the training isn't an achievement in and of itself. I am a tired bunny today. This afternoon was caseload management, which I was very happy to see. We're going to have very large caseloads once we're up to full capacity - about eighty clients each at any given time. Which is a lot compared to the current programmes, but it should be most do-able.

...

Fed up with eating out. I know that's an absurd thing to say, and there are starving people in the world, but after eating out night after night you kind of long for beans on toast in front of the telly. Not in plush apartments this week, either, so there's no option for stopping in.

Still, tattie skins and then fish and chips is a good meal. :)

...

Been quite lame as to photos, unsurprisingly. I was going to bring the big camera down with me, but I would have had to put it in my hold luggage and I cringe at the thought of my precious baby being chucked around. And, to be honest, of an evening if we're not out for a meal I'm all for hiding out in room rather than pounding the canals looking for photo opportunities.

...

The flat. Called homestake and they're all good and groovy, we know the mortgage is OK, but my solicitor tells me that she's having bother getting the title deeds out of the seller's solicitor. Which is a wee bit concerning, but I'm not going to wreck my head about it. I'm sure it'll sort, and I know I've got everything in place I need to. Worst case scenario the move-in date gets pushed back a wee bit. I think.

Nobody contradict me!

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Away again

2007-11-25T12:54:00.000Z

Feel like I just got home. Brother was down with wife and kid for the weekend. Lovely to see them, obviously, but it would have been good to get some proper down time, as well. I did get some peace when everyone went away to Ocean Terminal yesterday, to be fair.

Leaving in an hour or so. Arrived back Friday night at about eight o' clock. So I'll have been home and on my own time for forty four hours. Still, it's just these two weeks then in the proper office. Which is going to be in Princes St for the first few months, and then Festival Square, just off Lothian Road. So all very handy.

...

Feeling a tiny bit blah, but that's just from the transitory feelings. Move into my flat two weeks yesterday and I can start getting properly settled.

Hope everybody's well. *waves*

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Another day...

2007-11-22T17:55:00.000Z

A good one, if a bit mundane. Looking through forms and diaries and suchlike. Information we'll need and the trainers were good with it. Kept it fairly lively with a couple of activities and such.

Some inevitable problems with IT logins, but all sorted by end of day.

...

Going out to dinner with Gregor and Caroline tonight (yey!). Much looking forward to as I rarely get to see them so it's nice to be in the same neighbourhood.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

It's tasty, tasty, very very tasty!

2007-11-21T20:09:00.000Z

The kool-aid, obviously.

...

So, how are things with you?

Me?

Utterly awesome, thanks for asking.

...

First - mundanities. The apartment I'm staying in is lovely. If I had a flat this nice I would be a cheerful bunny. Actually, I do have a flat this nice. Way nicer, in fact. :) OK, it's not as slickly decorated, but it's MINE. Yes, that happened while I've been away. Confirmation of mortgage, confirmation of homestake-ness. Officially a home-owner.

Trip down was grand. Easy flight. Very warm plane so I was passed out for the most part. Managed to hook up with my new colleagues by virtue of hearing them say "Work Directions" behind me when I was waiting for my luggage. Quite ignominiously managed to miss my luggage. I really thought it was black. In point of fact, it's navy blue. Twit.

Arrived Sunday night and we piled out for a meal, which was grand. Although such a protracted stay way could be a pain, it's been lovely. A really nice chance to properly bond with the new team. Check me. Using the word 'bond' in cold blood.

Everyone is seriously nice, and a very diverse group. Obviously, there's a certain hint of rose-tinted specs, but I really can't see there ever being any serious personality issues. And there are some really lovely folk I can see being proper pals with.

...

Segue - it's one of my new colleagues' birthday tomorrow and I'm baking a cake. Only - no scale. Just had a quick look and it's rising at an alarming rate. Outside chance I put too much self-raising in. Ach, well. It's a serviced apartment so if I coat the oven, it's not my problem.

Maybe I should stab it and make it collapse a bit.

...

The job. Loving it.

Not that I've started the job yet. Two weeks induction and I'm only on the third day. It's been a very good induction so far, though. Very well balanced. Haven't been bored or drifted off even once. Today was especially cool as I got a chance to shadow a working adviser. There's a fair bit of that built into my schedule and my 'buddy' is a very cool chap. To the point, but super smiley and friendly. Plus, he let me sit in the Big Boy chair and sort out someone's CV. Happily so. One of the few things I actually got decent experience in at the Uni job, so all to the good.

....

Little bit of good news (even more!) - I won a photo contest:

The prize is mere kudos, but hey - who can't use that?

...

I really am starting to worry about that cake. It's starting to look like something from a sci-fi film.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Drinking the Kool-Aid

2007-11-20T18:45:00.000Z

And damn it's tasty!

Just discovered the 'net cables in my apartment.

Proper blogging tomorrow!

...

Nihil obstat,

Chris

Getting sad

2007-11-16T13:35:00.000Z

Goodbyes, so longs and farewells. I'm fired up for new job, definitely, but the people at this one are really lovely, so I am sad to go. It's not like I'll drop off the face of the earth or nothing, but you know what it's like going from seeing people every working day to seeing them once every few months when you manage to grab a lunch date.

I was doing fine, actually, until June went away and we had a wee hug. Andrea's not long for leaving, either, which might just finish me off.

Awwww. Bless.

***update - yep - greetin'***

...

Talk amongst yourselves.

Wish I'd got there just about twenty minutes earlier. Mind you, if I had, I would have had to leave the cemetery earlier, or Calton Hill which, although filled with tourists, was gorgeous at sundown.

...

Have a look at that!

...

*snigger*

...

I have out-of-print books! Woop!

By Sheri S Tepper. The 'Jinian' series. Sooooo good.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Did I say how awesomely cool Stardust is?

2007-11-15T12:47:00.000Z

It is, you know. Awesomely cool.

I can't wait until it comes out on DVD and I can watch it by myself, thus being able to shout at the telly just as much as I want. Whoop!

On you go, Tristan. ON YOU GO, MY SON!

I must check that actually. I'm sure it was Tristram in the book, and not Tristan.

...

A tree.

I know - I suck at titles.

But would "Tricksy branches against green shades" really be any better?

...

Only one day to go after today. Got exit interview later. Barrel of laughs that's going to be.

...

OoooOOooooh!

...

Packing in my head at the moment. Staying in very nice looking service apartments when I'm down in Brum, which is cool. Still not got my travel itinerary, though, so I don't know when I'm leaving on Sunday which is a trifle nippy. I would like to know how much of my Sunday is actually going to be usable.

Happily, my current spoiled boy status at Mum's house means that I've got a buffet of freshly ironed shirts to choose from. Tomorrow - a haircut.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

I can has flat!

2007-11-14T15:24:00.000Z

I'm pretty sure. Just got a call from mortgage adviser who advised me that the Halifax had agreed my mortgage and I could expect the paperwork in the next two or three days. Homestake have my application and have checked it through, bar the loan agreement from Halifax.

So. Every 'i' is not crossed and every 't' is not dotted, but I do believe they are marked and approved for said actions.

Shouldn't I be jumping up and down whooping or something?

I'm very pleased, obviously, but I'm behaving in a most restrained manner. It's not like me.

It's a bit hard to believe, actually. I'm sure it'll sink in later. And then even the most far-flung of you will hear the WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

...

Is Hamish:

Although you could be forgiven for thinking it was a portrait of the coffee cup.

...

This chap will do cartwheels for me.

...

What to do tonight now? I could celebrate.

Or I could go home and watch DVDs, which was the actual plan.

...

No matter.

Nihil obstat,

C

Five days and counting...

2007-11-12T14:15:00.000Z

One week left in my job. Much to do. Two folders that need a bloody good going over; a few handover notes; filing like a sum' bitch. Mostly filing like a sum' bitch.

Just managed to open up my Big Block of Filing up at King's Buildings as I'm covering Reception and KB today.

...

Best viewed large on black. Really.

...

Irritated at myself. I forgot about an entire setting on the camera. The macro one. When you're taking close up shots. I'll show you why I'm irritated tomorrow.

...

Today's photo not by me:

-- from Shot by Scott ("ALPHA MALE":) ) - (?)

...

Mortgage stuff update, if you're bothered, is that we're waiting for bits of paper with an expectation that they will arrive, and in a timely fashion.

That's no reason not to be stressed about it, though, is it?

...

Nihil obstat,

I really do surprise myself when I forget

2007-11-09T16:25:00.001Z

Aaaaaaaand relax.

Last night: Family Guy, Pizza, making podges.

Mortgage stuff that was seriously, seriously breaking my head (to the point where a colleague saw me in near tears -aaaarrrrggghhhh) has now all settled down. Bad thing is it really was that bad, but then it all cleared up and now it's fine.

Like I say - seriously breaking my head.

...

What do we think of that? Seriously. That's a question. I want to know. Comment box is at the bottom.

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Nihil obstat,

C

Buying a flat is going to kill me

2007-11-08T15:01:00.001Z

And then I won't need to have bought it because I'll be DEAD from the STRESS!

Won't that be a cruel irony?

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Such a tired boy

2007-11-07T14:16:00.001Z

I had intended to do some modelling last night, as we know. Didn't. Buggered about with some photos for a bit, answered some mail, then got an early night. I refuse to believe that I'm still tired from the weekend. I'm not that sodding old yet!

...

Some small socialising tonight. Popping round to see France (a person, not the country) and then maybe the sister, but I doubt the second one. Anyhoo, means I won't be getting home until a bit later. I've got that 'running away with me' feeling again. Like I'm never going to get a chance to sit still and file my head a bit. Ach - far better that the the other, as they say.

...

Barely touched that, you know. Wee levels tweak, parsimonious hike on the saturation. Nice, eh? Got loads of Guisachan pics I hadn't put up. I think I need a 'queue' folder for those I want to upload. Or maybe I'll call it 'reserve' for when I ain't got nothing recent.

...

Apathy, baby!

...

Today's photo not mine.

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Nihil obstat,

C

'nother box ticked

2007-11-06T13:05:00.001Z

I had made the mortgage application. Which can take two frickin' weeks to get a decision on. I thought we lived in a zippity age of communication. But, yes, all agreed in principle so there's no need to worry.

Doesn't mean I won't, of course.

I've had to request a change of exchange date. Only by a week or so, but it's going to take that long to get lender decision, then admin done from Homestake folk. Still. I'll be in by Christmas, all going well. And I've got an appointment for next Tuesday with Homestake to do the bits that require me to be there (mostly ID verification) and then it's just a matter of waiting for the paperwork. During which back-and-forthing I'll be in Birmingham.

Piece of piss, eh? *laughter*

...

I frickin' love this shot. Click through and view large!

...

Photos, photos, photos. Gotten into a somewhat bad (good?) habit of spending my evening buggering about with pictures and photoshop. And flickr. These three things together are eating my evenings in vast gulps. I haven't even watched an Angel or Farscape episode since last week. Crazy.

Tonight I intend to model, though. Those 25 different colour of Fimo are crying from lack of attention. I'm on late duty, though, so won't get home until eight. Hope I still have the oomph for it. Well. If not, I'll watch Angel. His son just teleported back from whatever Hell dimension he got taken to. And he's all grown up! (The son, not the Hell dimension.)

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Who would want to be men of the people...when there's people like you

2007-11-05T13:27:00.000Z

Thank you, the Arctice Monkeys.

...

Big weekend. Very nice. Much lovely food. Knackered. Please let home time be soon.

...

Made me smile.

...

Out taking photos on Saturday for Gregor & Caroline. Still not entirely happy with the levels on this one, but I did feel all photographer-like having done the shoot and then sitting sipping my latte and buggering around with saturation and suchlike.

...

Must go and visit Gran tonight. I've been quite slack about visiting recently. Yes, because I've been busy and all that, but still. Go and visit Gran and then I can hide in my room all night and have an early sleep.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Published

2007-11-02T11:33:00.001Z

Yon bit of freelance work I was talking about. It's all approved, got the final text in from my editor. Not up on website yet, but very soon will be. Aaaand, she only wanted to change one word. It seems 'outwith' isn't in common use amongst studenten. Which is fair. Anyhoo - rah! Published, I am.

...

Definitely excited about the flat now. I've managed to talk myself down from rampant fear of suddenly being denied a mortgage (I'm preapproved from three different lenders), the survey's fine, I've done everything I need to.

And I'm so not scared of karma that I'm...still not able to say anything positive without several superstitious pantomimes. *laughter*

It's all good, people. It's all good.

...

Weeeeeed

...

Realised that when I finish work today there's barely a minute of unscheduled time between then and about 9pm on Sunday. Going to have to try and keep next weekend clear of all commitment otherwise I'll be starting new job before I know it and without having some small time to myself to breathe. Wonder if I could get Mum and Dad out of the house next Saturday - have some 'me' time.

...

I have twenty four colours of Fimo! TWENTY FOUR!

Podges. Podges as far as the eye can see.

That's a point. I've knocked together a shell for the 'Abandon Podge' website but haven't had time to polish it at all.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Moments of excitement

2007-11-01T12:18:00.000Z

We're getting there. Definitely getting there. I was round at the sister's house last night (dinner by future bro-in-law) and they had neither of them seen particulars, online or otherwise, so I had to describe and that got me quiet enthused. It's a funny thing. I should really be kicking my height with glee, but it's all a bit grown-up and serious for that.

I am excited, though. Definitely. Why, only this morning I was looking at wall-mountable storage solutions from Ikea. And yesterday I saw a really nice laquer box in John Lewis which I thought would look lovely on a coffee table. What with having extra space above kitchen for a study I'm rather hoping to keep the living room quite minimal.

All together now: "Surface, darling, I must have surfaces!"

...

That meal by Cameron. Good. Gods.

We started with hand-dived King Scallops on a bed of balsamic dressed rocket, topped with a pancetta strip. Followed by an entree (bugger the accents) of filet mignon with roasted vegetables (to die for!). Dessert of cream slice pastry thing which was likewise gorgeous. White with started, a nice chianti with the main course.

It was such a lovely meal. Hand-dived those scallops were. A fella (or lady, who knows) jumped out a boat, swam down and picked them. No trawling for these little fishies. So good.

...

...

A very busy weekend ahead. Friday gang on Friday (s'been ages!), pics of Gregor and Caroline Saturday morning, then a 40th birthday on Saturday night. Then Oddbins winetasting fair on Sunday, followed by meal out.

It's going to be a shocking 'spensive weekend is what it's going to be. Fun, though. :)

...

Nihil obstat,

C

So, the flat...

2007-10-31T13:59:00.000Z

Most of you should know, but I'm all confused as to who knows what.

Got verbal report of survey and everything's pretty cool. Couple of minor problems and one possible expense. Windows, it seems, weren't installed very well and need replacing. Myself, I'd be tempted to reseal them and see how it goes.

So, basically, all is good and I'm buying a flat.

...

I know - I should be more jumpy up and down, but this is a big deal and I'm waiting and seeing. Once I have keys in my hand and a mortgage, then I'll celebrate. Perhaps a mini celebration when I get mortgage approved, because at that point, the 'things that could go wrong' pile will sharply diminish. Not that there's any reason to believe mortgage won't go through - it was all pre-approved and my circumstances have, if anything, improved slightly since then.

It's silly, but everything's going so well, I'm half expecting something dreadful to happen. Maybe I should break something - a sacrifice to the karmic gods. Probably doesn't work like that, though.

...

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Photoshop toes

2007-10-30T13:15:00.000Z

I'm getting mine wet.

The sky actually looked like that, but to get that, I had to seriously underexpose for the foreground, so some levels, some contrast and a bit of healing tool later...

Foreground could be better. I think it needs its highlights tweaking, but nae bad, eh?

...

Still waiting on survey from flat. I'm hopeful, though. To be honest, I'm just waiting. So many BigMassiveLifeChanging things going on that I'm a little bit numb to huge highs and lows. It's not that I'm not happy and content, I'm just waiting and seeing. And look forward to Christmas when everything will, please gods, have settled in, and I can go *Aaaaaaand relax*.

...

The new brylcreem advert is cool. And, it seems, their product is cheap.

...

Best not, really.

Well, I couldn't stay away from Sinfest, could I? On the Ishida! Props to your people!

...

You could drop by my favourites again. More up.

This one's a bit shameless, granted. (NSFW - maybe - naked bottom!)

How awesome is that, though? I'll tell you. Very awesome.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Why won't they phone?!!!!!

2007-10-29T14:41:00.000Z

You see what they're doing to me??? I'm multiply punctuating here!

I put offer in on flat. It's fixed price, so should be easy yes, but the seller is a teacher and can't get messages, it seems. You would have though that with a flat on the market, (s)he'd bloody messages at lunchtime, neh?

...

Lookit me!

Drawn by Hamish. S'cool, innit?

Some other pics to go up from wee party / drinks thing on Sat. A good time was had by all, I think. Drinks at Dragonfly (lovely rum for me!) then James and Alexis very kindly allowed me to invite people back to theirs for a couple more drinks and some Wii.

Birthday - officially celebrated. :)

...

Three weeks left on the old job, here comes the new job. Got to go down to Birmingham for the two weeks of my induction. All very high-powered sounding. Flown down on the Sunday night, flown back home Friday night. Having done business travel before, though...well, it ain't high powered. It's waiting around in airports, mostly. Hey ho - will have to get some light paperbacks in.

Quite pleased about it, really. I'm going to grab the induction with both hands. Very keen to do well, and learn as much as I can. (I know, I know - drink the kool-aid!)

...

Steve taught me about levels. And the thistles at King's Buildings are crazy looking!

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Nihil obstat,

C

Got my soundtrack back...

2007-10-26T12:08:00.000Z

New phone! Woop!

T-Mobile were being such tight...people about an upgrade, so I called them and said 'Leaving!'. They replied, 'What do you want? How can we keep you, dear, dear customer?'

Sony W880i, thanks. Thought about the K malarkey, but it's so much fatter and I don't need the 5MP camera. (Steve was quite short about camera phones. "It's a phone. It's not a camera.")

But I got my soundtrack back! Once again the streets of Edinburgh are my own personal, mobile cinema experience.

Let's dance to Joy Division, baby!

...

What else is news? Flats and such. Going to see two tonight and it looks like *crosses fingers and whispers in case Karma feels like giving me a slap* the Willowbrae one hasn't been snapped up.

Further bulletins as events warrant.

...

I do have new stuff, from yesterday. Lovely foxgloves for a kick-off, but not uploaded yet.

Not that you care...

...

Nihil obstat,

C

yaaaAAAaaaawn

2007-10-25T15:17:00.000Z

It's quite quiet and sleepy here at King's Buildings. (Just as I was writing that, the phone went - *laugh*)

Do feel a bit tired, though. Viewing at least three flats tonight, all on a very tight schedule as they're a' aboot the place, eh?

...

Went for a wee wander up Blackford Hill at lunchtime, which was nice. Had camera with me, so took some shots, although I *just* missed a gorgeous band of light that was moving across city. It would have really popped all the trees whose leaves are turning in the Marchmont / Grange area. I had to content myself with dark, rich shots.

...

*still yawning*

Get over it, Reynolds. Lots of walking around to do...

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Everything's shiny, Captain

2007-10-24T19:09:00.000Z

So, yon flat has fallen through. Not having it. Too much hassle, and there are some nice fixed price malarks on the market, as of today. So, I reckon Karma was sending a small message.

"Nah, mate, you don't want that one. Wait for this one."

"Or maybe that one. You know. Whatever works."

...

And everything is pretty fucking shiny right now. So, I'm breezy.

...

Nihil obstat (gets more true every day),

C

Oops!

2007-10-24T15:32:00.001Z

Did forget. It's been a busy day.

...

Survey is back and it's not great. The patch of damp on the bedroom wall is not historical. It's current and ongoing. So we're going to have to see.

...

Selfridge's, in Birmingham.

Some department store, eh?

...

Nihil obstat (occasionally damp),

C

Waiting...

2007-10-23T11:26:00.000Z

I'm waiting to hear about the offer I put in on a flat. Closing date was 12pm today.

*gnaws nails*

The good news is I was sensible and called the Homestake folk, checked that a change in salary won't make me suddenly ineligible. I'll still be able to use the scheme up until my passport runs out. Plus, they're changing it in the near future and the changes could mean I could still apply, so it's all good. Ish.

*goes back to gnawing nails*

...

Hurrah! Comments. Stunning sky, though. Not one tiny bit of photoshop, either. That's what it looked like.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Happy birthday to me...

2007-10-22T12:29:00.000Z

For it is, indeed, my birthday. Thirty-one, eh?

Ach, you all know my philosophy on birthdays. If you've done a year's stuff, it's OK to be a year older. And boy have I!

Since last year's fun and frolics, I've travelled a bit, written a bit, moved forward great strides with my photography, adopted a new hobby in the modelling of things, and I'm in the throes of buying a flat (I hope). Still not got one of those boyfriend things, but I'm continually working on that. Boy, is it hard work. *grins*. Actually, it sometimes can be. But no-one ever promised 'easy'. That I'm aware of, anyway. If I was, I could sue them, you know.

I've had nice presents - books, for the most part, which makes for happy Chrises. I've got "Photoshop CS2 for Photographers", a Manga encyclopedia type thing from Taschen and 'Ghost in the Shell' - the original manga upon which the film was based. Plus, my bro and my dad chipped in on a hand-carved olive wood chess set that I was drooling over en Provence. It's very pretty.

Hung out with James, Alexis and Steve last night, which was nice. Food and Wii and bubbly drinks. Dinner with folks tonight. The big drinks do is on Saturday, but I'm mostly staying true to my pledge not to chase people this year. I have many dozens of friends (I really do!) and it's not all that important that they aaaall come to one event. To be honest, it's usually a thumping headache getting them all in one place.

So long as I don't have to drink black sambucca with tabasco sauce in this year, I'll be happy. Bloody Steve-O.

...

Not had any comments on my flickr photos for days and long. I could be miffed, I really could.

...

Aaaand - I got a new job. Put notice in on Friday, so I'm all right for saying. Very chuffed. Going to be a careers adviser and be paid lots of money! Although, obviously, I'm doing it solely for the chance to do good in the world. ;)

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Favourites - my favourites on flickr. I counted, and no matter what some weasels might have said, less than 20% of them are of hot men. Barely a fifth.

...

I'm working today. Not usual for my birthday, I normally take it as annual leave, but I've had so much time off that I thought not to bother. It does mean I'm missing out on my usual bought lunch, but I'll survive. For another three hours. I did come in all enthusiastic for filing, but enthusiasm does seem to have fallen off.

...

Big thing just now - decided how much I'm putting in as a bid on Buchanan Street. I really don't want to lose out, but then again, there's only one other note of interest in six weeks. Only takes that one person, though. Eesh. Much thinking to do.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Proper happy

2007-10-19T12:46:00.000Z

Aaaaaah, yeah!

:)

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I mentioned how lovely the pool was in Provence, right?

...

Much busy-busy this weekend, which will be nice. Catching up with all those folks I haven't seen in weeks what with the hither and yon-ness of me. Plus, going to go see some flats on Sunday, the one on Buchanan Street in particular.

...

Hamish mentioned he'd never really been through Flickr, being somewhat intimidated by its vastness.

If any one were interested, you could do worse than start with my favourites. I admit there's some weighting towards the male form, but it's all arty. Trust me. *grin*

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Happy smiling

2007-10-18T12:15:00.000Z

I bloody will be. Some work stuff has me a bit down, but I am not going to kowtow to it, dagnamnit. I've done everything I can, so must simply let be now. So, on the happy smiling front...

...

French Windows. Geddit?

Provence really was lovely. I'm doling out three pics a day to Flickr at the moment, so I've got a tidy little backlog of pics to put up daily. I took a staff photo today and would you believe when I was uploading I found some on camera that I hadn't even uploaded yet? Crazy, neh?

That said, there's a boatload on little blue camera that need considering. Some fairly tasty ones of cranes against a shockingly pretty sunset, as I recall.

...

It's my birthday soon. Yey! Not really had time to get excited about it, but I sent out a mass email and likewise text to all and sundry inviting them along to Dragonfly a week on Saturday for drinkies. If I managed to miss you off either of those, you are invited. Everyone who's anyone is going to be there, don'tcherknow. *laughter*

...

Flat I've got interest noted for has gone to a closing date. VERY quickly after I noted interest, so they must want shot. Got to decide what I want to bid for it now.

...

Nihil obstat, baby!

C

Things progress

2007-10-17T13:22:00.001Z

All of them, generally. Flat that I'm going to offer on, I reckon, and I'm content with fresh mortgage quotes from today.

And, you know, all the stuff that's going on with everything. Ooh - must book a couple of tables for birthday bash. Now, in fact.

...

Niiice, neh?

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Unhappy day

2007-10-16T13:56:00.001Z

Stressful day at work. Many things going not well.

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Nihil obstat (motherf*ckers!)

C (still grinning - just)

Back once more and again

2007-10-15T11:21:00.000Z

We resume normalised service. Had all my trips, all very pleasant, away and such. Back to the 9 to 5. :(

...

But all things are well otherwise. Very much enjoyed the workshop facilitatin' so I'm going to keep going to the other workshops for a bit, see how it goes. I was resolved not to continue with the Luvvies as theatre takes up so very much of your time, but it seems an all-male cast of Twelfth Night is in the offing. I am intrigued.

Plus, admittedly, one of the chaps who came along to my workshops is cute, and returning... :)

...

France was so lovely.

...

I'm on hiatus from comics. Trying to cut down my 'net time for things what are a bit more productive and I also thought how nice it would be to have a couple of month's worth of strips from all my favourites to read through. I will miss out on some comics.com stuff as they only hold a month's archive, but I'll just have to thole it.

...

I saved myself some money. There was a flat I fancied, but it had five notes of interest and a couple offers. I decided to wait until last minute closing date, which was scheduled for this Wednesday, to see if anything happened. It's gone to a fixed price of £130K - waaaaay over my limit - so I've saved myself whatever the lawyer's fee would have been for putting in an offer for me.

I have hopes for this one, though.

...

Saw Gregor and Caroline at the weekend, which was lovely. Sucks that they live so far away, but hey ho - one must follow one's career and / or partner. (Delete as applicable).

...

Nihil obstat,

C

We're ba-aack!

2007-10-11T10:42:00.000Z

Yeek! It has been ever so long since I blethered.

...

Photos - still to upload for the most part, but here's a nice one from Provence.

France trip was just lovely. Great food, gorgeous scenery, lovely villages. The villa itself was amazing. Heated pool, tiled floors throughout, the lot. Weather was nice, at least mid 20s every day, so lots of swimming. Plus - how good is a diving board which, if you look right, gives you a view of the French Alps, and if you look behind you gives you a view of the Med? Niiiice, eh?Food was so very, very lovely. Not had lunch yet so not going to detail, but trust me - mouthwatering.

I have photographic evidence of most of these things but, like I say, yet to upload.

Best thing of all, obviously, was spending lots of time with the small niece, Eve. She's 20 months at the moment, and a very chatty wee thing she is too. Regrettably she's been taught to think of me as 'Crips' - thank you, Mum, for resurrecting my nickname from when I was Eve's age. Thankfully Paula (sister-in-law) has a bit more respect for what people prefer themselves and taught the small one "Chi-st-fer."

We stopped for un petit boisson (wee drink!) at one point and small one was trying to get away from our table. As we were next to a road, I picked her up. She stroked my beard and said, "Oh! Soft!"

Heart. Melted.

...

Big big day on Tuesday which went well, but could have gone better. Waiting and seeing now.

...

Theatre of the Oppressed went well last night. Some brave and bold folk in the workshops. It's not like improv or character work, Boal. Can really strip you quite bare, dependent on how you work it. I made sure and let the attendees lead themselves as to what subjects they wanted to cover, but no-one shrank away from the harder stuff. I was well impressed.

...

Flats. Urgh. A tad disheartened on the property search today. There are a couple to go and see, but I don't think they're really within my price band. Time to try, though. Just missed the Nicolson Street studio, so we'll have a go at a couple of one bedroom and see how I get on. If I'm totally out the park as far as price goes, then I might need to do a rethink.

There is a fixed price in Morningside, but it's quite steep (£115) for a tiny wee flat.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Normal service...

2007-10-10T15:46:00.001Z

...will resume tomorrow.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

By the way...

2007-10-03T15:25:00.000Z

...no blogging, I expect, while in Nice. There's WIFI, but I hope like Hell I'll have better things to do.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Oh, noes! I "oohed"!

2007-10-03T12:29:00.001Z

Out loud. In a shop. Nobody else there I knew. Obviously, lots of people. One never seems to do these things when there's no-one about to see it. It wasn't even anything all that exciting. Some magazine or other. Picked myself up a few funny looks. *laughter*

I blame the Liz and the Patrick. One can count on at least a querying look to extemporaneous expostulations. Blame them for the 'the', too. In fact, I blame them for manymany things. Not quite made it to the Fall of Man yet, but I'm working on it.

...

I mentioned I'd put an offer in, right? I know I did. It's just the ludicrously high number of paper pounds it involves. Somewhat preying on my mind.

...

I'm not certain it's the Dog Falls. Pretty sure, though.

I like this one - all the way down to the log in centre foreground.

...

Ooh - ooh! I am on holiday again in three and one half hours. My mother was kind enough to send me a picture of the terrace pool. I sent her one back with my view - of employer information folder - along with attendant sarcasm.

Just realised I haven't seen my Gran since last week and I won't be able to tonight as I'm running that Boal workshop I have previously mentioned. Speaking of which, better dig up some appropriately 'oppressed' warm-up games.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

And that's in EARTH pounds, that.

2007-10-02T12:25:00.000Z

I've put an offer in on the Nicolson Street flat. Got a lawyer an' everyfing. How extremely grown-up of me. And how nut-tighteningly terrifying. One hundred and five THOUSAND POUNDS.

I don't actually think I'll have the offer accepted, as there have been four other notes of interest, but I have indicated a very early entry date which might swing it my way.

...

Gates to the Estate - where we stayed up north.

...

Abandon Podge is coming along. I've knocked it together, but it still needs a bit of polish. Not happy with the introductory text yet. And I'm not sure about linking off to this blog from that one - 'createur' or something wanky like that. :)

Other option is to leave it as Big Podge Placer, deeply anonymous. Who is that abandoning man?

...

Packing again. Not that I'm complaining, you understand, but there's a crazy lot to do before I head off to Nice. I reckon I'll have to sort out assessment preparation over there. Otherwise my little head may explode.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

It's that time

2007-10-01T10:38:00.000Z

Oh, yeah! That time!

*kchst* "We have an incoming Chris's birthday - Repeat - We have an incoming Chris's birthday" *kchst*

God knows what I'm going to do for it. I think - pause for effect - that I might have a quiet one this year. Well, as quiet as it gets when you're inviting fifty-odd folk out. Always a toss-up between having several evenings out with different groups of friends or one, big par-tay!

Given the trip away to Nice, and visiting Gregor and Caroline the week after that, it'll only be a week or two until the birthingday the next time I land on my feet. May have to be a last minute planning thing.

...

Bloody bank machine just ate my bank card. Just a mechanical fault (and maybe something to do with my been-in-the-wars card) but how bloody hindering awkward. Realise I've got no Euro for my France trip, either. Looks like I'll be spending plenty of time in the bank queue this week - which is monstrous as it's the nearest one to the Uni and filled with students. They've got all frickin' day to go to the bank - why choose lunchtime?

On the upside, I now only have such funds as are in my pocket (68p) so I was forced into the utterly unhealthy but still ocasionally pleasant Scotch pie. Mmmm. Tasty.

...

Cairngorms.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

How extremely pleasant

2007-09-30T09:47:00.001Z

Trip to Guisachan was just lovely. Trees and trees and trees and trees!

Train up on Thursday, drove down the very long way yesterday. Via Findhorn and Pitlochry. More pics to go up on Flickr and so on.

...

Merry-go-round life does not stop, however. Going to go view a couple flats today, got some prep work to do for an assessment day and two workshops on Boal to sort out. And pack for Nice - leave for there on Thursday.

...

And...coming soon...the blog you've all been waiting for...Abandon Podge!

...

Nihil obstat,

Last day, last day!

2007-09-25T12:24:00.001Z

At work. And then I'm off for five, back for three, off for five. Woop!

...

Much organising to do tonight. Packing, making sure batteries are charged, decide on whether or not to take the laptop. Figure I might as well. Getting the train then a lift, so it's not like there's a baggage limit or issue. And if I do take it, there won't be any memory card issues, but if I don't there will.

Weather forecast for Inverschneck is cloudy with sun, which suits me. Landscape shots with entirely blue skies are a bit boring, to my mind.

What's that you say? Socialising with others. Well. Yes. After I've taken pictures. *grins*

...

Speaking of pictures. I've been trying of frickin' months to get a shot onto this particular Flick group. Finally made it with this one:

Woop! Woop, I say! As much an exercise in viewing the pool, checking out what was in there. But I suppose matching tastes is as much of an achievement as the actual photo.

...

Disappointingly, the flat I was going to see last night was already sold. :(

But never mind - as many have already said, "What's fer ye'll no go by ye."

...

Nihil obstat,

Second viewing

2007-09-24T14:49:00.000Z

Another one. For the fixed price pad. So, by tomorrow I could be actually buying it. Which is scary and delightful. I like it. Maybe not the ideal shape, but I can see a lot to do that I would like, if you follow.

Take out the current platform and put in something nicer, for one. We shall have to see. Dad's going to give me his considered opinion this evening.

...

I like candids, when they work out.

...

Kind of hit me today that I'm actually going away on a break / holiday thang. Woop. One more day of work and then I'm off for five whole days. Don't expect a blog while I'm gone. Intent on keeping off computers the whole time away, which shouldn't be hard.

...

Must model tonight. Must, must, must.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Cheap cheap

2007-09-21T11:51:00.001Z

Flat on West Montgomery Street just went to a cheapcheap fixed price. Going to go and check it out.

...

Thanks all the gods it's Friday. It's been a week. Drinks out after work as it's colleague's last day. The one that's going to Shanghai. Too cool.

...

I don't live in poverty,
I've got a little bit of money
and a healthy body.

...

Random sea glass pic

...

The sister's birthday tomorrow. About which I am undecided.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

So close to holidays

2007-09-20T12:41:00.000Z

I can taste them. Only in work for two days next week, then three the next! Woop! Woop! And, I say again, woop!

(It's funnier if you imagine Daffy Duck saying it, too)

...

I'm really loving this fireplace. I was trying to find out how much the room hire is and I'd seriously considering doing a proper shoot in there. Can't find where to book the room, though. Oddness.

...

Not that I've been doing much in the way of photography, but Guisachan and Nice will sort that out. Been trawling flick for Nice pics and it rather looks like I'm going to have a ball. So pretty. Hell, I wouldn't even have to leave the villa. Check out the view from the terrace.

Modelling's been a bit of a casualty the last week or so, as well. I'm kind of tired. Flopped down and read book or watched telly the last few nights. Bit torn between visiting and going home tonight. Mum and Dad are going to Ikea, so I might get some peace and quiet for a while. Longing to do some cloning / self-portraits. Not unlike this one from fellow flickrite Gav. Check out the rest of his stream. Annoyingly talented for such a young fella. ;)

...

Work is really sucking. Why can't these people realise I'm a god with genius-like faculties? Eh? Why not?

*laughter*

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Always amazes me

2007-09-19T15:13:00.000Z

When I forget to blog. I mean, me? Miss a chance to flap my gums?

Just. Weird.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Hokay, so...

2007-09-18T12:01:00.001Z

...decisions have been reached. I'm going to be a sensible boy (maybe sensible) and let a closing date be put on the flat I'm interested in and then put an offer in. At the moment, I'm thinking of a lower number, but you never know, might decide that I Simply Must Have It in between now and closing date.

***update***

Just had a call from their solicitor, asking for 'feedback on the property'. Will have to return their call once I get back off lunch. Will let you know anything pertinent.

...

Isn't she a pretty little thing? Got plans for that profile, I do.

...

I miss GPs. Got that bit of freelance writing done - occupational profile of General Practitioner. Had to do case studies of the job which brought me back into contact with a few and that has reminded me what generally nice people they are. One would hope so, considering their job, but not all doctors are nice. Trust me. Go meet a few consultant surgeons and see how you feel about this statement.

Anyway. Miss my old client group, they were nice to work for and with.

...

Yesterday was very sleepy. I'm in serious need of a proper break, I've decided. Happily, these things are incoming. Looking forward to highland scenery, obviously, but bring on Nice!

Hmm. There's a thought. *wanders off to type 'gay bar Nice, France' into Google*

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Laugh loud

2007-09-17T11:22:00.000Z

I do. Very loud. Occasionally, I worry that I'm being slightly boorish, but then I think, "Naaaah." I'm setting an example. Everyone should roar with laughter.

And sneezes. One should enjoy one's sneezes. One tenth of an orgasm, you know.

...

Had second view of the Nicolson Street flat on Sunday. Am now moving towards a decision. A couple of decision. Interwoven decision making. Anyway. It's good. Much to do.

...

Have music again. Picked up a wee radio. Got to wait until November to get a phone upgrade and was seriously missing phat choons. :)

...

Nihil obstat,

Busybusybusy

2007-09-14T13:45:00.001Z

So.

Flat lovely. Well pleased. Further action on that over weekend, report next week. But glee. Definite glee.

...

TFIF.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Referred

2007-09-13T11:58:00.000Z

I have been referred. Check me out.

Ran the Management School's event last night, which went swimmingly. Nice folk, as usual. Competitive as all hell, as usual. Thankfully we had a clear winner, so there was no need for me to make up some daft game or other to decide a tie breaker. And, as it says, I've been referred. Director of Studies for the MSc programmes wants me to run an event for their cohort next year.

Probably be able to get a bigger fee from them, too, as it's a lot more students to herd. Yippee!

...

The nice building we were at for our strategising yesterday had a nice fireplace. And I convinced a few of the ladies to sit in it for me. Only the one up so far. I'm undecided about B&W or colour for the others.

...

Flat viewing tonight. Yon studio on Nicolson Street, which is the uber-location as far as I'm concerned. Third floor too, so less noise, lots of light. Only the first one I'm going to see, obviously, so I'm trying to strike a balance between glee and good sense. We'll see who wins.

Bets?

...

Been sorting out printing and framing for some photographs today. Going up in reception. Quite chuffed with that. Not getting paid, but will be properly attributed!

...

Nihil obstat,

C

That'll be the peace shattered

2007-09-12T13:03:00.000Z

Mum and Dad get back tomorrow. Urgh. I know, churlish of me when they’re returning to their own home, but it’s been such bliss to have my own space.

On top of that, though, I’m going to go view a flat tomorrow night, for the first time. I’ve got another seven or so favourited on ESPC, but no point in going at it like a bull at a gate. Sunday afternoon, when folks are back to drive me around (natch), is looking good for viewing lots.

…

Strategising at work today. Annual meeting to look at past achievements and future objectives. I’m a wee bit sad in that way, quite enjoying looking at the overarching aims and objectives and how they’ve been delivered in specific subjects.

OK, fair enough. A big bit sad. ;)

…

Hardly any comments on my dragons, which I think is just bloody jealousy on the part of every other flickrite. Yes, jealous!

I mean, lookit them!

…

Running the Management School’s fresher’s event tonight. Easy money!

…

Nihil obstat,

C

Yon dirty book

2007-09-11T10:04:00.000Z

Ha! That got your attention. I was going to call this 'Talking', but any reference to sex'll get noticed. :)

So, yes, yon book I was bitching about. Turned out to be a decent read. Plot and character and everyfin'. Well, of course I kept reading it. It's a dirty book. *laughter*

Talking, as I said, was my alternate title and that's pretty much what the book dealt with. Talking and the need for. And how all fired bloody difficult that is. Which is a good point.

"We need to talk."

"You should talk to him."

"Did you ask what was wrong?"

Lots of lines, in lots of media, all amounting to the same thing. The point made in this book was that talking isn't easy. Which got me thinking. A lot of people seem to think that talking is, or at least should be. Talking as opposed to chat, you understand. Actually expressing yourself and, at the same time, giving proper attention to what the other person(s) have to say?

Hard. Well, not for me, but then again, I'm very special.

"Like, gold and diamonds special or ride to school in the little yellow bus special?"

...

This guy hasn't got a proper name yet.

Cool, though, eh?

...

Homestake! Homestake!

Can't believe I forgot to tell you yesterday! I got my Homestake passport yesterday! A - woop! Can start looking for a place to buy. Excitement and fear in equal measures. :)

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Better. Much better.

2007-09-10T12:30:00.000Z

Oh, my goodness me. Chrises really really need the downtime on occasion. Can't tell you how much more calm and relaxed a bunny I am having had some time to myself over the weekend. Sister was down on Saturday to use th internets, and we went for a walk down the harbour (results on flickr) but other than that I kind of mooched around. Read a bit, watched some DVDs, lay in the garden trying to go from pale blue to white. And, yes - SPF factor 25. Momma didn't raise no fool. Freckled, but not foolish.

...

The garden is still hanging on to some lovely flowers, and you would not believe the size of the spiders! I got pics, but they're not up yet. Had forgotten them.

Fuschias:

...

Also did some plasticines which are cool but not photographed as I let my battery die. It's charging. Oh. Damn. So it is. I hope they don't fry from being overcharged. Anyhoo - plasticines will be up this evening, I expect. Got a dragon anna lizard.

...

Ok, so just because I had a relaxing evening does not mean I am not crazy busy still. Got GP profile to write for AGCAS (work - getting paid - hurrah!). Got event to run on Wednesday for Management School (work done - getting paid - hurrah!). Got workshops to design and run for Luvviebabies (work - not getting paid, but fun so - hurrah (no exclamation point)).

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Swallowed a f*ckin' dictionary, did ye?

2007-09-07T10:37:00.000Z

Heard this a lot at school. Along with, after I'd provided a simpler way of saying whatever I'd said, "Why did ye no jist f*ckin' say that, then?"

As if anyone who talks at the rate I do - and when I was a kid, I spoke even faster - could have time to select the words he uses. Why is all this of interest?

Well, I do the writing, as most of you are aware. Just at the moment I'm writing a couple of information publications at work with the concomitant Plain English rules. There's house guidelines for style, too (mine is too chatty - surprise!). All this leads me to various thoughts on the purpose of language. Dumbing Down versus Easily Accessible. And did you know that the average reading age in the UK is, according to which study you believe, between 9 and 12? As in, the level most people in the UK read at is what you would expect from an educated 9 year old? That's personally terrifying.

Anyway - back to the point, or rather the ramble. I'm wondering about communication, target audiences, felicity of style, that kind of thing. My brain doesn't sit still so I need to have some kind of internal guide as to where things are going, otherwise every project leads to six more. Not necessarily a bad thing if I could close out the one before moving to the six.

...

Couple more fireworks shots are up. I like this one for the foreground - bits and chunks of the crowd lit by their own lights.

...

I got an evening to myself last night! And a whole weekend of the same ahead. *happy sigh*

It has been So Long since I got some proper time to myself. I didn't realise how crazy it would make me. I do have a room to go to, but my being in it doesn't stop Mum or Dad shouting for me whenever they need a hand for something, which is often, as I'm there. I think they have the same mindset on me staying as when I visit once a week. "While Christopher's here...

Only, I'm *always* there, evenings and weekends so I'm spending a lot of time being interrupted. This is not a new whine,I know, but it's a happy one as I'm actually getting some peace for a while. Maybe that'll calm my brain down a little bit.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Peace

2007-09-06T10:08:00.000Z

Perfect. Mum and Dad have gone on holiday. 'Me' time incoming. *happy sigh*

I know, I'm terribly ungrateful, but I really, really, REALLY need some down time. Would be nice to have had some days off to take, but I've used up the lot of them for this year. On lovely trips away, though, so I'm no' complainin', ken?

I am going to have an entire weekend to myself, I think. Probably won't be assed to come up into town. I've got a teasing suspicion there's plans I've forgotten for Saturday, but hey ho - I'll find out when it starts to smell.

...

Who knows, who knows?

...

Lonely man.

...

Still love this little guy.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Damn, but this month just got expensive!

2007-09-05T12:34:00.000Z

But in very good causes. Definitely off to Nice for a few days in early October and, with Patrick's birthday trip the week before, I am going to be such the traveller. And can't complain about expense. Cheapness to lodges for Patrick's birthday do and my brother's picking up the tab for the villa in France, so just flights and some spends to conjure.

And it's not like I'm paying rent...

...

Feeling much better today, thankfully. Couldn't put finger on what was up, just felt wrung out. Some non-specific bug or other. Missed a date, though, annoyingly. Chap was most understanding, considering it was the second time I've rain-checked the poor fella.

...

Mum and Dad go on holiday tomorrow!

*quick break while Chris does lap of celebtratory honour around the block*

Time spent alone. With nobody else there! *happy sigh*

Concomitant of that is walking the two miles up to Prestonpans to get train, but you can't have everything. ;)

...

This pic:

got picked (groan) for somebody's news story, along with another one. To illustrate the Bauhaus Festival of Colour. This year: yellow. Just for a website, but still. Chuffed.

Plus, I've been dancing round various folks and institutions galleries for the Festival Fireworks and I think mine measure up pretty well against them. This guy must have been standing directly above me. Again, chuffed. If only work I get paid for was going so well.

...

Writing. Baaad Chris. No further forward with the Sci-Fi malark I'm working on which could very well turn into a book. Maybe I need a To Do list. Another one. Updated. Or something.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Off work

2007-09-04T10:54:00.000Z

Not feeling my best. Not feeling my worst, either, as I'm up and on computer for a wee bit, to be fair. I reckon I'm just knackered. And I realised it's been something like two weeks at least since I had any time alone. Chrises needs the time alone in order to stop their brain stop buzzing. Otherwise it doesn't. This is bad for Chrises.

...

Fireworks pictures turned out eversomuch better than I though they would. O me of little faith!

There's a few on flickr, but here's a couple more that aren't. Best viewed a lot bigger than this, really, in order to get the foreground interest.

...

Me bruvva was on the phone last night and, yippity skip!, I'm invited to spend the week with them at a villa they've taken in France (bit of a Christie phraseology there) in early October. How nice. Or Nice, in face. And I still might get my wee weekend away in Italy for my birthday.

...

OK, headache kicking in now.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Been there, seen that, got the Tshirt

2007-09-03T12:59:00.000Z

Feuerzabruta was well, well, WELL worth £25. A quite literal jaw-dropping show. I spent half of the performance grinning like an idiot, and the other half whooping like one. Went with Steve and Alexis (poor James - always working these days!) but we kind of lost each other in the crowd. I felt a tiny little bit off jumping up and down and whooping by myself, but then I thought, "Feck it," and did exactly as I pleased.

I'd describe it, but go check out their website - it's got wee YouTubes of their show on. Nowhere near the impact of seeing someone suspended above you doing crazy leaps and flips with only shower curtain material to press off from, but you'll get the gist.

And, yes, I bought both the Tshirt and the CD. I must go clubbing...

...

Another new week. The time is zipping in. Can't imagine what things are going to be like when I finally get mortgage papers through and can start looking for a flat. Of course, that'll eventually lead to a lot more available time, what with the current commute and all, but if I think I'm busy now?

...

Fireworks photos will be up tomorrow, what few of them I think are good. Not looked at them on computer yet, as I didn't go home last night, but last night was more about learning than producing, as it turned out. I reckon I know what was wrong with my technique. (Shorter shutter speed, better timed!). We'll see - might not be as bad as I think.

...

Going for a wee wander round town tonight, looking for Places of Interest. It's nearly time for the yearly event I run for the Management School so I must pace it out. And they went fewer bars and more culture, which is fair enough. Makes things a little trickier, though. It wouldn't be such a deal, but MBA students are, for the most part, fiercely competitive, so I always have to find things that are far away or tricky to find. If it's too easy, every single team gets every single question right. Then they spend about ten minutes each haranguing me as to why their team should win.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Beedly-Beedly

2007-08-31T13:39:00.000Z

That's what I'd call a new country, if I founded it. Beedly-Beedly, with a capital city of Oompa-Oompa. None of this "New Britain", "Nova Scotia" or even "Dunedin."

...

Come close.

No, closer.

Closer still.

*whispers*

Had job interview today. Went well. :)

...

Late again!

...

Nihil obstat, baby!

C

Pardon the tardy

2007-08-30T13:57:00.000Z

Late again with the random ramblings. It's a busy time for young Reynolds, though. Got myself in a mood yesterday afternoon. Didn't know why, just knew I had that tight feeling in my stomach and that my lip was in danger of tripping me up.

So, I set about rearranging plans for last night and tonight, feeling that it wasn't fair to inflict my mood on undeserving others. By the time I'd got all that sorted, I was a lot more relaxed and realised that I was in a huff with myself as everything was getting a bit much. I'm having a lovely time with all my many things to do, but there are only so many hours in the day after all.

Mildly chuffed that even though I didn't know why I was so ticked off, I set about making sensible changes, which took my mood away without that being the specific plan. I must know myself deep down, even if I'm not always talking to myself. :)

...

Flickr. I'm back-and-forthing a bit on it at the moment. Not the use thereof, which I'm quite worryingly addicted to, but what I upload and how. I'm most likely to settle on a compromise between the two, but at the moment we're considering active and rutheless discernment as opposed to 'lookit what I done' and uploading the lot.

Whatever I decide, it's going to have to be soon. With 2,259 photos currently up there, reining myself back in is going to be a bit of a chore.

The compromise? Two collections "First Cut" and "All the rest" so that it's easy to find those I've selected from each set as 'ra best'.

...

I is in your head. Controllin' your minds!

...

Sunday Sinfest Rocks! Can't wait until I have flat again and can start covering walls in fun things to look at!

...

Nihil obstat (maybe the occasional bad mood),

C

All your base are in the loft

2007-08-29T14:03:00.000Z

Well, it's not, actually, but that's a good title and I suck at those. *laughter*

I walked Mum up to fetch Dad's car, in exchange for being left severely alone when we got back to house. Which did give her a bit of pause. She actually thought about walking up to next village herself rather then agree to not bug me for a whole three hours.

Crazy. Lady.

...

Ho and a hum. Going out for a wee drink tonight, which should be pleasant. Caved in and booked for Feurzabruta as a last gasp of Festival attendance before Sunday's fireworks. And for £25, I'd damn sure better be allowed to take photographs!

...

And, as it's nearly half three and I am so very behind on the day, that's your lot. Come back tomorrow. Or go look at Dave again. He's cool.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Brrrrrrr

2007-08-28T12:20:00.001Z

It's bloody chilly today! "Indian Summer" my butt!

I know. We shall have Dave build a fire for us:

Currently unsure as to whether Dave is Good or Evil. There is this to be taken into account, though:

...

We are in the final two weeks of the expected turnaround time for Homestake application, so here's hoping I'll be able to start viewing flats soon! Not a lot on the market at the moment, but there has been. Patience for the process.

...

I may have to kill my mother at some point. Not badly, you understand. Just a little bit. Last night we had a grand round of loft putting-in and taking-out. Four dining room chairs - which she 'helped' me put up. Read 'shoved on the bottom completely buggering up the angle I had them at'. All this one-handed on my part, too, you know, as the other hand was involved in balancing.

She's expecting to somehow magic the dining table base part through the loft access this evening. It'll have to be bloody magic as it's so big. I did try and explain how I only had one hand to do this with. She doesn't think this'll be a problem somehow. *sigh*

Oh, be quiet. Yes, you. I can hear every single last mother of you *thinking* at me. I did it all, didn't I? AND while I was trying to make Dave.

...

Very close to being finished checking my web links at work. Yes. Still. Then I've got Education to do, and then finally I'll be done with click - OK - click - OK - click - not OK Fix - click - OK.

Mind. Numbing.

...

Got a new contact on Flickr. Some incredible shots/morphs.

...

If only it were possible.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Blogger Videos!

2007-08-27T11:03:00.000Z

Better get my software together on the animations - then I can show y'all the Wonderful World of Squashies.

...

In the meantime, after much churlish lip-pouting from me, and not a little "lots of people would give their eye-teeth to be here" thinking, I got some great shots of street performers on the Royal Mile. Heartily enjoyed their show and tipped them a fiver. I'm a big believer in tipping buskers - I like the idea of people entertaining us as we walk around. These two got a fiver as they entertained me for 45 minutes. They were far superior to Phil Kay, on Saturday which cost eleven quid. Bad pick from me and Steve. He used to be funny, you know.

More shots on Flickr, as usual. I has triptychs.

...

Tekkonkinkreet was awesome! Beautiful, shocking and thought-provoking. It did get tied up in a neat little bundle with good or light winning out over bad or darkness. Not without a lot of blood and guts, though.

Going still-hunting today as the environments were just dandy. I think the most impressive thing about it (of many) was the sound and volume levels. It managed to hover at that harassing-for-effect-without-being-biologically-offensive-to-ears level. Nice definition, eh? *laughter*

One of the main characters was 'touched' - and I use the word advisedly. I used to work at a Playscheme for the Handicapped and I remember very well the way some kids just never learned to moderate volume. Use of that communicated a lot of character and really brought you into those interacting with him's viewpoint.

...

Busy week ahead. Much to achieve on a personal level. Work is work, as it always is. STILL checking feckin' web-links!

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Weekend - Woop!

2007-08-24T11:49:00.000Z

My wrists are aching. *pause for snickers up sleeves*

Finished? Good.

Lots of lifting and carrying yesterday and the day before. Getting rid of the leftover (makes it sound small - two van loads!) of this academic year's takeaway literature. Plus all I've done at the computer at work is click links, as we're doing our annual check of all our web pages. That said, I'm picking up little bits and pieces of interest - like the marauding elephants in Malawi. They've had to have a people-curfew.

...

Starting to run up against the straight-out-from-work-or-not-at-all quandary. One must be so organised when living out of town, don'tcherknow. If I am planning on going out, or even want the option, then I have to pack street clothes for the evening. There's also that dead time between five and seven (before which no truly civilised evening society begins) to fill. Fair enough is weather is nice - can wander around, especially just now with FestiVAL to gad about in. Not looking forward to winter time for same - dark at 4pm.

Eesh. Ach, well. Optimism. Could very well have my very own flat by then.

...

Great shot - not mine. Is giggle-worthy.

...

The show I went to last night, with Liz and Jenny was very funny indeed. Aeneas Faversham Returns. I'll let you read the review for details. Most proud of Jamie who I used to be in drama societies with. Doing very well for himself.

The sketches are all very Victoriana, or Georgian or Edwardian. Muzzy period, not really mattering, but it put me in mind of something someone, I think it was Hamish but I could be wrong, said: that you have to limit yourself in order to be creative. 'tis true, I feel.

"I'm going to write a story."

OK, well done, but what about? And in what style? What do you want to communicate?

This spun me down another wee thought trail to what is fast becoming my philosophy on art, if you like. It can be summed up in one word and everything: Intent. Art is intent.

I reached this particular conclusion mostly through the photography. Digital is all so very easy, you see. At least in part. Takes away all the technical necessities, most especially with the point and clicks. I personally don't understand those who use the "auto" setting on their fancy-pants cameras. Why not just buy/bring the ittle one?

Anyway - if there's no requirement to know any great deal about processing or developing, then do you get to claim yourself as a photographer? If all you've done is the aforesaid point-and-click. I think so. I think if you intend to create something, then that's good enough. It won't necessarily be good, but it'll be definable as art.

Which is just the start, really.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Missing music

2007-08-23T10:41:00.000Z

Dad isn't really a music kind of guy. When we were kids, he'd come in from work, turn whatever music my brother or sister were listening to (at the time, I was usually reading), turn on the TV, and then (and this is the insulting part) bugger off upstairs for half an hour.

I miss the radio. First thing I put on in my own house, in the morning, when I get in from work, when I'm doing dishes, whatever. Just now I'm catching the odd tune when I'm in my bedroom. Moving around would be fine, except the second hands-free kit (kindly donated by Patrick) has broken. In exactly the same fashion. Left earphone stopped working, then right, now it's bust. Bloody Sony.

I'm being tight - getting an upgrade in November, so I'm not buying another set, just to break. (I do take after my father in some ways - *laughter*).

I am missing the music, though - probably driving my colleagues mad with a confusion of unconscious humming, whistling and singing. And the songs that are coming out - "Three Little Maids from School"? This is not cool. Good, but Not Cool.

...

Off to see Mr. Jamie of the Anderson tonight - finally! I have been seriously lame friend, as he's been doing the stand-up and comedy malarkey for about four years now and this is the first show I'll have been to see. Looking forward to it, though - it's had some great reviews, and he's always been a funny fella.

...

I am Very Happy today. Can't tell you why. It's that 'nothing I wouldn't want employer, mother or possible lover to read'.

Which doesn't narrow it down much, I realise, but VERY HAPPY!

...

Nihil obstat - MOFO!

C

Ever Decreasing Circles

2007-08-22T12:38:00.000Z

A "Normal" person is the sort of person that might be designed by a committee. You know, "Each person puts in a pretty color and it comes out gray." ~Alan Sherman

...

What are you all looking at?

...

Moments of anticipation: realising there's an update at a site one enjoys - spotting a new pic from a particularly fond contact on Flickr - getting an email from Edinburgh Property about new properties in my price band. Yay!

...

Being at Mum and Dad's is going to be good for Creative Chris. Once I'm home, I'm home - I'm not bouncing up and down to Edinburgh in the evening. It's not really worth it for a couple hours social time, unless I stay in town after work. Maybe once I've sorted out rail pass. Maybe.

But, yes, being home and staying home means I've been getting more done. Dad watches crap TV so I'm pushed up off my butt, too. Hence, the more podges. :) Question is, once I've got all the pics I want, do I squish them?

Do I?

...

Nihil obstat,

C

Wave back!

2007-08-21T13:25:00.001Z

Pleased with la Familie Podge Blanc (White Podge Family). For many reasons. One - they're a progression from this guy:

And two, they progressed themselves. Started off with basic body shape, then heads happened by themselves (plasticine does this - it makes itself). They also sexed themselves, by virtue of very small tilts of head, or where they were standing in relation to each other. They also informed me that they, unlike the other podges, needed eyes. I've got photos of the process but not posting them. I'm not done with these guys - they're surprising me and I think I'm learning a lot from them. No, I'm not crazy. I don't think lumps of modelling material are actually speaking.

What I mean is that moving arms, changing the direction they're looking - at each other, away from each other, all that; makes a huge difference to the mood. Which means I'm learning a fair bit about portraiture and group shots without the attendant harassment of working with actual people. Be warned, though, those of you who live near - I'm going to start begging you to let me take your photo. (No, Liz, not you.) I've got a few contacts on Flickr who are regularly coming up with astonishing portraits, just by grabbing a mate and going for a wander.

Another reason I like them is that my Dad laughed at me. In a gentle, pleasant way - with love. But still laughing.

"Wot?" I asked.

"Nothing," says he.

"Wot?" I asked again.

"Oh, nothing. It's just - do you not sometimes worry?" says he, chortling.

"No," says I, quite content with the fact that I'm the kind of guy who spends a chunk of his evening playing with plasticine and taking photos of the results.

Of course, when I showed him these, he asked could I do this? Maybe it's the plasticine...

...

Work is dull, work is dull. Well. Not that dull. But I wouldn't describe myself as 'engaged', particularly. Awaiting the dreaded feedback on three submissions. Let's see what I've got entirely wrong this time. A lesser person would be doubting themselves by now, you know.

Good job I'm so fan-feckin-tastic, eh?

;-p

...

Gods, I've not been paying attention and now it's half past three.

...

Nihil obstat,

C

ReadWrite

Thought I'd catch myself up

Commitment

I still think she's here

Never enough time

Utter procrastination

Hatred and Psychic Abilities

You have to check the links...

I'm getting my wish

Lookit me!

Courtesy

Fade

To the tune of 'dedication' - much popularised by the late, great Roy Castle

It translates in my head as a distant weeping

Forward start

Wuss

OK, so considering I've just done the accounts...

Id Boy

Achieved my goals, by the way

Action Plan

Well.

Earthquake

Ni hao!

A superhero who's lost his powers

Just quickly

Let's get a bit more aspirational, shall we?

Self Indulgence

Check it out

Wednesdays then

A good word in any language

Fourteen clients

Might be called away at any second

Monday - in the bag

I'm ba-aaaaack

Merry Christmas!

OK, so we've settled a bit

It's a definite hiatus

Service Interruptions

Week the second

Away again

Another day...

It's tasty, tasty, very very tasty!

Drinking the Kool-Aid

Getting sad

Did I say how awesomely cool Stardust is?

I can has flat!

Five days and counting...

I really do surprise myself when I forget

Buying a flat is going to kill me

Such a tired boy

'nother box ticked

Who would want to be men of the people...when there's people like you

Published

Moments of excitement

So, the flat...

Photoshop toes

Why won't they phone?!!!!!

Got my soundtrack back...

*yaaaAAAaaaawn*

Everything's shiny, Captain

Oops!

Waiting...

Happy birthday to me...

Proper happy

Happy smiling

Things progress

Unhappy day

Back once more and again

We're ba-aack!

Normal service...

By the way...

Oh, noes! I "oohed"!

And that's in EARTH pounds, that.

It's that time

How extremely pleasant

Last day, last day!

Second viewing

Cheap cheap

So close to holidays

Always amazes me

yaaaAAAaaaawn