22 July 2011

Photo Safari

Really looking forward to my photo safari which begins tomorrow. This will give me the chance to recharge my creative batteries. August is going to be a busy month. So this is a fantastic opportunity to kick-start all that.

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20 July 2011

Damsels

Photo shoot this evening at the Royal Hotel, Ashby. I am capturing the organiser of the 'Damsels in Success' meeting - Sandie Peachey - so that she can publicise future meeting on her website. Should be interesting. Will post my favourite images in the morning.



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19 July 2011

Coffee and a Chat

Coffee at Lakeside Lodge with the lovely Rebecca who organises the WIBN meetings - talking about networking and photography.

I love the beginning of new friendships. Today has made me appreciate how lucky I am with all the decisions I have made and all the support and friends I have. I thank them all.

Lakeside Lodge Cafe and Coffee Shop
You can probably tell this shot was taken in December
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18 July 2011

Becky Says Bounce

I spent a very happy couple of hours watching the energetic Bouncing Becky (OneSixEight Fitness) recording her next fitness video. She asked me to capture some images for her to use on her website and in printed material to promote her video. I was more than happy to do this as I had suggested Moira Furnace to her as a suitable backdrop for this video. The weather was blustery and overcast with fast moving clouds whizzing over our heads - but the rain stayed off and the light made for some good shots.

Here are some of my favourites:





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16 July 2011

Spurn Head

A trip out to Spurn Head with camera today. Not sure of the wisdom of this what with the torrential rain - but it's going to be fun. The clouds certainly look stunning and if nothing else they will make for interesting images. Otherwise it'll be grey sky, grey sea, grey land.
Watch this space.


Off to work I go

Couldn't resist a panorama:


Rain over Hull


Well what a delightful surprise. Torrential rain the whole day but each time I stepped out of the car it had stopped. A lovely day and just what I needed after a particularly painful trip to the physio. Sorting out the pain in my neck leads to a thumping headache. But lots of water, pain killers, a brief snooze in the car on the way, as well as all that lovely sea air really helped.

I did rather fall in love with the lighthouse where, I read in the visitors centre, lives an artist in residence who has been briefed to collect debris from the beach to create stunning pieces. If you understand geography then you will understand that Spurn Head is constantly moving, even man's interference hasn't quite stopped it. Here are some of the things I found on the beach.


 




 
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13 July 2011

Deraillieur

Went for another bike ride around Hicks Lodge this morning. I went an entirely different route to last time and yet I thought I had made all the same choices. I really need to find out if they have produced a map of the routes yet. Ended up on a trail with jumps, bumps and banked turns. Not really up for this yet so I took it easy. Really do have to sort the derailleur though as I cannot get into first gear at all now. Brother wont be over any time soon so I will tackle it in the morning.

Wlll post a pic of uncooperative derailleur.

Well I just had a look at it to see if I could work out what tools I need. And guess what ... It went into first easily. Hmmmm this is weird and puzzling.

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11 July 2011

Spitalfields revisited

Spent a very pleasant - but incredibly warm - day in London yesterday. Revisited Spitalfields and Brick Lane as a tourist rather than for business exhibiting my work. It was an eye opener - it seems this area is extraordinarily busy on a Sunday. Who'd-a thought it? After visiting the House of David Severs on Folgate Street which was very interesting - an assault on the senses - sight, sound and smell. Wonderful. We then had lunch in the Water Poet. I loved the menu:


Next we walked along Fournier Street - which if you know your Ripper history is crammed with it. I loved this view looking back towards Christ Church on Commercial Street. The houses were the most delightful colours.



We came across a bookshop and Sue took the opportunity to find a gift for Lynette.


We then headed along Brick Lane where all the restaurants are and I spotted a man carrying a plant.



We then headed into the madness that is the Brick Lane Market.


Pushed through the crowds.


And marvelled at how many melons were sold - the whole place smelt of melons.


And finally back to Spitalfields Market for a refreshing drink.

A refreshing drink tryptch

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Energy

I love my quotes and saw this one above a shop in London yesterday.

"Nobody realises that some people expend
tremendous energy merely to be normal."
Albert Camus


Folgate Street, Spitalfields

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07 July 2011

WIBN meeting

My second Women In Business Networking meeting this lunchtime at the lovely Dovecliff Hall Hotel. Met up with some new friends and had a lovely time. So many interesting businesses and business women. The support and advice is priceless and the camaraderie is great. Looking forward to the next one.

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05 July 2011

Inspiration

Writing up my notes from my portfolio review and getting inspiration from the people I have been guided towards.

Particularly Vincent Bousserez whose work I saw in the Telegraph recently; Franck Allais and the recent Sky TV advertisements created by ad agency Brothers & Sisters.


Some stunning work that I am keen to absorb and make use of. Over the summer I need to continue my Small World project there has been a lot of interest in it and I need to follow that up.


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To leave a humble gift


Desiderata

 
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labours and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.


Max Ehrmann




04 July 2011

Scrreeeam

I need to scream but need to find a safe place to do it.

With the help of a good friend I was able to do it. Cathartic and inspirational - the start of a new project has come out of it.

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03 July 2011

Hicks Lodge

Been round Hicks Lodge on my bike this afternoon. Lovely. Lots of routes to explore. I will make a habit of this. I swallowed too many flies. Need my brothers help with my bike. It often won't go into first - think a tiny adjustment with the derailer is required but would like his thoughts.

Hicks Lodge Cafe - but didn't stop for refreshments

Albert Village Lake - all these tracks will be linked some day soon

Only tiny disappointment is that you can only enter and exit through the main entrance/car park. There is no way of joining it from the village. I have a feeling this will be addressed at some point but not in the near future I fear.

Would recommend it to anyone, hills and gentle slopes - suits everyone.

Right I'm off for a bath.

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Murder mysteries

I am a murder mystery fan. I love them all. All started with Steve McGarrett in Hawaii Five-0. Every Friday night when my dad went round to his mates house to prepare the motorbike for the weekends motor racing and I would be plonked down in front of the Friday night TV. This love has followed me all through my life.

I love Agatha Christie stuff, Miss Marple and Poirot - so gentle and contained. Sherlock Holmes and Lord Peter Whimsey kept me company all last summer on my iPod. So it was a tremendous treat when Sherlock Holmes came to our screens in an all too brief 3 episodes last Autumn with the wonderful Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role. Funny how you follow someone to see where it leads you and I now find myself thoroughly enjoying Benedict in Cabin Pressure (11.30 Friday Radio 4). A beautifully written show by John Finnemore. After hearing it more times than I can recall the last episode of series 2 titled 'Limmerick' still has me crying with laughter when Arthur is quizzed on the phonetic alphabetic.

Midsomer Murders is a fabulous piece of TV and are great to accompany an afternoon snooze. You don't miss a thing. Plus I've seen them all so many times they are like old friends. However the new DCI Barnaby (Neil Dudgeon) is great. They are being very slow at letting these episodes out - about one a month is all we seem to be getting. Also the recent furore over the show has shown me how little time journalists spend on getting to know something they are writing about. They all said something about the 'village where all the murders happen'. Well if they had watched even part of one episode they would have discovered that it is the County of Midsomer. I love the way the production team ensures the branding works, on court houses, libraries, schools, buses. All meticulously done. The new Midsomer Murders has a much grittier edge and the production values are more urban and street, than chocolate boxy, and it is all the better for it.

Lewis - well there's a treat indeed. I used to like Morse and never really noticed Kevin Whatley although I recognised him from Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Peak Practice. And here he is in Lewis with the title role but is so unassuming that his side kick really does steal the show. I am a fan of both Kevin and now of Laurence Fox. Having been to Oxford recently I appreciate the golden gorgeousness of the place and that comes across in the show.
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This spring and summer has been a real treat to feed my lust for all things murder mystery. The shining stars for me have been (in no particular order):

Case Sensitive. How gorgeous is Jason Issacs and all set in the moody, mysterious and beautiful Edinburgh. I love it when the hero plays just on the edge of the law whilst remaining honest and true. The ladies around him are played wonderfully and make the whole story marvellous from beginning to end. It has to equal the Rebus stories for its use of the city it is set in and the wonderfully dark loner that is Ken Stott in the title role.

Scott and Bailey. How great to see women in the title roles for a change. Lesley Sharp, Suranne Jones and Amelia Bullmore. Gruesome cases to solve and occasionally the plot has no twist or turn which in itself can be a bit of a twist. Nice that the heroes have real lives and are not loners which the male heroes usually are. Beautifully cast and humourously done.

Luther. Some shows are so realistic that they leave you feeling just a little bit nervous. And Luther (Idris Elba) is one of those. There he was with his team solving murders committed in E1 just as I was heading off down to London, E1 no less. Butterflies all the way I can tell you. You have to love the slightly unhinged characters in this show - particularly the women who are played darkly and playfully as appropriate. I agree with Grace Dent (Guardian Guide TV OD) when she say, "One is never completely at ease with Luther, both during the show and for several hours afterwards, and I love it for that." The extra bonus with Luther is that it has one of the McGann brothers in it. In this case it was Paul, who I have been a big fan of since the Monocled Mutineer and Withnail & I back in the late 80s. 'Here, Hare Here' makes me laugh every time.

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02 July 2011

New Blood - Burton and London

An exhibition panel of my recently commissioned work (Olympics and Eden) has been created. These panels have then been exhibited in Cooper's Square, Burton and at the New Blood exhibition at the Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London.

Cooper's Square, Burton

Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London

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Alter Ego Outing - more lines

Hello Simon here ...
I have not been around for a while - been busy you know.
Went down to London recently and found my favourite
- yes - black, yellow and lines.
Unusually for me I actually photographed a person.
See you again soon.
Simon



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New Blood

A crazy couple of days happily spent in the company of good people. Here's the floor plan for the Exhibition - our stand I have highlighted in red:


Glad to be back home though with notes and ideas to think about and to develop into projects. Also glad to get these wristbands off:



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