31st July 2006 **UPDATE**

New poker date added in the poker area.

31st July 2006

Here is the final image for Red - more of a photoshop exercise than photography. It's a bit horrific but I fancied something different. Nik came in and thought it was awful and scary so, while it is not the best image ever, it had the desired effect. I did intend a lot of other different images for the Red section but, alas, have ran out of time.

New theme tomorrow is to shoot PAD - Photo A Day. The theme is to shoot for each the date of each day visually. That is, the first may have a first class stamp or have something coming first. It may simply have a lone item (otherwise it all gets very difficult). We shall have to see how this theme goes.

We have been accepted on our mortgage so we shall hopefully move in mid-September. I should at least be in for my birthday. Not sure what I am up to for that. It will be nice to go and see all the friends I have been missing when things calm down a bit.

30th July 2006

We have been away for the weekend with the folks in Peterborough for Gramp's birthday (he would have been 77) so I didn't post anything last night.

Mum has had my D70 and taken very well to it. She is threatening to go to night school to 'bone-up' on the essence of digital photography but whether she will is another matter. Even shooting on auto though she has produced some nice shots. Lets hope it all continues.

Nik and I are very excited, planning the house together although it is all a bit overwhelming at the moment and we hardly get any time just to chill.

Here and here are a couple of red images. The new theme starts on Tuesday along with the usual monthly change to the site.

28th July 2006

The kiddies came around tonight and played with my D200 - One shot was very good so I pinched it and put it through Photoshop and came out with this. I like it! It is of Rik's girlfriend Luce. She has been feeling a bit hot and can almost faint because of the heat. You only have to give her the magic, cold flannel and she is right as rain in no time.

Work was much better today. I actually felt like I was getting somewhere which always helps. There still are a problems I feel over workflow and resourcing but I guess I shall soldier on and see what happens.

Thanks to Verity for her donation towards the sponsored climb for Rainbows. I only have to get Nikki's money and cash from my mum then we have all the money in.

Minty in the big smoke sent me over this for a giggle. He recently bought an old hard-back issue of an old role-playing resource (Deities and Demi-gods) bringing up the question can we roleplay again and when. With buying the house I now have a BIG conservatory to play in. So guys, you can come stay soon....

27th July 2006

No red image today but rather a quick shot of some lightning that was crashing around in the early hours.

Today has been a complete pain the in the arse so I am not going to dignify it with any interesting comments (not that my postings are anything to read normally).

26th July 2006

Thanks to Rich, John & Dawn for the money for Rainbows. I almost have everyone's cash in (and will get the money off my folks this weekend when I go back to Peterborough to be with the family for Gramp's birthday. He would have been 77).

I have put up a couple of new images here and here.

Luce sent me a fun graphic which will mess with your eyes a bit (below). See if you can figure why there are 12 characters which seem to increase in number to 13 after the graphic moves. This had Luce's office stumped for while.

I saw Nasty Dave (Poker) today who has given me a date for the next meet (see Poker page).

25th July 2006 **UPDATE**

I have posted a red image with a difference here.

John 'Minty' McEntee has sent me a rather alarming article over the rain forest - Lets face it, it has been coming for years. Suddenly the 'day after tomorrow' style eco disaster seems to be knocking on our doors.

Just noticed I appear to have got ahead of myself with the date so I will post this latest info as an update to the 25th. Man, oh man, I am wishing my life away. I'll be regretting THAT when I am old and in a nappy.

25th July 2006

Well who would have believed it? We have only gone and got accepted on the Rockhill drive house. Yay! My first house is confirmed. We are in the process of sorting it as I type. With any luck we should be able to get the keys in 2 months or so. Wahoo!

Another red image here.

24th July 2006

All in all this has been a mad weekend. Nik's folks have offered top give us a lot of money towards the house which is so generous It does though make me feel bad because it helps so much with our problem but I don't want them to have to hand over so much cash just so we can get a nice place. I feel I should be providing more money to the deal. I think they have worked hard and should be enjoying their money.

Isn't it wierd that when you want money and are young you have none and when you are older you have nothing to spend it on. Strange!

Consiquently this weekend has been a bit mad and I haven't had time to do much else other than sort the finances of the house offer. We may try to meet the sellers price on the house in Rockhill drive as we like it so much, I am just loath to spend more than the 145,000.

I am beat from the weekend so I am off to sleep now. I have posted a new red image here.

23rd July 2006

Billing Aquadrome was really lovely yesterday until about 1.00 when the heavens opened. Poor old Nik was soaked but I think she had fun still,l especially having a bit of time with her dad.

I was going to try to get to my friend Tyrone's birthday party but by the evening I was just beat and wouldn't have been much company (from what Sam - my friend and his girlfriend - said it was going to be a bit of a session). It is weird that now-a-days my waking hours run much earlier (from about 6.00am to 10.30am or so). Yet when I was younger (and I think most people find this) I used to do 10.00am to late 1.00-2.0am0 ish at least. I just don't have the energy to party late anymore. God, I have got really boring.

So apologies for missing your party T. I will make it up when we get a house and have you and Sam over (earlier in the day of course!) for dinner and you will be able to stay as we should have a few bedrooms for you to choose from. Let me know how it went anyway.

I am out again today and will take some photos. Not sure where to go. I am tempted to go into the Centre of a town and take some people photos. It kinda depends on what Nik wants to do too. I will post a red image later also.

That reminds me, nothing new in the red category on Ian's site. I shall have to check tonight to see if he posts anything.

Thanks to Neil in Manchester for sending me the Rainbow's money. I am stock-piling the cash and will hand it over once I have everyone's in - So come on and give me the cash as soon as possible please.

22nd July 2006

Another red image here.

Word of warning - the only thing I have found to be problem with the D200 is my 10 pin cap on the front has fallen off already (who knows where) after 5 days. Nikon are sending me another after I sent them a stamped address envelope but bear in mind the cap does fall away rather easily. I would order a couple of spares from Nikon BEFORE the cap comes off, just in case. You have been warned...

21st July 2006

A couple of red photos added to the gallery here and here.

20th July 2006

Well the house we were after is no more. Our final offer was rejected which is a bit of a shame considering it took us well over budget and was only 4% down on what the house was advertised at. That said, the seller is a great guy and with house markets how they are he may just get what he is after. It is just a bummer for us!

Away from that I am posting a new red image here.

I have sponsor money from Chris Scally in Brighton (nice one pal!) and Spencer in Kent (your a dude!). Come on the rest of you - 'show me the money!'

If you guys don't realise the Rainbows photos are in the gallery so check them out. Anyone who hasn't sponsored can by emailing me. It looks like so far I have raised about 150 quid + and together, team Mulberry, has raised about 600... as my boss Craig would say (in a strange accent) ... not bad!

19th July 2006

There is a new image in the red gallery. I found this while walking around Rothley the night before and quite like the angle on the shot.

We have upped out offer in on the house we like in Mountsorrel but we are on the limit now - just hope the seller can come down a wee bit (shame, because he is a great guy and if we had more money we would pay full-whack).

It IS the hottest day of the year so I am not going to type anymore but simply I am off to find a large receptacle to dip parts of my body in to....

(jez you guys have filthy minds...) My feet! I meant my feet.

18th July 2006 **UPDATE**

I have added the photograph of the coke can I took from Friday for the red theme.

18th July 2006

It occurs to me I didn't identify who had won the football World Cup Office wager we had - Ian! And he has the shirt to prove it (guess which side he was rooting for).

Ian is also shooting lots of red for out monthly theme - you can see his shots here. I do like the new one which is simple and captures the essence of that photograph's theme very well.

17th July 2006

And another red image in the gallery not completely sure about this one though.

The photos for Rainbows are posted in the gallery. The day went well apart from Nik hurt her ankle and my ankle, which was sprained about 2 months ago, plagued me a bit. I did manage to to go up the wall a few times but not as many as Craig and, especially Ian who went up a staggering 50 times! Craig also brought in Jacky to help us as Kelly, who did her work experience with us, couldn't make it. The sun was constantly beating down. The other teams had a great day getting all their climbs in. We did finish our '150 times' up the wall so made it to the top of Ben Nevis (equiv.) and therefore completed the challenge and can get our sponsor money in. That reminds me - anyone who pledged please send me some money (Cheques need to be made out to Rainbows Children's Hospice) and those who haven't pledged, send something anyway!

I must admit the best part was hobbling back to the beer tent for a hot dog and a cold one. That and actually finishing the challenge, which I didn't think was going to happen at one point (thanks again to the guys for making up the deficit).

Things to note on these Rainbows photos - 1). they are shot on the new D200 and 2.) they are straight from the camera after a resize (as I didn't want to trawl through loads of photo retouching).

Spencer in Kent sent me these funny clips variations of Zidane's head butt, viewed according to which nationality you are.

Thanks

John sent through a link to a movie inside John Landis's film Kentucky Fried Movie which I haven't seen since I was a teenager. Very Funny!

16th July 2006

Another red image in the gallery.

We completed the Rainbows challenge (I will post more in the week).

15th July 2006

I have the D200 in my hands and it kicks utter ass! If I knew it was going to be this sexy I would have got one last year! I am afraid I can't post much tonight other than this quick red photo as I am playing....

...But I must go to bed soon as I am climbing Ben Nevis with the Mulberry gang tomorrow for Rainbows Children's hospice. (So if you are reading this and haven't pledged any money, do - anything will help. Just sponsor me to climb, with 5 others, the height of Ben Nevis up a portable climbing wall).

14th July 2006

New red image in the gallery.

Ian sent over a link from Pbase which reminds me just how unfair life can be (just like for the children who go to Rainbows). Sure will make the climb on Sunday easier thinking it will go towards helping these kids.

Poor ol' Jovitz down south has emailed again. She tells me her other half might not have had to have the surgery if the health service had identified his problem sooner. That sucks!

Not much else to add. I will post more photos over the weekend and let them do the talking. Oh having a look at another house tomorrow near the one we like. It is 7,500 cheaper so hopefully it will look ok.

I really should get around to expanding areas of this site (using new features like CSS design and some content management stuff, maybe) its just getting around to doing it is a real pain. Especially when more photos are to be had.

D200 may be on the cards tomorrow. We shall see.

13th July 2006

Been out biking tonight to try and get some generic shots for a photo project for work. We shall have to see how the images turn out (first viewing through Photoshop makes them look a little burnt out - I am hoping this is the white balance encryption problem).

I posted a few images (1, 2 and 3) in the red category as they are all a little abstract, photoshoppy (yes, it's a word!) and just about make one whole image added together.

Also heard from the Jovitz down south who tells me her man Keith has had an operation to fix his back, so good luck with the recovery there.

Remember anyone reading this that the climb is still on for Rainbows on sunday and I need lots of money for the spponsership.

12th July 2006

New Image added to the red gallery and I quite like this one too. Again it is on the new 18-200mm Nikon which I am really enjoying. The wait is a killer but if you can get one I recommend it.

11th July 2006 **UPDATED UPDATE**

Wow, how wrong was I? Seems that link from John was some guy posting as Stephen Hawking. It can't be the real guy, can it? By the way, check out the George Bush vid and other samples here (same as below) they are well funny. Basically this guy has made modern tracks using samples from George Bush's voice. Worth a giggle!

Oh, Poker guys, if you read this can you let me know when the new meet is, if anyone knows. Cheers! Bazooka has sent me some images from the cancelled night at Sir Bob's here.

11th July 2006 **UPDATE**

I have a few minutes more before we go out to sort the car so I can post some more stuff here.

Minty in the big smoke has emailed me some more stuff over including this unbelievable dog video, some trippy Steven Hawking vid (which I will post the link but I haven't had time to check out fully yet) and this George Bush vid (which again I will check out when I get back).

Craig has sent me an awesome game for those of you into your World Cup football and would like to take the place of Zidane and get sent off too.

I hope to climb for charity on Sunday for Rainbows Children Hospice but I don't find out until tomorrow if it is on or not. If it is I hope to contact as many people as possible to raise some money for this awesome charity (and I don't have long to do it!)

11th July 2006

I did hope to get more on the blog tonight but Nik's radiator has bust and we have to drive to Melton Mowbray to see her mechanic so it doesn't like I will get much time to post.

I have a new red image here that I like. It is the one that got me in trouble with the staff at the fish counter. They asked me about whether I had a pass to shoot there and if not to stop as I may be from the competition. The man who stopped me did however say I could shoot the fish as he held it after I explained that I was simply indulging my hobby and trying to fulfill my monthly photography theme so it all ended well enough.

10th July 2006

Nik and I went house shopping again and looked over the house we made an offer on, on Friday. It is a nice house but with the wow factor gone it is easier to look over and try and pick any faults about the house out. I still love it but I am not so commited as before. I could miss out on the house and not be really annoyed. We shall have to see what happens.

I have added a new red image. I shot it in Sainsburys the weekend. Another shot got me in trouble with one of the staff there but I will go into that when I post that image.1

9th July 2006

Well I have actually managed to start taking photos on the monthly theme of RED. The first image I have here is of me after badminton on Friday with Nik's brother Rik. What can I say, when a 34 year old takes on a 21 this is the result - I went the colour of beetroot! (and enhanced it a little for the photo of course. If I were that colour I probably wouldn't still be here today).

7th July 2006

Not having a great day today (long story) but still managed to get a photo up.

6th July 2006

First, I will get the football scores out the way. (Basically because I am losing at it big time).
As of today scores are (with only 4 more possible points) -
Ian Bursill: 50pts
James Thompson: 49pts
Mark Finnemore: 47pts
Craig Johnstone: 45pts
Marc Baker: 42pts
Matt Stokes: 40pts

Next I have heard from the Mighty Minty today. I thought you had dropped off the face of the planet dude (as I am sure you have thought the same of me in the past). It was nice to hear about your birthday's going-ons and congratulations on the new job. I would have to agree that is nice to tell your boss to stick it when they are complete a&*holes but fortunately I work with some great guys. Glad it all worked out though pal and it's good that you are finally feeling better after your cold.

John has sent some wicked clips (from tube) including this funny Harry Enfield vid about football. For his birthday he went to see this show about the legendary Bill Hicks. From the reviews it looks awesome and makes me want to break out the Bill Hicks - Revelations DVD.

John also sent me CD's of music from when we were teenagers. I tell you , it brought loads of memory's back. You remember John, in the garden, with the video camera? Or running around with the flamethrower? Ah, the sweet abandonment of youth. I miss it!

Repo Dudes forever...

...oh and new image here.

Nik and I went to see a house tonight which we really liked so I think we are going to make an offer on it tomorrow. Our first house...Exciting stuff!

5th July 2006

I had a really crap day out on a photographic assignment for work. It did nothing but rain all bloody day. I had Kelly with me as well so really sucked as I was looking forward to her getting a chance to really shoot some subjects professionally (although it was nice to have company). She has kindly provided me with the URL of her work so have a look.

I have posted two images because the first, once up, I decided I didn't really like that much but it seemed a waste after I had processed it. So I also put up a shot of an older man sunbathing which I think is ok. See what you think.

Some more here from Ian on the football game scores and, what a shock, I am last!

Ian sums up.... (From scores up to 4th July)
Well... what a game! I know they're being investigated for match fixing, but my second team are up for the cup. Come on Italia!

Ian Bursill: 49pts
James Thompson: 48pts
Mark Finnemore: 47pts
Craig Johnstone: 43pts
Marc Baker: 41pts
Matt Stokes: 40pts

4th July 2006

Photo added here.

3nd July 2006

New image posted here.

We have a girl, Kelly, at my studio on work experience. She showed Ian and I her photos and I have to say she has a great eye and some good post shot processing skills for photography. I will see if she can give me a link to her pictures so you all can have a look.

2nd July 2006

Better late than never - here is the image I promised in June for yesterday, but posted today. I also posted this alternative of the Rock of Fuerteventura.

It has been a great weekend, even with the unlucky football but I am dreading sleeping in this heat.

Looks like I am well and truly out of the football. Not even a miracle could get me back in the running (and by miracle I mean England playing like champions).
Ian sums up the football scores to date;

Thanks Wayne - well done lad!
What is it about young Man Utd players losing their rag and getting sent off in world cups (remember Beckham)?
Good riddance Sven! And now for someone even more tactically deficient!

Scores are
Ian Bursill: 48pts
James Thompson: 47pts
Mark Finnemore: 45pts
Marc Baker: 41pts
Craig Johnstone: 41pts
Matt Stokes: 40pts

So work tomorrow and the promise of 33 degrees. Yikes!

1st July 2006 ** UPDATE**

Ian is a jammy git! Thanks to Argentina's draw with Germany he shoots into the lead. These last few games will be vital to have a chance of winning the competition. Scores are...

Ian Bursill: 47pts
James Thompson: 46pts
Mark Finnemore: 45pts
Marc Baker: 41pts
Matt Stokes: 40pts
Craig Johnstone: 40pts

1st July 2006

Monsieur Kristian Peacocke has emailed back with tales of wo' over the world cup. Yes, mine and Nik's friend from down under (though he lives in England) was watching the soccer and and felt pain at Australia's demise but has adopted England's colours, for now. You may have to choose another team soon Kit if England don't sort it out.

Kristian has a blog which is at http://www.slightlydisgruntled.co.uk with the blog at http://www.slightlydisgruntled.co.uk/iknow/. Kit has losts of photos which are tip top and I see someone has been using the comic strip software that ships with ilife '06. Shameless!

If you read this have you seen the apple ads 'hello I am a mac, hello I am pc' Just wondered what you thought I them because they make me laugh (not least because of the stereotyping of the pc guy as nerd while the apple 'dude' is so kool).

Kit had a birthday Barbeque the other day where and old friend (RIch) turned up. Nik knows Rich from University and I met him once at the nightclub Nik and I used to work and play in. He didn't like me much so I never really got to speak to him but apparently he had a few issues. Oh well, who doesn't, eh?
So you are 25 now. Jesus Kit, I don't even remember last week let alone 25. Oh cruel life, how we are pawns in your endless game. (Cough! Sorry about that. Must have been the Jack D I had last night coming to haunt me).

Kit's folks are in Fuerteventura, strangely enough. He still live in Wimbledon so we will go and say hello at some point. Although it may be his turn up here if we can prize him away from ol' smokey.

Oh and glad you are happy with your new girlfriend and hello to Millie!

You may have noticed that I have added a Flickr bar too. I saw Kit's on his blog and since I have a few photos on Flickr I thought I would add one.