Ok, so the hacking has taken on a somewhat more sinister feel today. It looks like the perpetrators from South America got in on my flash gallery and uploaded files to my site with the intention of defrauding people in the disguide of a south american bank. Needless to say things are locked up now and the appropriate people have been informed.

And I am not so happy about it all. Hackers are frickin' morons.

I did have a nice walk last night with friends and took a few shots of the kiddies riding their bikes in the park. Good practice as I am shooting a children's party late in August.

Well, I came back from shooting in Bradgate park tonight to find that 'imagi' was hacked! I should be annoyed but the damage was easy to reverse, so I actually feel quite honoured that I would warrant a 'hack'. Of course if it continues it could be very annoying.

You would think people have better things to do, but I suppose it is a creative form, of sorts??

Here is another Angel shot. This one is my preferred of the two, mainly because it is sharper but I like the fact that is off to the side. Just a little more interesting maybe?

Oh and it would have been my Gramps 80th birthday today - so happy birthday Gramps. I love you dude.

I went to the garden centre to get a bird feeder but couldn't decide which to get so ended up getting a water spray so I could add some moisture to this macro shot. I didn't really have very good light when I took the photo and it is a little soft but I am quite happy with how it abstractly works.

It makes a change at the moment not to be wrapped up. The sun is actually out and I am off to make the most of it. A far cry from the flash flooding we had on thursday night when I ended up going out in the hail to cut channels through the water-logged lower end of our garden. The gravel prevented the surface water draining so, with a brush, I dug long ruts which allowed the water to get to the drain and not come in the conservatory. Phew!

I am spending time with my girl tonight so here is a quick photo.

More space age fun here.

Another Space Centre shot here.

As I said, Nik and I went to the National Space Centre and here is a shot from the trip. It is quite expensive at 19 quid for adults and 9 for children and, while I liked the place and realise the overheads must be fairly stupendous, it left me a little dry. There were different photo opportunities although a lot of the photos were very noisy as I was trying to shoot with the available lighting inside to get the mood, rather than blast everything with flash.

By the way I just got told off for not stating that my Nik won the Wii boxing. This is why I refuse to play her at it. She is untouchable and I just end up a overheating mess, So, if we ever get in a fight I am going to do the clever rather than chivalrous thing and let her fight our way out!

Nik and I went to the Space Centre yesterday as it was crappy weather again and I had to use my voucher before it expired in August (the one I won from the Leicester Regeneration competition through the Mercury). So I was going to post an image from the trip but the kiddies (Nik's younger brother Rik and his girlfriend Luce) came over an we played Wii (the Nintendo console). I was lying down watching the chaos ensue when I looked up and took this quick, fun snap. Not the best technical photo ever but it definitely gives you an idea of the mayhem that is playing Wii boxing.

Yesterday and today I have actually felt human again which is a big bonus.

Work is nightmarishly busy but I am wading through it all.

I have managed to shoot some of the flowers in my garden and I really like this poppy detail.

Ah, Choo! (Oh you get it, right?)

So dreaming of warm weather and holidays has made me look over my holiday photos and, finding this, I thought I would post this gem.

I haven't been great over the weekend and I am still feeling pretty grotty even now so its an old photo today I am afraid.

Please, when will someone invent the cure for the common cold!?

I have had the 'Lurg' all week so haven't posted, but to make up for that I am posting three images tonight.

One of my beautiful girl.

One of the duuuddees!

...and one from the Louvre.

I am posting these listening to some classic chill out and the rain while feeling altogether much more like my normal self.

My Noo is away on a hen night and I miss her, but these times are important I think. To remind us of all we have and to be thankful for it. Thankful for her. (Remind me I have said this the next time she is giving me a right ear bending for summit).

Life is beautiful man. You have gota savour these moments, 'cos who knows when things may turn crappy!?

Oh, and as a last quick footnote, check out a movie called the Fountain. It was excellent if not a tad existential, with a great cast, (I love Rachel Weize although she does seem to me to be a tad hairy in this film!?), and the score is surreal enough to get my vote, (Nik Kelly, you may like this one. Who am I kidding, I bet you have it already?)

So if you get the chance go for it.

Another flower shot, this one reminds me of an extinct arthropod!

It's been really nice over the weekend and, once again, I can't believe that's it. I mean, where did the time go? Ah well.

To celebrate the sunshine in our garden, here is a shot which Nik liked from the beds.

Architecture just isn't getting a look in with my photography at the moment, so to make up the numbers in that category, here is a shot from the Arc de Triumph in Paris.

I wasn't going to post anything then found this that Ian took earlier today for a project we are working on (and I don't have big feet!) and I did promise something a bit lighter.

On a brighter note my nans illness has not spread. This may be the first positive news we have had on this so hopefully now it is the start on the road to recovery.

I managed to go to the gym tonight so I am posting this a bit late.

Everyone has the lurgy at the moment. God, I hope I don't get it. I have just started feeling good with all my exercise.

My family is really suffering at the moment. My Nan is really ill and mum is shouldering the burden which is taking its toll on her. I sometimes think that maybe I just don't do enough for them, being away from where they live, but is tricky. I will go and see them again soon.

You have to watch it as sometimes as it can be very easy to take a dark path in life, letting all the bad things get you down, espcially from serious illness. I guess it really boils down to, 'get busy living,' or 'get busy dying'. But isn't that so much easier to say than do when it's not you?

While we are on the subject, I think a more macabre photo will do for tonight's post. Maybe tomorrow I will try for something a bit more uplifting?

My boss Craig gave me a good kicking at badminton tonight. I played ok considering I haven't touched my racket in months, (and that's probably not a bad thing as I killed another one tonight meaning we only have one working racket left!)

Work, it would seem, is about to go mental! Strange how you can have periods where things are ok, (not that I am ever without something pressing), and then mad periods of nothing but jobs, jobs, jobs. Ah well, time flies while you are knee deep in about 20 projects. Still later in the week there are some big design jobs to get my teeth into, which makes a change from the masses of artworking flying around.

Oh and there was a little bit of flash work too; A spot the difference puzzle which I should finish tomorrow and post to whatcanwedotoday's website.

Tonight's photo is abstract and from Tenerife.

I forgot to mention. A guy I know in a well known high street retailer of camera equipment said, (on the hush, hush), Nikon are just about to announce a new camera with 22MP, a self cleaning sensor that is full frame! I must admit to being a tad skeptical but, hey lets see what happens. But remember you heard it first here!

Of course, what I am supposed to do with my DX and EX lenses (I am not sure), if I were to think about getting a FF body.

I have never been so glad to live on a hill, (preferring to take the occasional fence replacement over submersion). I feel so sorry for those people who are flooded out at the moment.

I can't think of a better way to kick-start this month's blog other than a photo of my girl.

To those who are interested, (my lot from back home), here is the map I have been working on for Astron. Once I have had time to go over some of the text, so it is not a compete mess, I will send or post that as well. It won't make much sense at the moment but you get an idea of the layout anyway.