29th September 2006 **UPDATE**

Thank you those people who got back to me to wish us a happy move, your wishes mean a lot.

We have moved some stuff into the new house tonight. It is all looking great there and we can't wait to finish the move and start sorting our new home out.

It does look like I will be offline for a while now so this is the last posting for imagi for at least a week or two. I hope to come back after that with the new monthly page and some HDR images for the new photo theme.

Until then, adieu...

29th September 2006

For those of you who have houses this will be no surprize but for those considering doing it you should know that buying a house turns this into this, or into this, or even into this!

28th September 2006

That's it folks! We have closed on the house. We are now, officially, home owners and it feels great. A big thanks to my folks and Nik's folks for all their help. Thanks to Nik's folks for bailing us out of trouble - we owe you more than we can ever repay. Thanks to Nik's Grandma and to Brendon for his last minute assistance (where would we be without you timely intervention?). Oh and thanks to our solicitor who had to put up with a lot of mistakes from other third parties to get us in to our house on time. Now comes the moving. At last!

Here is another emotion shot. I will not be posting many for a while which is a shame as Ian has named the new October theme and it is a doosey! We are shooting for the theme of 'HDR - High Dynamic Range' photography which should see some high contrast, really interesting looking images (here is one I tried to do a while ago for the 'Red' Theme but it didn't work well through Photoshop so I just posted the normal shot).

27th September 2006

I didn't manage to post anything yesterday as the week's stress of moving finally caught up with me and I got a killer migraine. It was early to bed and not much else.

I do feel better today especially as, touch wood, the house is going through tomorrow.

I am a bit bummed out though - NT-HELL , as I like to call them, can't connect us up until the 17th of October! Even though there is a connection in the new house already and we are giving them as much notice as we dare. I can't believe I will be offline for almost 3 week. I am not happy and I am seriously considering getting another provider. I think I will check with the guys at work tomorrow to see what they think.

I do have an image for tonight. I realise a lot of the emotion shots have been recalling images, many of which I am not that happy with. It undermines really why I chose this months theme which was to get out and shoot people more, not simply fill up the gallery from old, less than satisfying stock. Oh well! At least there are a few good ones.

There is always Ian's theme next month (and a week off to do a little shooting hopefully) which I am looking forward to.

Ian is investing in the new D80. I have to say it is an impressive bit of kit for the coin. It is, as Ian remarked today, a lot smaller in the body than we expected. It is more in keeping with a D50 in size than the D70. I think it will be very nice and easy to have with you if you are shooting out at location over a long period. My D200 by comparison weighs a fair bit. So much so that if I were a professional out shooting all the time I would have forearms like frickin' popeye!

So for the moment I am posting but expect a big gap in the future for entries to this site, photographic or written.

25th September 2006 **UPDATE**

Here is another emotion photo (this time of Ian - see Bursill's Pbase Photography / Bursill.com).

25th September 2006

This is the final week before the move and I am more than a little nervous. You don't expect anything to go wrong at this point but until we are handed the keys I don't think Nik or I will breath easy. Last nights sleep was abysmal - which I put down to the stress. Still this doesn't feel like the most stressful thing I have ever done or experienced (Nik would say because she has sorted most of it and though I hate to admit it, she would be right).

Today I will ask Ian how his shoot went. Who knows, he may have some of the photos up on his site soon (though I imagine he is stacked out producing the shots).

24th September 2006

The Kiddies (Rik and Luce) are back from holiday. They had a great time apart from the food (same old story with the hotel food in Tenerife) and an incident where someone died. They both are sporting brilliant tans - the gits!

I have posted a new image here.

23rd September 2006

The house is going through (so it would seem) so this time next week hopefully Nik and I will be sitting in our very own home. Ours, all ours!

We wouldn't have been able were it not for my folks and Nik's helping us though. In fact Nikki's parents generosity, help and support knows no boundaries. They are absolutely amazing!

Speaking of which my friend and boss from years ago, Brendon, called and is assisting us with the move. He is a star! He calls out of the blue, wants nothing other than to say hi and help us out. Truly the mark of unconditional friendship. I must return the favours he has given.

You know what? Thinking about it, I have a complete host of friends that put themselves out for me and Nik. Friends, parents, work colleges - I tell you reader. It is frickin amazing! I must do more in the future to help others unconditionally.

On another note, with any luck, Ian will have had a great wedding shoot today. He certainly lucked in on the weather - it was gorgeous!

As I posted an old image from the old Sony Cybershot I thought I would post another (with a bit of Photoshop tinkering) here. I must admit I quite like the shot, though I am sure it will not be everybodies 'cup-o-tea'

22nd September 2006

New photo here

21st September 2006 **UPDATE**

New photo here.

21st September 2006 **UPDATE**

It's hard not to take it personally when, no matter how hard you are trying to be positive, fate it would seem, has other ideas. I have had a pretty good day. The guys have cheered me up and I was staying positive.

So I am riding home, whistling and enjoying the sun on my face and the wind in my hair, ridding on my bike. When like a meteorite from space a conker comes hurtling out of the nearest tree and gets me right in the family jewels! It knocked the wind out of me so much I almost came off my bike!

Next, just before the post office I ran over a spike which stick into my front tyre, causing a blowout which almost knocks me off my bike again.

You can see where I am going with this? Sometimes it really does seem like some sick bastard is up there playing with us for their sport!

That said these events were kinda funny also so I am actually feeling even better (apart from my apparatus of course).

So there, meddling deity. Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

21st September 2006

I have decided to try and not be a grumpy bastard today. I must admit so far it has been very hard. I didn't sleep well, the house is still kinda 'up-in-the-air' even though we are due to move shortly.

However it is a gorgeous day and I have a gorgeous girlfriend who is amazing to me. I like my job (most of the time) and the guys here are funny and interesting. I am not starving. I am not in the middle of some pissy war somewhere fighting for some schmuck who safety sips expensive Cognac 30 miles behind the front line while young soldiers die in their thousands. I didn't crash a high speed car. In fact, I should be cart wheeling around the bloody office.

'Cept I'm not...

Bugger!

20th September 2006

Not sure what is wrong at the moment but I seem to be in a permanent bad mood (I guess the moving is starting to get to me).

Here is a new photo. Not the best ever but at least it came out at all (I was hand holding at 1/8th of a second!)

19th September 2006

According to the lady at the LRP I came fourth and they mixed the prizes up. I did get my tickets through to the space centre so that was nice.

Here is a new emotion shot. This one is courtesy of Bitter and Twisted, a rather funny drag act in Tenerife. Highlights of the show are Mary Woodhouse singing 'Sit Trevor' then booting a stuffed poodle across the stage only to have it return as it is tied to the singer by elastic. This is topped by a rendition (all-be-it a little different) of Annie's 'The Sun will come out tomorrow' changed to 'Your Son will come out Tomorrow'! If you do ever get to Tenerife and they are playing I would go see them. They are hilarious!

18th September 2006 **UPDATE**

Well I got a link through over the Leicester Regeneration photo competition. This is the article as published in the Mercury today (minus the photos - which is what I wanted to see but Nik's folks have the paper so I can see them tomorrow).

It is very strange as I was telephoned by the Mercury to get quoted on winning a prize in the competition. The only thing is, I never said anything about taking lots of photos and doing well in the competition. I said I worked in graphic design and took photos for work so was a semi-professional and enjoyed photography (can't papers get even the easiest statements right?)

Also, I was told I came 2nd (in an email I received from a lady at the Leicester Regeneration organisation) however in this article it says I came fourth. Which is strange as on the their site it says I should have won a hamper and yet the lady I spoke to later on the telephone said I had won tickets to the space centre (which meant I had come 3rd, according to the LRP site). Don't worry if you can't follow this, I can't either!

Oh and apparently my prize hasn't been posted yet as the LRP lady has been on holiday and no-one seems to cover her post while she is away.

All in all this is a bit of a nightmare - I only want to see the other entrants work. Is that so hard?

Think I will just stick to the photography rather than sort this mess out.

18th September 2006

My friend Minty (John) has gone off to the Land of the Rising Sun. Lucky git!

I have posted a new photo here.

17th September 2006

Today has been a crap day. I think this shot of mum sums it up (and how I have felt).

The best thing about it has been my beautiful Noonus who always tries to pick me up just like I try to do for her (as she is reminding me now, standing behind me!)

16th September 2006

Ian got me to check out his new site today after a client of his said she couldn't see some of the images on it. I have to say I don't know what the problem is. Site is working fine and looking good. You can view it here.

Here is another emotion shot - this one is an old one of my Grandpa who passed away just over a year ago. He was the kindest, best man I have ever known. I miss him but I don't feel bad over him like my mum and nan. I know he wouldn't want them to suffer.

The house is going ahead and this small drawback has been blown out of proportion, according to the estate agent so we shall see. If nothing else it puts mine and Nik's minds at rest.

15th September 2006

The house negotiations are almost over and what happens? Another bloody hurdle! I swear we are the worst first time buyers ever. I just hope Nik doesn't get too blue over this. We are too close now to screw it all up. (Don't worry baby!)

Here is another emotion shot - as I was thinking of Nik I have posted her here looking beautiful and contented at her graduation. It is a bit of a cheat as it is already in the portrait section but it fits the theme, so there!

I am having a bit of a Next Generation revival at the moment. The last time I watched these episodes I was a student, i think, and they sure have dated.

With all this hassle over the house it is times like this I miss being young and not giving a shit! I miss the days of being a student. I don't miss the flea pits I lived in though.

Here is something from Spencer darn south. Read this and see if you are an 80's child...

Hello children of the 80's. Read this, it will take you back but be careful cause it will also make you realise that you are now actually OLD!!

Um Bongo, Um Bongo, They drink it in the Congo.
Friendship bracelets were ties that couldn't be broken.
You know all the words to "Ice Ice Baby".
You wanted to be on "Jim'll Fix It".
You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before he had plastic surgery.
You had one of those T-shirts that changed colour with heat (Global Hypercolour).
You know the profound meaning of "Wax on, Wax off".
You were upset when She-ra, Princess of Power and He-Man got cancelled.
You remember Madonna in her cone stage outfit.
You knew "The Artist" when he was humbly called "Prince."
You wore fluorescent-neon clothing... (if you can call it clothing!)
You remember when Amiga was a state of the art video game system.
You remember M.C. Hammer.
You can still sing the rap to "Fresh Prince of Bel Air"....
You can remember when it was Jazzy Jeff and The fresh Prince and NOT just plain Will Smith!
You own any cassettes.
You carried your lunch to school in a Gremlins, ALF or ET lunchbox.
You have ever pondered on why Smurfette was the ONLY female smurf.
My Little Pony, Gummy Bears and Transformers are familiar to you.
You had a Swatch Watch.
You actually spent countless hours trying to perfect the "Care Bear stare."
You believed that "By the power of Greyskull, you HAD the power!"
Big wheels and BMX's were the way to go.
With your pink (or blue) portable tape player, you sang to Kylie and Jason!
You owned Polly Pocket or Micro Machines.
You made Ken fall in love with Barbie.
Partying "like it's 1999" seemed SO far away.
You knew that Transformers were "more than meets the eye".
You wore a banana clip at some point during your youth.
You actually thought "Dirty Dancing" was a REALLY good film.
You were led to believe that in the year 2000 we'd all be living in space.
You know what leg warmers are and probably had a pair.
You wore biker shorts underneath a short skirt and felt stylish.
You had to change into play clothes after school.
You recorded songs off the radio with your boom box.
You wore those wide, colourful shoelaces.
You still don't like going in the sea because of Jaws.
You never questioned why the A-Team were always imprisoned in places that had sufficient tools to build an armoured tank.
Dungeons & Dragons was your favourite programme.
You said "bright light, bright light" in a strange high-pitched voice.
You fell out with friends during heated arguments about the relative merits of Matt & Luke.
Cerise pink, electric blue and banana yellow have ever featured in your wardrobe or make-up collection.
You did the top toggle of your coat up around your neck without having your arms in the sleeves, and you knew you looked like a superhero.
Your new winter coat was best used to demonstrate that your wings were like a shield of steel.
You still remember when the A-ha video was the pinnacle of modern technology and you can still sing all the words.
Your best party dress was either a ra-ra or puff-ball skirt.
You remember watching a house inhabited by a jester, a pantomime horse and a woman who sneezed, and thinking that this was perfectly normal.
You tried to convince your Dad to fit a strip of red lights on the front of da Capri so it looked like KITT.
You had more than 10 sweets in a 10p mix-up.
You hid behind the sofa whenever you heard the word "Exterminate!".
Girls - You owned a pair of Pixie boots, generally worn with leg warmers.
Boys - You owned a pair of pale grey slip-ons, generally worn with white towelling socks.
Ooh, you could crush a grape!
You held a chicken in the air or stuck a deckchair up your nose.
You wore legwarmers & tried to do the splits while jumping in the air while singing you were going to live forever.
You remember Fingermouse and Dangermouse (not forgetting his trusty sidekick Penfold!)
You know all the words to "Hey Mickey" (well, nobody knows past the first verse anyway).
Your best mate had a Soda Stream at home and you were jealous.
Any elderly Scottish lady sounds like Supergran
You remember playing British Bulldog,
When 'Computer' Tennis, Pac-Man and Donkey-Kong ruled
You remember hearing the tune then running out to buy an ice cream cone on a warm summer night - 99's, screwballs or a cider lolly.
You got up extra early, especially to watch Saturday Morning cartoons
You were occasionally allowed to stay up late for Howard's Way,
Dallas,Dynasty or Minder.
Water balloons were the ultimate weapon.
You remember when 25p was decent pocket money and you'd reach into a muddy gutter for 10p.
Important decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-mo."
Scrapes and bruises were kissed and made better and taking drugs meant orange-flavoured chewable aspirin.
Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest protectors.

Wow, I am so old...

14th September 2006

First of all let me wish Nick and Rae congratulations on their pregnancy - it's fantastic news!

Here is another emotion shot.

13th September 2006

New photo added here.

12th September 2006

Here is a new photo - The shot is of a little girl who goes to my Nik's breakfast support group. She was happily playing then fell down and started to cry but stopped almost immediately (I guess it was more for attention than anything). Aren't kids weird?

Actually thinking about it, do they actually change that much when they get older? Heh!

This isn't the best of shots to be honest but I don't have many of people crying so I have to use what I have got. Of course it is actually rather nice to struggle to get negative emotion shots. Although some of the facial expressions associated with them are fantastic. Oh well!

If you are wondering what the shadow is across her jaw it was a bloody balloon that fell down and got in the way of my shot. This same balloon, however, did get her attention and dowse the tears she was shedding so some good came of it.

11th September 2006

Well it's back to work today which is at bit naff considering how gorgeous the weather is.

Here is another emotion shot.

Spencer in Kent sent me this list of why being a man is so much better than being a woman which made me chuckle..
1. Your backside is never a factor in a job interview.
2. Your orgasms are real. Always.
3. Your last name stays put.
4. The garage is all yours.
5. Wedding plans take care of themselves.
6. You never feel compelled to stop a friend from having an elicit affair.
7. Car mechanics tell you the truth.
8. You don't give a hoot if no one notices your new haircut.
9. Hot wax never comes near your pubic area.
10. Same work .. more pay.
11. Wrinkles-add character.
12. You don't have to leave the room to make emergency crotch adjustments.
13. Wedding Dress 2000.00; Tux rental 100.00.
14. If you retain water, it's in a canteen.
15. People never glance at your chest when you're talking to them.
16. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet.
17. One mood, ALL the time.
18. Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds.
19. A five-day holiday requires only 1 suitcase.
20. You can open all your own jars.
21.You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness.
22. Your underwear is 10.00 for a three-pack.
23. If you are 34 and single, nobody notices.
24. You can quietly enjoy a car ride from the passenger's seat.
25. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough.
26. You can silently watch a game with your mate for hours without ever thinking "He must be mad at me."
27. No maxi-pads.
28. If another guy shows up at the party in the same outfit, you just might become lifelong friends.
29. You are not expected to know the names of more than five colors.
30. You don't have to stop and think of which way to turn a nut on a bolt.
31. You are unable to see wrinkles in clothes.
32. The same hair style lasts for years, maybe decades.
33. Your belly usually hides your big hips.
34. One wallet and one pair of shoes, one color, all seasons.
35. You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife.
36. Christmas shopping can be done for 25 relatives, on December 24th, in 15 minutes.
37. The world is your urinal.

There is more stuff over from Minty, chased down on google video.

Also Banksy has been at it again, this time changing loads of Paris Hilton CD's to ones with her having a dogs head on her body and he also has been in Disneyland where he put a figure of a Gauntanamo detainie in the Mountain Railroad ride. I must admit I like his artwork.

10th September 2006

I have posted a new emotion photo here.

9th September 2006

Another 'Emotion' photo added.

It is Nikki's birthday today so I am posting an image early. We are celebrating with her parents later today as well as Nik and I having had a celebration last night too - which is why my head feels like a porta-loo door at a curry convention.

7th September 2006

I have added another emotion entry.

It looks like I came third in the Leicester Regeneration competition. At least that is what I think as I was telephoned to say I had won some tickets but the lady didn't tell me my position. I will wait for her to send me a blow up print of my entry and check then. I must admit after getting this far I was hoping to win but I suppose that is to be expected. It would have been nice to get a new camera or maybe even trade it in for a lens. Anyway that was not to be.

I was quite strange as the lady asked me if it was ok to use my photo in their publication. Bit late, I thought, you did last thursday!

I am having a bit of a retro music evening. After talking to Ian at work about the Pixies I fancied listening to some of their albums and dig out "Bossanova', 'Doolittle', 'Surfer Rosa', 'Come on Pilgrim' and 'Trompe la Monde'. I really forgot how good these are. I am sure Minty would agree.

Today is the anniversary of my Grandad's death. He died last year in the morning. I had seen him a few days before and we had a real close time before he died. We laughed, joked, talked about my work (he used to be in charge of the printing presses for a number of large companies printing papers, magazines - you name it!) and I had showed him lots of my photos. I had real closure with him and while I miss him I am content that we finished out our time together in this life well.

I wish my mum and nan could deal better with his death but he was around them all the time so they are bound to feel his absence more.

While I am aware of this day I don't commemorate it as I would rather remember all the good times with my Gramps rather than his last days.

Suffice it to say I love you Gramps and I will see you again one day.

6th September 2006 **UPDATE**

I have uploaded another image here. It is 'Love' this time, to add to the 'Emotions' collection.

6th September 2006 **UPDATE**

The competition should be over for the Leicester Regeneration project. I haven't heard anything so I guess the results will be in tomorrows paper and on the net. No news is good news, right?

6th September 2006

OK so after posting one image I had to post another, taken of the same girl dancing in the Mela. This pose gives quite a different impression of emotion and I have changed the style for this shot (which I now prefer over the image I posted last night).

5th September 2006

I have posted another image from Sunday's Mela in Loughborough.

4th September 2006

Today on my day off I went to Nik's work in Beaumont Leys, Leicester and met a wonderful bunch of parents who are part of the walk-in support centre there. I took some photos for a leaflet Nik is producing and got some other shots including mug shots of the staff and lots of photos of the children in the Breakfast Club there. I hope to post some with the parents permission later in the week. All the photos turned out well so I am feeling a lot more positive about my photography today.

Apart from this work I did get time to post this photo of a pensive young man at the Mela. After leaving the photographs overnight I am more happy with them today and think I can find one or two more to post.

I have listened to Kasabian a few times and really like it now. It's not quite as popular as Keane's album is with me at the moment but it definitely grows on you.

I finished watching Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence. Overall I liked it but found some of the pseudo-science and theology a little tedious at times and much prefer the original. However as far as animation goes it is beautiful and sounds really good too.

Lastly Minty has sent me another youtube link for all you resident evil fans.

3rd September 2006 **UPDATE**

I managed to get out to the Mela for an hour or so. I did get there too early and not many members of the public where about.

While I waited a grumpy white man who was walking his dog came by, mummered 'they will scrounge to get anything' and walked off into the trees - Some days I am really embarrassed to be a white guy.

That aside many people of all colour and creed turned up and seemed to be having a great time. I took a few shots but I have to say, having viewed them back here I am less than impressed. Many are soft and quite a few are just plain dull. A few of the photographs I took to go in this months theme of 'Emotion' were ok but nothing particularly awe-inspiring. I have to say it has put a bit of a hold on my photographic enthusiasm (that was brought on by the success of my competition entry). I think I will leave the photos alone and come back to them later in the week but, in the meantime, I can post this as an emotion entry. Two little boys were on the merry-go-round and I am not sure they knew quite what to make of it all.

3rd September 2006

I think there is a Mela on down (or should I say up) in Loughborough. I am thinking about going to get some snaps. If I do I will post something today.

I have heard a little bit of Kasabian's new album and I do like what I hear. It is difficult for me because it takes me a few plays of anything new to appreciate it. First impressions are of an album with some nice different musical themes and hooks but it fails to make quite as big an impressions as the original. We shall see...

Ian if you read this I sent you an email to see if you want to go and shoot at the Mela. The time is 9.12 am and I will go around mid-day. If you fancy meeting give me a shout on the moby.

2nd September 2006 **UPDATE**

I have posted a photo here.

2nd September 2006

Here is the article on the Leicester Regeneration and the event where people will vote on the top 25 photographic entries (along with one from yours truly).

One of the prizes is to have your photograph printed in the Mercury. Er, guys? You just printed mine already in your article!?? Ha!

I have to say it is bloody miserable here today. I did fancy going shopping and shooting a few people for the 'Emotion' theme but I am not taking my D200 out in this.

I have been listening to Keane's album (the new one - Under the Iron Sea ) and prefer it to the old. I mean the mark of a good album has to be when the lead singer of the band checks in to rehab, don't you think?

I hope to listen to Kasabian's 'Empire' later today. I will let you know what I think.

1st September 2006 **UPDATE**

OK so it is a little harder to turn off from posting photos than I thought.

Here are a few different photos and one very emotional shot for me. Maybe it is because Gramps died last year in September and mum is finding it hard to deal with. Maybe it is because there is so much mum still wants to do and she isn't well so it stops her. Maybe it's just because I love her so much. This photo is where she is pretending to fly atop the Mountsorrel memorial and it has a haunting feeling of sorrow for me. So, to begin my emotional journey this month here is a fine shot to kick off with (man, I shouldn't post after I have had red wine - it makes me all sentimental!).

Here and here are the others that I came across in the archive and thought were interesting.

1st September 2006

Here we go with another month.

Hi to Nik Kelly in case he views the blog tonight. He hasn't had my link for a while so I suggest checking out the gallery for photos and check the archives for old 'blah, blah, blah'. (Actually I wouldn't bother as there is not much there of interest other than my competition entry for this - Leicester Regeneration (August Archive).

There is a new theme this month of 'Emotion' or 'Emotions' for the photography. Ian and I are looking forward to not having to post every nigh. PADs are great if you are not confined to a theme then they can be a little restrictive for PAD (nothing for us imaginative folks thought! Yeah right!).

That reminds me if anyone fancies joining in post wherever and I can put the link here for your photos or you can link here from wherever you post. It would be nice to see some other work. Ian has suggested that some of the people from the excellent PBase contribute. We shall see if they do.

So Chris, Nik or anyone with a camera that visits here - Come on, what you got to lose?