30 April 2008
I've updated the list thing - I will link the pictures with 'more information' pages as the month progresses so keep checking back. In the meantime, if you fancy leaving me a note in the shoutbox with something that makes you go 'mmm' - that could be interesting!
There's also a new book review on the book page which I hope you will check out - a remarkable book which I can't recommend highly enough.
I've finally found the manual to the Canon so I've been messing around with the inbuilt filters (the joys of digital!) and black and white settings - it's great. I've also been having a play around in photoshop with border effects and distorting the colours - both with varying effects. Here's one that has both. Bit of an old-fashioned vibe to it I think, not sure whether I like the style or not, but it's a little different.
26 April 2008
I'm not a sun worshipper. I don't like to go abroad at the height of the summer, but my goodness a nice sunny day in Spring can lift the spirits and make you feel good to be alive.
I've been a bit busy this week doing a website for a friend's small business. Well, doing three front pages to give them something to choose from. I finally got them done and am just awaiting their verdict. I always find the hardest part is where to start, and the finished thing is usually far removed from my initial thoughts. I'm beginning to build up a nice little portfolio of sites though and one day I'll add a page to this with them all on.
I've also been out and about taking some more photos - I'm contemplating doing something different with the gallery page but haven't quite decided what yet.
23 April 2008
Today was a fried egg and mushroom sandwich day.
I will just leave you with this thought:
"The first ninety minutes of a football match are the most important." - Bobby Robson.
22 April 2008
Tonight finds me in fine fettle and thinking about what next month's top ten can be. I have today decided that it's going to be a list of some of my favourite things in life. Of course I have more than ten things that make living worthwhile, but it's just some things in particular that have been inspiring me today.
You're gonna have to wait a bit longer to find out what they are though.
Roll on May!
17 April 2008
Alright - it's only Thursday but I thought an overview of the week might be good at this point.
Photography, Dolcelatte Cheese, Jack Savoretti, Hospitals, Beads, Flowers and I-Pod's have all featured heavily this week. Also books ... I've abandoned The Golden Notebook - it was getting a wee bit like women whining, although if I continue to read it I may find that was the whole point, but I can't be arsed. So I've moved onto "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak which is very interesting so far.
15 April 2008
Alright, I like to call it enthusiasm - the other half would call it obsession. I might go so far as to say extreme enthusiasm, but yes, if I find something that I can absorb myself in, then I do tend to just go for it.
So I spent my lunch break climbing up a muddy hill to try to get some photos of Bolsover Castle which I can see from my office window. Or I would be able to see if there wasn't a huge strapping tree blocking my view. I've been there for around a year now and have often though I would go and investigate the imposing structure that dominates the skyline as I approach work each morning. (No, not the tree).
When I first mentioned my intentions to my colleagues, the sun was shining, sky was blue and clouds all fluffy. When 12.30 came the sun was starting to chicken out and was playing hide and seek with the clouds which had become more than a little grumpy. But being committed to my ... cough ... art - I decided to go anyway.
Half an hour later, covered in mud and the earlier intention of rain fulfilled, I'm not sure the resultant photos were worth the effort.
You win some you lose some.
14 April 2008
We found a great shop in Leeds called YumYum Beads and made a few purchases. I noticed they'd been decanted into the bead box which had been left on the diningroom table when I got in from work, so decided to take a few snaps to see what they would come out like. These were taken with the husband's Canon, my little Fuji wasn't up to the closeness unfortunately.
Yum Yum Beads live here
13 April 2008
On reading
"... there is only one way to read which is to browse in libraries and bookshops, picking up books that attract you, reading only those, dropping them when they bore you, skipping the parts that drag - and never, never reading anything because you feel you ought, or because it is part of a trend or a movement..."
12 April 2008
Once again it's piddling it down here in Sheffield, I hope we don't have a repeat of last summer. I'm going with the 'get it all out of the way in April' theory at the moment though. Other than that the day has started well as I managed to get up at 8.00 am and post my sisters birthday card - success.
Last night I sent for this:
A 1GB i-pod shuffle. Thought it would be good to have some music with me when I'm running. The Zen isn't built to withstand the impact but apparently the shuffle is.
Comes with free engraving on the back so it will be the world's only shuffle named Batspice. It has a little clip on the back too so I can clip it on my running jacket. Can't wait for it to come and try it out. The problem is going to be chosing only 270 songs to put on it.
Off to Leeds to do some shopping with Jenny while Simon and Becky go see Leeds get trounced by Carlisle no doubt. Stopping at Meadowhell on the way back to see Drillbit Taylor (any excuse to oggle Owen Wilson) then tea at Pizza Hut. Should be a good day.
11 April 2008
Huge thanks to Joel Sklar and his book Principles of Web Design. I've managed to crack the Firefox/Opera problem and all I had to do was change one little digit in the coding. Yay!
My next task today is to go into the loft and sort through some photos. Some I want to put in the gallery and some to go on the Needlework page. Last time I went in there hunting for snaps, I was gone for hours. I shall return!
10 April 2008Well, I've been working hard this week on here, and have now got the Books, Gallery and Music pages up and running. Needlework and Travel should be completed over the weekend, time permitting. I've been brave and sent the link to a couple of folk and so far the feedback is good. Still need to iron out a few coding problems so it looks better in Firefox and Opera, another job for the weekend. Wish me luck!
6 April 2008
Hello and welcome to my new website. As it says above, it's a place for all of those things that I enjoy ... alot!
The left menu has a few things I like, and shall no doubt be added to as I get time, I mean, I haven't included friends, family, running, films, food, wine or walking yet!
The List Menu on the right will change regularly. I've kicked off with my Top Ten All Time Albums, but next month it might be my favourite books, cakes or paintings. Who knows? I don't!
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