Knowledge

Today Hemlock and I decided that apart from doing safe stuff that we enjoy, we should do something different, and hopefully more challenging. Several ideas were discussed, from parkour to skateboarding to philosophy. The decision however, is that we should study quantum mechanics. Watch this (interstitial) space. Any suggestions for reading matter, courses, websites, etc are most welcome.

Some things about the web are dreadful, but some things are brilliant. Wikipedia is one which is both, but usually brilliant. It seems they are a bit short of cash -

Happy new year

Hello to 2009.

I'm famous! Well, I'm one of the most famous Jeanette's in the world - just search for jeanette on google and I'm up there on the first page! Woohoo...

New Year. Resolutions. I do make them, and often keep them, sometimes fail them. So in the spirit of endless optimism, here are my New Years Resolutions for 2009.

1. Always to be on time.
2. Get fit, get gorgeous. I know, been here before... however this year its going to happen.
3. Move to a nice house in a nice place.
4. Network.
5. Meet loads of new people, make friends and stay in touch with old and new.

Retrospectively, we brought in the new year at a tapas bar in Crookes - excellent place. A bit noisy, but hey, who cares. Crookes looks like a pretty good place.

Pre christmas stress

The great thing about stressy events is that when they happen and everything is great and as planned, or even just OK the feeling of relief is almost worth the angst. Each year christmas seems to get better in some ways and worse in others - it seems to get easier - I think most of my family have agreed a no-presents pact - much to the relief of my mother! The worse part is definitely the lack of feeling, but maybe in this post consumerist era we are entering we may get back to that.

I've just realised that I haven't seen the star... the one on top of Thwaites' star brewery at Blackburn that has miraculously appearred every year I can remember. Maybe I'll see it on Wednesday when I go out delivering. Then it will be christmas.

Sometimes...

Thinking about my friend Mary, hope it goes well.

Thinking about so many people facing uncertainty, through no fault of their own.

Found this great poem:


Sometimes things don't go, after all,
from bad to worse. Some years, muscadel
faces down frost; green thrives; the crops don't fail.
Sometimes a man aims high, and all goes well.

A people sometimes will step back from war,
elect an honest man, decide they care
enough, that they can't leave some stranger poor.
Some men become what they were born for.

Sometimes our best intentions do not go
amiss; sometimes we do as we meant to.
The sun will sometimes melt a field of sorrow
that seemed hard frozen; may it happen for you.

Sheenagh Pugh.

Back on track.

Tuesday after the august bank holiday - somehow I feel we're getting back to normal, a lot of people are back at work, the schools will be back next week. The roads are a bit busier, enquiries are starting to come in again ... I like normal - I like having a holiday to look forward to, and I love being on holiday, but I do like normal. Maybe because I'm lucky to have a job that I genuinely enjoy, even if it is a bit solitary sometimes.

People

Every time I shoot a wedding, I get a bit of insight into the lives of people I probably would not have otherwise met, every time I just love them - most people are so nice, happy and positive and unique, and every wedding is amazing in its own way, so if I seem to be continually going syco I can't help it. Just occasionally I meet people who aren't. This week has not been one of them but I daren't keep going on about how lovely and wonderful everyone is cos it sounds a bit creepy.

I found a really cute way of making evening reception shots look like they have some atmosphere which is usually wiped out by flash. I now need to go back through all the weddings not yet printed and apply.

My super brainy son got his A level results today, and accepted at manchester to study physics! I'm feeling ridiculously proud of him.

The wedding season

Its August, so its crazy, and I love it. On saturday we had a wedding I've been looking forward to all year, ever since I met Sarah. She is one of the warmest, most loving, fun people I have ever met - as her father said in his speech "to meet Sarah is to love her" so it really was a privilege to be a part of their day. Chris is really nice as well, and it was a very emotionally charged event wedding by any standards because Sarah's mum died a few years ago. Anyway, there was so much love it was wonderful. From a photographer's point of view however, the highlight was taking a slight detour after the ceremony at Holmesfield to Burbage Bridge to have a quick photo session. Burbage bridge is a well known viewpoint in the Peak District. The results, if I say so myself were pretty good. Being ever critical, I can see how they might have been better, but I'm still very pleased with them.