365 - A Day in the Life

Glorious Sunset

2010-05-22T10:18:00.000-07:00

The Sea front - Herne Bay

2010-05-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

Football hero's

2010-05-20T09:58:00.000-07:00

In the Pink

2010-05-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

Squirrels are busy

2010-05-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

Pond Life

2010-05-17T09:52:00.000-07:00

Stormy Skies

2010-05-15T09:55:00.000-07:00

Temple in the Park

2010-05-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

Cheer Leaders at South Bank

2010-05-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

Take me to the Church

2010-05-12T09:41:00.000-07:00

City & Garden

2010-05-11T09:38:00.000-07:00

Fruity

2010-05-10T09:36:00.000-07:00

Under the Tree

2010-05-09T09:33:00.000-07:00

The Flats

2010-05-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

Temple Beyond BlueBell Wood

2010-05-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

Pink Elephant

2010-05-06T09:26:00.000-07:00

Friend from Oman

2010-05-05T09:21:00.000-07:00

Lunch Break at South Bank

2010-05-04T09:18:00.000-07:00

Blossom

2010-05-03T09:18:00.000-07:00

Where is My Dinner?

2010-05-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

50th birthday

2010-05-01T11:06:00.000-07:00

London to Cambridge

2010-04-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

In a Flap

2010-04-29T11:00:00.000-07:00

Who You Looking At?

2010-04-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

Bluebell Woods & Tulip Gardens

2010-04-27T10:52:00.000-07:00

Relaxing

2010-04-26T11:45:00.001-07:00

Seikh Festival of Light

2010-04-25T12:04:00.000-07:00

After the BBQ

2010-04-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Walking in Wandsted

2010-04-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

Max Again

2010-04-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

More Garden Decor

2010-04-21T11:50:00.000-07:00

Garden Decor

2010-04-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

Lunchtime

2010-04-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Natures Tunnel

2010-04-17T11:43:00.000-07:00

Volcanic Sunset

2010-04-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

Underneath the Cherry Blossom

2010-04-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Ruby

2010-04-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

This is Ruby the neglected pup. She is getting more and more frustrated, which I can tell by her howling everytime she plays with her squeeky toe, and she is more subdued, not barking as much, almost resigned to her abandonment. I have confronted the boy a couple of times about neglecting his dog and questioned him how he looks after her, and also confronted the sisters too, usually to berate them for letting this neglect go on. The RSPA contacted me to say first of all that they had left two cards at the house because they could not get in. I then got a call to say one of the sisters had phoned up wanting the dog to be rehomed. This is the best news yet as now I think the family recognise that the poor dog is being ill treated and is not happy. Its just a matter of time and could take up to a week.

Magnolia Blossom

2010-04-13T14:20:00.000-07:00

Getting Away

2010-04-12T14:19:00.000-07:00

I had to get away from the house to escape the crying dog that is tied up at the bottom of my neighbour's garden. Its pitiful sounds break my heart and the lack of contact with the family and lack of excercise is worrying, let alone the concern that it does not appear to have shelter or regular food and water. The dog 'Ruby' is apparently 'very, very, vicious' and now that it is no longer a pup, it has been turfed out of the house to live at the end of the garden. The owner, a teenage boy, barely takes it out and seems to feed it randomly. I have called the RSPCA twice now with my concerns, but nothing has happened. I find the sounds of the dog extrememly distressing but I find myself listening out for her and checking her to see if she is ok. If she doesnt bark or make a noise from early evening to morning I get worried incase something has happened to her. I can just about see her from a hole in the garden wall, looking across my neighbours garden, and recently bought it some toys to stop it from being so bored. It has been nearly two weeks now since I first called the RSPCA.

Spring Walking in the Park

2010-04-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

Magic in the Tree

2010-04-10T12:17:00.000-07:00

Mad Max

2010-04-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

Hint of Summer?

2010-04-08T12:12:00.000-07:00

Shells from Fiji

2010-04-07T12:08:00.000-07:00

Coffee?

2010-04-06T12:07:00.000-07:00

Pond Life

2010-04-05T12:04:00.000-07:00

A Night in with Friends

2010-04-04T12:03:00.000-07:00

In The Garden

2010-04-03T05:42:00.000-07:00

On Green Street

2010-04-02T05:40:00.000-07:00

Out Walking Again

2010-04-01T11:45:00.001-07:00

On My Way Home

2010-03-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

Daffodils in Spring

2010-03-30T11:33:00.000-07:00

Social Work Training in Peckham

2010-03-29T10:32:00.000-07:00

Celebrating British Summer Time

2010-03-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

Friends Reunion

2010-03-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

Three friends came over for the afternoon that I hadn't seen for ages. These are people I have known for 30 years since doing our degree together. We have remained in contact all these years despite living overseas on a few occasions, family priorities and taking different directions in life. Each year we try to take time out to go on holiday together. Our last trip was 18 months ago to Turkey.

An Explosion of Flowers

2010-03-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

Yet More Rain

2010-03-25T10:06:00.000-07:00

On the Flats

2010-03-24T11:38:00.001-07:00

Grasses

2010-03-23T11:29:00.000-07:00

The top one was inspired by someone from TOG247 who shot a similar picture with silver birches at an angle. His worked really well so I thought I would experiment with the angle and a similar theme. I actually prefer the second picture for its subtlety and the grasses appearing to reach upwards towards the light.

Max waiting for his walk

2010-03-22T11:26:00.000-07:00

Flower Pot

2010-03-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

The Passion

2010-03-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

This lady was preaching her heart out on Stratford Broadway. Passionate, loud, almost hysterical. She was then followed by another African man who was equally emblazoned with fury and vigour, and proceded to burst into a kind of rap- song. I wonder why someone preaching love and forgiveness can say it with such venom and anger, practically accusing people of sinning and being bad?. Odd way of conveying the message of love, if you ask me. One of these days people will hopefully get the message that religion should not be rammed down people's throats, nor invade their everyday space, as not everyone needs saving, or redeeming, or enlighting - thank you very much.

Zen Time

2010-03-19T11:33:00.000-07:00

Friend of Max

2010-03-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

Xmas Leftovers

2010-03-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

Waiting

2010-03-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

So many people wander around like zombies, faceless, anonymous, passing by each other as if they were not there. Bland, grey, monotone existence, except perhaps for one who appears to have colour and life in him, but as he gazes at the viewer his figure takes on a disturbing, unreal quality.

Behind the Veil

2010-03-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

Underneath the Apple tree

2010-03-14T11:16:00.000-07:00

Day Out with Fellow Toggers

2010-03-13T14:16:00.000-08:00

Met up with some of the guys that I got to know through a photography website. This is the second time trying to meet up so glad that it finally happened. The day was spent, walking, talking, taking pics and drinking ( not just alcoholic beverages). It was great for me to be around photography chat (a language I still aspire to, I think!) and seeing fellow toggers in action. Would love to have a one-to-one sometime so that I feel able to ask questions without feeling a intimidated. They were a friendly and welcoming bunch so looking forward to the next trip - out of London.

Stormy Weather

2010-03-12T14:14:00.000-08:00

Relaxing

2010-03-11T14:10:00.000-08:00

Trying out a different crop.

Queens Pub - Green Street

2010-03-10T14:08:00.000-08:00

This is in more of the down market area of Green Street, heading towards Barking Road.

Pink IceCream Parlour

2010-03-09T14:05:00.000-08:00

One of the new shops on Green Street. Makes a change from curry restaurants and sari shops.

On Wings of Song

2010-03-08T10:51:00.000-08:00

This man was playing Mendelssohns 'On Wings of Song'. He looked far away and a little meloncholy. After I had taken his photo and given him some money he cheered up and started talking about his music.

Spring is on its way

2010-03-07T10:43:00.000-08:00

Taken at the local park. Another gorgeous day with a hint of spring in the air.

Man at Work

2010-03-06T12:04:00.000-08:00

Walked home from the gym today and this is what I came across. The late afternoon sun was gorgeous, creating interesting silouettes with the trees and the buildings.

Last of the Sun

2010-03-05T12:06:00.000-08:00

It has been 3 days, 18 hours, 59 mins since I stopped smoking. The first day was the worst, but despite starting off well in the mornings, my cravings seem to get worse in the late afternoon and evenings. I am on NRT which helps, especially as I am trying to get out of the psychological habit as well as the physical cravings. If I can break the former, hopefully I can then wean myself off the nicotine substitute. Next week I will be starting a return to social work course, ( changing my relaxed habit) so hopefully this will not be too much of a test for me re the smoking. Also not socialising until I start to feel more confident in trying out my first smoke free social event with all its temptations.

King Edward Pub

2010-03-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

Jazz Kitchen

2010-03-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

I have not been able to concentrate since stopping the smoking.
Climbing the walls.

Nightmare

2010-03-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

Today has been harder than expected. This could be to do with the fact that I did not gradually cut down to limit my intake before taking the plunge, and also because this time I was on rollies and not tailor made fags, which means that they are stronger , unfiltered and obviously more damaging! I have been pulling my hair out today. Realised I have had many moments in a day punctuated by a ciggerette. I kept getting the urge to have a fag every time I ate, drank, stopped walking, worked at the computer, had chewing gum, ad infinitum. I have been so tempted to dig out my tobacco pouch and rizzlars from the dustbin and so on the verge of emotional explosion ( not sure if its anger, anxiety or weepyness) Once I get today over with I would have acheived over 24 hours smoke free. One step at a time- that's all I can do.

Give it UP!

2010-03-01T11:53:00.001-08:00

This is the day I have finally decided to give up the fags. Tomorrow will be my first day of freedom from smoke. I went to the NHS caravan again on my way back from the gym. This time to give them a 'give up' date and to get some nicotine replacement as a crutch in times of need. I have a love/hate relationship with this drug. Its been with me from the age of 16 and feels like a familiar friend, but is now beginning to take its toil, affecting my breathing, giving me a horrible cough and making me feel as though I constantly have wet lungs. It is killing me and unless I take action I may as well say goodbye to my health. Apart from the seriousness of this momentous occasion, I did the carbon monoxide test again just because the last time I got a non-smokers result of 5, despite having smoked a couple of cigarettes earlier. I went back to get a more accurate reading, which should have been, according to the norm, around the 18 mark. Well bugger me, it was 5 again so my carbon monoxide levels are fine. I had to laugh, as I felt good, although the test results cannot fool me into thinking I am safe when I know I can pick up a horrendous cough and chest infection at the drop of a hat and my lungs seem to gurgle every time I have a sniffly nose. I have joined a website of smokers who have also given up smoking ( must find the bookmark) and will go weekly to the caravan for support. I may hibernate for the next month but I am looking forward to finally getting my freedom back and hopefully my health.

Hint of Spring

2010-02-28T11:50:00.000-08:00

Feeling The Light

2010-02-27T08:41:00.000-08:00

Egg on My Face

2010-02-26T08:38:00.000-08:00

Or is the other way round?

Man's Best Friend

2010-02-25T10:42:00.000-08:00

Cherub

2010-02-24T10:38:00.000-08:00

The Buena Vista Blues

2010-02-23T11:12:00.001-08:00

Peacock Feathers

2010-02-22T11:04:00.000-08:00

Playing around with peacock feathers and photoshop wave. Great fun!

Sunday Morning

2010-02-21T13:51:00.000-08:00

Its All About The Ducks

2010-02-20T11:31:00.000-08:00

Food and Friends

2010-02-20T02:13:00.000-08:00

A late breakfast followed by a trip to Ilford to buy some photography books, courtesy of Waterstone's book vouchers received for Christmas. Popped round to a friend's for a cup of tea and took pics of my favourite baby!

A Washing Up Kinda Day

2010-02-18T11:55:00.000-08:00

Let There Be Light

2010-02-17T11:50:00.000-08:00

Betty Looked on Lovingly as Mabel contemplated another sip of wine

2010-02-16T09:21:00.000-08:00

Garden Delights

2010-02-14T09:16:00.000-08:00

Hottening up for Valentines

2010-02-13T10:41:00.000-08:00

Walking in the Rain

2010-02-12T09:49:00.000-08:00

About in the City

2010-02-11T01:09:00.000-08:00

Fallen Flower

2010-02-10T10:33:00.001-08:00

Early Morning

2010-02-09T08:18:00.000-08:00