OneBird

Too old for waltzers

As part of Nic's birthday celebrations, we decided to have a shot on the waltzers on Glasgow Green. It's been a while, but they ain't what I remember...The first couple of minutes, fine.... After that, like some kind of fairground torture. If my face hadn't been spread into the back of the seat, I probably would've cried. During one of the slightly less g-force moments I asked the teenage torturer to stop spinning us. Big mistake. A lesson learned.

However, never to old to loose 10p coins. (I did win on the derby and then blew it all on the 10p falls...it was sooo close.)

I've been enjoying....

In between working, avoiding diy, doing endless financial calculations (my teacher training course starts in about six weeks ahhhhhhhhh,) filing in forms, doing tax stuff, I've enjoyed....

Watching glastonbury from the tv this year (though this sunset was amazing, just before Arcade Fire came on last year.)

My Bloody Valentine at the Barrowlands. Maybe it was partly the nostaliga and the lager (and I did take ear plugs,) but I even loved the last 20/25/30 how long? minutes. Amazing.

Listening to Lykke Li.

A bit of northern soul dancin. But I should've worn this dress. Bought from a stall from one of these guyshere

I still do like crazy golf, but I think this course at Gourock has seen better days. On the way back from the magnificent Cardwell Bay garden centre. A grand day out with my Gran.

Getting carried away with fancy dress costumes. I was a russian doll. The cardboard was attached to a hula hoop, which I wore. And there was a painted t-shirt, scarf, necktie, pink cheeks, red tights....ummmmm.

I really really like this tea.

Suki tea. It's amazing and they do mail order. I've been banging on about the mint tea to anyone I think might be interested.

And not least. Arghhhhhhhh.

I've finally bitten the bullet. Every time I get a new computer I get completely freaked out. I'd done the maths. I'm in the rare position of still working as self employed, whilst able to get a student discount. Marvellous! Hence taking the plunge. I've been into the Apple shop three times...it took me a good few hours before I could even open the box...it's now charging up....I guess it takes a while for me to feel comfortable/like it's mine...

And Hurrah! I'm working from home tomorrow. Mint tea and macbook day.

Pots, peonies and peacocks

Finally...here's one of my potfest purchases. It's from a woman called Gillian McMillan at The Other Pottery. It wasn't what I thought I wanted at all, but once I'd seen it I was taken. It's really weighty, has a rough finish on the outside and is glazed on the inside. Simple and lovely.

And peacocks. I've never been this close to one before. Amazing

Washed out & paths,stones,trees & shopping

I'm all washed out today. I've just worked six days, and I feel like I haven't stopped for months. Today was my day to sort out tax, fill in forms, do overdue jobs in the flat....and I've slept. Woke up, read, mooched about, fell asleep and now I'm under a blanket. Home is a bombsite. I've missed the west end festival and the cinema. Perhaps because I know I won't be doing it forever/for long, but every freelance job I do seems a little more difficult than the last. It really seems to take it out of me. I run up against the same/similar problems every time and yup, the one common denominator is me ummmm. Can't bear doing any more self analysis at the moment, hence the need to sleep. I can re-grout the bath and unscrew and clean out the pipes under the sink another day.

Anyway, I've vented my need to whinge. Here's what I've been up to when not wallowing/whingeing/working.

Two, yup two munros, one day. Lovely stretch between them and path on the way down.

Looking back from Ben Lawers.

This one seemed quite happy flitting around for ages while it had it's photo taken...and I took a lot.

Croft Moraig

Falls of Acharn. This was a great adventure, following the map, up past the waterfall and through the fields. An amazing view and a beautiful day. It was really quiet. We saw loads of hares and while we were at the stones a bird circled around us overhead. We must have been near a nest. Spooky, alas I've lost my Collins Gem birds book....to be identified later. This would be a good moment to mention (I'm sure I have before) my love of Julian Cope's book The Modern Antiquarian and there's a great website too.

By the Falls of Acharn

And further up the hill.

Back in civilisation...shopping

And my top purchase

A couple of days later..

Ben Lomond and more disappearing paths.

Annie Liebovitz

Although I was knackered on Tuesday, I couldn't stop watching this documentary on Annie Liebovitz.

I knew some of her Vanity Fair work, knew that she hung out with and photographed the Rolling Stones and that she worked for Rolling Stone magazine. I think I always had her pegged as someone who did glossy stylized, theatrical celebrity portraits, but her work is amazing. It must be an ability to connect with the people she's photographing and blend in. Quite a few of the people interviewed mentioned how incredibly shy and nervous she was, which dosen't fit in with (my idea anyway) of what big time photographers are like. She also had a great take on herself and rubbbished the idea that she captured the essence of her subject/s saying there's always so much more going on/life is so much more complicated than that. I guess because her sister was involved in the making of it, it was really personal. She cried when looking at her photographs of Susan Sontag. Yoko Ono broke down when talking about the famous photo of her and John Lennon together just before he died. Powerful stuff.

Falling apart

Ahhh it didn't take long....

Onwards and upwards, and unlike this guy.

A present for Fern's 3rd birthday. I would love to be able to make this. It reminds me of Caireen's patchwork. I love the different materials and especially the eyes. It's a rucksack and it's too cute.

I've been battling with my flat again. I seem to be making slow progress. It sounds a bit dramatic, but sometimes it feels like my stuff is attacking me. Everytime I open/enter my cupboard, something hits me on the head. It makes me very angry.

I'm forever walking into things. It needs to change. The cull will continue.

I've yet to acquire some flowers to show off my potfest purchase (the other is a present and must remain secret for now..) But soon.

I've been camping....

Blissful. There's chocolate sponge puddings in that pot! Still slightly obsessively walking (and second hand shopping)...photos to follow.

Beginning and end

A bit like me at the start of the day.

And a good end.

New things

I didn't make them, but I sure love them.

A lot to learn

...about sewing. Particularly to be more patient. I just want things to look the way I want as quick as I want and I cut corners.

Having said that it's good to unleash the machine. Inspired by my lovely day out at Potfest with Caireen and Suzanne, a radio documentary about Mick Jones from the Clash (although I'm not quite sure how that fits in) and getting away early from work..my latest bag.

Again, it's kinda wonky, I'm not sure about the combination of fabrics and my choice of thread could have been better. Ahh how I love to criticise myself. But hey, it's lined and it's got a pocket!

The patterned material is old curtains. I love it, but it's a right bugger to sew with. It won't press! Even on a really high heat, and it frays and runs really easy. The stitching seems to shred it....I"ll see how long it lasts.

Onwards and upwards.

Snap shots

Hazy Ben Dorain. Yup, Munro No. 2 (not that I'm checking them off....)

Another heart stone to add to the collection

Amazing second hand book shop in Callander.

Cherry blossom on the way to work.

Lovely paintings, lovely opening.

Wandering in Edinburgh

I love my new spikey plant.

Before they disappear.