Week Twenty-Four: Caesar of Flowers?

Thank goodness for the invention of the four-day work week. After all that exhausting travel and three weeks of arduous six-hour class days, I don't think I could handle five whole days. So there are lots of flowers herein, but if you get to the bottom, there is much Roman things to see. And they even came out not too terrible. Hip Hip!

Day 1 (162): 19th of May
Still no internet. Ok, there is internet. I just cannot access it. Honestly. Probably fine, though. Has made me go on a Shakespeare binge of the filmic variety. Have plenty to go round, too. Should at least take me to the w/end. Joss Wheedon's Much Ado was last night. Gosh that thing is brilliant. So beautiful and Wheedon-y and honest and lovely. And I really enjoy that particular play. Tonite I shall start The Hollow Crown, which is a BBC do of Richard II, Henry IV (Parts I and II), and Henry V. Lots of brilliance in those as well. All Whishaw and Stewart (Sir), and Irons and Hiddleston. And before you judge (for that), I've read all of the above, so I'm not totally ignorant of the plays themselves. Have even seen the Henry ones and Much Ado (among others) performed in proper theatres. On that note, check out this sky.

Oh and this my neighbour's vineyard. Finally got a half decent shot of it (usually my timing is awful).

Day 2 (163): 20th of May
Sorry. Was Madly Distracted by Shakespearean versions of Jeremy Irons and Tom Hiddleston and Simon Russel Beale (best Falstaff ever). Could watch Henry IV on a loop. And that is just Part I. Not sure if my eye-parts can handle any more. Just have to carry on, eh? Oh, here's a photo. It is rather pink.

So is this.

This fool rose got put through the edit wringer, getting temperature changed here and vignetted there. But of all the versions, I like this the best.

Day 3 (164): 21st of May
Pulled the trigger on going to Rome for the long w/end. Haven't been in about a year, and last time I didn't have the camera (or the blog to motivate the picture taking). Four days should get me some relaxation (and some internet...grrrr) and some good photos. I think the fact that this thing is still going at all after 24 weeks is a miracle, so I suppose having a few down weeks with muse-y dystrophy is not so bizarre. At least that is what I shall continue to tell myself. Till it is resolved, this is on a tree.

This is not. Not sure I like it all that  much. Ah well.

Day 4 (165): 22nd of May
Today, as I watched a packet from some iodised salt float gracefully on the air from a floor vent, I realised firstly that I'd gone a bit mad, and secondly that all I've done lately is take really rather boring photos of flowers. Mostly in my garden. Really don't want to become one of those people. How dreadful. Turning into something one despises... guh. At least I don't take staged shots with gleaming water droplets... So here is Merry. Yes, I flipped the photo, but it is more fun this way. He looks like Garfield.

These smell really lovely. Not sure they look lovely...

Day 5 (166): 23rd of May
What to do with oneself on a day off? Hmm. Let me see. One could be awfully energetic and work out. Ok, but only for a bit. Watch a bit of a film purchased in the impulse buy section? Good idea. Who is this Veronica Mars cat? Oh, there was a show? Ah. That explains it. Meh. Trains need catching. And apparently busses to train stations need to be sat upon for 35 minutes while drivers wait and pack as many people as physically possible onboard. Never change, Napoli. Really must learn to get a map when in a city have not visited in a long time. I'm sure my memory of the Google Maps I checked yesterday is good and my hotel is just near... Isn't it fun to read someone's internal monologue written down a few hours after it happened? Salve your aching brain with this photo of... wait for it.

FLOWERS?? REALLY?? You get completely the eff out of town and still... Ok, here's a not flowers. I found Gay Street (that is what it's called! There was a sign and everything!) Gosh I'm not good at street shots...

Day 6 (167): 24th of May
So there's this place called Rome. It is in Italy. Maybe you've heard tell of such a place? Well I'm here to tell ye lads and lasses it is no fairy tale. Ok, maybe a little bit of a fairy tale, but largely it is a real place. Full of people and everything. And one or two frightfully (frighteningly?) historical places. Like this one. Maybe it looks familiar?

And this one.

Oh, and mustn't forget this one. Things happened here. Rather a long time ago, but still.

Oh. More ruins. How Roman.

Sorry, I've a thing for poppies. Not sure why.

How Neverending Story is this??

Omigosh! A fountain! Swear I saw this in Vegas... they made another all the way out here? Wow.

Huzzah! A church.

Oh actually this one is kinda cool.

Day 7 (168): 25th of May
I do try to not get all serious for the most part (I'll pause whilst you remove your chin from the floor). But there is a little something about Memorial Day that really rather sings a true sort of tune. Does that sound silly? Probably. But I've lost important people to war things and have watched friends go through the same thing. It is no fun (yep, get that chin again). But it really means something to donate even a small thought to those who decided to put their lives on the line rather than take the safe, easy route of living a life at home. Not to discredit those who live that life at home. It gives those of us serving something to protect. A purpose. Hmm. Sounds a bit empty like that, but I mean it. Thoughts don't bring back the dead. But thoughts do provide a tiny bit more meaning to the lives lived. On that uplifting thought, I give you more of Rome. A place that knows a thing or two about loss. Get it? They rose and fell, the Romans. Sorry, too soon? To the Vatican! No, wait. This isn't a comic book. Hmm, shall we see the museums? Why certainly we shall!

I dug this guy, Not sure why. There certainly is rather a lot of this sort of thing in the Vatican Museums. Took two hours and change to see the whole thing (whilst being shepherded through like so much livestock).

Did you know it was cool to posh up all the ceilings? Not just the Sistine (sorry, no pics of that - "novideo, nofoto," sayeth the nice young men in uniforms). Though the Chapel itself was more gobsmacking than I was anticipating. Not like in the books. Nossir. This ceiling is in a hall of the most gorgeous maps I've seen anywhere.

Saw my first live in person Van Gogh. Holy Wow. That guy could paint.

This guy not so much (whoever he is...). I could totally draw a white circle on black. Though he did paint a rather talented if funny looking photographer in the middle. That might be beyond my talents. Just a tad.

Went to St. Pete's to check out the Basilica, but didn't feel like another run through the cattle chutes for hours on end. But checked out the square. Neat place.

So yes. Lots of flowers and lots of Rome. Some pretty successful shots despite the boring subject matter (not you, Roma. You were lovely). Gosh I'm hungry.

Week Sixteen: Everything in its Places

Not sure what prompted this week's theme. Maybe was feeling a bit in need of structure or some kind of place. I'll leave it to the shrinks to decipher my reasons. Either way, I wanted to go with things in lines, rows, etc. Things in the correct place, in other words. How it got interpreted each time is a bit different, but there you have it.

Day 1 (106): 24th of March
Not to be stymied by time passing, the weather went pear shaped again (still?). Figures I've not had my scarf or gloves lately. Ah well. Got stuck in delightful Naples traffic caused by a nasty pileup after the good rain. Got to the point that I put on the brakes and read a chapter in my book, then played a few dozen games of solitaire on my phone. Also got a couple nice pics of rainy windows and the lovely traffic (all lined up).

A little further down the road... same situation. Damn you, Scooter Man, and damn your freedom of movement.

Day 2 (107): 25th of March
At the end of the day we got into a Weird Al marathon for office music. It was marvellous. Had fond memories of singing "The Saga Begins" with friends in school, which then led to memories of singing "Paul Revere" by the Beastie Boys (also in school). Ahh. The misspent youth. Any rate. For the record, these lights never light up or mean anything. It's a nice idea, though.

Still v dreary soggy day, so the alley to my home looked extra dreary. B&W just kicked it over the edge.I also liked the division diagonally across the photo.

Day 3 (108): 26th of March
In the past two days, I've managed to miss being in horrible road accidents by a matter of minutes. One of those odd feelings that small alterations in a person's schedule can have a considerable impact on the rest of said person's life. It's a situation that strangely makes my stumbled upon theme of things in rows / queues / lines feel more fitting. To avoid getting too deeply embedded in that thought bog, here is a soggy field.

Day 4 (109): 27th of March
Put my glad rags on this morning in order to present an award to one of my guys. Haven't had to put them on in more than a year, and considering the fact that my backside hasn't seen a proper workout since the accident, the fact that the monkey suit (not literally a monkey suit) still fit was glorious. All was for naught, though, since my higher up boss decided to swoop in on wings of RHIP and do the honours whilst I stood to the side like the proverbial lummox. God I love my job. Every day really is good for at least one laugh. The VTC later was even better, as the folks at the other end kept mixing popular culture metaphors with rural ones. They were determining if these were the 'droids they were looking for whilst avoiding soul-sucking Deatheaters, and then tilling the same ground, stampeding herds, and breaking trail (etc etc). It was like a blackout game of Buzzword Bingo. I kept expecting someone to schedule the next shootout at the OK Corral or summon a posse.

This shot looked so cool when I made it sepia that I have to throw it in.

Also got an odd shot of this bit of wall, which I love, and debated the going of the B&W, but really I think it works.

Day 5 (110): 28th of March
Today there is a memorial for a base Chaplain who died over the w/end. Does it make me a terribly awful person to plan on leaving early because so many people are going to the service (and as such are themselves leaving early)? I did not actually know the guy, so I'd feel odd going to the service. In the end, forty minutes early was the answer, so good (inadvertent) compromise. Going heavy on the B&W this week. Not by design, but because the shots just seem to work (I think). I really liked the shadows on these steps.

And this shot has nothing to do with things in rows / lines, but holy brilliant sunset and silhouette (though in the upload I've lost the effect... see it here on Flikr).

Day 6 (111): 29th of March
Damn. Damn, damn, damn. The number of cats at present in my care is too damn high. G.G. finally popped. At 2200 or thereabouts. Last night. I had foolish aspirations of getting to bed at a  reasonable hour, and as such went out to check the cats and turn out the porch light. Saw what looked like a cat in labour, and sure enough there was soon a small mewly thing in the bed with her. Entranced, I sat by her side and kept her soothed (as I imagine anyone going through that sort of business would want) until number two came about forty minutes later. All v educational, indeed. Couldn't stay up for the rest, as it got to be 0100 and my back was killing me from sitting on the ground in my Jedi dressing gown (yes I have a Jedi dressing gown - it has a hood and is super comfy). Come morning, there was just this. A row of four and a content yet tired mama (honestly with the face).

So as to not just have the day be about cats, here is a neat little domestic shot in the really great morning light (at least I think it is, and that is the point, right?).

Day 7 (112): 30th of March
Spent the afternoon at work, doing my final exam for my class. Damn Daylight Saving. Took away a good hour I had planned for doing nothing before starting schoolwork. Boo. OOh. Add letters and get Booze. See below. No, I did not have any of this for breakfast. Or lunch. Or dinner. It just looked cool.

To close, I am at present in my office, and it is nearly 1900. And it is a Sunday. Thank you, homework Gods. Thanks very much. It is a lovely way to spend a Sunday. But I had to get out and away from distractions (including those with four legs and an unhealthy level of cute).

Week Fourteen: Moon River

Drinking tea out of my Unicorn mug as I write this on a Saturday, as Sunday will be a bit of a whirlwind in the morning to get things done. Life is pretty OK when one drinks one's tea out of a Unicorn mug. And there's been a waxing moon this week, which makes things go a certain way. At least if the People Who Know These Things are to be believed. All I know is that I've a lot to do and taking photos feels a bit frivolous in the grand scheme of the Moment. That said, my bloody mindedness won't have me interrupt my streak only 14 weeks in. Carry on I shall. 

Day 1 (92): 10th of March

Last day in Newcastle and the weather turned to be really brilliant. Was rather nice for the time of year the other days here, but today particularly lovely. Global warming or no, I approve. Even allowed a nice late wake up (0700), as flight does not leave till 1330 or so. Needing to get out for a few photos meant an interruption to the laziness in the nice hotel, but really, I've not gotten so much sun in months. Must be careful to not combust. The view from the river was fun, and what I was going for here in post was a scene like something from an old black and white film put into colour. Newcastle gave me that feeling the whole time; felt like it was meant to be set sixty years ago, but someone dragged it into the 21st century. 

And this was a neat tombstone near the river. I loved that they have WILLIAM GIBBON's whole family noted. Poor guy lost most of his kids. But what a great name.

Day 2 (93): 11th of March
Do love a short week, as delaying the Monday to a Tuesday just means double the fun. Certainly they can find something for me to do. Do get bored with this lack of tasking. Only two hundred things today? Whatever will I do with myself. Leave later than intended, certainly. That makes the day far more enjoyable. But got a decent picture of the moon for once! Not the best in all of creation, but the best I've gotten yet, so there. Might just be sorting out this night photography thing.... Here's a pic of the mother of the two orange beasts I've photographed before. She is currently ready to pop with more kittens, but I decided to try to get her at an angle that hides her massive girth. She's really quite sweet. Though I've named her GG, for Grumble Guts, as she gets v grumbly with her sons (as any mother would).

Moooon! This came out a bit better than the gratuitous moon shot I got a few weeks ago. All shady and neat. Really must get a longer zoom lens if I want to keep taking photos of the moon.

Day 3 (94): 12th of March
Honestly, schedules are just boring. Keeping up with one's own obligations even more so. Another day of getting to work too early and remembering far too late (i.e. half-way through first meeting) that the day would be a v late one. Doing things the hard way. Since 1983. All I have for photos is the below. Taken in the garage late at night after a 15 hour day. Really represents how I felt. The Honda, in this case, represents my day, and the angle shows my perspective. WHAMMO!

Day 4 (95): 13th of March
Tire come up gammy this morning.  Figures that would go off on a day we get pulled from all directions to create products for Big Boss; makes rather difficult plans to sneak out early to put the vehicle to rights. Also realised that I was once again doing things backwards. Most human people spend eight-nine hours at work (approx. 9-5 in the day). Between yesterday and today, I was at home from 2100-0500. That is the wrong 9-5. This is another moon shot, which I got in the evening, thus the blue sky. Round about 1730. Am noticing that when I made it a jpeg, the minor tweak to saturation I did in post has shown up as a bit swirly. But I'm just going with it. The moon itself came out OK.

Day 5 (96): 14th of March
For the passionate out there... Pi Day. I accidentally wore the right shirt, which is a pi symbol wearing a hat, moustache and aviators - Magnum pi. Haha. Any rate. Another day. Another schedule I hate. Have a large paper due on Monday, but we have to get on the boat on Sunday, and I don't know how best to get the paper done and sent, as I cannot transfer files from my laptop to the boat's computers, and my laptop cannot connect to the interwebs while onboard. Hooray my job. This is a macro of a neat plant I saw. Not really sure what else to say. I like the light.

Day 6 (97): 15th of March

Much preparation to do today. Packing, buying supplies, cleaning house (was gone for several days and the week did not allow for recovery, so now live in disaster area), doing laundry, doing homework. The list goeth on. Thank you, my work, for making things more complicated. Really interrupts my life of Quiet Normality. One day am going to have my land with animals and a house in the Middle of Nowhere. It will be grand. For now, Life goeth on as well as lists. This is the Unicorn Mug in all its glory. Honestly, how can one be upset about things when drinking tea out of this? The glowy light was not at all done in post...

It has the best face. 

Day 7 (98): 16th of March

Mad dashing in the morning to prep to leave. Feel v bad about leaving the Fair Felines for another long stretch (this one rather longer). GG will likely pop before I get back, and I rather hope she doesn't lose this batch of kittens (the last ones didn't last more than a couple weeks, though I never actually saw the poor buggers). Morning light was grand, and this dandy was dewey.

These flowers I've never noticed, but I think that is because they've only recently not been just a nondescript bush...

Moon River...wider than a mile... I'm crossing you in style, someday. Been stuck in my head all day. Why these songs enter my dreams is a mystery. Though I suppose all the moon shots I attempted this week may have something to do with it...