Week Forty-Three: Round and Round

What did the parallelogram say to the circle?
"Not to take sides, here, mate, but you have to admit, you're pretty pointless."
Round things. Circle things. Reminds me of a song from my youth about a wheel of cheese. The line, "round it goes, cheese cheese cheese, wheel wheel wheel" comes starkly to mind. As you can see, some of last week's madness has carried over. Or perhaps it is just part of the perpetual state of semi-madness wherein exists my brain.

Day 1 (295): 29th of September
A blonde has just gotten a new sports car. She cuts out in front of a semi, and almost causes it to drive over a cliff. The driver furiously motions for her to pull over, and she does. The driver gets out and draws a circle and tells her to stand in it. Then he gets out his knife and cuts up her leather seats. He turns around and sees she's smiling. So he goes to his truck, takes out a baseball bat, and starts busting her windows and beating her car. He looks back to see that she's laughing. He's really mad now, so he takes his knife and slices her tires. He turns around and she's laughing so hard, she's about to fall down. He demands, "What's so funny?" She says, "Every time you weren't looking, I stepped out of the circle!" 

This is a ball. It is my constant companion, and is so good to me.

Day 2 (296): 30th of September
Why are the two blondes on the motorcycle arguing? They're fighting over who gets the window seat.

Two blondes fell down a hole. One said, "It sure is dark down here, isn't it?" The other replied, "I don't know; I can't see."

That's all the jokes for today.

Day 3 (297): 1st of October
OK. No more jokes. For now. I was sitting on the sofa in the evening, and the smell of someone burning foliage drifted in the window. Really love that smell. It always reminds me of the few trips to visit my English grandparents. They had a lovely property and a wonderful riding lawnmower I thought was just the best thing ever. And during at least one trip (probably just the one), they were burning a heap of branches and leaves and other garden detritus, and the smell got planted in my brain forever. Such a nice memory. I miss those days. I miss the two of them, even though they both died before I was even six years old. This sunset needed no editing. So lovely.

Madness in the editing room. It happens.

This is what that thing normally looks like.

Day 4 (298): 2nd of October
No internet again at the house. And just before I left work, I thought to myself, "just do your homework now, just in case the funky weather messed with the ADSL."Then I replied, "Naw. It's probably fine." Obviously that was daft, so I got home, saw the dreaded router doing its blinky thing, and jumped back in the car to go in search of wifi. Guh. This was all I had the energy to do. A plate and a bowl. They are round. I had to crop the cat's photobombing tail out of the shot.

Day 5 (299): 3rd of October
So today I added some whisky fudge to my Amazon cart (because of course). This led the Amazon bots to recommend ExOfficio Men's GiveNGo Boxer Brief, and LARABAR Fruit & Nut Food Bar, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, Gluten Free. Really not sure what to say about that. Interesting analytical leap, for certain. And that in a week wherein I've had to fight against Other People making analytical leaps unsupported by a net of connected facts and evidence. Such leaps are what make me not get any real normal work done and emphasise my distaste for analysts. One can show them facts and say "this is, quite literally, all we know on this matter," and they will take that to mean a whole host of things that make no sense at all.

I've shot this before, but it fits with the week's theme.

This only sort of does, as the sun is indeed rather circular. But it came out pretty cool.

Day 6 (300): 4th of October
Still no internet, but kind hearts prevail and I am typing this from the sofa in a much too kind friend's apartment. Just finished a goodly chunk of the week's homework and even did some research for the infernal paper due next Sunday. That and this morning I read a whole book, worked out, did laundry, and started to clean my house (didn't get all that far). Such thrilling commentary on the day, to be sure. Though it started right, and that's what matters. Particularly if it means starting with this.

And then it ends with this.

Day 7 (301): 5th of October
The broken ADSL record plays on. But being in a good mood makes it easier to bear. Why am I in such a good mood? Hmmm. Well. Difficult to say, but we'll just go with because. Besides, I'd rather just enjoy it than analyse it to death. Like this, one of the tools of the trade. An older one, but still a goodie.

How do you confuse a blonde? You put her in a round room and tell her to sit in a corner.
How does a blonde confuse you? She comes out and says she did.
What do you call a redhead with a blonde on either side? An interpreter.

Sorry. Jokes came back. As a girl identifying both with the gingers and the blondes, I find the last one quite funny. 

Week Thirty-Nine: Altered Senses

You know that feeling when things go all sideways? And no, that doesn't mean the feeling fueled by controlled or other outside substances. This is about Life. Perspectives are a screwy business. Just when things seem well sorted, Life happens and Perspectives shift. Futures once so clear become the stuff of parallel universes. Recent events and conversations have indicated that one can have one's Heart broken without ever realising one's Heart was in any danger. Most people would avoid such perilous situations, or at least see them for what they were and brace for impact. Others don't see it coming, and find themselves looking at a post mortem in an impressive imitation of the old RCA Victor dog. Heavy stuff for a photography blog. Hmmm. Here are the photos.

Day 1 (267): 1st of September
Quiet roar of cars on a morning street. Not so many that it makes a cacophonous backdrop; streets only slightly damp with the night's precipitation source the sound of the sporadic set of wheels, then echo it against the odd strain of a distant street musician and off myriad storefronts.

Day 2 (268): 2nd of September
Late night music wafting over the air and the sound of rain. The occasional frog squeak and dog bark add to the orchestration, but not even the usual chorus of house alarms and draconic water heaters dares ruin the soundtrack of a peaceful night. 

Day 3 (269): 3rd of September
Acrid smell of wood stain battles with Midnight Dare and the shampoo in my hair. Even the familiar scent of Things Burning and Neighbours Cooking cannot overcome the much closer and more powerful malodourous chemicals now coating my porch roof.

Day 4 (270): 4th of September
Deep molasses of exhaustion turns muscles into sand; even facial muscles become heavy and difficult to control. Insomnia paired with the drone of planners attempting to put together lofty strategies with no regard for established requirements, force even the most dedicated and caffeinated meeting-goer to fight to not tumble face first out of the chair.

Day 5 (271): 5th of September
Fierce flavours of garlic, rosemary, pepper, and strangely enough a tiny bit of dill paint a colourful picture on the tastebuds. When added to mozzarella, tomato, and the juiciest sausage ever to grace the surface of a pizza, the effect is the kind of divine food-vana reminiscent of a religious experience localised in the mouth.

Day 6 (272): 6th of September
Dark clouds race from the north, threatening the busy weekend errand-doers. When the clouds open up, all senses are flooded (if one is brave enough to walk from the safety of the shop through the deluge with one's bags). Rain the perfect temperature, if a bit enthusiastic, smacks the skin and soaks the clothes; the taste of slightly contaminated precipitation slips into the corners of the mouth; the air takes on the distinct scent of dry earth and asphalt suddenly doused; with all other humans hiding under shelter, the only sound is that of thunderclaps and a great downpour on metal, cement, foliage, and flesh; nothing is more beautiful to witness than a massive storm, complete with great flashes of lightning.

Day 7 (273): 7th of September
Joy of lovely morning sun peering in through the gaps in the closed metal shutters hinting at a beautiful morning and fruitful day. Nothing can sully the view for the eyes of those determined to be content. Soft light, soft clouds, and clear air promise better times ahead.

Gratuitous black and white.

Lots to ponder. Apologies for the dramatic twist in tone, but sometimes these things happen when one's mind is occupied with a particular set of thoughts and that same mind is the kind to obsess and stew far beyond the point at which most sane human beings would move on. 

Week Twenty-Five: Disconnected

Opening salvo. Lack of connection makes for interesting reading. Makes me remember all the times I wished I could just unplug (really chose the wrong job for that). And all the times when I did. It for some reason makes others think something is truly wrong. But those others simply do not understand the joy that comes from silence and solitude. All that said, I'd really like my interweb access back. Largely because I'm supposed to be paying for it.

Day 1 (169): 26th of May
Last day in Rome. My gallivanting over the past few days has left me in a state of spinal unrest, so my plans to add to said gallivanting became "take the metro to the Spanish Steps and set a spell." Turns out that people watching is just as fun anywhere one does it. Such a nice part of the city, the Spagna area. One can shop at high street places (or just look at high street things), eat really good nosh (or just gelato - I'm a grownup, I eat what I want for lunch), and enjoy a lovely day (with only the occasional molestation by rose-selling persons). I opted for the second and third options this go round. And saw this.

And this.

And the streets of Rome.

Day 2 (170): 27th of May
Still no internet. Still annoyed. Thank you, Neapolitans With Information. Way to play the "I've a secret" game. So much fun. Though disconnection is oddly freeing in a way, it is also not so oddly irritating. Yes, I've read a couple books more than I might otherwise have done. Yes, I've relaxed in my hammock and enjoyed the out of doors air. But I'd also have done that anyhow. What I've not done is call home. Or emailed people I needed to email. Or sent information I only have on my laptop to people I've told I'd send said information (sorry, people). This has to get done with in the lunch pause in the office or at the end of the week, when I've had time to make the trip to a base with WiFi available.

Day 3 (171): 28th of May
Alone with her thoughts, the brilliant writer/photographer began to ponder and recall many a quote once heard and stored away in the vault of the unconscious. Deep stuff, no? For example: "Cheat your landlord if you can and must, but do not try to shortchange the Muse. It cannot be done. You can't fake quality any more than you can fake a good meal" (William S. Burroughs)

"The road to hell is paved with adverbs" (Stephen King)

"Writing is something you do alone. It is a profession for introverts who want to tell you a story, but don't want to make eye contact while doing it" (John Green)

Day 4 (172): 29th of May
Being alone is bloomin' brilliant. It allows one to not just ponder quotes (won't do that again, at least not one this), but also to refuel and recenter. No one asking questions. No one wondering what one is thinking. No one getting upset about being distant. It isn't distance if it is helpful. So quiet.

Thank you, sky.

Day 5 (173): 30th of May
The best part of my job is that I get to do things in the best way I know how. Usually. Unless I get sucked in by forces beyond my control. But that rarely happens. At least not enough to hinder my job doing. It is so nice to hear from people who enter my space and remark upon how nice it is and how it must be nice to work in that particular spot. If I accomplish nothing else in this tour, I want to be able to say my little sanctuary was a success, and that we got everything done that was asked of us (and more). So far, so good. Life is too short to work in a morale black hole. It may at times mean we are not linked directly to the rest of the department, but that is why phones were invented. And come to think of it, so were legs. Let us check in with the fearless trooper. Damn that camouflage...

Oh lord.

Zoinks. Everyone is having a day.

Day 6 (174): 31st of May
Spent the entire day with no sense of time. How brilliant is that. Woke when I wanted. Cleaned house till it hurt. Did laundry. Watched old episodes of Lois and Clark. Finally looked at a clock when I realised I needed to go in search of internet. It was 1800. This is how I felt.

This is how the sky felt.

And This.

Day 7 (175): 1st of June
Yesterday some little self-important teenager jumped in front of me in line to get to a plug at the place with internet. And people wonder why I never want any of them (small people, that is). I was pretty lame when I was a teenager, but nowhere near as lame as the ones from the now times are. Entitled little oxygen thieves who are statistically weaker than teenagers from any other time period. I think that includes the Bubonic Plague days. Today's kids are either too fat or too thin to be of any consequence. Useless in a Zombpocalypse, but I suppose that just means they will be the first to go and are hardly going to be a threat as zombies. They'll be too busy being Emo or Hipster or Whiny. Even as the undead.

Enough Said. Lots to be Done.
P.S. "Never love anyone who treats you like you're ordinary" (Oscar Wilde)

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.