Week Twenty-three: Roy G.

I remember an episode of what I think was Bill Nye, but for all I know it could have been Beakman's World. Either way, the episode was my first introduction to the way the rainbow works and how to remember the order of the colours. As part of photography is closely tied to colours (can't think why), I wanted to pay homage to the nice bow of rain.

Day 1 (155): 12th of May
Red. A great colour. Some of my hair is red. Sort of. Especially when I get a bit cross. Which is hardly ever, really. Losing one's temper is so, well, unnecessary. Other good things that are red...hmmm. Roses, fezzes, some kinds of curry. Mmmmm... curry... Right. Oh of course. Stop signs.

And apparently some little pickups. This one was a bit tricky to get just  right.

Day 2 (156): 13th of May
Orange. Like the fool cats. And some of the more unfortunate Gingers out there. I rather compare it to my spinal pain level after several hours of marching up and down metal stairs on a day when Beelzebub was in control of the weather, on a big flat-topped boat. I've never seen one of them before. Oh, sorry, sarcasm doesn't really show through in type. If you've met me you'll know I'm rarely not sarcastic, so if there is a question, just presume on the snarky side. Nearly missed my chance to take a photo as it got late, and there was not an orange car to be found. Though in retrospect that's a good thing. Orange is no colour for a car. But there is this. Thanks, Taco Bell.

Day 3 (157): 14th of May
Yellow. Oh good, we are starting each day with a single word. How v creative. Not at all lazy. For weeks there has been a horrid yellow Charger with an awful bumble bee on the side. But on the day I want to take its photo, it of course vanishes. Went on a great sojourn to find other yellows (as I've given up on the Colours of Cars idea I started with). Found a nice hydrant.

And a nice "don't kill pedestrians" sign. Considering I was a pedestrian as I took the shot in the middle of the street, I was glad for its existence.

Day 4 (158): 15th of May
Green. My, my. Wherever will I find something green. I miss the kind of green that abounds here. Doesn't mean I actually like it here. Nope, just the trees. Except the ones that spew cotton at me and make my allergies go mad. Fabric of our lives my foot. Though I do rather like cotton when it is processed and made into shirts. Stumbled upon a grand hunter green Mustang all kitted out to look absurd. And it was in front of trees. How nice.

Then of course there were the bushes. This one was fun.

Day 5 (159): 16th of May
Blue. Ahhh. Blue. Glorious blue. My eyes are blue. Rather a boring version of blue, but blue nonetheless. I also own rather a lot of blue things. Like TARDIS toys and assorted paraphernalia. And jeans. Lots of jeans. But I also have a windbreaker, which got simply soaked when I went out in a monsoon to take some photos of the stormy beach. Apparently windbreaker is not the same as rainbreaker.

Here is the stormy beach. Took lots of photos, but won't waste your eyes on them just now. Not a terribly blue day for the ocean.

And once it cleared up, I could tell that my rental car is indeed quite blue.

And really rather reflecty. I see now that this is rather less of a blue shot.

Day 6 (160): 17th of May
Indigo. What the devil is indigo. Once this week got along, I realised I had no idea what made indigo something other than blue. Besides of course a word that precedes Girls. Turns out I should have researched the difference earlier. Yesterday I was apparently looking at indigo as well as blue. World = shattered. So today I guess I'll be looking for more of the same. Between the two days I'll surely cover the blues. Typical. Bloody colours. Bloody EM spectrum. Got to catch a plane, too. So here is the solution. I have a keyboard protector that is well worn, but still sort of blue / indigo / whatever.

And the sky was a lovely bluey of some description. With a nice bird.

Day 7 (161): 18th of May
Violet. Also known as Purple. Like royal things and Joint things, and little old ladies. I quite like purple, but it turns out I own rather little purple. Also turns out that my landlord wanted to play one more trick on me (it has been a while, so I suppose I am due). They rejiggered the internet at the villa so I've my own ADSL line, but did not leave me the info to set up the fool thing, or how I am supposed to receive the bill / pay the bill (details, I know). So off I trundle to the NEX to borrow WiFi. And after a rather long time on planes and in airports. Boo. But there were rather pretty thistle plants to satisfy the purple for the day.

See? Pretty Purple.

Also took a shot of these poppies, because it is my blog and I'll do as I please.

Back in Naples now. Internet I cannot access and a water heater that won't quit sounding on the verge of nuclear meltdown. So nice to be home. Oh, and I like colours. And traffic lights. But only when they're green.

Week Eleven: Colour Me Crazy

So it is getting late on a Sunday and I've not yet done the things I need to do. And the Italian Internet Gods have had a sense of humour again. They do this. Super fast when I'm farting about doing nothing, but if I want to do homework or this blog or catch up on Call the Midwife or buy passes for Comic-Con, it slows to a crawl that makes a three-toed sloth look like Speedy Gonzales. Did I date myself? Probably. So does THIS WHOLE BLOG. Whew. That's out.

Day 1 (71): 17th of February
Days off are grand. Less so when there is work to do at home, but who cares? It's a day off! That said, I let it get away from me like I was in it to win it. I think the below shots reflect the letting things slide angle. Even Mondays off can have the Mondays. The evening sky was pretty good. Didn't even mess with this one.

This I did mess with. Because it is silly. And a bit creepy. I get to see this demon smile every time I look out into my garden. Thank you, Wall-building Antonio. Thank you for giving me something to haunt my every dream.

Day 2 (72): 18th of February
In celebration of something, my house alarm decided to have a tantrum. The repercussions of this were that when I got home, my key set the alarm off, rather than turning it off. Then it was an all out battle to shut off the brain-melting, conniption-inducing racket. Four hours later, the problem was fixed. Was able to get an answer for the age-old question of, "how many Neapolitans does it take to change a lightbulb?"  The answer is seven. One alarm technician, three brothers, two sons, and one daughter to supervise the male efforts. Oh, and a ladder, much arguing, and many cigarettes. The fellow up the ladder only almost fell off twice. While I waited for that joy to commence, I caught this little dear on the wall of my house. Inn't he the cutest? Cue spider-phobe nightmares. For you. I'm waaaay too cool to be frightened of a little spider.

The sky was rather cool in the evening, too. So there's that. Do love some sky porn. Not v exciting, but ah well. My brain melted out my ears thanks to the alarm, so there.

Day 3 (73): 19th of February
The quality of the below is entirely dependent on how close one looks. These rather long days at work make the taking of decent photos rather more difficult. Not just because of the late hour I get to leave, but also because my Brain works rather less well after all this. And the equation of computers + Italian internet equals my desires to attend Nerdvana stymied for now. Piss on it. One more shot. Other kinds of shots are below. First, the garage when I leave at night. Looks slightly creepy, no?

How's about I make it blackandwhite!!.... duh duh duh..... Find your car, now, smartarse... IF YOU DARE...

And because I've completely lost my mind... a candle on the kitchen counter.

Day 4 (74): 20th of February
Not sure what even to say here. This may be another of those "skip on to the next day" days. I had massive homeworks to do and this was the best my brain could fathom during a period of mental rest and let's face it. It's not great. Call it "Nerd Things"

"Nerd Tools" because I had schoolbooks and a new comic and shoes.

Day 5 (75): 21st of February
This was a gargantuan effort. My earlier back spasm left me in a state best left undescribed. Once I was vaguely able to be upright, I went for the simple. A session with my guitar, which in this instance was better for my neighbours, as it involved only taking photos, rather than my playing. This first one I got more or less right and didn't even need to edit it.

This one took an edit or two, but meh. My Kingman (her name's Felix) looks good in grey.

Day 6 (76): 22nd of February
Not going to lie. Much of this day was spent horizontal, and not for the fun reason. Damn this body for not bouncing like it used to. Still stiff and sore as something incredibly stiff and sore. They told me this would happen. But the magic of the drinking bird made me feel better. OK. Not really. But he is fun. Even when not drinking anything.

Day 7 (77): 23rd of February
Weird day. Weird weather. But got out for a bit and found a neat spot in what we call "toxic farmland" where there were cool trees and the clouds were all cloudy. I cropped out the bit that looked a bit funky - thus the odd shaped photo. But not much of an edit. Should have taken the tripod and filters, but them's the breaks.

And the 'zact same thing, but looking all crazy. Thank you gratuitous Lomo filter.

Piss poor bodies that fail and Internets that fail and Thirty-year-olds that fail notwithstanding, we carry on. Keeping calm ideal, but not entirely necessary. Just don't make too much a fuss, ok?

Week Ten: Just Look up and Relax

Ruddy car wreck. Ruddy Neapolitan who hit me. Ruddy delayed onset back pain. Enough to make one truly annoyed. Regardless, there's things need done and jobs need finished. So on with the dance, as they say. Aided by modern medicinal tactics. This week is all about the world as seen from one's back. Not in the 19th century euphemistic sense, mind you. More the "I've fallen and I can't get up" sense.

Day 1 (64): 10th of February
Minimal editorialisation this week. I'll keep that promise as much as possible. I do find it a stroke of genius what was passed to me at work for a suggested theme. This one was pretty basic. Took my ibuprofen and dropped (OK, settled slowly) to my back on the living room floor, camera in hand and kept it simple. Just an upside down shot of the window drapes.

Because I was unsure about that one, and because the other shot I took was truly stupid, here's the first again but in sepia.

Day 2 (65): 11th of February
Muscle relaxers are interesting and wonderful things. Going all gooey like people say one does when in love. But a bit more literally. That plus slurring words like a person with dysphasia or perhaps a drunk. Today's piccie came from a desire to experience the cool of the entry floor on the back. And not make you see seven photos of the same bit of ceiling. Thus, looking up the stairs. Note: the entry floor was not as nice as I thought, and I just noticed that I need to clean the floor again.

And the hall / stair light.

Day 3 (66): 12th of February
Eff this week. The snit reared its ugly head again (enabled by drugs and exhaustion), and I drafted an epic vent-mail to my best friend, with desired results. Best friends are wonderful for always being on one's side when one is feeling abused and generally mal-treated. They know when to offer advice and when to just be outraged and indignant along with one. Am a lucky gal. Oh, and finally found a good use for the Fisheye lens I've had for a while and never figured how best to employ....Observe. The boudoir...

I get far too much joy out of seeing my whole ceiling in one photo.

Day 4 (67): 13th of February
Hurrah for nice weather and Fisheye lenses. Though I've not yet sorted the absolutely best way to use the fool thing, am having a bit of fun with it. And my hammock. How I've missed it. See what I mean?

Day 5 (68): 14th of February
Happy Friday / Papa's Birthday / Valentine's Day! I just love the sweets that come from Hallmarky holidays like this. And the memories of getting my dad pink teddy bears for his birthday. Since the morale police stepped in and ruined the plan for a four-day w/end, and my trip to Paris fell apart, I see a lazy next few days, punctuated by physical therapy, alcohol therapy, and homework. And Photos. 

Another. I like the light.

One more view. Still cool light.

Day 6 (69): 15th of February
First of all...holy hand grenade. Just this guy. How cool and huge and cool is he?

Now, a cat's eye view of life outside.

So nice to hide in the bushes. The felines were simultaneously highly entertained, confused, and a bit indignant at my crawling about in the garden.

Day 7 (70): 16th of February
Got such poor results in the theme shots I decided to scrub it. Looked downward instead for a bit. And got this pile of stuff at a nearby farm, a shot I am strangely attached to. So much so I did two kinds of edits. A straight black and white...

And a faded photo from the past look.

And I got this great little set of gorgeous yellow springy flowers. The light was awful and too bright, so I had to monochrome-ish grey fade thing in the edit, but they are still v pretty.

So this week has been a strange, watching-someone-else-live-my-life sort. I've half a mind to be cross about it, but really, these things happen. Makes what will come in the future (whatever that is) all the better for not being this. So long, of course, as it ticks most of my various prerequisite blocks...  Here's to the future.

Week Seven: Love Letters

Was on the fence about whether to pick a theme this week or just photograph things in general. Then decided to just try another theme, as it forces me to challenge my Eye. Have been a child of the written word all my years. Learned to read young, thanks to my wonderful mother reading wonderful poems and stories of all kinds to my brother and I every night from the Begining (Best Beloved). And have loved both reading and writing with a passion. Still blast through books at the speed of thought. Thus the theme of letters. Either letters on things or things in life that look like letters. Quite the array. And do us both a favour by skipping day five. I'm not proud of that.

Day 1 (43): 20th of January
Still in Romania. And last night, the Battery in my Olympus died. I brought a second one, but it holds a charge like a big baby. Fitting that the day we are to go see the second largest government building in the world, I will be rolling the dice with Baby Wimpy McNocharge and then relying on the iPhone. Ah well. Serves me right for not having three batteries. Or just remembering the charger. If any of you out in Blogverse feel the urge to see Romania / Bulgaria (which I highly recommend), you simply must use this guy Valentin who showed us around. Went way above and beyond the call of duty, taking us places we'd not normally see, paying for food and beverages (even one meal that he just thought was not up to standards). Today he was not on the bill to take us anywhere, but took his own vehicle and time to show us around Bucharest a bit and go to lunch and then to the airport. Genuinely nice fellow. Whilst enjoying this stroll about Bucharest, got these piccies of cool letters. First some Cyrillic on a grave marker.

Then this graffiti. Not sure what it says. Besides "NECRO ->"

Day 2 (44): 21st of January
Every week should start on Tuesdays. Got stuck in training all day. And as usual, much was repeat from previous classes I've attended. They never tell you these things before the training starts. That said, I suppose there have been useful tidbits of information that I'd not have gotten otherwise. Remembering again that I themed myself in to letters, I've gone all abstract or something, and found things shaped like the letter X. Like the letters that sponsored Sesame Street. Granted, this is a bit of a cheat and was motivated partly by poor timing and lack of creativity. That said, I think the ones I've chosen are decent. Amazing how much one can get out of so little. I have a ceiling fan or two, so here is one. Love the shadow that light makes.

And here is my floor. I have tiles. They are square.

Day 3 (45): 22nd of January
More training, and when one is in a foul disposition, the prospect of same becomes a bit daunting. Have reached the point in the month where all things dribbling slowly from day to day have finally accumulated and threaten to make like a Naples pothole and swallow me whole. A bit melodramatic, I know, but that is just that. Not really helped by the fact that the day started poorly, with the hot water on the fritz, then forgetting the thing I was going to bring to work, then forgetting to bring gas coupons so I can fuel up on the way home, then getting bitten in the heel by the metal turnstyle through which I pass to enter work. All that before 0530. Thank the Green Man for short weeks. This day can suck it / stuff it up its jumper / etc. Any hoo. Photos. Right. Letters. these are v dark, but they are letter-ish. Tried to make an L out of a thing on my wall, but it was silly. Too much so even for me. So there is this. It is my stair railings. Like a T.

And another. It is a bit of a table. Also a T... and dusty... hmmm must find duster thing...

Day 4 (46): 23rd of January
Spending more time away from my office than in it gives me a new perspective. That perspective allows me to understand that I like my office and dislike meetings that take me all over Christendom (and up and down the same zillion stairs). Such a revelation. Like realising that some people are rather absurd. Or that crime indeed does not pay. Or even that it was all JUST A DREAM?!?!?! So sorry. It has been that sort of day. Thus the motivation / inspiration for the below shots. Oh, the things we can do with seemingly innocuous storage baskets (conveniently marked so as to not lose sight of their purpose in life - if only all things were suchly marked)...such as focus on one's years...

Or indeed one's emotions. Bottled or no. And this is not an admission of a violent personality. Just a photo. Hold off calling the nice young men in their clean white suits.

Day 5 (47): 24th of January
I'll not detail the details of my day, for plausible deniability reasons. Suffice it to say I learned a lot about myself and my minio-, no... those under my comm-, er, orde-, hmm...direction. And really none of it was awkward or embarrassing. Which takes a bit of the fun out of it, but I suppose that cannot be helped. Have had the theme music from Full House stuck in my head. And demonstrated that I have far too much trivial knowledge from that particular show. Ah well. As an adult I can look back and see it for what it was. Really not bad family TV, and with plenty of Saget humour surreptitiously inserted for parental enjoyment. Might want to skip to tomorrow's photo. I'll not make this seem cooler than it is. Was fully lacking in ideas. But had a scarf. Took many versions, and none were any better than this one... Lovely HD camera takes a lovely look at my hairs that do seem to be everywhere...

Day 6 (48): 25th of January
Many things need doing on the w/ends. Especially when one spends other w/ends galavanting about the continent. That being so, a Naughty Nellie will still find time for doing not v much for a bit. Can be therapeutic for us Introverts to spend time in an introverted fashion. Even if that involves running errands without speaking a word to another human. Which is how it ought be, really. Errands are to be finished, not interrupted by or shared with random strangers. My, how perfectly antisocial of her! Yes. But it is better than having terrifyingly awkward conversations. The following was seen whilst I erranded. Am oddly attached to it for an unknowable reason. It ticks the "letters" block by having both an I and a V in it, but really I cannot say why I like it. I just do.

Here it is again in greyscale. Because I like it, that's why.

And this lovely ancient ladder up against a tree in the nearby field also speaks volumes. Whether I've captured them is up for a short debate, but it does look like an H. And has great texture.

Day 7 (49): 26th of January
I've invented a new hairstyle. I call it the Wu Man Chu. It came about as I was enjoying the latest episode of Call the Midwife and had my rather long hair hanging equally on both sides of my head. The next obvious step was to braid the two sections under my chin, creating a sort of necktie down my front. Looks a bit like something worn for ceremonial purposes on an Amazonian-esque planet far away. Or like the product of idle hands and a strange mind. Would be less bad if I'd not left it in, but I braided it like that about four hours ago. Good thing I've neither roommates nor visitors. The letter sponsoring today is A. Because it is First. And was the first letter of my nickname as a wee thing (and still today). Played with the tripod in front of the wall, then hung the good old sheer green shower curtain as a backdrop. The below was the result of a 200 ISO and a 15 second exposure. Thus the strange light and colour. All washed out is neat and required no post-production to achieve. And there are three As going on in the picture. Ta da.

And a more close up version. Tried to make it unique, as A is an important letter.

Realising I've gone a bit border-heavy this week, as well as heavy on post-editing. Not that I've any problem with that. Am not a snob about "pure" photos. There are many out there who are just bloody brilliant enough to get the perfect light and colour balance etc etc at the time. Am not one of them. And am OK with that. Besides, I like making things look different than the way they normally do. It is part of what I see in my head before hitting the pickle button. Besides, I've been called contrary my whole life. My photos really ought reflect that.