Still shooting.

I'm no musician but I do own some guitars that have been keeping me entertained lately (the ones that work, that is). My dad mistook one of these marks for a burn or scar a few days ago. It was rather purple.

I have 2 rolls of film waiting to be developed and another in little Oly Trip half finished. I think I'm rapidly reaching a point where I need some feedback or I'm going to start circling rather than progressing. Easy enough to say but finding someone to give it is another matter.

The only thing I know I want/need to try soon is photographing other people. Again, easy enough to suggest, entirely more complex to find someone. Something about photographing others worries me. All my previous attempts (outside of a very controlled studio shoot) have been... difficult. There is a better word to describe the feeling but I can't think of it. The results have never been quite right. Which makes me wonder, have I not found the right person/people to shoot? Or perhaps I don't approach it properly? Interesting to think about whatever the reasons...

This is the route I used to cycle at least once a week but that was a few years ago. A couple of the paths have been changed or have gone altogether.

I surprised myself with how much I remembered of it today.

The red line is the one recommended by the site that I found the maps on, the yellow lines are a more detailed route through town (far left) and the route my dad takes.

Me and Naddy went out but didn't make it all the way, it would appear she has mild asthma like me and our mum. We still did a little over 9 miles all told. All the way there and back would be just under 20.

The next time I have a day off with good weather I'm going to cycle the whole thing with my camera in tow. I took some photos today but was spending more time concentrating on where we were going that taking pictures. The countryside around here really is beautiful and the weather was fantastic today too.

It is my hope that when Bekah comes to stay we can take a picnic with us and chill out with the stones in the sunshine.

I tried to restring an old guitar today but the tuning peg gave up. The one below is starting to ease it's way out as well. I'm going to try get some new ones from eBay and fix it.

Apparently today was not my day with instruments, when restringing my other guitar I then snapped one. Joy.

Bicycle Portraits

Lots more pictures and interviews with the cyclists over at the website.

, originally uploaded by LaurenEldekvist.

Padded cycling gloves make for more comfortable riding.


They also make for comical tan lines.

Naddy is now 16

Good music and sunshine.

It took me a little longer to appreciate Laura Marlings new album, the last one just clicked into place, but now I am loving it.



'You never did learn to let the little things go.
You never did learn to let me be.
You never did learn to let little people grow.
You never did learn how to see.'

9 pictures at 9pm

Nice to wake up and find this morning.

Chladni Singing from meara o'reilly on Vimeo.

Researching happens when I don't mean it to.

I have an alarming number of tabs open in my browser right now covering all manner of subjects.

This one I feel like sharing.

This is the work of Peter Funch, one of 29 photographs in his series 'Babel Tales'. You need to head over there and have a look at them all really.

I generally group this sort of work with 'street' photography but I've seen enough about the genre and it's followers to know that many would probably scoff at that assessment.

Whatever it is, I like it.

Note to self:

Do not cycle 7.5 miles and then have a glass of wine when you get home. It WILL go directly to your head and you may then be asked to chop salad.

Another good list.

The 30 Most Satisfying Simple Pleasures Life Has to Offer



I do love lists.

Driving.

My dad driving his car, my mum driving hers.

I have my second first driving lesson on Tuesday. I hope I remember what I learnt before.

One of many.

, originally uploaded by LaurenEldekvist.

Rather than repeat myself, I'll just say that there are many more photos from this beautiful place on my flickr.

I'm definitely going back with more film. And hopefully a friend or two.

I like finding things like this...

25 Things you should know about Other People
Sovereign Syre

There are so many things on this list I want to tell you. You'd say you knew them already and speak to me like I were stupid for even bringing the subjects up.


I do not assume, I know.

I wonder how I would cope if I didn't live with any creative people?

Something I need to think of more often...

Lately it feels like there’s an incredibly optimistic person trapped inside me trying to get out.

When I’m on my bike and the sun is shining she’s laughing so loud, shrieking with the joy of it all. All that shows on the outside is a slight smile that could be mistaken for a grimace.

Sometimes, when a particularly good song starts to play, she escapes for a few minutes, singing with as much energy as she can muster out of my tired and indifferent body.

trip 35 test rolls are back...

When I put two rolls of film that hasn't been stored properly and expired 12 years ago through a camera I've never use before and then took them to the local drug store to be processed, I didn't expect much to come back. I was very pleasantly surprised...