Kayleigh visited again!

Yay! Yes, cousin Kayleigh left her (York)shire to visit this (Wilt)shire. Many cup cakes were baked and eaten, many photographs were taken and many, many bad jokes were told (it's something about being around more family members than usual, the jokes just get worse and more frequent, like it's a competition and the visiting family member is the judge).

We went for a walk and my mum told a story about landing in a hot air balloon...

Afterwards was when round two of baking began...

I showed off a bit about the 6D being brilliant by taking the obligatory camera-phone-ception photo using the wifi. 

...and then round three of baking started when Naddy got home and decided she needed to bake some to take to college.

I don't think we've even managed to finish eating all of the cup cakes, not for lack of trying! I've been averaging about three a day, which should give you an idea of just how many there were.

When the busy Christmas period at work tailed off in January I really thought I would have lots more free time, but no. I've pretty much been constantly busy since the start of the year and this is not a complaint! It's just surprising and I'm finding my 'to do' list just keeps growing and the amount of time I have to do those things shrinking.

I've really neglected my vlogging (spoiler alert: I plan to make one tomorrow) and, disappointingly, I've already managed to miss a day in my 365 (not the end of the world but I was faintly hoping to beat my previous starting streak of 77, I was way off this time).

So this has been a life update of sorts? More 'studio' portraits of Kayleigh to follow when I finally finish editing them.

...and more London adventures...

I was primarily in London to visit the Japanese Embassy but, since I had made the trip down there, I ended up visiting the Barbican as well. Random International's installation 'The Rain Room' is still there for the experiencing (though not for much longer) though if you do decide to check it out be prepared to queue for at LEAST two and a half hours. Letting too many people into the installation at one time ruins the effect so they let groups of five or so go in at once and then you've got to wait for them to finish wandering around in it before more people can go in and so on.

More London adventures...

The Fault In Our Stars book tour...

The wonderful, inspiring, hilarious and talented Hank and John Green came to Swindon for the first stop of the tour of the UK and Ireland. I went with my sister and a friend, it was incredible.

Me and the sibling arrived very early, as we share a fear of being late, so we got some pre-event lunch.

Upon arrival we met up with Beth and froze in the queue outside for half an hour or so. Not that anyone really minded the temperature, we were so excited by this point we were all hopping about. Once we got inside the building there was a 'No Entry' sign above the door we were instructed to enter through (?) and my immediate thought was 'That would take two seconds to photoshop.' so I did...

John Green was brilliant. He talked about the book, his motivations and what have you, it was awesome.

He read from the book and stopped mid-sentense because a train went past, he clearly didn't realised that the train line was so near by.

Hank sang! It was wonderful. He sang the pony song and The Universe Is Weird, the two I was really hoping he would play. I don't know all the words which was disappointing as I do love to sing along with everyone at shows so I just did my very best chair-dancing (dancing while remaining sat on a chair).

'We don't have time to take pictures with you all so we're going to pose up here and you can photoshops yourself in later, it's really easy!'

They were so kind, they arrived hours early to sign ALL the copies of TFIOS that were given to everyone who attended and they stayed late to personalise the signed books/sign posters and t-shirts for people and talk to us as well. I got my book signed 'To Lauren' and a high five from each of them! I shot a fair amount of video before/during/after as well, some of which will probably end up in my Vlog for Monday. It was such a fun afternoon.

As we were sat waiting for Hank and John to come onstage I realised that these two are added to a growing list of favourite people who I have seen live in the past year or so. First there was Caitlin Moran, followed by Amanda Palmer, then Tegan and Sara and now the Vlogbrothers! It's amazing how much can happen in a year. These guys and Amanda Palmer are particularly inspiring to me. The careers they've built, all the projects they've been involved in, it's all so fun and creative and exciting and pushes me to pursue my dreams of travel and art.

2013 has got off to a very good start for me, here's hoping it continues!