Expressions say it all... Send me your title for this photo?
Originally uploaded by Geraldine Curtis.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Expressions say it all... Send me your title for this photo?
Expressions say it all... Send me your title for this photo?
Originally uploaded by Geraldine Curtis.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Lest we forget...
Today Water Orton was no longer one of the anonymous train stations situated between Burton on Trent and Birmingham New Street. This morning it became the scene of a fatality. For whatever reason, someone pushing a bike stepped in front of a train and as a consequence of that conscious decision, ceased to exist. It's a sad fact of life that people commit suicide and that accidents happen (or is it more about being in the wrong place at the wrong time?) From that split second moment in time something so incomprehensibly awful happened, and hundreds of people were affected in some way. Those who were on the train, those who had to deal with the situation, those who were delayed on later trains, those who will hear about it on the news, or read about it in the newspapers. From the driver who was said to be hysterical to the business man on the train who was made late for his meeting. We all stopped and thought 'how dreadful'. But worst of all, tomorrow we will have forgotten...
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Why are there highs and lows and no 'even' days? Monday was very busy, teaching all day and pianos lessons in the evening. The diabetic pills we'd posted to Graham on Saturday, were returned without going via America (which would have helped) ' low', but a cheery delivery man handed me my new replacement, 'never been touched by human hands' Canon IXUS 800 'high'. Even the battery behaves and went green when charged unlike the previous one that started red then always turned itself off when you weren't looking before it had fully charged. Very sneaky! I have yet to take my first photo, just in case it doesn't live up to my expectations. Tuesday was promising, an invitation to a special lunch in Bradford on 17th and joy of joys, someone left a comment on my blog, someone read my blog...or does she only look at the photos?! Then things began to go steadily downhill. A trip to the dentist resulted in the decision for a root filling which needed so many files of anaesthetic that it took 5 hours for my face to return to normal,(don't say anything). Then the pain set in... I won't go into too much detail, but I need sympathy and someone to kiss it all better. After not a very good night's sleep, another emergency appointment at the dentist (we're on first name terms and I think I know his inside leg measurement) and a comment about it being all in my head, ha, ha, I have faith that I like Donna Summer (I will survive) and I might even be able to chew food by next Friday....
Monday, November 06, 2006
On Saturday I caught the train to London to spend the day with Robert, having dropped Lucy off at work. I was still reeling with the thought of where Graham's wallet might be, so it was very comforting to see a familiar face waiting to greet me at St Pancras. The sense of security didn't last long when we managed to lose each other on the way to South Kensington on the Underground, I jumped on the train and Robert didn't. It didn't matter, in the time it took for Robert to catch up, I was engaged in trying to explain to a Japanese tourist how to get to Leicester Square. First we headed for The Victoria and Albert museum as I wanted to see 'At Home In Renaissance Italy' having seen a write up of it in the Sunday Telegraph magazine. Unfortunately the most interesting bits were those reported and there was little else of note. Robert took more interest in the strange squeeky noise caused by the square floor tiles rubbing together when people walked on them, than in the exhibition.
After lunch across the road, Robert got to choose the next venue. He'd not looked anything up, but assured me he'd had an email about an interesting exhibition at Whitechaple Art Gallery. It took two changes on the tube and a long walk via the Gherkin, but we had high hopes. Inside, the doors of the tiny foyer opened into a cave like gallery, it was so impressive. The collection of huge drawings hung on the wall beckoning us to move forward and take a closer look. Pity Robert hadn't taken the trouble to read his email more thoroughly...the drawings were of men pleasuring women, life size. We decided to move on when we found the artist had gained confidence, lost the plot and started drawing women with men's bits, or as Robert explained the correct description being 'transgender'. Next we found an intriguing box to play with. You opened little catches and inside were black holes with a series of mirrors. You placed your hand inside and then had to figure out how to retrieve it as it seemed to have disappeared. This part had the title: "I am anagram", there was a full explanation of why, but it will be more interesting for you to work out your own! In the last gallery, another artist out to embarrass mother and son viewers (that's viewers, not voyeurs). By this time we were consumed with the giggles, not helped by the constant ringing of a Nokia mobile phone - it just made the experience funnier. Anyway, this artist was so clever, the small drawing lured you in to view the seemingly innocent picture of a lady with an elaborate hair do. Once your face was pressed up to the glass examining the detail, you became aware of the fact that what you were looking at was in fact different body parts arranged in a bizarre fashion. (even more giggles!) Time to find the nearest exit...
Graham, on the other hand, did not have the best of week's. I think it all began to go wrong from the moment he left English soil. The flight into Newark was really turbulent - made worse by being at the back of the plane. He managed to twist his knee badly on the first day, then they told that they could only work on the track during the night and on the first night they were turned away as something else had taken precedence. So having completed their first not very successful night's work the following night, Graham had to go and see someone after he'd had only three hour's sleep and when he got there he realised that he not longer had his wallet with him... Since then, however, things have got better!
Saturday, November 04, 2006
Thursday was another good day, virtually pain free till the evening; I sorted out Friday's lesson, did some digging in the allotment, made four new Reflection bags (see Etsy website) and took Lucy late night shopping at the Designer Outlet. During the afternoon, I had a phonecall from a local school wanting me to do a taster session in card making towards Christmas. If they have enough interest, I'll be able to run a five week course after Christmas. It's such a boost to get a phonecall offering you work and just what I need. I also sent an email to Colinette, just in case I can persuade them to buy some of my bags. The ladies on the Colinette stand at Alexandra Palace were so impressed when I showed them one of my bags I'd made with Colinette yarn, that I just hope that something may come of it. Finger's crossed...
Much of Tuesday morning was spent trying to sort out sending my Canon IXUS 800 IS back, as the exposure has been faulty ever since we bought it in June. Instead of being able to 'point and shoot' as is my female prerogative, I've had to 'press and ponder', although I have to say that on the whole I have been happy with the eventual images. (See flickr) I didn't know whether I should send it to Canon or Amazon (where it came from), so I thought I'd check with both first. Canon didn't really want to know, but Amazon on the other hand were amazing. I looked up their contact details on the website and you get to click on a button and they ring you! and then you speak to a 'person'! The French Lady I spoke to was very helpful and promised I could have a replacement. Being slightly sceptical, I thought I'd better send an email and get written confirmation and the address to send it to as it isn't on the website. An email came back after a few hours, so if you're thinking of buying anything, buy it from Amazon and you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to have 'my' Canon back and in the meantime I am holding my breath...
Friday, November 03, 2006
Tuesday and Wednesday seem to have been taken up mostly with working on the website, ukhandknitting.com. I won't go into too much detail, but there has been a some gnashing of teeth this week, but that's normal. There are loads of new Press Releases and lots of odds and ends following on from all the recent Knitting and Stitching shows. I love it really...
The photos are from Alexandra Palace.
The photos are from Alexandra Palace.
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