I seem to have lost my feeling of belonging, my sense of place. I feel disconnected wherever I go, like an outsider looking in. I was born, brought up and still live in Wisbech, and yet this is not my town anymore.
Walking in the woods today felt right, felt like I should be there, as though the woods wanted to let me in. Gently moving along the paths, making no noise, the woods opened themselves to me, allowed me to see their wonders, the squirrel high on his branch, the new shoots of Spring
Who knows where we truly belong?
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
An observation...
Frost on the pavement sparkles at night like the light of a million stars reflected from the sky above...
Sunday, 31 January 2010
So many little thoughts...
I was going to write a rant...but I've had a good weekend so I'll save it and do a few one-liners instead....
Got the latest Breathing Space album - Below The Radar... music is MUCH more to my taste than the last one, but Livvy's vocals are still a bit too "nice" for my personal preference
Saw The Imagined Village at Northampton yesterday - two things instantly come to mind. Firstly, what a fantastic place the Royal and Derngate is....wonderfully, renovated, helpful staff, great venue... Secondly, The Imagined Village are one of the best bands I've seen, entertaining, highly skilled, great feeling of togetherness....and a highly original sound. Very, very worth going to see - and so friendly that within 10 minutes the whole band were out signing CDs etc.
Decorating is still rubbish! At least the room I'm working on is finally taking shape. Crown Suede effect paint is fantastic....
That's it really...busy weekend, still no photography - I'll have forgotten how my camera works soon!
Got the latest Breathing Space album - Below The Radar... music is MUCH more to my taste than the last one, but Livvy's vocals are still a bit too "nice" for my personal preference
Saw The Imagined Village at Northampton yesterday - two things instantly come to mind. Firstly, what a fantastic place the Royal and Derngate is....wonderfully, renovated, helpful staff, great venue... Secondly, The Imagined Village are one of the best bands I've seen, entertaining, highly skilled, great feeling of togetherness....and a highly original sound. Very, very worth going to see - and so friendly that within 10 minutes the whole band were out signing CDs etc.
Decorating is still rubbish! At least the room I'm working on is finally taking shape. Crown Suede effect paint is fantastic....
That's it really...busy weekend, still no photography - I'll have forgotten how my camera works soon!
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Slight Changes
This morning the greyness splintered, albeit only slightly, allowing the pink of dawn to wash the clouds, giving the look of the inside of a shell. Curiously the birdsong was more muted, as though seeing the light made them less keen to sound their voices, preferring a muted chorus to tone with the muted warm tones of the light.
A sunny day, once again emphasising what a difference the glow of the sun makes to both the countryside and the spirit. The clear sky gave an amazing sunset afterglow, as though the whole land were on fire and reflecting from the heavens. That clear sky is causing the temperature to drop again, hopefully the frost will bring with it fog... and I will be late for work in the morning as the camera takes over from clockwatching...
A sunny day, once again emphasising what a difference the glow of the sun makes to both the countryside and the spirit. The clear sky gave an amazing sunset afterglow, as though the whole land were on fire and reflecting from the heavens. That clear sky is causing the temperature to drop again, hopefully the frost will bring with it fog... and I will be late for work in the morning as the camera takes over from clockwatching...
Monday, 25 January 2010
Grey Part II
Walking Piper this morning, still pre-dawn (officially), and I realised that birdsong was filling the air. Despite the complete blanket of greyness the birds could obviously sense the beginning of the day, the first feeling of the sun rising. The song was a random cacophony as each species felt the need to herald the new dawn, calling louder and louder to make themselves heard...such a beautiful start to the day...
Sadly that was the best of it, the light never improved, it was no brighter by lunchtime! Spots of rain, cold wind...why can't winter be real - ie frost, ice, snow...
Grey is a state of mind, a state of weather...and it's not a pleasant place!
Sadly that was the best of it, the light never improved, it was no brighter by lunchtime! Spots of rain, cold wind...why can't winter be real - ie frost, ice, snow...
Grey is a state of mind, a state of weather...and it's not a pleasant place!
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Weather
Yet another weekend with dull, grey weather...being a part-time landscape photographer is a life of frustration! Sitting at my desk watching glorious sunrises and sunsets, then having nothing but grey dullness when I can get out is a great recipe for annoyance!
Perhaps I ought to take up portraits (unlikely, due to my instant dislike of 50% of the people I meet...the other 50% takes longer LOL), or another creative outlet (more difficult - people wouldn't pay to read this and I can't paint so...)
Perhaps I ought to stop moaning and just go out to make some photographs?
Who knows....
Perhaps I ought to take up portraits (unlikely, due to my instant dislike of 50% of the people I meet...the other 50% takes longer LOL), or another creative outlet (more difficult - people wouldn't pay to read this and I can't paint so...)
Perhaps I ought to stop moaning and just go out to make some photographs?
Who knows....
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Today
Walking Piper after work and the days are definitely beginning to lengthen. Still a hint of afterglow in the sky, the crescent of the moon shaded by a faint mist. Hopefully tomorrow will brng fog, I may have found some trees to visit! Weather report is for rain all day - judging by their usual standards of worthlessness it will no doubt be a freak heatwave! After all that sarcasm though I hope they are correct for the weekend - frost and fog are perfect bedfellows for some time spent with the camera.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
What to say..
Less than a week in and the well has run dry...blame a cold, blame decorating, blame average weather - we tend to only write, think, require extremes these days. Middle of the road, average, is no longer good enough in this needy world.
Beautiful crescent sliver of the new moon last night, the clear sky following a brief period of sunshine meant a thick fog this morning.
Such a shame that Fenland is devoid of wooded areas, fog on the edge of trees, thinning as you move deeper into the woods, is such a magical thing and this morning there was nowhere to experience it, to attempt to portray it through my photography. Wisbech park is beautiful, but it lacks the overcrowding of a wood...
Beautiful crescent sliver of the new moon last night, the clear sky following a brief period of sunshine meant a thick fog this morning.
Such a shame that Fenland is devoid of wooded areas, fog on the edge of trees, thinning as you move deeper into the woods, is such a magical thing and this morning there was nowhere to experience it, to attempt to portray it through my photography. Wisbech park is beautiful, but it lacks the overcrowding of a wood...
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
Work In Progress
Immigrant or Local?
Hood Up
Vacant Stare
Alchohol Wasted
Doesn't Care
Live In Britain
Given Vast Riches
No Work Available
Sleeping In Ditches
Claim On Benefits
What's Your Address
Third Bush Down
Really Doesn't Impress
Leave The Building
Into The Rain
Starving And Homeless
Wondering Why? Again...
Hood Up
Vacant Stare
Alchohol Wasted
Doesn't Care
Live In Britain
Given Vast Riches
No Work Available
Sleeping In Ditches
Claim On Benefits
What's Your Address
Third Bush Down
Really Doesn't Impress
Leave The Building
Into The Rain
Starving And Homeless
Wondering Why? Again...
Monday, 11 January 2010
10 Albums...
A musical theme for this post - the world is keen on lists...reading them, writing them, commenting on them... so it's my turn to do my favourite ten albums of the last decade.
I've tried to follow a few basic rules, only one album from each band, no greatest hits, no live albums (on the basis that they are usually greatest hit's in front of an audience). I make no apologies for my lack of "cool", for my personal tastes - if you disagree with my choices...make your own list, I'd love to read it!
These are in no order, all 10 are brilliant, and usually chosen to be played purely for the mood they create, or the mood I'm in...
Anathema - A Natural Disaster
My introduction to the band, re-reading an old magazine and the review jumped out at me. Truly beautiful, dark yet uplifting, full of life yet morose. This is the music of dreams, and, to my mind, their most complete achievement.
Mostly Autumn - Passengers
It may be a cliche, as it's generally held that this is their best album, but for me it genuinely is. Again it was my introduction to the band, an introduction that amazed and inspired. Listening to earlier albums shows this is what they were working towards, sadly I don't think they've reached quite so high since.
Opeth - Damnation
Maybe a slightly contentious choice - I do really enjoy Opeth from Still Life to Watershed, the death growls and the acoustic - but this album has been played by far the most according to my iTunes. The beauty, the gentleness, the hint of bite underneath. Such softness, yet such dexterity.
Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade Of Grey
A dark mystery, a concept album based around one evening, one dream in the subjects life. No clues have ever been given by the band as to the true meaning - I've never wanted to dig deep enough to find out, preferring to let the sounds and words wash over me, teasing, encouraging.
Riverside - Out Of Myself
Probably the hardest choice of all, as I could happily put their first 3 albums in a Top 10 list. Sheer brilliance from beginning to end - this is the music I wish I could write, could perform, could claim as my own. The Same River is one of the best opening tracks to an album I've ever heard
Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
A lot of people's least favourite PT album. My first introduction (again) and to me the perfect mix of their earlier more ambient days with their later use of whole album concepts and heavier sounds. Contains one of my all time favourite songs - Arriving Somewhere...But Not Here
Wolverine - Still
Little known, yet brilliant. Their third album (my first, again!) and so much better than the previous two. A perfect mix of softness and anger, melancholic for the most part, an album to enjoy over and over again
Mermaid Kiss - Etarlis
Jamie, one of the two main members of MK follows me on here, but this takes it's place on merit alone. A concept album based on stories told between Jamie and Evelyn. It's the sound of Wales, of history, of fantasy...so beautifully mixed together and presented. Great story as well, should be made into a book (a film, a play...? )
Demians - Building An Empire
Another debut album, the work on one man with a beautiful vision. More uplifting overall, slightly dark in places, Demians belongs alongside Porcupine Tree, Riverside, Pink Floyd... A new album due this year is eagerly awaited
Votum - Time Must Have A Stop
An odd choice this, whether I'll still be listening to it in ten years I don't know, but at the moment I can't stop pressing play. More metal than most of my other choices, but still full of twists and turns this has caught my senses and just won't let go!
I've tried to follow a few basic rules, only one album from each band, no greatest hits, no live albums (on the basis that they are usually greatest hit's in front of an audience). I make no apologies for my lack of "cool", for my personal tastes - if you disagree with my choices...make your own list, I'd love to read it!
These are in no order, all 10 are brilliant, and usually chosen to be played purely for the mood they create, or the mood I'm in...
Anathema - A Natural Disaster
My introduction to the band, re-reading an old magazine and the review jumped out at me. Truly beautiful, dark yet uplifting, full of life yet morose. This is the music of dreams, and, to my mind, their most complete achievement.
Mostly Autumn - Passengers
It may be a cliche, as it's generally held that this is their best album, but for me it genuinely is. Again it was my introduction to the band, an introduction that amazed and inspired. Listening to earlier albums shows this is what they were working towards, sadly I don't think they've reached quite so high since.
Opeth - Damnation
Maybe a slightly contentious choice - I do really enjoy Opeth from Still Life to Watershed, the death growls and the acoustic - but this album has been played by far the most according to my iTunes. The beauty, the gentleness, the hint of bite underneath. Such softness, yet such dexterity.
Fates Warning - A Pleasant Shade Of Grey
A dark mystery, a concept album based around one evening, one dream in the subjects life. No clues have ever been given by the band as to the true meaning - I've never wanted to dig deep enough to find out, preferring to let the sounds and words wash over me, teasing, encouraging.
Riverside - Out Of Myself
Probably the hardest choice of all, as I could happily put their first 3 albums in a Top 10 list. Sheer brilliance from beginning to end - this is the music I wish I could write, could perform, could claim as my own. The Same River is one of the best opening tracks to an album I've ever heard
Porcupine Tree - Deadwing
A lot of people's least favourite PT album. My first introduction (again) and to me the perfect mix of their earlier more ambient days with their later use of whole album concepts and heavier sounds. Contains one of my all time favourite songs - Arriving Somewhere...But Not Here
Wolverine - Still
Little known, yet brilliant. Their third album (my first, again!) and so much better than the previous two. A perfect mix of softness and anger, melancholic for the most part, an album to enjoy over and over again
Mermaid Kiss - Etarlis
Jamie, one of the two main members of MK follows me on here, but this takes it's place on merit alone. A concept album based on stories told between Jamie and Evelyn. It's the sound of Wales, of history, of fantasy...so beautifully mixed together and presented. Great story as well, should be made into a book (a film, a play...? )
Demians - Building An Empire
Another debut album, the work on one man with a beautiful vision. More uplifting overall, slightly dark in places, Demians belongs alongside Porcupine Tree, Riverside, Pink Floyd... A new album due this year is eagerly awaited
Votum - Time Must Have A Stop
An odd choice this, whether I'll still be listening to it in ten years I don't know, but at the moment I can't stop pressing play. More metal than most of my other choices, but still full of twists and turns this has caught my senses and just won't let go!
Dank, grey, cold, miserable... the beauty of winter has been superceded by the depression associated with the thaw. Everywhere the shimmering whiteness is being replaced by a damp greyness, the paths like a skating rink as the snow is washed away to reveal the base of ice. Trees laden with drips, constantly relieving themselves, hastening the erosion of the snow.
Now is the time of winter I feel sad, the greyness seeping in, affecting mood...
Walking Piper yesterday evening through the park, next to the road, two immigrants walking down the middle of the road set up a rabbit from the hedgerow. Running it's usual large circle of safety carried it straight in front of us, only 10 yards away. Not even sure the dog saw the rabbit, but then even if he had he wouldn't have bothered - too much hassle. The rabbit saw us though and kept running to a safe distance, then stood and watched while we continued on our way...
Now is the time of winter I feel sad, the greyness seeping in, affecting mood...
Walking Piper yesterday evening through the park, next to the road, two immigrants walking down the middle of the road set up a rabbit from the hedgerow. Running it's usual large circle of safety carried it straight in front of us, only 10 yards away. Not even sure the dog saw the rabbit, but then even if he had he wouldn't have bothered - too much hassle. The rabbit saw us though and kept running to a safe distance, then stood and watched while we continued on our way...
Sunday, 10 January 2010
So, I've been reading Roger Deakin - first Waterlog, and now Notes From Walnut Tree Farm and doing so has inspired me to actually write something down. I miss the music journalism days - not the part where I had to listen to rubbish CDs, more the part where I had to write - so now I'm writing.
I think the format will be when I think of something to say, I'll say it! Mostly nature based I would imagine, although I'm sure music, art, photography and probably ranting about society may well feature!
The thought for today actually came last night, when walking the dog (Piper, the Border Collie for future reference). I passed the large tree where I've seen the screech owl of an evening and wondered - where does he go when the heavy snows come? Sitting on a bare tree as the snow falls and the wind whips round can't be much fun...and in a built up area such as this there can't be many buildings to shelter in.
The snow was melting at 10pm yesterday, and seemed to continue all night. While news reports continually talk of "bad" weather (surely weather just is..neither bad nor good?) and show scenes of snow 2 feet deep good old Fenland had about 3 inches... and still couldn't cope. Most people have been looking forward to summer - I've been relishing the snow, there's nothing finer than crunching through fresh snow, hearing birdsong, seeing the snow on the trees... add in the beauty for my landscape photography and it's my favourite season...
I think the format will be when I think of something to say, I'll say it! Mostly nature based I would imagine, although I'm sure music, art, photography and probably ranting about society may well feature!
The thought for today actually came last night, when walking the dog (Piper, the Border Collie for future reference). I passed the large tree where I've seen the screech owl of an evening and wondered - where does he go when the heavy snows come? Sitting on a bare tree as the snow falls and the wind whips round can't be much fun...and in a built up area such as this there can't be many buildings to shelter in.
The snow was melting at 10pm yesterday, and seemed to continue all night. While news reports continually talk of "bad" weather (surely weather just is..neither bad nor good?) and show scenes of snow 2 feet deep good old Fenland had about 3 inches... and still couldn't cope. Most people have been looking forward to summer - I've been relishing the snow, there's nothing finer than crunching through fresh snow, hearing birdsong, seeing the snow on the trees... add in the beauty for my landscape photography and it's my favourite season...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
