Here it is, in all its glory...
My...
New...
Camera...
Yay! :)
Monday, 9 March 2009
Friday, 6 March 2009
My 50th and most controversial post
I was driving, well, crawling, home last night, and a song came on the radio that affected me so much I told myself I would blog about it today. I know most of you (well near enough all of you) won't know what this post is about, so I will keep it incredibly short, and not so sweet.
This is for you D.P. A man who will probably never get what you really deserve.
This is for you D.P. A man who will probably never get what you really deserve.
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Ma-honey
Welcome back my friends, acquaintances, randomers, stalkers and YOU, the person who I have recently put a name to as one of my regular blog viewers...for those of you who don't know I have Stats, (you should do as I have a stat counter link on my blog) be prepared to know that I KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!! ooooh...spooky. hehe.
Anyway, 'nuff about all that bollocks (sorry rubbish..trying to swear/curse less)...onto the real stuff. For those of you who are familiar with the endearing nodding dog from the Churchill adverts, you'll know that my title refers to ££££ or rather -£ in my case. I know you all think I am obsessed with money, well why not? There are worse traits to behold, and I happen to think not only does money make the world go round, it makes going round the world easier too. I have been working very hard at work lately...and have managed to submerge myself in the wonderful world of programming, not just testing, actual programming, go me! C# no longer only refers to an uncomfortable note to play on the flute, it is the new gateway to my um...success? No, maybe not, but definitely to something good. I am determined to crack this and make something come of it, and I'm giving myself about 5 years until I can actually build something worthwhile. My reasoning? Because after the recent launch of my site, I had some remarkably kind responses and positive reactions, which I was pretty chuffed with...and I managed to secure two commissioned website requests from it which despite using a website builder, was quite flattering. This has strengthened my interest into all things IT, (what a geek) and made me more curious as to how things work...I know C# won't get me a website, but once I've mastered that, Java, HTML and Ruby on Rails will be high on my agenda to get things moving in that direction. (For those of you who know vaguely what I'm on about, I don't need any patronising comments here, I know I'm a beginner alright!?!)
Right, so back to the money, yes I need some, quite a bit actually, so if anyone is feeling generous, donations are welcome. The reason being that I discovered (not that I didn't sort of already know) I am in desperate need for a DSLR. If I want to enlarge my images to a more 'arty' level, I need something that can cope with bigger dimensions, and as much as I treasure my little Nikon, it just ain't up to it. So, camera talk...I have settled on two, a Nikon D80 (ruddy expensive but I love Nikons and quality is superb) or a Canon 400D (recommended by someone who knows what they're doing). The camera part I can just about cope with, its the lenses that are causing me to cry like a cook chopping an onion for the 100th time. £350 for a flipping wide angle lens?!!! Then there's the zoom, macro...battery pack grip, flash gun potentially? Boohoo, how do people do it!? I guess they don't visit two major cites within a month of eachother and buy new tv's and cars all at the same time...hmm. Why can't I have it all?!
Things I am looking forward to:
Sipping my first Cosmopolitan with her in New York in less than 4 weeks!
Most enjoyable song to listen to when feeling down:
Bluebell Polka, Jimmy Shand
Object(s) of my desire:
Alfa Romeo Mito, one of the aforementioned cameras, and a trip to Umbria to visit my favourite teacher :)
Anyway, 'nuff about all that bollocks (sorry rubbish..trying to swear/curse less)...onto the real stuff. For those of you who are familiar with the endearing nodding dog from the Churchill adverts, you'll know that my title refers to ££££ or rather -£ in my case. I know you all think I am obsessed with money, well why not? There are worse traits to behold, and I happen to think not only does money make the world go round, it makes going round the world easier too. I have been working very hard at work lately...and have managed to submerge myself in the wonderful world of programming, not just testing, actual programming, go me! C# no longer only refers to an uncomfortable note to play on the flute, it is the new gateway to my um...success? No, maybe not, but definitely to something good. I am determined to crack this and make something come of it, and I'm giving myself about 5 years until I can actually build something worthwhile. My reasoning? Because after the recent launch of my site, I had some remarkably kind responses and positive reactions, which I was pretty chuffed with...and I managed to secure two commissioned website requests from it which despite using a website builder, was quite flattering. This has strengthened my interest into all things IT, (what a geek) and made me more curious as to how things work...I know C# won't get me a website, but once I've mastered that, Java, HTML and Ruby on Rails will be high on my agenda to get things moving in that direction. (For those of you who know vaguely what I'm on about, I don't need any patronising comments here, I know I'm a beginner alright!?!)
Right, so back to the money, yes I need some, quite a bit actually, so if anyone is feeling generous, donations are welcome. The reason being that I discovered (not that I didn't sort of already know) I am in desperate need for a DSLR. If I want to enlarge my images to a more 'arty' level, I need something that can cope with bigger dimensions, and as much as I treasure my little Nikon, it just ain't up to it. So, camera talk...I have settled on two, a Nikon D80 (ruddy expensive but I love Nikons and quality is superb) or a Canon 400D (recommended by someone who knows what they're doing). The camera part I can just about cope with, its the lenses that are causing me to cry like a cook chopping an onion for the 100th time. £350 for a flipping wide angle lens?!!! Then there's the zoom, macro...battery pack grip, flash gun potentially? Boohoo, how do people do it!? I guess they don't visit two major cites within a month of eachother and buy new tv's and cars all at the same time...hmm. Why can't I have it all?!
Things I am looking forward to:
Sipping my first Cosmopolitan with her in New York in less than 4 weeks!
Most enjoyable song to listen to when feeling down:
Bluebell Polka, Jimmy Shand
Object(s) of my desire:
Alfa Romeo Mito, one of the aforementioned cameras, and a trip to Umbria to visit my favourite teacher :)
Monday, 16 February 2009
My Humble Apologies
Please accept the above...for my lack of posts and lack of sticking to my new years resolutions.
What inspires me to blog? Hmm, that is actually a very difficult question to answer. I would say that when I get the odd 'nudge' from people saying, 'Oi, keep it up you lazy so 'n so' that inclines me to log in and get typing, but that would be telling a porky. And no, it is not the guilt I feel when I see other people writing and updating theirs twice a week (twice a week? don't you have a life!?) either. It is in actual fact, when I find something positive to write about. Oh no, I can hear you cry, she's off on another one of her miserable, self-deprecating, depressing bouts of garbage again, about how sad she's been and how there's no meaning to her life...blah blah blah, but I promise you right here and now, that I'm not suggesting this at all. I am merely trying to spare you the jumbled blur of speech that comes pouring out of my mouth/fingertips that generally ends up in a post about absolutely nothing. So there you have it, I am simply seeking for something interesting and stimulating to write about. Here end'th the 1st lesson.
Here begins the 2nd. Unfortunately I won't let you off that lightly, as some rather grating events have occured that, like a disease, have beguiled me of my strength of late. And oh yes, you've guessed it, it was about money. I will try not to bore you with all the details, for those who know me, you've probably heard all accounts and on more than one occasion anyway, but I will say this, don't think just because Rabbits are smaller and not exactly like dogs or cats (although I am finding this more and more debatable given the way mine act) that they don't cost much at the vet, and aren't worth insuring. Having to pick up a bill for a 2 night and 2 day hospital stay was not on the agenda last week, especially as my car's brake discs weren't budgeted to be replaced the same day either. Bang goes all my savings for Paris.
Hurrah, I managed to turn a negative-sounding post into something good at the end! Cue, Paris talk. So, after six months, (six MONTHS!) of being at home in rainy/cold/icy/depressing (oops sorry) Britain, I am at last off overseas again. OK, so it's only one, mini sea, La Manche, but still, it involves using the passport and yet doesn't involve flying...Woohoo! Bonus. *recollects fear of flying and starts to sweat*. So, the lack of money does bother me a tad, but, if it means less shopping for clothes that look good in Paris yet slightly too radical in London, then I suppose my rabbit did me a favour. I am beginning the Parisian Itinerary today and I shall let you know my progress and, of course, the photos will come in their hundreds upon my return.
I suppose I could use this link to promote my 'work in progress' website. Highly original, I know, but as the last Duckworth in the family, why not celebrate it? After all, I am not sure of my intentions of this website, so naming it in any other sense is quite a challenge, but it is cool to finally have one. Please feel free to poke fun, laugh at, suggest any improvements (but don't blame me if I bite your head off as criticism is not something I am very good at accepting), and of course, buy as many prints as your heart desires. Hey, I can dream can't I?
Au revoir for now, I shall be back with berets on upon my return.
What inspires me to blog? Hmm, that is actually a very difficult question to answer. I would say that when I get the odd 'nudge' from people saying, 'Oi, keep it up you lazy so 'n so' that inclines me to log in and get typing, but that would be telling a porky. And no, it is not the guilt I feel when I see other people writing and updating theirs twice a week (twice a week? don't you have a life!?) either. It is in actual fact, when I find something positive to write about. Oh no, I can hear you cry, she's off on another one of her miserable, self-deprecating, depressing bouts of garbage again, about how sad she's been and how there's no meaning to her life...blah blah blah, but I promise you right here and now, that I'm not suggesting this at all. I am merely trying to spare you the jumbled blur of speech that comes pouring out of my mouth/fingertips that generally ends up in a post about absolutely nothing. So there you have it, I am simply seeking for something interesting and stimulating to write about. Here end'th the 1st lesson.
Here begins the 2nd. Unfortunately I won't let you off that lightly, as some rather grating events have occured that, like a disease, have beguiled me of my strength of late. And oh yes, you've guessed it, it was about money. I will try not to bore you with all the details, for those who know me, you've probably heard all accounts and on more than one occasion anyway, but I will say this, don't think just because Rabbits are smaller and not exactly like dogs or cats (although I am finding this more and more debatable given the way mine act) that they don't cost much at the vet, and aren't worth insuring. Having to pick up a bill for a 2 night and 2 day hospital stay was not on the agenda last week, especially as my car's brake discs weren't budgeted to be replaced the same day either. Bang goes all my savings for Paris.
Hurrah, I managed to turn a negative-sounding post into something good at the end! Cue, Paris talk. So, after six months, (six MONTHS!) of being at home in rainy/cold/icy/depressing (oops sorry) Britain, I am at last off overseas again. OK, so it's only one, mini sea, La Manche, but still, it involves using the passport and yet doesn't involve flying...Woohoo! Bonus. *recollects fear of flying and starts to sweat*. So, the lack of money does bother me a tad, but, if it means less shopping for clothes that look good in Paris yet slightly too radical in London, then I suppose my rabbit did me a favour. I am beginning the Parisian Itinerary today and I shall let you know my progress and, of course, the photos will come in their hundreds upon my return.
I suppose I could use this link to promote my 'work in progress' website. Highly original, I know, but as the last Duckworth in the family, why not celebrate it? After all, I am not sure of my intentions of this website, so naming it in any other sense is quite a challenge, but it is cool to finally have one. Please feel free to poke fun, laugh at, suggest any improvements (but don't blame me if I bite your head off as criticism is not something I am very good at accepting), and of course, buy as many prints as your heart desires. Hey, I can dream can't I?
Au revoir for now, I shall be back with berets on upon my return.
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
25 things about me...
You know the rules:
1) I should be working right now
2) I am scared of the sea and larger than average objects/mammals
3) I love wine
4) I hate shots
5) Staying in at home is my preferred pastime
6) I hate travelling by train
7) Travelling for 3-4 months of the year is something I wish I could do
8) I have a tattoo
9) I am a tomboy at heart
10) I want to earn 50k by the time I'm 30
11) I want to have twins, non-identical, girl and boy
12) I am petrified of death and all things associated with losing someone
13) I wish I was better at photography
14) I think I can draw quite well
15) I should have done better in my GCSEs and A Levels
16) Botany is one of my passions
17) I like arguing/debating
18) I look young but feel old
19) I have developed a recent love for shoes and expensive handbags
20) I burn everytime I sunbathe
21) I eat a lot
22) I have poor circulation
23) Creme Eggs are my favourite snack
24) I love the smell of coffee but cannot bear the taste
25) I am very good at saving, and spending money
1) I should be working right now
2) I am scared of the sea and larger than average objects/mammals
3) I love wine
4) I hate shots
5) Staying in at home is my preferred pastime
6) I hate travelling by train
7) Travelling for 3-4 months of the year is something I wish I could do
8) I have a tattoo
9) I am a tomboy at heart
10) I want to earn 50k by the time I'm 30
11) I want to have twins, non-identical, girl and boy
12) I am petrified of death and all things associated with losing someone
13) I wish I was better at photography
14) I think I can draw quite well
15) I should have done better in my GCSEs and A Levels
16) Botany is one of my passions
17) I like arguing/debating
18) I look young but feel old
19) I have developed a recent love for shoes and expensive handbags
20) I burn everytime I sunbathe
21) I eat a lot
22) I have poor circulation
23) Creme Eggs are my favourite snack
24) I love the smell of coffee but cannot bear the taste
25) I am very good at saving, and spending money
Thursday, 8 January 2009
Monday, 5 January 2009
So long Viruses...Hello Holidays
So, where to begin with SUCH a huge gap in between posts? Yep, you've guessed it, my new year's resolution (well one of them) is to keep up blogging. I have let many opportunities pass whereby I could have brightened up your days with my monotonous accounts of daily life, making yours seem all the better...but alas, the main reason for this absence? Idleness. I just couldn't be bothered. So there, I've admitted it, I simply had better things to do. Well, it was Christmas after all, and if you're anything like me (God forbid there's more than one of me, for your sake) you'll have spent the last 6 weeks shopping, spending, packing, wrapping, decorating, erecting (trees and the like, that is), writing, stamping, posting and cooking. So, where do you think the usual things that take up my time went? Like, cleaning, cooking, preparing dishes that don't involve smoked salmon, washing, ironing, socialising, blogging, cleaning, and...oh you see, there it was, blogging. Well, needless to say, it got mixed up with all the other crap that is now sitting in a huge pile in need of attendance. So, I'm working my way through....forgive me.
With reference to the title, the virus part is one to reflect upon. Hmmm, 'virus', not a very nice word in itself, therefore truly befitting given the nature of how it affected my December. 1st off, 3rd of December, in true 'Winter has struck' style, I sneezed and it wasn't hay fever related. So there it was, my first cold since April. Not bad, and hardly something to complain about, most would say, but I do suffer from hay fever for 5 out of 12 months of the year, so a break is necessary just to allow my poor nose to recover. It didn't last long though, this cold, so I was relatively happy, I still took a Benelyn-Day though, that advert is certainly catching. Everything was relatively on track, my presents were mostly bought and wrapped, my tree which was too tall for the room at a giant 7ft was trimmed down to size thanks to my trusty metal hacksaw, and I'd just been given a pay rise at work. Then...came the bag of mixed nuts.
I had known for the past 10 years that most fruits were a no-go. I can eat satsumas, grapes, grapefruits and kiwis (just about) but give me an apple or a peach and you're looking at the next Leslie Ash. The fun starts off with a slight itch inside my mouth, then balloons into giant swollen lumps of flesh, eating away until I can't take anymore and need to eat some chocolate to calm it down (what a shame). Well, nuts have always been fine. I've happily munched on peanuts, pistachios, walnuts etc for most of my life, so when I spied a bag of mixed nuts in Tesco one lunchtime I thought, why not, for a pre-Christmas diet it's fairly healthy. I think you can tell where this story is going...so lets just say that I won't be eating Brazil Nuts 'neat' again as I would quite like my throat to remain its normal size. Cue, cold and sore throat number 2. This one was a bugger to shake off though, 3 weeks!!! I was not a happy Christmas Elf.
And as for the plural usage of the word, my beloved PC was eaten alive by an AntiVirus 2009 download which turns out to give you viruses instead of removing them. Not terrific, I must say, so read all about it here, and for goodness sake, back up your hard drive more often than I did.
Onto more pleasant things, I am hoping to leave the rottenness of December behind with the rest of last year, as to be frank, as years go, it wasn't the best I've had. All the more to look forward to for this year I suppose! I have become, in a word, obsessed with going on holiday. I am off to Paris in February, which is very exciting, despite going about 10 times as a child, I haven't been as an 'adult' yet, nor with a boyfriend. So let this Valentines' be a romantic one. I shall also be re-living a portion of my youth in June, as the 5 near-original Ibiza girls are off on holiday once again, to Greece hopefully, Corfu or Halkidiki. And the end of my travels for 2009? Well, so far, my man and I have narrowed it down (I use the term loosely) to either the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Mexico or Cuba. Knowing us, we'll probably end up in bloody Spain again, but this is hopefully to be avoided at all costs.
I shall leave you now, (as you've most likely switched off, nodded off or moved on anyway) with some pictures taken on a delightful yet excruciatingly cold walk along the Thames. Enjoy :)
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