Eye Love Stuff

Decisions...

2012-02-06T10:50:00.000Z

Postcard

2012-01-31T13:08:00.001Z

...not quite near the edge, fortunately! Weather looking a bit brighter- on the clear days I can see all the things that have fell by here!

Birthdays...

2011-08-02T20:56:00.000+01:00

'There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday-
that time is age 11'

Always remember...

2011-07-20T21:00:00.000+01:00

2011-07-13T20:34:00.001+01:00

'Nobody cares if you can't dance well, just get up and DANCE!'

Say It With Flowers...

2011-07-08T11:56:00.002+01:00

A rose can say I Love You

Orchids can enthrall,

But a weed bouquet in a chubby fist,

Oh my that says it all!

Gifted

2011-07-02T17:52:00.000+01:00

Every Picture

2011-06-28T13:43:00.000+01:00

'A photograph is always invisible, it is not it that we see.' -Roland Barthes

Of all the photographs I have, this one is a particular favourite; it's not totally in focus and a little worn- but it's one of those photos that means a lot to me.

I knew the photo was around somewhere; but didn't find it again until my aunt passed away a few years ago- I went to her house, to collect a few photos as keepsakes, and it was in one of the boxes. My aunt is in the photo, along with my dad and my grandparent’s dog, Jock (a Scotch terrier that lived to the grand old age of 18!), and a young me.
Sometimes, when I look at this photo, I get a little sad, as it reminds me of what has gone from my life; a time from childhood that has long passed, family and a much loved pet, who are no longer here. It’s usually at times when I'm feeling anxious over the uncertainty of life, I get overwhelmed with moments of nostalgia but then have to accept the harsh reality of what has gone, is gone forever.
It may be cliché - but life is short, and we should always try and make the best of the time that we do have; and most importantly, to tell loved ones how much they mean to you.

2011-06-15T22:15:00.000+01:00

Some people...

2011-06-10T21:03:00.001+01:00

*Note- this was a graphic by me, done in the style of American artist Barbara Kruger.

2011-06-07T14:33:00.000+01:00

Quotes...

2011-06-07T14:30:00.001+01:00

'The problem with quotes found on the internet is that you don't know how reliable they are'- Abraham Lincoln

2011-06-04T10:29:00.000+01:00

Goodbyes...

2011-06-03T07:19:00.000+01:00

Perfect...

2011-05-23T14:05:00.000+01:00

Childhood...

2011-05-20T20:52:00.000+01:00

"Everything else you grow out of, but you never recover from childhood"
Beryl Bainbridge

Artist Syndrome

2011-04-22T10:46:00.000+01:00

Sometimes...

2011-04-17T19:10:00.000+01:00

Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad,
Sometimes I wish that life was never ending,
But all good things, they say, never last

All good things they say, never last
And love, just isn't love until it's past.

'Sometimes it snows in April' by Prince/Wendy Melvoin/Lisa Coleman

2011-04-09T11:17:00.000+01:00

Keep In Mind...

2011-04-01T12:23:00.001+01:00

'Great minds discuss ideas. 
Average minds discuss events. 
Small minds discuss people.'

St-inky

2011-03-29T13:04:00.001+01:00

There are reasons why things sold in pound shops are a pound; for example, I purchased a set of three fountain pens...

The other two pens are still working though!

Without giving it much thought, in fact it was almost an automatic action of camp; I added a small drop of essential oil to the ink cartridges, so my writing would be scented- I did refrain from filling in the census form with scented ink- maybe I should have, it might have made the day of the person collating the info, a little nicer!

2011-03-27T10:37:00.000+01:00

Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened.

- Anatole France

2011-03-16T20:14:00.000Z

In memory of those who lost their lives in the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Our thoughts are also with those who survived and wish them the hope, courage and strength to rebuild their lives.

2011-03-14T21:10:00.000Z

'The quietest people have the loudest minds.'

Objects of Desire

2011-03-04T20:16:00.001Z

When it comes to objects that I would like to own, I tend to get a little obsessed! (See 100% Reality Mind)
My recent obsession was in the feline form of the Maneki Neko- 'beckoning cat'- this is a traditional Japanese symbol of good fortune, and is a statue of cat with one paw raised and usually holding a coin.
The statues come in all shapes and sizes and stand in the windows and doors of Japanese and Chinese businesses, to beckon in customers and attract good luck. There are also ones for luck in love, study and health. I was recently in the local East Asian food shop and saw an impressive gold Maneki Neko, around 3ft- I wanted one! (cue obsession...)

I searched the internet, whenever I was online, but the biggest one I could find was 16 inches, and it was more of a dull gold colour rather than the smooth gilted shiny gold one that I saw in the shop. However, it was during the search, I came across a more modest sized Maneki Neko on Ebay- a mere 4cm; it was a bronze, vintage incense holder- new obsession mode initiated - I now wanted that one!

For a couple of days I kept checking this item on Ebay; I have never bid on anything before as I always buy it now- so I was getting a bit anxious about the whole bidding thing, reading up on the tips and tricks on successful bidding and the dark art of 'sniping'- where you swoop in on the final seconds of the auction and place the bid.

In the remaining auction time, the bidding price for the Maneki Neko quickly increased; obviously someone else was as determined to own the item, but good fortune smiled (or in this case, waved) and I won the bidding battle- without the wallet being badly injured (just slightly bruised!)


The small object of my desire

PS. I still would like a 3 ft gold Maneki Neko!

☺...

2011-02-15T13:06:00.000Z

Feeling Fruity

2011-02-11T20:16:00.000Z

If you are ever eating the fruit chew Maoam from the sweet makers Haribo, have a look at the wrapper. I had bought a couple of these chews quite a while back, and noticed what the little green character was doing to the fruit!
Someone actually complained to Haribo about these 'pornographic' sweet wrappers! I read this report from the Mail Online about the incident and couldn't stop tittering, particularly at the description,'...The lime enjoys a similarly smutty experience with a willing pair of cherries...' ! (I'm a bit skeptical as to whether the story was true)

A father-of-two has spoken of his disgust after spotting fruity cartoon characters appearing to have sex on SWEET wrappers. 
Simon Simpkins was buying Haribo MAOAM sour candies for his children when he noticed the 'pornographic' illustrations of limes, lemons and cherries romping with each other. 
Mr Simpkins, of Pontefract, West Yorkshire, said: 'The lemon and lime are locked in what appears to be a carnal encounter.' 
Debauched: The lime enjoys a similarly smutty experience with a willing pair of cherries. 
'The lime, whom I assume to be the gentleman in this coupling, has a particularly lurid expression on his face.' He said: 'I demanded to see the shop manager and, during a heated exchange, my wife became quite distressed and had to sit down in the car park.'
A spokesman for Haribo said the 'fun' packaging of the sweets was introduced in Germany 2002 and added: 'This jovial MAOAM man is very popular with fans, both young and old.'

Original Article from the Mail Online

Happiness is...

2011-02-09T10:20:00.000Z

The Year of the Rabbit

2011-02-07T22:06:00.000Z

Lucky Moon Rabbit

The Year of the Rabbit will be a gentle year, a time to heal, transform and to be kind and pure to ourselves and with each other. Taste and refinement are valued, comfort desired. Money can be made easily but also spent easily.
Appreciate the small pleasures of this year, and use the time to heal, relax and mend fences. A good year for diplomacy and re- connecting. Discretion and persuasion will be more effective than force in the Year of the Rabbit

2011-01-28T21:20:00.001Z

Barbara Kruger Untitled (You Construct Intricate Rituals) 1981

Words...

2011-01-20T18:44:00.001Z

Words, words
A linguistic form that can 
meaningfully be spoken in isolation
Conversation, expression, a promise,
a sigh
In short, a lie
A message from heaven, a signal from hell
I give you my word I'll never tell
Language that is used in anger
Personal feelings signaling danger
A brief remark, an utterance, information
Don't mince words, don't be evasive
Speak your mind, be persuasive
A pledge, a commitment, communication, words

'Words' by Madonna

I Accept...

2011-01-19T19:21:00.000Z

...and I would like to thank Linda 'Eternal Optimist' MacPherson for giving me this award. It's always a pleasure to read what Linda writes, whether on Facebook or her blog, Linda's Life - it always brings a smile to my face- and that's no easy task!
There are rules to this award.
1. First, thank and link back to the person that gave the award.
2. Answer the 10 survey questions
3. Pass the award along to other bloggers whom you think are fantastic.
4. Contact the bloggers you have chosen to let them know about the award

1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing this? If you aren't anonymous, do you wish you started out anonymously, so that you could be anonymous now?

I'm happy to be known for my blogging crimes.

2. Describe an incident that shows your inner stubborn side.

I don't really have an inner stubborn side as such, I'm quite a compromising person; although I will never back down if I know someone is in the wrong (see Gay but not Happy) or if there is an injustice.

3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?

The last time I looked, I didn't like what I had seen. so I haven't looked at my reflection properly in a mirror for about three years!

4. Favourite summer drink?

Lemon granita as it reminds me of holidaying in Naples.

5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?

I get creative, either make something or mess around on the computer; pet my cats or exercise.

6. Is there something that you still want to accomplish in your life?

There isn't really one thing I would like to accomplish apart from to be happy, perhaps even content in life. I would like to take a trip to Japan and visit Tokyo.

7.When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the shy person, or always ditching?

I enrolled as a very good pupil, learned to be a clown and then passed as a fully fledged truant!

8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what would you see?

I find this very difficult to do; there are so many moments, some are more poignant than others, but all are significant enough for me to remember.

9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog, or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people and events?

I don't think we really share our true selves often to the outside world, real or virtual. I'm comfortable blogging stuff when I forget the fact that people could be reading! Sometimes I do express personal thoughts, but I tend to use song lyrics, pictures or quotes that kind of sum up the feeling, thought or experience, that way it's a bit more interesting to who sees the post.

10. If you had the choice to sit down and read a book or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?

I'm such a bad reader- I start books, then get distracted and do other things, and this is even with books of short stories! Phone calls can be a nuisance, but I hardly get many calls so I would choose 'talk on the phone', just so that I don't appear to be too reclusive and anti-social!

I am still looking for a fantastic Blogger, to pass this award on to.

2011-01-17T21:43:00.000Z

2011-01-15T21:36:00.000Z

2011-01-10T13:37:00.000Z

Here I go again...

Happy New Year...

2011-01-07T22:05:00.003Z

It seems a bit late to be talking about a New Year- not that I've just woken up from some serious partying (I did have a few glasses of very nice wine, which was the first drink in a year and a half!)- but I guess I couldn't really write something at this time without giving it a mention.

For a person like me who frequently forgets what day of the week it is; New Year is really not that different- it's just a measure of time and if it wasn't for the madness and fuss that's made over the whole festive season- I would be none the wiser as to when the year had begun!

Like a lot of individuals on the planet, I did indulge in the reflective-pondering-life-and-all-that's-in-it thing on the days leading up to New Year- no matter how hard I try not to; and I always end up getting a bit emotional! Sad to say, but I always feel slightly relieved that I got through another year without any major sad/ bad event occurring- there was a time, where it seemed like one bad thing after another was I'm still 'clearing out the cupboards', (and believe me there is a lot of junk to sift through) but I do greet this new year with a slightly (ever so slightly!) more optimistic view, than before.

I haven't made any big concrete plans for this year, as experience has taught me that this can potentially lead to heartbreak when they crumble in the later months (cynicism default!)- so as usual I'm going for the more flexible-leave-it-in-the-lap-of-the-gods option- and hope that they're smiling on me this year!

Best Wishes for 2011!

2010-12-25T17:47:00.001Z

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear ones
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
Happy Christmas (War is Over) John Lennon & Yoko Ono

2010-12-18T21:51:00.000Z

One thing that really annoys me, is going into an English branch of my Scottish bank, with Scottish notes and having the teller examine the notes like it was foreign currency or look slightly suspicious! On one occasion I had the manager tell me that they couldn't accept them because they hadn't received notification of the issue of new notes?! Of course this is all less hassle than actually trying to spend the Scottish money in a shop!

*NB This Billy Connoly £1000 note is for illustrative purposes only, and that he only appears on the Scottish £12.50 note.

Hello...

2010-12-16T20:50:00.000Z

Just a short post to say hello and a welcome to the new followers- I went from 3 to 17 overnight! (Possibly due to a certain forum post!)
Just to let you know that I'm not a regular blogger and some of the stuff I put on here can be a bit random, even nonsense; but every now and again there will be a coherent post!

O Kitty Tree! O Kitty Tree!

2010-12-16T20:10:00.000Z

It may be that season- but the only tree I put up yesterday was the cat activity one that I ordered on Ebay. During assembly I was starting to realise that it was a bit larger than what I had anticipated. A stunning construction (fig 1) of chip board pieces covered in grey fun-fur; it has a cylindrical futurist viewing turret and a retro modernist wedge shaped sleeping box. The whole thing smells a bit like chippy vinegar(?)- I'm hoping this will fade- at least for now it's masking that particular spot where Peaches kept scenting before she was fixed.

I removed the furry mouse toys that came attached; they were made from what I assume was rabbit fur (not just grey, but black and white rabbit fur) and I recently had seen some very disturbing images, on the PETA site, of how rabbit fur is obtained, I also used to have a pet rabbit- so as much as I love my cats, the real fur toys were out and replaced with faux fur ones!

As expected, and in true, typical feline style- the cats were a lot more interested in the large box that it came in! Thankfully they're all using the tree now- only because I took away the box and placed catnip and kitty treats all over the thing!
Needless to say the main 'activity' that the tree is encouraging, is the one that cats are champions at... napping!

fig.1

Closed Shop, Issue and Minds

2010-12-15T13:33:00.001Z

The shutters on my online shop have closed for good and hopefully the shutters on the encounter with ignorance have closed- though I can still hear an incessant noise!

I walked away with my head held high, knowing that I was correct in my challenge and in expressing my feelings on the matter mentioned in the previous post; unfortunately ignorance has prevailed and the individual still believes they have done nothing wrong!
Sadly, it's all being treated as a bit of a joke, with the person and her misguided followers nitpicking at my blog posts (yes I do have the right to self refer as a 'queen', but heterosexuals do not have the privilege of freely using the word queer); there's also blatant lies; tiresome mentions of solicitors (you have my sympathy) and for someone to disagree with what I have to say, why on earth would they want to follow my blog? (stupidity knows no limits!)

I do have a set of balls (and believe me, with the amount of shit that I have put up with over the years, they're titanium, not brass)- but I wasn't going to name and shame on the last blog post, that would just be pointless and petty (and from what I have read, this individual is making a right display of herself anyway)- I wanted to express my feelings about homophobia and the use of homophobic terms and used my recent encounter to illustrate it.
Just to mention that it was actually the remark (R-E-M-A-R-K) that was homophobic, that's what I had challenged, not once did I ever call this individual homphobic, talk about knee jerk reaction!

At present, I haven't got the energy or the inclination to deal with it; suffice to say that it did sicken me to see the school gang bullying mentality; the ignorant and snide remarks from the individual and from others in her support; their comments were not only against me, but directed to others that were in defense of what I had said- it just reminded me of the reality of how nasty and vindictive people can be- which is partly the reason I couldn't continue to keep my shop open- 'haters gonna hate'!

This will be the last post on this matter, I've paid too much lip service to it already and it's hanging around like a silent fart- time to air the room!

I would like to end on a quote-
'There are two kinds of people in this world, my kind of people and assholes...'

Gay but not Happy

2010-12-13T22:02:00.007Z

Poof, faggot, fag, queer, homo, bender...
the list goes on; but these are a few of the more common insults that I've been insulted with over the years. Then of course there are the physical attacks- a brick thrown at me, resulting in a stay in hospital; and just a couple of years ago, attacked unconscious on a busy road because I dared to stand up and challenge homophobia. I count myself fortunate; I could be one of the unimaginable numbers of people around the world that are tortured, murdered or executed because they dare to love someone of the same sex; so it will come as no revelation that I am absolutely intolerant of homophobia, explicit or implicit.

Imagine my dismay when I recently came across a remark, made on a public forum of a craft selling website (of all places) that was homophobic. An individual referred to QPR (Queens Park Rangers) football team as ‘Queers Playing Rough’- I challenged this remark and said that it was actually homophobic- it was using the word ‘queer’ as a derogatory term, much like the common use of ‘gay’ when describing something in a negative way. (I also have to add that heterosexuals don't have the privilege of being able to use the word 'queer' so freely!)
I was absolutely astounded and angered by the reaction of the individual, they threatened me with legal action for being libellous, because I pointed out publicly that the remark was homophobic- am I missing something here? How dare I say that they were homophobic, how they were best friends with a lesbian(?), and that it was a private ‘joke’.

Having gay friends is not license to use language that is considered homophobic; also making relevance of a friend's sexuality is just another example of singling out an individual based on their sexual preference.
To some people, it may seem amusing or even normal describing something as ‘gay’, or think it’s okay to make jokes about 'poofs' or 'dykes'; not forgetting the offensive gay stereotyping- but these are usually individuals who have never been singled out because of their sexuality, or have ever been insulted by one of the many terms for homosexual*- perhaps then, they would realise that these words aren’t so harmless or amusing.
*Fact- there are no derogatory terms for heterosexual!

The issue had consumed my whole weekend- I think what angered me the most was the arrogance and ignorance of the individual demanding an apology, threatening legal action and failure to see how the remark was homophobic; there were also the lies of me allegedly sending nasty messages- no doubt this was to rally support and show how bitter and twisted all us gays are!
I did contact the Stonewall Organisation who said that it was not against the law to challenge homophobic statements on the internet, much the same way as it isn't illegal (unfortunately) to make them.

I am not being overly sensitive, and I most certainly don't have a ‘huge chip on my shoulder’ because I am gay (such a cliché). I’m just a regular individual who has to live in a society that can be intolerant, hateful and violent towards people like me- and if I see something is homophobic, then I will call it out, as it will be homophobic- not a joke, not amusing, not just a word, phrase or political incorrectness- it will be something that represents that intolerance and hate against me and others like me.

2010-11-26T20:00:00.000Z

Psyche

2010-11-26T19:38:00.001Z

Not everyone would agree (particularly my brother!) but I've always thought there was something a bit magical about moths; especially if you were walking through long grass, when the moon was bright, and moths would fly off where you walked, or seeing big furry moths resting on a window pane.

I came across these photographs of a truly amazing looking moth, found in Australia, Trichiocercus sparshalli...


Original photograph by Denis Wilson

Original photograph by Denis Wilson

2010-11-03T21:35:00.004Z

Seeing more than three dots for an ellipsis!
I'm not a 'Grammar Nazi' as such, I don't explicitly correct other people's bad spelling, grammar or punctuation; though I do slightly wince when I see a mistake.
The ellipsis punctuation is the one that really does irk me, particularly when it's something excessive like- '...............'*
* How do you highlight an example of punctuation? Can you use quotation marks? That will bug me now...
** I also had to triple check this post for any errors!!

A Fuzzy Interlude

2010-10-30T12:02:00.001+01:00

After the previous post about disturbing imagery, I thought I would post this...

Eyes Wide Shut

2010-10-30T09:43:00.004+01:00

In my late teenage years, I was into obscure, trashy and exploitation movies, and would sit through some real duff video (remember video?!) copies of trash gems like, The Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed Up Zombies (brilliant title- terrible film) Thundercrack (an endurance test), Cafe Flesh, Blood Feast, Faster Pussycat Kill Kill and the films of Richard Kern and Nick Zedd. Then there were all the video nasties; I Spit on Your Grave, Driller Killer, Maniac, The Burning and all the other suspects that were on the BBFC 'banned' list.

There was another explotation genre- Mondo Movies, which were documentary style films depicting the bizarre and strange lifestyles, events, rituals from all around the world; films like Faces of Death would depict scenes of animal and human death, some footage faked and some uncomfortably real.

I remember how difficult it was to obtain these films at the time and how video collectors were always paranoid about owning the 'banned' films. The videos were always an nth generation copy, which was like watching TV through a tank of moving dandruff, while wearing a thick nylon stocking over your head!

Nowdays all the underground has spilled overground, anything and everything you want to see is now available, re-mastered, digitally enhanced, surround sound Blu-ray DVD (eg Faces of Death) and some of it even re-made like I Spit on Your Grave, for todays viewing generation

With regard to the internet, I am starting to think that I should switch 'safe search' on, or install 'Net Nanny' for myself; in recent months, I have come across some of the most disturbing and vile things on the internet, and that's just by accident while randomly surfing. Yesterday I watched a video of a beheading and that was on someone's blog- I should've guessed really, as the rest of the blog posts were of really gruesome pics of death and mutilation.

Times certainly have changed- I used to seek out the visually shocking to now- where I'm closing my eyes and wishing I could unsee. It's not always about how shocking or disturbing the imagery is- it's the grim reality of the horror that exists in this world, that's what disturbs me.

An Early Bah Humbug

2010-10-29T19:18:00.004+01:00

The preparations and signs of 'it' seem to be getting earlier with each year, there were mild signs of festive infestations in mid August; so I am assuming that it will eventually complete a cycle and end up back in December where it should be, of course if I ruled the world- it would not be allowed to exist at all.

2010-10-26T23:39:00.002+01:00

Inside every old person is a young person saying,
'what the fuck happened?!'

Closed

2010-10-22T21:44:00.000+01:00

Today, I decided to close my online shops for a bit- my heart and head are just not in the right place at the moment; without going into all the minutiae, it’s a time for ‘clearing the junk out of the cupboards’.
It was after I had recently sold an item, that I knew my enthusiasm was beginning to wane; the sale just didn’t give the buzz that I would normally get, in fact the only feeling I got was increased artistic anxiety- Is it good enough? Will they be happy with it? Is it overpriced? Should I refund? Coupled with the wrapping and unwrapping of the item with the packing material, which was taken to a new level of obsession!
For the time being, the shop and my otherwise open mind are both closed for repairs.

Love Birds

2010-10-21T14:15:00.003+01:00

I have such a strong respect for nature, that today, I actually made a detour on the pavement to avoid two pigeons that were courting!

2010-10-12T13:32:00.003+01:00

We are all alone, born alone, die alone, and — in spite of True Romance magazines — we shall all someday look back on our lives and see that, in spite of our company, we were alone the whole way. I do not say lonely — at least, not all the time — but essentially, and finally, alone. This is what makes your self-respect so important, and I don’t see how you can respect yourself if you must look in the hearts and minds of others for your happiness.

Hunter S. Thompson

2010-10-10T18:52:00.001+01:00

People (usually female) not removing the size/price label from the soles of their shoes; particularly when the footwear is a bit worn down, and there is still a label.

Zippity Do Da

2010-10-10T18:16:00.001+01:00

Some mornings, the view outside of the kitchen window is like a scene from a Disney movie; all at once around the single bird feeder, there could be a blackbird, blue tits, coal tits, sparrows, a robin, two field mice and a couple of squirrels!

and the view inside the kitchen window...

To Be a Queen...

2010-10-08T21:24:00.000+01:00

From the Library...

2010-10-05T21:03:00.003+01:00

2010-10-05T19:57:00.000+01:00

2010-10-03T17:17:00.001+01:00

Tangent

2010-10-02T17:08:00.007+01:00

I’ve been having a real problem with fungus gnats; annoying little flies that come from houseplants (caused by bad drainage and over watering- yes, guilty as charged) they literally do get up your nose.

I was searching the web for remedies for the infestation and one recommended a mixture of Ivory liquid soap and water to drench the plants; the Ivory soap name stuck in my head, then I realised that it was the Ivory Snow packaging that porn actress, Marilyn Chambers, had appeared on, before she went on to star in the porn film Behind the Green Door. I had only ever seen her in David Cronenberg’s horror movie Rabid, and had heard she went on to make another porno when she was in her late forties. It was after another internet search that I find out that Marilyn Chambers died last year, at 56, from a brain aneurysm- and that’s how I went, in a few clicks, from fungus gnats to the death of a porn star.

2010-09-29T21:32:00.000+01:00

Some days...

2010-09-28T18:38:00.000+01:00

'And why do they always say
Don't look back
Keep your head held high
Don't ask them why
Because life is short
And before you know
You're feeling old
And your heart is breaking
Don't hold on to the past
Well that's too much to ask'
This Used to be my Playground by Madonna

Cyber Snoop

2010-09-28T13:05:00.002+01:00

Despite being available for the virtual world to see, and no one being able to find out; I always feel slightly uneasy when I'm poking around someone's profile on Facebook, like I'm going to get caught!

Please Rush Me...

2010-09-27T13:40:00.001+01:00

2010-09-24T10:25:00.000+01:00

2010-09-22T12:33:00.003+01:00

2010-09-19T12:21:00.000+01:00

Standing in a busy cafe queue; and a person behind you takes the only available table and seat, either by dumping their belongings on it or having a friend/relative sit at the table.

Some days...

2010-09-19T11:48:00.001+01:00

Kitteh on Keyboard Solution...

2010-09-17T13:10:00.005+01:00

Original photo from here

Blog

2010-09-17T12:56:00.007+01:00

Must do better with blog!
I don't want to become another statistic of Blogs that die a death- I don't have many followers so would anyone really hear it's final gasps?!

Some days...

2010-06-12T18:11:00.002+01:00

'...You spend your life in limbo
between the future and the past
You don't know what your doing
you better stop yourself and fast.
Your looking for an answer
to a question that hasn't been asked...'
Love Now, Hurt Later by Giorgio Moroder

2010-03-03T21:10:00.009Z

I have lost count the number of times I have approached a pedestrian crossing, where an individual is standing, waiting to cross the road... and they have not pressed the bloody button!

Do they not realise that this action is required for the lights to function, signal the traffic to stop, so they can cross the road?

Time goes by...

2010-03-02T19:36:00.005Z

Time does fly by and not necessarily when you're having fun.

The day I turned 40, came and went; no supernova or implosion, more like the setting off a party popper- underwater, all in all, just another typical ho-hum day. Part of me wasn't bothered that it was a quiet day; but a tiny glowing ember of my hedonist nature would've liked an all-singing-all-dancing-hearty-bells-and-whistles party. I think I felt that it would have been the last chance- the final age- to party hard, before you start considering the health risks!

A friend wished me happy birthday on my Facebook page, I liked the way it had been phrased-

'...once more round the sun!'

Perhaps I thought too deeply (as per) about the sentiment; but it did make me realise that 40 is just a number, representing the number of times I've been round the sun- along with everyone, more or less, on earth. The significance put upon these 'milestone' birthdays, is a socially constructed one; and the emphasis placed on youth is media perpetuated- so there is no reason to think, that after 40, it's all downhill from there on.

Impending Doom...

2010-01-09T20:00:00.006Z

...gay supernova in T minus 4 hours...
I am fast approaching that number...that age that causes me angst when I say
it ...40...40...40! A gay man approaching middle age really is like an old star about to implode on itself, and create a black hole.

...okay, maybe a bit melodramatic!

I have been feeling a bit low about reaching this middle age; in all honesty it isn't so much the age, it's more about being in my present situation at the age of 40.
We all make these plans as to how life should be at certain ages, leaving enough room for error and unexpected changes, this is why I approach the age with dread, because things haven't really went the way I planned. It's funny how as the years went buy, my life plans, expectations and hopes grew less grandiose, to this point now- where I never make plans, expect nothing and hope for the best.
When people use the cliche 'life begins at 40'- fair enough, but I would like the vitality of youth to enjoy it, thank you; and I believe now, I've reached the age where I can be officially grumpy without giving a reason!

Oh Mary...

2010-01-08T21:18:00.011Z

As I was getting ready this morning and deciding what accessory to wear; I reminded myself of what I wore to compliment my smart-but-stylish outfit to my Grandparents' 60th anniversary last year- a nice set of black rosaries; it wouldn't have been much of an issue, except for the fact that the function was held in a Masonic hall in Ibrox!
It hadn't even crossed (no pun intended) my mind- here was me, sitting at the guests of honour table, on display in front of family and friends, rosaries-a-swingin'! I even wondered why some guy had remarked to me earlier, 'Nice necklace mate!'

Some days...

2010-01-05T15:06:00.005Z

'Today is the last day that I'm using words
They've gone out, lost their meaning
Don't function anymore'
Bedtime Story by Madonna, Bjork and Nellee Hooper

Bah Humbug!

2009-12-24T09:28:00.003Z

I hate Christmas, I hate the madness that comes with the season. Everyone going on a crazy consumer frenzy; people putting on a front pretending that they are having a great time; the over indulgence of the season. Christmas really has lost it's original meaning; I recently heard about someone who had trouble finding a religious Christmas card in Clinton Cards; the sales assistant was apparently a bit confused at the request.

moar funny pictures

I also hate it, because of what it reminds me of; I remember the look of sadness on my parent's faces on a really poor Christmas day, all because they couldn't afford a lot of gifts. It reminds me of disappointments and promises that were never kept; and it reminds me of how isolated I've become.

My Shopping Today...

2009-12-20T20:59:00.004Z

Happiness is...

2009-12-09T19:58:00.010Z

.some nice feedback!
I sold a couple of my items on Folksy recently; I can honestly say that for me, the positive feedback is actually more satisfying than the monetary gain!
Whether it's an ego boost, I'm not sure, but it makes me happy to know that I have created things that other people will enjoy.

'Hellraiser' ring

'Cthulhu Dreams' Pendant

I'm ever the perfectionist; there are some items that I've made but haven't listed and a couple of pieces I've even de-listed from the site- because I've had doubts and think the items need to be re-worked. Even when the items are finally off to their new owners... I'm still worrying if they're good enough!

Note: Even this post has went through several tweaks!

Conversation Stopper

2009-12-07T14:06:00.007Z

I was on the phone to a friend just recently, and she had been saying something with regards to men; and her being able to '...still turn on the charm, when she wants to...'.
I realised that I had left a bit of a pause after she made the remark- it wasn't intentional, I just kinda drifted (I was distracted by a squirrel outside the window!); but I think it may have been construed as a how do I respond positively to that and be convincing silence!

Reflection

2009-11-17T21:38:00.001Z

'You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.'

George Bernard Shaw

Put The Base in Your Walk

2009-11-12T19:45:00.009Z

Every time I find a track I like, I seem to listen to it constantly; if it's on my shuffle I zip it back two or three times to listen to it over and over; in the last couple of months, it has been Madonna's Give it to Me, Into the Groove (Toop Toop mix), Erotica You Thrill Me (Confessions Tour Studio mix) at the moment it's RuPaul's Covergirl (the original and RevoLucian's RuSkool mix), brilliant track for walking!

I had watched RuPaul's Drag Race just recently-excellent show! America's Next Top Model and Project Runway paled in comparison!

Bebe Zahara Benet & Nina Flowers

RuPaul's Drag Race finalists

All That Glitters

2009-11-11T15:57:00.002Z

'Jewellery takes people's minds off your wrinkles.'
~Sonja Henie

More Drama than Prom

2009-11-06T20:38:00.021Z

Halloween has came and went; it was around this time a couple of years back that I feel down a flight of stairs and broke my collar bone.

I was so annoyed, because I had been invited to a Halloween party the following week and finally- I was going to get dressed up as Carrie White, post pig blood!
Obviously after the accident I had a lot of difficulty putting on normal clothes never mind a bloody slip dress and wig.

A Tan Too Far

2009-10-29T15:16:00.007Z

I know I'm not supposed to...but I left the quarantine of the house to go for a walk.
I don't think it was the effect of the flu, but I seen this girl standing at the bus stop and she looked like a Japanese Ganguro- she was toffee coloured, with bleached white hair (most likely extensions) and day-glo pink lipstick!
I may have thought that she looked great (as I do with Ganguro)- but I knew she wasn't looking like that as part of a rebellion against convention; and most likely the sad fact of the matter was she probably believed she looked all natural and pretty.

'Ganguro (ガングロ; "Black Face Girls") is an alternative fashion trend of blonde or orange hair and tanned skin among young Japanese women that peaked in popularity around the year 2000, but remains evident today.
The purpose is to elicit the iconic look of tanned, blonde girls of California, USA or Chavs/Neds of the UK.
The Shibuya and Ikebukuro districts of Tokyo are the center of ganguro fashion.'
"Ganguro." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

I-N-F-L-U-E-N-Z-A

2009-10-28T21:06:00.002Z

Flu Dreams

2009-10-26T14:21:00.005Z

I've came down with a bout of 'Swine Flu'; and I've been having really disturbed sleep because of it- it's a restless half-dream-half-awake feeling.
Early this morning in a really vivid hypnagogic state, I seem to be watching a 60's grainy underground film called The Hash Eater, and it was a stoned guy sitting on the floor beside two small cubes of hash, just rambling on about eating hash, all very surreal!

Who's Counting?

2009-10-13T12:33:00.005+01:00

Since my birth 14,521 days ago...

My heart has beat more than 1,505,537,280 times.
My heart has pumped more than 109,923,970 litres or 29,042,000 gallons of blood.
My kidneys have filtered more than 2,468,570 litres or 653,445 gallons of blood.
I have breathed more than 313,653,600 times.
I have inhaled more than 151,149,089 litres or 159,731,000 quarts of air.
My breathing has generated more than 13,068.9 kg or 28,811.51 pounds of Carbon dioxide.
I have blinked more than 195,162,240 times.
My mouth has produced more than 13,794.95 litres or 3,630.25 gallons of saliva.
My body has shed more than 27,009.06 grams or 59.54 pounds of skin.
I have lost more than 1,452,100 strands of hair.
If I hadn't taken single haircut, my hair would be more than 240.11 inches long today.
If I hadn't cut my fingernails a single time, they would be more than 47.9193 inches long today.
If I hadn't cut my toenails a single time, they would be more than 27.5899 inches long today.

2009-10-03T21:57:00.001+01:00

2009-09-28T13:46:00.003+01:00

A Fashionisto's outfit plan:
Visit to London- Wednesday to Friday
and return to Nottingham- Saturday

D is for...

2009-09-28T13:42:00.002+01:00

Today was brought to you by the letter D

Super 8

2009-09-24T21:13:00.003+01:00

I passed a 2nd hand shop window today and saw an old Super 8 camera for sale, a bargain at £4.50, I could see that there was still a film cartridge inside (the discontinued Kodachrome 40). I was curious as to why the film was still inside and what had been filmed; though the hassle and expense of trying to get the film processed far outweighed my curiosity, and I left the camera in the window.
I remember starting out with Super 8, my friend and I bought a 2nd hand cine camera and film and we made our first movie when we all went camping; the film was titled She Was an Astro Zombie Queen, it was all edited in camera; and didn't look that bad for a first production!

Bettie Turns the Page (an unfinished Super 8 project)

☺...

2009-09-12T22:44:00.002+01:00

Compare and Contrast

2009-09-08T11:52:00.013+01:00

For shopping, it has been called...

‘...the Milan of the Midlands.’

When there was a skating rink in the city square...

‘…a little piece of New York in Nottingham.’

When the council spread builders sand and installed a piss laden pool it was named...

‘The Nottingham Riviera’

(I want to go back to Glasgow...now!)

At the window...

2009-09-05T14:44:00.005+01:00

I've been feeding the birds now and again outside our bedroom window; we did have a couple of small mice visitors eating the seed as well, and more recently there's been a squirrel foraging around. It does provide the cats with live entertainment, watching from the windowsill, though I'm quite sure they would prefer to be outside!

This is a pic of our cat Kimhari, watching a robin...

(Mouse over for a cat's thought!)

Labelling

2009-09-05T11:52:00.008+01:00

Why does it say on a jar of mustard seeds-
,
and on a jar of peanut butter-

I would hope that the jar of mustard seeds contained mustard and my peanut butter had peanuts in the recipe.
Similarly, 'Serving Suggestion' on a pack or tin, I wouldn't have thought to serve soup in a bowl, or perhaps I was to serve it in a white bowl, with a wooden salt and peppermill beside it, in a rustic cottage kitchen. like it depicted in the 'Serving Suggestion', would the flavour have been enhanced?

Smell of Nostalgia

2009-09-01T22:03:00.007+01:00

I sensed two smells today, which reminded me of my childhood; one was rotten drains and the other was burning paper, not really a nice fragrant mix!
Growing up in a slum in Govan, it’s not really a surprise that these smells were a reminder- there was always a blocked drain somewhere in our backyard and where a pool of strange milky blue water collected, and there was always rubbish burning, usually because someone had deliberately set fire to the bins (or middens as we called them).

2009-09-01T22:02:00.004+01:00

Club Excess to M&S

2009-08-10T21:23:00.005+01:00

We went for a coffee today in an M&S cafe, there was a bit of a long queue; and my partner said, "...do you remember having to wait in the long queue for Love Boutique at The Arches?"
(Love Boutique was a very popular club night)
I looked around and thought...yep, it's official I'm getting old!

Ladybird, ladybird...

2009-08-10T21:18:00.005+01:00

The other day, while waiting to be served lunch at a theatre restaurant, I noticed this ladybird on the table, I lifted it carefully and put it on to the seat beside me; the ladybird just seem to be walking around in a circle and I couldn't stop watching it.
I lifted it up again, hoping that it would fly off my finger-but it didn't, it just crawled all over my hand, I was struggling to get my money out of my wallet, so my partner took the ladybird and flicked it to the ground. I looked to make sure that it was okay; but then a new set of anxieties came over me- it might get trampled on! I really couldn't concentrate on ordering as I kept glancing at this ladybird scuttling along the ground.
My anxiety finally got the better of me- I got up from the table, lifted the ladybird and placed it on some leaves on a shrub nearby, worries finally over.
I thought to myself, how ridiculous, but then I've also been rescuing ants from the cat's water bowl, blowing them dry and then putting them out the window!

100% Reality Mind...again!

2009-07-24T20:34:00.007+01:00

The other day while in town, despite trying to curb the collecting, I had the sudden notion to get another Anizo, and got the one I was after...Shadow Boss!