Photo Time

I’ve decided that rather than trying to maintain a separate photo page, why not put up random ones on the main page. Less hassle for me, more updates for you…

Happy Holidays!

With the birthday out of the way, xmas has crept up pretty quick. The days here in Edinburgh are dark by 4pm but the xmas lights sparkle through the night making it quite festive. Had a good few weeks with some people visiting and us all heading off to a concert in Glasgow. Good to catchup with friends once again. We have been wandering the local markets here, and attempted to go on the big ferris wheel. Got the tickets, got to the front of the queue, then the power cut out and they turned everyone away. We took it as a sign that it wasn’t meant to happen this year.

 Xmas this year is a feast at our place with some friends. Have a basic menu planned, with most of the supplies already grabbed and the rest to be found at the farmers market this saturday. I’ve realised that all the best places in Edinburgh don’t take debit cards, cash only. A sign of local quality I think.

We have no plans for new years, head out for a feed somewhere then see what happens. Probably end up wandering the streets a little taking in the atmosphere. We had a big one last year so not too fussed this time round. There is always such much pressure to have the greatest night of your life. Just enjoy what is happening wherever you are

David Bann

As part of my birthday celebrations ongoing this week, we headed out for dinner on Wednesday night. The location? A nice place called David Bann, which is a Veggie restaurant in Edinburgh’s old town. Casting aside the usual notions of lentils served up 9 different ways, this place offered a perfect example of the creativity that can be made with food, and easily proved you don’t need a slab of meat on a plate to make a decent meal. Simple ideas, really fresh ingredients, and mixing tastes and textures for something new. Delicious. I’m going to steal some of their ideas to make at home

You can take a peek at the menu yourself (I know it says xmas menu, but its the same as their normal one), and check out their site too if you want…

Viewpoints

Well, here it is. In a few hours (dec 6th), its the 1st anniversary of my 29th birthday. Yes, my 30th. Its just another day, but it seems so built up. A new decade of life demanding more expectations, decisions and so many buzzwords like career, property ladder, and settling down on people’s lips.

The way I see it is more like a viewpoint of life. Everyone seems to remember what they did on each birthday, so why not take a moment to step back and look around. Every year, more and more things seem to fall into place like part of a global plan. This last year has seen me living overseas, being able to travel again and experience more cultures, foods, history, sights, lifestyles and landscapes. More hobbies have expanded into quite strong pastimes, either being in the kitchen cooking, or out on the streets taking photos (although not in winter again, during the last one I was a bit too enthuastic and nearly lost my fingers to the cold). Its weird to think back over the years and see how different parts actually lead up to what i’m interested in now. There is some kind of pattern emerging, I’m eagerly awaiting to see what’s next

The only problem with moving around is I do get friendsick occassionally – but we have had a good frequency of vistors over the year to combat this, and the door is always open for any more. A consequence of the travelling lifestyle though, opening more opportunites to meet up somewhere again for another adventure.

 So, another trip around the sun. Let’s see what it brings. Watch this space…

Darkroom Print

Just finished the final night of my darkroom course. Three hours spent under a red light, with blasts of light, chemicals and the scuttle of people in the semi-darkness. Great fun. I managed to get a few prints done, but most just being trial and error. Below is the result of one of them. Pretty good for the second time in there. Now to filter through my existing negatives and choose some more to print. Planning to head back down next weekend for some more practice

Festivus

December is here and Edinburgh has taken off into a Xmas whirlwind of markets, decorations, new waves of tourists, more high street sales and plenty more consumer temptation all around. Its the same as it was last year, but adds a nice spin onto the chilly winter days, to keep everyone’s moods nice and high. After work, I went and took a few snaps with the results below.

Besides all this, things are well. I’ve been slack on the blogging, mainly due to long days at work and really nothing to say. Daily routine has taken over, but been nicely interrupted by other activites. A visit from a friend, a trip to glasgow, and my darkroom course well underway. Its only a little group of 5, but makes it a lot more friendly and interactive. Beginning to adjust to the red lights of the darkroom and enjoy the magic of printing my own pics. We printed off contact sheets this week, and next we get a printing session with some dodging and burning skills as well. I’ll be posting some of the contact sheet pics up here once I’m allowed to take them home..

Until then, enjoy the following…