Spring time

Spring has arrived accompanied by the usual Nor'West gales and an abundance of daffodils.

As well as gales and new flowers, Spring also brings us 'Photokina' (the world photographic trade show) and, along with many others, I eagerly expect the announcement of the Nikon D600 full-frame DSLR which is likely to become the replacement for my aging (but lovely) D80. On top of all that there has been a new job, and learning a couple of new software programs (Adobe InDesign and PhotoLine), so this spring is really turning out to be a time for new things.

You will fail ... unless

Just today, I finished reading "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield. So, it must have been coincidence that tonight I hear the same message in a totally different format - a funny/blunt TED talk by Larry Smith about why you will fail to have a great career. Funny enough to watch even if you have already made those choices that lead to failure.

How's your passion?

Is there something in your life that you are as passionate about as Stephen Ritz? Whether you are interested in the Bronx and disadvantaged youth or not, this is worth watching just to see the energy and passion spewing out of this man. Just watch it. Now.

Guzzi and the cat

Guzzis have always made me smile, ever since one went flying past my office window. (The clutch cable broke, the front came up and dumped the rider before doing a riderless wheelie past the window :-) Anyway, I found this Guzzi on my morning walk today ...

... and a cat; watching me, watching you:

Another fine TED talk ...

Many of us go through life experiencing a tension between who we are and who others seem to expect us to be. Susan Cain gives an interesting talk about being introverted in an extroverted world.

New granddaughter!

Last month our fourth grandchild was born. This is young Rhylee at four weeks old - wide eyed and ready to take on the world.

Nikon D80, ISO 100, 1/60 sec @ f2 with single bounced speedlight. Developed in Lightroom and PSE10.

Choosing a gun

I found this TED talk to be a coherent and strangely moving argument for armed force. Well worth watching ...

Symbol of privatisation

Track maintenance gear sitting unused at Springfield, since the railways were privatised way back when. Then, when the private owners can't screw another buck out of the project, our kind government buy it back at some inflated price to restore it to working order. Of course by then the gear is all rusted and useless ...

Container City

Yesterday we went to 'Container City' the new and emerging heart of wounded Christchurch. Visited the Apple Store, Johnson's the Grocer and Scorpio Books - all buzzing with lunchtime activity. It's so good to see the Central City begin to show signs of life again. Who knew that containers could look so good?

 More pictures at: https://picasaweb.google.com/102496606900301125582/ContainerCity#

A new home

... shakes head and looks around ...

This must be a new site. Clean isn't it? Won't be for long though, I seem to have the knack of making places look 'lived in' really quickly.

Oh yes, before I forget, I'm 'Fordy'; a somewhat introverted idealist who most people think should have grown up by now. But, after sixty odd years of trying (to grow up), I've decided to stop trying, kick back, and enjoy being 'me'. Truth seems to be that 'me' is just a big kid that enjoys playing, having new toys, and doing things just because he feel like it. I'm not going to let that guilt me any more (nor the fact that I just abused the English language). If that scares you then let me add that I am known for being mostly quite harmless and have even been described as a 'big teddy bear' (probably one with no arms and an eye hanging out).

Anyway, that be as it may, I'm slowly detaching from my previous professional life (in management and technology) and spending more time doing things that give me pleasure (if not money). That means writing, photography and art in general. Consider this site to be a sort of bred-crumb trail of the journey from a manager's desk to a ... well, actually, I don't know where to yet, and maybe that's the attraction; breaking with the tediously familiar to explore strange new worlds and to go where no ... [old geek alert - danger, danger!]

String along if you want, there might be a few laughs to be had (probably at my expense). Anyway, this is just the start so, let's see where it leads...