[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 29 October 2023].
a low ebb
2020 had its challenges, but I’m not going to lie. For me, personally, 2021 was a bitch.
I’m not going to expend more energy expanding upon that topic in this post.
I’ve tried to stop giving oxygen to elements in my life that proved to be unhealthy this year. Possibly for the first time in my whole life, that involved cutting ties with an ex-partner.
While this year has been a hard one for many reasons, there have been definite highlights.
And, especially when I was sick with Covid-19 back in July, I was overwhelmingly reminded of the brilliant global support network I have. I’m still gobsmacked by that. To those of you part of that network, both family and friends (and I’m sure you know who you are), I send you my love, and I’m forever grateful for you.
Before things went a bit more than pear-shaped this year, I managed to complete another 100 Day Project starting on 31 January 2021. I had a proper go at sketching every day. And, while I don’t profess to be a master illustrator, even after those 100 days, I created some not so terrible drawings.
The 100 Day Project for the coming year will start on 13 February 2022. I’ve had a few ideas of what I’d like to do, but we’ll see which one I settle upon.
Through my Patreon, I shared writings from my attempts at NaNoWriMo in 2009 and 2016. These are still rough second drafts and are currently only available to patrons.
I shared curated series from my sepulchre work, mushroom photographs, and travel photography.
I started my series of love letters to london, which I’d hoped to complete in 2021, but I will continue into 2022.
This year I took self-portraits for the first time since mid-2018 and have shared some that continue my interior/exterior series or fall into my new wallflowers series. I already have images from the latter to share in the new year.
I won’t bore you with my plant progress this year but suffice to say, my indoor plants fared better than the garden.
And I wrote actual handwritten letters for the first time in decades, inspired (or guilted?) by my friend Phil.
The things I let fall by the wayside this year were reading (beyond news articles of varying lengths) and language studies. Both I want to get back into in 2022.
In May, I unexpectedly found myself confronted by what is believed to be the oldest tree in London. A beautiful yew, she may be 2,000 years old.
She was more impressive up close than from a distance. I’ll share more close-ups of her beautiful contours in the new year, though I shared one previously.
In May, there was also a pleasant day out in Hertford. Exploring the source of the New River and wandering along the River Lea. Though there was also a bull charging me for photographing him!
In October, Scott and I explored the section of the New River (not new, not a river) between Hornsey and Finsbury Park.
At the end of 2020, I wasn’t overly hopeful for much travel this year. I would have settled for a weekend away somewhere within the UK.
Thanks to one of my longest-suffering friends, Phil, I visited Chichester and Bosham (first image in this post),
Itchenor
arundel cathedral
and Arundel.
untitled #203
And thanks to a cat-sitting gig for Jo and Becky, I was able to visit Minera,
untitled #144
Coedpoeth
and Wrexham.
However, the most unexpected and surprisingly fulfilling element of 2021 for me was becoming a cat-sitter.
Growing up and into my 20s and beyond, I was always a dog person. I couldn’t fathom cats. I would have said honestly at one point that I hated cats. So cat-sitting was not even close to being on my bingo card for 2021.
But really, in retrospect, I think it was more that I didn’t understand cats.
A chance pub quiz with friends led to me becoming a cat-sitter for the first time this year, and it’s something I hope to continue into 2022 and beyond.
There are side bonuses, like exploring new areas of London and beyond and locations for shooting self-portraits. And going “on holiday” but being paid for it.
But I’m not going to lie that the kitteh snuggles are lovely, and winning over an anxious or difficult kitteh brings a particular buzz with it. (Though I would be all good with less claw-to-skin action in demonstrations of affection…)
So, in order of appearance, here are the cool cats I’ve met this year (apologies for the photo quality with some. I hope to get better photos of them in future!)
Shiloh
Susie
Bao
Paczi
Meg
Mog
Sammy
Lily
Poppy
I’m not going to chance my hand predicting what 2022 will hold. But I have credit for travel that will hopefully take me back to Wales and Scotland, so that’s a positive start.
Anything else is a bonus.
I hope your 2022 is better than 2021.
damn paparazzi!
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 25 August 2021].
love you all x
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 13 June 2021].
In the wee hours of Friday morning, I got caught up in discussions with a friend and a lover (two different people). Two random conversations about oscilloscopes, dating and relationships, Black Box Recorder, Sarah Nixey (if you look closely, you can see me in this video), and The Jesus & Mary Chain. Subsequently, I didn't get back to photo editing.
On Friday afternoon, I caught up with one of those people and three other friends for our first proper reunion since well before the lockdown started in March 2020.
Of the four friends I met with, I'd only seen Sophie in the interim, and even then, on three occasions months apart.
It was a lovely afternoon and evening which lasted longer than I had expected but still felt all too short.
Here's to things getting back to normal over the coming months and us being able to catch up more regularly again.
Love you all x
mayfly graveyard in the sky
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 8 June 2021].
I wanted to call this suspended animation. But the mayflies were definitely not still alive in any interpretation of the word.
These fellows made their presence known along the River Lea in Hertford last Monday when Simon and I ventured out for the day. I didn't know what they were at the time but found out tonight.
I found this line from the Encyclopedia Brittanica entry about the mayfly particularly drew my eye, though, thankfully, we didn't notice that at the time:
"The winged stages attract attention through mass emergences when they may make roads slippery, clog gutters, and taint the air with an odour of decay."
Today was calmer and more positive, despite a rocky start before going to bed in the wee hours of the morning.
For a start, my periodontist appointment was nowhere near as painful as I'd expected it would be after some relapses into bad habits in the past six months.
I have a new design/social media project to work on for a former colleague. I also have a research role I want to throw my hat in the ring for tomorrow.
And I've decided to try - as far as possible - to share a photo a day with you. And by "day", that may mean it carries over into the next day, technically. But as long as I'm awake, it's the same day, right?
Sometimes with a diary-like entry, like this one and my previous post. Other times, just an image.
Forgive me in advance if it doesn't happen every day, but I'll try.
The photos will be whatever fits my whims at the time. Perhaps something to reflect my feelings, the day I've had or just something random.
My other weekly themed shares will continue, and I'm still working on my Love letters to London, I promise.
I also bought a dust-free eraser and a putty eraser today. I want to continue sketching when I have the time and energy. I won't share everything I draw but, hopefully, there will be sketches I want to share from time to time.
My latest earworms are linked below. Two out of three feature Robert Smith from The Cure, one of my constant inspirations since about 1989. I spent many an evening writing terrible teenage poetry by candlelight while listening to Wish. Simpler days, though still full of angst.
How not to drown - Chvrches featuring Robert Smith
Not in love - Crystal Castles featuring Robert Smith
Thanks to Chris for bringing the Crystal Castles track to my attention.