[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 10 March 2022].
pilgrimage
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 17 December 2021].
climbers
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 26 November 2021].
grave dancers union
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 1 August 2021].
In 2000 and 2001, my then partner, David, and I visited Edinburgh in "festival season".
We timed our visits to coincide with the Edinburgh Book Festival, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, T at the Fringe, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Unfortunately, our timing meant we always missed the Edinburgh Jazz Festival. And we never actually made it to any events held as part of the Military Tattoo. We didn't even manage to visit Edinburgh Castle when it was open.
But we had some truly inspiring experiences.
For example, seeing Margaret Atwood and Naomi Klein discussing their recent publications. The latter shortly after the time of the release of No Logo. Getting to ask Irvine Welsh about choosing which short stories to include in the film version of The Acid House.
Seeing Pulp, Arab Strap and Dirty Three at various venues as part of T at the Fringe. Supergrass was a bit of a non-plus, though.
Arab Strap and The Dirty Three were a surprise gift from me to David. I didn't really know them but knew he liked them, so I booked us tickets to their gigs at The Liquid Room. Little did I know I would absolutely love both and that we would have a chance to natter with The Dirty Three's bassist (and painter), Mick Turner, over a few drinks after the Dirty Three gig. A definite highlight.
We also managed to see some excellent theatre, including a feminist take on Jean-Paul Sartre's No Exit.
Each year we went there, we made sure to have at least one day and one night without any bookings so we could get out of town for a drive. The first year we drove along the north side of Loch Ness and around the base of Ben Nevis. The second year, we stayed a night on the Isle of Skye.
Each year we spent the money we saved on accommodation by camping south of Edinburgh on hiring a car to drive there. Staying away for a night wasn't a costly experience, and a hire car gave us plenty of flexibility.
In 2001 I ventured into the churchyard of the Parish of St Cuthbert. It was, and still is, an inspiring churchyard.
I have photos from visits in 2001 and 2011. The first photos were taken with black and white film, and the second visit 10 years later was captured in colour with my Nikon D700.
I've held off sharing my photos of the churchyard from 2011 simply because I would like to share them as a collection with my black and white film photographs. I know I captured many of the same graves on both occasions. And I also photographed a homeless man in one of the derelict mausoleums on my first visit. To share those photos, I need access to a film scanner or to purchase one, and I'm working on that.
But today, I'm sharing this distinctive headstone. I don't recall photographing it on film.
Their torches turned toward the ground represent the extinguishing of life. But beyond that, I know little about the grave or the meaning of these long-haired figures in loincloths.
in the mush pit
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 30 July 2021].
Today was a mostly good day.
I had wondered the other night and had it confirmed this morning that I hadn't actually cracked the screen on my phone! The cracks and damage were actually the Belkin Invisiglass screen protector taking the bulk of the impact of my phone being dropped on bathroom tile.
The replacement of the screen protector cost more than my phone screen on its own would have cost (as my AppleCare+ is still current): £29.99 vs £25. But the complete lack of damage to my phone screen meant replacement only cost me £29.99 instead of £54.99.
And it wasn't a wasted journey as the replacement protector can only be applied in-store. They're vigilant in avoiding dust between the screen and protector, so it took two goes for them to get it perfect, but I'm thankful for their perfectionism.
I highly endorse these screen protectors. It took two years to crack, and in that time, it's taken quite a few hard knocks without damage. And in all that time, my screen has remained in pristine condition.
I then did a few small shopping tasks on the high street. That emboldened me to do a grocery shop. I managed it all okay, but stopped short of walking home with my groceries and paid for a minicab.
Despite how well the day had gone, I still found myself having a "nanna" nap this afternoon/evening. My body's way of reminding me that I'm still in recovery.
I don't know how long this will last, but the neighbour who took me to the Apple store today warned me that a friend of hers is still napping every day, about 15 months or more after having Covid.
After today, I'm hoping to get at least some of the flat cleaned this weekend, but I acknowledge it may take longer than expected.
I'm also hopeful of getting more photo editing done this weekend. But I think the remainder of tonight will be spent resting.
metropolis
[I originally posted this entry as early access for my Patreon patrons on 3 July 2021].
Here's a miniature city I found in the churchyard of the Parish Church of St Cuthbert in Edinburgh during a visit in 2011.
The theme of this week appears to have been communication and reconnection.
Not to be outdone by Anna and Penny, my friend Feih gave me a call on Tuesday that ran for 5 hours and 42 minutes. A long but enjoyable catch-up for the first time since early January.
On Wednesday, a much shorter call with Phil, but we still clocked up about 2.5 hours. And then a fairly standard length - two hours - video call via Skype with my Dad in the wee hours of this morning.
On Wednesday, I woke to some good news, finally. More information from my landlord meant my stress levels about finances have dropped somewhat.
On Tuesday evening, I'd found out the contract work I've been doing was expected to increase for a bit. But then, to counteract the good news on Wednesday, we were updated late this afternoon that there won't be any more work from Monday. At this stage, it's not clear if it's a brief hiatus or the end of the projects we've been working on.
I hope you've had a good week and connected or reconnected with people who make you feel special and loved xx