Saturday, October 31, 2009

Packing Boxes and Bags


I do not know where October has gone to. It seems to me that it has been cut by around three weeks or so. Mind you I have been busy so it is not surprising that time has flown by. So, what have I been up to? There is so much to tell.

Work has been hectic, and I mean more so than usual due to various factors beyond my control. Also, at the start of the month I had a really bad chest infection which left me unable to breathe properly. I was put on a course of steroids strong enough to be the envy of an athlete with questionable morals and told if things didn't improve in a couple of days then I would be admitted to hospital. Luckily I did improve but am still not 100%. Nasty bug. So, I had to have some time away from work which further compressed deadlines. I have been very tired. On top of that I found out recently that my post has been cut so I need to find something else.

I have also been raising funds for Operation Christmas Child. I chuffed to bits that I managed to fill and wrap 50 shoe boxes for under privileged children this year. It's so simple to do and has such an immediate effect as I know that the box I put together will be received, as it was sent, by a child that would otherwise receive nothing. I love that such little things like soap, toothbrushes, stationary, small toys, hats, gloves etc. are appreciated. It seems to me that we can take a lot for granted sometimes. In Romania, the children from gypsy families cannot even go to school unless they supply their own stationary so just a few pencils and notebooks can provide access to education. Who would have thought it would be so simple to really make a difference to someones life?

I also had my first professional commission as a photographer. A friend of mine has written a book about survival during a zombie apocalypse and I have been assisting with taking photographs and editing. Taking the photos was quite intense but a lot of fun, especially when we had people made up as zombies. I loved that even though there was a list of shots that were required I could also still exercise some of my creative skills and came up with a few good ideas of my own. It was good experience having to direct the people modeling, especially as none of them were professional models. It was pretty time consuming but worth it as the book has been published and is available online.

So, after all that I think I deserve a holiday and so that is exactly what I am doing. Soon I will be jetting off to San Francisco, somewhere that has been on my list for some time. Literally everyone I have spoken to that has been there has said that they loved it. I am so looking forward to seeing it for myself. Of course this means that I will be absent from blogging for around just over a week but I am going to make a concerted effort to visit all my blog friends before I go. Watch out San Francisco, I'm packing my bags.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Query surviving a zombie apocalypse in the UK when it's difficult to get one's hands on a 12 gauge shotgun in that neck of the woods?

(Glad you're still kicking, dear)

Cheers.

Gwynne said...

Now, THAT's busy, and sick to boot! I'm envious of your trip to SF, my favorite city in all the U.S. You might try eating at Cha Cha Cha's in the Haight & Ashbury neighborhood...a fun dining experience in a still very quirky part of town. Have FUN!

Dianne said...

Glad you're feeling better!!

I admire what you do each year so much

San Francisco is one of my favorite cities!! maybe the most favorite

enjoy, enjoy
you'll love it

kenju said...

I've only been there once, but you're sure to love it! Safe travels!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Have a great time in San Francisco!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Travel safe, my friend. I wish I could meet you in San Fran -- truly one of my favorite cities. But it's WAY far from me.

Sleepypete said...

This whole year seems to have been a case of :

WHOOOSHH !!! Where did all the time go ? October being no exception ...

Enjoy your holiday :-)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

San Francisco? WEll, you will be very close to Los Angeles, you know. Any chance you might sneak down this way? It would be such a treat to meet you, my dear....Give it some thought. It will be a little over 400 miles as opposed to 6000....!

You have beem busy and other than that awful infection--it sounds like some GOOD things have been happening....! I am happy for you, dear B-K. Take good care, my dear.

Niall young said...

you've got to find a new job?...after everything you've put into that post!..you must be feeling quite deflated!

But brilliant that you've had your first professional photo job...I'm so pleased, your photography is quite wonderful and if you put the same amount of attention to that as you have to your previous work, ...well...you could give up the day job! Dare to dream eh?

Have a great break !!

rashbre said...

Looking forward to hearing more about the book.

And SF, of course. Great city. I've spent quite some times there and in Chinatown I always rub the tummy of the dragon on the left as I go into the area.

bodaat said...

i heart san francisco and i'm sure you will too!

Anonymous said...

Checking in. I trust all is well.

Cheers.

David Edward said...

i lived in SF for 7 years - that was when I was newly married, seems like another life completely...
I liked a lot about the place, just not the people