tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-267768212024-03-13T17:16:24.891+00:00Bobkats HouseTravel, photographs, thoughts and stuff.Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.comBlogger350125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-50236558262502196772011-04-14T13:19:00.003+00:002011-04-14T17:02:35.809+00:00So long... and thanks for all the fish.<span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >It’s the end of an era, but not unexpected by those brave souls who have stuck with me through my increasingly sporadic posting. I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye though, or without ending things properly. Bobkat’s house was started by me in 2006 as a way of connecting with people. My blog was named after my dear departed but still much loved cat called Bob, whose house I was allowed to share with him as his companion.<br /><br />It was somewhere where the rest of my life wasn’t, unless I wanted to bring it here and air it. It was a way for me to start showing my early efforts at photography and to share things I’d been doing, my thoughts, frustrations and some bits of my life. </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On the whole I have found it to be a hugely enriching experience and deeply rewarding. I have met some awesome people from around the world through my blog and have been privileged enough to visit them at their blogs and share their thoughts and experiences too. It has been an extremely positive place to be mostly, marred only by a malicious stalker who was mislead by my ex (you shouldn't beleive everything you hear) and obviously has issues that have nothing to do with me. I am glad to leave her behind. Annoying buzzing things are never missed. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br />Lately though I have not had time to dedicate to blogging and this has genuinely saddened me. I have managed to connect with some blog friends on FB and have kept up to date with their lives on there. I have missed visiting you all and reading what is going on with you. I also feel like I have let you down by not being at home here more often and this has made me feel bad. </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">So what have I been doing instead? Well work has been very busy with long hours. I’ve never shared what I do here but it has to do with current events in the world. That is all I can say. I have also been really pushing ahead with my photography and have learned so much and am building it into something that could take me somewhere new. This is exciting but on top of full time work, exhausting too. Then there is my real home. I am finally trying to sort things out here. I’m getting things together, reclaiming my garden and redoing it, sprucing up my home and throwing out an awful lot of crap. It feels good, but it takes time and I really have to prioritise. </span><br /><br /></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">But, this is not the end but a new beginning. I will be starting a photography blog. I will continue to visit all my blog friends so I can share their lives, just a little. I will leave this blog up and visit for awhile to see who has been by and when the new blog is ready I will drop by and invite you over to my new place. Look on it as moving and not leaving, and thank you for being such great blog friends. It’s been an honour. Ther have been few fish. The reference is to a book by my favourite author, Douglas Adams, but the sentiment is true. So, so long… and hold the fish.</span> </span></span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-78122634461391121992011-02-15T13:54:00.004+00:002011-02-15T15:57:01.424+00:00A little bit of drama<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Well, so far this year I have basically been two things: ill or busy. I had a stomach bug that lasted over a week and this year so far I have had two migraines making another twelve days out of action. Not great. Other than that I have mostly been at work or catching up on chores and stuff which have piled up while I was ill. As Cathy would say, '</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >Ack</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >!' As a consequence I have very little to tell and nothing interesting to share that is for sure. However, everyone likes a little excitement and drama in their lives and as this kitty demonstrates, if you need more then you can make your own. Enjoy!</span><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tVQukw8DkaY" width="480" frameborder="0" height="390"></iframe>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-47539360498213763972011-01-20T15:07:00.002+00:002011-01-20T18:10:14.670+00:00Photographic Musings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdmg9XjpI7KRtIo0K5s4YwmoUww48I_W2-BV3v2T_t4qtK2E8RelUpaCNCZmXDMAVt3GATWlrWuUDYw_Av0lombssIpU2oA4DXZn7-0zd_1wEQEMPsJDesBcRsEAPEl3Sd9zW/s1600/carv.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 288px; height: 257px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhdmg9XjpI7KRtIo0K5s4YwmoUww48I_W2-BV3v2T_t4qtK2E8RelUpaCNCZmXDMAVt3GATWlrWuUDYw_Av0lombssIpU2oA4DXZn7-0zd_1wEQEMPsJDesBcRsEAPEl3Sd9zW/s400/carv.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564331862154212850" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Thank you to everyone who visited and left get well wishes for me after my last post. My migraine finally left after eight days. It was very unpleasant but I’m back to my normal self now. Whatever that is. The real annoyance is that it occurred just as I was getting into my stride with my new ‘cycle-to-fitness-in-front-of-the-TV’ regime. Now I pretty much am back at square one. Never mind, I will force myself back into the saddle tonight.<br /><br />Other news is that my photography website crashed. I was using Concrete5 and they ran an automatic update that killed my website and everyone else’s that used them. Getting the site back would have required over a days work and as I was due to update my site anyway I decided to start from scratch and use iWeb. If you are a Mac user I can thoroughly recommend it. It’s based on a drag and drop system, is very user friendly (as one has come to expect from Apple), and integrates seamlessly with iPhoto. The site is looking good, even though I do say so myself!<br /><br />I also went to a photographic convention in London recently which had loads of traders there and I found some great suppliers and chatted to some nice people. I attended a couple of interesting seminars and came away inspired and very tired. I have observed that there are two camps of photographers and both were at the convention: those who are kit obsessed and those that focus on the creative side of things. I find the people who are focused on the photography itself, and creating beautiful images are great to talk to. They tend to see photography as an art form and not a system of rules to be rigidly followed (the rule of thirds and no part of the subject should cut the edge of the frame for example (I break both)). They like to experiment and you can get a good idea of techniques that work from them and that you might be able to apply and adapt. I tend to avoid the camera kit obsessed. They focus on what model you have (they often look down on mine as it is not top of the range) and can reel off specifications like they would the alphabet. They always have the best kit and swan around adorned with branded kit and opinions. I am rarely inspired by their photography.<br /><br />I once talked to a well established and respected pro photographer who told me: If you have (say) £1000 to spend on gear then spend one third on the camera and two thirds on the lens. A camera is simply a tool (albeit an extremely intelligent one) to capture what you tell it to, it’s the lens that creates the image quality and the photographer that creates a great piece of art. Which reminds me of one of my biggest niggles: I am often told “That’s a great photo – you must have a really good camera”. It always feels like being given a compliment and then having the rug pulled out from under you as if they are saying, it’s the camera that takes the picture and you just operate it. I have a good camera, this is true, but it is not top of the line. If I gave my camera to my mother she would still cut people off at the knees and there would still be times when the photo was over or under exposed, even if used in the fully automatic mode. I often wonder if such people, on seeing a wonderfully intricately carved wooden table, would comment to the carpenter ‘That’s a really beautiful table, you must have a really good chisel’?</span> </span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-72105646229767052372011-01-12T15:11:00.002+00:002011-01-12T16:35:08.549+00:00Under attack<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Last Friday I was sitting in front of the computer editing some photographs when all of a sudden someone ran up behind me and smacked me on the forehead with a big hammer. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Blam</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">! At least that was what it felt like. On the right, just above the eye. Bugger. Sudden onset migraine with none of the usual warning signs.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkM6iIPqWDFgqHfn2mc_gHUpA64PAsNuN0YavLdLmvRbyQdVVnjb_aYMfswJRSPtLaKaRQ_uScnzccvfRfHYZR_Fne7O-h2tupA8tU7VV198Q8W-q-KBE1FqbyDeYEI6P9CNt/s1600/headache%252Cjpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkM6iIPqWDFgqHfn2mc_gHUpA64PAsNuN0YavLdLmvRbyQdVVnjb_aYMfswJRSPtLaKaRQ_uScnzccvfRfHYZR_Fne7O-h2tupA8tU7VV198Q8W-q-KBE1FqbyDeYEI6P9CNt/s400/headache%252Cjpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561333506858541138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">I've been a migraine sufferer since I was a teenager and over that time I have learned what triggers them for me, how to cope and what helps me best. In short I know what to do. I usually suffer with common migraines with just the head pain, nausea and photo and aural sensitivity. They usually last around 24-48 hours and then I am left with a post migraine fog for a couple of days where I find it difficult to function properly - I can't think straight, I find it harder than usual to find words and get words mixed up easily. Most of all it leaves me tired and washed out. I could sleep for a week. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">However, sometimes I have a persistent migraine that lasts from three to seven days or so, known as status migraines. This one has turned out to be such a one. Six days and counting. The </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pain</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"> is not so bad right now but is getting worse (again). My eyes ache and I have the </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">brightness</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"> on the screen turned right down. It's getting me down as I cannot keep on with my exercise while I feel so awful and washed out. And thank goodness for spell check. Migraines are not just 'bad headaches' they are a painful condition which means you cannot function properly. I cannot wait for this one to leave so I can resume my life again.</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-54764132473926061792011-01-02T12:47:00.008+00:002011-01-02T15:05:18.495+00:00I resolve...<a style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZLx7BqD6izXRKw3TF22F2uJCU_CcUa4OPFq98JQWcWQ7OD_zaWzNV8IGxsjFlHXtI-_UAmbMAq8yTt111utym8nMvtWleqfDFVdoYT9QpZOtFQf6x_OOiDof6qUXvU9LA3NF/s1600/celeb_scale_400x300.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7ZLx7BqD6izXRKw3TF22F2uJCU_CcUa4OPFq98JQWcWQ7OD_zaWzNV8IGxsjFlHXtI-_UAmbMAq8yTt111utym8nMvtWleqfDFVdoYT9QpZOtFQf6x_OOiDof6qUXvU9LA3NF/s400/celeb_scale_400x300.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557576184308165554" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">There comes a point when enough is enough. I have been at that point for some time. Somewhat like a saucepan of milk approaching the boil and it is time to take action before the stove top needs a damn good scrub. No-one likes burnt on milk and you wouldn't want me to reach boiling point. Think Godzilla on the rampage in a large city. Not pretty. </span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><br /><br />So, time for action. It's not going to be easy but I want my body back. I want to feel good again. Hell, right now I would settle for alert and energetic. I want to fit back into some of my own clothes which are taking up cupboard space but I can't bring to throw away as what I am now, </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">is not me</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">. I am sick of wearing whatever I can find that fits and want to wear clothes that I like again.</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><br /><br />Most of all, I want to reclaim my self confidence. It's hard to feel good about yourself when you get messages all the time about how worthless you are judged to be by your peers. </span> <span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">It's sad but true, when you are overweight people assume that it's because you have no self discipline. </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">After all</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">, if you didn't just sit on your huge behind and eat chips, doughnuts and chocolate all the time you'd be thin right? If only it was that simple. For a start if is hard to fit in exercise when you do a demanding desk job and are grappling with a fledgling </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">proto</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">-business on the side. And that is before you factor in chores. The real problem for me though is hormones. Hypothyroidism means weigh gain no matter what I eat and a lack of energy which goes so much deeper than normal tiredness.<br /><br />It's also hard to find sporting clothing to fit. I am having so much trouble finding suitable togs that I would feel comfortable wearing to a gym, let alone a sports bra, which believe me is paramount unless a want two black eyes!</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">However, despite all this, I am going to reclaim my health, my body and my life. It's been on hold now far too long. It's time I made me a priority again. As I said, enough is enough. This isn't a new years resolution. This is a promise to myself. It is not going to be easy so I'm going to need a lot of support. It's either that or Godzilla!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">And finally, A Happy New Year to all my blog friends. Your tenacity at bearing with my variable blog habits remains deeply appreciated by me. </span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-82456984700104811172010-12-25T00:00:00.007+00:002010-12-25T00:53:41.347+00:00Merry Christmas<a style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_087TusDBtXrbLhLXds2x9WK-8clQOmlIG2VKJjwyC8t_6n7GLmy5aNAReZTa5l0zOPm4UgwD9f8tNIHtKnz0OvcDwZB8sfPPKTnsjYp6i-mO6nx-OZnXkEdyx_2oQmKc8EE/s1600/P1010582.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_087TusDBtXrbLhLXds2x9WK-8clQOmlIG2VKJjwyC8t_6n7GLmy5aNAReZTa5l0zOPm4UgwD9f8tNIHtKnz0OvcDwZB8sfPPKTnsjYp6i-mO6nx-OZnXkEdyx_2oQmKc8EE/s400/P1010582.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554405027729331602" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >It's Christmas Eve, the tree is up and decorated, the presents are wrapped and under it and I am sat watching a Christmas film and enjoying a nice glass of wine and some chocolate. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYAcQopNOlCLqTp14mQRQf1ukAWj4uC-3HU63oTAT-BZpWuJ9HRCmukXz_VXvICLQXHVH_f9jdHfnKfV14UcIdwqc3LNl1aqZUYdZskM5oNTozLNbiuzRZXWjbzpnED7Xkw6Z/s1600/P1010595.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYAcQopNOlCLqTp14mQRQf1ukAWj4uC-3HU63oTAT-BZpWuJ9HRCmukXz_VXvICLQXHVH_f9jdHfnKfV14UcIdwqc3LNl1aqZUYdZskM5oNTozLNbiuzRZXWjbzpnED7Xkw6Z/s400/P1010595.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554404762304253826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Christmas dove... is watching you!<br /></span></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I thought I would share some photos of my Christmas tree with you. I always decorate it with fruit, berry's and birds. On top of the tree I always have a white dove of peace. It seems apt for this time of year, being the season of peace and goodwill to all men. I also have some robins nestled amongst the branches, and what seem to be golden sparrows and a fanciful red glittery bird of some description (let's call it the Christmas bird of Paradise). </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvQ0LGDrLi8Fof3hOhjq6QhTxw8WM-WTj2xJfKoX5j7TxLPh2AkwViJxUUIAL-fOPiVPotXPIadkxo2Qb_KW6Mj_4v6UXbU-N-dQMeUvJz8m9voV-ClMegQ_t-KgKf_3qwgAA/s1600/P1010600.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvQ0LGDrLi8Fof3hOhjq6QhTxw8WM-WTj2xJfKoX5j7TxLPh2AkwViJxUUIAL-fOPiVPotXPIadkxo2Qb_KW6Mj_4v6UXbU-N-dQMeUvJz8m9voV-ClMegQ_t-KgKf_3qwgAA/s400/P1010600.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554404360171592722" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I finished work two days ago and am so happy that I have a whole two weeks off wrk over Christmas. I very much need the break as I have been very run down. Still more medical tests to come in the new year but I think the time away from work will do me good. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgj11XKVqn9GUAo5TNgjOD5ODdQ7Z3DHaz6AP1hcj_h87saT7kl5RCjbw9FvtvqxgExXobJ_mzoBsm9LcrO2KfoLLpnMhC2HToflJbaqzNtvBtmjx3f3WV0pEHlYFi3hhtNOX/s1600/P1010599.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirgj11XKVqn9GUAo5TNgjOD5ODdQ7Z3DHaz6AP1hcj_h87saT7kl5RCjbw9FvtvqxgExXobJ_mzoBsm9LcrO2KfoLLpnMhC2HToflJbaqzNtvBtmjx3f3WV0pEHlYFi3hhtNOX/s400/P1010599.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554404146941444338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I have been working on my photography and actually shot a Christmas Eve wedding. It was very small but the bride and groom were happy. It was a short shoot though with so few guests! I also took advantage of the recent snow and went out taking some pictures, some of which I am really pleased with. I will share some here soon.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpHcFxxAeY68f_TGHzcDq9A2Glw0gVbskkIJh1QIqMyG5pUd7c8r9C5x3yr2USDAOczPrItCaRx_EvjHWd-xTCSOTorpQehvOaEnb4NYW2FPJrnA8ioklnqRT2pvul5WCOqFa/s1600/P1010596.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBpHcFxxAeY68f_TGHzcDq9A2Glw0gVbskkIJh1QIqMyG5pUd7c8r9C5x3yr2USDAOczPrItCaRx_EvjHWd-xTCSOTorpQehvOaEnb4NYW2FPJrnA8ioklnqRT2pvul5WCOqFa/s400/P1010596.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554403858488568594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >It's the small hours of Christmas morning and so I will finish now. Wished you health, wealth and happiness this Christmas. may it be filled with joy and may you be on Santa's 'nice' list. </span><br /><br /><a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwQAN2iCBk4jnzz_5a00ZKYsHg1GgrdUiFax5q8_U-Hz-IxfzJz0EDfdgIPv_p9eYpH_opvo646H1gXZYw8fty-ZdRf3H9a8784alZDWy9lyvjEI1YPLJ2_iXlG2bGoTESUXv/s1600/P1010587.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwQAN2iCBk4jnzz_5a00ZKYsHg1GgrdUiFax5q8_U-Hz-IxfzJz0EDfdgIPv_p9eYpH_opvo646H1gXZYw8fty-ZdRf3H9a8784alZDWy9lyvjEI1YPLJ2_iXlG2bGoTESUXv/s400/P1010587.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554403545105379826" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">MERRY CHRISTMAS!</span><br /></span></div>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-87974405079774968052010-12-05T12:03:00.003+00:002010-12-07T13:45:57.825+00:00Advent<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9grJqS6zRRDE3ElpnVZ3QnDDO7ZBahng9sjWlUvQy_10rbAPLaNaPopQ9JaFIl2-UQ5GpTTj1EoAp6fZHV9xQI15r7hyphenhyphen8lI6RByiQnnu_NJAtwkDspPbWAIkayKYMifGsbzz/s1600/advent"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 245px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM9grJqS6zRRDE3ElpnVZ3QnDDO7ZBahng9sjWlUvQy_10rbAPLaNaPopQ9JaFIl2-UQ5GpTTj1EoAp6fZHV9xQI15r7hyphenhyphen8lI6RByiQnnu_NJAtwkDspPbWAIkayKYMifGsbzz/s400/advent" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547168179465434754" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I am so looking forward to Christmas. I always do of course. My childhood Christmases were so wonderful that the magic of this time of year has always stayed with me. I love choosing presents for friends and family, wrapping them and sending cards. I love receiving cards in the post instead of just bills and junk mail. I love that people are usually just a little bit nicer to each other. The picture is of my advent calendar which has goodies in each pocket ~ a small </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >chocolatey</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > treat.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >This year though, Christmas cannot come quickly enough as I get two weeks off work. I so need a break. Other than a couple of odd days off, the only time off work I have had was at Easter. Work has been particularly trying this year as well, mainly due to a very difficult boss, who is a control freak and only seems to care about outputs and process. On receiving a Christmas card from a friend at work, I overheard them ask "Are you allowed to send cards through the internal mail?" The jobsworth on a nearby desk confirmed that you were not and he said "I thought so" and seemed quite satisfied with himself. It just struck me as odd as most people would say "How nice, a Christmas card from so-and-so", but then I suppose it's in character for a person who stated at a team meeting "I don't feel the need to be friendly with my staff". We are a team of four people so needless to say motivation could be better. A year of this has left me somewhat stressed.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >On top of that I have been feeling very run down physically too. I went for tests and the doctor confirmed it is my thyroid again (and potentially something else) which would explain the constant tiredness, lack of concentration and the complete absence of energy. Steps are being taken and I have to go back for more tests soon. I still feel like crap all the time though so forgive my lack of blog presence. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Still, thanks to online shopping all my Christmas presents are bought. My tree will be decorated this weekend coming and I will hopefully finish writing my cards this week. I have a Christmas CD in the car and I have a list of Christmas themed films to watch, from classics such as 'White Christmas' and 'It's a Wonderful Life' through to 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' and 'Die Hard' (1&2). Even health problems can't crush the Christmas spirit in this Kat : )</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: trebuchet ms;"><br /></div>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-29307986454764977742010-11-17T21:16:00.006+00:002010-11-17T21:39:18.184+00:00Sad news<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">I know my last post was a month ago and once more life has got in the way of blogging. Despite my best efforts I haven't been able to find time or energy to blog and I am once again genuinely sorry for that. As ever, it's nothing in particular. Work has been very busy (a constant theme these days) and it has been hard enough keeping up with chores and finding time for photography let alone anything else. Those of you on </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FB</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> will know I find 5 </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">mins</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> or so to update my status and say hi on there but it is so hard to find time to sit down and actually compose something.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Energy has been an issue lately too and right now I am waiting for the </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">results</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> of various blood tests. I think they took a whole arm full and they seem to be covering all the bases. Part of my hopes they find nothing as I don't want to be ill, but part of me also hopes they find something as I must feel this awful, all the time for a reason? Ever feel conflicted? Anyway, I intend to make a special effort to visit all of you soon. I miss your blogs.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhDdhtY-lSXcE4lQRPjNRAVJa5gBaBAiRSL7Qe5RqmG0MJZSuFEQgXTOT8aTm13RvJavzV_WcrSRGuq9AcYqHLu2V6PiNG_j4EYQyCNImgnS2QjLbeUf_LicU0XmNzBFKOOiR/s1600/IMG_3722.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhDdhtY-lSXcE4lQRPjNRAVJa5gBaBAiRSL7Qe5RqmG0MJZSuFEQgXTOT8aTm13RvJavzV_WcrSRGuq9AcYqHLu2V6PiNG_j4EYQyCNImgnS2QjLbeUf_LicU0XmNzBFKOOiR/s400/IMG_3722.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540635984328581586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">In the mean time I have had some sad news. That handsome hound I recently photographed in my last post died of a stroke yesterday. His owner is devastated. I have known Alfie since he was a puppy and he was a beautiful dog in nature and looks. He always had a big smile and a good wag and loved a game of ball and loved his owner. He will be missed. Rest in Peace Alfred the Great.</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-46494902642319648222010-10-07T08:46:00.007+00:002010-10-07T09:24:46.088+00:00Alfie<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_7KiyXccHvTdXRqusSke2t09weWU-nOLzUBPNyJX9siylqsChZbOiVVxiddMrcphaPWTn49tnUXS35caeng-zVasHgH0562TdWymgpHQ-z3zZblvBC4Qegc9kVluxCJyUGjp/s1600/IMG_3727.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv_7KiyXccHvTdXRqusSke2t09weWU-nOLzUBPNyJX9siylqsChZbOiVVxiddMrcphaPWTn49tnUXS35caeng-zVasHgH0562TdWymgpHQ-z3zZblvBC4Qegc9kVluxCJyUGjp/s400/IMG_3727.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525230193685794370" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Alfie</span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I love to take photo of animals. Like people, it's not just a case of capturing their likeness, it's about capturing their character; what makes them who they are in a single picture. This isn't that easy as we humans see living things in motion. Essentially we are watching a movie as the pets, people and animals we see are not frozen in time in front of us, but constantly moving. The way they move and hold themselves is an essential part of who they are. So a photo is literally a moment in time and that is why my approach to photography is more journalistic than posed. I always know when I have 'the shot'. The one that captures the spirit and personality of my subject and not just how they look. I love it when someone sees a photo and says "That's so-and-so to a 'T'!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5crtlYfgJED4Rjw54gDeSAc5KRUXzOYOk__vY4NcjroF85shBuAlhPFfWj9DDL5apv8TNhEdRULc1XRDU2wduG8ych-eaeCChvjzrfqPh9v2n7ncv7o_Clt3-yVO1fnxCxK-v/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5crtlYfgJED4Rjw54gDeSAc5KRUXzOYOk__vY4NcjroF85shBuAlhPFfWj9DDL5apv8TNhEdRULc1XRDU2wduG8ych-eaeCChvjzrfqPh9v2n7ncv7o_Clt3-yVO1fnxCxK-v/s400/IMG_3768.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525228076049895858" border="0" /></a></div></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">I was recently commissioned by a client to take photos of their beloved Border Collie, Alfie. Alfie is a very personable old chap who loves his owner and likes nothing better than a game of ball, where he fixes his whole being on the ball until it is thrown for him. The first shot here is of Alfie looking at his owner. He is clearly enjoying himself. The second shot shows the intent side of him, the one that concentrates completely on his beloved ball which is just out of shot. When I showed these to the client she said, "Oh, that's definitely my Alfie" and there it was, the buzz I get from taking photos.</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-29992603855038068202010-09-12T19:53:00.003+00:002010-09-12T20:16:04.003+00:00Got Gold!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuOp4_OpVUhn3wBXTftxz9MPae5a3IRw_xyNVZ_mFkoNxBvgRQHzzJ_-msjM0EQA2gyN_0Eua7G_MFJ-8n1sRY_S80d13Bpu0399qxFQYtiM56NkYoaR7qxMJh14v8d8MMT5J/s1600/Pamela_Jary_Fine_Art_August.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuOp4_OpVUhn3wBXTftxz9MPae5a3IRw_xyNVZ_mFkoNxBvgRQHzzJ_-msjM0EQA2gyN_0Eua7G_MFJ-8n1sRY_S80d13Bpu0399qxFQYtiM56NkYoaR7qxMJh14v8d8MMT5J/s320/Pamela_Jary_Fine_Art_August.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516118888284592978" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I had the best news recently. This photograph of jellyfish was awarded 'gold' in a recent competition held by the photographic society I am a member of. This means I will be published in their magazine and entered into the annual competition with other images that were awarded gold. I'm chuffed to bits!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Of course this is a wonderful antidote to my everyday bill paying job where I continue to (barely) tolerate things. Sammy is wearing his cone again. After his leg nearly healed he chewed the scab off and so it started bleeding again. Back to square one. He's allowed to have the cone off when he is sat on the sofa with me where I can keep a close eye on him. He loves to have his ears and neck scratched when the cone comes off and closes he eyes with pleasure and purrs like a nutter. Bless.</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-87683105429655240322010-08-20T20:11:00.003+00:002010-08-20T21:47:24.496+00:00Cone of Shame<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN8oPLJemPVxx2XQRNwSHQUtlXouAyA5mdZ9zg3AxSSae3npp85pzqGR3WURk1_ZkwEdcs6TnKLpzNuFkq4IkQ5Yot3aHFKGXwPQoy15tXLUn3F0xz4vs2SMRV7AKONRm4In5/s1600/IMG_2605.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 336px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMN8oPLJemPVxx2XQRNwSHQUtlXouAyA5mdZ9zg3AxSSae3npp85pzqGR3WURk1_ZkwEdcs6TnKLpzNuFkq4IkQ5Yot3aHFKGXwPQoy15tXLUn3F0xz4vs2SMRV7AKONRm4In5/s400/IMG_2605.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507588229983041122" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Poor little Sammy has had the cone of shame on for a few days now and is not at all happy with his new look. The problem started around 3 weeks ago when a couple of small bare patches of skin on the back of his lower leg started to bleed. A lot. I'm not kidding when I say that it looked like small animals had been sacrificed on my lounge rug and landing carpet. One trip to the vets, a course of antibiotics and steroids and a cone and he seemed to get better. However, last weekend the bleeding started again. He had worked out how to get round his old cone and so that was useless in stopping him from licking his leg and so it was back to the vet. We have more antibiotics, more steroids and a bigger cone, much to Sammy's chagrin.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The cone is transparent so at least Max can't ambush him anymore, but poor Sam doesn't understand and often asks me to take it off. He can't wash and so Max has been helping (but then lost the plot and washed the cone) and I have some moist grooming wipes.I'm really hoping this works as his poor leg is a mess. On top of that my stair and landing carpet is ruined and I dare not replace it until he's better. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpi-u69ycWRIWYwnlk7shGPEGTTIi6G-WtdRfe7UHHnSoHmniy3JNQzdkMIiOKkjEG4cFlj2E7SSX-Kz-1i6fNES-8JB2GHs4LKwrGdie1-KPEp_2H2-pzY9HWKbNseZLiJ4p/s1600/IMG_2607.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpi-u69ycWRIWYwnlk7shGPEGTTIi6G-WtdRfe7UHHnSoHmniy3JNQzdkMIiOKkjEG4cFlj2E7SSX-Kz-1i6fNES-8JB2GHs4LKwrGdie1-KPEp_2H2-pzY9HWKbNseZLiJ4p/s400/IMG_2607.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507587692308276546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The photos are a couple of recent snaps (</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">pre</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">-back leg issues) of my boys. I am still working long hours at work for someone who doesn't know their derriere from their arm joint and thinks Leadership is doing what they want. It's demoralising and stressful. I hope life is treating you well though.</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-19947088150476492492010-07-23T13:09:00.005+00:002010-07-23T14:55:29.467+00:00Sent with love<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLBz7RqFRDaiw4y-cCiXsCL6ZsYPCfCiprMG_3i6XIUmjf6a9PronGWLJb-cZJl8vCbDfLX307o8lxoich2ZgLAjwVuQy2V71BB5PR1C1i3rfeRP19de7Cmurb4lOa6VWDM2c/s1600/IMG_3065.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLBz7RqFRDaiw4y-cCiXsCL6ZsYPCfCiprMG_3i6XIUmjf6a9PronGWLJb-cZJl8vCbDfLX307o8lxoich2ZgLAjwVuQy2V71BB5PR1C1i3rfeRP19de7Cmurb4lOa6VWDM2c/s400/IMG_3065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497094435197085202" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Now I hope you are sitting down as this is the second post this month. I know, shocking isn't it? I am pleased to be here and interacting with you all though and show you one of the things I have been up to. The photos are of my own greetings cards featuring my photos. I am so pleased with how they look. I am trialling them at the moment to see how well they sell and may consider doing packs in the future and selling them online. What do you think? I am going to also put together some calendars.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AF7VO18lp-1BVoCKJ9xC-v5OXdIXrGou6sJp002FUROoAXpKvGrJ77isuxjgKAR-nXJ80mAf35LHapGs4Kmg-_9T0hedDhUQqh5P6gYxVwwG6aNZPYjJRgXhbchjiMTYi24r/s1600/IMG_3056.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5AF7VO18lp-1BVoCKJ9xC-v5OXdIXrGou6sJp002FUROoAXpKvGrJ77isuxjgKAR-nXJ80mAf35LHapGs4Kmg-_9T0hedDhUQqh5P6gYxVwwG6aNZPYjJRgXhbchjiMTYi24r/s400/IMG_3056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497093933167503138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Otherwise life ticks along. Work is hell on toast. It has got to the point where it is getting me down. I dislike my job. Actually that is a fib, it's not the job I dislike, it's the way I am managed. I won't go into too much detail as you never know who is reading but I feel constantly sidelined and undermined. I have spoken to another manager but they can't do much. I need to confront my manager but I am considering how to go about this using diplomacy as I still need to work with them. They are not the sort of person who takes criticism (or another point of view even) well. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vq0QThZ2ZwDWhf6ESSIJBhEkDpG9nBXot8dD5EIxpDjLfYoBP3ZtXuU3LJdmDKIb-rexlde1ITkNElHvEtY4Gn_bSZ0Ui-s8aI3azxKp_NUgOmK4J_uyQ9ExAl7qoSZzjW6J/s1600/IMG_3063.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2vq0QThZ2ZwDWhf6ESSIJBhEkDpG9nBXot8dD5EIxpDjLfYoBP3ZtXuU3LJdmDKIb-rexlde1ITkNElHvEtY4Gn_bSZ0Ui-s8aI3azxKp_NUgOmK4J_uyQ9ExAl7qoSZzjW6J/s400/IMG_3063.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497093564119957266" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">I haven't been well lately either. I was out last weekend and suddenly had the most awful stomach pains. I went to the ladies and threw up and the rest of my weekend was spent on the sofa making poorly noises and knocking back pain killers. It might be some people's idea of a good time but not mine. The whole week I have been unwell on and off. It's getting boring for me and apparently for people on </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FB</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> who are now ignoring my feeble attempts to gain sympathy. Oh, woe is me. No, seriously I will be fine. I have weathered worse storms than this. I just really wish someone would get the strange alien being out of my intestines or at least persuade it to loosen it's stranglehold on my stomach. I really don't think anyone should be this much aware of their innards. It just isn't right and quite frankly I have enough other things on my mind. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcliS2WWGr_CmwSvEa44gauF67QZOonHedSE7TwtlEEZ2H17FbZPlWwQOBGKEtSBKaLaWt4s9MEMZqegXHX2lTKONJyqDpWrd-Oy9gjLkpXPI75e0tsDr1jWQdWhXklAs5Haby/s1600/IMG_3060.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcliS2WWGr_CmwSvEa44gauF67QZOonHedSE7TwtlEEZ2H17FbZPlWwQOBGKEtSBKaLaWt4s9MEMZqegXHX2lTKONJyqDpWrd-Oy9gjLkpXPI75e0tsDr1jWQdWhXklAs5Haby/s400/IMG_3060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497093090572834098" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Anyway, less of my complaining. Let's focus on the pretty cards and I will be thankful that I have my photography. I'm doing a wedding on Christmas Eve and have been approached to do three family / child portraits as well. Perhaps I could turn this into a business?</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-71083632973888333572010-07-13T12:19:00.003+00:002010-07-13T13:56:09.839+00:00Long overdue update<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;">I have been absent for some time and until I checked the date on my last post, I hadn't realised how long. From my blog stats I can see that very few people drop by and so I am probably talking to myself, though I am pretty certain a couple of my oldest blog friends will check in. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;">My situation at the moment is complicated. I have very little time or energy for much once work has taken more than it's fair share these days. In short I am very busy at work but very unhappy as well. I feel that I am being set up to fail for a number of reasons but I don't want to go into any more detail here. You never know who is reading. I used to blog at lunchtime but now often work through lunches. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;">I am so far behind on my chores at home that I just see things to do wherever I look. The list lengthens and no matter how much I seem to do, it never seems to make a difference. Just keeping the house clean is a challenge. My garden is a mess. Weeds have more or less taken over. There are dead things in pots which saddens me as I haven't had time to do anything. I fear pygmy warriors may have taken up residence in the dense undergrowth, but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">they</span> too are on my list to evict.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;">Not everything is negative. I launched my photography portfolio website and have been working on improving my photography lately. I potentially have commissions to do a small wedding and a couple of family portraits. This is something I enjoy and this creative outlet can be a real sanity saver at times.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;">A blog friend commented that I had been lost to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Facebook</span>. Yes, I am active on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">FB</span>, but it is not the reason I am not here. It takes just a few moments a day to update my status and check in on others through the news feed. I actually find <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">FB</span> to be 'noisy' with no real intimacy. It's a platform where everyone seems to be transmitting but is essentially not emotionally <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">fulfilling like blogging</span>. Or perhaps that's just me. I miss my blog friends but just can't seem to make time to come here and do anything meaningful. I'm working on it. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;">Ironically, at the same time I have been toying the idea of discontinuing my blog. I am painfully aware I have not seemed to be a good blogger. My problem is threefold. At the moment my life is not running smoothly and I do not want to share these things here. They are negative and boring and there are people who visit here that I don't want to share my inner thoughts with, including a malicious person, which covers the second issue: I do not feel I can share here any more except trivial bits and that is not what I want to write about. The third issue is time and energy. I am toying with the idea of a new blog based more around my photography but with a lot of me thrown in as well. It addresses the issues and I can stay in touch with my blog friends and bring you with me. I'm just thinking at the moment. I'll keep y'all posted. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Thanks</span> for popping by. I <em><strong>really</strong></em> do <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">appreciate</span> it. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ffffcc;">I've just read this and it seems very negative - I was going to delete it but I it explains a few things. Believe me there are some good things too. Life is never black and white.</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-36302501592599447642010-06-01T08:10:00.008+00:002010-06-01T09:42:05.858+00:00Have you got a bear in your freezer?<object width="500" height="310"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ujIOpK6CA-Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ujIOpK6CA-Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="310"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Among the usual dross, trying to sell me things I don't want; trying to persuade me that their vision for my life is much more desirable that what I have and I could have it if I just bought their product; there are a series of adverts for a frozen food company that make me smile every time they air and they feature a slightly disturbing polar bear.</span><br /><br /><object width="500" height="310"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JeZeu8v7unM&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JeZeu8v7unM&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="310"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Things are fine here. Just very very busy at work and my spare time has mostly been split between chores and having a big clear out and tidy (I have too much junk) and working on wedding photos and compiling a </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >photobook</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > for the bride and groom as a gift. I'm very pleased with how it looks and can't wait to see the final printed version myself. </span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-82559828967508185672010-05-04T16:00:00.004+00:002010-05-04T16:59:45.373+00:00A year ago<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqzw3zFGAb9vQTAvg3fTgXdM98X3LrYUSG3dhqOpHIelnVixhyeaQn7hN5TMCMGPANSJz8Pgy8vFPK8li2Tr6oyGfn63EwImqZtTkss0WzdfpD9gwJRCHgDjGQDB2ie2vXnKa/s1600/Bob+Oct+07+009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqzw3zFGAb9vQTAvg3fTgXdM98X3LrYUSG3dhqOpHIelnVixhyeaQn7hN5TMCMGPANSJz8Pgy8vFPK8li2Tr6oyGfn63EwImqZtTkss0WzdfpD9gwJRCHgDjGQDB2ie2vXnKa/s400/Bob+Oct+07+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467447926753081490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 255, 255);font-size:85%;" >Bob - Beloved Cat and Companion</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">I can hardly believe it's been so long since I last posted. Things have been so hectic-busy-manic (one word will no longer so) that blogging took a back seat in order to retain some sanity. Of </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">course</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> I'm not constantly on the go, but since I was diagnosed as having hypothyroidism I seem to get tired much more quickly and it takes far longer to bounce back. That means sometimes I don't so much drop a ball, but put one down for a while. Just until I have the time and energy to juggle it again. It's self preservation really and it's been a long, hard lesson for me to learn because quite frankly I can't do the same things at the same rate that I used to before the operation. So what balls have I been juggling?</span><br /><br /><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><li>Work: The job I started in December has been more of a learning cliff to scale than a learning curve, but it's going well. Just last week I delivered a piece of work that is going to be adopted across the team and then other departments.<br /></li><li>Home: I have been trying for so long to get my home straight. There is so much to be done that it can be overwhelming but I am taking baby steps. This too, is a ball though that I sometimes have to put aside for a while as just keeping up with housework <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">can</span> be exhausting.<br /></li><li>Photography: I launched my new portfolio website nearly two weeks ago now and I'm really pleased with how it looks. I have toyed with posting about it here but I'm undecided as the website is the real me, not my online persona. If you would like to take a look, then email me and I will send you a link.<br /></li><li>Wedding: No, not mine. I also photographed a wedding this weekend just gone. It was a huge challenge but I enjoyed it. As with everything, the best laid plans went awry as the bride had hair problems and so my time taking photos with the bridesmaids getting ready completely went off the schedule. I ended up helping the bride dress and acted as a calming influence on her mother who was in a flat spin as things were running nearly an hour late with getting ready! My stage management training kicked in and as with all the best shows, it opened practically on time. The group photos were interesting as people wrangling is like cat herding but I received many compliments on keeping it fun and keeping the ball rolling. I was so tired afterwards that it took me over a day to recover. All in all I think I got some decent shots, despite the lack of time to capture any reportage ones. I am currently working on them in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Photoshop</span> so they will be ready when the happy couple return from their honeymoon.</li></ul><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">So, lots has been keeping me from here. It is also the anniversary of when my dear Bob left. I can hardly believe it's been a whole year and I still miss him. Just little things, like when I'm working at the computer, Bob always came to sit on the windowsill next to me. Sam and Max have started to do that too, but have a habit of trying to sit in front of the keyboard instead. We're working on it... </span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-83808156820518238122010-04-11T16:38:00.010+00:002010-04-11T17:11:42.503+00:00One Year Old!<div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk7u3wfK65Kx7aJZUW5wJrj_qRhgcup7aL0FbLBy1eLuoJoxuc_FuEzKMf_770Y6_RafCcxcxwOz9ui6zqT5cVhVzlkn60AUSVLQxd59D9n71rf2-7yhVJSVmTQIDuu9HVBtc/s1600/Pictures+-+0805209+-+sheep+geese+%26+kittens+064.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixk7u3wfK65Kx7aJZUW5wJrj_qRhgcup7aL0FbLBy1eLuoJoxuc_FuEzKMf_770Y6_RafCcxcxwOz9ui6zqT5cVhVzlkn60AUSVLQxd59D9n71rf2-7yhVJSVmTQIDuu9HVBtc/s400/Pictures+-+0805209+-+sheep+geese+%26+kittens+064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458924532380301298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);">Max and Sam - 4-5 weeks old</span><br /></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">This week saw my boys turn one year old! Of course, I wasn't able to bring them home with me until they were 12 weeks old and they were 5 weeks old before I met them for the first time. Back then they were tiny balls of fluff that could sit in the palm of my hand!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKb_wfJHD6_qA_F37KcBLqhBNPj6tCCuMjY4oh1rBS6Cb3T7J1HfmPWy93AekAEqW_I-EPFU6RuLD_ko-NpSO_vluO98rNH51b8TnISnxPEHL0vUBla-tMdHiX72XWHcU3q1dL/s1600/IMG_0340.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKb_wfJHD6_qA_F37KcBLqhBNPj6tCCuMjY4oh1rBS6Cb3T7J1HfmPWy93AekAEqW_I-EPFU6RuLD_ko-NpSO_vluO98rNH51b8TnISnxPEHL0vUBla-tMdHiX72XWHcU3q1dL/s400/IMG_0340.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458923416435306882" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-size:85%;" >Sam and Max - One year old</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">One year on and my boys have become big kitties! They have grown up so much and have become giant balls of fluff instead. Especially, Max who has become a big soft pudding of a cat with a mischievous streak a mile wide. He is also very stubborn at times but is a very loving soul too who loves his belly being rubbed.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtS4b7USRa4Yto993sqCb2TVd4xXcgeUO1XkIMN3OXv7jIGEOyBpWn2QaeGQaxmmRP0kDlLdEfOQ5E9PzHLO3TOiL7mfektqIlKTF0LdhN6vqHaMDKhji9xYVmRmbQGenztnjp/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtS4b7USRa4Yto993sqCb2TVd4xXcgeUO1XkIMN3OXv7jIGEOyBpWn2QaeGQaxmmRP0kDlLdEfOQ5E9PzHLO3TOiL7mfektqIlKTF0LdhN6vqHaMDKhji9xYVmRmbQGenztnjp/s400/IMG_0333.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458922636264150610" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);">Max</span><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Sam, on the other hand was quite a handful as a kitten. He was always the more timid of the two and could be quite naughty but has grown into a sweet boy. He is always the one who meets me by the door and will come running when he is called. He is also the brighter of the two and has leant quite a few tricks. His latest trick is to give me a high five when asked. He gets up on his back paws and smacks my open pal with his little paw. No, really he does!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6tlypcmkm59vjxZU4rN7OipJf-vIKFGOmXiOtOXKp-0_kp_83i01i_y2wDCDpueCr28B77rwxIblLqXtF12JIeyygfPHhzfNaERs5lf1-cHeYuGmrZWsygPb7BJkCLzWV1_d/s1600/IMG_0360.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv6tlypcmkm59vjxZU4rN7OipJf-vIKFGOmXiOtOXKp-0_kp_83i01i_y2wDCDpueCr28B77rwxIblLqXtF12JIeyygfPHhzfNaERs5lf1-cHeYuGmrZWsygPb7BJkCLzWV1_d/s400/IMG_0360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458921110635817346" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-size:85%;" >Sam</span><br /></div></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">They had recently been bought a new activity centre / scratching post and so they just had some treats and small toy mice on their birthday. The treats went down very well, with much licking of chops and the mice, well they were promptly lost under the sofa. All six of them. Happy birthday boys!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwBGc2zGhriXtPqmVfdWoy-JjY7s5ArBW1kfUzcKXDplMLn5m3D1arTJ79mIGagIwRo4RiwyJkr2aHzs2frORsyRa4PfuryBSEOFOjjfGsf9hyQsdk8wbDdI2Pps1xaMVVVlH/s1600/IMG_0372.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwBGc2zGhriXtPqmVfdWoy-JjY7s5ArBW1kfUzcKXDplMLn5m3D1arTJ79mIGagIwRo4RiwyJkr2aHzs2frORsyRa4PfuryBSEOFOjjfGsf9hyQsdk8wbDdI2Pps1xaMVVVlH/s400/IMG_0372.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458921922669535778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-size:85%;" >Max<br /></span></div>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-70228067113662772742010-04-01T17:10:00.004+00:002010-04-01T17:47:15.418+00:00Easter<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">It's that time of the year again. Spring is springing (though you'd never tell from the weather which is cold and wet!), the daffodils are blooming, new born lambs are shaking their tails in the fields and March has mysteriously vanished. Easter is finally upon us, in a frenzy of chocolate wrapped in gaudy coloured foil and thankfully, brings a few days off work. Christmas break seems so long ago...</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOLGZN8kDgaH7e-zWyt1BCq015JPrMZgkhK8Tsm5ZHAD8peU71BNjX3OMy7h-bg2Dn88oo_zA2wO_4INqtL2xl2hgzDbT9UF3hYtedRDtXy7dd4Q3hSd1d9dhFt82lHUeQRmJ/s1600/easterisland1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 385px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOLGZN8kDgaH7e-zWyt1BCq015JPrMZgkhK8Tsm5ZHAD8peU71BNjX3OMy7h-bg2Dn88oo_zA2wO_4INqtL2xl2hgzDbT9UF3hYtedRDtXy7dd4Q3hSd1d9dhFt82lHUeQRmJ/s400/easterisland1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455218003713162994" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">I am feeling much better now, tough still having trouble with my asthma after the last chest infection. Healing takes time and I am trying to be patient but I would so like to walk somewhere without breaking into a wheeze of a 80 year old that has smoked a packet of cigarettes a day since their teens. Work has been crazy busy, more so than usual, and I have delivered a couple of things that should benefit the whole area. I am just waiting for the Management Board to endorse one so fingers crossed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">In my personal life I have been working on a couple of projects. The first is a damn big clear out. So far, I have thrown a load of stuff out and the place looks worse than ever! I can only hope that there will be a place for everything when I'm done and I don't disappear under a pile of random detritus before I'm done. The cats are accounted for and are banned from the spare room and study for fear that they might get trapped under something. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxjW4EQJOpPPtmEXjRaHikO-JE9x_DQKEQ0CmQj9ZqBrOFVHntsTWa4tKOn5GowsBZtl-jR_sfu0o-3Hf_kBxrohlL4nvuyTR0L8lI96dV9CtRW_r1F9FhyphenhyphenMyuvAzwrv3-Qzq/s1600/horchow_hand_painted_easter_eggs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxjW4EQJOpPPtmEXjRaHikO-JE9x_DQKEQ0CmQj9ZqBrOFVHntsTWa4tKOn5GowsBZtl-jR_sfu0o-3Hf_kBxrohlL4nvuyTR0L8lI96dV9CtRW_r1F9FhyphenhyphenMyuvAzwrv3-Qzq/s400/horchow_hand_painted_easter_eggs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455217802596338610" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">I am also working on a website. My website. It's going to be a photographic portfolio of some of my work. I am not setting up a business as such but I have been asked to photograph a wedding and do a pet portrait and I thought it would be nice to </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">have</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"> somewhere to display my work </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">and</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"> see where this thing takes me. More information will follow soon. Lastly, I will be collecting a new member of my pet family tomorrow and I can't wait. It's a baby </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 51);" href="http://www.pet-care-portal.com/crested-gecko.html">Crested Gecko</a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);"> and these little chaps are so sweet. More news on him with pics soon. In the meantime, if you celebrate it, have a very Happy Easter.</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-53644248857631701462010-03-12T18:51:00.000+00:002010-03-15T22:14:08.718+00:00Bad Bobkat!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieA68EquMkxnvDBqbaZbLwFZXgBjd10wmOBCzGGQho7Uqya6uKqQM_zZRsKwTA8KNWmCWsUdWV4E-hQ9D2kOhS4TuzFx1-yyZaFzpI3p1w5obdH0o4tad7yqULCF7EJDoK-Mko/s1600-h/Bad_cat_hides_lolcat.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieA68EquMkxnvDBqbaZbLwFZXgBjd10wmOBCzGGQho7Uqya6uKqQM_zZRsKwTA8KNWmCWsUdWV4E-hQ9D2kOhS4TuzFx1-yyZaFzpI3p1w5obdH0o4tad7yqULCF7EJDoK-Mko/s320/Bad_cat_hides_lolcat.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448987093765910578" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The title refers to me of course but has a dual meaning. I have, of course been quite remiss lately. I haven't been blogging much and have failed to visit my lovely blog friends. It goes without saying that it is my loss. I am often in awe at the way </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >someones</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > blog can make me smile on a bad day or inspire me or just make me think. I miss these connections and yet there is always something demanding my time at the moment.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I have also been ill for a while. Anyone that knows me on </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >Facebook</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > will have seen some status updates hinting at various ailments but the truth is that I am run down. My immune system just seems to have lost the will to fight and lets every horrid little bug doing the rounds set up home. I am currently suffering from another chest infection, I have also had a cold that lasted and lasted and been generally run down which prompted blood tests. If this wasn't fun enough, had a migraine that lasted a whole week. That was not fun. I have also been pulling long days at the office which haven't helped but that work ain't gonna do it itself!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >So, I am bad. Remiss for neglecting my blog friends, who despite evidence to the contrary, I value greatly and poorly sick bad. It's getting me down.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >On a more positive note I am working (when I can summon the energy and the time) on a personal photographic project which I hope to share here soon(</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >ish</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >) and I have also been asked to photograph a wedding and do a dog portrait. Nothing is ever all bad eh? : )</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-39708642794645487492010-02-10T22:28:00.005+00:002010-03-02T09:02:08.210+00:00LuBling<span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The gods of </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >bling</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > have clearly been smiling on me as I recently got to select a piece from the </span><a style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 255, 255);" href="http://www.jewelryartdesigns.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LuShae</span> Jewelry</a><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;"> </span>collection and all I needed to do was tell you what I think of it. Now you might think that a freebie may colour my objectivity but I think that would be doing you, me and the seller a disservice. Thankfully, it's not an issue though as I can tell you that I am one happy bunny. I love the piece I chose and I found the whole experience of dealing with </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >LuShae</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > to be pleasant.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDT3q_lgfT76yFrx_nQr5bchpmKEhx0_SvJWGux4sgC7umbniJ2bthS9f9wzTZcOeYJ5psZ59O1Z1v1X210pnyCklWCxmz5PFBBZYGByYNqsZoeKP0AjdALPeawGl2lvdTuB5/s1600-h/IMG_0004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDT3q_lgfT76yFrx_nQr5bchpmKEhx0_SvJWGux4sgC7umbniJ2bthS9f9wzTZcOeYJ5psZ59O1Z1v1X210pnyCklWCxmz5PFBBZYGByYNqsZoeKP0AjdALPeawGl2lvdTuB5/s400/IMG_0004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436747674692236498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">White Gold Rhodium Bonded Wreath Pendant with Pave Ruby and Emerald CZ in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Silvertone</span></span><br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" >LuShae</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > offer a wide choice of lovely jewellery pieces, including rings, </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.jewelryartdesigns.com/jewelry-jad.asp?p=Earrings">earrings</a><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > and </span><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 255, 255); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.jewelryartdesigns.com/jewelry-jad.asp?p=Pendants">pendants</a><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >. The photographs here are of the piece I chose which is the wreath pendant. It wasn't easy choosing a piece as there were so many pendants to choose from that caught my eye. In the end I chose the wreath pendant as the simple circular design gave it a classic look, that although inspired by Christmas, made it a year round winner for me. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrXderNm-CWRaTIvswnlPOWiY0WxmUDGWeN8OYrPDBxNTrTtGuTv9SSMLHV1_YfBCk30RnjwF8HvtTvnuKh6gRc7qxxtJls09O8X3yq1ij4NM8Ob9q1ndrRDjk3tZQ_wyzUub/s1600-h/IMG_0018.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrXderNm-CWRaTIvswnlPOWiY0WxmUDGWeN8OYrPDBxNTrTtGuTv9SSMLHV1_YfBCk30RnjwF8HvtTvnuKh6gRc7qxxtJls09O8X3yq1ij4NM8Ob9q1ndrRDjk3tZQ_wyzUub/s400/IMG_0018.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436747212521293186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The photographs here are of the actual piece I received. Considering it had come from the other side of the planet, delivery was quite swift and it came well packaged and protected. The pendant came in a lovely blue and cream presentation box which pleased me as I hate it when a lovely piece of jewellery is presented in a cheap box. Luckily </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" >LuShae</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > don't cut corners here.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I was very pleased with the pendant itself and have been wearing it for a couple of weeks or so now and so far it has received many compliments. It lives up to the quality promised and quite frankly the only niggle I have is that the Emerald and Ruby CZ really doesn't show up as well as it does in the picture on the website which was a little disappointing. That said this is still a great piece and one I will be wearing for quite a while. It's nice when you can safely recommend a company based on quality service and product.</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-83370397190783103542010-01-31T12:45:00.004+00:002010-02-06T20:27:14.709+00:00Life in The Office<div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws_pNXn244-C2-mFnRVN3F5iHmmtUs0VjeAthwO2Ymg2hS8jogdybK76FLgYqkEuUwEuqwlBLuqAc7J7a0ZooOymqQh2tYWzdTdLzEt3qXyxXGo1QX1XD1D9_uFgWQmf3qEGm/s1600-h/david_brent_111.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiws_pNXn244-C2-mFnRVN3F5iHmmtUs0VjeAthwO2Ymg2hS8jogdybK76FLgYqkEuUwEuqwlBLuqAc7J7a0ZooOymqQh2tYWzdTdLzEt3qXyxXGo1QX1XD1D9_uFgWQmf3qEGm/s400/david_brent_111.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432884565735858978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">Ricky </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Gervais</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);"> as David Brent - The Office (UK)</span><br /></span></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I have been so busy </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >and</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > this is a trend that is likely to continue for the next 3-4 weeks. Oh, work has been busy and the chores at home never seem to end but that is not it. I recently passed the first stage of a lengthy and competitive promotion process. Stage one down, two more to go! The next stage is in 3-4 weeks or so (depending on the slot I am given) and takes the form of two written exercises based on work type scenarios. The final stage is in September and is an assessment centre with written exercises and role play situations. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >The whole process is very competitive with around 800 candidates all after around 170 promotion 'tickets'. These are a bit like Willy </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >Wonka's</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > golden tickets as they permit those that have them to apply for posts at the next level. So I suppose there is a further stage after the whole assessment process as you have to apply for posts and pass interview to get a post!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I am being very realistic about the whole thing. Very few people pass first time but on the whole I feel I am in a win-win situation. If I an unsuccessful at either of the next two stages then I am given feedback to help me address areas I am less strong in and I can always try again next time round. There are very few opportunities for such detailed feedback so I feel I even win if I lose in a way. It's not often that happens! </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Anyway, for now I am chuffed that I passed the first stage as quite a few people didn't. I had a small celebration at home with a bottle of Champagne (it is so important to celebrate the successes along the way). Wish me luck for stage two and please understand if my blogging is erratic. It's all a bit like preparing for exams!</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-29226110361006340762010-01-10T09:59:00.019+00:002010-01-10T16:45:40.132+00:00Snow Business<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrXd6KjQC2hvOZs-38v3svBlnb4XoznQiVVtP22yqRSOakW4JzHQel2yPD8gpQdlktCoxoh5Sx_ZWgcZP-DyGhD12CNRbqV0Pd_LBVg1QSE-3ffhk3k0BJfyLhoWeTYsp7gyb/s1600-h/_47061196_greatbritainjpg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrXd6KjQC2hvOZs-38v3svBlnb4XoznQiVVtP22yqRSOakW4JzHQel2yPD8gpQdlktCoxoh5Sx_ZWgcZP-DyGhD12CNRbqV0Pd_LBVg1QSE-3ffhk3k0BJfyLhoWeTYsp7gyb/s400/_47061196_greatbritainjpg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425102409940062706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 255, 255);">Frozen Britain taken by </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Nasa's</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(51, 255, 255);"> Terra satellite on 7 January 2010</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Snow is not a usual feature of Britain's winters. Sure, it can be found in the Highlands of Scotland and on the peaks in Wales and Northern England, and we have the occasional flurry which may hang around for a day or two, but nothing like this. This is snow that means business. It's several inches thick and it's here to stay at least for the time being. The big kid in me loves the snow even if it made it a little more inconvenient to go to work at first. What I can't stand is the perpetual whining from the majority of my fellow countrymen. I continually hear the chorus of 'Someone should do something about this'. Indeed, the Government should legislate against winter and ban the snow, except in areas where it is pretty and can be used to make snowmen, no?</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><br /></span><b style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><br /></b><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrF5BoFcJivjDom-qR8NRrqv6iuobtbkN8n8N0uPC12FVMB_9asGrLaHwI3FguPflfNjodQxSbZ4I4_ngmZ0Z3ddvGqqRNgng-iUfHadqw_X478dSzu1qz-pbu4abCAghBB9U/s1600-h/IMG_3526.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrF5BoFcJivjDom-qR8NRrqv6iuobtbkN8n8N0uPC12FVMB_9asGrLaHwI3FguPflfNjodQxSbZ4I4_ngmZ0Z3ddvGqqRNgng-iUfHadqw_X478dSzu1qz-pbu4abCAghBB9U/s400/IMG_3526.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425056327227017698" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tintern</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);"> in the snow</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">The shelves in many supermarkets have been stripped bare from panic buyers. There is no salt or kitty litter to be had as people are using to grit their paths, something they say, the council should be responsible for. The call for more cat litter and salt is putting additional demands on an already strained supply chain trying to cope with the panic buying of food. Hello?! Your home is your own responsibility and if we all go out there are cleared our drives and the path in front of our homes then these would be clear! This is all symptomatic of how the welfare state has enfeebled the country. Meanwhile, the same people whining about not being able to go to work are outside playing in the snow and building snowmen rather than going to work. If you travel a few miles to a hill to slide down it on a tea tray then you sure as hell can get to work. Not exactly the blitz spirit that our grandparents would recognise.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_rEcTys2eqcYD6w-3aYbHIJJQQTmMqS_-8Mab6pUW3emxtUIcDDKuwp8saJNukJDqlt3jCGqpro810823MoB6Wup-5alkrNKNAMiSOBzp7KDLflkZm-KBhZd-XNR8nhbZX-i/s1600-h/IMG_3549.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_rEcTys2eqcYD6w-3aYbHIJJQQTmMqS_-8Mab6pUW3emxtUIcDDKuwp8saJNukJDqlt3jCGqpro810823MoB6Wup-5alkrNKNAMiSOBzp7KDLflkZm-KBhZd-XNR8nhbZX-i/s400/IMG_3549.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425055650166534082" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Tintern</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);"> Abbey</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Having been in work all week, I took the weekend as an opportunity to go out and see the snow and get some </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">fresh</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> (and freezing) air. I ventured over to </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tintern</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> to photograph the Abbey in the snow. The clouds were threatening more snow, but the sun kept breaking through to reveal a blue sky and make the snow glisten.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjRWyd4dvKUbHll3ftW2F9YpeaWzWGpqR_KevNxZ1DnqitSqZ2d9hbKcdSmzoAMHtUEzvvKCwiZR0kHXgXlU3jPe0cIsjzs_7dY-Bt7g0HpR_0A091qu6YdK2cYwrphHTu8xV/s1600-h/IMG_3559.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjRWyd4dvKUbHll3ftW2F9YpeaWzWGpqR_KevNxZ1DnqitSqZ2d9hbKcdSmzoAMHtUEzvvKCwiZR0kHXgXlU3jPe0cIsjzs_7dY-Bt7g0HpR_0A091qu6YdK2cYwrphHTu8xV/s400/IMG_3559.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425054429174787698" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">After a while my hands were so cold that I needed to get warm. We decided to retire to a local hostelry to thaw out and for sustenance. The Anchor, was beautifully warm and cosy inside. I had the most delicious burger I have ever tasted and soon felt the feeling come back to my numb fingers and cold cheeks.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFCu9flijSmNqynxLCjOh8DjocmUlYrMKmfxpUiMobsy_cBE09EmYpcGHS0-DkENA57tiNkvNCeRCZgUVnsz8GUZQc7WprjUTpIxQd5jWNO4dyJeGQYeMtffptNYKrOi6aNQc/s1600-h/IMG_3529.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFCu9flijSmNqynxLCjOh8DjocmUlYrMKmfxpUiMobsy_cBE09EmYpcGHS0-DkENA57tiNkvNCeRCZgUVnsz8GUZQc7WprjUTpIxQd5jWNO4dyJeGQYeMtffptNYKrOi6aNQc/s400/IMG_3529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425053874479216626" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Tintern</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> is among the earliest of </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Cistercian</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> settlements in Wales and was founded in 1131 by monks sent directly from Normandy at the behest of Walter </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">fitz</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> Richard </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">de</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> Clare, the Earl of </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Chepstow</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">, on the banks of the river Wye. </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Tintern</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">, as with all monastic institutions, was suppressed by Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, between 1536/9. The nearby Anchor Inn was probably the abbey's </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">watergate</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> and a 13</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">th</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> century arch links it with the slipway.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmwwJDOd2RT4YnRCOPcIRSndVtIijVS1ahrDQl2UxcmADKueBYnp9ADPbs2zqOKMx82yiirJMUNgYbYeOYeRTnMnY_N7ChsunpCXWtvKuGFkw24mJeJmc60c9GPFbCxhZGl6Y/s1600-h/IMG_3544.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmwwJDOd2RT4YnRCOPcIRSndVtIijVS1ahrDQl2UxcmADKueBYnp9ADPbs2zqOKMx82yiirJMUNgYbYeOYeRTnMnY_N7ChsunpCXWtvKuGFkw24mJeJmc60c9GPFbCxhZGl6Y/s400/IMG_3544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425053360563725890" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">The Abbey is situated on the River Wye in </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Monmouthshire</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> and the ruins have inspired the Wordsworth poem "Lines Composed a Few Miles </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Above</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Tintern</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> Abbey" and </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Tennysons's</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> poem "Tears, Idle Tears" and more than one painting by Turner. It also featured in Prince of Thieves and in the video for Iron Maiden's "Can I Play With Madness".</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuueZBtYy3fzTGbsw6b08iZn8dPul4lzztwKdqgtV8uildAWOFn23W21Zhk8G8XKtoMXZ8XZQU3VwxA9pRLQJ2L0DJ1csvGoJRZGwzeswkGAk03Zj-Qh_iXLg0wmdOpMhyphenhyphenoqy/s1600-h/IMG_3551.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuueZBtYy3fzTGbsw6b08iZn8dPul4lzztwKdqgtV8uildAWOFn23W21Zhk8G8XKtoMXZ8XZQU3VwxA9pRLQJ2L0DJ1csvGoJRZGwzeswkGAk03Zj-Qh_iXLg0wmdOpMhyphenhyphenoqy/s400/IMG_3551.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425050080643955730" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);">Once we had warmed up,we ventured out again and walked along the river before heading back along the main road towards the Abbey again and the </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">warmth</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> of the car. It was cold, but beautiful and although we saw a few other stalwart souls, the place was quiet and still in the blanket of snow.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q_EQXHLY4w655jqLevur9xdMwUwn4Miue5f9ymCildJxuG6TUgSW-Ub4Ycc1TGNSpk-8IJu3SUcKHP80HvKWfLIOKDqmuQuAtAy8MxIEFmEbhNcc68SIIlj9pf5C7vtFA6rQ/s1600-h/IMG_3571.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Q_EQXHLY4w655jqLevur9xdMwUwn4Miue5f9ymCildJxuG6TUgSW-Ub4Ycc1TGNSpk-8IJu3SUcKHP80HvKWfLIOKDqmuQuAtAy8MxIEFmEbhNcc68SIIlj9pf5C7vtFA6rQ/s400/IMG_3571.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425049475972153234" border="0" /></a>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-69984848880779851082010-01-04T14:14:00.003+00:002010-01-04T15:25:32.703+00:00The Boys<a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQZlVlL7NlukGBwyVCt1aS6DTNRfyuCRDeP9EgdXCduAvwjBozn5UNn1qMl-N3FGvF1vpO7llZftlK615z1kK4K1gx4r-48REVfilRG8wkG36aN30k_DBWQzpR-DDnvFuMMsQ/s1600-h/P1010265.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQZlVlL7NlukGBwyVCt1aS6DTNRfyuCRDeP9EgdXCduAvwjBozn5UNn1qMl-N3FGvF1vpO7llZftlK615z1kK4K1gx4r-48REVfilRG8wkG36aN30k_DBWQzpR-DDnvFuMMsQ/s400/P1010265.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422899027282206434" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Max and Sam are now nine months old and as you can see from the photos, they have grown somewhat. When they are fully grown (they grow up to two years in age) they will be between 12-20lbs in weight so they still have some growing to do.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGibphz_WdqbFzCmEeLL2mRErfbkILalkt8qJaGZVBIMHwxHZuwk9e7DYJvq909HQsrTbr_gorD7fb8FIdM-8fEVuQA6g-yK3FMYFQZAL5wRu1jsLpNrmlDvVvS_lYLBywFHXY/s1600-h/P1010321.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGibphz_WdqbFzCmEeLL2mRErfbkILalkt8qJaGZVBIMHwxHZuwk9e7DYJvq909HQsrTbr_gorD7fb8FIdM-8fEVuQA6g-yK3FMYFQZAL5wRu1jsLpNrmlDvVvS_lYLBywFHXY/s400/P1010321.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422898639885458674" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102);">Sam</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The older they get, the more their personalities develop. Sammy is still the more reserved of the two, suspicious of visitors, sometimes moody and often tells me off when I stop him doing something or make him do something he doesn't want to. He is however, very sweet, loves his chin being tickled and the one more likely to keep a close eye on me. He loves being picked up for cuddles and nestles his head into my shoulder. When he plays with Max, he is the rougher of the too and when he plays with me he loves to jump in the air and catch things.<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdBspU85YVcV-9-TrnB3s-HsfF2wjOfiTAxPK2GOd-gDrxNM3EjtC3iHnhU5VSxD7vC4FgRcvh4IGLizatrMDrJkN4YSMfIZZXOL2-e4Hcizbj2p8t8IDXyfelwmZip5aJqyW/s1600-h/P1010320.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZdBspU85YVcV-9-TrnB3s-HsfF2wjOfiTAxPK2GOd-gDrxNM3EjtC3iHnhU5VSxD7vC4FgRcvh4IGLizatrMDrJkN4YSMfIZZXOL2-e4Hcizbj2p8t8IDXyfelwmZip5aJqyW/s400/P1010320.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422898342939131746" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 102);">Max</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">Max is the bigger of the pair and a </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lovable</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);"> rogue. He has a cheeky streak a mile wide and is a wide open book. He has the loudest purr and bestows it on me liberally. He loves having his tummy rubbed and likes to chase things across the ground. He will do anything for a treat </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">and </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">will shake paws, beg and sit on command (as will Sam) and also likes to give me 'kisses' which basically means I get a wet nose. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);">My boys are growing up, but they are growing into beautiful cats don't you think?</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-37479420762812438792009-12-31T16:54:00.004+00:002009-12-31T17:47:03.007+00:00Health, Wealth and Happiness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXZn_yQRTrSjj2Lu9dMyIOQht5nes-DiGeU5Wb1mE-ywyP-MCIMM-Q4bPTQR9JvmDvedbLNt96hlVAKUObpg_ACZjIMk55lNeS2QaYiKBllizbzpECsDlBtR_GattkQMn8fXq/s1600-h/happy_new_year.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXZn_yQRTrSjj2Lu9dMyIOQht5nes-DiGeU5Wb1mE-ywyP-MCIMM-Q4bPTQR9JvmDvedbLNt96hlVAKUObpg_ACZjIMk55lNeS2QaYiKBllizbzpECsDlBtR_GattkQMn8fXq/s400/happy_new_year.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421446225954885330" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Where did the year go? Did someone shorten it by several months when I wasn't looking? As ever time has whooshed by and here we are at the cusp of another new year and I wonder what this new one has in store for me. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >2009 sure has been one hell of a mixed bag (I've made some links in bold to relevant past posts). I started the year with surgery to remove my thyroid tumour which thankfully turned out to be benign. Over the course of the year the scar across my throat has faded so that it is barely noticeable which is a far cry from the <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 255, 255);" href="http://bobkatshouse.blogspot.com/2009/01/hector-has-left-building.html">Frankenstein-like staples</a> I was sporting for a week or so after surgery. Afterwards my poor half a thyroid couldn't cope very well and I spent the next six months in a kind of </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >torpor</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > with my main goal in life being to just stay awake. Lord knows how I made it through those following months (for all I know I probably hibernated) but now I can stay awake thanks to some little white tablets. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >In April I visited the wonderful and vibrant city of <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 255, 255);" href="http://bobkatshouse.blogspot.com/search/label/Barcelona">Barcelona </a>and met up with an old blog friend, <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 255, 255);" href="http://maremag.blogspot.com/">Mar,</a> who turned out to be as lovely and fabulous as her writing leads you to believe. Soon after I returned from this trip however, <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 255, 255);" href="http://bobkatshouse.blogspot.com/2009/05/to-bob.html">my dear old cat, Bob </a>became ill and died. I was bereft and miss him still. May also marked my graduation ceremony for my MBA, the culmination of five years study and I had a wonderful day. I also decided that something in my life was missing and went to meet a tiny young kitten called <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 255, 255);" href="http://bobkatshouse.blogspot.com/2009/05/kitten-love.html">Max </a>who sat in the palm of my hand and went to sleep. From that moment he was mine and later on I would decide to adopt his brother too. June saw me reach four decades. </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >Nuff</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > said.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Max and Sam came to live with me in July and have caused mischief and mayhem ever since. I cannot believe how tiny they used to be compared to the big fluffy kitties they have become. I will post some more pics of them soon. It was also around this time that I </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >started</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > to feel more myself again and I have been playing catch up on the year ever since, having a clear up and a clear out that was long overdue.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >In November I visited San Francisco (post with pics coming soon) and had a great time and then there was the rush to Christmas. Oh yeah, I was also made surplus in my old team and so had to find a new job and luckily did that in under a month. I'm still finding my feet but I think this post will be good for me. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Sure there was other stuff and hubbub but those were the highlights. I know that life is full of ups and downs and so I know 2010 will be filled with these, but I hope for less of a </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" >roller coaster</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);"> ride and more ups than downs for 2010. I wish the same for you and hope that the new year brings you health, wealth and happiness. Thank you for visiting me (all except my </span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" >malicious 'a</span><span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >nonymous' visitor) and for your continued support. </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 255, 255);font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:180%;" >Happy New Year!</span><br /></div>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-26994743706477128392009-12-20T21:35:00.010+00:002009-12-21T07:56:42.000+00:00Oh! Christmas Tree<a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 204, 153);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLFPezcjg2Vu_vX3NGgqMBsc_tKOv7aVBlbuLE_hCrBXMqI3dZOiogEpsRPI5ZvXNesidI652XMrwnw7HE2_rl2TJcVRjtTiLijdAsGK7CDxvw-Kx2y4A4tMm-4d1qVszR5bQ/s1600-h/P1010283.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvLFPezcjg2Vu_vX3NGgqMBsc_tKOv7aVBlbuLE_hCrBXMqI3dZOiogEpsRPI5ZvXNesidI652XMrwnw7HE2_rl2TJcVRjtTiLijdAsGK7CDxvw-Kx2y4A4tMm-4d1qVszR5bQ/s400/P1010283.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417449231023105810" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I always love Christmas and so always look forward to putting my tree up. I don't rush though and put it up as soon as December arrives.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > Part of the whole experience is the anticipation of Christmas, of looking forward to putting the tree up and decorating.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > It feels more special if it is up for a just three or so weeks</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >, and it comes down on the twelfth day of Christmas</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >. </span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 204, 153);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHconoS3ixrwxGuo8H42_hZ_DxjgZ0ocRoKIl-LEOySxhmH-yMruPmcn5k99Fe_wYsDhydcZg8rvQqLY0ImLqmUbv3dfV_1O_ECMCZAYcdBIXM3jnDddUJxtrfPIID0oYv8F_9/s1600-h/P1010278.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHconoS3ixrwxGuo8H42_hZ_DxjgZ0ocRoKIl-LEOySxhmH-yMruPmcn5k99Fe_wYsDhydcZg8rvQqLY0ImLqmUbv3dfV_1O_ECMCZAYcdBIXM3jnDddUJxtrfPIID0oYv8F_9/s400/P1010278.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417448765496209138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I decorate my tree with fruit </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >and</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > birds in hues of gold and red. I have ivy and berry garlands entwined around the tree and a white dove sits on top. Underneath I have a collection of little chaps who look like a bunch of carol singers.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 204, 153);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir718D0MQbvij_8V9-g_Tfe_JYq0ricouhxmudpW5zNrOTsYQFrz12LLCV2qSNVRi4uoNnXgZSzeoSnOIrFTEZa4CNVemA6vB-T87BzmGTEvlprKm9qkXGoM7ITR0Y2l9g6KG6/s1600-h/P1010299.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir718D0MQbvij_8V9-g_Tfe_JYq0ricouhxmudpW5zNrOTsYQFrz12LLCV2qSNVRi4uoNnXgZSzeoSnOIrFTEZa4CNVemA6vB-T87BzmGTEvlprKm9qkXGoM7ITR0Y2l9g6KG6/s400/P1010299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417448060145404562" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I love to sit and watch films, or use my laptop by the Christmas tree lights and some candles. It feels cosy which is just what is required with the freezing temperatures we've been experiencing here lately. I have watched quite a few Christmas films in the run up to Christmas including, </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >Scrooged</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >, White Christmas, Miracle on 34</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >th</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > Street (original B&W), Die Hard 1&2, Gremlins, While You Were Sleeping, The Holiday, Elf and Love Actually. Holiday Inn, A Christmas Carol (B&W) and Nightmare Before Christmas to go.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: trebuchet ms; color: rgb(255, 204, 153);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxcz5-npYdTSioa5dJgZfCyQ4S0s0FXz7wibri-JsN_69fL0300__UOu6Bo4-3LBYJMeJqPd03OGqGHblqIixbmQY2Jyw2_2Iee2JonT_pRwTc_yHxuhPrxbuT4FpCLXEpreZ/s1600-h/P1010288.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxcz5-npYdTSioa5dJgZfCyQ4S0s0FXz7wibri-JsN_69fL0300__UOu6Bo4-3LBYJMeJqPd03OGqGHblqIixbmQY2Jyw2_2Iee2JonT_pRwTc_yHxuhPrxbuT4FpCLXEpreZ/s400/P1010288.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417446800544897378" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >On a separate note, my new job is going really well, and after two weeks I'm starting to feel a little more comfortable even the learning curve is more like a learning climb! I'm being given extra responsibility </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" >already and</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > my boss seems to like my ideas. That has to be good. Other than that I am nearly ready for Christmas, just a few presents to wrap and the turkey to get along with a few other bits and pieces. The sprouts have been on since last week so they should be cooked in time, </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" >LoL</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 153);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMf_BJwafRF9-t_ShC9c1Mp7Tzz_lUp2Lsk-_cDF7BbbyBtxGnDLjyoxtakrJiQLojywpiZNxus0P_1slCd1bwCREPVwtN0sEjwSTYIkRSWLvVkgDeL-I7mN2yxql_k9Z1LY3/s1600-h/P1010280.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMf_BJwafRF9-t_ShC9c1Mp7Tzz_lUp2Lsk-_cDF7BbbyBtxGnDLjyoxtakrJiQLojywpiZNxus0P_1slCd1bwCREPVwtN0sEjwSTYIkRSWLvVkgDeL-I7mN2yxql_k9Z1LY3/s400/P1010280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417446138342280530" border="0" /></a>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26776821.post-50070509326144784212009-12-06T16:52:00.008+00:002009-12-06T17:17:32.940+00:00Place Holder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Vh_HFFrUwHH5ZXsIU9Al9rk5DULabeNv3bIXRCaHJjsMLL8BJMBcqQc2eQeRhVZz-o_X0br9ry4plmmTxkO-t5WFsn0qSQRkUi0b6alsDNRI49VP0inRSXea5JmJNTplkaK2/s1600-h/zompoc"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Vh_HFFrUwHH5ZXsIU9Al9rk5DULabeNv3bIXRCaHJjsMLL8BJMBcqQc2eQeRhVZz-o_X0br9ry4plmmTxkO-t5WFsn0qSQRkUi0b6alsDNRI49VP0inRSXea5JmJNTplkaK2/s400/zompoc" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412172144686380818" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Name: </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" >Bobkat</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Date of reservation: 6</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" >th</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > December 2009</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Location: In </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" >da</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > house.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Comments: This spot is reserved for a post on San Francisco.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Notes: I just cannot seem to find time to sit down and finish my post on San Francisco. I don't think Blogger wants me to post it either as it kept spitting my photos out. I will persevere though and so it is a post 'in progress'. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >So, what on earth have I been up to? Well, a number of things. I have finally got around to sorting my house out. My divorce was three years ago and my house has had piles of random "stuff" to sort out, rooms to furnish and generally a whole make-over and </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" >de</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >clutter was required. It is a big job and I am not finished yet but I am getting there. Every time I sort something out it makes me feel good; like I am getting on with my life and leaving the past where it should be - behind me. I have my parents coming for Christmas so there is a sense of urgency to get certain things done and prepare for Christmas. The tree will go up next week.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >I have also been helping my partner with his recently launched book. First I was taking photographs for the illustrations and then I helped with the editing and promotion. The book is called<a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zompoc-How-Survive-Zombie-Apocalypse/dp/1906512337/"> "</a></span><a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zompoc-How-Survive-Zombie-Apocalypse/dp/1906512337/"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" >Zompoc</span></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zompoc-How-Survive-Zombie-Apocalypse/dp/1906512337/">: How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse" </a>and is available on Amazon (.com and .co.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" >uk</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >). It's doing quite well and is being well received by zombie fans (there are more of them than you know!). </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Lastly, work has been more hectic than ever with the team short by two people. I then found out that my post was to be cut as well </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" >and</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-family:trebuchet ms;" > so I then had to find another job. I managed to find one elsewhere in the same organisation doing something completely different but it seems like it's a good move for my career. Fingers crossed. Isn't it funny how things work out? Anyway, I start tomorrow so wish me luck!</span>Bobkathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11842625953465490864noreply@blogger.com12