Merry Christmas

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.

Christmas dove... is watching you!

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).


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.


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.


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.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Advent

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 chocolatey treat.

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.

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.

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 : )

Sad news

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 FB will know I find 5 mins 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.

Energy has been an issue lately too and right now I am waiting for the results 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.


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.

Alfie

Alfie

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'!"

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.

Got Gold!

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!

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.