Out with the Old & Puddle of ink
Abi: I have to admit, the days immediately following New Year always make me laugh to myself. It never ceases to amuse me how suddenly, we are all expected to snap back into shape, like whippets after the festive season and then spend the rest of January feeling bad about it.
The New Year is also an opportunity to clear out, replace and take stock of the things that perhaps no longer feel right to us. Like Children, we outgrow our toys as our lives become busier and our worlds expand.
I saw this heap of bin bags outside the charity shop on my way into the city. By the looks of things, someone had had a damn good rummage through as they were all open like this when I found them. It made me a little sad to see that someone had so obviously outgrown the things that perhaps a year before had given them such joy only to be replaced by something better, newer, more expensive.
And if that is not a metaphor for life, I don’t know what is.
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Seb: You have to try and guess what it is!
So, a few days ago, on New Year’s Eve, it was a full moon. It was actually a blue moon — the second moon in a calendar month — AND… get this… there was also a partial lunar eclipse. If you’re a landscape photographer and itching to do more night-time photography, such conditions are more than enough to a photographer like me, er, aroused
… (if I didn’t think my sister could see this, I’d insert a whole paragraph about the physical excitement photography elicits in me) ..
But get this, the moon was TOO HIGH IN THE SKY. So it was basically impossible to do anything with. Bah.
This photo was taken about 3 minutes before Big Ben tolled in the new year. It’s more of a proof of concept than anything else. I took photos like this back at college, when I was 16. I want to do some more!
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Clicking either image will send you to Flickr, where comments, notes and tags abound.
Abi
Jan 4, 2010
Kracken Vom.
I said it… so professional.
Tina Mammoser
Jan 4, 2010
Abi, I’m with you on the sadness and overexpectations. But the sadness I can deal with because we get to look ahead, hoorah!
And that’s exciting. The overexpectations I deal with by just having resolutions – not *New Year* resolutions. Some of the healthiest things I’ve done were resolutions in a moment, because I saw something clearer. It’s never been at the start of a new calendar year. (which is good because my sit-ups resolution didn’t start until the 3rd, oops! haha)
Seb – I think it looks like the top of a cake or something? Weird. But that could be a house window in the reflection so makes me think a puddle on tarmac outside.
sebastian
Jan 4, 2010
Spot on, Tina. I’m tilting my head to try and see the cake, but I can’t… quite… make it out…
There was another version where the window is clearer, but it’s too bright, ruins the photo a bit.
Resolutions can definitely be made in just a moment. But hey, people like new beginnings…!
Tina Mammoser
Jan 4, 2010
If it were cake it would be a super-macro if that makes sense. Not that I know what the liquidy bit would be on top of a cake but nevermind.
(maybe a bit of melted chocolate sauce?)
sebastian
Jan 4, 2010
Hehe, I think I can see it! Just!
The gravel in the distance is actually my favourite bit, because it’s kind of… gravel AND bokeh at the same time, but it’s hard to see at this resolution.
Well, actually, I guess the delicious bit on the left side is my favourite… but SECOND favourite is the gravel in the distance.
Lorrie (Illusio)
Jan 4, 2010
I hate seeing toys thrown away, makes my heart ache. I still have that childish belief in the feelings of toys.
Abi
Jan 4, 2010
I totally get what you mean Tina! I for one see cake in all things.
And this reminds me of “Toy Story” Lorrie. So depressing and sad *hugs her Orville the duck close*
Abi
Jan 4, 2010
Not that Toy story is depressing or sad.. just the bit where the toys get thrown away or replaced.