(Click for larger — you’re going to want larger…)

The second of my multimedia TMIs. Actually, it’s my third if you include the frozen-peas-down-boxer-shorts (though that might be pushing towards ‘dude… enough now, really.’)

As with last week, take it with a pinch of salt. But not too much salt… er, um… cough.

I believe there are other pictorial TMIs over on Lilu’s blog this week too, so be sure to check them out!

Long-haired lover

As always, I’ve been lumped with writing the description. I think she’s too busy combing her long hair, hugging trees and popping tabs of LSD — all at the same time.

This is obviously a homage to a very famous photo of a very famous couple. We’d like to state authoritatively that this is not a ‘moments after the arranged marriage went horribly wrong’ photo, despite what it may look like. Also, due to time constraints, I was unable to cultivate a beard as long or as messianic as John’s.

Abi, in a rare moment of lucidity, would like to add that the naked-Lennon-in-the-fetal-position photo was her preferred homage, but that Seb was ultimately a ‘boring old fart’ — so we had to settle for looking disillusioned under a duvet.

Still, it came out rather well, no?

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If you want some juicy Flickr comments, hit Abi’s or Seb’s stream.

The Uncomfortable Bedfellow & Footsie

Abi: Those of you who followed my 365 project will be no stranger to the “bed shot“. I basically took a bunch of photos like this, on my bed. Ludicrous narcissist I hear you cry? Actually no, the bed shots were an exercise in lighting, form and also self esteem. It was my aim to always improve upon the last picture in some way, in the hope that I would eventually be totally comfortable with myself. Perhaps 100% body confidence is a little way off for every woman (except Beyonce) and certainly I am not quite at my destination yet, but I chose this to be a part of my 52weeks project to show that practice can lead to improvement in all areas.

It is very easy to look at an image and assume the person depicted is comfortable with themselves, it is possible to make rash judgements about their motives. Every image is a mini struggle for me, particularly shots like this, but at the same time it is one tiny step nearer to feeling OK.

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Seb: Frickin’ beds. They’re all too small for me. Seriously: five-star hotel, you’d think they would have LONG beds… but no. True, the duvet felt like it was made from the skins of super-soft puppies, and the mattress itself was divine… but it’s hard to enjoy it when your feet hang off the end.

While I’m at it, most of this damn world is made for short people. Do you have any idea how hard it is to prepare food on a work surface that’s 6 inches too short? The kind of lower back pain that induces? Or how about shower heads that just don’t GO UP ENOUGH? Really, really clean nipples, but to wash my head I have to do the frickin’ limbo.

Then there’s cars… theatre seats (I simply don’t fit in old theatres)… girls — even girls aren’t made for men my size. Sucks to be me.

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Click either (or both) photos to find out what people think of our collective BED SHOTS.

Wake up, Seb & Let’s turn this megawatt beam of optimism up to 11

Seb: I’ve spent much of the last week feeling a bit down… which is odd, considering I’ve just come back from Norway. And the fact that I’m never… down. Perhaps it was the cold and harsh readjustment of sitting down in front of three computers, obligated to work. From slouching on a sofa and playing video games and eating crappy student food, I guess that’s quite a readjustment.

I don’t think it’s that, though. It’s something else. I’m bored. The fleeting pleasure of sitting in the British sun, reading a book, drinking coke, warming my skin… is fleeting. I don’t feel entirely comfortable in my own skin at the moment and I need to suss out why. I get the feeling I’m not very fun to be around at the moment — which is weird, because I think I was very well received in Norway… so it must’ve changed after I came home…

And of course, meanwhile, as I rest up, Abi is having the time of her life half way around the world in sun-drenched Australia. Damn her! My grand tour to Asia can not come quickly enough…

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Abi: I come to you this week 8 hours in the future! from the other timezone that is Western Australia. After a delay of about seven hours, taking in the delights (and humidity) of Singapore, I eventually landed in Perth and into the bosom of my family to a balmy 23(ish) degrees in contrast to the (not my words) BOILING 13 degrees my fellow Brits have been exalting.

The flight was long and not for the faint hearted, I do however love flying so this didnt phase me in the slightest. It gave me time to muse on how small the world is, how you can be somewhere in a day and how taking a step onto a plane is (give or take a few hours) really no different to any other step we might take.

I took this picture while in Singapore, the heat was unbelievable and the pool SO welcome after a long flight!

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Click either image for comments, notes, tags and MORE on Flickr!

Recuperate & Bay of Kotor

Abi: Ah! another 52 Weeks in which Abi and Sebastian are thrown off kilter because one of them is travelling. When I think about this project and all its similarities and contrasts, I am always amazed we managed to keep it going the way we do. Every Sunday, we upload our respective images in readiness for the following day, regardless of where we happen to be. It’s part of my week and it’s pretty weird to think it’s almost over. I think I’ll miss it.

I am not the best at convalescing. It’s not so much that I am unused to downtime, more that even during those periods of rest I am quite often occupied. When events force you back to bed and you are quite unable to stay awake it is pretty frustrating. All you can do is just lie there, re read as many novels as you can and watch crap TV until the whole sorry episode is over.

I’m not even kidding, whilst Seb is away taking spectacular photos I haven’t really ventured much further than this.

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Seb: It’s not hard to see why the Bay of Kotor (it’s a fjord really! or ’submerged river canyon’, apparently) is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The last week has been unrelentingly hot, with temperatures reaching over 40C and humidity stubbornly sitting at around 100%. Even at night it’s about 25C. To say that my stay here has been merely ’sticky’ would be a vast understatement.

Still, where there is tropical heat, there is ultimately a tropical storm — and that’s what you can see here. The rain front is on the right (the dark grey fog by the mountain), and about 30 seconds later the heavens opened and soaked both me and the camera.

But I got the shot!

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Click either photo to see a smaller version on Flickr!

For the last few months I’ve been trying to troubleshoot my sleeping problems. Looking through the archives, it seems I first reported trouble sleeping over a year ago — yikes! — and then a few months ago I alluded to some continuing issues. I think things have been improving, but I’ll be damned if I can attribute that to any one change! I’ve been exercising regularly (cycling for a few miles every day), and of course I’ve travelled quite a lot this year which has given my mind the SPACE it needs. It’s amazing: the moment I leave my room (which is usually only when I travel), my composure completely changes. I don’t think I’m particularly highly-strung at the worst of times, but when I travel I’m positively mellow.

So, anyway, the bedding! First I got a fancy 400-thread Egyptian cotton bed sheet and a nice protector to go under it. That didn’t help much (though it does feel really good to slide up and down against), so I got new pillows and covers. They helped a bit. Then earlier this week my newest (and most expensive, eep!) purchases arrived: a Hungarian goose down duvet, and a 400-thread Egyptian cotton duvet cover. Today I spent a few minutes re-making my bed — and as you can see from the creases, I am yet to lay on it! I’m looking forward to tonight, that’s for sure.

You’re all invited to come and try out my new bedding, incidentally! Come! There’s plenty of space.

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In other news, it looks like I’ll be in San Francisco in the middle of September. Microsoft is flying me out there for a software launch event! From what I can tell, official business will only last for a day, which means I should be able to spend a few days exploring San Francisco. Do any Angelenos want to come up and see me?! I doubt I’ll make it down to LA unless I can squeeze a whole week out of the trip.

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Photography-wise, I’m glad to say that my exhibition of photos from the Faroe Islands went well. I also sold a few photos from Norway! At last!

I updated my Montenegro gallery, so you can now buy those too. The gallery on this site is actually the most complete collection — Flickr is still missing a few, which I will update in the next few days.

I think that’s all for now…!