Space Age Cuts.

So it seems that the astronauts of tomorrow, will not now be landing on either side of the Moon by 2020. Influenced no doubt, by the present economic climate that's landed the U.S. economy in quicksand, President Obama has decided to pull the rug from under NASA, shattering the dreams of potential astronauts, scientists and engineers alike.

It may be the right move, and I'm sure the man's heart is in the right place, his priority being health and welfare. But I can't help thinking, that by shutting the proposed new 'moon' programme down, he's denied at the stroke of a pen, the excitement for millions of people around the globe, that akin to what I felt forty-one years ago, when the fuzzy but breathtaking images came through of Neil Armstrong taking his 'one small step'

I can never remember a time before or since, when the world as a whole, put aside its differences, and for a moment, became united by such a great event, and event that is of peace.

Snow Cover

Once again the United Kingdom has been defeated by an ancient enemy, a single act of natural terrorism instigated and delivered by Mother nature, SNOW.Here in the great Midlands town of Leicester, it hasn't been too bad, with buses still running, and schools still open to the annoyance no doubt, of thousands of pupils who had to attend lessons, rather than go snow-boarding down the nearest hillside or incline.
For me personally, all I've had to put up with is mild backache, due to the walking patten of small, slow steps to avoid slipping or sliding in the early morning hard frost. Of course this continuing white blanket under which thousands have been encased, sometimes for days on end, has thrown up the old arguments of 'not enough' road gritting or preparations. But then it wouldn't be Britain if we didn't have a good moan.
I think we should make the best of it, get outdoors and build the biggest snowman (sorry 'snow person'), we can while we are still at sub-zero temperatures. That's have a little fun, after all it's only 349 days to Christmas.

2009 Looking Back

I write this blog at 5.14am, on Saturday, January 1, 2010. I'm using my wife's laptop in the spare room, as my garage/study is bloody freezing, and I am 'racked' with a bad cough, that's laid me low for several days. Woe is me, but hey it's a new year, with new ideas, and many resolutions to break. So what kind of year have I had?. Like most people's I guess, mixed, some good, some bad, some memorable, some forgetful.....'times' I mean.
I haven't made the breakthrough in writing that I wanted, but the flip side is that I've finished my fourteen thousand word plus short story, so for the first few months of this year, I will be polishing its content, before I self publish, and sell it from this blog. And that will set my course for 2010, more writing, more history projects, anything that appeals, without the demon of pressure. My wife and I woke up to glorious sun shire on the edge of the county of Rutland (U.K.), and after a hearty breakfast at the excellent 'Little Chef', we headed for such places as Stoke Dry and Eyebrook Reservoir, before heading home to a host of new year goodwill in the form of phone messages and e-mails. One thing is puzzling me, now that we have flown the 'Noughties' to we say 'Two thousand and ten, or simply 'Twenty-Ten'. ??? The debate rages

Cloudburst

As we tread from day to day through the monotony and humdrum of our daily lives, dodging traffic, suffering the rudeness of counter hands etc., it's easy to forget the absolute beauty of nature which is there for us all to enjoy and marvel at. A couple of days ago, I made an image of this cloud formation, during early afternoon in Leicester, close to Junction twenty-one of the M1.
OK so I spruced it up a little in Photo shop, but the shape of the cloud, billowing out into a winter sky is (I hope you agree) stunning. maybe if all made an effort to appreciate the interplay of nature's light and dark shows, it would help us de-stress in the run up to yet another over-priced and over hyped Christmas. There is genuine beauty all around us, we just have to start looking.

Walking Back To Happiness

Was it Helen Shapiro who sang the title of this blog???? who knows, but very apt for me right now. I've been walking the 4.1 miles into work, most (not all) mornings into work for the last four weeks. man, do I feel better, given the fact that some wire has come adrift in my head, and more often than not these days, a little confusion takes hold here and there, the early morning exercise I feel is having huge beneficial effects on the grey matter.

Of course, there is a chance that I'm no better, and all that's taking place is weight loss, and the fact that I can squeeze back into those rotting denims, is producing feelings loaded with a 'happiness' narcotic. But who bloody cares, today has been good day, and tomorrow I'll be pounding the pavement (sidewalk) for readers stateside.

R.I.P my beautiful Apple friend

In thirty years of shooting images, I've used many different cameras, from home made pinhole devices, to expensive Nikon, Olympus and Canon machines, and large format sheet film contraptions.Having used all this cornucopia hardware, my favourite device of all my photographic career has been the Apple IPhone, and it is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my trusty little friend last Sunday, as she slipped from my clumsy hands onto a hard, conservatory floor.
A total 'goner', it would cost far too much to repair, but man, has she been a good companion. In the two years Ive had my silver machine, we have travelled all over from the north of England, down through Norfolk and Devon, via London and to Rhodes and back, no problems, great results with ease and comfort. Will she ever be replaced with another model?, maybe not for now, a period of mourning is in process. R.I.P my little friend, gone but never forgotten.
Above are two examples of a recent photo-shoot in Brighton, UK both made with the IPhone.

Hey Council, leave our history alone.

Back in the 1960's, it's fair to say that the city planners ripped the guts out of Leicester City Centre, but happily nearly all of those detestable tower blocks have been reduced to rubble. Not that what's replaced it is any better, but that's another story. Of late, much has been made of the High cross Centre, a vast, shiney, temple of consumerism, which has attracted by now i would expect millions of shoppers and the curious at heart.
Sorry to say it does absolutely nothing for me, soulless and sour,and just like the tower blocks, when the interest wains, it will be gutted and re-hashed for the next generation of consumers. My interest is anchored elsewhere, and in the picture above re three fine examples of pre-world-war two architecture. The Collegiate School,Top Hat Terrace and the Central Library, all stunning in their own way,and all built to last.
We've lost enough of our heritage to successive councils, most of which have had little concern about our local history. This destruction has to stop. Hands Off!.