I was just thinking as I was sitting here in front of the computer, working away and importing every photo of mine I can lay my hands on how good it felt to be doing this to music. It seems over the past couple of days I have bought listening to music back to the fore of my core.

Huh? You say? Yes I always listen to music, you can’t help but not. It’s everywhere. But lately I’ve had the headphones on even when I’m inside and had the music going as I do dishes, work, eat dinner (Lucy was on a teleconference) and other times. And it seems to help me do whatever I am trying to do. Especially when I am working it seems that the best way for me to focus is to blast my ears with music.

Right now the playlist is “RXA” which is all songs marked either 4 or 5 stars on my iPod. Currently working on a wedding pitch I have tomorrow night. Getting a bit tired so my chuck a DVD on the MacBook and fall asleep to that.

This post has been bought to you by: “Say” (John Mayer), “Something’s Missing” (John Mayer) & “Are you going to be my girl?” (Jet)

Happy New Year.

I hope your 2008 is all you want it to be. For me it is going to involve a lot of changes. Changes I both want and need to make. Whatever you decide to do … do it to the best of your ability.

I’d like to take a minute to thank a few people for a few things.

Mum and David for providing a roof over my head and food in my stomach without asking for a cent in return.

Matthew for loving me just as mch as when his mother and I were together.

My family and friends for encouraging me to follow my photographic dreams.

Those who have trusted my abilities enough to have paid me to take photos of and for them.

I thnak the readers of my blog (and there are a LOT of you) for inspiring me to put my thoughts to paper so to speak.

Lastly but by no means Lucy for being who you are and for loving who I am although I know at times it goes against your wishes. You have made me a better man in the short time I have known you and I have never been happier. Your smile warms the heart and advice soothes the often turbulent paths of my life. Because of you I am striving to be a better person in 2008 and beyond. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to Matthew. He loves being around you and talks about you and Jake whenever you are not around. Thank you for feeding me and all the healthy eating and living advice. I assure you I am listening.

Have a great New Years Eve and make sure what ever you do you get home safley so we can all begin 2008 together.

I look forward to catching up with as many of you as I can as soon as possible.

Richard

135/365 – Christmas Day

Originally uploaded by RXAphotos

I awoke on Christmas morning and woke up Lucy to inform her that Santa had been and left us stockings. After prying both her eyes open we took a look at what the big jolly guy had left us.

I then drove to Matthew’s to watch him open his stocking and presents from his Mother and I (we decided after our separation that his Birthday and Xmas presents would still be from the both of us to avoid an air of competition).

Next it was back to Lucy’s to open the presents under the tree. My gifts from the lovely lady included a gorillapod and the Muppet show season 2 DVD.

After opening Jake’s stocking (he got a new collar and tag and lots of doggy treats) we took him for his morning walk.

It was then off to Mornington for a great day out with Lucy’s family.

Eventually we returned home and after walking Jake we crashed on the couch and watched about six episodes of the Muppets.

A most enjoyable Christmas.

• Borders gift voucher (there’s a couple of books I would like to get)
• JB Hi-fi gift voucher
• Officeworks voucher
• Ted’s camera gift voucher
• Comb binding machine
• Guillotine (at least A4 size)

That’s all that comes to mind except for the hideously expensive stuff which no-one I know can afford or would ever spend on me anyway.

In a recent post I said I was confused why some of my shots made it to explore on flickr.

Let me first state that I know how explore works … I wish it didn’t work that way but I know how quickly people comment and “favourite” your work has a bearing on what makes it.

I was merely stating that some of my images that are in explore, supposedly the top 500 photos of the day, should not be there as I don’t feel they are good enough.

That’s all I was saying. I wasn’t saying I’m better than all of you or that you all suck because we all know that in both cases that is not true. I was merely using my assigned space on the tubes to vent about how I feel my recent popularity on flickr is not always reflected in my work.

Let me also say that yes, I am trying to get into this photography thing full time. Please do NOT think for a minute that I think I am better than any of my friends or family at wielding a camera. If we line up all our photos together we all have very different styles. I am just fortunate that some people like my style enough to pay me to turn up and point a camera at them. And after paying me to do that some of them even like me enough to pay for the photos.

Take it from me, there is nothing more humbling then being able to charge a shooters fee that covers your time on the shoot but does not include any photographs or images. That’s the best compliment a client can give you.

Rant over. Go back to what you were doing.

Thanks Julian for telling me about this the other week.

• Chris has started his 365 Days project
• Mike has started his 365 Days project
• Justine has started her 365 photos project
• Trina has started her 365 photos project (today)
• David will be starting 365 days when he returns from England after three months even though he hasn’t left yet
• Timbo is thinking of taking a photo a day of his wife which personally I think is a brilliant idea

I’m so proud of them all.

Friday

• Organise army uniforms x 3
• Lunch with L
• Pick up drums from army
• Drop of some of Matthew’s clothes to ex at her workplace
• Drive to gig
• Set up drums
• Find open wireless network and past the time
• Played gig, ate lot, finished late drove home
• Got to sleep at 0200

Saturday

• Awake at 0500
• At bandroom by 0730
• Photographed regimental church service
• Photographed regimental parade
• Played and photographed at lunch
• Played and photographed at official dinner
• Fell into bed around 0200

Sunday

• Up at 0930
• Took dog for a walk
• Told L off for buying breakfast
• Went to 40th party and took a few photos (yes only a few)
• Went to Mum’s and nearly fell asleep on the couch with my head in L’s lap. Mmmmm comfortable couch sleeping
• Went to L’s and watched a DVD whilst having dinner
• Went to sleep

Quote of the weekend:

“I love our regiment … where else in the army could you say ‘What ever floats your boat sir’ to a colonel and get a way with it?” – Me.

Frustration of the weekend:

‘Birdland’ is not an appropriate tune to open a mess dinner with.

There you have it.

Who knows …

Originally uploaded by RXAphotos

After having spent the afternoon with the newly returned Miss L (and Jake … who is still so very cool), I hopped on a train to Melbourne to meet up with Scott (Scootie on flickr) for our annual get together.

Scott was my best man at my wedding back in 1999. We have seen each other about once per year (if that) since. Scott is responsible for getting me hooked on flickr many many many moons ago and is an awesome photographer.

We met near the Aquarium and did a bit of a southeast corner of the CBD mixed with a dash of South Docklands urban jaunt with a mandatory Krispy Kremes stop over for cold caffeine and glazed sugar refreshment.

On looking through the photos I am reminded that this urban shooting is not my ‘thing’ but as always I am ready and willing to give it a go. I find it difficult to see the shots that others such as Scott and Mike have no trouble with. It’s funny that my favorite shots all involve people somehow. I guess that’s what i do.

A heads up that my blog posting may be slightly spasmodic until Sunday as I have a million (ok maybe not a million, but at least 23) things I need to do before Sunday. Army (finding three separate uniforms), gigs with the Cucumbers, dinner with friends (not a have to, a want to), and I have to try and fit Matthew and Miss L into the weekend as well!