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.

Today has been a LONG day of delays and excitement.

1. My train into the city was delayed 45 minutes due to signals being struck by lightning … so one tram and a taxi later I managed to make it on time to my lunch appointment.

2. Had lunch and saw lots of colleagues from my old job. It was great catching up with them all.

3. Realising I left my home keys INSIDE my home, I decided to go to Southland to start (yes start) my Xmas shopping. I was there when it all went dark for a second and the heavens opened. The rain was precipitating down outside and INSIDE several stores. Like the caring citizen I am I instantly retrieved the camera from the backpack and started shooting like mad until I overheard a security guard who had been looking at me say into his walkie talkie “Green shirt, big camera” It was at that point I deftly extracted the memory card from my camera, shoved it in my pocket and inserted a new card and left the centre.

Fun day so far.

This was my first hangover in fifteen years and it was nasty.

The sunglasses were necessary as even with the blinds closed, the morning light was rather harsh and determined to encourage the tom tom solo in my brain.

After recovering we did some gardening before Lucy went to work for an hour or so. I did some shopping for the picnic at the park we were attending and also picked up a copy of “The truth about Cats & Dogs” a soppy film I have always liked but like even more now that I have discovered that Brian (the photographer) shoots with Canon cameras.

We spent a very pleasant evening at the local park listening to a big band play Christmas carols and classic swing numbers like Mac the Knife (stop singing David). I had the camera with me to take my 365 day portrait and Lucy had fun taking more of her own shots. There’s not much more hotter than a girl wielding a big camera with an L series lens attached.

After taking a walk down the beach we came home and watched the DVD.

So apart from the slow start to the day it was another great weekend.

Matthew and I went to see Lucy and Jake. We went to the beach for a walk and grabbed some breakfast at the Chelsea beach kiosk (once we found it). After this we went to the Christmas Kingdom to augment Lucy’s Christmas decorations.

After having our photo taken with Santa, we piled back in the car and went to put up the Christmas tree. All three us us helping in our special way. Matthew entertained Jake, Lucy put up the decorations and I took photos of them both.

After taking Matthew back to his mother, Lucy and I went and did some clothes shopping (for me) and stocking up of the cupboard (Lucy) before heading home and doing very little on the hammock.

After taking Jake for his afternoon walk we were picked up by friends and taken to a great little cocktail party (an annual event). The drinks were varied and plentiful … this was both a good thing and a bad thing.

Luckily I knew I had history on my side. I have not had a hangover in over fifteen years, so I knew I’d pull up fine.

Three shoots for two clients (first one blogged about here), BBQ with Lucy’s dive club, 80th birthday for my Nana and a couple of walks with Jake make Richard a tired boy.

Just realised I haven’t downloaded all the photos from the weekend off the camera yet.

My new lens worked a treat. I rarely had it off the camera all weekend.

Must go … sleepy.

I’ll try to be more prolific in future.

I’m off to an army gig today at a local RSL so the travel time will be good.

Yay.

88/365 – I can’t dance

Originally uploaded by RXAphotos

“This photo was created for two very special reasons.

1. To make Lucy smile. She’s a bit stressed out with her workload at the minute and is a tad frazzled. Hopefully this photo of ‘your dag’ dancing very badly will make you laugh and smile, even if just for a minute.

2. It’s also a Happy Birthday dance for Rosie! Happy Birthday!”

A text message plus a phone call later confirmed that my photo did indeed make Lucy smile and laugh … and a message early this morning told me that lot’s of people liked it as it made Flickr’s “explore”.

Another ridiculous day coming up which makes me wonder why my brain won’t let my body sleep past seven am. I’m playing in Queenscliff tonight for a military ball scheduled to finish at one am.

After which I’m driving home. Expecting to hit bed by about three thirty.

I could have written it at 06.05 but my brain wasn’t up to being creative.

Lucy is spending the day in Brisbane for work today so she had to be at the airport for an early flight. Being the caring sharing partner I am I happily got up when the alarm went off at 0500 and left when she did.

Poor thing looked rather tired this morning.

Last night was the dress rehearsal for the Murder Mystery she is taking part in over the next three Fridays. Funny show with a lot of improv ability required by the cast. I took the cast photos for the foyer and will be taking photos of the show next week.

Hope you all have a great day … I’m thinking of going back to bed. I have a army rehearsal tonight but not until seven.

So now I am experiencing a different kind of tired. I call it Matthew tired. My day has consisted of 746 requests most starting with “Mum! … I mean Dad!”.

I took him to see Surf’s Up today. Not a bad flick.

To those who have asked … Lucy’s dive trip is going well. I spoke to her Saturday night and she is having a great time. I’m looking forward to seeing her tomorrow night.