i am pretty happy with my finnish horseshoe fortunes this year:
a fella on a horse
a dancing couple (confirming that my lindy hop infatuation is set to get stronger)
the third didn't photograph too well, but it was BIBLICAL! demons, creatures and strange figures that mean adventure in my eyes!

if you don't know the tradition it is well worth getting to know...
a real mix of magic, superstition and alchemy is the right start for new years eve, or anytime in the early new year.
i made a feeble google search and no great descriptions seem to be forthcoming. will have to document the process properly next year.

but a wee breakdown for you...

specially bought tin horseshoes (i stock up every year at the finnish christmas fair)
are melted one at a time over a fire in a pan.
once it has melted and looks like mercury you quickly pour it into a large pot of cold water.
it cools immediately so you can take it out with you hands straight away.
then you turn the lights off and hold it in front of a candle by a wall.
the rest is up to your imagination..

THE O'SULLIVAN SISTERS

it has now become tradition for riona and i to snap a shot for christmas,
here is one of the more serene stills!

PECULIAR

some work in progress to bridge the posting gap.
i had some fun on the stairwell with spray paint and stencils, have not used it since college - strong stuff that gets everywhere! well it did with this incompetent user. hehe!

the film is quite colourful so they will eventually be tinted accordingly..

PIE OF THE DAY

i was an oxford day tripper today!
visiting my lovely old housemate serena and her husband marco, who have recently been lured back to this island kingdom.
picture of the day for me was the pie of the day
it was a serious pie!
i actually only took one other picture and it did not do oxford justice, perhaps some days are meant to be remembered not recorded...

stewie and gene

the balboa was impressive dear anne,
but i watched family guy last night, and this has touched my heart!

ODE to OBAMA

democracy is delightful, Nov 4th made History!
and i made these posters for that film.

BOO! a happy halloween...

ODE

My second go at film titles!
I have my eye on an 'aftereffects and title animation' course that starts in January. Alas my attempt as self learning the moving image trade just aint gonna cut the mustard!

ON MY WALLS

anne has tagged me for 'on my walls'
i think i have been and bad blogger and she is giving me an easy way back in!

so... the first pic...
shows a bit of my pin board which includes lots of wires, postcards, a rob ryan invite and one of my favorite photos of my grandmother giving me a piggy back many moons ago.

the second...
has a conviniently cropped photograph that shows my nice and huge, danish plate (that has a rather large chunk missing ) saved from the bin at alfies antiques. also my 'piquot' tea and coffee pot collection. I got these from a car boot super cheap, but they have led me to spot the most gorgeous 'kettle' that brand new sells for £180.00 but again at alfies a vintage one sells for about £100, but i think i will keep my eyes peeled at the fairs for the 'next to nothing' priced ones.

i will be updating on a project i am working on imminently!

Bagnoles De L'Orne

2 dogs and 2 cats at this house of Scots
as you can see from the storm clouds and sunshine it was pretty much London weather, ie. schizo.













sweet bonny using emotional blackmail to aquire some extra eats (no begging allowed however!)

























tourist information sent us an hour's walk in the wrong direction when we asked for the horse racing.
they sent us to a riding school with a very nice parrot.













we did get to the races however - everyone attends..
























































Bagnoles De L'Orne is basically a Disneyland for retired folk, but we did venture out at night to amusements other than eating and eating some more. Friday was a national holiday and along with a serious fireworks display was great live music from these boys.














paris
rendez-vous with paul
we pass some nice curtains, the plaques on the side say estate agents, but i reckon that ain't quite right!

visit to his small but perfectly formed appartment.
he had already put the bowie card up i gave him for his birthday :)