Well I am doing quite well with just putting some pictures here occasionally. It is quite easy, but helpful. I am near the internet more often again, mainly at a different house, and I feel at home blogging.


I am thinking a lot about pictures at the moment. I do at the best and the worst of times, but this is slightly different, because right now I don't have a job. OK, so I do go out each morning and sit in an office. But rather than an actual job, it is nothing but a way of earning some money, or trying to pay bills as I mainly think of it. Not great then, not how I want to continue for a minute further than is absolutely necessary and more to the point, not how I intend to live anymore. Whether here,


or here.


Indeed anywhere really.

I want to take pictures. I need to not just find a new job, but turn around how I combine working and living. Because to tell the truth, I have never felt more satisfied than when unemployed of late - hey, are they the times when I get to do what I want?... - and there is something not quite right with that. Have I put my finger on something? I have had time to think, time to use a camera, time with loved ones. There are a lot of dark colours and deep shadows in these photographs. But I think it is a just reflection of the season, of things that have to be worked through. Spring is almost within reach.

And Tobias likes the idea. So long as I don't stop getting up on time to get his cat-breakfast.

Tobias would like to congratulate his cat friends on their off-season hunting prowess. He however is plotting with bigger prey on his mind...

It is not true. The world is far from being a small place. It may not matter whether friends, family, close ones are an hour down the road or in a different country because we can jump in the car, get on a plane, pick up a phone or write or read a blog post. But none of that is like spending real time with them. Time to just sit and drink coffee before a day starts properly. Time that doesn't have to be measured, time to do stuff in a day as the fancy takes and there is always tomorrow if it doesn't all fit. Time that includes long evenings and mornings and then more. And when there is time like that to find a bar and sip a beer or just drive a bit further up the valley, as far as a ruined abbey or a signposted cave, it can be the best time in the world.


It was so good to spend a bit of time like that with my brother for the first week in January. We struggle to stay in touch, busy lives, different countries and suchlike. Equally we both had a hard time last year. But now is time to be different and I hope he feels as optimistic as I do about this year.


February and I think that I should really be in gear for 2007. So here is to more contact... I know you called last night and I will try and get you at home tomorrow. I hope to see you over here before too long Murray too, come and see Hull. I'll check to see when Fonda 500 are playing.

This is where I was at the start of the month, happy days, clearer air. I have a clearer head too, full of plans and excitement for 2007. And this is a promise to return to relatively regular blogging. Soonish then, when I spend more time near an internet connection. There is plenty to tell, pictures to share. I am looking forward to it.