365 to 42

That's about the only place I don’t read, those of you that know me will be well aware that I’m always reading, too much according to Carolyn. Books like music and photos are the foundation of my life, but unlike the other two I think I could not live without books. A good book can take me to a place or time, without me leaving the house, a very attractive proposition when you are as lazy as me. I read a wide range of books, a small list can be seen at the side of the blog, the best books can become like old friends, I revisit them when I am down and need a lift. Why is it that when you come across a photographer in a book they normally turn out to be a bad guy? On Bloggers today the blog of note(wish mine could make that list) is peoplereading.blogspot.com . See its not just me Today’s snap a goose taking off on our local canal, and telling everybody in the process. ---------------- Now playing: Duffy - Mercy via FoxyTunes

As I get older my to do list gets longer( not the one Carolyn gives me as she goes out), the “things I want to do and places I want to see” list. So I thought that I would let you in on one of them. Antarctica , I have always wanted to go, I know its cold and dark for ½ the year, but it looks fantastic. It’s one of the last unspoilt landscapes on earth and as a walker and photographer a place I would love to capturer. To give you a feel for the place here are 3 blogs from the end of the earth. cristinamillan.blog.com an online diary of an antarctic muppet helen-in-antarctica.blogspot Today’s image is of a survey mark on a stone post down by the canal. ---------------- Now playing: Placebo - Nancy Boy via FoxyTunes

Music, I love it. While I’m on the PC writing the blog or editing pictures, I have it playing in the back ground. It is the sound track to your life; everyone has songs that mean more than just words and a tune. I’ve put one of mine on the blog, too nice to talk to, by the Beat(the English beat for those of you in the states). Reminds me of every girl I fancied in school, but never managed to speak to. Music like pictures can link you to a time, put you there like nothing else can. Sweet child of mine takes me to that warm safe place. Susan Vega, Iron Maiden, Blondie, and the Eurythmics all are keys to other times. Any special ones for you? The image today is another Duo tone, a local river flowing over concrete steps with a log catching the full force of the water. ---------------- Now playing: Eurythmics - Would I Lie To You? via FoxyTunes

Taking photos is like taking drugs, at lest for me it is. No matter how much I try to stop I end up grabbing a camera and shooting something. That said shooting for this has been a problem, although I take lots of picture, they are of a very few different subjects. Part of the reason to do this was to stretch me creatively. So today I got creative, and hungry. While surfing to day I came across this a nice dog story, Staff Sergeant Iron of the US Army in Iraq has a very important job. He is the first to check out if a building has been booby-trapped. Trust me it’s a dog story, read the ode at the bottom of the article. Did a bit of work on my web site, btraffordphotos. If you have some spare time check it out. The link is at the top of the blog ---------------- Now playing: The Wannadies - You & Me Song via FoxyTunes

When I started this I thought that it would be just about the pictures, but with so much space to write thing I seem to spend a lot of time trying to find interesting things to write about. Todays picture is a bit dreamy and I came across this on Lifehacker that fits the mood very well. How to lucid dream , the most basic definition of lucid dreaming defines it as "being aware you are dreaming while dreaming." This covers techniques in dreaming, but read the whole thing some of the side effects seem a bit much. The picture was taken today at Consell nr Leek, it a colour shot that has been turn into a black and white, then it has been tinted. I have play around with this technique before and love the effect. ---------------- Now playing: Nirvana - Polly via FoxyTunes

Today is Oscar day, and in keeping with the event I would just like to thank a few people. My mum, without whom I would just not be here, thanks mum. Heather and Andy, for the fantastic birthday present, I will share it with Caz, she loved it too. Sue, Sofa, Heather and Scott for the books, just what I wanted. Sandra, Sam and Trevor, again just what I needed as you know. Also thanks for the wonderful weekend and the meal out, I’m still stuffed! And finally Caz and Kep for letting me have time off from the house work to type this up. Good luck to all the Brits up for an Oscar tonight, Julie Christie, Cate Blanchett, Daniel Day-Lewis and the films Atonement and Peter & the Wolf. The picture show what good weather we had for our walk today.

Friendship is a term used to denote co-operative and supportive behavior between two or more humans. So said Wikipedia, to me its about people you want to spend time with. To have friend’s is one of most important aspect your life, and you only notice that fact when you need them most and have not got any. Today’s picture is of some of my friend, just about to start over the great ridge, a very good day.