formspring...

More like form-rubbish.

I have given formspring a fairly decent trial run and in the end I have decided that it really is rubbish. Either that or I am so completely uninteresting that no one wants to know anything.....hmph!! Which, thinking about it, kind of makes sense considering I have had only four people respond to my request of the previous post of ' who actually reads my blog '

Thank you: Marc Hebron, Marc Warren, Richard Wisbey and Dale Spooner.

Anyway...no more formspring.

You want to ask me something....send me a fucking email!!

On a more positive note, my friend Cammeron introduced me to a site called Get Totally Rad. They sell and provide really cool actions for photoshop. For those that don't know what I am talking about, an action is a kind of short cut to special effects and photograph editing techniques without all the hassle. From there I discovered CoffeeShop. Now this site is much better as all the actions, textures and tutorials are FREE! that's right people. So any of you four readers that use photoshop, go check it out and download yourself some cool actions.

Here is a before and after shot of a photograph I "actioned" as an example. It's very subtle but it can make a big difference to your photography.

is there anybody out there...

I have wondered on many occasions just how far and wide this blog gets and whether people actually take the time to read about my life. I often wonder if people are actually that interested to know what is going on in the world of Ian Norris.

I know my friends are always checking in, but only when prompted on Facebook I'm sure.

So here is the test. The 'let us see if anyone actually reads this blog' challenge.

If you visit my page and read my words, don't be shy and leave a comment. Or at the very least leave me a note on my formspring that I can respond to.

Why am I questioning it? Well, I also run a Tumblr and as does my girl and she has been using hers more often for blogging rather than just posting nice pictures. I am thinking " is it really worth having two blogs "

So lets find out shall we....

On another note, here is a photo of the wonderful woman I am lucky enough to call LOVE...

(canon 500n - 35mm black and white film) by me

opening up...

I have been interested in a concept that is used very often on Tumblr called Formspring. It is basically an online Q&A where people can log into your formspring page, leave a question for you, on any subject and you can reply to those people that have taken the time to ask you something.

It is an interesting concept which I have taken on board and I am very interested to see where it will lead and what kind of questions people will ask.

You see, it is open to literally anything so, my lovely readers, go ahead, click here and ask me something...but please, do not be shy and try not to ask anything anonymously.

I will give you answers to your burning questions....(what have I let myself in for)

stir crazy...

So I have been going a little stir crazy these last few days, which, caused me to have a bad day on Tuesday.

Truth is, I am missing my daughter, family and friends. I knew the transition would be difficult and I knew what I was giving up to be here with my girl. I just thought it would be.....easier.
Deanna and I had a great chat last night about all kinds of stuff and we have cleared up a few minor but major things in the process.

She spoke to her friend Erin for some advice yesterday, before we sat down, and her friend told her " that man needs a hobby, he has way too much time to think " and she is SO right. I am just not used to sitting around not doing much.

However there is light at the end of the tunnel! On Monday we are heading out to the local gym, which is only a few blocks away, to get me signed up, hopefully. Then I will be able to get out of the house for a few hours a day, meet and talk to new people, which to be honest, is probably all I need. Oh, and some good old hard training, which I am very much missing at the moment.

I did however do a little photography yesterday, I am not sure what my thought process was behind the image but I have come to realise that it was somewhat a reflection of my mood.

Any of you that are my facebook friends will have seen this already, those that are not...hope you like it.

boxing day...

How many of you actually know why, in England, we have a Boxing Day?

Today I met and went to lunch with the boys grandparents, from his dad's side.

We were having a discussion about Christmas traditions and I was asked what the meaning of Boxing Day was. I was completely stumped as I had no idea why we have Boxing Day or what the origins of it are.

So naturally, when I got home I investigated and this is what I found.

What is Boxing Day?

Boxing Day is a day the higher classes gave gifts to the lower classes. Before or on December 25th people of similar class would exchange gifts to celebrate the Christmas season. Gifts were not exchanged with the lower class until the next day called Boxing Day. It is also known as St. Stephen’s Day.

Why is the holiday named Boxing Day?

The holiday is named Boxing Day because the tradition of giving gifts of cash, food, clothing and other goods to the less fortunate were placed into boxes for easier transportation. The goods were distributed based on the family needs and their services to the giver.

Purpose of Teaching the Origin and History of Boxing Day

Boxing Day officially began in England in the middle of the 19 century under the rule of Queen Victoria. However, many adults and children do not know the true meaning of Boxing Day and its reasons for celebrating. It was a day to thank the community for all their effort throughout the years. The maids, drivers and other service workers were thanked with gifts of food, money, clothing, and other goods. It is important to teach students how they can contribute to society and to understand not all families are able to provide for their families all of the time.

This answered my question, I hope it answers yours too.

Merry Christmas...

long time, no blog...

My friend Marc sent a message to me on Facebook just the other day asking why I have not blogged about anything for a while. After all, it's not like there is nothing exciting going on in my life at the moment.

All I can say at this point is that I have been incredibly busy over these last few weeks/months and I have every intention of starting my blog again very very soon.

But to keep you going, here are a couple of pictures from my new set on Flickr called View My Days. Just to give you some idea of what I have been doing all this time...

a close shave...

So after lot's of convincing from my girl I finally gave in to her and shaved the head!