Walking Through the Mists
Manip by me, images from dpawatts at morguefile.com. Used with permission. I'm back, or more importantly for this, back online. Time and money have been too tight to allow much computer action these last couple of months, but thanks to a week-long stay in Canterbury there's no chance of overblowing our usage $, and the holidays mean a lot of empty air to fill.
So... Updates. I've doing pretty well with my manips (see above) even though that gallery idea faded into nothingness. Coding always seems to do that to me: it's slippery stuff. May as well post some now, for the benefit of the world and whoever's watching.
Another blue one - all the others have had text added. Images from sxc.hu
School, as I mentioned, is on hold. I can't tell you how good that feels, though I imagine you know the sensation well enough anyway - no commitments, no responsibilities, no battery in the alarm clock. It would be heaven if not for the insanely gorgeous picture I found on morguefile the other day...
Image by franthony at morguefile.com
That is paradise as I imagine it. I'm not sure where the picture was taken, but maybe Dad saw omething like that on his travels round Europe this year. Dad: 2008, you're taking me! Design school can wait for the big Overseas Experience.
I want to see Egypt, Russia, Mont Blanc, Yugoslavia, Seattle, Peru, the Atlas Mountains, Tibet, the Serengeti Plains, the Amazon, the Yangtze, Mount Fuji, the Costa del Sol, the French Riviera, Uluru, Mumbai, Morocco, Switzerland, Mongolia, Moscow, Alaska, Norway, Denmark, Amsterdam, the Leaning Tower, the Bridge of Sighs, Gallipoli, Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, Algiers, Dunrobin Castle, the Great Wall of China, Hadrian's Wall, Rome, Cuba, Wales, Singapore, Shanghai, the Imperial Palace in Beijing, Tiananmen Square, Stalingrad, Madrid, Hawaii, Cyprus, Nuremberg, Kuala Lumpur, Malta, Petra... There's so much world out there! So much.
Right at this moment, people are seeing all of these places, or not seeing them in their familiarity just as I forget the wonders of New Zealand. At this exact time, there are people threading their way along the paths of the Black Forest, others climbing the steps of the Great Pyramid or having their photo taken in front of the Sphinx. Most of us share the desire to be a tourist, to explore spheres apart from our own - but not all act on their desires. I don't want to be one of those... I want to go and return, I want to see these things and take a hell of a lot of pictures.
Two things have happened recently which will help me get there, and though unimportant in a worldly sense I'm very grateful for them. First, the shearing boss who I worked for last Christmas spoke to Mum and said he's be very pleased to have me back. That means work for the holidays.
Second, my uncle has promised that he'll try to find me a job when I move up to Christchuch to attend the Design & Arts College. He works in Smiths City as (well here I get embarassed, because I'm not quite sure what he does)... something to do with computers. Inspiring, aren't I? xD The point is that I'll have an advertising job, however menial, while I take my courses. It'll help me figure out whether graphic design fits. Plus it'll provide some money, which is needed for big expensive travels! ^^
The last note is a sad one, something that... well, you can't describe it. You just can't.
My Grandad passed away 11 days ago.
I know, Dad, that you want to be here with us. But I'll write something for you, in memory of Grandad: a memorial, a tribute for a man who meant so much to so many people. He was never less than the best he could be... He instilled in us all respect for the human race, belief in our own values, and an uncompromising spirit. He was truly great.
The next post will be a tribute to Grandad. Hope you stay well till then and don't suffer anything like we have in the last couple of weeks. Goodbye.
P.S. We met Grandma and your father at the funeral. They looked good and cheered us up immensely; it was wonderful to see them. Grandad's bought you some sheep. Aunty Marion was there as well, and Uncle John, Aunty Francie, Rose, Nick, Kezzy and Shiloh. They all said hello. Now have fun in Scotland!
image from beiz.jp
