Guilding The Lily

Gail and I have just got back from seeing Lily Allen's concert at the Arena. On the whole I think we were both a bit disappointed with the show. The support act were terrible. Neither of us like rap music anyway, and this group weren't even very good at that. The sound level throughout the night was just too loud. This made Lily sound like Minnie Mouse. Either that, or she'd been inhaling helium!
Lily's show was ok. Nothing special though. I kept taking photos before being told off by security. Even though, loads of people were filming it on their mobile phones etc. Just because I was holding a 'proper' camera.

Living The Life Of Riley

Here's another shot of Marmalade, our sweet little adopted cat. I thought you might like to see how well she has taken to living with us, and how at home she has become.
Talking of homes, my friend Imac and his gang are having another header war this week. Pop over and vote on who has the best theme of 'our house'.

Bokah Christmas

Gail was asking me yesterday what 'bokah' in photography meant. I said it was taking an out of focus or slightly out of focus photograph. It's not something I purposely do, but sometimes it happens; especially if I'm taking some quick action shots. Most of them I delete, but this one of Beeston's Christmas tree and lights looks quite pleasing.

Making An Exhibition Of Oneself

Today marks the start of a month long exhibition of photos at Nottingham's library. What's exciting for me is the fact that I have three photos on display, and it's the first time that anyone's seen them in the flesh as it were.
A number of us from one of Nottingham's Flickr groups are showing off some of our work to a hopefully receptive and appreciative general public.
This poster has been designed by Stewart, a fellow Flickrite and all round good guy. I know my blog is followed globally, so unfortunately a lot of you won't be able to visit, but you can get to see the photographs through this link. For those that can, please make the effort, as I'm sure you'll find it interesting.

The Other Side Of The Fence

Here is a shot of the opposing group, who were rallying close by. The police managed to keep them apart, otherwise things might have turned nasty. The whole scene was being covered by the BBC and other press agencies from the relative safety of the castle. A small flare up of violence happened on Castle Boulevard. To get an idea of this, here's some film that someone took from the Evening Post building. I heard a tip off about it and went down to see, but the police had stopped it by the time I got there.

Demonstration Time

I was in two minds whether to go to the demonstration this afternoon, as sometimes these things can get a bit out of hand. But I'm glad I did, and there were plenty of police around to keep the peace.
I always try to keep politics out of my blogs and just show what I've seen, and I'm being no different today. To keep the balance, tomorrow I'll show a photo of the other group that were demonstrating at the same time, but kept apart by a very thick blue line.

Where's The Door?

While I was cycling to work this morning I saw some workmen erecting this shed like structure around the Robin Hood statue, close to the Castle. Some of you maybe thinking it's a publicity stunt, or some student prank or new art installation. Well you're all wrong. It is in fact protecting the stature from possible damage by demonstrators tomorrow. There are going to be several demonstrations by various political factions all happening at the same time. Then there is going to be a parade of soldiers returning from Afghanistan and a big football match. Hundreds of police are being drafted in and roads have been closed. I'm planning to go along and capture the events. I'm hoping in a way that there is going to be a riot, so I can capture some dynamic moments.

Night Skywatch

Today the weekly blogging event that is Skywatch hits town. Today also marks my 1200th posting. I've been trying to find a suitable picture for my landmark, but without success. So you have this treat of seeing the moon slowly disappearing behind some clouds above the Council House.

For other worldwide skies that may be blue, grey, or any shade inbetween, click on this link

Eye, Eye

Although I don't officially contribute to the header competition that my friend Imac is involved with each week, I try to do a tribute to it. This week's subject is 'looking through'. Trawling through my archive, I came across this shot that I took when the Gamecity event hit the town a couple of months ago in the Market Square. She is looking through a spyhole at a live war game that is taking place.

If you're intrigued with the competition, then pop over to Imac's page and see for yourself.

Grimebusters

Street sweeping in Nottingham appears to have suddenly gone high tec with the introduction of this giant vacuum cleaner. Gone are the days when men went out with brushes and swept the streets clean. Now all they have to do is walk the streets and suck up the litter. Ideally of course, people should drop their rubbish in the bin, rather than on the ground. But no matter how many signs are put up, education, and discipline, people are either just too lazy or too stupid to keep their city clean.

Oi, I'm Thirsty!

Of course I tuned the cold water tap on. Very gently though, I didn't want to scare our sweet little pet. I had seen her drink the water from our pond many times and from some buckets in the garden. But for some strange reason, she won't drink fresh water from a clean bowl. Gail & I wandered if the various chemicals they put in water was putting her off. But as you can see from my snap, she was quite happy to sup the water from the tap. Practically lapping it up you might say!

Marmalade The Explorer

Marmalade did something different for the first time today. She decided to jump into the bath! Fortunately there wasn't any water in it, as cats don't really like water. She then looked up at the tap, as if to say "turn it on, I'm thirsty".
Come back tomorrow and see if I did!

Lighting Up For Christmas

The lights in Beeston were officially switched on tonight. It was left to the Mayor to do it, as unfortunately our council haven't the funds to splash out on any big names to press the button. We do have two Christmas trees though, one at each end of the High Road. I've just used a bit of creative blur to make the one in Broadgate Park a bit more interesting.

Dancing In The Dark

It's been a great couple of days weatherwise. Cold, but very sunny. The sun has also been quite low in the sky. This enabled me to take this shadowy view of the water feature in the Old Market Square.

Pret-a-Porter

Last night I had my first go at being a fashion photographer. Several of the designer clothes shops under the Council House put on a fashion show in the arcade to basically drum up some Christmas trade. They used a number of students from Trent University, who were really quite good. Walking up and down on a rather long red carpet. I took loads of photos. Some successful, some not so. Here's one of the better ones. Although sadly I don't think it would make the front page of Vogue. You will find a lot more on my Flickr page.

Citizen Lindsay

Today I met the well known and adored actor Robert Lindsay. A local lad, as he was born in Ilkeston, a small town about 10 miles from Nottingham. He was signing copies of his autobiography at Waterstones. He has done lots of TV and film since the early 1970's. His most well known part was that of Citizen 'Wolfie' Smith, the leader of the Tooting Popular Front, a rather ramshackle group of misfits who's aim was to change the world, but never really left the pub. But he has done many things since then. His latest is Ben Harper the put upon dentist in My Family. Here's a link to his website, so you can read more about him.

Brolly Good Show

Here's one of those spur of the moment shots that you only really get the one chance of capturing. Blink and it's gone. Although with the amount of rain yesterday, these two with their umbrellas might have stood there for quite a while.

Raindancing

It absolutely threw it down at lunchtime today. I ran for cover, as I didn't want my camera to drown with the amount of water falling. So I stood in a shop doorway and took some pictures of the poor people running for cover. Normally this paved street is teeming with pedestrians. But not today!

Pampering The Pampas

No, I didn't take this shot on the plains of South America. They are actually growing in our front garden. I thought I had dug up a large clump of them earlier this year, but to my dismay, they have started to sprout again.

Hanging Around

Returning to town yesterday, I came across some workmen who were using abseiling equipment whilst doing repairs to an office block. Well I like to think they were workmen and not terrorists, burglars, or spies. But you never know these days!

Painting The Town Red

A number of Government ministers, including Gordon Brown himself were in Nottingham today, to try and improve their party's popularity. I of course went to the Albert Hall at lunchtime to see what was happening. I was just in time to see G.B arrive & go in. I took a number of shots, but it was difficult, due to the road being sealed off, Police and secret service types swarming all over the place and journalists blocking my view. This was about the best one I could get. I was disappointed that there wasn't a demonstration taking place with yells of "Gordon is a Moron" or similar, as that would have been quite amusing.

On The Move

This set of statues used to be in the Market Square. But they were removed when the tram lines went down. So now they stand at the top of Chapel Bar, a small pedestrian area that houses a number of eating houses and a Holiday Inn Express.

It's Christmas...

So yelled Noddy Holder at the end of Slade's most famous song that has been trotted out at this time every year for the past 30 odd years. The connection; well Nottingham's lights were officially switched on tonight. There were so many people in the market square that I didn't manage to get close enough to take a decent photo of Carl Froch & Sven Goran Eriksson as they pressed the button. So unfortunately you'll just have to make do with this arty shot of the shadow of the tree on the Council House

Oi You Two!

Whilst at work this morning, Nicky who sits opposite me glanced out of the window which looks out onto a multi-storey car park, and wondered who these two people were and what they were staring at. So I got out my camera and trusty 45-200mm lens and took some shots. The two lads then started waving at us. we of course waved back. Later in the afternoon, they came back to their car, and before they left, gave us another wave.

You may have noticed that I have put on a new header picture. It's dedicated to my friend Imac, who with some other bloggers have set themselves a little competition. Follow the link and vote.

Sign Of The Times

Nottingham's newest cultural centre and tourist attraction has now opened. Ironically when I went today, I found that the gallery was closed. So I'll have to go tomorrow to look at the David Hockney exhibition and see what the building looks like in the inside, as the outside still looks like a something that was built in the Eastern Bloc during the 1950s. This sign on the otherhand, reminds me of 1950s America, advertising a diner or motel.

Not That Long Ago

Besides doing some decorating, I have been scanning some of old negatives to put on my Flickr page. Having not taken any photos today. I didn't want cream paint on my lovely black G1, I am showing you one of these negatives. It's of the Trent University building that I took sometime in the 1980s. I can't exactly tell you when. But what I can say is that if you were to take the same shot today, the area would look just about the same. The only big difference is the road layout.

Water Result

Well, the storm over Nottingham didn't appear to be as bad as the weathermen predicted. Maybe they like to hype things up to make them more dramatic. Today has been cool, but fairly dry. Didn't manage to take any photos today, so here's a weather related picture. I did buy a new tripod today though, as I'm getting into taking photos at night. There are some on Flickr, if you fancy taking a look.

Skywatch Friday

I've missed the last few SWF's, so to make up for it, here's a photo I took a few days ago. Great sunset, unlike yesterday and today, when it just rained and rained. Apparently the UK is going to be hit by a giant storm tomorrow. So batten down those hatches and take cover; the wind's a blowin!

For 300+ other skies from around the world, click here.

Think Yourself British

As I promised yesterday, here's the photo of Al Murray signing his latest book at Waterstones today. By the length of the queue waiting to meet him, he is more popular than yesterday's Simon King. Although they both follow different entertainment paths and attract different age groups. For those that don't know his work and style, here's a clip from Youtube. Please be warned that you may not appreciate his style of comedy or what he is saying, but his 'pub landlord' character is what he is known for.

King For The Day

The BBC's wildlife presenter and cameraman Simon King was in town today signing books at Waterstones. A small peaceful line of people had formed when I got there in readiness for his arrival. His most well known TV work is the Big Cat Diary. More recently he has done Autumnwatch; a daily update on the lives of woodland creatures.

I'm expecting to see a more rowdy crowd tomorrow, as the comedian Al Murray will be signing copies of his latest Pub Landlord book.

Home To Roost

This could be a scene from Hitchcocks' The Birds, but I like to think that none of the crows roosting here on the top of the D10 building would decide to peck at the workers below, as they go about their duties for Boots.

Food, Glorious Food

Phil, one of my photography and blogging pals has written about a book he's just finished reading. Phil has a great interest in cookery and all things culinary and revelled about Tom Parker Bowles' Full English. As I was in the library today, I thought I would see if I could find a copy. Alas it was on loan, but I found his "Year of Eating Dangerously". So will give that a go.

If you fancy reading Phil's very amusing foodie blog here's the link.

I hope Phil doesn't mind me saying, but he is desperately looking for work at the moment. So if there are any Nottingham based employers in the catering trade that are on the look out for some reliable and knowledgeable hands. Please drop Phil a message.

Light And Dark

This is one of the buildings that we took lots of photos of yesterday. It is called D6, and was built in the 1930s. It is also known as the 'dry' building, where they make powders of varying descriptions. The sun was just starting to set as we were getting ready to go. It was just in the right place to see it shining through all the glass.

These Boots Were Made For Running

This afternoon, I joined a few fellow local Flickr friends for a stroll around the Boots site in Beeston. We were quite surprised that they just let us roam around unescorted. Of course at the weekend, quite a few of the factory buildings were closed, which was good in a way, but it would have been nice to shoot some action of the workers etc.

I have put quite a few photos on my flickr page, but thought you might appreciate the photographic pun on this truck.

Ghosts Of Christmas Future

Who are these ghostly figures that walk the streets of Nottingham? Are they ghosts from times gone by, or spectres from the future, come to see what life was like in their past?

A Roaring Success

This is one of the two lions that guard the entrance to the Council House. They have done it since the late 1920s when the building and square were built. Most first dates began with "Meet you at the lions". These days the council have stopped people from even standing on the steps inbetween them, and are often roped off. You are still fortunately allowed to take photos of them.

Robin Him Of Colour

Artistic time again. This time an adaption of a night photo of the Robin Hood statue. I had left a message on my good friend I-mac's page, where I mentioned brass rubbing, so I've tried to assimilate one.

Song Sung Bad

I did something rather embarrassing and quite out of character today. I sang in public! And what was worse, being filmed doing it. No, I'm not auditioning for the next X Factor, but for a chance to be part of Lily Allen's next video. A company is going around the country filming people singing along to Lily's song "The Fear". It's also been a way of X Box 360 publicising their new Karaoke machine.

My effort should be on line in a few days time, with the full video being available sometime later this month. If you have a masochistic side, you might be able to find my appalling version by opting for Nottingham & Broad Marsh. No, I'm not giving you my special code number. You'll just have to sit though several other terrible singers first.

Working With Light

The early nights reveal all the lights from the cities' surrounding office blocks. I don't know if everybody has gone home from this one, but a lot of the lights have been left on and wasting electricity. The lights in the office that I work in are motion sensitive. So if you don't move from your desk in a while, all the surrounding lights go out. Just as well we're not afraid of the dark!

Coat Of Arms - But Where's The Sleeves?

Whilst tasting the Freetrade chocolate in the town hall, I took a photo of the coat of arms of my local council. Although I have been in the town hall many times, it has tended to be in the evening, so it was a nice change to be there in daylight. I'm curious as to what the flying bull is meant to represent. Other than the obvious!

It's A Fair Trade

Beeston officially became a Fairtrade town this morning, as a banner was raised on one of the flagpoles in the square. There was some food tasting as well. The chocolate was especially good. It was pleasing to hear that more and more shoppers are choosing Fairtrade products. Even though they cost a bit more, you know the producers are being paid a fair price for their goods and not being cheated by the big supermarkets.

For more information about Fairtrade and it's history and objectives, here's a link.

Colours Of The Night

I've just been around the city centre with my camera and tripod. The city always looks different at night, drenched in neon lights of different colours. Here's the giant screen which has been used in the Gamecity event this week reflected in the Square's water feature. I may be putting some more night photos on my Flickr page, if you care to take a look.

Crysis, What Crysis?

This week Nottingham has been turned into GameCity; a heaven for computer game fans. I'm not one myself. Never have been. I might do the odd thing on facebook, but soon grow tired of it. I spotted a friend of mine today who was helping to organise it. He told me about this game where people shoot these real soldiers who can't see anything. Some staging had been created with sand, palm trees and the like. People could watch the action from peepholes around the enclosure. I popped my camera up to the little window and had a look through my flip screen. And here's what I saw...

Hot Air And Blue Skies

There was a bit of excitement in the office this afternoon. This hot air balloon flew over our building and the city centre. This is the flight that Gail and I wanted to do, when we bought a seat on a Virgin balloon last year. Unfortunately we couldn't as it was too windy. But today was almost perfect flying weather.

Hedging My Bets

Here's another shot taken on Sunday with my blogbuddy i-mac on out meet near Grantham. Autumn has a certain special feel about it, as the leaves turn colour and eventually drop to the ground. These trees and bushes look like they are just starting the process, and I think the blue sky adds to the country scene.

Ready When You Are Mr DeMille?

Not the famous American film director, but the fairly famous Nottingham film director Shane Meadows. He was at one of our local HMV stores (we have 3) signing copies of his latest DVD film; Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee. I've not heard of the film before, let alone seen it, so I can't tell you anything about it.

Meet The Nikons..

Today Gail & I had lunch with imac and his good lady Julie, at a pub which goes by the intriguing name of the Dirty Duck, near their home town of Grantham. We had a good chat during the meal and then went for a walk along the towpath. The sun was shining, although a little windy. We snapped away with our cameras at the flora and fauna. Not forgetting a brilliant sunset. Imac will be showing a number of his photos over the coming days on his site. Please go and have a look, as he's nearly a good a photographer as what I am!

Don't Drink And Drive

This is what happens if you have a spot too much to drink and intend driving home. The landlord, or in this case hotel manager, confiscates your mode of transport and puts it on display to warn other would be boozed up drivers. A motorbike's fine. I'm not too sure how they would show off a Range Rover or white van though!

Being Thin Can Get You A Fat Wallet

There was some action today at the hotel. The slimming and fitness guru Rosemary Conley was holding a convention for all the franchisees of her company. There was over 200 women all signing in and filing into the room opposite, making a lot of noise with their chatter. They were mostly young and rather attractive. It's a good thing I'm happily married, otherwise I might have got into a bit of mischief!

whilst queuing up for lunch, I was behind Rosemary's official photographer. 3 Canon's round his neck. I asked him if she had left, he said no, as she was doing some more presenting in the afternoon. Although our conference was over, I hung around to see if I could take a shot of her.

Laser Lights

Yesterday, work sent me to help out at a conference at a hotel in Hinckley. Nothing really exciting happened during the day. So after dinner & chatting to Gail, I went for a walk down the road. Not much about as it is on a main road & close to the M69. So I went for the old slow shutter speed trick with the traffic. Here's one of the results.