Second day in a row in Manchester, that hasn’t happened since January. Familiar territory, but new in that I’ve never managed to catch anyone blowing their nose before. I didn’t set out to take such a shot; but that’s street photography for you. Taken on the steps of St. Peter’s, the University’s Catholic chaplaincy.
As being uploaded on the train to Manchester this morning, by the inefficient but highly effective data collection form known as ‘reading’. The book in the background, by the way, belongs to my fellow Manchester academic Mike, whose surname I can never remember but who teaches English & American literature so reads things far more obscure than my relatively populist novel.
Here we are at the halfway point of 2013, more or less. I spent the first six months of it almost entirely away from home but right now I am in the middle of a comparatively long period here. Which means, as I have already posted 244 photos of Hebden Bridge on this blog (today’s becoming #245), finding new subjects is becoming more of a challenge. I will keep trying, however. On days where I do little but sit at home working it is a matter of spotting the occasional opportunity, like this one: the cat is just slightly out-of-focus, which is a shame, but otherwise I like this shot. It made its jump a split-second after I fired the shutter.
The weather isn’t exactly bad at the moment but the light is consistently flat and grey, hence the prevalence of interior shots at the moment. Little to add except to explain that I don’t normally frequent baby showers, but this one was held in a pub, so that drew me in.
In the 12th century we built castles. In the 15th century we built cathedrals. In the 19th century we built factories. In the 20th century we built shopping malls. We might not like them but sometimes you just end up there.
Was genuinely struggling for inspiration today, not even thinking about taking a photo until about 4.30, but the family came through for me with a late opportunity. It’s grainy because it’s got a very long zoom on it, I was taking a photo of something else (I forget what) when I caught sight of them larking about.
Went to Newcastle today for a training course. Spent 90% of my time there (including lunch) sat in a computer cluster on said course, 7% of it getting myself to and from Newcastle station through the drizzle, 2% of it in this bar at the station and 1% on the toilet. I think this was the best subject matter. The guy bending down gives it some interest I think.
Manchester Victoria station is like the down-and-out elder sister (*) of the brash, terribly metropolitan and far better-off sibling, Piccadilly. A backwater in transport terms already, it was further whacked by the IRA bomb which went off nearby in June 1996, and the roof has leaked, as far as I know, ever since. A couple of years ago it appeared on the list of ’10 Worst Railway Stations in Britain’, an accolade that all of us who use it heartily endorsed, I am sure. Still, at least now they seem to be putting a bit of effort into it. It only took 17 years, but let’s hope it helps the old thing.
(*) Well, it does have a girl’s name.
Let’s hope he still is, and stays so as long as possible.
By the way, I have 199 followers. Would you like to be number 200? A nice milestone to hit.
Had been worried that a sixth consecutive full day in Hebden Bridge would dampen the creativity, but this shot happened anyway and I like it. This is me, today.
Being 42 