Darkness fills my heart with calmness

Hello.

I have been very bad in blogging. As in: I haven't. For ages.

There really hasn't been a whole lot going on, though. Let me bring you up to speed.

Last time I spoke to you there were a few things in the pipeline. I had lost my metrocard. This was not ideal but it did force me to walk to work for three weeks. This took me about 45 minutes each way and I thought it would result in a fitter, buffer me. It didn't. Never mind. It was interesting to walk the same route over and over again, listening to music, gettting a little lost in my thoughts. By the time I got into the office, though, I was hot and bothered and had sore feet. I was very glad to see November arrive which allowed me to buy a new metropass and suddenly be freed up to go places and get to work quicker!

Also, the Edinburgh art exhibition thing, Hidden Door, took place and I understand that it was pretty successful. I need to speak to the artist who used my work for photos and I shall show you all the results thereof.

I have had another couple of pictures in the paper I shoot for:



This month (as in, for December) I was asked to submit some shots that evoke the theme 'Giving and Receiving' so I went for a military angle, as in giving you life for your country, as well as a charity shop perspective. When I submitted them I was told that they were nice but the theme had changed to 'Holiday Season'. I said 'Oh, Christmas!' and was told: 'No. 'The Holidays'. What the hell is that!? So I have to take photos of decorations and tinsel and bells and lights and trees but NOT in a Christmas way? Great. So we'll see how I get on.

I have bought a nice winter jacket. It's green and made of wool. It is nice. I bought a nice, 4m scarf to go with it. I also got some Spiderman earmuffs and a lovely hat so am well ready for the winter season - bring it on! It snowed today so it should be getting more and more wintry.

Speaking of which, Ceri and I have planned our Christmas break away. Not the chocolate biscuit. We are heading to Montreal for a few days over Christmas and are very excited. It will be sad not to be with loved ones/family but I think we will make the most of it. I am envisioning us sat on the bed in the hotel in robes, eating ice cream out of the tub watching Home Alone. Maybe. And apart from that we are going to go to a few museums, maybe church (why not?), a look around. It will be snowy I hope and I can wrap up with my new wardrobe.

A little announcement is that I am coming home at the end of February. I was intending on returning (originally) in early April but don't want to pay to reschedule my flights, plus I have people waiting for me back home (and I am eager to get back to them). I have achieved quite a bit over here and am satisfied. Ceri and I are planning on travelling in February before we come home so once we've done that all of my boxes will have been ticked. It's exciting to think about coming home; there are so many things that I miss and that I'll be glad to get back to, as well as people. So when we know more about where we are heading I shall inform everyone. We hope to swing by New Orleans and See Jackie (yay).

Right now Ceri and I have had some wine, Ceri's curled her hair, I've watched X Factor and I feel like going to bed despite the fact that's it's not even 10 p.m.

I hope everyone back home is ok and I look forward to seeing you all soon.

Russell x