No-one knows

No-one knows.

Asides from being a class music link for me. This three word statement is often how I feel. As ever, it can be viewed both positively and negatively.

I am different

Everyone is different, but my life’s history for the past 7 years, has forced me to live ‘very differently’. Hmmm, maybe I want this? I have never ‘followed’ (unless slipstreaming a fellow cyclist)! There is no-one who knows me. Good. Crikey, deep, and I haven’t even started my coffee yet!

My next note explains my joy got from going to a good friend’s wedding. Although it was grey and overcast weather, everything about the actual wedding seemed perfect J

Congratulations Dan and Alex!

Good things happen to good people

I was in Kingston when I bumped into a resident and carer, from my former rehab home. I found it difficult and wonderful. It was difficult for me to know that there are people who aren’t as lucky as me. I have forever strived for independence, but there are those who don’t and are stuck, living their life ‘in care’. Although depressed, feeling this, it did of course leave me  feeling utter relief and self confidence. I have lived through that. Done. Finito. Complete!

A small EP, was bought online, and Rachel Sermanni’s cd, arrived in the post.

I am a sucker for the ‘product semantics’ of having a cd. There are no product semantics of mp3s.

Hmmm. Although I have recouped none of the money spent on printing my graphic pieces (of this round, prints and postcards), I have received compliments, which do combine with my other compliments etc of my voluntary professions. I am regularly told 

'You've got a good eye!'

As for photos, people always ask what camera I use. They are then stunned when I tell them ‘my iPhone’!

I admit that I often take the photo, and then ‘process’ or ‘enhance’ it using my graphic software/knowledge. I am so lucky.

The incorporation of a camera into a mobile phone, is something I have been so fortunate to benefit from.

Wherever I go, I will be with my mobile phone and therefore I always have the ability to photograph. As I have a good education in ‘visual communication’, I know that I see visual potential in things, a lot more than others. With my phone I can record the potential I see. I do not need or want a heavyweight camera. My iPhone can be used one-handed. Phew!

My art:

http://naturallybeautifulnormality.blogspot.co.uk/

My hero

I was in Central London on Friday, and made the following notes…

Merci

Central London. No-one understands 'excuse me'

I don't ask people if something is possible, i do it anyway, saying 'sorry' if there is a chance that I am causing trouble.

The first note, refers to my use of French as I passed a group of schoolchildren directed by their professeur (they were French). I used this as they stood aside, to let me through. As I do not speak Japanese, I called ‘excuse me’, asking for another family to move as I tried to get past. No use. Hmmm, what do I do?

… Someone pulled them aside, but, otherwise collision! I am comfortable negotiating crowds in my wheelchair, if I speak the language. In London, I thought I would be ok, but no.

I give you one more photo. A picture which I have very cross about incorrect alignment. As I was forced to go 'the other', west side of Hungerford bridge (broken lift), i saw the chance to correct my photo.

madness...

I warn everyone about the comprehension of this post. My first note warns me of ‘my first sign of madness’.

Meow

If a cat crosses my path, I used to ponder whether it was black and its direction of travel (very superstitious).

Now I find myself scared by the fact that I regularly want to stop and talk with the feline. Don’t worry, I don’t buy it a coffee, and invite it back!

Cats are supreme creatures, showing almighty independence, and ‘the feline law’ should be obeyed.

My second note of the week is perhaps resultant of issues regarding my own ‘art commerce’. I am still undecided, but it could be easily argued that…

Commercialising art destroys it

Art is an expression

How attractive is the greedy money-maker?

Can true ‘art’, ever be commercial? An art is an expression of one’s feelings, therefore it is forever different and viewed differently by everyone. Hmmmm

I stumbled across a Masters degree student in Illustration, when travelling along the riverside. The skies were dark, mystical, and the clouds were looking like ‘they were about to open’. Scary, but to my astonishment, the student was painting a watercolour. ‘Risky’, I warned but she continued. I asked if I could take a photo of her, as I realized how rare it was to find someone painting. I then found myself facing a big problem. I praised the fact that she was painting, not just taking a photo as so many do (including myself)!

   

The following day, I was past the river, as a wedding was being held in the evening, on the central island ‘Raven’s Ait’. I passed, the weather was much better than the previous night, and I took a picture of a couple of wedding guests on the opposite bank. I don’t travel around with a set of watercolours, so…

My last note, is to again show you/guide you to my new blog ‘Kingston Action on Transport’. I have been fairly central with my work at KCIL, in setting up this forum group, and so have created a blog for forum members and others to raise issues concerning disability issues with public transport in Kingston.

kingstonactionontransport.blogspot.co.uk

holier than thou

Hello y’all!

I can type this week’s post on time. It is fairly ‘miserable’ weather today, I have done the work that needed doing this morning, so cocoon myself in my flat, typing.

Is rain depressing and miserable? Yes it is, no matter how I try to spin it, we prefer sun.           

It is that time of year when we all reflect on the wonderful summer that has just been (I don’t think we’ve had a proper summer for a few years).

Oh well, weather talk is depressing but I’m allowed to give some, I am British. British people always talk about the rain!

On Tuesday, I made the following note.

I was sooooo excited. I had forgot that I had bought a CD online, but actually  finding it in the post, was so good. 

I had been totally got by the product semantics involved in buying a CD package.   As the photo explains, it was the 2013 double CD of the Smoke Fairies, 'Ghosts'.

I am offering myself a sensible chance of a YouTube clip…

A fairly short post this week, perhaps emphasizing the notes/points that I do make? Good.

OK, I am not trying to paint a ‘holier than thou’ picture, but hey. I am troubled, as I never used to live with my mobile phone always ‘on’. Not only did I respect my own privacy, but primarily, I used to panic ecologically, that I was wasting energy. Hmmm

Now, I live with my phone turned ‘on’. I worry as I recognize the demise of my belief, but I know that I am now just like everyone else.

Whenever I force myself to face this fact (or any similar ecological beliefs that I used to live by), I use a ‘get out clause’. I am lucky to be here at all. I had spent over a year in hospital without a mobile phone (computer, etc)! Hehehe, so it is insignificant. Right?

Stupid, I then think.  There is no way I can think like this. But it is how I used to live my life. Hmmm. But now, a new life. Where do I start? Where do I begin? Sunday morning, I’m waking up, can’t even focus on a coffee cup.

Traffic and transport always seem to cause issues for me, both negative and positive.  Earlier in the week I was waiting to cross a small road at home, in Surbiton. I paused on the pavement, to allow a turning car, ahead. Then the car itself stopped, waving me across. I yelled

 'COME ON!!!! !!!'

I do not want right of way!

Automobiles clearly have right of way, I do not want to argue!

OK, it is kind of cars to allow me through, but it is a shame that I am wise and sensible when it comes to traffic! Just because I am in a wheelchair do people automatically work me out as  a mental nutcase? Grrr.

I want to provide a link to the blog that I have been working on. It is quite basic, I know but accessibility is important. As a key member, I have designed us a logo, a badge to represent us.

 http://kingstonactionontransport.blogspot.co.uk

A bit of self-promotion. I am displaying and hopefully selling artwork in The Press Room (as earlier in the year).

For further information, please visit

http://naturallybeautifulnormality.blogspot.co.uk

'Sorry, I should be on the road'...

The post title states the words directed at me as a cyclist stumbled towards me, on the pavement!
'Good' I thought, she knows. She was in the wrong, and apologised. The fact is that she was obviously an inexperienced 'bike rider', not a 'cyclist'. Hmmm mmmmm
Sorry, I type this as I was flabbergasted, but also stunned by my acceptance of the situation. Damn right, she should've been on the road, not obstructing a wheelchair on the pavement!! Grrrrrr rrrrrrrr...

Hello, I provide a welcome to all readers, and apologise to those loving fans, for this 'late' post. But, oh well, it's here, ain't it?
coffee time...   

Cafetiere used. Job done. You can all relax.

I want to recommend the new album by Agnes Obel, 'Aventine'. This is the follow-up offering of good sounds, to her debut album 'Philharmonics'. I realise that I must be careful what I say, as it is very 'atmospheric', 'mood setting' and 'soothing'. To be honest when I first heard it in the morning, I got depressed. What? Patrick? Depressing music? No way. It could be argued to be considered 'depressing', but I would argue 'deep, emotive,and heart felt'! It is good.

 My confusion, with myself...

I regularly have to tell myself to believe that I am not like everyone else. I am different, I am a lucky man. I shouldn't be here, but i am. I like to believe that my fate will provide me with the best luck in the world. In order to, I must remain silent here.

Oh, i don't know.

Compliments should be easier for everyone to give. They cost nothing, and can only have a positive effect on the recipient.

I made the next note, whilst sat outside a cafe in Central London. I scared myself as I realised how deep I was thinking/pondering!

I regularly have to force myself to find the benefits of loneliness (...there are, there are positives to everything)! I smile :)

I am afraid, just a short post this week. My final note discusses the

Sustainability of an apple

I do not mean the fruit. I realise that I should be careful what I say, as I believe in fate, and type this on a Mac. My note refers to the environmental issues surrounding the increasingly popular products of 'Apple'. They are all hi-tech, and constantly pushing boundaries in terms of product design. For example, the minimal number of parts/materials used, is a definite plus. However I do recognise the danger of the trouble the company is causing, indirectly to the earth. People are now forever 'charging up' their phones/IPads/whatever... People now live with their products switched on. OK, 'standby' maybe, but this is surely a negative way of consuming energy, which may not be sustainable....

EEEEK! 

...i forgot to add some pictures...

 Riverside. It is not summer sun, spring green, or winter snow. Autumnal brown, Thameside.

 A fan of iconic stations. Hmmm. The Richmond clock entrance is beautiful.