ANTIQUE DECORATIVE PLATE

Recently, on May 30, 2009, I uploaded an image similar to this one. Much to my surprise, it was well-received by viewers. I don't know how people would take it over an edited image like this because as far as I am concerned, it obviously is presented on the unnatural side of it with color saturation pushed to the limit. It doesn’t take an expert to spot it – one can tell it is a product with the icing on the cake decorated in Photoshop or other similar software, and it is less likely coming straight from the oven. But then, who am I to stop what people would want to like?

And another surprise that took me a few long minutes to figure it out, and yet, still, I couldn't agree with, is when that particular image was shaken and baked by flickr algorithm and at the end of the day it clinched a place in EXPLORE. Oh well…. Of course I am indebted by the supports from all of you (with your visits, invites, faves and comments – thank you) and I don’t mean to disparage my own work either. But the issue I want to put forward is; others may like what we dislike, interested in what we impartial with, adore what we abhor, love what we loathe, or vice versa. Hence, my homespun assertion is that, things are neither too great nor too awful in this life. Come what may, it all takes the individuals to arbitrate what’s good or bad for them, what they like and what they don’t.

The above is a look-alike with the previously uploaded image in different composition, taken at the same place on the same day. And if you ask me, I prefer this one better with lovely silhouette of reeds to boot. But I can understand, different time, it would be received differently. That reminds me of one girl I was head-over-heel with in my younger days and I thought she was the most beautiful girl in the world but when I met her a few years ago with her six kids in tow; she no longer lives up to what I perceived of her back then. Oh yeah, perhaps I am a little confused. It’s a different issue. Age is catching up on her now.

It was one of the hottest weekends of the year, but I think we are acclimatising at last.

As part of our wedding anniversary celebrations, Jane got us tickets for an Alan Ayckbourn(sp?) play ('The time of our life', I think) at The Mill at Sonning, a feast and Theatre. It was very all good Especially the pie.

We have also made progress with decorating the nursery, the border is now up and there are stickers stuck to the walls; also a couple of posters with nursery rhymes (I still need my book of nursery rhymes back though, Tim!)

We have invested in video camcorder, so we can record the important events of Bertie's life. I've spent a little time playing with both it and some video editing software on the computer. I have been amazed that there is actually such software on GNU/Linux that is usuable (Kino, also Diva and Pitivi look promising although Kino is the one to use for the moment). Expect to see cinematic masterpieces soon!

Sunday was a BBQ at Mark and Sarah's place; Emma is growing up and actually speaking properly. I think I had her beat at the football though. Sarah makes her own burgers-- delicious! It was great to see them again, and Margeret (Mark's Mum) and Kaveh (Sarah's brother)were also there.

ln the evening we had a brief celebration (cake and champagne) for Peed's birthday, which is today.

PS the picture is an accidental shot of the MX5 dashboard, before we sold it.