Much like the bloke in the shed from The Fast Show, this week I have been mostly making a light tent. Well that’s not exactly true. Mostly I’ve been doing other things, but about one hour of my time has been dedicated to this little project which is meant to transform a free box into a £400 photographer’s light tent. I’ve not had time to test it yet, and I’m still missing a couple of critical parts (a high range bulb and a sheet of bristol board) but aside from those, it’s looking dapper.
Last weekend Will’s brother was back from France in time for his birthday (due to an skiing injury) and so we ended up in the bridge. George brought along some home-brew cider (always good) and Gwyz made a long awaited appearance and told us he’s going to become a solicitor.
I’ve also been back at the alma mater. Their annual careers convention took me back once again, and once again I made the most of the free buffet and time to catch up with some folk I’ve not seen in a while. For various other reasons I’ve been back over there probably four times in two weeks, which is more than I have for a couple of years.
I’m digging some newly-found music at the moment. Goldfrapp’s A&E wasn’t an immediate hit for me, but has grown (this is the second track with the same title that’s recently caught my attention… for the other, see Patrick Wolf’s fantastic album, The Magic Position). Also I’m very much liking The Cat Empire, who I’ve not come across before but as a fan of Fat Freddy and the Easy Star All Stars, I was assured I’d like their self-titled album (even if it is a few years old) and I did.
I’ve got tickets to see Rich Hall in a few weeks time, and hoping to sort out a couple of other stand up acts who I’ve been wanting to see for a while. My brain is going overtime on organising the bigger aspects of my life at the moment, and it’s exciting, just for want of some actual progress.
Gran’s finally reached the point where she’s had to go into a residential home, although she doesn’t really understand it. After a fall that put her in hospital a few weeks back, she’d pack up her belongings every day and sit and wait by the ward reception for Dad to arrive at visiting time, much to the amusement of the nurses who couldn’t persuade that she had to stay for a few more days. When he finally arrived, she’d offer him a drink and sandwiches from the bar, which was probably the most confusing part for all of them, as there isn’t one. Although she can think all right in the immediacy, it’s just context and remembering what’s happened that baffles her. I’ve always thought it but the closer to 95 she gets, the more she cuts the shape and temperament of the grandmother figure from the old Giles cartoons.
Tomorrow I buy some bristol board and a lightbulb.