Shirley's Images

Split moments in time - Regents Park, London

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 17:41 +0100

"Alex: I have reflected many times upon our rigid search. It has shown
me that everything is illuminated in the light of the past. It is
always along the side of us, on the inside, looking out. Like you
say, inside out. Jonathan, in this way, I will always be along the
side of your life. And you will always be along the side of mine."

- Everything is Illuminated

Ring-a-ring, mwah!

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:25 +0100

My whole heart for my whole life. ~French saying used on poesy rings

Having a good time...

Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:22 +0100

Notting Hill has always fully embraced its dark side. In this fashionable quarter, in which the fabulously wealthy live cheek-by-jowl with the wretchedly poor, it is ultimately the underbelly of rogues, drug-dealers, call girls and petty criminals that gives the place its unique charm and edge. Christine Keeler, the good-time girl at the heart of the Profumo affair, rented a flat in Notting Hill; Peter Rachman, the shady slumlord, ran his empire from here; and the vicious race riots that erupted here... all add a layer of mystique to a rapidly gentrifying part of where, 200 years ago, pig farmers held sway.

- David Cohen in The Evening Standard

A walk in the park (Regent's Park)

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:58 +0100

Come walk with me in the park

A little bit after dark

When the sun is still setting

And the moon is still rising

Like two children on a see saw

As one goes down the other comes up

And we will walk beside the green shrubbery

On the cold side walk

Walking in nothing but our socks

Being careful not to step on rocks

It feels cold out tonight

Please take my coat

We’ll walk under the street lamps

Over puddles dark and damp

Come sit on this bench with me

We’ll throw bread to the ducks out on the lake

Maybe they will come so close

So you can get a good look at what A majestic creature he is

And then we’ll continue walking through the park

And admire the cherry trees that blossom so beautifully in the spring time

Walk past a mime trying to get out of a box he put himself into

I’ve always found mimes to be funnier than clowns

I’ve always felt that mimes try to make you laugh by using your mind and questioning the reasoning and meaning he is trying to get across.

I always felt as though mimes try to laugh with you.

While clowns on the offhand have tried to make there jokes by laughing at you.

Gives you a pie in the face

Or a stupid rubber balloon animal

It always seems that the joke always seems to be on you

Like you have to be involved

But the mime barley witnesses your there

Why you witness his imaginary world

But as we done thinking this thought

I will take to the ice cream stand

And we will share a cone

And start to walk home and admire what a beautiful evening it is.

- Sean Alexander

Nine P.M

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:48 +0100

It is night now, no longer evening but fully night, as in "black as", if not precisely "dead of". Evening usually has the afternoon hanging on its coattails, has actual flecks of daylight clinging like lint to its lapels, but night is solitary, aloof, uncompromised, extreme. The safe margins of the day, still faintly visable during eventide, have been erased by night's dense gum, obscured by its wash of squid squirtings, pajama sauce, and the blue honey manufactured by its moths. Is the night a mask, or is day merely night's prim disguise.

- Tom Robbins (Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas)

A reflection

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:25 +0100

It's her day, she is the bride. It's their wedding. I am their storyteller.

Walls of China, Lake Mungo - Australia

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 14:45 +0100

'It is all about being in it, whatever it is. Having no worries about what will become, how others judge it, just be, be in the moment.'

- me, 2005

I'm happiest with a camera in hand and a road to travel...

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:43 +0100

Wow! I'm in Bulawayo. What a crazy bus trip up it was, 24 hours! 9 hours spent at Beitbridge border. I made friends with Jelatha and Ayanda, a mother and daughter, both beautiful and so sweet together. Jelatha's husband had recently been robbed in Joburg so they didn't have money to pay for Ayanda's fare back, I bought her a bus ticket. We chatted about Princess Di and Michael Jackson, both who Jelatha loved. I slept with my head on Jelatha's lap along with Ayanda's, and Jelatha's head on Ayanda's bum... such African intimacy. The bus trip was f'ing hot, it was like a sauna, I was the only white person. So many people complain about black people stinking, well if I was doing regular bus trips and walking the distances that they do, I would smell like a pig. The conditions these people live in are horrendous. I don't want to buy goods that exploit people, they live difficult lives already without chubby me wanting to save a few quid on my carrots in order to get something awfully self indulgent. 30km out of Bulawayo the bus overheated and water exploded everywhere, waking me from a slumber to a halted bus, people screaming and steam engulfing me, I thought this was it, I'm going to die! The people in the first row got first degree burns, luckily I was in the third row. Welcome back to Zimbabwe! Land of chaotic freedom for the crazy! Welcome home!!!

- me, Zim, Dec 2009

Bambina bump

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:27 +0100

There is soon to be a Mexi-Zim baby, yay!

I know what you're feeling...

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:50 +0100

This is along my walk from home to town.

I noticed the couple - and thought back to when I'd been sitting on a nearby bench. He was still and she kept moving her arm around him to touch his cheek and then his back and then hug him - I remembered how I had done this and used the other hand to wipe away tears - he kept still whilst this was going on - I recall myself talking non-stop trying to explain my flaws, insecurities, hopes and dreams - he eventually put his hand out to her and rested her head on his shoulder - he eventually kissed a tear off my cheek and gave me an "It will be okay, we will be okay" look.

It's funny how you only notice things when you have some experience of it, some understanding or realisation. Passion makes a bit more sense to me these days.