Some Photographic Things

Sunday's Great Ocean Road half marathon was my 4th.  However, it was the first for which I downloaded the official photos.  And this was mostly due to the great scenery.  This was the first that I'd taken my phone (forgot to mention that yesterday), and stopped at a couple of points to take photos.  My brain being more focused on 'just keep running' rather than lining up camera angles and avoiding sun glare meant that neither of those photos is particularly good.  (One I edited today in Instagram and it looks a little better, but the one I was hoping would be as fabulous as the actual scene was disappointing).  My favourite of the official photos has a very similar scene though, and there is one (yeah, only one!) photo where I don't look like I want to punch the photographer.  If you get more than 1 photo, you get all those in which your bib number is recognisable, so I got the whole lot.  First time. 

I also took advantage of my technology for some music today.  I have been asked to perform a certain piece for a wedding in September.  I am really excited about this.  The piece is not easy.  I tried to get it from imslp, but it won't be available for 'a while' (their words).  So I took a deep breath, and bought the concerto from Sheet Music Plus.  The deep breath was because I know what I'm like when on that site.  Still, I only bought 2 other things, both on sale.  Then I continued to listen to more recordings on Youtube.  And one of them, instead of the actual video of the performance, or still shots of that performer, had the actual solo violin part as its images.  Score!  So I took photos and printed them, so I can start learning the piece now.

As you can probably tell, the actual part will be better, but still... 3-6 weeks?!  I want it now!

Youtube Autoplay and BYOB

One thing about my brain: there is always music.  Well, probably more like 99.9% of the time, but you get the idea.  When I decide I want to hear something instead of having my brain produce the music, there's usually something that it has in mind (haha).  Today, for example, when I opened up iTunes, I had Mumford and Sons' I Will Wait in my head, and nothing else would tempt me.  Unfortunately, I don't have a recording of this, but in a flash of inspiration I went to Youtube.  I found a few videos - and then the channel.  Hello autoplay!  Which meant I could get on with all the little tasks I had to do and just listen.  Once I was done with Mumford I turned to Muse.  Win!  I still want to buy the actual recordings so I don't use up oodles of download quota though.  But especially handy for those bands about which I'm undecided, or just haven't bought yet.

The other New Thing for today was something that really shouldn't be a New Thing.  I took my own bag to Target.  So often, I go in on impulse... Or I know in advance I'll be shopping there yet forget a bag.  But recently, I've noticed the wealth of bags in my possession, and today I actually remembered to take one.  Go me.

Today's photo:

In the last few days, I've noticed my lettuce is actually looking more like lettuce.  This is exciting.

So exciting, you even get close-ups. 

The really super-looking one in the middle (in the top photo) wasn't from seed, but a seedling so that doesn't count.  Looking forward to eating it though...

Youtube

I was a bit sad I couldn't do my first choice of New Thing today.  I guess it will have to wait until maybe next weekend, fingers crossed.  But I'm really feeling under the weather.  After church I had lunch then a little sleep...for a few hours...  Then I tried to find a video of the Olympics Opening Ceremony.  No joy.  There were some short clips, some a bit longer but of dodgy quality, but nothing of the bits I wanted to see.  I had managed to watch from the teams walking on when it was broadcast on Saturday morning, but I really wanted to see the earlier bits.  Oh well.  Normally, this is when I would stop browsing Youtube and move on.

Recently I was looking for a particular segment from Good News Week on Youtube - when there were 2 foreigners on the show they would have a Citizenship Test part.  So funny.  But I haven't managed to find it.  Today I had another look for it, as that was all my energy levels could manage.  I watched a few shorter segments, tried to find a particular Lenny Henry bit (from years ago) that had me nearly asphyxiating, then I put on a full episode.  Note:  it's not a good idea to consume food and/or drink while watching this show.  It can get messy and potentially dangerous.  Good thing, then, that I grew up with 3 brothers making me laugh during mealtimes.

The Olympics coverage is on again now, but when it's something I find less interesting to watch, another episode of Good News Week is on. 

Yesterday's photo:

I had coffee yesterday morning at Casa de Bubbles, where there is a new fancy coffee tin.  When the coffee is scooped against the side, 'Vittoria' is visible in the coffee.

Today's photo:

Last weekend, my niece and nephew (and their parents) came over.  My niece, who's 3, drew me this picture, and we put it on the keyboard.  Some of my students this week looked at it asked if I had drawn it.