BIG - Thematic Photographic

This weeks theme over at Written Inc is BIG. I have posted this photo before but I cannot remember where. This my my baby Jessie and a BIG lollipop she got from her Aunt at Easter time. It is the biggest lollipop I have ever seen in my life, shortly after she dropped it and it shattered into thousands of tiny pieces.

Enjoy BIG week everyone, love love.

beetroot

You know when you get a craving for something and you think to yourself that's a bit weird especially if your a bloke and not pregnant (at least I think I'm not) Well the other day I am shopping with the wife and see some beetroot and think I NEED beetroot, why would anyone NEED beetroot?

As I am an impulsive buyer I duly bought the beetroot and when I got home I ate it and felt satisfied! Strange as it sounds that's what happened.

I am one of those people who believes everything has a purpose and I also believe in creation and a creative God. That said I think when our bodies are in need of something they do their best to tell us so I looked up the history of beetroot, fascinating stuff!

Those who know me well know I have an auto immune deficiency (not acquired that's different) I have Chron's disease, google it if you don't know what it is or just follow the Wiki link.

In short beetroot was used to treat "The Immune System" and to aid "The Digestive System" I truly thought this is amazing, that's exactly what I need and my body even said so!

One other cool fact made me laugh "Its likely after eating beetroot I will wee pink!"

Can you believe my eyes when I went for a wee IT WAS PINK!!

eucalyptus

I am always on the lookout for bargains and a few weeks ago I spotted a Eucalyptus tree in the garden reduced to £19.99 so on my return and see a further reduction to £15! I couldn't resist! Its 12ft and in need of TLC, hes now planted proudly overlooking the greenhouse and swaying in the gentle breeze all it needs is a koala bear.

oil lamp

I have this lovely old oil lamp in my garden that I light sometimes when I'm having a beer on the decking, the light it was giving is just so warm and beautiful don't you think?

O2 - Your money is in our hands - Your not wrong there!

OK so I like a good moan but where there is an Injustice Ill be there! (usually anyway)

Last year I was one of those lame people who lined up all morning for and upgrade of the iPhone 3G and it was quite a pleasant experience, the staff were friendly they even bought us a coffee from the shop down the road. I was 8th in line and went in signed up and was even given a FREE unlimited text bolt on.

2 Months into my Longgggggg 18 month contract and they were charging me for the freedom of unlimited texts to which I duly complained about.

Q (o2). You cant get a FREE unlimited text bolt on with an iPhone contract..
A (me). I know but my contract says different..
Q. Can you prove it?
A. er.. Yes look at my contract
Q. We don't have one here.
A. I do.
Q. Can you fax it?
A. Whats a fax.

I emailed the contract and had numerous conversations with the manager in Maidstone which ended up with them CHARGING me to have the FREE bolt ons and then paying me back later on, I had no choice they told me.

A month later it stopped and they were charging me again.

November I called no return call
December I called no return call
January I called no return call
February I emailed no return
March I emailed no return
April I emailed no return
May I emailed no return
June I called AGAIN!
July I had off!

August I call into the shop and I am left talking to some guy on the phone who was having none of it!

Q (O2). Whats Wrong.
A (me). Err.... I tell him the story
Q. Lets see if we can sort this
A. Phew!!!

Q. You don't even use your free texts why do you want a bolt on?
A. I don't want a bolt on! I just want my money back!
Q. OK we will as an offer let you upgrade 2 months early if you forget this...
A. *thinking* So I will get my £140 back that you owe me plus an upgrade now?

A. NO just an early upgrade.

ARE YOU having a laugh O2!!!???

So they take my money and wont pay me back, they owe me £140 and expect me to just forget about it... *thinking* I don't think so!!

I asked the guy are you expecting me to bend over backwards for you because you screwed up my account and owe ME money.

O2 answer - You ll get your money back after the 18 months...

My answer - with interest?

Me - Ill tell you what can you record this phone call
O2 - Yes

Me - You have 28 days to pay me what you owe me or I will take you to the small claims court and sue you and then I will probably be awarded interest too.
O2 - You don't have to be like this..

Me - Hang on a minute.... This is my money were talking about and your telling me I have to wait to get it back?

O2 - Yes.

I don't think so! After this long winded RIDICULOUS conversation and it got worse... far worse... (with NO bad language)

I asked them to give me a free upgrade now and we will forget about it, NO was the little managers answer.

So instead of treating me with respect and giving me THE CUSTOMER (MY) money back with a simple apology they would rather pay me £140 back in 3!! stupid instalments taking 18 months to conclude instead of giving me a free handset.

I think that's crap business sense and pretty poor customer relations.

I am sick and tired of MASSIVE multi million pound companies ripping off small but wonderful 12 LONG year customers and treating us like dirt.

The slogan on the front of the shop says it all "Your money is in our hands" they got that right.

Oh apparently I get my money back in September, we will see....

tomato - tomayto

tomato tomayto does anyone really care? My wife has been producing some amazing stuff in the garden this year and the best has to be the tomatoes, I'm not an amazing fan of them but when you sneak in the greenhouse to water them you cant help but pick and eat. I have forgotten what it tastes like buying supermarket crap now that we buy our fruit and veg locally at the farmers market. You just cant beat it, the colours, the taste, the satisfaction.

Summer - Thematic Photographic

I love Summer but I am not sure its my favourite time!? The theme over at Written Inc is "Summer" and I just couldn't decide what to use as an idea until I remembered walking with Sha the other day and remembering Dandelions and when they change into seeds and you can blow them, apparently they tell the time too.

There was a field of them just blowing everywhere and it was a beautiful scene, This macro shot against the blue sky I just LOVE. Have a great week TPer's.

dandelion - you know those blowy things

Went for a walk with Sharron to take some shots and we came across those lovely things that you blow to tell the time! I remember as a kid I would check the time first and see if I could get it right. I love the way the sun shines on Sharron's hair its so dreamy. OK so shes my wife and it sounds a bit sad but she is amazingly beautiful.

sunset girl - renders

I have decided to start including some of my animated renders in my blog so expect them to pop up over the next few weeks.

I create them in poser & daz studio and prefer to mix them with actual photos as a background.

vapourer moth - caterpillar

My wife found this amazing little creature the other day in the garden and recently she served me a caterpillar on my salad, glad it wasn't this one!

Apparently its common to the South, how can something so beautiful be common? That sounds like some middle class comment! I did some searching and found that it is a Vapourer Moth Caterpillar and will grow into this.

A simply beautiful example of a creative God.

abandoned to the moon - thematic photographic

I spent the last two weeks looking up at this moon wondering what it would be like living there on my own, I often feel abandoned and have at times felt the pain that follows. At times I wish I could fly to the moon just for a while and enjoy the peace.

It just looks such a beautiful place.

abandoned - thematic photographic

I think I have missed a few themes over the last two weeks as I have been away at Summer Camp, this weeks theme is abandoned and I have this blue tits nest in my shed in a coffee tin which was abandoned last year and I cant get myself to throw it out in the hope that some miracle might happen.

I think I posted this photo before, I cant remember but it always makes me sad.

mother & child

I was watching these two at our summer camp last week and was blessed by the sheer dedication of a mother horse and her child, it was such an amazing thing to witness. Mother looked stressed and baby looked like he/she didn't have a care in the world.

red admiral - butterflies

I sat amongst a mass of Lavender and was spoilt for choice of photographing Bees to Butterflies. This Red Admiral won.....

morning sun

Taken overlooking the local village one morning at Summer Camp.

morning

Just got back from 2 weeks of summer camp which meant I would get up a little earlier than normal. I normally get up at 6:30 but I was up each day at 5:00 so I got to catch some of the beauty we call creation.

This morning shot is of an Old Oak against a beautiful blue morning sky.

ponder

as I sit here pondering what I can impart to this group of fine young angry, energetic, amazing teenagers, I gasp!

they amaze me with their tenacity and ability to make it through tough decisions and times and yet it's my job to share what I have learned struggled with and suceeded. I do believe there is a God and that he is the way but I don't agree with pushing my faith or belief on anyone.

so the task is to communicate a life changing relationship in a way that does not threat.

all I can do is hope I can give a generous account of what's on offer in this life and be a friend.

I love my job and I love these kids. enough pondering, work to do.



copyright @ www.idennis.co.uk

Ladybird 3

I spent an hour in the garden this morning as the little girl was still there this morning, I think I captured her quite well. I went for a side view rather than the classic top. I am pleased with this shot.