Project 365 - Week 6

Phew, it's been a busy old week in the best possible away.  I spent most of it away from home, away from boyfriend, in Aberdeen for work.  It wasn't too bad though, a lot of my friends live in Aberdeen so it was good to be able to catch up with some, though not all (boo) of them, and take in the sights of my former home:

  

365/36 - Still in Edinburgh at this point.  Greyfriars Bobby must have been cold with all this frost we've been getting, but some kind soul came to his aid and put a little jacket and scarf on him.  I love the story of Greyfriars Bobby and I love that someone's still looking out for him now.

 

365/37 - Entrance to Crombie Halls, University of Aberdeen.  These were my dorms in my 1st year of university.   

 

365/38 - Cottage in Old Aberdeen, the university campus.  I've always wanted to live here.

 

365/39 - Another cottage in Old Aberdeen.  Can you tell I'm obsessed with them?

 

365/40 - Aberdeen Railway Station - leaving for home.

41 and 42 to follow next week (Ssh, don't tell anyone - I actually wrote this on Friday, so haven't taken Saturday and Sunday's photo yet...!  I will have by the time you read this though!)

Enjoy your week and happy Halloween!

xx

Aberdeen...

...For most of this week I was up in Aberdeen on business.

I love Aberdeen.  I studied for my undergraduate degree there, and then after university I kind of perched there for a few years.  I met boyfriend there and most of my best friends, and it truly does feel like home there, even though I'm not from Aberdeen.

My business trip was based at the University of Aberdeen.  It's such a beautiful, inspiring, historic campus, founded in 1494, so I had lots of fun on my lunch-breaks walking around the campus, re-aquainting myself with the place:

 

Kings College

 Kings College Chapel

Kings College and the University Quadrangle

I used to have lectures in here.

Isn't it gorgeous?

xx

This is my Tuesday...

...Firstly, thank you for your support with last week's This is my Tuesday. It's always quite nerve-wracking starting something new that requires participation from others to work, so I was so excited and relieved to see that both Tracy and Erin took part, with some wonderful photos about their homes. Go have a look when you get the chance, you won't be disappointed!

This week the theme of This is my Tuesday is love.

This is my love:

This photo shows my two loves, boyfriend and Lily, sharing a tender moment together. It was taken in the first flat boyfriend and I ever lived in together, in Southampton, not long after we moved in. We had no money, didn't know anyone, and our flat was awful. We had no central heating, no double glazing, holes in the window frames, we had noisy neighbours, and water ran down the stairs every time we took a shower. In spite of all of this, we had our own place together, and life didn't seem that bad. We took advantage of all the little things in life that were free or didn't cost much, like taking long walks in the park, and it gave us a good grounding in getting to know each other and appreciate each other. Now a few years older, we also feel that we can take on anything that comes our way.

Now it's your turn! On your blog, share a photo of what love means to you, and a little bit of text about your photo. Then when you're done, come back and share the link to your post in the Linky box below.

I can't wait to see your photo!

If you're new to This is my Tuesday and want to know a bit more about it please see here.

Next week's topic is vacation.

xx

Project 365 - Week 5

...This week was a little less hectic than last week, thankfully. In fact, it's been a pretty good week, and it's been such a pleasure taking photos:

365/29 - The sun came out after the rain!

365/30 - McEwan Hall, Edinburgh. I went to the University of Edinburgh, and when I finished my post-graduate Masters we had our graduation ceremony in there. When I walked past it on Tuesday it made me think of my graduation, five years ago, and standing so happy in front of the building, gown on, certificate in hand, with my parents by my side.

365/31 - Brazilian Sensation Cafe - always looks really cheery even on super cold days (we've had our first frost of the season).

365/32 - The last rose of autumn. I was walking past a house in Edinburgh and spotted this beautiful single solitary rose, in amongst all the dead foliage.

365/33 - Cobbled heart on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh.

365/34 - Paint splattered hands. We've been busy painting the living room. It's not going to be white, we got it re-plastered the other week, so it's just the base coat that we put on. Who knew paint rollers could be so messy?!

365/35 - Lily, looking a bit too cute and cuddly, and angling for a tickle.

How was your week?

xx

I went to see Beirut...

...live in Edinburgh a little while ago (by little while ago I mean late August...).

Boyfriend was meant to go with me, but he got sick. I couldn't find anyone to go with me, and I almost pulled out of going. But after a quick pep talk with myself I went myself.

I'm glad I did. Beirut were beautiful beyond words. My little heart filled with love. I danced all night. I couldn't stop smiling.

Last week, my Ipod, on shuffle, played Postcards From Italy. Today it played Elephant Gun.

I've come to the conclusion that I can't hear a Beirut song now without grinning from ear to ear.

What's your feel good music?

xx

In my mind...

...today I'm back in Marrakech, in the glorious sunshine, riding in a taxi, the warm breeze on my face and I can smell the dry desert, rich, sweet and dusty. The laughter of children playing in the winding alleyways rings out. And afterwards, I sip fresh mint tea, and look at the stars, and wonder at this place that doesn't feel like it's changed in thousands of years, and wonder what it'll be like in another thousand years, when I'm long gone.

And desperately hoping this rose will still be there:

Rose at the Saadian Tombs.

xx

This is my Tuesday...

...I love the idea of tackling a new project. With it being autumn, and autumn always feeling to me like the time for starting something new, I thought that it's time for a new project. A project that everyone can take part in.

And so I came up with the idea of This is my Tuesday, a photo project where every Tuesday the plan is to share a photo on a particular topic, so that you can get to know me a bit better, I can get to know you a bit better, and that your readers can get to know you too.

This week I thought the topic for This Is My Tuesday should be home.

Here's a photo of my little house:

I love that everyday I come out my door I have fresh lettuce and rocket waiting to be picked that I grew myself. I love that after years of living in flats with shared entrances that I have my very own front door. I love the heavy brass door knocker on the door, and most of all I love that my house is red! This is my home, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Now it's your turn! Post on your blog any photo you think sums up your house. It doesn't have to be the same as mine, it could even be an object, basically any photo that sums up home to you, and a little bit about your photo.

It doesn't have to be a photo that you've taken especially for This is my Tuesday, it can be one you've put on your blog before. And to be all inclusive, if you don't have a camera, use a found image instead if you think it sums up home (though please play fair and always cite your photo source).

Make sure you come back and leave a link to your blog post in the McLinky box below so I and other Red Boots readers can have a little look.

I can't wait to see your photos!

I'll always post the next week's topic a week in advance, to give you a bit of time if you do want to take a photo especially for the project. Next week's topic is love.

xx

ps: I'm still going to continue running the Dear 16 Year Old Me posts so if you have any submissions mail them to me at red.boots(at)hotmail.co.uk.

pps: I don't know the image credit for the camera - if anyone recognises it let me know and I'll add it here.

Project 365 - Week 4

This week has been a tough week. We've had a lot of work done on the house, and consequently the house has been in chaos. We've been confined to the kitchen and bedroom, and had to climb over furniture to get into anything. Work's also been quite stressful, so it's been good to be able to take time out in the day, take a photo, and remember to appreciate life.

365/22 - Coffee at Joseph Pearce, a beautiful bar, inside and out.

365/23 - Yellow leaves against brilliant blue sky.

365/24 - The first Christmas advert I've seen. He's quite cute :)

365/25 - I love the old paint work on this building on South Clerk Street, Edinburgh. I'm not sure what the Friendship Centre is/was, but it always makes me smile every time I pass it.

365/26 - I've never known what this church is called on Lothian Road, Edinburgh, but it's especially pretty.

365/27 - Well deserved beer.

365/28 - Trying to eat better.

What did you get up to this week?

xx

I Recently Stumbled Across...

...a blog called Missed Connections, and is truly is the most heartbreakingly beautiful website. Sophie creates drawings based on the missed connections posts on Craigslist.

Some of my favourites:

-m4w -19 (2 or 5 train)

You were the gorgeous brunette sleeping on the train. I was the guy sitting next to you. I just wanted to apologize for my repeated lack of consciousness onto your shoulder, we both got off at flatbush. Hit me back up if you think this is you.

- m4w - 32

You had on a furry hat with ear flaps and you crashed into me at Wollman Rink today. You are a terrible but adorable skater. Happy New Year!

- m4w

We shared a bear suit at an apartment party on Saturday night.

I asked for your number and you gave it to me, but somehow I don't have an area code written down. I had a great time talking with you, and I don't trust Chance enough to wait until I see you in the elevators...

- m4m - 29 (astoria)

we were both swimming around 5-6 in astoria pool. we ended up walking the same direction in the park for a while but didn't talk. i wish i had said hi...so i figured i would on here. worth a shot.

This is my definition of romance. Definitely.

xx

Blogger...

...what have you done?

I'm having trouble uploading photos (I keep getting a blank box of doom).

And even when photos do upload I can't move them around my post.

Please fix it soon so we can be friends again.

xx

Project 365 - Week 3

All taken on the iPhone again, so it's safe to say it's definitely an iPhone 365 project (I'm not sponsored by Apple, promise).

365/15: Self portrait.

365/16: Sunrise in our village.

365/17: Pumpkins in one of my favourite grocers shops in Newington, Edinburgh.

365/18: Afternoon walk through The Meadows, Edinburgh.

365/19: Old College, University of Edinburgh

365/20: Lots of lovely leaves outside my house.

365/21: My amaryllis is in bloom. It bloomed last year for the first time, properly.

Hope your week was a good one!

xx

Camping...

Boyfriend and I are camping in the bedroom while big home improvement jobs are being done on our house.

I've discovered that I'm not good at living in confined spaces.

But boyfriend gives good cuddles, so it's kind of ok.

xx

Because it's Autumn...

...and because these songs have been on my autumn playlist for the last five years, I thought it's time to share my favourite autumn songs:

Laura Veirs - Secret Someones

Dirty Three feat. Chan Marshall - Great Waves

Yo La Tengo - You Can Have It All

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Abbatoir Blues

As well as fallen leaves and crisp air, autumn to me also means dark mornings and dark nights. It's such a sharp contrast to summer when the sun barely sets here in Scotland. I guess I like my music dark to match the light.

xx

Project 365 - Week 2

Week 2, and I'm afraid all my photos have again been taken with my iPhone. I'm thinking of changing it to a 365 iPhone photo project so I don't feel as bad...!

365/8: Royal Mile, Edinburgh.


365/09: The view of Edinburgh Castle from the bus stop. I had been working late, and it looked slightly eerie in the autumn night.

365/10: Red dress and fallen leaves

365/11: Reading on the bus. I wish I'd read this as a teenager.

365/12: Rain rain rain, all day.

365/13: Home made bramble and vanilla jam. The brambles came from just outside my front door. Talk about low food miles.

365/14: New Joules slippers. These are the warmest things ever.

That was my week, how was yours?

xx