about me in pictures
and some writing too
xx
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| September surveys I've been back to the airport, carrying out survey work. There were lots of delays due to fog, so, I sat down and doodled.  Circle texting began when flight delays announced - a new phenomena for me. People stood in cirlces texting frantically and looking very Stonehenge-like, in a mobile kinda way.  |
Families watched people, who watched people, who watched nothing in particular
Zoning out was in order.
The people theme, on this occasion, was folk wearing large square glasses with thick lenses and frames. Their eyes swimming like goldfish in bowls - googling their surroundings.
I like doing surveys it's interesting, and the cafe has nice lemon-dipped biccys too. I ate lots.
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| Wiggly-Waggly Jim |
I attended an animation workshop (part of Shetland Screenplay Festival) with Jim, who hails from Red Kite Studios, Edinburgh. Jim is the most animated character I've seen for a long time. He is wiggly-waggly-worm-like. He's very nice and happy, and likes the herbs he found in his salad from Olive Tree cafe. I want to animate the Raincoats - they are plodders, not movers and shakers like Jim. I learnt a great deal about animation. I also learnt that no matter how small a space you have to work in, if you wiggle-waggle-squiggle-squaggle, as Jim did - no space is ever too small.
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| Where are you from? |
'Where are you from?' A common question, and so difficult to answer, because I don't really know myself! I was born in Welwyn Garden city, left when 2 years old, and I've moved hundreds of times since - I'm not exaggerating! The pic above shows the places I lived more than 1 year - there's not enough room for the places I lived for 1 month, two.... . Shetland is the first place I've felt settled, at home, and being here has, for some reason, taken me back to the past - memories long forgotten, deeply buried, surface daily. It's a strange old life, but what an interesting journey I'm having in Shetlandia!
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| Abby's giggle-box |
I love sending pressies to people. I like to take time and think about what would suit them best. H, my sis-in-law is always hectic - rushing about helping anyone who needs help. She's a truly good Samaritan, with a specially fitted super-hero cape! She needed some giggles, she told me. It must have been a particularly hard week - rescuing those in need and fighting for justice. I sent her an 'abby giggle-box' drawing. I'll be seeing her soon - we can giggle, wiggle and cackle together for hours!x
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| The perils of Spaghettification |
I love science now. I hated it at school. Dull teachers and rote learning put me off for life, or so I thought. Not so. As I got older I became interested and started self learning. Filling in the missing gaps - gaps due to time spent daydreaming and doodling. I eventually ended up doing a BSc (hons) in Psychology. I found interesting teachers later in life, and continue to do so - last night was one such occasion. It was an aagh, ooohhh, and a wow type of evening with Professor John Brown, 10th Astronomer Royal for Scotland at NAFC Marine Centre, Scalloway. He uses magic tricks to demonstrate complicated theories. He didn't demo Spaghettification, as shown above - no one was harmed really - not even a rabbit! Spaghettification is simply - if you're passing a black hole - you will get sucked up and subsequently elongated - like a piece of spaghetti. Not nice. Click here for the full story and links. I'm off to look for my wand!x
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| Fruity jewellery |
I've been collecting jewellery for as long as I can remember. Not the diamond and gold sort - no, I like quirky jewellery - fruity rings, pots and pans hanging from a bracelet, heart necklaces made out of wood, purple perspex - things that jingle-jangle as I go. Click here for 'fruity friday' post. I have to remember, when speaking, not to wave my hands around so much - dangerous!
This is Fiona from Oily Muggie, well, my version of Fiona!
I've been doing some posing and prancing in Shetland knitwear, for her website.
The pics show the many 'poses' I attempted.
We had a good laugh, and even more so, when I got stuck in my boots.
Getting stuck in clothes is a common occurence.
If you want to read more about my time being trapped in clothes, and my day with Fiona - hugging trees, sniffing bluebells and pushing my collapsible wheelbarrow - click here.
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| In a pickle |
Pickle by name, and in a pickle by nature! I collected the meowing Mo from the cattery, as I put her in the car, it started rolling down the hill. I waved my hands, did a wee jig on the spot - all of which didn't help! A lady passing stopped the car moving. We were saved! Mo kept meowing, and I was frazzled. But an angel, with strong arms, had helped us on our way, once again.x
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| Ruby rocks |
I found rubies that aren't rubies on a walk along Loch of Strom. Sparkling red rocks! I thought I'd found treasure - a new geological find. My rock dreams were shattered by resident Geologist, Allen. He scraped off the rubiness with his penknife. The rocks were dyed by something that had leaked into the water. I shall keep looking though - there is treasure to be found for sure!
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| Land of the giants |
I think there must be days when you see 'people themes'. Today at Sumburgh airport I saw people with the longest legs. Sooo long - I spoke to one chap's knees when asking my survey questions. Strange. The other thing I noticed was that almost every man had a bald patch on the top of his head, and lots of facial hair. Why do men have so much facial hair, but very little head hair? And why a circular bald patch, not triangular or rectangular or squarerangular...? I spent a lot of time pondering these heavy matters, as you do when planes are delayedx
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| DFS Syndrome |
Because of delays at Sumburgh airport today - people started using their mobiles and shouting very loudly about their travel plans. It's called DFS - 'delayed flight syndrome' - nothing to do with sofas.
A busy day at the Museum of Everything exhibition 2. The best bit - meeting the lovely Anna. We spent the day together chatting and wandering around the Tate. Anna walked with her large canvas tucked under her arm. We chatted 10 to the dozen. A German lady approached Anna and told her she was a gallery curator in Germany. She gave Anna her card and said she loved her work and told her to get in contact re: exhibiting her work in Germany. It was a great day for magical happenings. Anna was beaming with delight.
London Part 2
Everyone had their photos taken for the exhibition. When it came to my turn - I laughed a lot, which seemed to please the photographer! It was such a fun atmosphere packed with colourful characters. The place had a real buzz. I was given a number, after standing in a queue for a while. I met a Greek artist with an envelope covered in red lipstick 'kiss, kiss,' she said. I had to wait my turn, until my number was called. 'Could be a few hours' said one of the Tate guys. He knew about the Raincoats from my email. They are getting famouser and famouser!
London Part 3
I visited the 'No Soul For Sale' exhibition - independent artists celebrating 10 years of Tate Modern. We held onto plants attached to synthesisers - we became the circuits and they sang. My plants made a very deep noise. I held hands with a stranger and with our free hands we held the plants - we made sweet plant music together. It was such fun and I kept saying 'WOW' with everyone. It was all very Woodstock.
Part 4
Have your knees ever shaken so much - like the first day of school? My number was called and I climbed a very steep red staircase without stairs - a ramp! I was nervous as I sat in front of the three curators. the Raincoats were studied and questions asked, and then a photograph was taken of 'hello'. I was given a certificate and told to wait for a decision. I thanked everyone and said it was very nice to be among so many people for a change. They said 'thank you' I didn't get to display my work because I sold cards, they said, but they did ask if they could keep my picture for future exhibits or something?! I pondered, and then pondered some more and said yes, and waved goodbye to my little fellas. They're now living in the Tate somewhere. I hope they aren't in a dark cold room and have enough rice pudding and warmth to keep them happyx
I forgot...
I started my 'Tate day' at Borough Market. I saw lots of pickled onions and other yummy foods. I love this market and especially Maria's caf for brekkie xxx
Surveys scare people! They try to hide, but they can't escape!!
My house is a higgledy-piggledy fairy tale cottage with cottage cheese walls and chocolate window frames.
Every few months I wander off to see what I can see...
Mo gets upset when I drop her off at cattery. Her neighbour, this time, was Snowy. Mo hissed lots.
I get woken up at 4.30am every morning by my hungry fluff-ball!
I'm a gypsy at heart. I like living on the road. When I see mobile homes I always smile. The freedom to roam, with very little, is a lovely feeling.
My head often gets fuzzy. I think too much. If my swede gets too whirly - I play Dolly Parton. She always sorts my fuzziness out. I especially like the song 'Jolene'. If Dolly was a bird, I think she'd be a Curlew. 
I went a bit crazy eating cakes when I first arrived. They have lovely Sunday Teas in local halls and they make you eat sugary delights and drink lots of milky tea. Before you know it - you have a cake-butt. There should be a warning at the ferry terminal, and at airports, about Shetland and it's delicious home bakes. I try to resist, but I don't want to be rude!
I have funny chubby toes. If a shoe is comfy, and doesn't squash my funny chubby toes, I will buy them. I especially like wedge heels - I get to grow a few inches and bounce too!
The gym and me have parted company. It was too weird watching me wobble in the mirror opposite, and run on a machine that was taking me nowhere, except towards my wobbling reflection. I now walk up hills. I feel happier doing this.
Inspiration can sometimes disappear. Occasionally I need to put a box on my head or search under my bed or snorkel in my bath; whatever it takes to get my mojo back. 
I like to camp. I like to camp in winter especially, or in wild storms. In Oz a Possum crawled in with us and fell asleep on hubby's feet. A big furry hot water bottle that snored all night (the possum)!
I like to shop for flowers, not so much for clothes anymore. I'm an Internet girl now. It's easier, and means I can spend more time talking and eating cake!
Pickle is my nickname (one of). I love pickles. I can't eat enough of them. Grandma made the best pickled onions in the whole wide world. I love Branston Pickle too and pickled walnuts and Piccalilli and lime pickle and and... Well, I love pickles.
I like colourful handbags - they're my favourite; but very difficult to find.
I'm one of those girls who should be living in a bubble. I sneeze and wheeze at the drop of a hat. If they, (bubble architects) made a bubble big enough for me - I'd be tempted to move in. Everyone visiting would have to wear white or silver space suits and offer me thimbles of wheatgrass juice and organic strawberries, as gifts. I'd be happy, especially if the bubble could fly to other countries. Nicex
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