No thanks....

I had a meeting with Slightly on Friday at his lovely new apartment; we were talking about my new website. I have decided to try and sell some of my photography and he has generously decided to help! So we talked about that (it won’t be just a site for my photography, he thinks it’s important my writing is on there too) and also I got myself a commission! He has been working on a book that’s being published this year; men and cookery, the difference is that the men are real men (as opposed to models I mean) and are all naked. But it’s not gratuitous; it’s fun, cheeky and sexy. Apparently they’ve used big men and small men and everything in between men…

The publishers want the same again, but with women this time. Now Slightly is acutely aware of how women are generally portrayed in the media, and wants the same approach as he took with the male version: real women, real food, real fun – nothing salacious or explicit. And whilst there are many, many photographers better than me, I am ideal for the job because (a) I am a good photographer and (b) I understand implicitly how he as an author wants to present the book and how as a woman I would want to see the women in the book portrayed were I too pick up a copy in my friendly neighbourhood bookstore. I’ve already had some ideas, and will be starting to keep a sketch pad so that we can progress the project, but how cool is that? New website… new job…!

Saturday we did some shopping in Dulwich and it reminded me why I am distinctly under whelmed by the area – nice shops, but stuck up people who look thoroughly miserable all the time. Didn’t stop us spending a small fortune, including two long, silver heart shaped spoons! Lit the fire pit in the evening after a tasty dinner and we sat under the stars for a couple of hours enjoying the night air… lovely.

Today we went for a great walk in the middle of the north Kent countryside with friends (book launch friends) and the dogs. Absolutely gorgeous drive and then some stunning countryside – a really lovely way to spend a Sunday morning except that I had to rush back for a rugby meeting… which I kind of wish I hadn’t bothered about. My last meeting with the Steelers and no one bothered to thank me for the work I’d done over the last four years. And actually, it’s left me a little miffed. There were also some very childish goings on with a couple of people which made my decision to move on seem an even better choice! Oh well… expect too much and you get let down!

There is such a thing as a free lunch

My project that was due to launch on Tuesday has finally been launched today – problems with printers – and we’re going out for a work lunch to celebrate. But due to not having a Christmas lunch this year (for a variety of reasons) we’re also having that today so we’re not coming back to the office! Not a boozy one for me though – I’m driving as per. The member of staff that I keep having hassle with doesn’t want to go. Suits me, and it suits the team because she can cover the phones. No explanation as to why she wouldn’t want to spend this lovely sunny afternoon with her colleagues, enjoying a free and very nice lunch (eaten at this place before and its v. v. nice).

We went to a book launch last night. A friend of ours – a history academic – was a contributory author on a book about homosexuality through the ages! Looks like a cracking read. Can’t remember the title, but the cover features the famous picture by Banksy of two policemen kissing. It was lovely to celebrate his success with him (it’s actually his second book and I doubt it will be his last). But it wasn’t all about him, we got something out of it too… a gooseberry bush (well, and I bought a book about South African history but that aside…). The friend and his partner have a gooseberry bush and no space for it (their garden is crammed full of flowers, fruit and veg) and so have offered it to us and we gladly accepted!

My fire pit arrived yesterday! OK, for those of you that are now looking a bit blank. It’s a very American thing and indeed, my first rather pleasant experience of a fire pit was in a friend’s stunning garden in San Fran having a BBQ that lasted until 4 in the morning. You can get various designs I’m sure, but ours is a fairly large black iron bowl, with short legs (that can be put anywhere in the garden you like). And it’s just like having a real fire indoors, in the winter, except this is outdoors and means we can stay in the garden until all hours during the summer and in fact, whenever the weather is mild…

My last rugby meeting of the season, indeed, ever, this Sunday. I’m resigning after three years of press duties to enjoy more time doing other things and trying other challenges. It will be so nice to have a break from committee duties. One thing people never realise is how much work and time goes into behind the scenes – of any club or organisation, not just ours.

Talking of work, I suppose I’d better get some done… before I take the afternoon off to enjoy a free lunch!