One of those days "i'm sure I did that before I left"

Real Life and Second Life; my life has undergone some changes. I struggled for a while with what I *thought* was Expected, but then I remembered that trying to live someone else's way probably wasn't MY way.

I'm kind of a nerd, not a convincing sexpot or a rampaging Dominatrix. I can live with that :-)

"No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path."

Sometimes. "one step after the other" is more peaceful than worrying about the destination...

I have some great people to love within Second Life, and I think I manage to love them better when I don't overthink :-)

Shot in the Whimberly Sim maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Whimberly/173/200/31

Out now @MOM. Wearable, available in 5 color versions and with or without mouth.

Day 58

I feel as if we hold on so much to things simply because we are afraid of being without them. Maybe it's because we don't know how, or we feel as if by getting better we have farther to fall. The first step is always going to be impossibly intimidating and I promise the second one is a thousand times easier.

I just need to stop overthinking everything and take the first huge leap, and have faith that everything else will follow.

I had the idea for this photo on the bus ride home today. We drove past these trees and as soon as the bus stopped I got off and walked back in the opposite direction of my house. Of course, as luck would have it, my camera died upon my arrival so I got to walk ALL THE WAY home and then ALL THE WAY back. But I do think it was worth the trek ;) I also owe a huge thanks to my beautiful little sister Megan who captured this jump for me!

Here's another inside look at building a big MOC.

I'd mentioned last time that you want to start with a single section of the facade that you can repeat as nescessary. The idea being that it creates a pleasing pattern. Well, this is the start of that.

Eventually though, you're going to need a corner. What does that look like? How does it keep with the rest of the building?

I find it useful to keep those questions in mind when I start building, but loosely. Don't overthink it. The solution you see here is deliberately simple and keeping to the look of period architecture.

Next step will be the entrance. And, one of the big questions - What does the inside look like. I'll take suggestions for that one. What would you like to see?

Here's a thought:

Has anyone ever wondered if birds suffer with claustrophobia?

Its fine if you’re an Osprey or a Stork and build huge open nests on the tops of trees or suitable chimneys, but what of the birds who nest in tiny spaces?

Maybe I’m overthinking it and birds are not capable of such higher thought processes. Although If that were the case, it should rule me out of the phobia I hear you say.

I was watching a tree hole that was used by woodpeckers last year and the thought occurred that the hole is pretty much the same size as the bird, it’s a bit of a tight squeeze to get into a pretty cramped space. Imagine having a tiny front door into a space where the cat gets a really bad headache if you swing it round, and trying to get through with all your Aldi shopping bags (that’d be Waitrose if you’re in the south).

Even worse if you’re a Red-billed Hornbill!

The female will protect her young against intruders by building a wall of mud, droppings and fruit pulp across the opening of the nest, just leaving a thin slit to allow the male to pass food through. Claustrophobic or what!

Picture the scene when the male has had a few too many at the ‘watering hole’ and forgets to bring the ‘groceries’ back! That’s one angry lady Hornbill! At least he’s safe outside the nest. 😳

You may be wondering what this has got to do with a ‘random’ lighthouse. I was hoping to bring you a shot of some fledgling Blue tits from the nest box in the garden, however ‘Woody’ woodfecker has put paid to that as I saw him predating the nest box yesterday. So, he’s not exactly flavour of the month, no, that would be the Blue Tit chicks!

Oh well, that’s life, sadly not for the chicks.

youtu.be/WJTXDCh2YiA

Incidentally, I googled ‘Do birds suffer with claustrophobia?’ and this is what I got:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3238201/Woman-claims-ove...

I’m not sure if Google is actually referring to the lady with the derogatory term ‘bird’!

Week 22/52

10/28/14

© All rights reserved. A low-res, flatbed scan of a 6x7 (2 1/4 x 2 3/4 inch) transparency

Please don't overthink that; it causes a headache.

Anyhow, I took this one one afternoon shooting with my sons down in San Jose and vicinity, like here in Santa Clara.

The gloss from the freshly-painted, giant, sheet-metal saguaro cactus Western Motel sign caught the raking light nicely.

Thanks for having a look!

When you think of that special person who has your heart and all you can think is rawr....

You can't be that kid standing at the top of the waterslide, overthinking it. You have to go down the chute. - Tina Fey

In a world full of temporary people, you are my forever. You’re the one I run to when something good happens. You’re the one I think about when something hurts. You’re the comfort in my chaos. The calm in my overthinking. Being with you doesn’t feel forced. It doesn’t feel complicated. It feels safe. It feels like home. You’re not just someone I love. You’re the one I choose every single day. In every mood. In every season. In every version of life. When I hold your hand, I don’t just feel your touch; I feel security. I feel loyalty. I feel a future. You’re my person. And loving you isn’t a phase. It’s a promise. ❤️

Theta is one of the more elusive and extraordinary brain states you can explore. It is also known as the twilight state which you normally only experience fleetingly upon waking, or drifting off to sleep. Theta is the brain state where magic happens in the crucible of your own neurological activity listen here for some postive vibes

Listen @ youtu.be/JF7PtelrLFQ

ignore these.

PS: please please please if you have bought 125 magazine (heroes edition) could you take a quick snap of the page on which i'm featured? i've looked allllll over for it (ireland and my area in the US) but can't find it, and asked the mag for a PDF of it but they didn't respond. I could be eternally grateful if someone sent me just that page of the mag!

New Years Resolutions:

1) don’t worry as much

2) don’t beat yourself up for things you did/can’t change

3) stop overthinking things, just do them. don’t second-guess yourself.

4) bake more to relieve stress

5) maintain a good report card, don’t obsess over grades

6) take the best photos ever

7) continue a comprehensive notebook with ideas

8) draft out the outline of your novel properly

9) stop obsessing over weight

10) be happier

11) be better to my family

12) stop cursing as much

13) keep things in perspective

14) get your driver’s license for god’s sake

15) be more self-reliant

16) stop having panic attacks, please.

17) write more

18) take things a day at a time

19) eat healthier

20) have more photoshoots

21) try to get a position as a photographer’s assistant/publishing house assistant over the summer

22) go outside more

21) look at colleges properly

22) use the internet less

23) have more slumber parties with loads of people

"For a lot of this competition I allowed myself to overthink & over complicate my submissions as I would become so committed to molding my ideas into what I thought would please the judges most that I would lose sight of what I wanted to achieve overall. The ad campaign for my scent was no different at first but amidst trying to pick through the 6 or 7 dozen photos I'd chosen before I realized that allowing myself to become so wound up has affected me greatly here and I decided to be spontaneous, throw out my complicated idea for my ad and start from scratch and while this left me a little under the gun for submission I can say now that my ad truly reflects what my scent was going for and no matter where it lands me I can say that I am satisfied.

Whether or not things are meant to be is not something I can know but from this day forward thinking about how to force things in my favor will no longer be something I allow to be a concern of mine as life is meant to be enjoyed, not analyzed.

'Kismet' is a perfume with a vanilla top note that gives way to a blend of Lavender & Chamomile, all of which are perfect to relax & luxuriate in. The bottle itself is actually a golden locket, which becomes reusable upon the completed use of the perfume."

~~~~~

For the first time in the competition I was really scrambling - I had been sick the first week of submissions and working the second week - and had started with a completely different concept at first but then, on the night before the last day we could submit entries, I had an epiphany, posed Sy'Rai and started taking photos as soon as morning light hit & didn't stop until the sun was setting. All of that effort yielded me this lovely picture, that I quickly added some text too & submitted. I was happy with it no matter what the result that was to come but it actually landed in the top 3 this week! eeee!!! Fingers crossed that I win!

I think this could sum up a lot of emotions right now as our world is stood still but working together for the greatest cause.. it is such a strange and weird time - it’s almost like your body has been granted the rest it’s been craving, you’ve been unplugged from the mains and the subframe you were running and given a chance for repairs - and that is truly how I felt at the beginning of this lockdown.

This week would be a month for me in lockdown and it’s been so surreal, it’s been a weird mix of trying to understand what I am meant to do with my life now... enjoying the rest but worrying and overthinking about everything that’s not happening or not going to happen and one point at the beginning just feeling like shutting down.

However I have such a wonderful support network and I’ve been to be more in control now I’ve got used to the idea of having to stay indoors. And like me I know that each of you reading this are going through your own process - but that’s okay! You don’t need to be at someone else’s stage in this process - live each day to your fullest - do what you feel you can and want to do! There is no right or wrong in this!

One thing I do have to say though is that this is a weird feeling knowing that the next series of images that will be coming out by me are all of me! I don’t do self portraits a lot but this I see as creative challenge ☺️ and this is the first image I got to edit using Adobe lightroom! I’m certainly starting to branch out my creativity and I can’t wait to see how it goes 🙌

Let me know what you think and what you’re doing to stay sane ☺️

Sometimes you should just go with what there is and not overthinking it, like in the previous image

I realize that my editing is not very consistent, therefore my stream really is not that appealing from a first glance aha. I find it weird cause my editing is quite consistent, but the outcomes never seem the same. Maybe it's just me overthinking as usual....but somehow I want to have a "unique" editing style, y'know?

Anyways, today's shoot went pretty well! The weather didn't cooperate as well as i'd hoped, but some shots turned out nicely!

I actually love this shot sooo much cause of all the awesome colours! Everyone was so tacky that it literally made me happy!!! :)

I want to put up the original somewhere, so you can see the different outcomes!

I'll upload more as i edit them! :)

Finally something I'm happy with after a looong time! Only had the scratches on my leg at first, since this was my initial idea but then I decided to add the smoke and fire in the background. I've been so busy lately, mostly studying and overthinking and daydreaming. I can't wait for 2013 to be over, this year has been frustrating, but things are starting to look better! Have a great weekend lovely people xx

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~~ If anyone is interested in prints email me at marianna_san@hotmail.com ~~

What are you thinking, dear butterfly? Are you thinking about exploring the floral world you have never been to? Are you thinking about hosting a worldwide butterfly exposition? Or are you thinking about playing checkers with me? Whatever you are pondering, remember not to overthink.

Thanks for reading, dear Flickr friends. The pose of this butterfly reminds me of Auguste Rodin’s sculpture The Thinker. (Please view the previous image on my photostream.)

Went to test out this new to me Nettar 515/2 6x9 and after developing have these weird marks in the sky. No clue if camera lens fungus/haze or development issue. Could have been some weird clouds and I'm overthinking this too.

Zeiss Nettar 515/2 | Zeiss | Holga 400

Scanned with Canoscan 8800f | 120 w/ acrylic

Home developed in Rodinal 1:25 | Agitation

“When she was a child, my love carried a road-map in her hand the way other girls carried handkerchiefs. She always knew the way. Her feet were little wings. And her beautiful head was a compass.”

― Roman Payne

Soundtrack : www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTLnlkrCK8c

Sixpence None The Richer- Kiss Me with lyrics

WHEN WE WERE SWEET SIXTEEN

I'm telling you now to live every day as if it is your last

because you never know my love

when that day comes round so fast

and if I only had one day left upon this earth,

I know how it would go.

I would spend that day with you and cram it full

with all the love we yearned for but couldn't have

and if I had nothing left it wouldn't be quite true,

because I would give up everything in a heart beat

just to be with you

and if I packed up all the chaos

that crowds out all my thoughts,

it would be clear to me that the only thing left

would be my sweet memories of you

and I'm ok with that and I could finally let you go

and release my grip upon this world

that only gave me promises it couldn't keep

and relinquish that one good thing

and all the promises of you, but you know how this works;

you know the equation of my life and all my funny little quirks

and I know yours and all the tales you told

of love and romance; fairy stories and adventurers so bold.

Ninety percent of nothing is nothing,

but that ten per cent oh, that felt so real

and if I could have that time all over again, no,

I would not change a thing,

but I would try to make it so

even if I had to beg, borrow, lie and steal.

But, here's the thing,

we can only replay those precious memories

like a black and white movie on the silver screen

that twists and winds inside our heads

and burns bright right to the end,

then in a puff of smoke and sizzling celluloid

our dreams lay smouldering, molten on the floor

and all we have is the shattered windows to our souls;

our bones lay broken by the stones we threw.

Living in that house of glass

we should have known that it would never last,

but we created the illusion of something rather wonderful

and in our young and beautiful teenage minds

we ran with scissors until we fell down

and cut ourselves to ribbons with each spoken word

and loved until our eyes grew weary

with the slow demise of the candle flame;

we slept like fallen angels

stretched out and homeward bound;

limbs entwined like roots of forest trees

seeking life far beyond this mortal ground

and if we never woke from this sweet deep sleep

would it be so bad a thing!

When we were kids we''d kid ourselves

that I would be your sweet pink rose

and you would be my King.

We'd sail upon the seven seas to unknown treasured lands

and dig so deep until we tired and fell laughing to the ground

tears of laughter dried on our cheeks

with endless summer sun

or mingled with the heaven-sent rain in deserts far from home.

We built our own oasis on an island in the sun

and played at would-be pirates fighting; on the run,

but hey my love of bygone days' those days we locked away

inside the reckoning of our minds

we left the grass to dry to hay

and a million poppies grow

in that field of dreams where once you lay me down,

but there's one grows tallest of them all

and waiting to be found.

Shall we forget the meanderings of our minds

and throw caution to the wind

Overthinking shatters dreams, shall we let our hearts decide

like we did when we were sweet sixteen;

brave, invincible, living for the ride … ?

- AP – Copyright remains with the author

'copyright image please do not reproduce without permission'

nirevil.blogspot.gr/2016/01/131.html

Matchbox Super Kings K20 - Cargo Hauler and Pallet Loader (1973-1978).

For me the ramp makes no sense. First it stows under the load and second the forklift can reach the load off the flatbed without going up the ramp anyway. Maybe I'm overthinking it...

Melmore Head, Rosguill, County Donegal, Ireland

Even though I travel across Ireland during the sunniest of days capturing photos there is always that curious side of me that wants to investigate caves & darker places! Caves are not the boring, dark & scary places most folk believe they are. Cave walls hold so many various colours & textures that have been slowly enriching over millions of years. Some colours found in these caves are tones I have yet to see elsewhere in nature.

Our ancestors believed that these caves were actual gateways to the “Otherworld”. Not only did they live in caves like this, but they actually buried their loved ones here to help guide them to the other world they all believed so strongly in....

Thinking it all over in my mind I have come to the realisation that our ancestors certainly had the right idea by living in these mysterious caves. Clearly for the shelter benefits from the harsh elements but especially for the scenic reasons.

Each morning they woke onlooking this very unchanged scene through their front entrance hole leading straight onto a sandy beach. What a way to start your day! Clearly this mightn't be a lifestyle choice for everyone especially in modern times with our home comforts etc however it's something id personally prefer now & then just to clear this overthinking mind of mine

Hope you enjoy! Please Favourite & Follow to view my newest upcoming works, Thank you

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While I’m writing this, there is heavy rain outside, and it’s falling for the last twelve hours. The whole day is a bit fitting for overthinking about a lot of stuff in life. Somehow, I started to think about how I discovered photography as my passion.

I didn’t plan to post anything today, but I got a feeling to write, so here I am. I’ve just put some classical music in the background, with a piano as a main instrument, accompanied by the sounds of rain hitting my window. The heating is also on, so I’m warm and cosy to do some writing.

From the days I was a kid, I was somehow surrounded by photo cameras. Nobody in my family ever did photography as a profession, but we always loved to capture family gatherings and birthdays, etc. So I basically started with my dad's Olympus film camera, and then as time went by and I started to be more mature, I switched to digital.

I remember when my first point-and-shoot camera started to photograph a strange pink layer on the photos. It turned out that the lens was damaged from the shooting in the bright sun. The repairing was difficult and it wasn’t cost-effective, so I needed to find another camera, as I was feeling like I had lost a limb from my body.

After that, I bought a new camera, and I’ve been shooting with it for the last twelve years. When I see what cameras can do nowadays, I sometimes feel embarrassed for still using this one, but I can’t help myself. It is so small and nice, and I don’t need to think about taking my photo-bag and switching lenses…

Approximately a decade ago, when Instagram was blooming with landscape shots, I started to admire many of them and wished I knew how to shoot like some photographers there. As I always loved to do a long walk by the river, I decided to bring my camera with me. And let me tell you, I didn’t know anything about photography.

I went at midday, photographing landscapes without a subject, and without any sense of composition. And I was persistent in that way of photographing. I’m laughing while writing this and reminiscing about my beginnings.

Then, out of the blue, YouTube got on my mind. There must be some photographers there posting videos while they’re photographing, right? Oh, the revelation.

That’s when I found out I’m an absolute ignoramus for photography. While the feeling was a bit bitter, I was drawn to those videos to learn about photography, the rules of composition and equipment that I never bought. I didn’t feel like the learning part was any sort of problem or difficult for me, I did it for fun in my free time.

Later, I started learning about photo editing, also. As time was passing, I noticed I was getting a sense for photography, and while posting online, I did get some positive feedback.

The most important part is that I discovered something more than a hobby, a spark, a big passion. I’m still a bit confused about how I got here, but now I just can’t imagine my life without either watching about photography or doing it myself. And it’s a blessing.

I was playing with my band this evening.

On Facebook, musicians have this thing where they post a picture of a venue and say 'my office tonight'. I don't know why, but it's always irritated me.

It's often somewhere exotic, atmospheric or impressive and I think it sounds a bit superior compared to a regular office (which there's nothing wrong with at all). Anyway, I've done it now, so I'll shut up and stop overthinking things.

This place shows me light. Even when things get stressful it has allowed me to take my time and to not overthink. As the title says observe the positives. You can either view this picture as lonely or you can see it as a getaway! But, that's up to you.

follow me on instagram @a.m101_photography

Please excuse my play on the line from The Lord’s Prayer that I’ve chosen as the title for today’s photo. Taken in April 2023 near Bodalla, Australia, this image made me think of how similar things on Earth can look to some of the immense structures in our Milky Way galaxy. Certainly, there’s a massive difference in scale between the tree’s dead, angular branches and the dark, angular shapes of what astronomers call “dust lanes.” Still, looking at the twisted shapes in the sky in the top-left of my photo, they look similar to the dead branches that frame them.

Or, perhaps, I overthink things! Whatever the case, looking at our universe through something more earthly increases my sense of wonder for creation.

This photo is a single exposure, captured with my Canon EOS 6D Mk II camera and a Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art lens @ f/2.0, using an exposure time of 15 seconds @ ISO 3200.

I sit pretty and let the tension do the talking.

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The Look:

Style References

Description Section:

Lately I’ve been in my grounded, glowing, and slightly dangerous era — and this look slid right into that mood without asking permission. Green has been calling me, not loudly, just enough to make me listen. The Shannon Set (including the leg warmers) by Xero hugs in all the right places, clean and confident, like I didn’t overthink it… because I didn’t.

I threw on the Tonya coat from Rosary for that quiet contrast — textured, cozy, but still polished enough to feel intentional. It’s the kind of outerwear that makes sitting on stone steps feel editorial instead of accidental. The Ash hair by Angelic stays sleek and smooth, framing my face in a way that feels calm, controlled, and very much on my terms.

Finished it off with Dulce hoops because I’ll always believe earrings should whisper luxury, not shout it. And the Melly heels? Soft straps, steady energy — walking like I’ve already arrived, even when I’m just passing through.

This look isn’t trying to impress. It already knows.

I'm running out of patience with the news lately. I think my advancing age is colliding with my ever decreasing attention span. My mind is still very curious, it's just become very selective. I can no longer watch any sort of news programming where the content is decided for me. I prefer aggregated news websites where I can scan the headlines, and drill down only if there's interest. Point is there seldom is any interest. Increasingly, I'm finding that the headline itself provides enough information. Lately, most of what I learn about current events comes by way of single sentence blurbs. And even then, I skim past many after reading only the first couple of words. I'm just a step away from simply looking at the pictures and not reading anything at all. I wonder sometimes how my intellect became so degraded (or as I like to think of it, repurposed). It happened so gradually I didn't really notice until it was gone. I always thought of mindfulness as a linear progression. Turns out I was wrong.

Doll encounters have a way of forcing repressed thoughts to the forefront. These grimy faces, bad haircuts, and utterly forlorn baby clothing epitomize the hopelessness of castoff toys. The children that once cherished them grew up and left the dolls behind, battered and forgotten. Objects intended to bring joy and happiness now destitute, cast with a pall of solemnity. It concerns me at times that I find such joy in capturing these tiny faces of despair. All part of the art I tell myself; just take the photos and try not to overthink it. As long as the results are respectful, the means seem justified.

Nikon D850

Nikon 70-200 F2.8

ISO 64 | 70mm | F2.8 | 1/2000s

New Brighton Pier - Christchurch New Zealand.

This is why I get people out of bed early.

We rolled into New Brighton Pier before sunrise, not much happening… and then this. The sky just lit up, the whole scene turned gold, and for a few minutes everything lined up perfectly.

No rushing, no overthinking — just stand there, take it in, and then start shooting.

These are the moments I’m always chasing… and the ones that make it all worth it.

Awesome style, look of determination, incredible presence: meet Stranger #19, Tunia.

I saw her staring wistfully into the distance, as if waiting to be captured by a camera--mine! (She later told me she was gathering her thoughts before sitting down to read her Bible.) It took a lot of courage to disturb her reverie by asking if I could take her picture. She agreed, then asked a few questions about the project.

I took 8 photos, trying not to overthink things. She assumed different poses, but I liked this one because it captured her strength and character. Meeting Tunia reignited my interest in the 100 Days of Strangers project. For a while, I'd lost my nerve about approaching people. I'm back on track now.

To learn more about the 100 Strangers Project and see photos of other photographers, visit www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/

I posted this a while ago on my other stream but as I'm limited in my movements right now, me and a few billion others of course, and wishing to choose an image that I'm particularly proud of with it being the weekend, almost, this one has everything I can ever wish for photographically.

Why? Because it's timeless and holds a reminder that the important things in life happen today right in front of you without any assistance from the news media. A mystery awaits us all and we can choose to break the tranquility if we desire but sometimes a journey to the end of the street and back again is all we need. To quote Marcus Aurelius, the happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts. To quote myself, don't go overthinking, it ain't worth it :)

I've tended to overthink and overcomplicate photography. Now I'm trying to shoot more I realise it's just about... getting out and trying stuff. Creativity. Test the limits. And the blessing is being out their in moments like these.

This one's captured hand-held a couple of inches above the water at 1/6s F8 ISO500. And it's not 100% sharp but it's sharp enough.

A time-lapse was made tonight and will follow one day.

it's 3 a.m, you're sleeping while i'm overthinking

Worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe.

Alpspitze, Germany, June 2024

On Control in Landscape Photography

Fortunate are the photographers who find themselves in the right place at the right time, capturing that magical moment when everything seems to fall into place. In landscape photography, we cannot control the weather, the light, or the elements. We can only prepare, hope for the best, and work with what actually happens, accepting the unpredictability of the environment. That's trivial. But can we conclude anything else from this?

There is this idea that almost forces itself upon us: surrender the desire to control things, abandon your ego that stands in your way, allow things to unfold, find comfort in submission to something beyond you and greater than yourself, and consequently allow yourself to be led by it. This idea seems to be quite popular, one that surely accompanied countless artists to peak performance. Among them perhaps even legends we admire, whose authority seems undeniable through their success.

Despite this, it is not a perspective I share. Obviously, I accept my limits as a human being. But that is not my point. It is precisely the focus on the dynamics of control and submissive desire in the creative process that really bothers me. In my opinion, our natural limits do not indicate the need for deception regarding our mind-blowing and incredible capacity to be inherently creative from within — because we are nothing short of miraculous (sorry for sounding cringy). By embracing and celebrating both our abilities to appreciate and create beauty, the question of control becomes generally irrelevant, even though it may still bother us from time to time. Of course, this is just my personal view.

So, how does reflecting on these kinds of things help anyone become a better photographer? Ultimately, it doesn't matter where anyone stands on the question of dealing with our limits. But I’d like to think that by critically examining our motivations and viewpoints, we can deepen our engagement with our art. Understanding the psychological dynamics at play could lead to more intentional and meaningful creative expression.

This is my approach, but who knows, maybe I’m overthinking.

overthinking is killing me

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I don't like sitting at the beach alone for too long. A storm brews is my head as I tend to think and overthink everything,

Anyway, I am praying for everyone in the coming path of Florence, be safe, be careful and if you can... be off the coast and away from the path. Godspeed.

Location:

The Dreamer's Island - Surf & Nude beach, The Dreamer (74, 134, 21) - Adult.

This creation is the second in my series of bicycles. A 1890s Penny Farthing, leaning against a gas lit lamp post. The scene includes a lace parasol, wicker basket and phonograph. The Penny Farthing was one of the last of its models before "safety" bikes were integrated into society. However Penny Farthings were still used for racing until the 1930s.

___________________

This creation was made specifically for LEGO House in mind. When the team showed interest in exhibiting my LaFrance Streamliner and gave me the dimensions of the LEGO House Master Gallery space, I felt that the LaFrance wasn’t enough. The idea of building a Penny Farthing was in my mind for ages but loads of life things got in the way - I moved to England from Canada and decided to move my collection with me, which easily became overwhelming and disorganized. Once I had it all sorted out, a few months later I decided to move to Scotland so again my collection was all over the place! I finally moved in to my flat in Scotland and built non-stop for 2 weeks after work, and finally installed 'Day Out in Autumn' (along with 'Picnic in the City') on September 26 at LEGO House in Denmark.

This past year I’ve taken a long break from LEGO. Along with moving my life across the world and some personal life mishaps I was overwhelmed by the attention Picnic in the City got and felt the pressure of wanting to be sure my next creations were of the same high standard. This made me overthink a lot and overwhelm myself, so a break from the brick was needed. I'm excited to reveal to you guys my latest creation, and can say as well that my next one is shortly on its way. I truly do miss the community and building and have felt really disconnected this last year, hoping to get back into continuous building again.

Credit to Stefan Kubin for the dome technique that I used for the parasol - his colour choices were too perfect too that I used it for my parasol and need to credit him on being an inspiration.

Big hugs to Iain for doing an amazing job editing my awful photos taken in the most ghetto setup in my small flat. You are a star - TEAM BICYLE!

oldddd yo.

back from ireland today. french paper to write tomorrow...woo

and, by the way, is anyone else blown away by how frickin gorgeous saskia is? ^^

PS: please please please if you have bought 125 magazine (heroes edition) could you take a quick snap of the page on which i'm featured? i've looked allllll over for it (ireland and my area in the US) but can't find it, and asked the mag for a PDF of it but they didn't respond. I could be eternally grateful if someone sent me just that page of the mag!

New Years Resolutions:

1) don’t worry as much

2) don’t beat yourself up for things you did/can’t change

3) stop overthinking things, just do them. don’t second-guess yourself.

4) bake more to relieve stress

5) maintain a good report card, don’t obsess over grades

6) take the best photos ever

7) continue a comprehensive notebook with ideas

8) draft out the outline of your novel properly

9) stop obsessing over weight

10) be happier

11) be better to my family

12) stop cursing as much

13) keep things in perspective

14) get your driver’s license for god’s sake

15) be more self-reliant

16) stop having panic attacks, please.

17) write more

18) take things a day at a time

19) eat healthier

20) have more photoshoots

21) try to get a position as a photographer’s assistant/publishing house assistant over the summer

22) go outside more

21) look at colleges properly

22) use the internet less

23) have more slumber parties with loads of people

"Overthinking killed my happiness. Insecurities killed my self-esteem. Lies killed my trust."-unknown

I saw something like this on weheartit and also from Matt Wisniewski so credit goes to them:)

A lot of my Polaroids have been from last year, but it was a reeeaallllyyyy fun year. Sure, I’ve posted most of my favorites from 2026, but I feel like it would take me ages to get through 2025. This shoot in particular had some great moments. Elizabeth was with us but had to leave early, so Mizuki and I were wandering the park for a bit until the sun started setting and the light shifted, and then the mad scramble to use that golden light began. This one was the peak of it, and I’ve been overthinking when the best time to post it was ever since. Guess now is the time!