Monday, October 15, 2012

Guile Hoves Into View

Crazy is as crazy does.

It’s yesterday. I'm having tea in the back garden. My friend Ziva, of Ziva's Inferno fame, has dropped by. We've known each other for what seems like years, and the tiny resident of Finland is comfortable enough to speak plainly.

Roth, you schmuck, she says, endearingly cuffing me round the head while standing on a box in four-inch heels, why haven't you been taking part in the 30 Days Of Photography Challenge?

It’s a good question. The challenge, the illegitimate brainchild of bloggers Ziva and Mike, sets a different topic every day for a month; one topic, one photo, every day. I like the idea, and enjoy photography, but don’t want to hand my blog over to it for over four weeks to do it.

I mumble something noncommittal and gaze somewhat shiftily at the blue sky through the trees.

Ziva’s having none of it, but she knows I'm a tough sell; some guile hoves into view. Indigo, why not do a catch-up entry at the weekend? she purrs amiably. Bless her, it almost sounds like a question. Game over.

Ziva even consents to a photo to get me started. However, as you can see, she's terribly camera shy.

 Pointing out where the camera is doesn't seem to help. But what’s that you say, dear reader?

Hey Indigo! Wowsers, what awesome hair Ziva has!

I know, right?!

So this is my catch-up. Fourteen days in one go. Run now, there’s still time.

Oh, the punchline? By the time I took the photos, Ziva had headed out for dinner with the house’s resident lion, King. I notice that my best necktie is missing.

What can I say? ZZ Top were almost right.

Every girl’s crazy about a sharp-dressed cat.


Day 1 - Shiny

 A metal peacock. Okay, tell me it’s not shiny.

Day 2 - Fast

 When the doctor says to go easy on the fast food for a few weeks, I have no choice but to fast. A few blueberries and raspberries? Think of it as Dinner.

Day 3 – Above My Head

 Sometimes you’re in the right place at the right time. Better yet, with a camera.

Day 4 - Sour

 It’s better on the Continent, but the UK Fanta Lemon still rocks.

Day 5 - Lotion

 Okay, not strictly lotion, but good for my hands.

Day 6 - Vibration

 Good grief, I think my teeth are shaking.

Day 7 - Craftsman

 “And He made an origami frog, an exquisite form from a single uncut square of Abaca fibre paper. And when He finished the intricate box pleating and shaping, He breathed life into it. And it jumped out of the window.”

Day 8 - Hair

 Some have it, some don’t. On the whole, as a guy, I like “with”.

Day 9 - Rules

 I don’t like Rules in general. I like Order. But in a car park, I like these rules just fine.

Day 10 - Stalker

 It waits, it watches. And when the time is right, it strikes. And takes it home as a present for its mother.

Day 11 - Heavy

 “It sat under sullen skies and in its stone, it knew the weight of its presence.”

Day 12 - Five

 The five best tools I own.

Day 13 - Calm

 Because Eternity is a long time, he insisted on quiet neighbours.

Day 14 - Secret

 My lease does not allow me to have pets. But between you and me, this dog shares my house. I’m not sure how the landlord would feel about my fish. Or my peacock.

Indigo

This blog entry is protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2012
All photos are protected by copyright © Indigo Roth, 2012

48 comments:

  1. Fourteen in a day. I think my head would detonate. Nice job my friend.

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    1. Hey Jamie! I originally intended to do seven, but this way I get to keep up. I won't post every day, mind. Still it was a lot of work. Great fun, tho! I blame Ziva! Indigo

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    2. Yes, yes, blame Ziva. Everyone blames Ziva.

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    3. Well, you did encourage me! Deny it if you dare.

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    4. Roth, my dear, I dare not deny it. You are absolutely right.

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    5. I'm glad you realised, Z!

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  2. Fascinating items! Well done.

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    1. Hey Jen, thanks! I feel a bit cheeky, as I didn't ask if I could take a photo of the couple, but they were perfect, and I was already snapping the church! Indigo x

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  3. Hooray! I'm glad you decided to join the fun! Nice job too!

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    1. Hey Mia! Thanks, I'm glad too! It'll be another catch-up entry in a week or so I think! I'm mixed on CALM, but I'm very proud of the others. Indigo x

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  4. I am trying to decide which photos are my favorite, and I think I have to go with: Shiny, Stalker, Heavy, and Calm.

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  5. I am completely blown away... I enjoyed every single one... you are fantastic!

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    1. Hey Katherine! You're too kind, thank you! Fourteen down, sixteen to go! Indigo x

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  6. *Applauds* I loved them all, from beginning to end. Welcome.

    thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

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    1. Hey Tami! Thank you, it's nice to be here! I'm delighted you enjoyed this job lot! Indigo x

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  7. This is a first, Indigo, and speaking on behalf of myself, I'm pleased that you've entered the fray. One small criticism: Did you really have to post photos of your hand and a tin of vaseline?

    And lucky were you to get a personal visit from Ziva? I've been asking her to come for years, but I guess America's too far away from Finland.

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    1. Hey Mike! Dammit, you're not supposed to mention the subtext! It becomes, well.... text! As for Ziva, two words: bacon. Okay, so it's only one, but it's very important and scores highly. Roth

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    2. Mmmm... bacon...

      Mike, don't be so grumpy, I've asked you to come visit me a million times.

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    3. Ziva, you'll have to invite me sometime. The badgers have always wanted to visit their spiritual homeland; their ancestors helped sure up the Salpausselkä Ridges, and dig Lake Saimaa. True story. Roth x

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  8. My favourite is "Heavy" - man.

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    1. Bobby! I hear you, man. But if you'll excuse me, now is the time... for me to finish painting... my astrological starchart. Roth

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  9. I can hardly believe you played catch up so fast. Well done!

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    1. Hey Diva! "True dat", as the kids say; it was quite a day! And judging by the way my eyes are drooping, it's catching up with me! Indigo

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  10. What can I say, King wears a tie very well... ;)

    I'm incredibly happy you decided to post, and extremely impressed by your ability to take all fourteen photos is just one day. I think my favourites are "above my head", "heavy" and "rules". The composition in these is just flawless, and they're visually intriguing. Although, that blue and white tie you're wearing certainly appeals to the Finn in me... ;)

    Great job, Indigo, really. You've blown me away.

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    1. Hey Ziva! He does! Sadly, they always belong to me, and he's not careful with either marinara sauce or zebra offal. Thanks for the kind words on composition; I'm no technician, and honestly, this is where I feel my strength lies. You like the tie? Sevenfold silk. Three blues and a white. Beautiful. Thanks for dropping by; hope to see you here again sometime soon. Indigo x

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  11. And what does your landlord think of the other denizens that venture in and out of your abode? I'm shocked that there's no pizza shown for today, Day 15! The horror! (I posted a pizza in honor of you.)

    But seriously, (and you know how often I'm serious,) well done, my friend!

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    1. Hey Paula! By the time I posed, I really should have included Day 15, yes! Tho I've no idea where i can take a photo of pizza ;> Indigo x

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  12. What a way to charge into this challenge! They are all great shots and ideas!

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    1. Hey LaughingMom! I know, but it's very me; a fortnight's inactivity, followed by a flurry of catch-up. Young Ziva is quite the motivator. Indigo =)

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  13. Welcome to our little exercise in insanity, Indigo. Great pics. I loved the frog!

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    1. Hey Dufus! That you sir! And thanks for noticing the frog; it's an insane design by Dr. Robert Lang, an American genius. Folded by my own fair hand tho, I must confess. Indigo

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  14. These are marvelous and you are such a creative genius! I've invited Ziva to come and visit numerous times but she's not arrived. What is the trick you used to get her there?

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    1. Hey Linda! I'm not sure about being a genius, but I'm delighted you enjoyed them! The trick? Puppy eyes mostly. Surprisingly effective. Indigo x

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  15. Wonderful photos! I spent about 35 seconds thinking about entering (after seeing a mention of it on Paula's blog) but decided I just didn't have the time right now. Maybe next time.

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    1. Hey Nancy! Thank you! I need to get back into it myself. I may have 14 done, but there's more than that to do! I look forward to your pics next time; your photos from your garden are always a treat. Indigo x

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  16. Erm.. isn't that cheating? Unless,of course, you put up 14 photos each day for 30 days as it is a 30 day photo challenge...

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    1. Hey Kitty! Cheating? ME?! Probably! =D I'll post another batch sometime soon. Indigo x

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  17. What a good sport you are. You've got some good ones there. My favorite is "heavy." Although, you could have also taken a photo of one kid carrying another and captioned it, "He ain't heavy. He's my brother." But who am I to suggest anything? I haven't shot a single damn photo.

    Bravo, my friend.

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    1. Hey Jayne! But damn, you have posted some nice pictures in the past. I love the look of your new place! I'll pop over and catchup on your blog from the weekend! Just been lost in thought (and work) all week. Indigo x

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  18. Although you may not be satisfied with it, I'm rather partial to your Calm photo. Perhaps I should be spending more time in graveyards. (And I'm still in awe of that frog!)

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    1. Hey Paula! Calm is an odd one, perhaps the one I was least sure of. But at least two folk have liked it, so I think I'll pretend I didn't say that. Indigo x

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  19. I love Calm. Around here, the very best trees grow in cemeteries and the walking paths are to die for.

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    1. Hey Cheryl! Paula liked thi sone too, so you're in excellent company! Glad you liked it! Indigo

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  20. I love this idea!! And I love all your photos!!

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    1. Hey Kato! You are a woman of wit, discretion, and overt good taste. I salute you, Toronto! Indigo x

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  21. Holy cannoli! 14 in one day... my head is spinning!

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    1. Hey MomLaner! I'm feeling a bit punchy, myself. Thanks for dropping by, I'm delighted they worked for you. Indigo

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