The elderly have all the fun

Cafe
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Its always said you should look to the future because the past has gone and cannot be changed. To a certain extent i agree. If you are so caught up in the past you will ever live life to the full in the present, however i don't think the past should simply be forgotton. We've all had times we'd rather never happened or wish we could forget but the happy times, those are the things we should remember, those times will get us through any hardship that we experience in the future. Its easy to forget what we've accomplished in the past in times of stress.
Things from my past i will never forget include things like; those few days spent sleeping in a car in Brighton, my 21st birthday, walking through wallace arnold taking photos and endless summer days where nothing noteable happened but i was just happy.
The future is a bit scary, mostly because we don't often know whats going to happen. At the moment, my life is completely upside down and yet stable. In the next couple of months i'll have some big decisions and i'm looking forward to having to make them. I wish it didn't sound so corny but i want to tell all my friends (and everyone else) reading this that everything will be ok. To people living a life they never thought they would, as long as you're happy keep doing what you want. To people waiting for something to come along, it'll come just be patient.

As for myself, "I am prepared for amazing things to happen."

Workin' 9 til 5 (one day a week)

Having a job is harder than i'd remembered. First days at anything at always pretty scary and when things don't exactly run smoothly it doesn't help. Have to repeat a visit in the morning and then the next thing is an open exhibition entry day on thursday. I have my submissions at the ready. Fill in any spare time with cycling (when not raining) and i'll survive.

I put my shoes on and I think about leaving the house

Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Things happen when you get out. In the last week i bumped into two friends that i haven't seen in a while. As it goes i don't know a lot of people and i'm not usually the best at organising get togethers, so i relish the rare times when chance occurances happen.
On monday, i went for some job training and start next week, just mondays for now, as a car photographer. I was nervous but strangely confident that nothing could happen that i can't deal with.
Right now i'm occupied with so many little things, of even smaller importance, basically i'm just floating. I get sucked into things on the internet, start day-dreaming of where i want to go in the world and then realise that two hours have passed.
To get out yesterday i went and tested my new built fixed, to make sure it was running smooth. I'd almost forgotton how curious people will act when they see something they don't understand. I'm used to it but it never gets old.

Damn straight

velo
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

I missed the snow

Looks like i've been in a different climate for the last week as i arrived home yesterday to reports of the snowfall, its not all bad i did the whole snowman thing last year.
So we're back and trying to get into some kind of routine again. I built my bike up again today, photos of her and from the holiday will be on flickr soon.

Shit.Shower.Shave

They say good things happen in three's, so i guess i got mine.
-Moved out of the flat, without a hitch
-Got a job
-Off on holiday tomorrow
Some details, did the 'move' in a couple of days with the help of my Dad and a van. It wasn't the amount of stuff to move that was hard but the six flights of stairs you had to go up and down each time. Thursday morning cleaning took place and the whole flat shined like a new pin. It almost made us forget about the problems but not quite. Friday bond check when off quick and easy, all over in five minutes.
So the job. A couple of months ago i applied for a job doing car photography but heard nothing so forgot about it. Last week i get a call out of the blue to have an interview with the area manager. Nailed that, got the job. Basically in entails weekly visits to car dealerships to photograph their new cars. Should pull in enough to make it a good earning part time and as its regular i could get another job to fill in the rest of the week. Training starts on the 19th and i start for real soon after.
Tomorrow Katherine and i are flying to Madeira for a weeks holiday. Chill out, forget about shit, do nothing and come back ready to go again. Its first time i've had a holiday in the sun, instead of a city break, so i've got my swimming short and sun cream at the ready.
Everything else has just been slotting into place. I painted my fixie frame and forks the other day, a sweet dark blue, they're hardening off over the holiday and then being built up straight after. I woke up at three o'clock the other morning and it was beautiful outside, so i've decided one night i'm gonna get up in the middle of the night take my bike into town and ride everywhere while its deserted.

Fuck It

It's come to something when your Mother tells you to lighten up, buts that the postiton i found myself in the other night. The most important thing though is that she is completely right.
Basically since knowing we're moving out Katherine and I have been making (and changing) our plans on a daily basis. This only further deepens our pessimistic attitudes.
So........from now on we're adopting the motto "Fuck It" and trying to not make so many plans, stop worrying about everything and enjoying life. Starting with a holiday somewhere warm, where we can forget everything thats been going on and come back refreshed.

Accept it......it makes it hurt less

So i've got used to the idea that we're moving out, infact we got the letter yesterday, so our last day is officially the 4th of February 2007.
This is ill-advised, doing near a 100mph on a wet moterway in the dark.....and taking a photo at the same time.

18:45 94mph
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Cleared the cobwebs away by doing half a dozen laps of Hyde Park on my bike in the rain this morning. I don't understand dog owners that don't give a shit when their stupid dog chases me. I mean i one ever caught up with me it's face would probably get ripped off in the back wheel, not to mention the fact i'd eat shit badly.
I've got a few rides i'd like to do in 2007, firstly Leeds to Illkley on the main Otley road, probably before that i'd do Otley to Skipton and sometime Leeds to Bingley along the Leeds-Liverpool canel.

If anyone ever needs motivation, the easiest way is to listen to these three songs back to back.
'My Right'-Screeching Weasel
'A Declaration of Sorts'-Small Brown Bike
'Modern Life'-Strike Anywhere

Try it.

?

Its been no secret that we've been having a few problems with our flat but the events of today surprised even us. We had a meeting with our landlords to discuss a rent reduction but when we got there the first thing we were told was there would be no consideration of a rent deduction because the owner was terminating our contract so they could sell the flat. They're so sick of all the problems they're just getting rid! We have to wait for a formal letter but soon we will have 30 days to get the fuck out.
It feels like we're being dumped on but maybe its a blessing in disguise, start 2007 by getting rid of the main thing that caused so much stress in 2006.

Merry Christmas

To anyone lucky enough to read this.

Jobs

Jobs i've had in 2006:
Photo lab technician at Snappysnaps
Small press publisher (my 'zine)
Documentary photographer (Knotjustus)

Jobs i've applied for/had interview for/enquired about:
Bike courier
Photo lab technician, at two separate places
Documentary photographer, for commissions
Gallery staff, at every gallery public and private in leeds
Car photographer
Doing cleaning at a dry cleaners.
Book slave for waterstones
Librarian
Book slave at borders
Film still photographer
Fire alarm fitter

and the latest receptionist at a tattoo shop.

2006 has not been the best year of my life.

s.n.a.f.u

Recent songs on repeat:
Hot Water Music - Turnstile
Hot Water Music - Paper Thin
Hot Water Music - Radio

Recent Mood: Pissed Off

PaperThin Issue two "Once more with feeling" is now available thru me and should be in OK Comics and Travelling Man in Leeds by monday at the latest.
Enjoy.

Small delay

Typewriter
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Issue two of the 'zine is in production stages right now. I wanted it ready by the beginning of the month but outside factors have caused delays. I have all the photos and just need to write whats needed, i've even (hopefully) bargined a deal for the photocopying so maybe this time next week i'll drop it.
All i seem to be doing these days is waiting around. Today is the third day i'm stuck in waiting for the electrical meter man to call. I'm not earning any money but i'm deffo spending it, its not got to the broke stage yet but i'm having to be more 'thrifty' than ever, not that hard for a yorkshire man i suppose.

New Career Path?

Mark II Golf GTi
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

As a digital camera wielding car photographer. Perhaps.

?

I walk up and down these stairs at least twice a day.



At first it was a chore but now its become normality. I am reminded how of an inconvenience they are every time someone new comes to the flat.
So does familiarity breed contempt or just acceptance?
For the first time in a long time i lost my temper on the phone talking to our landlord. Its become obvious that any mutual respect that ever existed has gone so now its time to shout.

The Easiest Person To Lose Contact With

is me. I promise to make more of an effort. A text, email or message can go a long way.

Walking To Do

Walking
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

- Went to York on thursday. Good to get out of Leeds. Would be a cool place to live.
- Might (fingers crossed) have a job really soon.
- Katherine starts a job on tuesday.
- Bike riding is faster than walking.

If i didn't have bad luck i'd have no luck at all

Thats right this week has been pretty shit but you don't want to read about that.
So, some good things happened too, including
- Finding out OK Comics had sold all my zines and that they wanted more.
- Issue 1 should also be up on www.littlepaperplanes.com really soon.
- Issue 2 is about to go into 'the making-of' stages.
- Finding my skeleton gloves just in time for halloween.
- Riding into town on my fixie.
Talking of bikes, i'm not sure what the student population of Leeds make of me as i pass them. I've seen the usual stares but also a lot of other cyclists having a good look and trying to figure out what i'm riding. On Tuesday i rode from Headingley to Crown Point and back, coming back up the hill infront of the Met i thought i was gonna puke. My lungs, throat and mouth were on fire and my legs were jelly. By the time i got home i could barely walk up the stairs to the flat. It felt amazing. Then yesterday went into town to hand a job application in and on the way back went so fast it was scary.
If anyone reading this has bought issue one of the zine then feedback would be greatly appreciated. You don't have to give your name and i won't reply if you don't want me too, i could just do with any suggestions or comments become issue two comes out in a month.
One last point if you ever buy a new oven don't go to Curry's. They take a week to deliver the thing and then when it finally turns up they refuse to carry the thing up the stairs to where you live. Even though thats what they're paid to do. Lazy fuckers.

*

*
Originally uploaded by Paper Thin.

Here she is, riding this bike feels awesome. Today i've been into Leeds and Headingley and back. Blasting past the stationary traffic is a weird feeling cause its easier to go faster and keep going than it is to stop and a few drivers were less than impressed at me weaving in and out near their precious cars. I'm slowly getting used to being strapped onto the pedals but have to say the best thing is the speed, i haven't got anywhere near top speed yet and already i'm over taking cars going thru 30mph speed cameras.

Other things in life are up and down as always. The roof on our building is leaking so we have damp patches on one wall growing by the day, Katherines driving is getting better every time she goes out, i'm getting more thanks but no thanks responces from jobs but at last we can access the internet from the flat. Sorry to whoever Leon is for leaching his internet connection.

Road Trip

Me and Katherine are off on a little trip today, down to Mansfield and back to hopefully pick up my new fixed gear bike. I've seen the before conversion photos but not the after shots yet so am looking forward to finally seeing the finished article and then get to ride the f**ker!
Ofcourse photos will be posted very soon on flickr.