Easterly Photos

I'm out east right now. Got a chance to take some pictures!

Fields in the East

Yellow Gold 

Hey there!

Leith Hall

You have Secrets? 

Little Surprise!

Time - Last two are my favourites

Wool

Writing Report: 1 My Brain Sucks and so does TV

Working on a page for a novel I started ages ago. This will be the third re write but I've hit a dry patch worse than a camel's down stairs. 

My typing feels clunky, but my words seem a bit at a loss. 

Art to re inspire 

Ideas to get my brain reinvigorated: 

1.) Read. 

This is kind of a no brainer but I've not been reading, not finishing any stories. Plodding through books and then kinda just meeeeehing them aside. So going to read some books. I have two ready for the flight, a place where there's nothing to do but listen to music and read. 

2.) Read history.

That's where the magic for my mind was. I used to pick through all the time and now I do so little learning in that regard. I've started a collection of books but I need to sit down and have a good read through some of my history texts. Refresh.

3.) No panic writing/fun writing. 

I'm looking to get the tension of not writing brilliance right away. I can do good, when sparked still, but I have to write when there's no spark. Casual Baby!

4.) Less television/gaming. 

It seems to suck the brain out of me. Always. So less of it... She says with Storage Wars and Pawn Stars on. Less please!

Here's a dream sample... I might just do short stories with these two....

They thundered through the open snowy fields. The north was known for little else. The giant horse beneath them blew hot, puffing like smoke from flaring nostrils. Despite it being a well seasoned war horse, it was no fool. Three wolves could take it down the second it slipped in its footing.

But it was not the horse the wolves sought, but the riders.

The first, holding tight the old leather reins, was big, broad across the shoulders and big in the bones, indomitable muscle. He was dressed in light but warm clothes, a heavy green cloak wrapped around his shoulders. Beard frosted as he looked over his shoulder.

“Don't look!” The rider behind him shouted. She was more heavily clad, chest, legs and arms wrapped in reddish, boiled leather armour. A single metal plate sewn in against her chest had any form of a sigil. A tree. The Tree. A dark brown cloak flapped behind them, snapping as the wolves teeth and a long sword, sheathed, la across her thigh. 

The wolves snapped out at the great beast, it sourly kicked back while still keeping a steady gallop. There were three. The first was as white as the snow it ran in, pink tongue hanging out as it raced. The second, taking up the rear was unusually grey, in such away that it appeared blue, it followed with determination. 

The last wolf was black as the night, yellowed eyes gleaming as it lead the other two on the hunt. 

From the back, the armed rider knew the mount could not stand much more. The forest edge was almost upon them. It was more dangerous in the open field. If the horse's legs broke from hidden undergrowth, they would be doomed. 

Gathering her breath, she vaulted backwards of the back. The flash of cloak spooked the wolves only a moment. The snow cushioned the heavy landing short sword drawn in time as the black wolf launched at her. Its teeth sunk into her greave, the iron jaw pushed quickly through the heavy leather, shaking to try and throw her. Her foot raised, kicking it back with a blow to its dark chest. Before it could recover, she brought the heavy sword down in a swift, and decisive arch. 

The black wolf's half decapitated corpse pumped bright red blood into the frosted earth. 

Raising her sword for the next attacker, she was surprised to find both of the other two stepped back. Panting, the white one growled, pacing before she joined her blueish companion whimpering and backing away. 

Heavy horse steps caused her to spot him over her shoulder, looking down anxiously. "I don't feel anything yet..." 

Grabbing a fist full of snow, she polished the blood from the blade. "Maybe it takes time."

"How much?"

"I'm not the sage. I'm the blade, until you take up yours again."

5 Tips to Losing Weight Quickly

I'm not an expert, but I've lived some of life and come across some healthy alternatives to weightloss pills and strenuous time consuming exercise.

5.) Tape up that hole in your face. No more Mr./Mrs consumer for you. Put a healthy amount of duct tape around your face, through your hair too, that shit hurts. Look! No more food in your face.

4.) Get Chased by Wolves. I said no exercise but I am a liar. Getting chased by wolves is guaranteed to lose some weight. Not only by the running, but the adrenaline. Don't worry if they catch you, more of that stupid cellulite gobbled up. And you're helping feed hungry wolves! Aren't you the environmentalist!

3.) Eat Only Balloon animals. No worries for the suffering of animals any more! They're so light, yet filling. They do give gas though....

2.) Donate most of your blood. There's a lot of weight in blood. Get rid of that shit. Give it to the bank for safe keeping. You can withdraw it any time, just like a real bank. Plus, less likely to mess up white pants if you get a paper cut. Remember to leave a little bit behind. Just in case.

1.) Cut off your arms. Eat less by not putting your fingers near food. Literally cutting off the quick means to put food in your face hole. Not only that, arms weigh a lot. Get rid of them! Goal weight met.

*I don't promote any of this stuff. Don't do it. Consult a doctor instead of a blog fool.

I Worked in a Hostel

I was going to do a list on this, for lists reign suprime in my mind... when I remember to make a list to do them.

I finished a job I've been doing for about a year and a half in a place I've lived for over two years. I was cleaner, nightporter, two hour worker, gardener, receptionist and manager (or cat herder).  I've met hundreds upon hundreds of people, and gotten to know a rare few well enough to call friends. I've met some pretty terrible people and some freaking weirdos.

The terrible people really have a habit of sticking out in your mind. The ones that shit the bed, the ones that look at another human and think they can take advantage of them, just for a number on their belt. The people who think, because your nice, its okay to take advantage of that, and use it with out thought to others feelings. Those terrible people stand out, because their so rare, and a sea of kind faces are enough to think of the experience as a whole as something nice. But those were just people, not even guests.

There's always the neighbour(SADIE) up the road, who is insane and calls me 3 times a day with her life sorrows on how I've not sent her enough business. Or the old crotch up the road who shouts at my guests for parking in front of his house despite it being free to park. This same guy who worked for the local government and got our rubbish cancelled for two weeks, out of spite. I'd love to leave the clot of hair I found in the shower on his drive way.

Besides the neighbours there was the building itself. Over 100 years old, and a beautifully cosy place to relax, when it wasn't being held together by dreams and wishes. With a turn over of just under 40 persons a day, everything had its chance of falling apart, if it wasn't the bed frames from the big bastards, it pipes bursting from the wall, a piece of the ceiling collapses and cuts off the power, washing machines breaking, a bed bug scare, bathrooms flooding, fire alarms malfunctioning and the worst, the boiler breaking. Christ. People seemed to think I was a plumber on top of everything else. "No I can't make it hot right this minute. Yes I know you had a long day, but I can't fix it and my plumber refuses to answer my calls, because I spoke to him in a strong tone and this seemed to hurt his feelings. Also he was drunk last time he was here." It was like the house was haunting me....

There were some guests too...
There were people who shit the bed, all over the toilets and defaced the building. There were people who seemed to think hostel meant brothel as well, and tried to shag everything with legs, making everyone feel uncomfortable. There were people who drank waaaay to much and the people who should have had just a little something, if only to get the broom stick out of their arse. Then there was always Marvin.

But it was all the people in between the terrors that made this a good experience. Those who acted like a team for me, or the guests who gave me a break. Sitting in a fire lit room reading a book and listening to the banter between people as they discussed where they were from and what adventure they were going on next is something you really can't shame. Helping someone get the most out of their limited time, or offering someone the opportunity to get their buck to go a little farther. Or even better, dragging a few of the loveliest folk out to the pub to enjoy the nightlife.

A unique experience and nothing is more valuable in life than hands on experience. Lots of problem solving, hands on repair and trying to work with people to make their trip better. I've tried more food than I've ever thought I would and watched some neat tips and tricks emerge, and while I still hate onions, a lot of things have come on my must eat list.

And there were so many gorgeous adventurers that have delightfully stayed in touch, and even if they didn't I know they're doing well in life. It was such a good time and there is so much I got to do, so many really amazing people I got to meet. The hard times make for good stories, but its the good people that kept me staying and thank you to each of of you who made my experience a truly wonderful one.

...

Hosteling is something everyone should try in their lives, it creates a really lovely community with the right persons and working in one was a kind of experience I can't really get anywhere else. Thank you to everyone who made it great! You're all wonderful!

Highest Mountain in the UK

Some of my favourite pictures of the mountain, as per last week's post!

No Where. 

Refuge

The Sensible Path

The Last Time

Far Out

Happy Climber

Green and Red Edge

Rhum, Skye and the Loch

A summit of sorts

Into the Nothing

Ben Nevis 4 Times

I've climbed Ben Nevis (as a tourist) 4.5 times now. Not again. Here are the pictures! 

The first time I went iup was probably the most dangerous time I've gone. But I'm stubborn

3rd Time

Last time, and I could finally see from the top! It was the hardest one to do :)

I am

I am Forged Iron and Leather
I am Cedar and Large
The Ash and oak.

I am raw earth and swift wind.
I am the legs of the wild stag and the spirited horse
The watching wolf and the clever fox

I am the running river and the glassy lake.
I am the mountains and the lowlands.
The Wild places.


I am.....hater of her work phone!!! AAAAHHHHHHHH