hello friend

How’s things? You doin ok? I was forced to bed early last night due to a migraine. I spent 12 hrs in bed and feel exhausted. It’s raining outside. It’s cold. I’m stuck inside and I can’t really look at my computer or anything too bright. Could today be any worse?  Yeah it probably could. I don’t really understand why I get migraines but when I do I take it as a sign that I should take a break from the world or at least my normal day to day life. So I’ve spent today trying to find some nice things to look at.

Probably the nicest thing I found was the TIME magazine cover of the year featuring Greta Thunberg. She’s the youngest person to be featured on the cover. Isn’t that amazing? She’s trying to save the  planet. She’s trying to affect change on a global scale not just a small local scale. What’s the point in protecting your lawn if the world around you is on fire or under water? Oh and she’s autistic too. A real inspiration.

The cover was photographed on the shore in Lisbon, Portugal December 4, 2019 by Evgenia Arbugaeva. A photographer I’ve not heard of before but her work is really nice.  There’s a behind the scenes look at how this photograph was made too.

Christmas Prints

This is a Christmas themed post. In the spirit of that I’m giving you, dear subscriber, 25% off my  print store  right up to 25th Dec. So you can use it on Christmas morning if you really want to.

Code: pikapika (not case sensitive) – 25% off

Prints include  NYC ,  Liverpool ,  New Brighton  and  Iceland .

—  2019 Print Store  —

pics

I’m working on a list of my favourite photos of the year and I felt that it might be nice to share some today. The world is a truly nice place. I hope we can save it.

New Brighton

Llyn Padarn, North Wales.

Arthur’s Mount, Edinburgh

Snowdownia, North Wales

mental health

My wife pimped me out this week. Our favourite comedian, John Robertson, was doing a set in Manchester and he asked the audience if there were any questions. My wife held up her hand and asked if he would like a hug, from me. Unusual for sure. I find hugs complicated. How long is good? How long is creepy? Where do hands go? What is the scientifically proven way to hug? So there I am having to run the numbers in my head before having to get on stage and hug a comedian in front of the audience.

We both survived. I’m not going to say I’m looking to sign up for Uber Hugs and offer my hugging services but it was nice. It was a reminder that while it’s easier for me to keep my distance from people it’s better to engage with people. Actual human connections in the real world are super important for my mental health. I don’t need to hug everyone I meet but I at least need to be open to people.

So take care of yourself. Be open to hugs if you can but don’t worry if you don’t like them.

ext(links)

Do you have kids or do you enjoy Roald Dahl books? You may enjoy this – The Little Town of Marrowville eBook: John Robertson, Louis Ghibault: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Were you into rave culture back in the 90s? You may enjoy this book by photographer Mark McNulty – Ten ’til Late — Café Royal Books — British Documentary Photography

Magnum Photos: The spontaneous art of street photography – CNN Style

Agency photographer of the year – 2019 shortlist | Art and design | The Guardian

Inge Morath’s Venice – Magnum Photos

Incredible Display of Ice Crystal Halos Around the Sun in the Swiss Alps