Denise

14th March 2013 - A Thursday

I open my eyes to view the beauty that is dust sparkling in sunlight, a ray formed between my blind and the windowsill. The easterly orientation of the window lets me know that it is morning. My mind turns to today's tasks, no doubt something academic, what else?

As I un-fold myself upright my bookshelf of developed negatives passes through my periphery on my way to the bathroom. A checklist of photo ideas scrolls past my eyes as I note the sunshine and distinct lack of clouds as I look west. Flushing the toilet I turn on the shower and wish the water would fill my head with essays. All I'm thinking about is that my trusty SLR is too temperamental to use anymore...

Today's goal has been realised.

Belt buckled, laces tied, jacket zipped, door locked - I step energetically forth into the chill sunlight and head townwards.

Full of trepidatious anticipation I push open the door, the blue and yellow logo passing through my periphery. Down the alley lined with vacuum cleaners, towards the forest of musical instruments. My eyes are focussed behind the glass. One, two, three, camera bodies, blind and decapitated without their lenses.

My enquiries leave me disheartened, not a single lens in the shop that would mate with these bodies, nor one at home. I go to leave and search out the other Pawnlands, but wait! I hear the call and return to the desk where she awaits me.

As my eyes follow every curve I know I've seen her before, dreamt about her, longed to feel her tender grip, the sweet sound of her release...

'Denise...' I whisper ecstatically under my breath.

'Sorry?' The assistant looks at me out of the corner of her eye.

'...uh, nothing.'

Shit, they'd have a field day if they knew I already had a name for her... Denise Sloane Lolita-Reagan, our beautiful partnership has begun...

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And now just a week short of our Quarter-Year Anniversary I'm going to re-cap some of our greatest moments.

March

I bought her a lens-cap, gotta keep those eyes pretty.

Dundee has some real contrast to it.

She went drinking with me.

Old signage, always pretty.

How quaint, this spray can is in love.

Magdalen Green. Finally some sun. I like the bandstand, you'll see.

April

Also got her a screen protector - safe-screen is fun screen.

All things placed in our streets should be this pretty.

I always think the night adds something to the character of a city.

Alien Grass. It's a potent illuminator.

I like that it's slightly dutch-angle, adds to the horror. Is that a person on the roof?

Phwoar! How's that for April showers!?

Our memories of WWII crumble like dragon's teeth, soon just another grain of sand.

A lonely Tentsmuir resident. Light rain is refreshing on a bike ride.

The view from my bedroom. The flare on the right hand side was a full moon and I spent hours trying to get different shots.

  

Some light sunbathing, pretending to be lost in Tentsmuir

Exercising my manly fire-making expertise. Warming beer like a numpty though.

May

Introduced her to Mr Man Frotto, sturdy chap, bit on the heavy side though. They got on like a chain and anchor, swimmingly.

It can be blue in Dundee sometimes. (Maybe I should remember to change my white balance after shooting long exposures.)

Seymour Lodge. Project Horror incomplete as of today.

I love wrought iron. Daffodils and quiet nights wandering the city.

'Hello? Why yes I did see an odd fellow wandering around with a large stick and a blue jacket.'

The jacket took on a decidedly luminescent characteristic.

Pier 23 - Home to Mr Bright-Buttocks.

Tesco and Riverside from up high. Project incomplete.

I really love light-painting.

Went on a double date with Frotto and his new partner Reme Oat. He's a very patient and quiet guy but I'm getting a sneaking suspicion that he and Denise have a strong connection, they get on very well, they even finish each other's exposures and I'm starting to think they have a passing resemblance to a certain Parks and Recreation character.

Watch this space, more to come...