The Corvids Are Laughing At Us
Plus: The Eternal Early Summer
I was actually carrying my camera for once, when I stepped out of Westminster Station – and came nose-to-nose with this gloriously pretty magpie. (They're all gloriously pretty, of course. Plus smart. Corvids are scary smart. Once saw a raven on my street opening nuts on a CCTV housing.)
The fatal failing of these shots is that none of them are in profile – thus robbing us all of that glorious rich-blue plumage. Still, a fairly precious moment, given the backdrop. And this here is all she gave me.
From: Jacqui
To: Michael
Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 10:53:46 +0100
Abnormally quiet with me recently :-) Have actually been enjoying it – reading novels during the day, going to cinema matinees – instead of getting twitchy about the lack of work, which has got to be an improvement. Work is trickling back in now though and as always jobs are overlapping each other and deadlines falling on inconvenient days … but twas ever thus.
See you next Friday.
jacquix
To: Michael
Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 10:53:46 +0100
Abnormally quiet with me recently :-) Have actually been enjoying it – reading novels during the day, going to cinema matinees – instead of getting twitchy about the lack of work, which has got to be an improvement. Work is trickling back in now though and as always jobs are overlapping each other and deadlines falling on inconvenient days … but twas ever thus.
See you next Friday.
jacquix
From: Michael
To: Jacqui
Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 11:08:20 +0100
Sounds like summer! The beginning of summer always brings me to mind of the years I spent in Charlottesville after I graduated from UVa. In mid-May, the students would all clear out, and it got very quiet and peaceful and traffic-free. And everything was peacefully blooming, and occasionally buzzing, in the not-yet-too-hot sunlight. And everything seemed very lazy and peaceful – and, particularly, carefree. I think was earning $600/month then, working 25 hours/week. And somehow, at least in recollection, I lived without care.
This time of year always makes me feel that way. (Whether it's warranted or not!) It certainly makes me feel as if I should be doing a whole of nothing – other than relaxing, and reading, and going to the occasional barbecue beside a lazy Shenandoah river, or inner tube float down one, both pleasantly beer-sodden.
Glad you've been getting the full experience. Though - if only London would clear out! (If only we had a river! Wait a minute . . .)
Yes. See you next Friday.
xxm
To: Jacqui
Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 11:08:20 +0100
Sounds like summer! The beginning of summer always brings me to mind of the years I spent in Charlottesville after I graduated from UVa. In mid-May, the students would all clear out, and it got very quiet and peaceful and traffic-free. And everything was peacefully blooming, and occasionally buzzing, in the not-yet-too-hot sunlight. And everything seemed very lazy and peaceful – and, particularly, carefree. I think was earning $600/month then, working 25 hours/week. And somehow, at least in recollection, I lived without care.
This time of year always makes me feel that way. (Whether it's warranted or not!) It certainly makes me feel as if I should be doing a whole of nothing – other than relaxing, and reading, and going to the occasional barbecue beside a lazy Shenandoah river, or inner tube float down one, both pleasantly beer-sodden.
Glad you've been getting the full experience. Though - if only London would clear out! (If only we had a river! Wait a minute . . .)
Yes. See you next Friday.
xxm
