Silent Sunday. It’s BACK. And it’s bigger, bolder AND SMELLING LESS LIKE AFTERSHAVE.

February 20, 2012 By 13 Comments

When I ditched the Silent Sunday linky back sometime in 2011 (I can’t remember when), the sigh of relief was so big, caused a hurricane in the middle of the pacific ocean. No one was affected though, because I don’t like world disasters and being responsible for mass death and destruction; it just makes me uncomfortable. The very same day that it was announced, approximately a zillion people got in touch asking if they could “take it” so I wouldn’t have to deal with it.

Ahhhh there’s the problem.

Much as I didn’t like the linky and the epic shit that came with it, I was genuinely sad to cut people off. I don’t think I fit in very well with the “mummy blogging” “community”, and rarely seem to fit in anywhere else on line. So to sever the last chunk of communication with the blogging world, being my love of photography, was a wee bit sad. However, Silent Sunday was always my blogging baby. And you know when you give birth, and have the newborn, and someone comes along with some hideously strong perfume or aftershave and leaves your bubba wreaking of that, rather than the natural essence of the thing you created in the first place? And all you can smell is the wreak, and not your lovely bubba? Well it’s the most bizarre analogy ever, but it’s the most accurate analogy ever.

Silent Sunday was not for others to take off me and leave their smell all over it. The end.

AND THEN, along came Love All Blogs a couple of weeks ago, asking if they would be allowed to host The Linky for me, so that my meme (meem? MeMe? Mehm?) could be resurrected properly, without being taken away from me. Am I possessive? Hell yeah. But if you know me, if you’ve spent the time reading my blog, if you have the vaguest idea of the sort of person I am, you’ll know why a SILENT Sunday is so important to me. Why I was (and still am) so particular about it.

There are shit loads of people out there whom I know for a fact snipe at Silent Sunday for whatever reason. “What’s the point? It’s just a photo.” Or, “Geeze this blog is dull, it’s nothing but photos and no words. What am I supposed to read?” Or maybe “Why should you have to follow rules to post a photo? Over on my blog I can do what the hell I like.” If those are your views, then that’s absolutely fine! I’m not going to slate you; the world would be dull if we all thought the same, no?

But I would like to say this. First – I’m a photographer. I can express myself very well with photos alone. I don’t expect you to do the same. Second – I’m crap with words. I’m not a writer. I’ve never declared myself a writer. If you want something to read, go find another blog. I promise I won’t be offended. Third – Of course you can blog what you like! But may I remind you that the rules do not stipulate that if you post a photo then YOU MUST link it up to something. Just saying. You don’t have to link it up if you don’t want to follow the rules. So please. Please show some (A LOT) of respect over on Lovel All Blogs.

Annie at Love All Blogs pitched to me absolutely perfectly, was bloody lovely about it, and was brilliant in “asking me first” if it was ok to go ahead. I have a lot of respect for her for that. And so, the Silent Sunday linky is back, and can be found on Love All Blogs Silent Sunday Linky, and the badge as ever can be found there or here. Ok, much like my tagline, I’m emitting all manner of crap now. So go. Do your Silent Sunday.

The Rules still apply. Why wouldn’t they? It wouldn’t be Silent Sunday without them.

Filed Under: actual happy times, asshats, AWESOMENESS, Blogging, mocha beanie mummy, neurosis, photography, Silent Sunday, Ultimate Stresssss

This Week.

February 3, 2012 By 2 Comments

He lives!

Isaac Pox Recovery-1

We are now both suffering from cabin fever, and I’m pretty convinced he’s sick of me now. That’s ok, because Pox Boy is going back to school on Monday, dammit.

It’s been a bloody long week.

~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~

I WON.

Ice The Cake Wedding Photograph of The Year 2012

And it turns out I didn’t have to pay anyone. You can read more on Jay Mountford Photography and on Ice the Cake. OMFG! And thank you.

~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~

I’ve been asked to go back and perform with an orchestra. I quit professionally a few years ago. My last ever concert was very nearly a year ago, I haven’t picked up my cello since then.

I want to play. I actually want to play. Unfortunately, the thought TERRIFIES me. Maybe I’ll do some of the rehearsals. Play it safe, and all that.

Dammit.

~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~

In the car

Noah: Mommy can I have a drink please?

Me: Yes, would you like some juice when we get back? I don’t have anything on me now.

N: Ok, yes please.

Isaac: Can I have a drink please Mommy?

MBM: Yes, when we get back Isaac. What would you like?

I: Ummm…wine please.

MBM: …would you like red or white?

I: Ummm…white wine, please.

MBM: …okaaaayyyy…

~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~

I was so desperate to get into a bottle of wine last night, I managed to shatter the cork, flip the corkscrew off my hand and give myself a massive blood blister on my thumb.

I’m embarrassed. I may have to revert to screw top bottles. And ask Isaac for help.

~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~

I know we’re over these now, but this one still made me laugh.

Filed Under: actual happy times, Awards, AWESOMENESS, Conversations, illness, Isaac, Musician, neurosis, photography, photos, wtf

Pox Watch Day 6 – Pictures Speak Louder Than Words

February 2, 2012 By 6 Comments

Gruffalo face. Complete with “warts”

Happy Snacks Face. Mickey didn’t get any.

Comedian Face. Always the funny boy.

Er…ok, I think that was enough.

Filed Under: actual happy times, illness, Isaac, photography, photos

Fight or Flight (Or just throw up)

January 4, 2012 By 3 Comments

So. I entered some of my images into a wedding photography competition.

At the time, it seemed like a BRILLIANT idea. A bit of recognition! A chance to gauge if I’m actually good at what I’m doing! Hell, I might even build up some new contacts from it! How exciting!!!!!!!

Truth be told, I’m nervous as hell. Every time I think about it now, my head starts hurting, my heart starts pounding, I can’t breathe, and I catch my innards rising rather quickly to my mouth in a really unpleasant fashion.

Yes, I have a mild panic attack.

The exact same panic attacks I used to have when I performed solos on my cello. The exact same panic attacks I had before, when it atually got so bad, I couldn’t actually maintain the contact between my bow and the strings. The exact same panic attacks which resulted in going to hypnotherapy in a desperate attempt to be able to make it through solo performances.

I didn’t think I’d ever have to endure them again. Yet stupidly (in a face-palm fashion), it makes perfect sense that I would have to endure them now. Exposing myself for the world to judge me, to be rejected by someone who doesn’t agree with my work, my efforts, to have someone turn around and say “…meh…your pic is alright, but this OTHER work of art here is an absolute MASTERPIECE omg I must FRAME IT and hang it up in the west wing bathroom of my mansion!”

And that’s ok! Everyone has different opinions, obviously. It would be weird if we all liked the same thing. And when I asked people to go and check out the competition, I asked that people actually vote for the one they like, not just vote for me. I’ve already looked at one of my entries, and there are several that I prefer way more than mine. WAY MORE than mine. In fact, I find myself wondering what the hell I was thinking submitting that particular image.

Pathetically, I find myself making really lame excuses. I’ve only been doing this for 2 years. So what? You’ve had time to learn. I’m totally self taught. And? You have the internet, right? It was about time I entered a competition. Really? Says who? You didn’t have to enter. My arse needed to be kicked into gear. What – by entering a competition? There are better ways.

I’m very nervous. Not nervous about winning, I never expect to win. I’m not nervous about not winning, I can deal with that. I’m nervous about being up there in front of people I don’t know who can just as happily point and laugh at my work any time they like. It’s different when it’s a photo shoot, people have chosen my work. That’s always an honour and very flattering. This? Well I’m forcing my work under the nose of innocents. Expecting people to look at my work and then make a decision, and silently hope they make a decision in my favour.

That feels a bit weird.

I think I need to figure out what the hell is going on with my brain. Why do this to myself when it makes me feel like this. It’s amazing enough that I put myself up for this in the first place; I half wonder if I had rum in a glass in front of me when I did it (I’m pretty sure I didn’t) or maybe I was being distracted by The Smalls at the time (they were already in bed, I seem to recall). I also need to stop wanting throw up last night’s dinner every time I so much as think about it all. If I’m going to ask people to at least check out the competition, I need to stop being such a damn pussy about it. It’s almost a piece of cake when doing it under the guise of JMP. Now I just need to transfer that mask over to me, and then remove it, and then, um, still be just as semi-confident.

Not entirely sure how to do that.

Filed Under: assvice, neurosis, photography, pimping myself rotten, Ultimate Stresssss

Dear So and So… #UKSnow #RockTheFrock Edition

December 16, 2011 By 1 Comment

Dear Powers That Be

I have a Rock The Frock session tomorrow down in Cornwall. On a beach. So, yes, that means I’m picking up my lovely friend and his camera, and we will be DRIVING to south Cornwall.

Now, I know it’s winter, I appreciate that. I also appreciate that, this time last year, you hit the UK with the largest amount of snow I have seen in years. And it was lovely! It really was. Very pretty. Etc.

But I need to DRIVE tomorrow. DRIVE. For 4 hours. I do not want to do it in the snow.

You get what I’m saying?

Not. In. The. Snow.

You can make it snow as MUCH as you like once I’m down there, but beforehand?

No.

Snow on the beach? Yes. Awesome.

Snow on the motorway? No. Suckage.

You get what I’m saying, right?

Yours, loving snow but not on the road, JMP.

~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~

Dear

If I go off into a crazy one and start speaking like I’m on speed, I’m really not on speed. I apologise in advance.

But hey! It’s going to be AWESOME.

Love, the girlie with the camera x

PS I hope you didn’t mind me offering you my pants, it just seemed right, you know?

~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~

Dear

Oh dude. Road trip my friend, Road Trip.

Make sure you bring spare knickers.

Jay x

~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~

Dear people who I’m hoping will support me

You will cheer us on from the warmth of your sofas, right? Yes?

Please?

Jay who is nervous as hell and trying really hard not to show it. x

~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~≈~

Dear DSS Readers

There’s a far better Dear So and So post over at the host’s place. Go check it.

Word.

Filed Under: actual happy times, AWESOMENESS, Dear So and So, Jay Mountford Photography, photography, pimping myself rotten
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