Claire Routh

2007-01-18T15:47:00.000Z

Well, the original point of this blog finishes tonight at midnight. Hopefully what I ended up creating was roughly what the lecturers wanted, I honestly have no idea.

Will I carry this on? Who knows. Maybe.

2007-01-02T10:30:00.000Z

Love.

This, and the two photos below, are from a wedding in Oxford that I did on the 22nd December with Michel Focard (www.michelfocard.co.uk). Was brilliant!

Been thinking about love a lot lately and have come to no real conclusions, other than I'm scared. Still totally unsure as to what to do. Erk.

Anyway, new year! Here's to 2007.

2007-01-02T10:29:00.001Z

2007-01-02T10:29:00.000Z

2006-12-16T14:06:00.000Z

The art of seduction....this is me.

2006-12-15T19:55:00.000Z

Photography: Painting with light.

So here we go; a painting of light. Advent at Canterbury Cathedral. Dusk, tonight. So beautiful.

Happy Christmas.

2006-12-12T15:10:00.000Z

2006-12-12T00:46:00.000Z

Companionship.

So essays and uni and friends and life in general stressed me out way too much, so I got up at 6:30 on Saturday and went to Tankerton to take photos. I got frostbite, but it was worth it. I both love and hate the sea. For some reason, looking at the wind farm out at sea terrifies me. Not sure why. Anyway, walked out into the middle of the sea on this narrow spit of land, called The Street, which is only visible at low tide. Gorgeous day.

Photography keeps me sane.

2006-12-12T00:45:00.001Z

Gold crested waves....

2006-12-12T00:45:00.000Z

....And the seas were paved with gold....

2006-12-05T15:13:00.000Z

2006-11-30T19:09:00.000Z

Solitary. Also in B&W, but I think I prefer the colour.

2006-11-30T19:03:00.000Z

Herne Bay, which is where I went last night. It was really nice, although I'm kicking myself for forgetting my tripod! Got a couple of good photos, though, despite really needing it. Next time I'm going to go earlier so I have time with more light to get some decent B&W ones, and just more time in general. Gonna post another photo in a moment.

2006-11-28T14:40:00.000Z

I think my room epitomises me. Look at everything you can see there! Photos of friends, flowers, jewellery, alcohol, pretty things, random things, books, plants, makeup....I'm such a typical girl! Marie told me today that it makes her sad when I don't take photos, lol. I should take more but it's rainy today and I lack photographic inspiration when it's rainy. Really want to go to Herne Bay at low tide and see this weird spit of stones etc that my aunt and uncle told me about...apparently it goes out about 1/4 of a mile into the sea.

I have 3 essays to write by the end of term, and one presentation. I haven't even started thinking about any of them. Fuckity fuck. Back to bed.,

2006-11-22T12:59:00.000Z

Okay so I was just watching Loose Women on tv (yes yes stop laughing), and they were talking about their first kisses, and one of them couldn't remember her first kiss! The others could all remember where and when it was, and with who. Now admittedly they've had more time to forget than me, but I still remember! My first kiss was with Lee Cairns, I think we were 11 or 12, he was my first boyfriend :D We were at my friend Millie's house, sitting on the trampoline, playing spin the bottle (we had to hug and stuff). We were told to kiss and I went for the cheek and he went for the lips. Anyway then we were standing in her kitchen and she said that we were too chicken to kiss properly so i turned to him, kissed him on the lips and then said "SEE?!" It was nice. He was cute! I tried to find a photo of him online and to find out what he's up to these days but no luck :( Shame...hope he's well.

My first snog (haha snog) was at the SNAP (Say No And Phone) disco when I was about...hm...13...I think, with my boyfriend at the time, Michael Beverley. Ahh I was so in love with him but so shy and scared! My friend Louise still won't let me forget the slobber around my mouth...how romantic. Anyway, I managed to find a photo of Mike, because I still know him to an extent! So here is what my lovely first with-tongues-kiss grew up to look like!

Hehe. Hope he doesn't mind me posting that. Ah, I love reminiscing. I hope I never forget those details! And I hope I manage to get in touch with Lee...

2006-11-20T23:07:00.000Z

This is why I love Canterbury. How can you beat that....well maybe you can if you live somewhere with a really amazing view like...the Grand Canyon. Or....Niagara Falls...or...oh I don't know! Anyway, I love Canterbury. Tis my new home :D Nothing better than sitting in the cathedral listening to choral evensong on a Sunday evening.

In general, I don't like winter. However...I have to concede that walking across campus at dusk wrapped up in a gorgeous soft scarf and a big coat is heaven. It'd be more heaven if I had a lovely boy to hold my hand, but there we go, we can't have it all. Still keeping my fingers crossed for a mistletoe kiss this year...or a snow kiss. Or both. I know I had both last year but hey...I'm greedy. Keeping my fingers crossed for a certain boy....

I miss my Emm-ah. And my TJ. And Ian and Callan and Elli and Emily and Katie and Paul and Louise and Ellie and even Imo a bit! Haha. Not long till I see them I guess. I hope they're all well. God, it's getting Christmassy. Bedtime now.

2006-11-14T12:50:00.000Z

I am such a poser. But anyway, this is what I did pretty much all weekend: take photos. I love my camera so much. It's my baby :D Got a few good shots I reckon (the ones of Joe, and autumn leaves, below). Anyway this one was taken by Steven, Katy's boyfriend.

2006-11-14T12:49:00.000Z

Me and Katy! Look at the attitude....

2006-11-12T19:08:00.000Z

Autumn.....reminds me of this song that we used to sing at primary school....

Autumn days, when the grass is jewelled
And the silk in a chestnut shell
Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled
All these things I love so well

So I mustn't forget
No, I mustn't forget
To say a great big thank you
No, I mustn't forget.

Clouds that look like familiar faces
And winter's moon with frosted rings
Smell of bacon as I fasten up my laces
And the song the milkman sings.

So I mustn't forget
No, I mustn't forget
To say a great big thank you
No, I mustn't forget.

Whipped-up spray that is rainbow-scattered
And a swallow curving in the sky
Shoes so comfy though they're worn out and they're battered
And the taste of apple pie.

So I mustn't forget
No, I mustn't forget
To say a great big thank you
No, I mustn't forget.

Scent of gardens when the rain's been falling
And a minnow darting down a stream
Picked-up engine that's been stuttering and stalling
And a win for my home team.

So I mustn't forget
No, I mustn't forget
To say a great big thank you
No, I mustn't forget.

2006-11-12T19:07:00.000Z

Oh yes, and this is me with the wee man himself. Look at the hands!

2006-11-12T19:02:00.000Z

Well people, this is Joseph William Lye. Aka Joe, aka my friend Katie's gorgeous baby son. Went to see him again yesterday and he's grown so much in a month! And he's started making murmuring noises, especially when he has a bottle. Wow, it's enough to make me broody! Sat and watched tv for a while with him in my arms, I feel so priviledged to be able to hold him, he;s so special. However, I'm rather impatient and I want him to hurry up and get bigger! Can't wait till he's crawling and walking and wearing cute little dungarees....! *Squeak* And then he'll learn to talk and he'll have that amazing little voice that Katie calls an "angel voice"- oh wow. Must stop gushing about how perfect he is. Anyway, just thought I'd post a photo of him since I'm quite proud of it.

2006-10-27T22:33:00.000+01:00

In Social Policy we've been talking about teenage pregnancy as a social problem, but it's far closer to home than that for me. A month ago my 18-year old friend had a baby boy. And although I'm not at home anymore and therefore barely see her, it's affected me more than I thought it could.

I cannot get my head around the fact that the girl I've known for 8 years has created a whole new life. He's a real live person, a human being. I know that sounds stupid but I've never really known anyone close before who's had a baby. He is so tiny and gorgeous and I'm so proud of her.

I was just on msn and she came online, and put her webcam on while she had her son with her. In the three weeks since I saw him he has grown a lot!

Just, wow. I don't think enough people sit and contemplate the wonder of life. It's amazing.

2006-10-25T11:16:00.000+01:00

An example of the photography I've been doing over the past few days...

2006-10-25T10:58:00.000+01:00

I haven't written in ages, naughty Claire *slaps own wrists*. Right now I'm listening to the Love Actually soundtrack- it just arrived in the post, along with a package of chilli powder from my mum! I get the best parcels :D

Mostly, I have been watching Scrubs. Such a good show, and even better when available for free via the wonder of the world wide web. There is nothing better than spending a few hours in bed watching JD and Teh Gang (hehe) cavort around on screen. I think I'm in love with Dr Cox, purely for his awesome sarcasm. He'd be bloody annoying to work with, I'm sure, but all the while he's just a fictional character on my screen he's brilliant! Thank you George, for introducing me to this fantastic new way to avoid doing work (we are the queens of procrastination).

What else have I been doing? Oh yeah, I span fire poi again. Was definitely better this time, much calmer and smoother, and I was disappointed when it was over. So my very own Mura fire poi are winging their way to me in the post as we speak, all the way from New Zealand (The Kiwis know how to do these things best). Not sure I'll be brave enough to spin fire alone for a while, not to mention the fact that the Estates department still haven't got back to me about whether they'd allow it or not. I have a sneaking suspicion they never will. Anyway, even if I don't light them, they'll be good to practice with, as my fluffy ones annoy me, they're too damn light. You need the weight to create a good grativational pull. And if I practice with my fire poi I'll be more confident when they're actually on fire and won't have to limit myself to the three beat weave (wanted to do the windmill but having smacked myself fairly hard in the face with them unlit earlier in the day, I felt it wasn't the smartest move).

Ian's coming to stay today, I can't wait to see my friendly goth again! I need to tidy my room in anticipation of his arrival, actually...or not...

Handed my SA300 annotated bibliography in today! Yay! Terrifying, though...what if it's shit? Wait, what am I talking about?! It is shit! And now I have to read this book for Soc Anth....crappity crap.

Right, time for *coffee* with Madalene. And to discuss her bemusing texts from last night....hmm....

2006-10-10T12:37:00.000+01:00

Fire poi.

How amazingly awesome. Seriously. Thank you, Callan, you have given me a new obsession, which is good, because I was getting seriously apathetic with life....

Hot...and loud...and bright! And now my arms hurt so much. But it is so worth it. That roar of flame as it zips around your head and you feel the pull of the poi...the gravity I guess, and it swings in a perfect circle and you trust implicitly that it will follow that path.

Wow. And now, of course, I'm craving fire poi; and it'll be at least a week till I get the chance to spin it again. I must say, pink fluff seems so incredibly boring in comparison now...and so ridiculously light! So I've been practicing slowing down the three beat weave until the poi almost drop out of the spin from the gravity. But it's so annoying; I can spin so fast with the fluffy ones and you just don't have that satisfying weight.

Apologies for incomprehensibility, every time I look at the photos or remember the sound the bug hits me again and all I want to do is spin.

Callan, come and stayyyyy!

I have work to do. Book reviews and such. Gah. But for now, I shall listen to the Killers' new album (thank you HSBC, free music!) and possibly sleep. Sleep is good.

2006-10-06T12:23:00.000+01:00

Singledom, here we come. It was my decision, but it feels bloody odd. Hm.

Going home to Mill Cottage today <3 ! It's going to be strange going home, and I really hope I don't decide I don't want to come back to uni again...

Nothing is happening. It is raining. I should be packing.

2006-10-03T12:28:00.000+01:00

You know, there's a reason why I don't have a blog/livejournal/myspace/msn space/insert generic blog website here. I am appallingly bad at keeping diaries. If I re-read my childhood ones, they say things like "tusday: went to sea grany and grandad. katy fel in a bush of netles". And my teenage ones say things like "lee totally blanked me today. and i don't like hanan anymore, she is now OFFICIALLY on my ex-friends list. my life is so shit. nobody loves me. gah. angst angst."

I cringe reading them now (although, having said that, the ones from when I was about 4 were quite cute; I do believe one of them contained a poem that went something along the lines of:
"Spring has sprung
Spring says ding
Spring likes to sing
Spring bangs her chin"

Carol Ann Duffy, outta the way! Budding poet coming through!

Er, or not.

But yeah, anyway. If I cringe enough reading those now, how horrendously painful is it going to be to read this in 3 years time? Who wants to read uni-student angst anyway?

Today I had my first Computing for Anthropologists seminar. It was really good actually, I quite enjoyed laughing at people walking into a room full of iMacs and eMacs and going "wha....where...who...HOW?!" Despite feeling like the proverbial death warmed up, it was good. My tutor/lecturer/teacher/whatever the hell we're supposed to call him seems really nice *arselick*!

I really need to get out and take some photographs. My gorgeous sexy camera is sitting next to me looking forlorn and I'm getting itchy fingers. But I have no inspiration! Every photo I take is just a bit "meh" and tbh, taking "meh" photos is worse than taking no photos at all.

Going to Sainsbury's soon to get some food; the cupboard is bare. *Wears badge saying "Mother Hubbard"*

That is all, for now.