Day 18: Happy Diwali

Taken with Blackberry 9700

London 7th November 2010

My friend Rags and his other two "Idiots" (one of them is Ben in the photo) are about to embark on an amazing Indian adventure to raise money for charity. Please read their blog and donate here. I came along to his Diwali party to support them.. loving the sari!

Happy Diwali everyone!

Day 17: Self Portrait

Taken with Nikkie

London 6th November 2010

A bit self-indulgent today. It was hectic and I didn't take the chance to take photos while playing pool because I was way into the game... 

Was just thinking how old I have become, how much I look like my mother (she also has one eye bigger than the other) and that my eyes are a little crossed... 

Day 16: Nuts

Taken with Blackberry 9700

London 4th November 2010

The only thing I saw today that inspired me was nuts.

Day 15: Monologue

Taken with Blackberry 9700 

London 3rd November 2010 

The thing with Project 365 is that it trains the eyes to look out for something interesting. Most of us are usually so absorbed in the bigger picture of our busy lives that we stop noticing the little things around us. Certain day I really struggle to find the time; let alone inspiration. Other days like today when I actually wanted to go out and take pictures, I realized that the sun now set at around 4.30pm, then found Nikkie without a memory card.

So I sat down in the corner of a Starbucks, disappointed and angry. I had been carrying this heavy camera around and it had become useless. Instead, I pulled out my Moleskin. These notebooks have been my soulmate for more than 3 years (one each year for now) ... they're patient with my frustrations, help me to remember things and ideas that inspire me, sometimes record sketches and scribbles. I adore them. But I also abandon them from time to time. Whenever I come back to them, I always feel pleasantly surprised... They're like really really good friends who are always there for you but expect nothing in return except your trust.

The only thing missing is those "dear diary" moments ...  I wonder how many old fashion people are still out there?

Day 14: De Barcelona

Taken with Canon IXUS 75

London 2nd November 2010

There was nothing of Gaudi but I finally have a little something of the Guernica. Picasso was always our favourite painter.

Day 13: Being In Love

Dedicated to my yogi friend, S.S.Y

Taken with Nikkie 

London 01.11.2010 

I'm starting to notice a few things since I started this project:

1. Sometimes I post two entries on one day, to make up for the fact that on certain day I simply don't have enough time. I usually dislike that excuse, because if you really want to do something, you will certainly MAKE the time. This will have to change. No matter how tired or how busy I have been that day, I will spend at least 10 minutes on an entry. I need to discipline myself and stop making excuses.

2. What started out as an artistic project has also incorporated a lot of personal memories. I guess I have to redefine this project a bit. It's one photo per day, but it can be artistic attempt or memory-related, or anything that inspires me. The only thing is that the picture has to be taken THAT DAY!

***

For a while now, I have wanted to incorporate entries for books! Books are a big part of my life and the inspiration I get from reading is enormous.  So the first Monday of each month will be dedicated to a book that I want to recommend to you, my few but very much loved followers. 

The first book is called "Being In Love", it is my current "bible". It's written by one of  the very inspirational spiritual leaders of our time, Osho. Though the man himself had certain controversies during his lifetime, he was a human being and people make mistakes.  I appreciate his teaching, in which he uses a very clear and simple writing style. I have only read this one book by him, which happened in the area where I have weakness in. 

This book was recommend to me by an university friend S.S.Y,  who lives in the Far East. We met briefly through organizing an event while at Warwick. Our common interest in yoga has gotten us in touch again (mostly through twitter)... At the time of recommendation, I was going through a difficult time understanding love and what love really is. S.S.Y said I should read it so I went and buy it the next day (I also trust a recommendation from an yogi). I wonder what was going through her mind as she made the recommendation, maybe she felt the bitterness through my words. The book has not left my side whenever I have any doubt or negative feelings with regards to my "love life". Love life here is not just with my significant other, but with everybody. 

I believe everyone, spiritual or not, should read this book once. I think it will help us in the way we think about love, and how we love. It doesn't mean that you have to agree with everything but I am certain there is something you can get out from it. You can see that I have marked in all the pages I find helpful for myself. I have recommended it to many friends,  but many of whom I doubt gave it a chance... 

Ah! I just came up with a very good idea :) 

Day 12: Bath

Taken with blackberry 9700
Bath 31.10.2010

Bath was absolutely breath-taking. I had the very old Canon IXUS 75 with me, which ran out of battery after a day! So I had to shoot with my blackberry 9700, and who says those bb bad boys don't produce some interesting photos?

There were a few I really like but thought this sums up the city and what it is most famous for... history, architecture and colour.