12 of 12 (v6.0) - July

This month's 12 was the day after I came back from an 11 day holiday, so I had a lot to catch up on both at work and outside. I managed to get the time to choose my photos and watermark them, but somehow the motivation to then turn that into a post with accompanying text and any necessary hyperlinks, vanished.

For the record - I'm happy for comments. If you can take the time to read this and leave a comment, I'm grateful. That doesn't mean though, that people can come on here and leave a criticising comment - no matter how jokingly you make it seem - when you yourself are not perfect. I don't ask much from readers other than courtesy.

Thanks as always to Chad for creating this - you can read the other July 12 of 12 contributions here.

1) My office, Canary Wharf, London



Remembering it's 12 of 12, and a work day (plus my first day back in the office after holiday), I snap one of a meeting I had that morning. A mid year review with my main manager, Claudio.

Lens: John S
Film: Ina's 1969
Flash: Off

2) My office, Canary Wharf, London



A photo of my to do list at the start of the day. I break things down, as I find it frustrating to spend a morning on something and not be able to tick anything off. So rather than say "expenses", I break it down into "Claudio expenses, Rich expenses", etc. Long list, but more satisfying to work through.

Lens: Libatique 73
Film: Ina's 1969
Flash: Off

3) My office, Canary Wharf, London



Notes my manager made, at my mid year review. We discussed my work so far this year, any improvements to make towards achieving my objectives, etc. - and he suggested a few things to take on. This particular bit is referring to training.

Lens: Matty ALN (new lens)
Film: Ina's 1935
Flash: Off

4) My office, Canary Wharf, London



Lunchtime - I had a quick catch up with my other main manager (it's a little complicated) over lunch, which he kindly bought. This is the close up of my drink can.

Lens: Libatique 73
Film: Blanko
Flash: Off

5) My office, Canary Wharf, London



And the actual can itself - San Pellegrino's Limonata.

Lens: Watts
Film: Blanko
Flash: Standard

6) My office, Canary Wharf, London



And the completion of an expense report - cover sheet and receipts in an envelope to be sent for scanning.

Film: Melodie
Lens: Blanko
Flash: Off

7) My office, Canary Wharf, London



End of day, and my updated to do list - lots done!

Lens: Chunky
Film: Ina's 1969
Flash: Off

8) Canary Wharf DLR station, London



Waiting for the DLR back to my flat.

Lens: Libatique 73
Film: Ina's 1969
Flash: Off

9) My flat, Lewisham, London



One of my tomato plants.

Lens: Watts
Film: Ina's 1969
Flash: Standard

10) My flat, Lewisham, London



Self portrait.

Lens: Libatique 73
Film: Ina's 1969
Flash: Standard

11) My flat, Lewisham, London



Watching my newest addiction, Castle. I'd heard bits about friends liking it, but didn't know much about it. I knew that it was on a UK satellite channel (which I don't get), and that it wasn't on UK DVD. You could get it on region 2, but as an import (same as region 1 from the US/Canada). So I'd blocked it off my radar, as being unavailable to me right now. That was until I was in Germany, and saw they had seasons 1 and 2. Not that cheap - about 23 EUR (£21?) for season 1, and 37 EUR (about £34?) for season 2. But I bought season 1 anyway, taking a chance - I loved Nathan Fillion in Firefly, after all.

I started watching the pilot episode in Gemany, and was hooked within 10 minutes. I went back the next day or so, and bought season 2. I finished all 10 episodes of season 1 in Germany, managing to get my friend Christin loving it too - she was half paying attention partway through an episode midway in season 1, but ended up getting pulled in and watching the end of the episode, and then the other episodes to up to the season finale too. When I got back to the UK, I started watching season 2 - hence this photo.

Lens: Lucifer VI
Film: Ina's 1969
Flash: Standard

12) My flat, Lewisham, London



Phoning my parents for a chat. Technically taken after the chat, as I used my iPhone for the call and also the photo, so I couldn't take a photo at the same time as being on the call...

Lens: Matty ALN
Film: Ina's 1969
Flash: Standard

Bonus - My flat, Lewisham, London



I can't remember why I took this photo. I wasn't reading the book at the time, or even that day - I've not read it at all yet. Anyhoo - this is book 5 in the Skullduggery Pleasant series, by Derek Landy. I'd never have picked them up normally, as I don't read much YA literature. But I happened to be in a bookshop with a friend who was browsing the children's and YA section - and I saw a display of books on offer. Waterstone's had picked 4 YA series, and were offering the first book in each series for £1, and then the remaining books were 3 for 2. I figured for £1, I'd try all 4 intro books - so I got Skullduggery Pleasant, Artemis Fowl (which I'd heard about), How To Train Your Dragon (heard of from the film), and another one whose title I can't remember and I'm not getting up to check.

Anyway, I started reading the first Skullduggery book, and LOVED it. I was shocked when I looked on the back and saw it says 9+... it's like Harry Potter in that it's aimed at kids but appeals to adults too, it has magic and darkness in there... but is very very funny too. Skullduggery is a warrior magician skeleton - who's dead. Give it a try - and I bet you enjoy it.

Lens: Matty ALN
Film: Ina's 1969
Flash: Off

So that's it! August's 12 of 12 should be more entertaining, as I'm visiting my best (non-work) friend Gem, her hubby Jon and their two young boys. It will be late though, I warn you now - I'm away the 11-14th.