Glasgow – Page 45 – My Photo Blog

A full day – 18 August 2015

Posted on August 18, 2015August 18, 2015 by Zogman

It was up early as the weans were going to school and the teachers realised that the phony war was over and it was now the real start of term. I was determined to make the most of this auspicious day. 😉

After breakfast, the day started with the Gym & Swim thing. Gym was fine, but there were toddlers and their mums in the pool along with a really annoying teacher singing to the weans. Not the way I wanted my day to start, but I’ll know better for future. Avoid the baby swim time.

Went straight from there in to Glasgow. I did think that I should do a drive past of the school, but decided that was a step too far.
<Rant>Took a ticket at Cowcaddens and went to find a parking place. There were none. Why does the machine give out tickets when there are no spaces. Isn’t it simple to issue the number of tickets equal to the number of spaces? Is there a problem with this algorithm? It would appear that Glasgow Council just issue tickets to everyone who asks and if you can’t find a space, tough luck, that’s just the way it is.</Rant>
Anyway, sat ‘poaching’ and waiting for someone to leave and got a space 5 minutes later. Just went for a daunder round ‘the toon’. Got myself a mudguard for my bike and two posh cakes for pudding tonight from Patisserie Valerie. It was a good choice, judging by Scamp’s face when I got home. While I was there, I saw a healthy food stand in Buchanan Street, selling coconuts and advertising free WiFi. Healthy? Coconuts? FREE!!! WiFi? In Glasgow? What’s the world coming to? Where are the deep fried Mars Bars and the pints of heavy? I despair!

When I got home, the sun was still shining so after fitting the mudguard, I took the bike out for a run to try to find some puddles – not usually a problem in Scotland. I could not find one puddle to splash in because the magic weather fairies were still in charge. Apparently the magic weather pixies plane home had been delayed due to an air traffic controllers strike in Eastern Zogland. They are expected tomorrow.

Bummer

One of those days – 12 August 2015

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Zogman

It may be the Glorious Twelfth to some, but for me the day started OK but gradually and inexorably slid into crap. That’s the way it is sometimes, but it doesn’t help me when it happens. Drove to Falkirk to have lunch in COW coffee bar. Coffee was OK, but Scamp’s was not hot and she does like hot coffee. Mine was fine. Lunch was a burger for me and macaroni cheese for S. Burger was a bit thin and cooked medium rare, which I don’t mind in a steak, but am not so sure about in a burger. Scamp’s Mac was not advertised as containing bacon and as a veggie, she was a bit put out by that. Worse still, the macaroni was overdone and textureless. So, some work needs to be done on the lunches COW. The folk that were in there were all having coffee and cake, so perhaps that’s a safer way to go. Other coffee shops abound in Falkirk, so we may be giving them a try rather than taking the COW route in future.

The rest of the day was vanilla. Just the usual Wednesday. Went dancing at night and again faced the nightmare that is the M8 westbound. It really is becoming a pain driving in to Glasgow at night. Personally I’m getting fed up with trying to find new and less congested routes every week. Maybe it’s just me today. Today’s pic was taken at the STUC in Glasgow and although the face and the background is good in this painting, the hands and the tartan, oh that tartan, are awful. How could someone do that?

Surely tomorrow will be a better day.

It’s all about timing – 31 July 2015

Posted on August 1, 2015August 1, 2015 by Zogman

On this last day of July, we had planned to go to Glasgow on the bus. Since the X3, the only bus that runs through our estate (you don’t call them schemes any more – that has totally the wrong connotations) takes about three days to drag its sorry wheels into town, we decided instead to get one of the other X buses, any one in fact. This meant we had to get the bus from the Town Centre also known as Castle Greyskull. This is where it gets complicated and all the timing starts. Scamp’s car needed petrol, so I opted to run her to work and get petrol on the way back. Then drive to the gym for my Gym ‘n’ Swim in my own car. Get back, hopefully have a cup of tea, then get the bus up the toonie, meet Scamp and travel in to Glasgow. For once, given our poor history of making these plans stick, it worked and we raced into town in about 20 minutes rather than the three days on the X3.

In town, we wandered around the almost deserted Merchant City Festival site, waiting for the Car Men comic opera singers. This ‘festival’ is not a patch on what was there last year. Fewer stalls and almost no attractions. Last year there were street performers mingling with the punters, this year it’s just minging. Scamp thinks it’s because last year was Commonwealth Games year in Glasgow and there was a bigger push and also more cash flung at it. She could be right. There is also the added factor of the winter weather this summer. That probably puts a lot of folk off. The Car Men were quite funny, although their set went on for a while. Scamp seemed to enjoy it which was surprising as it was comedy and she doesn’t usually do comedy.

Lunch in Charcoals Cafe was not up to their usual high standard. Chicken Bhuna lacked salt and taste. The sauce seemed to comprise entirely of liquidized carrots without peppers or onions. No wonder then that we were the only customers. Must do better. Later we had coffee and shared a cake in Patisserie Valerie and that was up to their usual high standard.

A day out with friends – 29 July 2015

Posted on July 29, 2015July 29, 2015 by Zogman

It’s not often we all get together, typically twice or three times a year, but when we do all get off the leash at the same time, drink is taken, jokes are told and you must leave your sensibilities at the door. That’s how it was today when we all arrived, well almost all of us at the Horseshoe Bar in Drury Street in Glasgow. It’s our usual pub and has the longest bar in Europe, 104 feet and 3 inches. For those readers who prefer measurements in metric, but a calculator. The Horseshoe Bar also has the cheapest lunch deals I’ve seen in Glasgow, £4.50 for three courses is hard to beat. After we had all caught up with each other’s lives, had lunch and a few beers, we went for a walk through the Merchant City to see what was going on in the festival. Not a lot going on when we started out, but on the way back we watched the hilarious Moustachioed Spies creating havoc and a great deal of hilarity with the children who were watching them. After that we split up and went our own way with the stated intention of having another meeting in a couple of months.

Next I met Scamp who had driven into town and we got the subway to Kelvinbridge to meet up with another old friend and then we went together to salsa class. Great fun again.

A good day with good folk. Oh yes, and the sun shone for a while. It did rain too, of course!

Reflection of the old sandstone buildings in my favourite glass fronted new building.

A trip to Decathlon and Small and Often – 23 July 2015

Posted on July 23, 2015July 23, 2015 by Zogman

A 365 is sometimes a pain and sometimes a pleasure. Sometimes it contrives to be both. I enjoy the regime of having to take a photo every day. Recently I’ve been reading a book

“Daily Painting: Small and Often …” by Carol Marine. Her idea is that you should try to paint a small painting every day – much like a 365. I don’t think I could tie myself to the one-a-day routine, but certainly one a week is do-able. and I’m happy to try it in the coming weeks. I used to find that on days when I couldn’t paint, I could write code – just BASIC mainly, but occasionally assembly language for the old Z80 chip. Similarly, on days when my coding became heavy, my painting improved. I think it’s to do with left and right sides of the brain. One side is supposed to control the analytical skills and the other the creative and artistic abilities. It seemed to work for me and now I’m beginning to think that way again. Photography is not Art. Let’s not kid ourselves, photography is 99% technology now. With programs like Lightroom, Aperture and Photoshop, there’s very little creativity. You only have to look at some of the crap on Flickr, 500px and similar image promoting websites – I’m not even going to suggest you look at Facebook or Instagram! – to see what I’m talking about. So… I’m going to try to produce one painting per week. It may appear here or it may not. It depend on whether I like it or if it is a Learning Experience.

Today I went to Decathlon at Braehead to spend the last of my gift voucher. It’s taken me a long time because there was a lot of money there and I didn’t want to squander it on just anything. I’m taking longer and longer to think about these things now. I intended to buy, amongst other things a saddle bag for my bike. The bag I chose was priced at £7.95. When I went to the checkout, the assistant told me it was £9.95. I told her it was priced at £7.95 on the rack. She got another assistant to check the price. He came back and checked it on a computer and confirmed that it was £9.95. When I asked him to show me where he got that price on the rack, he couldn’t. None of the codes on the prices matched with the item. I asked him how I could tell what price it was and he admitted I couldn’t tell. It had to be checked at the till or on computer. This seems a really stupid way to run a business. I can now understand why Decathlon at The Fort had to close. It also explains why people wander round this store looking bemused. I don’t think I’ll be back in the store, I’ll go somewhere sensible like Halfords or Evans, but think about this idea. Put prices on things. I know it takes away the mystery, but it makes buying things much easier.

Scamp had asked me to get some handmade chocolates on the way home as a present for a workmate’s 25th wedding anniversary. This means that I also have to buy Scamp some really good ice-cream and Edinburgh Rock for myself! On the way to the shop in Muirhead, I stopped to take a photo of these petrol pumps in a disused petrol station. I’ve passed them many times and always meant to take a photo. Today I got them, because if I didn’t, one day I’d pass and see the bulldozers flattening them and the photo would be gone. One of my mantras is :

Take the Photo then make adjustments.

Today I took the photo.

Later in the afternoon I was at the architecturally challenged Cumbernauld Town Centre also known as Castle Greyskull. It’s a dreary place that really needs to be torn down and started again, but all they seem to do is add bits to it and shore up the bits that are falling down. It makes a good subject for an HDR grunge photo.

Take the Photo

Posh Nosh – 21 July 2015

Posted on July 21, 2015July 21, 2015 by Zogman

So, today started with a trip to the gym. My ‘key’ was being ‘reprocessed’ last week, but I was assured it would have been ready to pick up on Friday past. Not trusting them to be able to accomplish this swift turnaround, I gave them a few days grace and decided to pick it up today. After rustling some papers, rattling stuff in a drawer and looking confused, the attendant told me that “Ah! There was a bit of a problem with the monitor that they reprogram the keys on.” A blatant attempt to baffle an old person with all these new technology words. So it wasn’t that they’d lost the key or hadn’t bothered to reprogram it? No, it was the monitor that was at fault. An old person like me wouldn’t be expected to know that the monitor is an output device and generally you wouldn’t connect anything like the programmable key to it. It’s couldn’t be the fact that the software hasn’t been updated since 2004 but the keys have 2014 hardware which would cause a conflict? No, an old person wouldn’t know about ‘software’ and ‘hardware’ would they. Oh well, they said it will be ready tomorrow, which probably means that the problem with the monitor will be fixed today. I’ll try again on Thursday morning and act the ‘dumb kid’ again to see what explanation lie they come up with. Then I’ll write down the explanation lie, in pencil, in a little notebook (If I really want to over-egg the the pudding, I could even lick the end of the pencil first!) and accept the explanation lie. Then I’ll write a nasty email (old people can just manage to do email you know) explaining the problem and quoting the lies told, to the centre manager and copy in head office with a BCC (old people are devious).

Old age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill.

After the Gym/Swim, Scamp and I got the bus in to Glasgow for a posh lunch at the Rogano seafood restaurant. Of course, I can’t eat shellfish which the Rogano excels at, but that wasn’t going to stop me. Had a lovely lunch of Smoked Salmon Roulade followed by Lamb Burger with chunky chips. Scamp had Black pudding on a Portobello mushroom with a poached egg on top and pan fried sea bream for a main. A bottle of red helped to wash it down and a good time was had by both. Plans were made for the weekend, so beware JIC and Sim, plans are afoot – wet weather plans and dry weather plans. I know you read this, so be warned.

On the way in to Glasgow, as I said, we went in the bus, so I could enjoy the delights of a half bottle of red without having to worry about the draconian Scottish drink/drive laws which I’ve criticised at length before, so won’t go in to here. Anyway, this bloke got on the bus with his dog and sat down at the front, presumably so his dog could pretend to be the driver. It looked so comical, the dog sitting beside him on the front seat, I just had to take a photo. The dog seemed really interested in what was going on until we got to the motorway when it seemed to lose interest and started yawning and looking round at all these people on the bus. It really behaved like a little child, and was quite entertaining.

After lunch we wandered round Glasgow a bit just window shopping mainly, dropped in at Costa for a coffee and came home. While we were in Costa I saw this interesting window display in Dunnes Stores. Because I was with Scamp, I could not take advantage of this obviously once in a lifetime offer. I’d better be careful what I write, as she reads this too!

No entertaining dogs on the way home.

The day after the day before – 18 July 2015

Posted on July 18, 2015July 18, 2015 by Zogman

Today, we had already planned would be different to Friday. We were going to relax today, and that is what we did.

Scamp had cut a rose “Remember Me” yesterday to prevent it being damaged with the heavy rain and high winds. Today it had opened out fully. Although there wasn’t much scent from the flower, the colour was exceptional.

We only drove as far as the railway station today and let the train take the strain for a change. We walked round Glasgow and had a light lunch in Patisserie Valerie. Food was excellent, but service left a lot to be desired. Why does it always happen to us, I thought? Then, when we went to pay, it turned out that everyone had the same complaint – slow, slow service. One man waiting to order his pastry had the perfect response when the girl asked him what he wanted. “Actually, I’ve forgot, I’ve been waiting so long to be served” was his reply. Nice to know we were not alone.

On Buchanan Street, I waited for ages (well, about 2 minutes) to take a photo of Mitchell Lane with its colourful lights, but stupid people just kept getting in the way. I don’t know what the secret is to getting them to move along. I think the best thing is to pretend that you’re taking photos of them. I think that might work. I’ll try it soon. This one started as a colour pic of course. After the usual levels and adjustments, I painted a desaturation over the whole pic, then simply erased the desaturation in the selected areas. So simple with only Lightroom tools.

Went to Halfords on the way home to uplift my new bike rack. Couldn’t believe how light it is. It hardly looks as if it is up to the job, but I’ll try it out tomorrow or Monday and give a review here.

A relaxing day after yesterday’s stress.

Following the Yellow Brick Road – 11 July 2015

Posted on July 11, 2015July 11, 2015 by Zogman

We had decided to go to IKEA today. I hate IKEA, especially the fact that you have to follow the yellow brick road with little arrows under your feet to tell you how to traverse this enormous warehouse. However, loaded with a host of things we hadn’t planned on buying, but agreed we couldn’t do without, we left with a bag of Swedish Meatballs. All was not lost!

From there we went to Decathlon. From the sublimely organized to the ridiculous. I simply cannot understand how this place continues to draw in customers and revenue. When we went in, a father was explaining to his son why the warning bells were ringing. He told his son it was to warn the security that someone was trying to steal something. Why on earth would anyone want to steal anything from here. The place is full of cheap looking own-brand sports goods with the occasional recognisable brand. Every time I leave feeling disappointed and disillusioned.

We stopped in Glasgow city centre for a cup of coffee and to buy some art stuff. We also picked up tickets for the Randy Newman concert in October. Tickets were a wee bit more expensive than we’d expected, but I expect Mr Newman needs to supplement his pension somehow. I managed to get a few shots from the steps of the Concert Hall, so that kind of made up for it. Before we went home, I also managed to pick up one other little extra. When we got back to the car, it was to find that some kind bastard had scratched the front wing with their bad attempt at parking. This Megane must be the unluckiest car I’ve ever had.

Dinner tonight was a carry-out courtesy of Bombay Dreams. It’s been too long since we’ve had such a good curry. We’ve even got some for lunch tomorrow. How’s that for abstinence?

Summer comes to Scotland – 3 June 2015

Posted on June 3, 2015June 3, 2015 by Zogman

It’s been a sunny day (with some showers of course – it is still Scotland!). Went to Stirling and felt overdressed in the warm afternoon sun. By the time we came home there was no time to take any photos as I was on cooking duty – voluntarily I must add. Pizza for dinner ( the unhealthy option, but very tasty). Dancing tonight. One hour of the utter hell that chooses to call itself Kizomba. Actually it’s just two self-centred girls showing off to each other and us and along the way teaching us the odd step of what could be and interesting and very sensual dance. The dance itself is good. We’ve tried it a year or two ago with a real teacher. His grasp of English may not have been great, but boy could he put his point across. These two are just amateurs pretending they can teach. I really feel sorry for the ones in the class who have never had the opportunity to see it danced by a real, talented teacher. Thankfully, this was our last class. After a 25 minute lecture on how to move and ‘musicology‘, if felt like giving up the will to live. I almost walked out, it was so bad. Never will I attend any of the classes by these self-styled teachers again. Fin!

After the Kizomba Katastrophe I really needed Jamie G’s salsa class to lift my spirits, and it did! When I came out there was a mayfly sitting on the windscreen of the car. Of course, I didn’t have a camera, but I did have my iPhone. Unfortunately it took so long for the camera app to load and focus, the mayfly took off and left me with a blank windscreen. Then I saw the reflection on the roof of the car. The red roof acted like a Claude mirror and reduced the reflection to the kind of monochrome although mine was a red monochrome as seen here. Drove to the end of Park Road and saw the wonderful view of Glasgow Uni against a glowing sky and couldn’t pass up the opportunity. This time the iPhone worked perfectly, as all good Apple products should. The weather folk say the magic fairies are whispering that summer has gone again for a few days. Oh dear!

An Uneventful Sunday – 31 May 2015

Posted on May 31, 2015May 31, 2015 by Zogman

I’d hoped to get out cycling again today, but the weather was against it as predicted by the weather report last night. High winds, gusty high winds which is worse and squally rain. Up at 8.00 to put on my dinner – pork osso bucco in a red wine sauce. Why such an ungodly hour of a Sunday morning? Well, it was so it could be slow cooked for about 6 hours. After that, I did a bit of painting. Just a couple of sketches. See below. I don’t see them setting the art world afire with their beauty or demonstration of skill, but they’re mine and I’m quite pleased. I’ve seen fit to display them below. Please don’t download them and colour print them. Giclee dear, giclee. Printing is for letters and spreadsheets.

Dancing later this afternoon at the Garage and for once I really did enjoy it. On the way to the Garage, I passed this lane and decided to add it to my album entitled “Peein’ up closes and lanes” on Flickr. The title comes from “The Copper’s Song” by the late Hamish Imlach. Just another wee bit of nonsense. When we came out, I saw a better shot, but there was a bloke pacing up and down the lane and I didn’t want folk asking any awkward questions. “Here mate, whit ur ye daein’?” “Is that a camera or a fone?” “Gonnae gie us yer fone mate or dae ye want me tae gie you a dooin?'” It is Glasgow after all and Rangers had just lost an important match to Motherwell, so discretion is the better part … etc. the photo needed a bit of post processing, it being from an iPhone, not a ‘real’ camera. Did levels and stuff then used Sergé’s settings for shadows and highlights. Then I noticed that the sky was plain white. Chopped a bit of believable grey cloud from another photo and pasted it in in Photoshop. Looked much better then.

Got home to much more peaceful weather and even a bit of late sun. First of June tomorrow and snow predicted for high ground. Oh dear!