by emma | Jan 9, 2010 | Music
Late, again. Nonetheless, I have discovered a phenomenal band over the last week that you NEED to hear. They are called needtobreathe, and their lyrics are blowing me away.
Lonely like the sailor
Who’s left his girl at home
No storm could overtake the love he holds
Tell me why I should run for cover
After the sound of the calming thunder
All I hear is the cry of my lover
So take your shot
I won’t turn back
No, I won’t turn back
Faithful like the solider
Who’s answered to the call
Even when his back’s against the wall
Tell why I should run for cover
After the sound of the calming thunder
All I hear is the cry of my lover
Yeah, take your shot
I won’t turn back
No, I won’t turn back
Tell me why I should run for cover
After the sound of the calming thunder
All I hear is the cry of my lover
Yeah, take your shot
I won’t turn back
No, I won’t turn back (x6)
[Won’t Turn Back – needtobreathe]
What’ve you been listening to this week?
by emma | Jan 6, 2010 | Musings
In the process of switching rooms with my youngest brother six months ago, I found a whole host of old photographs of us growing up. Entering a new decade now I’m thinking about those again, as I found (terrible) photographs of us entering 2000. My middle brother had me in an armlock on the floor (not much has changed there).
I wonder how many of us feel like we’re in an armlock as we enter this decade? How many of us will find excuses to not pursue our dreams, to hold back, to simply ‘get by’ this decade?
I don’t really have any specific resolutions (though if I did they’d probably echo my buddy Chris) for this year, or decade, but I know I want it to be one where I continue to push myself out of my comfort zones. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself.
Seth Godin wrote a post a few years ago that is deeply resonating with me.
In hindsight, the 1990s were the good old days. Yet so many people missed out. Why? Because it’s always possible to find a reason to stay put, to skip an opportunity, or to decline an offer. And yet, in retrospect, it’s hard to remember why we said no and easy to wish that we had said yes.
The thing is, we still live in a world that’s filled with opportunity. In fact, we have more than an opportunity — we have an obligation. An obligation to spend our time doing great things. To find ideas that matter and to share them. To push ourselves and the people around us to demonstrate gratitude, insight, and inspiration. To take risks and to make the world better by being amazing.
Are these crazy times? You bet they are. But so were the days when we were doing duck-and-cover air-raid drills in school, or going through the scares of Three Mile Island and Love Canal. There will always be crazy times.
So stop thinking about how crazy the times are, and start thinking about what the crazy times demand.
[Read the rest of the post here.]
So here’s to 2010: a crazy year. I’m going to be amazing this year. I’m also going to fail. But I’ll pick myself up, dust myself off, and go at it again. How about you?
by emma | Jan 4, 2010 | Everything Else
One of my year-end routines is to read back through my blog archives for the year. I love how it reminds me of so much that I have forgotten – the little things that have made the year so special (both the hard, painful ones and the joyous ones). Here are a few of the joyous things I’ve enjoyed in 2009…
- Foys gig in Belfast in Jan- “never let the spirit die”
- Being involved in CONSP!RE mag
- Working with Christian Aid’s photography unit, & having some of my images published in their magazine
- Geek Summit
- Ireland v Scotland 6 Nations match at Murrayfield
- Photographing The Rescue
- Celebrating the gap year – Goodbye Congo
- Photographing at FUEL09
- Getting inked
- Weddings & hen parties
- A weekend in Oxford with Caroline
- Seeing Scribble at the Edinburgh Festival
- Greenbelt 09
- Roadtrip to Skye with uni friends
- Inspiring conversations with friends new & old at Story & Cultivate
- Hanging out with Julie & Daley in LA
- A night out in Huntington Beach with my cousins
- San Francisco
- My parents 25th wedding anniversary
- My first wedding photography gig
Every year it just keeps getting better. I’m excited for the new things 2010 will bring. How was your 2009?
by emma | Jan 2, 2010 | Music
I’m really looking forward to taking some time over the next week to reflect & celebrate 2009, and dream about what 2010 will hold, but for now I thought I’d leave you with a song for the new year. I love the hope and realism in it, in knowing that the hard stuff I wrestled with in 2009 is still going to be here this year, but that there is so much beauty and potential in each new day too.
I’m gonna sing this song
To let you know that you’re not alone
And if you’re like me
You need hope, coffee, and melody
So sit back down
Let the world keep spinning ‘round
For yesterday’s gone and today is waiting on you to show your face
It might not be
The prettiest thing that you’ll ever see
But it’s a new day, oh baby, it’s a new day
And it might not look like
A beautiful sunrise
But it’s a new day, oh baby, it’s a new day
I’m a pilgrim soul
I’ve traveled far and come back home
This land is hard and cold
For those who long to love
And I know it might seem
That the world is crumbling
But it’s me and you dancing in the kitchen at 2 am
And we’re still alive
It’s the calm of the storm that comes blowing in
It’s the springtime saying I’m back again
The clouds that roll by
Crossing moonlight
Me and you love – everything’s alright
Standing in the rain with nowhere to go
Laughing and we’re spinning and I hope that you
Remember this day
For the rest of your life
Me and you love – everything’s gonna be alright
And it just might be
The prettiest thing that you’ll ever see
It’s a new day
Oh baby, it’s a new day
If you look outside
To see a beautiful sunrise
It’s a new day
[New Day – Robbie Seay Band]
by emma | Jan 1, 2010 | Photography
I spent the last 3 days in Comrie photographing the wedding of the lovely Ali & Jonny Aspden. What a great way to spend new years. This is my favourite shot so far.
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