Day 347 - Murky Musings

soggy old tree

You may remember the incongruous cormorant that I spotted last week, sat up high in a tree?  Well this is that tree, taken just before it slides behind the hedgerow and out of my view.

This morning, as I was driving to work, traffic was a little more chaotic than usual, the weather a little more inclement, and my energy a little more jaded than is the norm these days (due to the ongoing lurgy situation).

As I reached my halfway point, the roads were running with water and clogged with more cars than usual...it quickly became clear that I was going to be there for a while (20 minutes, as it turned out).

I sat there feeling tired(!) and with dampened spirits, pondering how difficult it was going to be to get a photo today, unless there's some sort of clarion call for more photo's of The Boy Wonder - which clearly isn't going to happen.

I realised that the miserable weather might make an interesting subject, so started snapping away.  As I approached the centre of the jam I remembered that I'd been wanting to get a photo of the tree, and now might make a good opportunity.

As it happened, this was the last photo I took, and the only one that isn't full of traffic jam.  I've no idea how I managed to to get a shot with no other vehicles in it at all, as I'd been surrounded by them throughout.

But somehow the shot captured the feel of the morning in all its murky dampness, and the fact that I possibly had a PotD in the bag already lifted my spirits somewhat.

I actually like very rainy days like today.  I don't even mind being out in it, as long as I'm dressed warmly.  I find stormy Autumnal days to be atmospheric and evocative.

Having said that, I'd much rather be out, cold and damp, walking the dog in the fields, than sitting warm and dry in a traffic jam!

Another thing I've been pondering is next year's challenges...I have a few thoughts.

Rather than blogging next year, on each day I'm going to read the blog post from the same date a year earlier.

I'm also going to put the whole blog into a book (or a series of books, given the extent of it!).

I have a few of this years challenges to catch up on, notably a few climbing ambitions and a few other bits and bobs.

I'll hopefully complete Anna's 35 Challenge with her (whatever it turns out to be), in Fontainebleau in the Spring.

But I think my priority is musical...

I want to use all that lovely time that I won't be blogging to do something productive musically.  Perhaps I'll write and record some songs.  I do want to start playing the guitar more, and develop my looping skills.  And I'd still like to follow up on the improvisational live music thing I was hinting at early in the year.

Oh, and I also want to move house...and get a new car!

Hmm, seems like I've maybe overloaded my plate again - but that strategy did make for an interesting, eventful and insightful year this year...

So why not aim high again?!

I love it when a plan starts to come together...

B-)