firstly, let me apologise for not being around so much over the last couple of months. i've been quite unwell, and we eventually figured out that it was glandular fever. just when i was starting to get over that and the sore throat, ears, aches and pains and constant fatigue.. my lungs decided they'd have their turn, and i my asthma did a little thing and turned into a chest infection with a mind of it's own. as you can imagine, trying to work was hard, so i had to cut back my hours (lots of time off sick) and all the other things life has thrown at me.. well, the fatigue has been intense and enthusiasm for anything remotely energy zapping was gone.

i'm sorry that i haven't been able to get to your wonderful work, entertaining journals and feedback or comments. and i'll hopefully start to catch up, but it's going to be slow. thanks to those special gals who sent me concerned notes checking up on me, and those of you who left comments on my front page, it's actually really nice to know that i've been missed.. please know that i've missed you guys lots too!

as for anyone who might be a member of the =flower-club, please accept my most humble apologies for taking an unexpected and unannounced leave of absence. i just know when i log in there will be thousands of notes. no, the club hasn't closed, and yes i will get in there as soon as i can and get things going again, but again.. that's going to be a slow process, so please just be patient with me

anyway, so that's where i'm at.

oh, and to top off the best week in the world, one of my closest and most amazing friends has just been diagnosed with breast cancer. it's wretched. but she's a fighter and she's got lots of friends to walk beside her.. so Jan, if you're reading this, i love you, you're not alone.

anyone wanna trade lives at the moment? or at least tell me about yours so mine feels a bit more normal? how are YOU guys?

dis0r says: MSN says you're idle. Does that mean you're as bored as I am?
cdaile says: lol, it means i was off spending money on glass jewelery in the staff room!
cdaile says: but i got a few christmas presents!
dis0r says:
dis0r says: Sweet.
cdaile says: and you got me a present too. you're so sweet!
dis0r says: I did?
cdaile says: yup, you did.
dis0r says: I rock!
cdaile says: yes, you do!
cdaile says: if you were here, i'd kiss you... it's so lovely!
dis0r says:

yes, ok.. ditzy title for the devMeet, i know.. but we had one and i'm totally over sausages now for about ever! on saturday we had the *crikey nation wide devMeet, and i went to the melbourne one! suffice to say, the trip from bendigo to melbourne on the train was interesting (but nice not to drive for once), and ~disgracian arrived with 30 mins to spare and in time to hold up the dA banner at the train station for all and sundry to come and stare strangely at us!

we carried bbq stuff long way around to the alexandra park area and were glad to unload it, shoving some people off their half used table (i'm sure the drinks and bread didn't need it all to themselves anyway), and then settled in for the arvo of sausages (lovingly cooked by yours truly), games and prize give aways thanks to $Heidi.

it was great to catch up with some old faces and meet some new ones! and i'll be sure to post photos as soon as i get a spare minute (probably tonight i hope!). a special thanks goes out to `astarsia for all her organising, oh and go wish her a happy birthday for today!

in case you didn't know, the 4th edition of Exploring Digital Photography is out, so go and it would ya! the latest edition talks about the Rule of Thirds.. the next edition is still open for discussion.. so send in your ideas! was also thinking of doing something in the news about "ideas on how to title your work" what do you guys think?