Manchester Christmas Market 2012

After our failed attempt at getting to the markets on Friday (Cas got sick in the car), we finally managed to get there yesterday.

Cas and I stopped in Kendals (it'll NEVER be "House of Fraser" to me!) and bought some cool gifts for Gary. And then as the light faded, we hit the markets. I was armed (as always) with my camera and Cas's eye. Together we took pictures that represent Christmas to us. I love spending time with my son, and being able to share a passion is beyond AMAZING.

The first thing we came across was this cool Rudolph on King Street! Cas kindly posed for some shots for me (you can tell he's used to having a camera pointed at him!)

Whilst we were on King Street we had lovely music provided by this kind gentleman (who also posed nicely for a photo)!

A little further along King Street, we found these guys. Cas is desperate for one of the penguins! :)

Personally, I REALLY want one of these "Advent Trees"!

Cas and I really like these candles, though I don't think I could ever light them, they're WAY TOO CUTE!! 

The Manchester Wheel has vanished! Not sure where it has gone, but the replacement is very pretty!

We had a great time at the Markets, and it now officially feels like Christmas! 

If you want to see more pictures, then check out my slideshow. (The music is the wonderful Tony Bennet. You can keep Michael Buble, he's got nothing on Tony!)

Happy Christmas guys!

C

xxxxx

P.S it's my first time posting a slideshow, so fingers crossed it works. ;)
PPS so it helps if you export the slideshow with the correct quality, though apparently this means Blogger doesn't like it! Hence, YouTube. 

Manchester Pride 2012

 The Manchester Pride parade has become a mother and son tradition. Cassius has attended the parade every year since we happened on it by accident when he was four. At first it was a family thing, and Gary came too. But then one year Gary was busy, and I had the parade and Cassius to myself. Now, I wont let ANYONE (not even Gary) come to the parade with us. It is sacred time for me and my son. Time when I get to stand with him and be proud of the tolerant young man he is growing up to be. Proud of the City that I think of as home, as it accepts my wonderful gender non-conformist son. Proud that he can stand with his "Pride" teddy-bear, and not feel self-concious, actually wave that bear proudly and unashamedly. And watch that bear's waves returned with smiles. My eleven year old son, can let go of the prejudice that often surrounds him, let go of the shackles of being a "real boy" and be himself. And he is applauded, and welcomed with open arms into our community. This is what the Pride parade means to me. This is why I get emotional every year. As I watch my people walk with heads held high, with defiance and love.

Each year Pride makes me proud to be British. To live in a country that accepts LGBT people, that allows them the same legal protections as straight people, and even allows them the same rights to legal marriage (albeit under a different name). I watch as policemen and women, firemen and women, nurses, doctors, teachers, students and all manner of other people, walk through Manchester city centre to show solidarity and tolerance. This is my city, my country, my home, and each year at this Parade I remember why I love it so!

 I took far too many pictures, and struggled to even trim it down to those I'm going to include in this post. But I wont apologise for that, because there were so many pictures that captured all of the things I've tried to say above. So here they are, the pictures that tell the story of this years Manchester Pride Parade.

The theme for the Parade this year was "Queer'd Science", which made the science geek in me very happy! 

Even our "Conservative" party support LGBT rights. Told you, I'm proud to be British!

C

xxxxx

The MCM Expo - Machester Comic-Con

Yesterday was a major geek-fest. After buying tickets last minute on Friday, Gary and I met up with our friend Matt early on Saturday morning, and headed off to Manchester Central to Manchester Comic-Con. I knew that there would be some Cosplay happening, so obviously took my camera. We all had a fantastic time, and I bought some cool artwork (though not sure where I'm going to put it). Anyway, there isn't much I can tell you, that isn't in the pictures......enjoy!

 

 

 

 

New Lens - Sigma 18-200mm - feeling the love!

So on Friday I was given THE MOST AMAZING LEAVING GIFT EVER!!! I rented a Sigma 18-200mm lens for the wedding back in February and fell head over heels in love. I vowed then that it would be my next camera purchase, and have just been waiting for the right time to "justify" buying it. So when I opened the wrapping on Friday and found the lens inside I just about BURST! I can't thank the Forest guys enough for this gift, it's amazing! I'm gonna miss them all loads, but with my new lens, there'll hopefully be lots of camera adventures in my future. 

So, while the weather was fine, we headed off to Manchester, and I HAD to give my new lens a "test". These are the random shots I took today, and I'm so IN LOVE with this lens! 

(I think this is the most capitals and exclamation marks I've used in a post - but this lens - it deserves them ALL).

So with one lens I went from this:

Through this:

To this:

No extra lenses, no faffing with changing, just twist and shoot! And the image quality from it is just sexy! (I know, I find weird things sexy). 

The extra zoom allowed some surreptitious (I love that word!) street photography:

And just because I thought "Exit? Only if you can quantum phase shift!"

And finally, some pretty flowers, because it's spring, or summer, or something.....

Happy Weekend!

C

xxxx