The intent was to go out and do an outdoor shot today but as of this evening I'm still stuck in front of the computer trying to work out how to manage both present and future (relatively unvarying) income against present and future (rapidly accelerating) expenses. The latest was when I opened the car registration letter tonight expecting the gubbmint to have its hand out for roughly the same amount that it did last year, only to find that it had increased from $232 to $321. Yup, a 38% increase which even outstrips the increase by the power providers. In addition to which I have a couple of other substantial expenses that I didn't have at this time last year. I'm far from crying poor but I'm watching the credit card balance edge higher each month and the reserve fund edge lower and therefore need to spend some time figuring out ways to head the problem off at the pass. This, unfortunately, takes priority over my photographic wishes. Cicero once made the point that the sinews of war are infinite money; had he been alive today I'm sure he'd make the same point about digital photography.

Speaking of things Roman, in contrast to yesterday's shot I'm indulging myself with a shot of a liquid that I am quite partial to... Bertolli extra virgin olive oil. Not to drink, you understand, but a beef schnitzel lightly cooked in some of this stuff with a slight squeeze of lemon over the top and a sprinkle of salt Is The Business. I used the gas match that I used to light the candles in yesterday's shot to provide a back source of illumination, creating the golden patches on the corners of the bottles.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll get a bit of time in the fresh air before returning to the work grind.

Last Year