Apr. 2021; Breathe in, breathe out

As we touched upon somewhat last week, in this world we have all different types of couples. There are young couples and old couples, happy couples who worship the ground their partner walks on, and there are those couples who wish the other one would get hit by a bus. Some couples fall in love very quickly, and yet those powerful feelings evanesce all too quickly. Some couples never really fall in love, and yet manage to spend a lifetime together, with a strong relationship based on mutual respect, trust and practicality. Now I may be in the minority, but I feel that the place you live, the surroundings around you, are also in some way one of life’s relationships. Our environment shapes us, can decide if we have a good day or not, can affect our health, happiness and overall mental well being. And of course, it can affect us in both good ways, and bad.

I’ve been blessed to be held in Shenzhens warm bosom for 11 years now, and they’ve been (mostly) very happy years. And same as any relationship, there’s been ups and downs. As the song says, “good times, bad times, we’ve all had our share.” Just over a year ago I decided to quit my last full time job and open myself up to fresh opportunities and chances. And that was literally 2 weeks before the virus really hit Shenzhen, and everything previously normal pretty much ceased to exist. Throughout my life, I have had extremely poor timing. Needless to say, this last year has had both good and bad repercussions. I’m very fortunate to say that both myself and those around me have kept in full health, but the big negative for me was income. Oh dear. But I firmly believe that when you’re at the bottom, the only way is up.

One thing I’ve always done, all my adult life, is take a break from normality from time to time. Back in London I would spend anything from a weekend to a month, just riding my motorcycle around, whether that be within the UK or across Europe. Every month or so I’ve always just had to unshackle myself from the normal day to day routine, and just get away. Living in Shenzhen that was easy, I could skip across to Hong Kong a couple of times a month, dip my toes in the ocean, neck some cold beers and chill on Lamma island for a few days. But, with the borders closed and income tight, getting away from sunny Shenzhen has been mostly out of reach. For some time now, Shenzhen and I have been waking up next to one another like an old couple, saying good morning and then pretty ignoring each other for the rest of the day. Shenzhen and I are now a long term relationship, but she’s lost that loving feeling. We’ve lost the sparkle. We’ve slowly become the “birthdays and Christmas” couple.

I’ve been blessed with a few trips here and there, Beijing was fantastic, but Shanghai is the lusty temptress that has been beckoning me back with her pursed lips and her seductive wink. (Think about the rose petal scene in the incredible American Beauty. That’s how Shanghai is looking at me right now.) This weeks Sunday scribble is not much of article, more of an apologetic explanation. I’ve been blessed with the chance of a photography work trip to Shanghai, and so the Sunday scribble will be taking a break for a few weeks. The work trip will be a great learning and shooting experience, but it’s sure to be a real work trip, and not guzzling beers all day and taking random photos of dogs. I feel very fortunate that in the few times I’ve missed a week here and there over the last 10 months (yep, first article was June last year) that every time a few people will message me and ask what’s happened to the Sunday article. I really appreciate your continued support and feedback about all this. I began this as a way to hopefully improve my writing skills, and as I mentioned before, to “get it out.” Peoples response has been extremely encouraging, and even on those weeks when I can’t think of much to say it’s the support of people that makes me kick myself in the butt and write. I thank you all.

So, this is just adios, and definitely not good bye. The Sunday scribble will be back in a few weeks, hopefully fully refreshed and looking at things with new eyes. Like every couple, we all need to take a break sometimes. Shenzhen and I need a little break. I’ll continue to post a few photos here and there, when chance allows, but another small change I’ll be making over the trip is that I’ll almost completely be only using a film camera. Slow things down, think more, breathe. It’s very easy to get carried away at the ease of using digital cameras, you can click away like a chimp with Parkinsons and think very little about it. The sheer cost of film and developing forces me to look a little closer, think a little deeper, care a little more. I look forward to meeting up with some delightful Shanghai people, enjoying some cooler weather, and generally just being in another part of the world. Wishing you all the very best, and I’ll be back with you all quick as a flash. Lots of love.