My Uncle David — David Livingston — was one of the most incredible people I have every known and his recent passing has left me feeling a strange combination of loss, regret (that I didn’t have more time with him), and happiness through the realisation of how many people were touched by him and in the belief that his memory will live on.
We’ll miss you David, you’re spirit was a benefit to all those who knew you.
Ken
p.s. there is now a memorial site for David, setup by friends in Vancouver:
Hey I’m not one to throw around names but I just gotta say … I’m related to Robinhood and you’re not! I can back it up too … read it and weep attention seekers:
And as I’m sure you’re aware the great Robinhood — defender of the poor — was none other than Fulke Fitzwarin. Of course I just call him grand-dad but don’t sweat it if you’re family tree kinda sucks next to mine … someone probably still loves you (or at least is willing to say they do when you ask).
BTW, if you haven’t already, do yourself a favour and check out Ancestory.com’s Family Tree Software (or just use the website software). It is very good software and the best part is the ease at which you can statistically match our family to other people’s research or public records. Geneology research from the comfort of your own living room. Doesn’t get any better than that.
We’re back in London for the new year, the jetlag is (mildly) fading and I figured it was about time to post the Christmas pictures from Connecticut. As is always the case, certain moments were experienced without camera in hand and as an unfortunate consequence some people whom I really enjoyed seeing didn’t make it into the album (Dylan, Anduin, John, David, and Sarah immediately come to mind). Oh well, what can you do?
All the pictures (and more) are available in their full resolution, downloadable versions on my SmugMug site: http://kensnyder.smugmug.com/.
Kabuki, Biscuit, and I went to Bath over the Easter weekend to visit Sophie and Tom. Between hanging out in town, taking a long walk on Saturday, or meeting up with Charles and Karina for lunch on Sunday, it was a great break from the hustle and bustle of London.
Kabuki’s sister Sophie had a project in Uni that required her to compile pictures of her family and convert to black and white. I helped out a little in the Photoshop department and it reminded me of how cool black and white can be as a portrait medium. I still don’t know that much about the nuances but here are a few shots that I converted this week:
They weren’t bad shots in colour (see below) but they seem much moodier, more timeless, and just generally better in B&W.
I’m back at my genealogy tracing again. Damn its fun with the right software and I do have the right software. I’m using Family Tree Maker 2010 which does statistical lookups on other public records to help you build the tree. I’m all the way back to the 8th century in some parts of my family! Awesome. Anyway, here’s just a few of my famous relatives (the famous ones are the easiest to track as there is exponentially more information):
I think I’m going to have to start talking the third person again! :^)
I scanned in this letter that Kabuki wrote to her grand-mother when she was a kid. Very cute.
Kabuki and I just got back from our Xmas trip to the US. We spent time in both NYC and CT and got to see both family and friends. On reflection I notice that I didn’t take as many pictures as normal but I did get some in during the trip. Below are a small selection, for the full sized images as well as a more complete set of pictures go to my Smug Mug gallery: Xmas 2009.
Kabuki and I just got back from Ghana today. Here are some pictures from the trip along with a link to the full set. Be forewarned, this trip was really just about chillin’ and getting some QT with Kabuki’s parents so we didn’t travel around the country like last time. Outside a quick jaunt out to Abery (sp?) for a day trip but otherwise entirely spent in Accra. Full pictures (and full resolution) can be found here: Ghana Spring 2009.
Kabuki just ran a half-marathon today! She’s been training for several months now but had been suffering from a bad knee recently. You couldn’t tell today. She finished in style, undoubtedly she’ll be sore tomorrow but she shined today.
I wish I could say everyone had so much grace … while waiting near the finish line I saw one woman carried on both sides so she could cross the finish line. I had another guy stumble left to right and then backwards onto me. I helped him to balance himself, he mumbled something about being alright and then teetered along for the remaining 500 yards.