Patrick Bateman

You may remember that a few weeks ago I was feeling rather creative and was planning on creating some kind of art print...well I didn't. What I did, pretty spare of the moment, was buy a new canvas and some new oil paints. All of my old art material/ equipment was pretty much in fine working order but I decided it'd be best to start from a fresh. Now baring in mind that I hadn't done any proper artwork for a good 5 years, (I studied architecture at uni but I wouldn't consider a lot of it art, not in the same sense anyway) I decided that I'd try and get back in to by doing something relatively simple.

The original image.

Considering that my original idea was to create a kind of spray paint print (which I still intend to do but probably now with a different picture) I thought creating a canvas of the simple photoshop picture I created would be a good opportunity to see if I still had at least some ability left with a paintbrush. All of this decision making was done within about 30 seconds. I was out to the shops and back within about half an hour and got setting up my old easel, which was the only old thing I didn't think needed replacing.

I set up the easel right below the skylight in my bedroom and after an ice cold beer was cracked open (naturally) I sat down, music screaming, and began.

The Setup

First Break.

Second Break.

Finished.

All in all I think it turned out alright, not perfect but alright.It took about 9hrs in total to do so and I thought it was time well spent. I think my next one will be of another iconic character, perhaps this fella:

Daniel Plainview...

Loui

Honeymoon Is Over.

My posts are becoming a lot more sporadic I'm afraid. Never sure whether it's a good thing or a bad thing. I used to plan posts and then write them when I had the time but now seem to only write when I'm really in the mood.

My first, and only, two Hba1c tests went really well (or so they say) and I'd been keeping a relatively good check on my blood sugar levels. Hypo's were quite rare and my bg never really exceeded the mid 8's most of the time...until about 3 weeks ago. My consultant did warn me that I was still in a 'honeymoon period' (wherein my pancreas still produces small amounts of insulin) and that it would probably come to an end before I reach the end of my first year which, for the record, is in 53 days.

As I mentioned, I had been managing my blood sugar levels pretty good until about 3 weeks ago. Since then my levels have been all over the place. Hypo's don't generally bother me because they're easy to rectify, but when I wake up in the night shaking because of one it does start to grate on me a bit, especially since this has happened a few times in a short space of time. In fact, if I'm honest, it worries me.

Having a pancreas that doesn't really do it's job is frustrating. I've never really been too upset or annoyed at the fact that I have diabetes. Which of course winds up  my parents whom it bothers greatly, particularly my mum, who often asks (usually whilst I'm injecting) :
'Does it not get to you?'
'No, not really'. I always reply, as if almost scripted.

In all honesty it never has bothered me and I could almost argue that it's not 'hit me' yet. Until recently I've never thought of it as a hindrance or as something that affects my life too much. It has, of course, changed a lot about my life, some good, some bad. I eat far healthier than I did before (though do not be mistaken, my diet is still not as healthy as it could be) and I do a lot more exercise than I used to but I have realised recently that I do not look after myself as well as I should. I drink far more than I should, (being almost proud that you've not had a drink 'during the week' isn't good is it?), I don't get enough sleep, and I often only have one proper meal a day (which I know is somewhat pathetic, as I keep being told). I'm well aware that I sound like I'm feeling sorry for myself but I'm not, mainly because it's all something that I can change... and I fully intend to do so.

Anyway, that'll do for now. I apologise for the slightly depressing undertone of this one.


Loui