• State Street, Chicago

    A blurred yellow taxi crosses a junction under 'the loop' on State Street, Chicago
    State Street, Chicago. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    One of my all-time favorite pictures.

  • Gary and Ginger get engaged

    Gary and Ginger get engaged. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • A special event – Gary and Ginger get engaged

    A special event requires a special place, and I proposed to Ginger just after we had finished seeing the Edward Hopper exhibition at The Art Institute of Chicago.
    Gary & Ginger get engaged at the Edward Hopper exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago

    Okay I admit it, this isn’t a special picture in the photographic sense, but it isn’t every day you get engaged.

    A special event requires a special place, and I proposed just after we had finished seeing the Edward Hopper exhibition at The Art Institute of Chicago.    

    We had just left the Hopper exhibition and were taking a quick rest when Ginger said it was one of the best days. When better to pop the question? Just as well I was carrying the ring around with me waiting for the right moment. Not exactly the most romantic of locations, but one we will certainly remember.
    We had just left the Hopper exhibition and were taking a quick rest when Ginger said it was one of the best days. When better to pop the question? Just as well I was carrying the ring around with me waiting for the right moment. Not exactly the most romantic of locations, but one we will certainly remember.

  • Hair Cut

    Hair Cut
    Hair Cut

    Playing with the settings on my webcam and I rather liked the results.

  • Gary Allman – Self Portrait

    Gary. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    I was playing with my webcam, and I rather liked the results…

  • Gala Theatre – Durham UK

    Gala Theatre, Durham UK
    Gala Theatre, Durham UK

    This picture appeared as the watermark on all the theatre tickets. I’ve no idea if they are still using it.

  • Kiosk – Kings Cross Station – UK

    People lining up at a retail kiosk in Kings Cross Station
    Kiosk – Kings Cross Station. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Blue

    Blue Sky reflected in the windows of a blue building framed by a blue sky
    Blue. Copyright © 2019 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    I spotted this picture while waiting for a train. I (correctly) judged I’d have just enough time to run over and get the picture before the train arrived.

  • k1 Visa

    After a lot of debate, we are going to file for the K1 Visa. Essentially the immigration choices are:

    • Get Married, live apart and apply for a Spousal Visa (K3), once (if) approved, enter the US and get on with our lives.
    • Get engaged, apply for a Fiancé(e) Visa (K1), once (if) approved, enter the US and get married within 90 days.

    If you’re interested in the differences this document: Comparison of Marriage Based US Immigration Choices (K1, K3, IR1 Visas & DCF) should help.

    The first step of that is sending the 129-F form to the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services). Information and forms can be found on www.USCIS.gov. The following site also provides a lot of information Visa Journey.

    Here’s what we needed to file my application:

    1. $455
    2. Original statement, signed and dated by me, certifying my intent to marry Ginger within 90 days of admission on K1 visa.
    3. Proof of having met and having a relationship: Copies of any or all of: boarding passes, itineraries, receipt from Piedmont House??, copies of passport stamps (if date is readable), copy of cell phone bill, copies of a few emails, screen print of gmail inbox (a few over a few dates), stamped envelope, copies of cards, etc.
    4. Form G-325A (all pages filled out, signed, and dated). When the question does not apply, put in N/A. If the answer is none, type “none”. This form can be filled out online for ease.
    5. A passport photo. White background, full frontal face, glossy, 2″x2″ with the face being 1″. Must have been taken within 30 days of application.
    6. Copy of divorce decree.

    From the Visa Journey site …wise advice…

    IMPORTANT!

    Make TWO copies of the entire package before you send it in. This includes the money orders too. You want to have a perfect replica of the package you are sending in. All Forms that you submit must be originals with original signatures. Supporting Evidence that you submit may be photocopies. Retain ALL original supporting Evidence since the USCIS has the right to check them by issuing an RFE (Request For Evidence). If you receive an RFE, follow the direction exactly, and make two copies of what you sent back. During any future interviews the USCIS may also want to examine the original supporting evidence.

  • Single again

    Today I received the decree absolute. Four months after my first meeting with my solicitor. Now we can apply for my visa. All I need is the list of papers I need to take with me on my next visit.

  • St. Barnabas Church, Rose Road, Southampton

    Black and white picture of the exterior of the brick built St. Barnabas Church, Rose Road, Southampton, England.
    St. Barnabas Church, Rose Road, Southampton. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Jubilee Church, Somers Road, Portsmouth UK

    Jubilee Church, Somers Road, Portsmouth UK. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Long Haul (365:15)

    A Collaborative Effort
    A Collaborative Effort
    We’re in this for the long haul, 
while red tape binds us
there are no quick returns

despite their best efforts
at keeping us apart
we are constant companions in our hearts

separated by earth and sea
parted by time and sleep
we work as one towards the days ahead

precious time we spend together
reminds us that
we’re in this for the long haul.

    This picture was a collaboration. I captured it, Ginger came up with the treatment and I Photoshopped it. I have changed Ginger’s title though, ‘Sex sells’ seemed far too presumptuous for me to be comfortable with.

    There appear to be some horrid Photoshop artifacts in this picture I’m still working on eradicating them.

    Note: picture re-edited on July 31, 2015

  • Decree absolute

    Decree absolute: Unknown to me at the time, but on this day my Decree absolute was declared. I was officially single for around a week before I knew it.

  • Back to Basics (365:14)

    Back to Basics (365:14). Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    It was about time I took another nude.

  • Warm Welcome

    Warm Welcome

    So titled as I took this photograph along with the bunch of arriving home pictures. Quite a mega picture session this evening.

    On the way in. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.
    Warm Welcome. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Arrival

    Arrival

    I’ve been taking too many clean and surgical shots, so here’s something a bit different, a photographic portrayal of my arriving home from work.

    And my first attempt…

    Arrival

  • A lot to consider (365:4)

    A lot to consider (365: 4)

    Despite the laughs and smiles, life (mainly in the form of bureaucracy) is putting up so many obstacles right now that, from time to time, one can’t help but get dragged down by them.

  • Evening Rituals (365:3)

    There are several certainties in my evenings, and they include sitting at the computer, cleaning my teeth, and talking on the ‘phone with my love.

    Reviewing the original pictures for this re-visit to my 2008 365 days, I was momentarily temped to use one of the two alternative shots I took of me brushing my teeth. One wearing shorts, and one wearing a shirt and shorts. I didn’t use them because I concluded that that was just an attempt at being seen as being ‘correct’, rather than a reflection on the reality of my days.

    Alternate shot – shirt & shorts. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.
    Alternate shot – in shorts. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

  • Colourful Pants (365:2)

    Colorful Pants (365:2)

    Day two and I’m already being silly, but with a group called ‘Sexy Pants’ to post to what is a man supposed to do?

    Of course this would have been much nicer on a warm sunny day, instead it was effing freezing in my flat, so chilly I had a lot of problems with goose bumps and shrinkage.

    As I only have plain white cotton boxers, a pair of swimming trunks had to suffice as ‘Sexy pants’ and I’m most impressed they still fit as they over twenty years old. This is their second outing on 356days, as I wore them back to front for my picture of the red dress (365:032).

    By the way, in the UK, pants are undergarments.

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