• 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.

  • Hi Honey, I’m Back (365:1)

    Hi Honey, I’m Back (365:1). Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    After a month’s holiday from 365 days, I’ve decided to start a second year.

    I was going to be nice and tidy and start on the first of the month, but that just didn’t happen.

    But here I am now, feeling ready to document what looks like it could be an interesting year with a lot of potential ups and downs, some intense excitement and lots of boredom while I sort myself out.

    Note: I abandoned my second 365 days project sometime in August. The pressures of finalizing my emigration to the US, leaving work, packing up all my stuff, and maintain a long-distance relationship with Ginger were just too great. But, looking back on my pictures I saw that I probably had a lot more photos than I thought, so I decided to embark on a project to re-process and post as many pictures from the failed project as I could. This is the first picture in the series.

    Other Pictures from February 2


  • Canal Walk, Portsmouth UK

    Canal Walk, Portsmouth UK.

    Originally part of the route of the Portsmouth and Arundel Canal, the railway line was built in the canal bed. The canal ran clear across Portsmouth linking Langstone harbour — and the Chichester Canal — to the dockyard.

    To me, this picture has a forties/fifties feel — if you can ignore the modern lamp posts, road markings, and skyline, that is. Most likely this is down to the very slight red/blue tint I gave the picture during processing.

  • Across The Tracks

    Across The Tracks. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    New buildings (offices and housing) opposite Sydenham Terrace. This picture was taken from the bridge in Holbrook Road looking East towards Fratton Bridge, Portsmouth UK.

  • Friday Night Wine and Curry

    Friday Night Curry – chicken jalfrezi by the looks of it. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    That’s a chicken Jalfrezi by the look of it. I’d found a very nice take-out curry place nearby in Fawcett Road. Hindsight tells me that this was going to be a good weekend for photographs, even if it did start off a bit lack-luster.

    On the coffee table are a couple of photography mags and the obligatory pile of National Geographic and New Scientist magazines, both of which we’re still having delivered over ten years later. The book was a Christmas present from Jim & Carol – 1,000 places to visit in the US. I still have the CDs (on the floor in the background) and my Kef speakers too.

    Ooh! I just realized I was wearing that jumper only yesterday (November 18, 2019).

    This slideshow requires JavaScript.

  • Stairwell – Oceanographic Institute

    Stairwell – Oceanographic Institute. Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    Great use of glass blocks for privacy and lighting in a stairwell.

  • So long and thanks for all the fish (365:365)

    So long and thanks for all the fish (365:365) — What better note to end on than a raspberry? Copyright © 2008 Gary Allman, all rights reserved.

    What better note to end on than a raspberry?

    It’s been 28 hours since I last had a proper sleep, I’ve traveled nearly 5,000 miles, and the camera battery is threatening to give up. So, this is it!

Home

Start typing and press enter to search

Scroll to Top