It struck me that I haven’t blogged about the two challenges I’m taking part in for 2009.

The first is one I’ve been thinking about for a while then forgot about until it was really too late.  Flickr abounds with 365ers.  The challenge is simple.  Take a photo every day of yourself or something that represents that day.  I wanted to start on 1 January, but forgot, so I’m on picture 3 instead of 7.  Never mind.  I still aim to do 365.  You can follow my progress HERE.

The second challenge is to read the Bible in a year.  This one I did start on time but have fallen behind already.  I’ve got big chunck of Genesis, Psalms and Matthew to read!  I’m using YouVersion to help.  It sets out the Bible in small bits and you can read online, on your mobile or get the book out.  You can also sign up and journal your thoughts and share with other users.

So, those are my challenges.  Follow my progress here and on the Something Beautiful Podcast, where I’ve been promoted (at least they told me it was promotion) to co-host.

I’m taking part in a collaborative photoblog, A Hint Of Bergamot.  The blog’s mane comes from the little hint of bergamot that makes Earl Grey stand apart from just tea.

Thomas gathered us together to seek out and photograph the specialness of the ordinary.  I like the sentiment, even though I hate

Some of the people contributing I know in real life, some I know through Twitter and blogging and some people I’ve never met or spoken to but they are part of a wider network of what has become known as Twurch. Twurch is a growing network of people interested in God and faith who use Twitter.

Should be fun, but I have to confess now… I hate Earl Grey.

Today’s contribution from me… something we see almost every day…

Sometimes it’s hard to focus on Christmas.

We have a tree outside our window.  It’s a very artistic tree which places itself nicely in all kinds of shots.  There are more examples of trees getting in the way over on my Flickr site.

Another brilliant TED talk… this time from Chris Jordan who shows his fantastic art which depicts some shocking statistics.  What I liked most about this talk was his passion about highlighting our lack of a sense of anger and outrage about some of the horrific things happening today.

I was in the Lake District in England yesterday and today.  We had hoped to go climb a hill but the weather early this morning was foul so we ended up wandering around Keswick and taking photos.  All in all, a good day I think!  Here’s my favourite snap.  More on Flickr.

One of my photos made it into the new Edinburgh Schmap !!!  It’s this one of Murrayfield Parish Church.  Another example of the power of TAGGING!

It seems that the authorities think that photographers are terrorists now. The BBC has highlighted a growing number of people being stopped by police for nothing more than taking pictures of buildings or in stations.

The Met even have a poster campaign going.

Who’s next?  Shoppers? Drivers?

Seriously, if someone wants to take a photo of a building they will, and they are hardly likely to get their digital SLR out with a tripod.  Some of the best photos are taken ‘covertly’ on the street to capture people in a natural state rather than posing.  Is that going to be outlawed?