Three more days until surgery.  It's a 9.00am operation (gulp).  Shudder.  They're going to cut my head open, pull out all my brains, sort them all out, then stuff them back in again - and hopefully I'll be even more intelligent, and I'll be able to hear again.  Well - sorta! LOL - seriously though, they're going to take out the cochlear implant and try and get another one in.  As my brains are so big this will be very difficult to fit

Ok OK - i'ts nothing like that really but it's too hard to explain exactly here!!!


Thank you for sending in your favourite images - it did keep me busy and I enjoyed reading all the comments - both on your favourite images, and all your good luck and wishes - they really do mean something.  Dave (`davincipoppalag) pointed out to me that my pageviews had slipped over 50k at some point.  To be honest, the last time I looked at my pageviews were when they were about 42k, or something like that.  I really don't follow the pageviews - but I do follow the most amazing people on DA - my watchers - all who have touched me in some way since I joined 2.5 years ago.  To me - it's not the pageviews that are important, but you - yourselves.  I value the friends I have made here.  You are able to make me go Wow with your art, you make me laugh and smile, I sympathise and empathise with your ups and downs, and enjoy all the jokes.  Without DA my world would be a very sad place indeed.

So - before I get toooooooo soppy - I'll get on with the features.  

Hugs to all - Robyn


`photonig
This has always been my favourite. I took it shortly after joining dA, just after my son Dave unbeknown to me, created 'photonig' (it was all his idea, even the name) I had lost my house, my second marriage was over after only months, and I was very, very down. It was the start of something that has become a huge part of my life, and has helped me through financial crisis and major heart surgery. That's why it's my fave.

(Wasn’t too long at all!  If you’re not  watching Nig – then you’re missing out, on not only his wonderful photography, but also his wonderful, quirky, nawty, cheeky sense of humour.  He’s my daily medicine on DA)


*oO-Rein-Oo
(Don’t know why it’s his favourite, but I love the amazing cloud and light)


`davincipoppalag
I think this is my favorite because I love ship… and I drew this for someone very special to me..


*Deb-e-ann
this is not my best shot.. but I think my favourite as it is my son and grandson. It was the 1st time I had tried to do portraits with these two and I love the symmetry of my grandson against his dad and the natural expression on his face.


~ipodrocker
It's my favourite, because it reminds me of the summer and surfing my days away.


~lumi-nara
(I don’t know why this is her favourite shot, but it’s very apt for me, as my operation will hopefully give me sound back !! Who knows, I may even be able to wear headphones again and listen to my music once more!)


*jayshree

(No favourite reason left – but it’s a very peaceful image, and I love the lighting and colour)

(later) - Mine is my favourite because the colors are amazing and it was such a relaxing day. Now, its also my favorite because it was one of the beach excursions I had with my mom before she passed away. Its a very sentimental piece.


`Baz135
City of Tears is my favorite - Not entirely sure why though, there's just something about it
The mood


*ByPriorArrangement
This one is my current favourite because it actually animated the way I wanted it to.


~eskimoblueboy
(love the softness, light and colour)

:thumb116610836:
!icedreamer56
This is one of my most recent images. If you compare it to my first efforts with close-ups I think it shows that I am getting the hang of using my camera & producing better captures. I used the knowledge I've gained here from some very kind & helpful deviants to make a pretty reasonable shot. I love using the camera to see things that aren't normally easily seen by the naked eye. Close-up allows you to see the detail that makes something what it is. (does that make sense?) Thanks for the opportunity to have my work seen by more deviants!


*mstargazer
This is an image I dedicated to all the women on dA that inspire me to dream .. you are one of those women!

(Well – shucks – what can I say – Thank you! )


~SapphirexKitsune
(I got two to pick from and this is my pick! )



~CatchMe-22
(If you’re not watching this New Zealander – you should be.  His work is stunning)


~messysprings
Here is my current favourite - it was taken on my first holiday with my boyfriend and we had a great time together, lots of happy memories and I love how it has turned out.


~cfoto
(I get to meet this wonderful woman in a few months when she visits my country.  Very excited about this )


*Wilithin
I chose this photo because I hope you'll be able to hear sound of the sea, whistle at the fishing net, scream of the seagulls.

(I hope so too - and on the 22nd April when I get switched on - I will find out if I can )


~Shaimaaelshatter
I like it because it is my latest and I have been working for a long time on it because it is from real life not photos like I use to do.


*Sun-Seeker
Because its new, it came out as I wanted, it took a lot of scouting and composing and it took a lot of work to get the right image to this result.

(I have a special key on my laptop.  Whenever I see one of this deviant’s work, I press this this key, trumpets sing, confetti rises up in the air, and the work is automatically saved and collected !! – but I wouldn’t advise you getting one of these key's as the confetti is a darned nuisance - clogs up my keyboard something awful!)  


*KirlianCamera
‘Relax’ because I want to be doing just that!


*Sikku
This is my personal favorite in my gallery because despite driving by the spot hundreds of times, I stopped on this occasion. I sensed that if the clouds, water and light came together at the right moment, there might be a picture here. And they did and there was!


~CarrotStalker
This shot is special to me because of many things. First, it's one of my very first attempts at shooting flowers; and though it was taken about two years ago I'm not sure at all that I've progressed very much since then. I only ever took one shot of these flowers, behind our house, and didn't expect it to turn out any good at all, so I was surprised that it came out like this. That said, this shot has been collecting dust in my computer files for two years - I can't look at it objectively anymore. So I'm not sure if it's a good one, but it is my favourite.


*Cillana
I usually have trouble taking good photos of people but this one turned out wonderfully. You can tell how much she loves her rabbit, and the bunny is so utterly relaxed in her arms. I love the soft glow on her face and the balloons add something to the composition.


~mirator
I like this photo because it shows things I love: sunny day, quiet big river, light summer clouds...and the most important thing - all this was shot in a place dear to my heart.


`marble911
It's hard to choose a fav from my own gallery but if you insist...hm...this one!  Not so much for its photographic merits but because that day was magical. And I long for some sunshine like this after the winter!


~C-Williams
I have a couple favorites... but I'll pick just one….


=TomKilbane
Its not easy to find my favorite piece, but this one i'm the proudest of. It won third place in pastels at The Nationals Arts Program 2004.
(I can see why – well done!)

I have my surgery coming up in 6 days and I'm in a state of fear.  It should be easy as this is the third time I've had it done - but instead of it getting easier, it gets harder.  Fear of pain, fear of vertigo, and fear that it might not work and I'll be completely deaf forever.  Ugh.  Not worth thinking about.   (For those that have forgotten, I'm having surgery to replace my cochlear implant as the first one failed after 16 years, and the second one done in March 2008 failed after 2 months!)

So...

I need something to take my mind off it, and what better way as to do a feature for you all.  So - in this journal, give the link to your favourite piece in your gallery.  Tell me why it's your favourite, and I'll feature both the image and the reason.  

So - make me busy - send me your links.  Please give this to me in this journal, as if it's a note, it may be missed.

Looking forward to getting all these scrummy images to see, and looking forward to being busy

Cheers
Robyn

One government department - ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) declined my funding 10 days ago for my cochlear implant to be fixed.  Whilst I was not surprised, it was still devastating.  Fortunately another government departmnet (Auckland District Health Board) has picked up the tab and I'm going to be re-implanted on the 30th March.  It's been very difficult the last few months with absolutely no hearing whatsoever.  I long for sound to get through as the silence is literally 'deafening'  Whilst I can lipread, I have always lipread with a bit of sound, helping me with the jigsaw puzzle with some sound and lip movements together.  Lipreading without sound is one of the most difficult things to do and I'm often lost.

I bought myself a travel magnadoodle which I carry around everywhere.  I call it my  MD Notebook Mini and it's been an absolute lifesaver.

Anyway - enough about me.  I want to thank everyone for all the faves and continued support of my work.  I haven't been as active as usual and for that I apologise, but with total hearing loss I find it hard to be enthused about anything.  Let's hope that by the end of April I will be a much happier person and back in the world of sound again.

Don't forget if you're in the market for any photographic equipment, you can head over to my blog and click on the B&H advertisement there.  B&H are a brilliant online store, and very reputable.  By clicking on the advertiement and ordering though there, you are giving me a very small commission, raather than B&H getting the whole lot.  My blogs caan be found at www.robyncarterphotos.blogspot.com  and  www.robyncarter.blogspot.com[link]

If you do that, please let me know so I can thank you properly and feature you here

Since my last journal On January 23, I've had another 20 or so new watchers, and I would like to thank them for their support by featuring them here.  I really do appreciate it.


My new watchers for this month are:

If I set up a poll here on Deviantart, can non deviantart members see it and vote on it, or do you have to be a registered member?  Does anyone know?


Update on my hearing:  Funding body (ACC) declined funding for a reimplantation.  Not sure what is happening yet, and not sure whether I will have an operation or not.  Meanwhile i'm totally utterly deaf.  Regular updates on this go into my blog - www.robyncarter.blogspot.com

The operation itself costs $10,000, but the electrode array that I need is $22,000 AUD. So it's simply way out of my budget.  Each day that goes by lessens the chance of me having a successful outcome because of possible scar tissue buildup within the cochlea.  Scar tissue within the cochlea turns to bone, and because the cochlea is a spiral, drills can't drill around corners to get it out.

Right now - i'm not feeling that happy, and so have not really being doing my usual journal stuff or uploading on DA.  I hope you can all understand.

Despite this I m getting out and doing things, but everything is that much harder.

Cheers
Robyn

I hate to say it - but nothing is new in terms of my deafness.  My newly implanted cochlear implant in March 2008 has failed entirely, and I'm back to being totally deaf.  Deafness sucks.  I'm awaiting funding for a new cochlear implant from ACC, a government department, but they are being very slow.

If you're interested you can read about it in my blog - [link]

Speaking about blogs - I mentioned in one of my blogs how I love the New York store B&H Camera Video.  They must have found it, so read my blog, read my photography blog which is linked (but in case you can't find it here it is [link] ), then emailed me offering an affiliation.  That blew me away.  So if anyone needs new camera equipment or anything like that, feel free to go to my blog and click on their ads, and I'll get a very small 2% commission.  Nothing much but everything helps doesn't it?

I'm only too happy to advertise for them as the store is fantastic.  Did you know they get 11,000 to 12,000 customers a day?  Amazing!

Lastly,   I just want to say thanks for the all the favs and comments, and to those who added me to your watchlist.  I really appreciate it.  Don't forget to keep an eye out for my next watcher feature.

My new watchers for this month are:

!BlueGriffin2301  
:thumb95993600:

~rainbowdolphin14


!kiwilad
:thumb108898615:

~k33nst34ks


~Vaaaal


*moem-photography


~cailamaia


~tardney


!ottersandsky
:thumb109831856:

*Deb-e-ann


~ManitouWolf


~Tinap


`Tepara

Sorry it's been a while since I've updated my journal - almost a month.  I've been super busy since I've been back trying to work my way through 60 gb of backlogged images that I have to do.  I've managed to do 1 gb.  ONLY 59 gb more.  Silly me for letting it pile up but I WILL get it done.  I will.  It's showing as I have been uploading some of my Blenheim trip, but life gets in the way - with xmas functions, having to cook dinner, doing housework, and all the multitude of things that get thrown my way to complete in a day.  I want to go back to my 20s where I had lots of time and no responsibility!!

My Cochlear implant - well - if you've been following me in the last year, you know I'm totally deaf but hear through a cochlear implant.  I was implanted in 1993 initially, and for 16 years I had near normal hearing.  In June 2007 it failed.  In March 2008 I waas reimplanted and for two months I heard quite well. Then disaster struck once more and my electrodes have pulled out of the cochlea and I am now waiting for funding for revision surgery and some new electrodes.  So I'm back to not hearing anything.  I don't know when funding will happen but it's very frustrating not being able to hear.

I'd like to also thank each and every one of you for supporting my work over the year, for the sales, the faves, the collections and the watches.  I may not get around to thank you individually, but I do really appreciate the time you give me.

Before I finish on my watcher feature - I'd like to show you two things.

Firstly - this image...

I've been away in Blenheim for a week - what an adventure.  The first day I was there I tripped over the dog and ended up with a groin strain injury and had to be on crutches for a few days.  That didn't stop me from doing anything though - we hit the vineyards for natural pain killer, travelled down the coasst to Kaikoura where i got some amazing close up shots of New Zealand Fur Seals in the wild, did some xmas and garden tours, travelled over to havelock, wine tasted in the vineyards, attended the local A&P show and fell in lovre with a 3 week old Chocolate Lab puppy, wine tasted in the vineyards (have I already told you this LOL!)

Anyway - I also caught a cold down there and am now stuck back home with a nasty chest infection.  Horrible stuff.  However, I haven't uploaded any photos to Deviantart, but you can view quite a few on my blog as I've so ar uploaded my first 3 days down there.  The link is :  www.robyncarter.blogspot.com  Enjoy.

I also want to thank all my new watchers for adding me to your watchlist.  It is greatly appreciated.  And thanks also for everyone who has faved/collected any of my images.  I feel very honoured.  

Following are my new watchers since September!  Sorry it took so long but I've been quite busy lately - long story, will fill you in next time!

Cheers
Robyn - and enjoy these features!

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

    
  
  

  

  

   

Heading off very shortly to the airport to live out of a suitcase for a week.  Going to the Marlboroough Garden Festival - the region of vineyards and wine.  Yum.  Taking camera.  Also could get to Kaikoura - sealife (whales, dolphins, albatrosses, elephant seals) capital of New Zealand.

Will be back next Monday - please keep my seat warm!

Meantime - I have sixteen new watchers - but I don't have tme to feature you today before I leave, so will do that as soon as I get back.  Thanks for adding me to your watch, and for all those that have faved my work, or added one of my images to your collection - I think you from the bottom of my heart - they are all very much appreciated.

See you in a week!

Cheers
Robyn

PS  - my new cochlear implant has once again stopped working (the electrodes have migrated out of the cochlea, and I'm struggling to hear again - so when I get back - it'll probably be more surgery for me to get them back in.  Sigh!  

Yep - Knifed.  Today.  Some stupid fuckwit (excuse the language), took a knife to my car and gouged the paint out of a panel right down to the metal while I was visiting friends in Mt Albert shops.  

Had a coffee with them, showed them my house plans, then walked back to my car to find the scratch on the drivers side - about 2 feet long.

My car was parked on the road, in a disabled carpark spot (I have a disabled sticker because of having no balance).  To say I'm pissed off is an understatement.  It's going to cost me $240 plus GST to fix, and I can't claim insurance as my excess is $300.  Arghhhhhhhhhhh.

If I ever see these culprits I'm going to string them up and chop off their balls, amongst other bits and pieces.

I'm sick with the flu.  With it I had an ear infection as well - and saw my ENT doc yesterday to get it checked, and mentioned that with the ear infection I have terrible tinnitus. (Ringing in the ear)  He said the infection doesn't cause the tinnitus, rather the stress surrounding the illness does.  I noticed that when I did my housework this morning the tinnitus is worse, so I've taken his advice not to do anything that causes stress.

I've given up housework so far and the tinnitus has lessened. So far so good!  I'm now wondering if I can get away with not paying my taxes or mortgage to furher reduce the stress and lessen the tinnitus further.

I can just see myself explaining to the tax dept -

       "but my doc said...."

Enjoy!

Cheers
Robyn