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Ten categories, no particular order:
1. Making me feel like me again.
2008
Open University writing course. Making me feel (a) like a proper writer (still not submitted anything anywhere though) and (b) all academic and brainy again. Missed that.
2009
Carry on writing. Poetry course in May (already booked) and full Creative writing course in September. (Plus a quantum physics-y science course in the meantime, because (a) always interested me (b) may spark sci-fi ideas, and (c) the bloody Arts faculty stopped registration in December. Bah, and indeed, pah!) Possibility of literature degree in 6 years time...
2. Mind
2008
Been a lot less anxious and panicky. Got better at working out what sends me into a spiral and ways to counter that.
2009
Keep writing things down, journal style. Worked for money and weight, is working for writing, should help counter anxiety at work, especially perfectionism-triggered fear when starting a new project.
3. Body
2008
Lost 2 stone. More importantly, felt lot more in control of weight/food/everything.
2009
Lose some more weight. More exercise. (Involves keeping evenings free from everything but writing, finding some podcasts/cool playlists, and getting to bed early.)
4. Work
2008
Got a great new job that I'm still enjoying. (First real full-time design job - been doing design 7 years now, still this feels like I finally made it.) Learned I probably could survive as a full time freelancer - don't intend to anytime soon, but good to know.
2009
Pu together an illustration portfolio so people at work know all the kinds of styles I can do and hopefully interest their clients in it. Then I get to develop lots of cool creative drawing styles AND get paid for it. Bonus!
5. Family
2008
Brother moved to San Francisco by way of Cork. Met up with London family at cousin's wedding.
2009
Email family more often (especially London and Australia). Get down to London some time. Get over to see my brother (booked). Meet Mum for lunch as much as possible (She misses popping into Manchester to see my brother.)
6. Friends
2008
Out more than previous years, but still some patches of hermithood. Achieved Whitbyness, Book Club and Cthulhuings.
2009
Get lounge in a fit state to receive guests so I can invite people round, host murder dinners, games nights etc. More pub (or coffee, or lunch) more often. More going to see stuff (bands, comics, plays) with people. Plan trips to see peoples.
7. Home
2008
Found permanent homes for most of the crap in the house (including chucking a bunch out) and temporary shelf space for the rest. Apart from the big pile of photography in the middle of the dining room.
2009
Finally sort those bloody photos! Find proper homes for any remaining nomad stuff. Get some CDs in the lounge and my room so I don't just turn the TV on. Makeover for bedroom.
8. Travel
2008
Proper holiday to Barcelona AND met up with Matt and Mona properly all in one!
2009
Back to Dragon*Con in Atlanta again (woot!) and on to San Francisco to see my brother.
9. Hobby
2008
Ended up wandering round Barcelona snapping stuff instead of getting weighted down under the idea of 'Photography'.
2009
Do more off-the-cuff photography, particularly with phone. (Photo a day project failed already but may carry on regardless.) Learn the violin. (I'll fit it in somewhere.)
10. Money
2008
Started keeping track of what I spent and what I earned and making sure the incoming was always higher. Mostly managed to! Started to pay off freelance-era debts.
2009
Carry on paying off credit cards, budget for trips and OU courses in advance, and make sure there's enough over to have a life!
I know there's nothing in there for lovelife... I generally assume stuff like that comes along when you're busy with other things, and for now I'm happy bumbling along in a definitely-not-going-out* way with Kris in the meantime.
*I have to add that bit or he'll get paranoid and assume I'm planning on marrying him or something.
I'm sure I have missed out something of great importance, but I'll do that next year!
(PS. I want a dog!)
1. Making me feel like me again.
2008
Open University writing course. Making me feel (a) like a proper writer (still not submitted anything anywhere though) and (b) all academic and brainy again. Missed that.
2009
Carry on writing. Poetry course in May (already booked) and full Creative writing course in September. (Plus a quantum physics-y science course in the meantime, because (a) always interested me (b) may spark sci-fi ideas, and (c) the bloody Arts faculty stopped registration in December. Bah, and indeed, pah!) Possibility of literature degree in 6 years time...
2. Mind
2008
Been a lot less anxious and panicky. Got better at working out what sends me into a spiral and ways to counter that.
2009
Keep writing things down, journal style. Worked for money and weight, is working for writing, should help counter anxiety at work, especially perfectionism-triggered fear when starting a new project.
3. Body
2008
Lost 2 stone. More importantly, felt lot more in control of weight/food/everything.
2009
Lose some more weight. More exercise. (Involves keeping evenings free from everything but writing, finding some podcasts/cool playlists, and getting to bed early.)
4. Work
2008
Got a great new job that I'm still enjoying. (First real full-time design job - been doing design 7 years now, still this feels like I finally made it.) Learned I probably could survive as a full time freelancer - don't intend to anytime soon, but good to know.
2009
Pu together an illustration portfolio so people at work know all the kinds of styles I can do and hopefully interest their clients in it. Then I get to develop lots of cool creative drawing styles AND get paid for it. Bonus!
5. Family
2008
Brother moved to San Francisco by way of Cork. Met up with London family at cousin's wedding.
2009
Email family more often (especially London and Australia). Get down to London some time. Get over to see my brother (booked). Meet Mum for lunch as much as possible (She misses popping into Manchester to see my brother.)
6. Friends
2008
Out more than previous years, but still some patches of hermithood. Achieved Whitbyness, Book Club and Cthulhuings.
2009
Get lounge in a fit state to receive guests so I can invite people round, host murder dinners, games nights etc. More pub (or coffee, or lunch) more often. More going to see stuff (bands, comics, plays) with people. Plan trips to see peoples.
7. Home
2008
Found permanent homes for most of the crap in the house (including chucking a bunch out) and temporary shelf space for the rest. Apart from the big pile of photography in the middle of the dining room.
2009
Finally sort those bloody photos! Find proper homes for any remaining nomad stuff. Get some CDs in the lounge and my room so I don't just turn the TV on. Makeover for bedroom.
8. Travel
2008
Proper holiday to Barcelona AND met up with Matt and Mona properly all in one!
2009
Back to Dragon*Con in Atlanta again (woot!) and on to San Francisco to see my brother.
9. Hobby
2008
Ended up wandering round Barcelona snapping stuff instead of getting weighted down under the idea of 'Photography'.
2009
Do more off-the-cuff photography, particularly with phone. (Photo a day project failed already but may carry on regardless.) Learn the violin. (I'll fit it in somewhere.)
10. Money
2008
Started keeping track of what I spent and what I earned and making sure the incoming was always higher. Mostly managed to! Started to pay off freelance-era debts.
2009
Carry on paying off credit cards, budget for trips and OU courses in advance, and make sure there's enough over to have a life!
I know there's nothing in there for lovelife... I generally assume stuff like that comes along when you're busy with other things, and for now I'm happy bumbling along in a definitely-not-going-out* way with Kris in the meantime.
*I have to add that bit or he'll get paranoid and assume I'm planning on marrying him or something.
I'm sure I have missed out something of great importance, but I'll do that next year!
(PS. I want a dog!)
