Hi All,
I guess it`s hard to put into words how the year was, memories blur, the mind changes the feelings felt to suit (or maybe it`s because I am getting older and I`ve forgotten!) but for me it has been one where I have grown up, developed new attributes and healed.
Looking back over the year, this blog was my new years resolution and I`ve maintained interest in dribs and drabs, strangely have not done much photography over the year but my mind is full of images of places I`ve been and some amazing sunrises I`ve seen, the one that stands out was at a mine called Forrestania, after working in the rain all night and feeling very devoid of any emotion, the uplift from something so simple as a sunrise was unbelievable, to describe it won`t do it justice but the spectrum of colour, the reflection of light and changing weather was just awesome, to be under a sky that is blue overhead a new storm coming from the north, patchy clouds to the west and then the sun coming up through rain clouds from the east. Lucky me.
My favourite image this year is one from Beau Mitchell and it`s not from my genre of photography and I`m not sure about `thrush!`but it struck a chord (as they say) with me. It is a simple image with a perfect quotation that basically sums it all up for me, Beau has given approval for me to use it, but check out his website and blog to view all his work.

What better time to write this when I am going down, I knew it was coming, I don`t fight it anymore, I accept it, I don`t want medication, I`m in control and just stick to routine, I don`t pull the covers over my head and isolate myself. My life is good, so if I have to have a few days every once and awhile where things aren`t so good then so be it there are definitely others far worse than me.
I live my life through music, it is always playing at home and in the car the only time it`s not on is when I`m surfing. Music has to have a beat or words that mean something for me to like it, If you have sometime listen to these songs, they are my 3 standouts of the year – La Mar (The Ocean) by The Beautiful Girls is from a couple of years ago but I have only recently downloaded it and it always takes me somewhere else when it comes on, gives me that feeling of connection with the ocean especially when I am away at work. Breakeven by The Script, a simple line `when a heart breaks no it don`t breakeven` Never a truer word spoken and it basically sums up the last 18 months for me. Riverside by Sidney Samson bet you didn`t see that one coming! Makes me feel like I`ve drunk 10 Red Bulls really quickly just gets me jumping wherever I am.
Most of this year I have spent renovating my unit, I have made some amazing changes to it and it now is a really comfortable place to come home to. All the work was done by myself and a few friends and trades where legally required! It was great learning some new skills – ceilings, floorboards etc. I will get to the backyard next year…. Sometime! It is also the first year in 5 that I have not gotten to Karijini, However I will be there within a few weeks, I`m just waiting for my Prado to return from my cousins trip around Australia. I have a few trips planned overseas for next year and will return to favourites around WA.
2010 I have to something that has been put off for a while and my resolution is to only be around people with common decency, a little bit different but as I don`t smoke, do drugs, drink lightly, already eat healthily and exercise I had to think of something, so as rude people shit me I thought why do I need to associate with them. I am getting back onto the photography bandwagon and will have more time to practice and play with techniques but would also love to be a bit more involved with the crew around Perth rather than hide behind a computer, I have missed out on most things that have been organized of late due to being stuck at work. I hope everyone has a great summer, enjoys their Christmas with family and friends and 2010 is everything that they want it to be. Take care everyone.
Michael

CW: Yallingup Wave, Me and my ride, Koru – New life, Growth, Peace and Strength, Work