Yes I know it's been a while since we chatted but, well, life kinda happens. It's a biatch like that! Anyhoo I thought it would be a great idea to time my 'comeback' with a confessional post whereby I link up with fellow blogger (& friend) the lovely Kirsty from My Home Truths. Okay on to the confessional...
Confession One - I have failed the confessional as the link-up happens on a Monday (although Kirsty does state it is open all week - thank heavens for small mercies!).
Confession Two - I have no excuse for not posting yesterday (or even earlier today) as I'm on holidays this week. Yes, can I just say that again - I'M ON HOLIDAYS THIS WEEK! Woot!
Confession Four - my (dismal) soundtrack to my life. Or rather, the choonz that strike a chord with me (tonight!). Okay in no specific order...
Crazy in love - Beyoncé. Well what can I say about this other than I lurve it coz I am partial to shakin' my booty (aka bustin' a move) in the privacy of my lounge room. Oh alright, and occasionally out with a suitable amount of wine on board!
Dancing Queen - ABBA. Well like duh! Gay man here (and Abba tragic). I channel my inner diva with this one.
I Ran - A Flock of Seagulls. I was a teenager in the 80's which should explain A LOT. As a result I am an 80's tragic. I mean, the hair, the glasses, the fashion! Also think Duran Duran, Adam & the Ants, etc. Yes I did attempt those fashions and hairstyles (I had the hair to do it back then).
Radioactive - Imagine Dragons. This is a great song by an equally great group (great album too). And the video is just awesome. Currently on high rotation here.
Anchor - Mindy Gledhill. I discovered this truly beautiful song a couple of years back and it really struck a chord with me. This is the song I would sing to the lovely Wayne at our wedding coz it sums up EXACTLY how I feel about and towards him. 2 proviso's to this actually happening though - being able to legally marry him here in Australia, and copious singing lessons as I can't hold a tune to save my life! Also have a listen to the Spanish version that Mindy does coz it's equally beautiful.
All in all though, I have very varied musical tastes and they are linked to my moods, and some would say my state of sobriety! These choonz are by no means my most fave, they are what popped into my head while composing this post (well except for Mindy Gledhill coz it is how I feel about, you know, him!).
And there endeth the confessional!
Oh wow, whoever said that confession was good for the soul was onto something. I feel much better for it, truly! Do you wanna feel good (no this isn't a cheesy segway to some dubious marital aid product)? Then why not pop over and link up with Kirsty at My Home Truths.
This time last year I reflected on 2011 by way of a meme - an idea that I
copied from one of my favourite bloggers, Elizabeth of Scarlet Words (you can
read about Elizabeth’s 2012 here).I’m completing
the meme again this year as it’s such a great way to reflect on the year that
was.Again, thanks to Elizabeth for
sharing this brilliant idea and encouraging others to join in.
Okay, let’s get started…
1. What did you do in 2012 that you’d never done before?
I’ve always loved photography but haven’t really done a lot of it other than
happy snaps.During 2012 I started
participating in photographic challenges (mainly those by Chantelle of Fat Mum Slim) and started taking lots of photos with my iPhone and then editing them
using the myriad Apps that are available.I’ve loved it – the composition, the subjects and the editing.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next
year?
Mostly yes.My intentions were to be
fitter, healthier and lighter, and to blog more.They all get a tick.For 2013, it will be more of the same as I
want to improve on all these things again as well as take lots of photos!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes.Two very dear friends welcomed daughter
number two in April.I wrote about
gorgeous little Marlo here.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully no.
5. What countries did you visit?
Australia!Does that really count?We did have a wonderful week in a beach-front
house on the New South Wales north coast – it was just what we both needed at
the time.
6. What would you like to have in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
More ‘us time’.The lovely Wayne and
I still battle with conflicting work schedules so I’d like more time together
to just hang out.Simple things like
picnics, lazy afternoons, cooking, walks, movies – you get the idea.
7. What dates from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
There’s the usuals (birthdays, anniversary, holiday up the coast) however
2012 had a few ‘biggies’.There was my
promotion and my recognition at work (see Q8 below), but the one that I guess
really rocked me to my core was my dad’s diagnosis in July with a brain tumour.Although it has affected me and made me
rethink a lot of things, we were extremely fortunate that there was a
wonderfully positive outcome in the end and my dear dad is now absolutely
fine.I blogged here about how thankful
I was for the way this whole episode played out.
My dad, and the scar down the back of his head
which means he'll be around for a long time yet!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My biggest achievements (yes there’s 2) this year were my promotion in
August, and being awarded a prestigious award in December for my contribution
to the organisation where I work.You
can read about my award here.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not ‘switching off’ when I left work.I had a tendency to still be ‘thinking work’ even at home – I was known
to leave myself voicemail messages at work at 3am on occasion!I am slowly learning to switch off - I guess
I’m a slow learner!LOL.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Aside from a slight back strain during our recent house move, I consider
myself very lucky to have enjoyed good health during 2012.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Probably my new laptop (the old one died) – well let’s face it, how on earth
could I blog, etc without it?!
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
The lovely Wayne (aka The Boy Wonder!).As mentioned in Q7,
my dad needed urgent brain surgery during the year.The lovely Wayne was just so wonderfully
supportive at a time when all of us were really feeling scared, worried and
upset.Thanks babe. xx
The lovely Wayne (aka The Boy Wonder)
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Three come to mind.Those awful radio
announcers who played that joke on that poor English nurse; Alan Jones for his
vile comments about PM Julia Gillard’s father’s death; and the gunman who shot
those innocent children in the USA leading up to Christmas.Some people really are just oxygen thieves!
14. Where did most of your money go?
The usual stuff – household expenses, food, etc.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Our holiday in September.Our week of
staying in a beach-front house was wonderfully relaxing and we had been looking
forward to it for months.
16. What song will always remind you of 2012?
Dare I mention it?Dare I let it rear
its ugly head again?I’m talking of Gangnam
Style of course.Yes I liked it
initially, but then it became a little tiresome.It is however the first tune I thought of
when reading this question, so I guess it’s the one for 2012!I won’t embed it here as I think we all know
how it goes!
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b)
thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?
a) Happier (still happy!)
b) Slightly thinner
c) About the same
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Relaxing, photography, reading, and spending time with the lovely Wayne.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Placing unrealistic expectations on myself and my time.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas was a quiet affair for us this year.It all started on Christmas Eve with us again
adhering to our tradition of watching Love Actually (I so love that
movie).Christmas Day started with a
lovely breakfast for two at home – think poached eggs, smoked salmon,
mushrooms, tomatoes and good coffee.For
lunch we popped up to the nursing home and spent time with the lovely Wayne’s
mum.Later in the afternoon, we made our
way out to my mum and dad’s place.Here
we had a lovely casual evening with great food and lots of laughs. As an aside, I had a bit of fun with the Elf Yourself iPhone App (thanks Elizabeth), so here's the lovely Wayne, our friend Tracy, and me...
21. Did you fall in love in 2012?
I stayed in love!
22. What was your favourite TV program?
In keeping with last year’s British TV theme, we have again loved
predominantly British shows.We NEVER
miss Alan Carr Chatty Man – that man and his show are an absolute scream, you
really need to check it (them) out.There were also the usual suspects of QI, Graham Norton, Grand Designs
and Top Gear.A notable mention must
also go to the Australian series Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries which we
thoroughly enjoyed.
23. What was the best book you read?
I haven’t read any books of note this year as most of my reading consisted
of reading lots of amazing blogs.I did
however enjoy a couple of coffee table books I picked up during the year - Wine
Dogs Australia and Why Dogs are better than Cats are both entertaining and
contain gorgeous photos.
24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
There’s been several again this year including Lana Del Ray and Paloma Faith.The one that stands out though is Of Monsters
And Men.This Icelandic group made an
appearance on The Graham Norton Show and I just loved them.I’ve already mentioned Lana here, so
here’s a little something by Paloma and OMAM...
25. What did you want and get?
I wanted my dad to get good news after his brain surgery – it was the best
news as he got the all clear and recovered completely.I also wanted to get the job I’d acted in for
18 months, and I did!I was finally
promoted permanently to the position in August.
26. What did you want and not get?
Again, marriage equality.Oh alright,
and the winning lotto numbers!
27. What was your favourite film of the year?
Sadly this year we made it to the movies just once – one of the pitfalls of
our lack of time together as we’d rather have a quiet night in!Anyhoo the movie – we loved The Iron Lady
with Meryl Streep.We did however watch
a number of great DVD’s during the year.
28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 46 years young on my birthday!You can read all about my birthday here.Suffice to say it involved a gourmet breakfast, lots of seafood,
champagne, wine, ice cream, blood-letting, and a washing machine!
29. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Sharing it with the lovely Wayne, friends and family.
30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Corporate and casual – not at the same time though!I also had a bit of a ‘thing’ going on with
glasses (spectacles) this year – I bought four new pairs during the year.
31. What kept you sane?
The lovely Wayne of course, and keeping a good sense of humour at all times.
Oh yes, and wine!
This guy kept me sane (or is that insane?) during 2012
32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
No one person comes to mind actually.
33. What political issue stirred you the most?
It’s the same as last year.Australia’s appalling policies and indecision regarding asylum seekers
and marriage equality.It amazes me that
we are so behind the times with these two issues when we are leaders in so many
other areas.
34. Who did you miss?
I miss my regular catch-ups with a dear friend Tracy in England but we’ve
undertaken to have regular (& possibly long) skype sessions this year.I’ve also missed two very dear friends at
work who have both been on long term leave during the year.Luckily for me they are both back during
January.
35. Who was the best new person you met?
Again this year there’s been a number of new people who I’ve met.Some have been through work, some through
other friends, and then there’s the online friends I’ve made this year through
blogs and social media.The stand out
though would be a former colleague, and now great friend, Kerry.We just kinda clicked.
36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012.
Cherish those you care about – tell them you love them often and give them
hugs often too!
37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Motivation a powerful strength
Hesitation was my first instinct
I got the notion my weakness was
Total devotion it’s okay because
I will hold back tears
So I can move in the right direction
I have faced my fears
Now I can move in the right direction
Move in the right direction – Beth Ditto & Gossip
So there you have it dear reader, my 2012 year in review.I’d love to read your 2012 in review so
please feel free to leave your answers (or a link to them) in the comments if you
feel so inclined.
I'm finally back in business as the saying goes. Technology almost beat me this week, but I won out in the end! My laptop decided to get attitude at the start of the week - the clasp thingys (technical term, trust me!) that lock it shut when you close it decided to fail whilst it was shut. The result was that I was unable to open my laptop - hmmm, not happy Jan! Anyhoo, it is all sorted now and I'm back in the land of the online again.
All this mucking about meant that I didn't post my final photos for the February Photo A Day Challenge - this was an annoyance to say the least. So despite being 3 days into March, I'll finally post the remainder of last month's photos...
#FebPhotoADay - Day 26: Night
This seems like an eternity ago! Last Sunday's theme was night. Unfortunately it was a very overcast evening here so my intended photo of the moon and the stars wasn't possible. Now the lovely Wayne did offer to drop 'em, but I politely declined his offer as that wasn't quite the kind of moon I was looking for! I settled on a photo of the cloudy night sky.
#FebPhotoADay - Day 27: Something you ate
Monday's photo prompt was something you ate. I took this photo at work of my lunch. I wanted to capture a before and after shot so that you could indeed see that I ate the food. I also wanted this pic to show not just ate but also the number 8 (something I 8), hence the arrangement of the plate (pl-8!!).
#FebPhotoADay - Day 28: Money
The photo prompt for Tuesday was money. I have to confess that I was having an incredibly lazy day on Tuesday and simply re-edited a photo taken for a photo challenge I particpated in last August. Yes I know, dreadful. I'm hanging my head in shame as I type this (well I'm not really, how would I see the screen and be able to type if I was?!). Here you go, the grand sum of 4 dollars - the extent of my wealth is truly amazing! LOL.
#FebPhotoADay - Day 29: Something you're listening to
The photo prompt for the final day of the February Photo A Day Challenge was something you're listening to. This was a no-brainier. Back in January I mentioned a new music discovery I had made (see here). Well the singer mentioned (Lana Del Ray) has recently released an album which is receiving a lot of air time in our home at the moment. So here you have a screen shot from my iPhone of the cover of Lana Del Rey's new album, Born To Die.
That brings me to the end of the February Photo A Day Challenge and I must say that I've enjoyed it. I'd like to say thanks to Chantelle over at Fat Mum Slim for this great idea. I again found (and started following) some wonderful blogs as a result of this challenge. Chantelle has also come up with another challenge for March, the March Photo A Day Challenge. Now I'm going to have a break from the challenge this month but will randomly participate some days via Instagram. To see what I'm up to, you can view my Instagram feed online or if you're an Instagram addict like myself, follow me. Search for @gawee.
The lovely Wayne and I stumbled across this today and I have to say that I love it. Both Lana's voice and the clip are amazing. It's currently on high rotation in our house!
