Annus Mirabilis

Dear Diary,

Not a bad year, as years go... & they do

I was made redundant for something like the third time this millennium, after facing down a barrage of abuse from my Employer, both verbal & implied physical (if ONLY he'd hit me like he obviously wanted to!!!), spent a couple of months doing the Centrelink Shuffle, then landed a so-called 'job' with an alleged fraud & con-artist who seems to have disappeared over the Silly Season while several of us are on three weeks unpaid 'leave'. Leaving me to start all over again in the New Year. Hopefully that job at the grog shop's still open...

Musically it's been a slow year, but incrementally (& microscopically) moving back/forward to active duty. My own, personal, music project remains half-realised in my head only, awaiting an inevitable catalyst or Eureka!! moment. Thanks to my un-named Muse for not abandoning me & to my musician friends for the same... & their patience

Terry Pratchett, Kerry Greenwood, George RR Martin, Donna Leon, Jasper Fforde, Suzanne Collins, Justified, The Walking Dead, Boardwalk Empire, Game of Thrones, House, Sherlock, True Blood, Torchwood & QI all kept me happily occupied at home, semi-regular Trivia & Karaoke nights & blockbuster movies like the Avengers & Skyfall kept me out in the world, while a constant stream of dinners, drinks & 'catch-ups' make me wonder how I found any time for my twin passions of music & photography

A six week trip through the USA showed me there's a lot more to America than just Americans... & quite a lot of them were stereotype-bustingly generous & friendly as well

And I married my Long-Suffering Partner, who has stuck with me through six-&-a-bit years of ups, downs, highs, lows, moods, shifting loyalties & our fair share of amazing moments, minutes, hours & days

So, what's next...?