Goodbye 2014 and welcome 2015: the year of living in the moment!

Ahhh 2014, the year that laid the groundwork for a great 2015!

I am paraphrasing from a friends FB status...thanks Rik...but I like it's intent.

2014 wasn't as horrid as 2013 but it wasn't that much better either, and I could explain why, but really what is the point!?!

It's sooo last year!

So I would rather accentuate the positives from 2014 and look towards 2015.

Life can be amazing, and it will be...

And in 2014 I actually did a lot of amazing, mostly with amazing people, some of which included:

• Seeing David Sedaris, Amanda Palmer, Yoko Ono exhibit, Beatles tribute show at the Opera house, and Doctor Who Melbourne Symphony Orchestra ALL in January!
• My stunning Regal Cinema reopened with one chair sponsored by me
• My amazing friend, Linda Drummond saved an Australian institution with SPC Sunday
• I hosted a special book tour at work with Anita Heiss and Lisa Heidke
• I saw Neil Finn play The Civic, and Joanne McCarthy talk about her passion
• I participated in the Newcastle Writer's Festival reading a story about my adventures in Africa
• Ate out with friends a lot, trying so many new and wonderful places, like Fernwood High Tea, Casa de Loco, Una Volta, Coal and Cedar, The Hop Factory, Grainstore, Red Baron, Saigon Feast.
• I saw Leo Sayer, Russell Morris, Richard Clapton, and Joe Camilleri at The Civic
• I became a member of the Newcastle Art Gallery Society
• Athena and I attended a Newcastle Folk Society night with the stunning Kavisha Mazello
• Celebrated Eurovision in style at The Grain Store
• I had the most magical and enjoyable day at The Sydney Writer's Festival
• In June I saw Lloyd Cole, Henry Wagons, The Glenn Miller Orchestra and Tim Freedman
• I got to meet and sell merch for Lloyd Cole
• I had a mini break in Jan, June, and Aug, and a trip to Melbourne in Nov
• I saw Dan Sultan and Stonefield
• I was on Treasure Hunter with my friend R
• I finally went to my first Underground Epicurean
• I had the most amazing night out at Red Baron, and The Lass with my fabulous gals
• I had the most amazing afternoon and night at Red Baron and Grainstore
• We saw Courtney Love
• I SAW BOB DYLAN!!!!!!!!!!!
• I met our latest family member Azura
• As always I attend the Silent Film Festival
• We saw Steve Smyth at The Lass
• Attended the National Youth Writer's Festival
• Saw Bill Bailey at The Civic
• Had a fun night with friends at Pinball and Pizza
• Saw Les Mis, Once, JPG, Stop Making Sense and much much more in Melbourne
• We listened to Julia Gillard
• We rallied for the ABC, and said goodbye to Carol Duncan
• I met William McInnes and marveled at the Sky Whale
• We danced at the Great Northern for 80s night and Twitter
• Night swam at Merewether Baths
• Rang in the NY in style at The Landing
• Work continued to be great, I have a fabulous team, we do wonderful work, I was challenged by some additional projects which I loved, and felt the love from our community.
• My love life had it's ups and downs...ok mostly downs...but better than nothing...I suppose :/
• Family and Friends continued to love and support me and don't think it goes unnoticed. Truly blessed I am for those that love me.

So despite all the crappy, 2014 had a lot within to love.

At the beginning of the year I proclaimed 5 projects and 10 things I was going to do through the year. I guess I was busy doing all the other things to think too much about them!

The 5 Projects were:

Project 42 for life - based on my 42 things project from 2013, I continued these beautifully in 2014.

Project Cathy - 40mins a day on me improving inside and out, this started well, fell over a bit, but picked up. I give myself 65% on this one.

Project declutter and revamp - I'm almost there, finding the right dining table set back my efforts, I will have this finished this year!

Project read - this will be a whole other blog I think, I did ok, I read a lot but didn't complete everything on the list.

Project Sunday - This was spending 30mins each Sunday to look ahead and gently plan my week. I only missed a few and it helped me get more things done and forget less things too. 95% success on this.

10 things:

Sort holiday photos into an album -Nope

Learn a new instrument - bought a uke AND bongos but not quite proficient

Swim at night at Merewether or ocean baths - Yep

Walk to Boolaroo and see a movie and walk home - Nope

Rewrite and expand my European blog - Nope

Take another writing course - Nope

Teach my niece to play the guitar and take my nephew to more galleries -  I did a little of both with both of them

Road trip to Wendy Whiteley's garden - Nope

Mini trip and start planning overseas trip - Yep to Melbourne and Yep Portugal, Barcelona and Paris - unsure when, but it will happen!

Buy a ipod to downsize my cd colln - Nope to ipod but yes to downsizing

And for those paying attention to previous lists, I still haven't finished my green scarf, lol!

So what will 2015 bring for me:

I've decided not to do a list this year. My life is busy and good enough without adding specific lists of things I have to do. I spent forever trying to work out my thoughts for 2015 and realised I just do not need to add anything else to my life in terms of lists and things and such. What I am meant to do I will do.

So in 2015 I will be just living in the moment...which I love the sound of!!

My favourite thing to do, is find somewhere to explore (at home or in other locations), and just walk, take photos, smell the strawberries, look up, daydream, and just be. So 2015 will feature much more of that, and everyone is welcome to join me on my adventures. 

I do exploration and indulgence VERY well!! You will not be disappointed!

I do like to have special occasions to look forward to, so I will ensure that is always the case by having at least one thing a month planned, but otherwise, I'm letting fate and adventure take it's course. (Ok I do hope I meet someone extra special, but I always hope for that, maybe this year is THE year...or not...either way, I will survive!!)

I will continue with a few projects, but that's really just an extension of what I have been doing these past few years. 

My projects will be

Project 42 for life - keeping on with all the things I started when I was 42 and incorporating Project Cathy (internal and external improvements on my self), Project Sunday (planning ahead for the week each Sunday). I will also add a new thing which I started at the beginning of the year and was working well until too many distractions halted it. This is where I turn off all electronics an hour or so before  go to bed and just read.  

Project Declutter - nearly there and will finish this year

Project Read -  I shall blog on this further at some point.

And whilst I look forward to my first exciting event of the year...An evening with my beloved Neil Gaiman at the end of January, I'll end with words from the wise man himself!

Be kind to yourself in the year ahead. 

Remember to forgive yourself, and to forgive others. It's too easy to be outraged these days, so much harder to change things, to reach out, to understand.

Try to make your time matter: minutes and hours and days and weeks can blow away like dead leaves, with nothing to show but time you spent not quite ever doing things, or time you spent waiting to begin.

Meet new people and talk to them. Make new things and show them to people who might enjoy them. 

Hug too much. Smile too much. And, when you can, love.

FEBRUARY ROUND UP

February - you seem so long ago and I thought you exhausted me, but truly you were gentle compared to March. Not complaining, well maybe a little, but life is too short not to grasp it and live it hard, but even I need a little down time to recharge my batteries!

The month commenced in Melbourne which is always a wonderful thing, but I wrote all about that in January's Round Up. 

When I returned from Melbourne I still had another week off work. I had a few days rest, babysitted my niece and nephew, and spent time at their property.

Brunched with L one day, S the next. Had a last look at Brett Whiteley at Newcastle Art Gallery, Caught up with N & V over Chinese, had dinner with A & J, and watched some movies. Did this really even happen, I can hardly remember it!?!

Oh and my friend, L, caused a media sensation and kinda saved the world with #SPCSunday! Proud as punch I am!

So I was well rested for my first week back at work which was the lead up to Library Lovers Day on Friday 14. We had events during the week culminating with a Movie Night on the big day. Our first movie night, the brainchild of my colleague, T, was well received with a lovely group of people all dressed in their fineries for a viewing of Strictly Ballroom.

Also during the week I went to my first GenXWomen event where L, B, and myself breakfasted with about 60 other women our age and listened to the fabulous Shirva Geepta talk. I had dinner at Bocados, Warners Bay with J, and sobbed my way through 12 Years a Slave. 

I had lunch and spent time with my family, had my first Bibliptweeps Bookclub for the year where we discussed The Book Thief, a modern classic by Markus Zusak. The afternoon turned to rain and I took my other book, Unbearable Lightness of Being, up to Bar Beach Carpark to read.

I then met with L and S for an evening at The Ocean Baths, and to see Diving Off the Edge of The World by Tantrum Theatre. What an experience, with dance, short plays, fun, a documentary and synchronised swimming at various locations around the stunning Deco Baths. We had a delightful time and even the weather held off (mostly) for us. We also indulged in the most amazing Pork Belly Burgers and Beetroot Scallops at Scotties prior to the show.

I also guest posted for the now sadly defunct iamnewcastle account. Hosted generously by my good friend M, I got to tell everyone over the course of a week about me and my connections to Newcastle. I really enjoyed this and got splendid feedback from those who were interested. I surprised myself by loving talking about past generations of my family, their influence on me and those around them. I reminisced about days gone by, things I got up to as a kid and a teen, and what I love about my surrounds now. It was a really great feeling to share such things.

My beloved Regal Cinema reopened, oh how I've counted down the days. I was lucky enough to gain an invite to the special opening night, I was thrilled to locate my chair with a special plaque on it. It is for everyone I know, so please go and have a seat on me!!! It is located on the right hand side as you look at the screen, three rows from the back right on the wall. Two days later, we returned, A, J, L and myself to see the fabulous Dallas Buyer's Club. Wow!!

In between we all went to see Frances Ha at the Carriage Shed Cinema, it was a crazy night but we managed Scottie's takeaway, some Pimms and an outdoor picnic prior to the film. We'd seen this film when it first came out and loved it so much, I think I enjoyed it even more the second time! It's about having great friends, so pleased I saw it with my great friends, J, L and A! And we checked out a cool new bar in the west end, The Edwards.

A and I also saw Nebraska, which we loved.

Reviews of Oscar movies watched this month can be read here.

Work was busy, I worked on a Dr Seuss display, went conferencing at Singleton, visited Lake Macquarie Art Gallery, and worked really hard to promote the Anita Heiss Tour.

Oh, and I bought a Ukulele...finally...

Oscar Watch, Part Three: The Predictions

I love this time of the year more than anything!!! Oscar time, Oscar, Oscar!

 

I love film, and I guess I do love a spectacle and it doesn't get much more spectacular than The Academy Awards.

 

As a classic movie fan, and an avid Oscars watcher for many years, I love the ceremony and little nods to it's history.

 

For years I have put it out there who I think will win and who I would like to win - more often than not very different answers.

 

Who I think will win is difficult, I try to think like the voters and guess EVERY category. Some years I do well, others not so much.

 

The best score I have had is 20 correct in 2009. My average is 15/16 out of the 24 categories, which isn't too shabby.

 

Who I would like to win is much easier, as this is my personal choice.

 

I do get ranty about commentators who have no idea about the show and it's history, and whilst I love the fashion it's the little moments I live for in an Oscar telecast.

 

Here is a previous post I have written about why I love The Oscars.

 

So onto this year... 

Best Picture

I have seen all films except Captain Phillips.

 

Who Will Win: 12 Years A Slave

This is a really hard category. This is between Gravity, American Hustle and 12 Years A Slave. And I have been teetering over it for weeks. As soon as I saw American Hustle I had it locked in but then I saw 12 Years A Slave and I think it is more of a masterpiece, but it's difficult viewing. Gravity seems to be a late winner. Alfonso won the Director's Guild and that is usually an indicator. And also the Producer's Guild (along with 12 Years A Slave, of which it tied!) It is rare the votes are split with Director and Best Picture being different, and it happened last year but two years in a row? I am going with 12 Years A Slave, but really I have no idea!

 

Who I Want to Win: American Hustle

It was my favourite movie of the lot.

 

Best Director

Who Will Win: Alfonso Cuaron

You can't beat those scenes in space. And he won the Director's Guild.

 

Who I Want To Win: Alfonso Cuaron

You can't beat those scenes in space. Plus, I have never been so physically affected as I have in the first 30mins of this movie!

 

Best Actor

Who Will Win: Matthew McConaughey

A divine performance, a transformation character and a transformation of the actual actor, from pretty boy to contender. The voter's love this!

 

Who I Want To Win: Matthew McConaughey

I never rated McConaughey, but in the last couple of years, since The Paperboy I think, he has chosen interesting role after interesting role and knocked them all out of the park. I just love that, and he killed me in Dallas Buyers Club. Having said that I think Leonardo Di Caprio is long overdue for an Oscar, and his range in Wolf of Wall Street was stunning. And I loved Chiwetel Ejiofor's solid performance in 12 Years A Slave.

 

Best Actress

Who Will Win: Cate Blanchett

She's won everything, it's a go for Cate!

Who I Want To Win: Cate Blanchett

The rest are fine and on any other year all deserving, but seriously, this is a no brainer.

 

Best Supporting Actor

Who Will Win: Jared Leto

He has won pretty much everything. Transgender character. Disease. The voter's love this!

Who I Want To Win: Jared Leto

I actually loved Jonah Hill in Wolf of Wall Street, a similar transformation to McConaughey. But Jared Leto broke my heart, and you had no idea it was him!

 

Best Supporting Actress

Who Will Win: Lupita Nyong'o

This is hard I do think it comes down to Lupita Nyong'o or June Squibb. I guess for her first role Lupita will have more opportunities and Squibb may never get the opportunity again. But Oscar loves young women. Julia Roberts could be an upset, due to her movement into the Supporting Role. Jennifer Lawrence has also been thrown around as a contender, she was outstanding, but I doubt she'll get back to back wins. I have sat on this one until the last moment and realised at almost every Oscar there is a wild card, the least expected and this year this is that category. But I'm going with Lupita.

Who I Want To Win: Sally Hawkins

Really!?! How do you choose? They all should win. Julia Roberts (another I never rated) should be up for Best Actress, she acted Streep off the screen. Jennifer Lawrence, a bona fida star, showed her astonishing range. June Squibb was luminous AND sassy. Lupita Nyong'o was simply outstanding. But to me Sally Hawkins has been so overlooked for Blue Jasmine. A fine actress, I've been following her for some years, she is always solid and more than held her own against Blanchett which is a force to be reckoned with.

 

Animated Feature

Who Will Win: Frozen

It's the favourite!

Who I Want To Win:  Ernest and Celestine

I have not seen any of these films, I am not a huge fan on animation. However I love the books, Ernest and Celestine.

 

Original Screenplay

Who Will Win: Her - Spike Jonze

Won the Writers Guild, the Academy love Jonze and it is a highly original concept.

Who I Want To Win:  Her - Spike Jonze

Stunning screenplay, original, full of heart, unusual, touching. I loved this film's story.

 

Adapted Screenplay

Who Will Win: 12 Years A Slave

Usually goes with Best Picture win, and it's a formidable adaptation of a loved historical tome.

Who I Want To Win: Before Midnight - Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke

Because between the three of them they make magic. I also adore Steve Coogan, so if he wins for Philomena I would be equally happy.

 

Production Design

Who Will Win: Catherine Martin - The Great Gatsby

Stunning attention to detail, she is the real deal.

Who I Want To Win: Catherine Martin - The Great Gatsby

Stunning attention to detail, she is the real deal. Having said that, each nominee has created a visual masterpiece, so a difficult one.

 

Cinematography

Who Will Win: Gravity

This should be a no brainer

Who I Want To Win: Gravity

I thought I was in space. That is all. Shout out to Nebraska which was postcard picture perfect

 

Costume Design

Who Will Win: Catherine Martin - The Great Gatsby
Those costumes, but American Hustle comes very close I must admit.

Who I Want To Win: Catherine Martin - The Great Gatsby
Those costumes, but American Hustle comes very close I must admit.

 

Documentary Feature

Who Will Win: 20 Feet From Stardom

This was hard, up until today I really thought The Act of Killing would win, but I read a whole lot of blogs from people I rate and this is their choice. The thought is The Act Of Killing should win, but won't as it is simply too difficult a subject matter. I am torn, but gone with the crowd pleaser. I guess we will see.

Who I Want To Win: N/A

I've not seen any of the films

 

Documentary Short

Who Will Win: The Lady in Number 6: Music saved my life

I did some research on each of the films, and this about a 109 year old piano playing Holocaust survivor ticks all the boxes.

Who I Want To Win: N/A

I've not seen any of the films

 

Film Editing

Who Will Win: Gravity

I am guessing Gravity will win most of the technical awards.

Who I Want To Win: Gravity

Stunning editing. You thought you were in Space.

 

Foreign Language

Who Will Win: The Great Beauty

This is the one film that keeps coming up again and again. I've seen the trailer and it looks stunning and rather Fellini-esque!

Who I Want To Win: N/A

I've not seen any of the films

 

Hair and Make-Up

Who Will Win: Dallas Buyers Club

The transformations of both McConaughey and Leto make this a no-brainer.

Who I Want To Win: Dallas Buyers Club

The transformations of both McConaughey and Leto make this a no-brainer.

 

Music (Original Score)

Who Will Win: Saving Mr Banks

This is the contender from all my reading, and it makes sense. Though I imagine Williams' score from The Book Thief is stunning and Gravity was also very good.

Who I Want To Win: Her

I loved the soundtrack to this.

 

Music (Original Song)

Who Will Win: Frozen

This is the favourite plus Idina Menzel!!!

Who I Want To Win: Her or Mandela

I love both equally and cannot chose, love to see U2 or Karen O win.

 

Short Film (Animated)

Who Will Win: Get a Horse

This seems a lock in from my reading. It was the opening short to Frozen and stars Mickey Mouse!

Who I Want To Win: N/A

I've not seen any of the films

 

Short Film (Live Action)

Who Will Win: Just before Losing Everything

A French film about a woman escaping domestic violence.

Who I Want To Win: N/A

I've not seen any of the films

 

Sound Editing

Who Will Win: Gravity

A lot of time there was no dialogue and nothing but 'sound', and it worked.

 

Who I Want To Win: Gravity

A lot of time there was no dialogue and nothing but 'sound', and it worked.

 

Sound Mixing

Who Will Win: Inside Llewyn Davis

Music films almost always win these.

 

Who I Want To Win: Inside Llewyn Davis

Music films almost always win these, and I've heard most of the music and love it.

 

Visual Effects

Who Will Win: Gravity

You thought you were in space!

 

Who I Want To Win: Gravity

You thought you were in space! Although I did love Smaug in The Hobbit.

I'm also looking forward to Ellen as host and the fashion on the red carpet. Stay tuned to find out how I went with my predictions. Unsure how I will go this year, some difficult choices there!

GOODBYE 2013 AND WELCOME 2014

So yeah, everyone's doing their year round ups and how wonderful it all was. Good for them!!!

 

But I have to say 2013 sucked balls!

 

BIG TIME!!!!!

 

(OK some really cool things happened too, and I will get to that!)

 

I saw a lot of shit happen to people that simply don't deserve it, and I have no idea what I learnt from that except that life is short so live large!

Or Life is Shit, I guess it depends on how you are feeling at the time!

 

I myself had a goodish year so I guess I was lucky, but things happened that pissed me off, and people disappointed me.

 

An aside: I will never get over how lacking in foresight some people are, but really is that anything new? No! and whilst it might stop me short and make me sad, I will never let those types of experiences, no matter how hurtful, stop me from being me! Those people can kiss my arse, hilariously they will probably never realise the bad ripple effect they have had, which kinda says it all!

 

And of course there was politics, the less said about that schmoozle the better!!

 

But for the most part it was good, and I think that is it, life gives you challenges and you have to just work through them, or be kind and help others work through them. I've been to more funerals this year than I want to remember, and there are no words for that. I miss my Aunty Marie dreadfully, and I know a lot of people close to me are missing loved ones too.

People - be good and kind to those around you, don't take people for granted, check in on them, make sure they are ok, give them a hug, and make sure you live your life as you wish to live it.

 

Do all the things!

 

Which bring me to my 42 things! 

 At the very beginning of 2013 I made my 42 things to do while I'm 42 list.

Well I'm another year older and the year is almost at a close, so I guess I should see how I've done.

I nailed 26 of the 42, sort of attempted 7, and didn't manage 9, which I think is pretty darn good.

Which ones were which, well you should have been paying attention to my monthly round ups! 

The year was full of amazing and exciting events, and for once work was mostly great and actually fun.  

So, what were my highlights? 

No overseas trips this year, but I had 4 mini trips away (Port Macquarie, Tweed Heads, Melbourne, and Burleigh Heads) and I spent a lot of time exploring my own city. That included lots of cafes, restaurants, walks, gallery openings, markets and festivals. Le Passe Temps, Agosti, Talulahs, and Royal Inn being favourites. Oh, and the Donna Summer at MoneyPenny was divine. 

I said I wanted work to be fun, and it was! I started a Writing Group, which led to my favourite borrower Doug being a TV star at 96. We had fun workshops like drumming, and had amazing people visit like David Astle and Tony Park. We even got a 3D printer, but mostly just enjoyed the days and had lots of laughs. I've never felt so relaxed and enjoyed work as much as I have this year. 

I saw a lot of Gallery exhibits, becoming a member of the Newcastle Art Gallery, and seeing exhibits like the Darnell Collection and Brett Whiteley, meeting Wendy Whiteley no less! I saw Christo at Lake Macquarie Art Gallery, Monet, Hollywood Costumes and Geoffrey Rush in Melbourne. 

So many amazing events to attend, King Kong the musical, Frankenstein the play, Empire in the Spiegeltent, and Doctor Who on the Big Screen, just to name a few. Plus the inaugural Newcastle Writers Festival, and more Film Festivals than I can remember. And Tweet Ups, formal and informal, Tweeps were everywhere and thank goodness for that!! 

I made new friends! They say it's harder as you get older. But you know what, I find it easier! 

I drove a Doug Anthony All Star in my car!!!! 

I succumbed to instagram and took a LOT of photos, I joined/hosted a Bookclub and read a lot. I went to movies, and concerts, watched DVDs and television.  

Please see previous blog about my Top Tens for the year: 

http://www.reviews-vyv.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/top-tens-for-2013.html 

But mostly I did all of this with friends, old and new, fabulous people, each and every one. Blessed I am to have such a wonderful group of friends and family. They had my back when I needed it and I had theirs. What I most look forward to heading into 2014 is spending more time with all of you!! 

As per last year, I am done with New Years Resolutions, I like the idea of things to do for the year though. This year I'm doing it a little differently, 5 (well technically only three) Projects and 10 things. Let me explain: 

Project 42 for Life

Sounds good huh?
No, I haven't found out how to stop ageing, I actually mean all the cool things I started to do regularly from my 42 things list. I want to continue doing them and I think I will. Most are ingrained in me now; farmers markets, eating and drinking out more, exploring my own backyard, taking time to smell the roses and just watch the world go by, attending galleries, festivals, concerts and the like, going off the grid (no electronics), write more, be creative, daydream, have fun, trust my instincts, and surprise myself. 

Project Cathy

I'm working on a list of stuff in terms of helping improve me, inside and out! I plan on spending at least 40mins every day on me. Be it a walk, the gym, a swim, meditation, a soak in the tub, a facial etc. Maybe I'll learn a Cathy friendly 'sport' or yoga or something. I'm not sure and I won't be sharing, cause I need to be frank, hearing about people's 'journeys', especially in terms of physical stuff makes me want to vomit, so I shan't inflict mine on you! Just know I shall be trying, and that's about all one can do with such things. 

Project declutter and revamp

This is far more interesting (or maybe not!?!). Club Cathy will be getting a well deserved overhaul. Every nook and cranny will be gone through and assessed for giving away, chucking or keeping. I do not have a plan yet and won't be starting this project until Feb, so I have a month to get a list or two happening. I need new storage, I need new furniture, I need to streamline and declutter and I feel this cleaner, smarter environment will make my life easier. So I guess we shall see, I had planned on starting this as such in 2013 but it was just too much...one of my fails on the 42 things. 

Project Read

I have a lot of books, I borrow a lot of books from work. I am a Librarian, this is what we do. I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the amount of books I have lying around. I think decluttering and shelving items better will be a great start, but I need a plan. I am working on a plan of reading. Something that gives me scope for movement. I have a list of books I really want to read, new, old, classics, difficult. I am going to work on a list of what ones I will try to knock over this year. I will also try to read a certain amount every day, say 100 pages. I am yet to work out the details, I will blog about it. I do know it will include Dickens, Murakami, Mantel, Tartt, and either Proust or Dante.  

Project Sunday

This is really easy, take 30mins to plan my week ahead allowing time for the projects above and the items below, plus everyday stuff and relaxing. I'm organised in my work life, why not spill it over into my personal life. I waste time procrastinating or spend too much time on some things and not others. This is not scheduling every waking moment, but allowing my life to have more balance. 

10 Things

These are specific goals to do at least once:

1. Holiday Photos - print, put into album, and frame some.

2. Learn a new instrument, unsure, looking at either Ukulele or harmonica.

3. Swim at night at the Ocean Baths or Merewether Baths (or both)

4. Walk to Boolaroo Cinema, see a movie, and walk home.

5. Rewrite and expand on my European Vacation Blog.

6. Take another writing course.

7. Teach my niece to play the guitar and take my nephew to more galleries.

8. Road trip to visit Wendy Whiteley's garden.

9. Mini trip later in the year, and start to think/plan next Overseas holiday.

10. Buy an ipod (quelle horreur) to downsize my CD collection. 

Oh and maybe finish knitting that scarf I started 4 winters ago...sigh...one of my 'failures' from the 42 things... 

 

I hope everyone has the most magnificent and magical New Year filled with love, peace, health, and happiness doing all the things you enjoy.

 

Here is the final sunset of 2013, taken from my driveway.