The blog of photographer Kim Ayres

What? Another year gone?

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Here we are at the end of 2008, marked, as every year, by Savannah’s birthday (Happy Birthday, Sugar).

As well as the usual births, deaths, marriages and haircuts, the past 12 months has seen quite major changes in the lives of some of the bloggers who frequent this place:

Pat completed her book by instalments via her blog and is now compiling and editing it into shape suitable for publication.

Mary has moved to yet another country to become a new Resident Alien, with yet another language and culture to adapt to.

Eryl has followed her passion and is doing her post-grad degree in creative writing.

Charlie is still alive, much to everyone’s amazement, including his own. However, he still hasn’t got his book ready for buying yet, which I really would like to read while there’s still a chance I can tell him what I think of it.

Hangar Queen had the final op and is now the woman she always knew she was.

Tom has taken his video business in a direction that he finds infinitely more creative and rewarding.

FLG is over 80lbs lighter than he was this time last year, and is becoming an inspiration to many.

A few bloggers have drifted away, stopped blogging or found more interesting things to do with their lives, while others now use Facebook as their primary form of Internet Socialising.

My personal achievements this past year include major leaps forward with my photography; a gradual letting go of the idea that somehow I have to personally save the universe; and probably the biggest accomplishment of all – I managed to get a Christmas Present for Maggie that a) was a surprise and b) she was delighted with (I’ve always told her she can either have one or the other, but not both).

2009 promises to be a year of great potential as Maggie continues to grow in skill and acclaim for her artwork; we are going to see if we can get to Nova Scotia, Canada, to put on an exhibition; and I have my mind slowly focusing on setting up a part time photography business.

There are fears and worries aplenty, but I’m determined to ignore them for at least a few more days.

May 2009 be more fun, more interesting and more rewarding for you than 2008.
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24 comments

LegalMist said...

Hi and Happy New Year -- a few hours sooner for you than for me...

Hey, I gave you an award; stop by my blog to check it out when you get a chance:

http://legalmist.blogspot.com/2
2008/12/third-times-charm.html

This time, you are not required to write anything (although you can if you want to). Just wanted to let you know I do enjoy your blog. :)

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year, Kim.
May this year be a happy one for you and your family and everyone else.. ;)

Unknown said...

Happy New Year. May you and your family have so many good things happen you won't know what to do.

debra said...

If you come to Canada, you will be on my side of the Pond, Kim :-)

I wish you happy, healthy, peaceful and loving days.

karatemom said...

here !here! ..great posting kim..I thoroughly enjoyed the updates on everyone too.

Happy New year and all the best it certainly sounds like you have some great goals, and you have a great looking forward attitude.

Congratulations on finding and surprising Maggie with a great christmas gift. Amazingly my hubby and boys managed to do it for me as well.

They topped the "swiffer incident" and then some this year..by presenting me with my own laptop computer. Which I have often wished I could have but never dared to even ask for. It was a total surprise !!!

Now I can happily read your blog and others from the comfort of the warm living room instead of the cold basement.

My biggest plans for 2009 are to just try to find peace in my life, minimize stress and work on improving my own physical fitness. ( not going to say diet cause I know I wont do that.) haha.

All the best my friend !!

Eryl Shields said...

This year has been about as interesting as I can cope with!

Best of luck with the photography, and with everything else for 2009, X.

Word verification gets more and more profound: residew.

Mary Witzl said...

Ooh, thank you for this, Kim!

Hope you and your family have a Happy 2009 and that it is even more fun, interesting, and rewarding than you hope it will be.

(And now I'm going to hope that I can post this £*%$!"-ing comment -- our internet is off and on lately...)

Charlie said...

You are a man of ideas, Kim, and your update on other bloggers was great.

I think the person I miss most is St. Jude: I figure she's working for MI6 and is deeply embedded somewhere icky.

So Happy New Year to her, to you and your family, and to all the folks who hang around here.

The Birdwatcher said...

Good luck with the photography business, if you do set it up. Happy New Year to you and your family.

LegalMist said...

Thanks for stopping by.

You'll note that the beauty of accepting the award from me is that I changed the rules so you aren't required to *do* anything at all. You can just post it on your blog and bask in the glory. :)

Kim Ayres said...

LegalMist - Thanks for the award - I've written a reply on your blog :) And have a Happy New Year

Sini - Happy New Year to you and yours :)

Carole - thank you, and I hope 2009 really comes together well for you :)

Debra - but will I be that much closer? North America's a big place! Hope you have a great New Year

KarateMom - a laptop in the warmth - sounds wonderful :) Happy New Year!

Eryl - Let's hope 2009 goes in the direction you want it to :) And I might just want to practice my photography on you...

Mary - your comment worked - have you got broadband at home now? Happy New Year :)

Charlie - yes, the lost bloggers. St Jude was a great one. I also miss Carole's blog, although at least she still comments. Hope you have a great New Year, Charlie :)

Birdwatcher - thank you, and a very happy new year to you and yours :)

LegalMist - I have half a thought of what to do with it. Will mull it over :)

Andraste said...

Happy New Year, Kim and family. Best for 2009. Let us know if and when you'll be in Nova Scotia - SPOUSE and I have been talking for years about taking the boat from Portland Maine and spending a few days there drinking and ...whatnot.

Cheers!

sarah said...

2008 turned into a huge drag, here's hoping 2009 is great.

xo's to you and yours Kim, thanks for being my friend!

Apex Zombie said...

Happy New Years, mate :)

Mary Witzl said...

No such thing as broadband here, Kim -- our internet connection is a very narrow band indeed and flicks off at the tiniest whim. It's supposed to be constant, but we go for hours without being able to get it. Often I comment on someone's blog only to have our connection flick off -- so frustrating! I'm always thrilled when I manage to connect. (Fingers crossed...)

Gyrobo said...

2009 is only a day old, and already I feel stronger and more powerful.

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year Kim,
Hope it's a good one for you and your tribe.
In the mean time I think you'll find it's only january and not time to stop hibernating for a month or two yet - sleep well.

Sandy

Pat said...

You are such a tease Kim. I'm dying to know what you gave Maggie.
Things are sounding up-beat in the Kim household which is what you deserve.
I'm full of hope that the present climate will bring out the best in people and we will all live more simple lives and be less selfish.
That's the plan here anyway.
Happy New Year to you and the family.

Kim Ayres said...

Andraste - it would certainly be great to meet up with you - I hope this all works out :)

Sarah - Sometimes we have bad years. Sometimes we have better ones - here's hoping it's a better one for you this year :)

FLG - and to you my friend :)

Mary - I'm just really pleased you're still writing and commenting :)

Gyrobo - Come Spring you'll be unstoppable!

Sandy - Happy New Year to you and yours as well! I'll probably emerge around May...

Pat - I managed to do a skill trade with a friend of mine - I'm going to teach her son basic web design, and she's going to give my wife a few fiddle lessons to see if Maggie has a feel for it.
Wishing you all the best for the coming year, Pat :)

savannah said...

what a dear man you are, sugar! all the best to you & yours for 2009. xoxox

Kim Ayres said...

And to you and yours too, Savannah :)

Attila the Mom said...

I think a photography business would be ideal. I just love what you're doing---you certainly have an eye and a style!

Kim Ayres said...

Thanks Attila :)

Unknown said...

RE: surprising and delightful gift for Maggie

That's a HUGE accomplishment. Congratulations.

Happy 2009!

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