So, it's been a long year. Not much posting, I know, but it's been a good one. I've spent my first year working full time, and enjoyed it. I haven't met a new girl, or at least, I haven't started a new relationship with anyone. Didn't start running nor walking, but I have started cycling an awful lot more, and invested in a new bike, and a fair amount of equipment. I budget, and am saving, though not as much as I want to. And I only feel sorry for myself every once in a while. It helps to have a regular income, where so many other people don't. Makes me glad that I can afford to do so much more than so many people I know. I share the love when I can, and frequently end up out of pocket after nights out, but I don't mind. I have the luxury of being able to have the attitude that sure, it's only money - there'll be more next month.
But a brief review of the year shows I've managed to cover a lot of ground. A messy start in Cork, a wet weekend in Donegal, and the wedding of two of my best friends (and my first role as a groomsman!). The Fastnacht carnival festival in Mainz, a brief weekend in Clare, another wedding in June, a long weekend in Berlin. A muddy Oxegen, London, two wet weekends in Kerry - one camping in Caherciveen, the other an abortive attempt to climb Carrauntuohill. A weekend in Emilia Romagna, Halloween in Galway, a conference in Kilkenny, and a weekend in Kilkenny with five Donegal girls. And lastly a trip to Cardiff, another wet weekend.
A few great gigs - Leonard Cohen stands out as a fond memory. Muse were spectacularly showcased in the O2, and Fleet Foxes at Vicar Street were sublime. Oxegen included Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Doves, NIN, Regina Spektor, the Specials, Fight Like Apes, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Ocean Colour Scene, Katy Perry, and Blur, the soundtrack to my youth.
Finally joined the IFI, so managed to catch a good few quality films. Gran Torino, Let the Right One in, Antichrist, Fermat's Room, Mesrine, Broken Embraces, the Good, the Bad, the Weird, Frost/Nixon, Away we go, Trick 'r Treat, The Girlfriend Experience - all great films.
And next year? What does it hold? Hopes and dreams, ambitions and desires...
1. Start a photo 365 project
I've had my D40X for about six months now, and know SFA about how to work it. Shutter speed, ISO levels... I know what they are, but not how to set them. This will also eventually necessitate purchase of a VR AF lens, probably 55-200mm, which is needed really.
2. Start German lessons.
I have a modest level of German, but I'm rusty as hell. If I can find a quick-moving course starting simple, but ramping up quickly, that'd be perfect.
3. Start swimming lessons
Something I've wanted to do for a while. Much as I love swimming in the sea, I'm just not a strong swimmer. If I want to start kayaking later in the year, I'll need at least confidence in the water.
4. Save €9,000
I think that's an achievable amount for a year. €740 a month. That's about what I get paid for a shift of out of hours support, so if I get one of those a quarter, I'll be happy. With what I have saved already, I'll have about what I want to head off in 2011, and a few months at the start of that year to get a nice margin in case of emergency... or just in case I don't want to come home. :P
5. Join a cycling club.
Something I don't think I need to make a resolution, but it'll be an incentive to get it done sooner rather than later.
Goals for the year:
1. Cycle the Wicklow 200 (though it might only be the 100 if the lads in work have their way).
2. Walk the Wicklow Way (132km).
3. Climb Carrantuohill, preferably at night.
4. Climb Croagh Patick, preferably on Reek SUnday.
5. Visit Northern Ireland.
6. Do a Christmas Day or New Year's Day swim next winter.
7. Take up kayaking.
8. Do a short presentation at the the company conference.
9. Pass my driving test.
Now, there's nothing in there I'm not capable of, so bring on 2010! ...I just need to figure out where to spend New Year's Eve! o/
