Things that make me happy: the thought of a sunny day tomorrow, talking to Sam, catching up on Doctor Who series 4.

Things that make me sad: that Londoners have seen fit to vote in BORIS JOHNSON as our new mayor...

I am immersing myself in music, lying in bed at 2am thinking I ought to be sleeping but would rather pour Afro Celt Sound System, amongst other stuff (The Cat Empire, Gogol Bordello etc), into my ears. Plus unfortunately I feel full of energy, though I do have to work tomorrow so ought to take advantage of it being night and actually sleep for a bit.

I enjoyed the snow earlier, went out into the garden with my camera and took a few photographs, seemingly like everyone else. I've noticed lately that my photography has been a bit slack; I've been taking my usual over excessive amount but they've mostly been shitty 'oh let's put this on Facebook' drunken ones, which is a bit shaming as I would like my photographs to at least be some way decent. So, going to make sure I make a bit more effort, plus I really want to go to some photography exhibitions and get some new ideas and learn more about different photographers and techniques.

I'm very content at the moment, I have been these past few months but in the last couple of weeks a few things have happened to make me realise how lucky I am and that my life is entirely in my own hands, and whatever I want to do with it. I have amazing friends, plenty of opportunities and am feeling healthy in every way. I'm totally loved up, which is a funny feeling as I've not felt like that in a long long while, if ever to this extent. Being with Sam makes me calmly happy, and it shows.
I have some ideas for what I want to do with my year and in general I just need to make sure I do it and do all the things I want and intend to do. I am detirmined to spend a few months down in Cornwall over the summer, enjoy time with Sam and play in the sea, and then am considering moving to somewhere like Bristol or Bath, if I can afford it, and find library work there, if I decide to continue down that route. Shall see. I know the one thing I am passionate about is getting into heritage/conservation work, but I worry about the lack of money in it. I'll work it out though. Of course, I may just end up staying in Cornwall but I am not leaping to that conclusion before it happens.

This song is so good.

I'm lying in bed listening to the sounds of the radio reverberating up through the floor from the kitchen below, thinking it's 1am and I ought to be sleeping as tomorrow we have a family party, my granmother's birthday and a big family gathering. I'm looking forward to it. I don't see my family a huge amount but they're all very nice, warm and fun people, and I'll get to see several of my cousins, so it'll be enjoyable.

I've been feeling a little unsure the past couple of weeks, in regards to the ongoing search for a job and what the future holds, and whether I should stay in London for the summer or go and spend a few months down in Cornwall, but I realised as I sat on the train to Chichester today, looking at the simple but lovely English landscape, that I can really only be thankful for how things are.
I've been financially stable enough to indulge myself and do my favourite things, it's always good and healthy to have plenty of things to look forward to and I feel spoilt for choice with my current list. I went down to Chichester today to spend a few hours with Celia, which was delightful as ever. We went for a walk down to a copse nearby, where there was a pond full of frogs mating. I'd never seen this before, or known that they frequently end up in a ball of several frogs at once! I was fascinated. Also have decided to spend Easter weekend up in Edinburgh, which is so exciting. Sara's not been to Edinburgh before so it'll be fun introducing her to different places, and seeing Celia's lovely flat, and being in Scotland, etc.

I went to Brighton on Thursday, it was entirely unplanned, just a spontaneous decision after failing to get to what I'd intended to do with the day, I thought, where do I want to be right now? And suddenly was overcome with both the desire to be in solitude and beside the sea. So I went to Victoria, got on the train and as soon as I stepped off it in Brighton I felt so calm and happy. I don't know if it's partly to do with the fact that some of the best days I had last year were spent there, but I'm very fond of Brighton. As such, I am going to be spending my birthday weekend there in a fortnight with Sam, Sara, Suze & James, Maff and hopefully Liz.

Hmmf, I really am not sure about this online journal malarkey. This type of stuff surely belongs in my personal journal. I am very content and steady at present, but there's really only so much you need to publiscise this fact! Still, I thought about what you said, Michelle, and as I walked along the beach on Thursday (for three and a half hours, it was an overcast, damp day so I was covered in drizzle and had aching feet by the end of it, it was great) I 'wrote' it out in my head, describing it all. I'll see if I can extract it from my brain at some point over the next couple of days...

Another day of finding jobs and looking through the list of possible employments online, both in London and Cornwall. The months ahead are still open, apart from a few scattered dates where I'm going to a gig or a wedding. I've begun to apply to work outside of the library criteria, jobs involving animal care and conservation too. I'd like to keep it varied.

It feels somewhat strange keeping an online journal again, with no fandom related stuff to focus on. I feel if anyone online wants to know about my life, either they'll talk to me on MSN, or Facebook, or similar. Still, I shall continue to note down my life at present.

I like having a lot of things to look forward to, and this year has so far been pretty rich with that kind of thing - putting aside the amount of time I've spent down in Cornwall, I've been to Swindon to see Liz and Michelle which I thoroughly enjoyed, and have just spent this past weekend in Manchester with Ellie and Suze for a whirlwind catch-up with everyone, which happily encompassed all who I care for in Manchester except Ange who was away in Leeds. Hello to Sef's friends that I met at ARa! It was good to see you hun. I seem to also have a sore throat at the moment, though I feel they cannot be linked.

And wow, suddenly everyone up North is talking about how there's just been an earthquake!

Right, not that I'm terribly invested in my LJ, but looking through my info it's beginning to resemble some relic from the past, so I'm going to sort it out! I know this is really of little fascination, but never mind. Such is the indulgence of being currently unemployed ;*)

Is it just me, or is this year looking to be pretty damn great for a lot of people?

Not saying it's all perfect. Just happiness or the potential for it seems to be in the air.

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Hmm...Climbed. Made some definite decisions!

2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
A few; moved back to London, am happy, got out of my overdraft, kept a hold on who I am, enjoyed great friendships, enjoyed the sea, travelled around Britain and decided on a career. I still can't swim though! I know what I hope for from the next year, won't bother with resolutions.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
A new cousin was born in November, Fergus. He's gorgeous.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
Only Scotland!

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
A definite career. I'm getting there.

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Actually, no dates especially jump out. Definitely some good days, but no particular date.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Recovering who I am, gaining a sense of true purpose and happiness.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being honest enough with myself to admit when I wasn't happy.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Train tickets :*)

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Pretty much every single one of my friends, for their unceasing love and support over the summer. Friends at work, Sara, Liz, Crick, Ellie and Kenny, Daniel, Sef, Sam, Lou etc deserve particular mention for being both encouraging and wise, and kicking me up the arse when needed. Suze for her unwavering support for almost every single damn day since she came back.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The answer to this question is too obvious to mention.

14. Where did most of your money go?
First half of the year - non-fun stuff, for the most part. Second half - good things, like train tickets and drinks with friends.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Standing by the sea :*P Trips to Brighton.

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
A very random mix of stuff. To name a few:
Eve6 - here's to the night
Incubus - love hurts
Ani Difranco - shameless
aim - cold water music
Groove Armada - song 4 mutya
The Dresden Dolls - delilah
V.A.S.T - touched
Plenty of tracks by Dave Matthews Band and Shpongle, as well as unfortunately loads of rubbish indie crap I inevitably heard on the radio!

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
More fat or thin: thinner, I think, or about the same
More rich or poor: a lot more financially stable, thank goodness
More happy or sad: much happier

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Learning to do all those damn things I keep meaning to!

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating. :*D I'd say wasting time on things that aren't worth it, but then I believe you live and learn, so ultimately nearly everything is worth it.

20. How will you be spending NYE?
In Cornwall with Sam is all I know.

22. Did you fall in love in 2007?
With life again!

23. How many one-night stands?
One. Meh.

24. What was your favourite TV programme?
Nothing particularly.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No, it's too easy to hold grudges. I have the people I want in my life. That's good enough.

26. What was the best book you read?
Ooh far too difficult to answer!

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ani DiFranco, various random electronic/dance things.

28. What did you want and get?
Trips to Cornwall and briefly Scotland, good times with various friends, one particular bloke.

29. What did you want and not get?
A bit of respect from people I would have appreciated it from.

30. What was your favourite film of this year?
I haven't been to the cinema much but Pan's Labyrinth wins best film for me.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
23, and to celebrate had a great night out with good friends. Cocktails and dancing at Jillys!

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
For the second half to have started a lot sooner!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Mixed.

34. What kept you sane?
Good friends, good music, photographs.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Hmm, not any really anymore. Dominic Monaghan still, if I had to choose.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Global warming, without a doubt.

37. Who did you miss?
Most people at certain points.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
My friends at work - but also re-kindling everything with Sam.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Be honest with yourself and trust your instincts on what is right for you. Don't apologise for being the way you are!

I would never want to be like you, and I would never do those things you do.

because you're mine, I walk the line

England is covered in a sparkly veneer of frost at the moment. It's very cold but I don't mind as I'm somewhat taken with how very pretty everywhere looks, even the centre of Manchester.

I think I am in agreement with Miss Ellie J in regards to LJ, as in, I also don't really post much or really know what to say. I have plenty of thoughts and observations on a daily basis but they seem out of place here. I feel LJ was the massive part of my LotR fandom days, and I think in a way if I am to continue keeping an online blog, I'd like to start a new one. Possibly a new LJ, but just another one.

Though on the subject of LotR, Ryan and I just watched the end of RotK and I cried as usual as the ship sailed to the Grey Havens. I can't imagine watching it and *not* still feeling sad. Oh beloved Lord of the Rings.

We spent the weekend in Somerset, and it was lovely. I felt so peaceful the whole time we were there.

Love, thoughts, sadness, joy...etc. Take care all.