teadog1425

Well, one of my aims for 2009 is to start posting on this LJ again...  I had got into the habit of using it only for allowing me to make comments on other blogs, but during the last part of 2008, I have found myself wanting to post again, so new year, new start...

Looking back, a lot has happened over 2008 -

• an office relocation at work;
• a personal relocation at home - moving into a new flatshare;
• having my eyes opened to completely new skills - attending two MW courses during the second half of the year, which made a huge difference to my riding;
• starting to horse-share and finding my current share, with an Icelandic horse who is a) a lovely, responsive, polite gelding, b) really fun to ride and c) almost bomb-proof;
• starting a new WIP and getting up to 50k by the end of the year - the original plan was to finish it by Sept, but was hopelessly unrealistic.
• making some new friends and keeping some old ones

Most of the year has felt like being on a rollercoaster - whenever I found some kind of solid ground, the whole thing shifted again, and it has felt more like keeping going under blitz conditions than achievement exactly...  But looking back at that list, I am actually surprised by what I've managed to achieve, and feel hopeful for 2009.

So aims for 2009:

• Attend some more MW courses - I've now found a RWYM instructor locally, so have started having lessons with her too, but the courses are invaluable - and a lot of fun!
• Complete the WIP and start sending out.  I did a bit of calculating and worked out, that I need to be writing at least 2,500 words a week in order to get the first draft done in time for rewrites etc, so that is another aim.
• Take another look at both work and living conditions - in that, I know that neither are actually where I want to be at the moment, and I keep putting off the process of trying to work out what would be more right.
• Be healthier - two bouts of flu and a heavy cold, just in the last few months - which is not fun or productive.
• Start dating again.
• Try to build the foundations for being able to have a dog of my own, probably not this year, but as soon as possible - which leads back to #3 above...

Well, I think that's enough to be going on with...

Hello LJ - did you miss me?  ;-)