I don’t think I could say 2008 passed without much hoo-har. Consider my year as full of hoo-har. I had hoo-har coming out my hee-hoo. Literally, occasionally.
Moving out was probably major change number one. I’ve been out on my own for about 8 months now, and still loving it. I was surprised how quickly it became home, how quickly I knew every inch of it as my space. I guess the whole painting endeavour helped in that department. Amy and I climbed up into every corner and down into every crevice. I’ve even seen the thick black dust on top of those kitchen cupboards (hopefully for the last time).
While I started the year expecting to do a Diploma of Education (well, awaiting my confirmation of approval from the department of education), a few months later I took a full time job where I was working casual. The full time position had me staying in the team I had been in for several months. Soon after a new team leader took over and realised how achingly bored I was getting (though I did get to listen to several CDs a day on my iPod), and gave me some other work to do. It all leads to my new position, which I’ve been told by my team leader and manager is to be formalised this month. This should mean a pay increase. Even without the extra pay over the past few months, I’ve been very appreciative of the different work I’ve been doing. If I was asked to go back to my original team full-time, I think I’d definitely consider resignation.
This year was busy in terms of theatre also. I had the fantastic joy of playing Leo Bloom in The Producers which was an exhilarating experience I’ll long remember. I also played in the orchestra for productions of South Pacific, HMS Pinafore and Blood Brothers, and musically directed Nuncrackers just a month or two ago. 2009 is looking to be a slower year for me, but I’m going to enjoy that after a non-stop year (or three). 2009 actually marks 10 years of being involved in theatre (my first show, MacBeth, was on in March 1999) and after trawling through my box of memorabilia, I’m going to make a photobook of my first 10 years of shows.
My steady and somewhat assured income inspired a new level to my spend-addiction. First and foremost was my beautiful new piano which, despite a 2 month birthing session, I am entirely pleased with and do not regret a single cent spent on it. It’s still a sheer joy to play every time I sit at it. And to think, before this all I had in my apartment was a decade old digital piano, not even full size, with a broken sustain pedal and a stand that looked like it was about to blow out at any second.
After the piano I worked on setting up my own little cinema experience at home. I’ve now got a projector with an amazing picture, paired with 5.1. Well, actually, it’s still just “5″. I’m working on the “.1″. I sourced all my speakers from a nearby op-shop. I was even able to buy 4 of them while they were having a half-price sale, so I spent no more than $15 per pair of speakers. It’s been fun watching movies on the big wall. I’ve watched everything from Speed to Mrs. Santa Claus on it. PS: If you have any interest in American politics and/or Watergate make sure you get to see Frost/Nixon.
Christmas came and went, and it wasn’t until Christmas night at around 7pm when I got home from the family get together and went for a walk around the harbour that I realised I had in fact failed at Christmas this year. I thought I was doing quite well in the lead up. I put metal Santa and fake snow out for display on my desk at work. I partook in the buying of presents. Somehow the spirit evaded me. Considering myself tragically lame if I was to head to bed before 9pm on Christmas day, I made a few enquiries and ended up heading over to a friend’s place for a 1950s Science Fiction movie marathon. Like the end of a good telemovie, it made me realise that I should have been focussing on friends and family all along.
Oh well, there’s always next year.
PS: I’m now a lolly person. When did this happen?
Well Tyson, you certainly did a lot in 2008 – the moving out of home and setting up on your own was the biggest change in your life and it seems to have made you happy (although the new piano has probably helped there).
I hope that this year is as successful for you as last year was.