Another year with lots of variety but no real change from previous years - not a complaint, just an observation. I guess that if you don't make new things happen, then why would they happen? Having said that, I have enjoyed going through my diary and seeing what went on.

Folk

Afroditi, Bec, Cathy, Charlotte, Chris, Deanne, Edwin, Ern, Francine, Frank, Georgie, Georgie, Georgina, Heather, Helen, Jackie, Jo, Julie, Kam, Karen, Karin, Kelly, Kylie, Linda, Lisa, Loraine, Loretta, Lynne, Mara, Marque, Matt, Murat, Nikki, Ruth, Sally, Sarah, Sharon, Sharon, Steph, Terri, Tommy, Tonia, Trudi, Vika, Yvette

When I look at the names of friends that are in my dairy as planned catch-ups from the year, it is an impressive list that warms me to read - each and every person adds to me and my world and the times spent have been interesting.

Music

As ever, I have been to some fine gigs and though money is tighter than it has been and I therefore have had to pick more carefully and not gone to gigs that I would usually have gone to. But I still feel that I have chosen wisely.

International gigs

• Lynyrd Skynyrd: I re-lived my late teens with my first ever experience of seeing this band live. It brought back some interesting memories and made me cringe a bit when I thought back at how I 'danced' to Freebird when I was in my late teens. It was a good gig and I'm pleased that I took a punt on it.
• Kid Creole: This was my first time sseing this band and I was a bit unsure as to whether it would be worth it. Well, it was. Very talented and a solid show with all the hits. Happy days.
• Glenn Tilbrook: I was a huge Squeeze fan, but only saw them live once. Glenn was the lead singer and writer of most of the music (Chris Difford was the lyricist). I've seen Gleen live a few times and it is always a good experience - other than the songs and his voice, his guitar skills are tremendous. I saw him twice this year and both shows were superb.
• Eddi Reader: One of my all time favourites. I've mnetioned before how special she is and how moving I find her shows. I saw her twice this year and both gigs lived up to my expectations - fantastic.

Local gigs

• Dan Sultan: just one of his gigs this year, but what a show it was. He still hasn't become the star that he surely will.
• Archie Roach: only one of Archie's shows this year - but it was worth it - not only the greatness of the music, but he was also very chatty - a bonus.
• Chris Wilson: I attended two of his shows and he still continues to lead the way in terms of great blues gigs - so much energy, enjoyment and talent. He's been a favouite throughout my years in Australia.
• Geoff Achison: one gig of his this year - that seems to be my average for him nowadays. He remains the most talented guitarist I have ever seen.
• Vika and Linda: two gigs this week and both were a delight. One was the recording of a tv show for Channel 31 and the other a fine, fine gig.
• Casey Donovan: a rare Melbourne visit from Sydney based Casey. Her voice is so good and her versions of songs are always so personal and her own songs are delivered with such force and honesty - a special performer.

Australian acts

• John Butler: he is a tremendous talent and I've got to see him 4 times now - he doesn't visit as often as he used to.
• CW Stoneking: I used to see him all the time but nowadays his visits are rare as he is based in Europe. He put on a great show, but I would like to have seen him with a band.
• The Waifs: I am always staggered at how good this band is - I adore them. Not only did I see them twice, but the sisters (Donna and Vicki) toured as The Stray Sisters, so I got to that one too.

Shows with a musical edge

• The Marvin Gaye Story: a stage show about the life and times of Marvin. It was interesting to hear his story - I learned a bit. And the actor who played Marvin was very good - hard to be compared to Marvin and he diden't match him, but he was good. The bonus for me was that Vika joined the show and performed a couple of songs.
• Peter Greste show: this was a benefit gig for the Australian journalist Peter Gresta who is in prison in Egypt for being a journalist who wanted to tell the world what was going on. It was a night where lots of local acts performed as an act of solidarity and his brother was there to record a bit and let him know about the support.
• Bob Dylans birthday gig: lots of local talent performing Bob songs - some fantastic stuff came out that night and in many ways it was better hearing others do his songs as most versions that he now does are awful.

Holidays

Just the one holiday this year when Carolyn and I headed overseas primarily for my nephew Daniel's wedding in Bournemouth.

We started with a stay in London prior to driving across the Cotswolds to Cheltenham and then down via a few lovely places to Bournemouth. A few days there with family and then wedding and then we headed back across the Cotswolds to Oxford and then we went to Barcelona for a week and a few days in Singapore and then home.

Daniel and Aimee's wedding was lovely - a beautiful day on the beach in Bournemouth and all the planning that was done led to a different day with lots of nice touches. I am sure that they are going to have a fantastic life together.

Whilst in the UK we saw Blenheim Palace, Stonehenge, the house where Downton Abbey is set, Jane Austin's house, some lovely villages and just lots of English things. Other than our time in Bournemouth, we stayed in some lovely places.

It was our first time in Barcelona and it was a wonderful visit - so many lovely places and interesting architecture, friendly folk and nice food.

And then Singapore - not much to say other than I never want to be that hot again.

To read more, then here are the holiday details.

Work

Not much to say here.

Events/Shows

Some interesting things this year including:

• Georgie & Kyle's wedding. It was a lovely personal and sharing event - it is great to see Georgie so happy. The wedding was local to them i.e. in Fitzroy and was just a day where they wanted everyone to join in and participate in their union. Lovely stuff.
• Steph's art show: I have seen Steph evolve into a successful artist. For the last couple of years she has put together a show each year showing the work of a number of artists - always interesting even though I know nothing about art.
• Healesville Sanctuary: one on my own to hold a wombat and one when Carolyn and I went to interact with a platypus - something very different.
• Ballarat Zoo: a day trip to go and interact with a couple of koalas - something to do on my day off.
• Footy: Most of my sporting viewing is on TV, but being a Hawthorn member, I went to see 4 games live; Hawks: beat St Kilda 145 points, lost to North Melbourne by 20 points, beat Geelong by 23 points and beat Port Adelaide by 3 points. It was another fine year for the Hawks as, against the odds, they won the Premiership for the second year in a row.
• Colour Run: where neither of us ran and I avoided colour - but it was a good thing to do - it followed the Grand Prix course and thousands attended.
• Books - top 3 read: Charlotte Street by Danny Wallace, Jeeves and the Wedding Bells by Sebastian Faulks and The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North
• Books - top 3 listened to: Back Story by David Mitchell, Bonkers by Jennifer Saunders and Becoming Johnny Vegas

Volunteer Days

Through work, we get the opportunity to do volunteer days where we can go and help those that need help. I did three during 2014;

• Lost Dog's Home: the chance to volunteer there was great. The morning was spent stuffing envelopes and then in the afternoon, I got to walk 4 different dogs - which I enjoy. It's a great organisation and I appreciate what they do.
• The Long Walk: an annual indigenous event that starts with a walk, followed by a concert and ending with a walk to the MCG for the Essendon v Richmond AFL game. I got to meet Michael Long, Dan Sultan and Casey Donovan, so I was damn happy with that
• Fitted for Work: a charity that helps women who are trying to get (back) into the workforce. They collect clothes for them and also offer guidance and mentorship and support with interview techniques, CV building, Cover Letter writing etc. As my clothes are all too old and male, I just acted as a mentor

Projects

As ever, I like to have Projects on the go.

I finished my photo diary - I just got bored with it.

I continue to fine people, but less often.

I enjoyed doing my 100 Days of Happiness project and enjoyed the interaction that it generated.

A temporary project was called Photo Bumming where a number of photos were taken that contained bums in them - it started when Carolyn and I encountered so much art with bums showing. I may revisit this one.

I am currently doing a Word project that I am enjoying, though it isn't generating too much reaction from others - but enough to keep it interesting. I just put out some words (quotes, lyrics, from books, speeches, films etc) with an accompanying photo.

My blog hasn't got much of a look in, though I did start the year with good intentions.

I attempted a photo project that depended on 15 friends taking photographs on particular subjects using disposable cameras. Unfortunately, only one friend came through with the task and therefore that was that.

I haven't decided what comes next.

Lifestyle

Another year of working 4 (ten hour) days each week - I've been working this way for a few years now and it really suits me. I adore my day off each week - originally I had the Tuesday off but for the last 3 years, it has been the Thursday and that suits me very well. Knowing that day is there, I can plan to do things on it that allows me not having to be doing things at the same time as everyone else - that is a greater pleasure than you may imagine. It gives me freedom to make time for other people too - so much time at my disposal. And doing all my work hours in four days prevents too much stress from building up.

I still like to spend my time catching up with friends, one on one - without distractions, the quality of the conversation is higher and conversations can deviate and choose their own directions.

As always, I plan to do a bit more exercise and eat a little less as my continued goal is to lose weight - I feel the urge so greatly yet I do so little about it - it isn't difficult, but I have so little self-control.

I am also thinking about reducing my possessions this year - I have categorised my 1370 CDs and now I will send them. Once that is done, I will unload my DVDs too - then that will be three large bookcases that I can get rid of - I'll feel good when that task is accomplished.

I am not sure what else I will be introducing or removing from my world, but I'll see where things lead me - that is always my way - see what occurs when it occurs - I don't tend to plan too much in advance.

So hello 2015 ... pleased to meet you. What would you like to do now?