A review of 2009 and resolutions for 2010!
So on paper 2009 should have been a terrible year. My dad was diagnosed with arrhythmia and lung problems, my mum discovered she has diabetes, my cat Felix died of feline AIDs and cancer of the lymph glands, I found out I have polycystic ovaries and at the end of 2008 my depression had come back full force. And yet it’s been the best year I can ever remember having.
Whenever someone talked about how a band changed their life I was always pretty sceptical. But that all changed in April (8th). I’ve only talked one about seeing The Enemy and then I didn’t really make any sense. Even now I find it so difficult to articulate why they affected me so much, even in my own thoughts. It’s not just that I related to the lyrics, it’s something else, extra about hearing them live. It had such a profound effect on me, who I am, and where and what I want to do with my life. I have basically turned myself around, got over my depression, and dealt with my sexuality and my autism all because of The Enemy and that gig. On June 6th I got my tattoo. In the months between then and The Enemy gig a lot of shit happened in my head, a few years ago I nearly beat my depression but it all fell apart and I ended up where I’d started from. I couldn’t let myself pull it apart again. So I got my tattoo of lyrics from The Enemy’s We’ll Live And Die In These Towns because I felt like I needed the reminder, that I couldn’t let shit get to me in the same way it used to. Even now I’m getting so emotional talking about it.
And the most fucking brilliant sporting year. JENSON FUCKING BUTTON. The most bloody fantastic F1 season for me since Mika Hakkinen won his double championship. Not only that but Jenson winning the Australian GP paid for me to see The Enemy so I should probably thank him for that.
Then there was the British Touring Car Championship and its champion Colin Turkington. It was such a great season, so closely fought and going to the last round of the championship was incredible. Nothing else as even come close atmosphere wise, I was happy and excited that nothing could have brought me down.
Music and photography! The two go hand in hand for me now, although I’m at the point where I don’t need my camera as a safety net. Apart from The Enemy seeing the Horrors twice was the highlight. They’re so intense live, Faris has so much stage presence. In October I saw Noah and the Whale again, one day I should thank them for being the band that kick started my photography. October was also Show of Hands, as the band that got me into traditional/folk music that was a big deal for me emotionally. Sleeping States in August got me in touch with a whole load of local bands who are looking for a photographer. Bellowhead in February blew me away, and did well for me photographically. They’re the band I associate most with Brighton because I listened to them the first time I ever went there, so they’re very important to me. All in all 2009 was fucking marvellous musically.
In April (14th) I won Digital Image of the Year at my camera club. It was my first year and I couldn’t believe it (I still have the trophy!) I had five prints in the Summer Exhibition which has helped me get in touch with some local galleries, and I can only cross my fingers and hope something comes of that.
Last night was pretty hilarious I got so completely smashed that when I bent down to play with my cat I couldn’t get back up and had to crawl up the stairs because standing was clearly a no go. But I did wake up at 7 this morning with no hangover, so something clearly went well.
I have New Year’s resolutions before I go.
1) Pass driving test! Preferably first time!
2) Sell a photograph to someone who isn’t a family member! (This one is least likely)
3) Photography The Young Veins, if they tour in the UK
4) See The Enemy live again
I hope you all had a great night. HAPPY 2010 EVERYONE! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Whenever someone talked about how a band changed their life I was always pretty sceptical. But that all changed in April (8th). I’ve only talked one about seeing The Enemy and then I didn’t really make any sense. Even now I find it so difficult to articulate why they affected me so much, even in my own thoughts. It’s not just that I related to the lyrics, it’s something else, extra about hearing them live. It had such a profound effect on me, who I am, and where and what I want to do with my life. I have basically turned myself around, got over my depression, and dealt with my sexuality and my autism all because of The Enemy and that gig. On June 6th I got my tattoo. In the months between then and The Enemy gig a lot of shit happened in my head, a few years ago I nearly beat my depression but it all fell apart and I ended up where I’d started from. I couldn’t let myself pull it apart again. So I got my tattoo of lyrics from The Enemy’s We’ll Live And Die In These Towns because I felt like I needed the reminder, that I couldn’t let shit get to me in the same way it used to. Even now I’m getting so emotional talking about it.
And the most fucking brilliant sporting year. JENSON FUCKING BUTTON. The most bloody fantastic F1 season for me since Mika Hakkinen won his double championship. Not only that but Jenson winning the Australian GP paid for me to see The Enemy so I should probably thank him for that.
Then there was the British Touring Car Championship and its champion Colin Turkington. It was such a great season, so closely fought and going to the last round of the championship was incredible. Nothing else as even come close atmosphere wise, I was happy and excited that nothing could have brought me down.
Music and photography! The two go hand in hand for me now, although I’m at the point where I don’t need my camera as a safety net. Apart from The Enemy seeing the Horrors twice was the highlight. They’re so intense live, Faris has so much stage presence. In October I saw Noah and the Whale again, one day I should thank them for being the band that kick started my photography. October was also Show of Hands, as the band that got me into traditional/folk music that was a big deal for me emotionally. Sleeping States in August got me in touch with a whole load of local bands who are looking for a photographer. Bellowhead in February blew me away, and did well for me photographically. They’re the band I associate most with Brighton because I listened to them the first time I ever went there, so they’re very important to me. All in all 2009 was fucking marvellous musically.
In April (14th) I won Digital Image of the Year at my camera club. It was my first year and I couldn’t believe it (I still have the trophy!) I had five prints in the Summer Exhibition which has helped me get in touch with some local galleries, and I can only cross my fingers and hope something comes of that.
Last night was pretty hilarious I got so completely smashed that when I bent down to play with my cat I couldn’t get back up and had to crawl up the stairs because standing was clearly a no go. But I did wake up at 7 this morning with no hangover, so something clearly went well.
I have New Year’s resolutions before I go.
1) Pass driving test! Preferably first time!
2) Sell a photograph to someone who isn’t a family member! (This one is least likely)
3) Photography The Young Veins, if they tour in the UK
4) See The Enemy live again
I hope you all had a great night. HAPPY 2010 EVERYONE! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥