It's been a steady start to the year - I haven't been doing as much as usual in terms of going to events, but I have spent a lot of time with friends and being with good people is my greatest pleasure.

I started a new project which is where I have been taking photos of people's right eyes - just because I can. It is quite a good one, I think, but not going to last too long - I will probably end it while I am away in April.

I have a couple of other projects lined up - but news of those when the time is right.

Looking at the name of people that I've caught up reads like this:
Afroditi, Charlotte, Deanne, Ern, Francine, Georgie RS, Georgie S, Jackie, Jo, Karin, Loraine, Lynne, Mara, Matt, Ruth, Sarah, Sharon, Steph, Terri, Tommy, Trudi and Yvette.

Events that I've been to have been:

In Bob We Trust
My second viewing of the doco about Father Bob. This time it was at the George Cinema the week before it was being closed down so that apartments could be built - sad. Father Bob was there and was entertaining and also quite moving when talking about street kids that he used to help - there was an old doco that they showed about them. It really is a fascinating insight into the way he works and also the agenda of the church that seemed to have nothing to do with the people and all about power - Father Bob was a victim of that.

Lynyrd Skynyrd
When I saw that these boys were heading over, it just seemed like I had to see them - I never have before. In my late teens I was exposed to their stuff - I remember a few Saturday nights at Leicester Polytechnic discos where I'd end the night playing air guitar to their 10 minute special, Freebird. I still enjoy hearing that track every now and then - 35 years later.
It was an interesting crown doo - lots of old rockers - old men with beards and tattoos and faded band tshirts. Women who are still dressing like they were 20 years younger. But with all that said, there was a lot of pleasure in the room - a happy evening for sad old bastards like myself.

Kid Creole and the Coconuts
Another blast from the past - this time from the 80s. It was another act I wanted to see through nostalgia and they were better than I thought they would be. They did all the songs that I wanted to hear with their two biggest being the last two; 'Stool Pigeon' and 'Annie I'm Not Your Daddy' - containing one of my favourite lines; "If I was in your blood, then you wouldn't be so ugly" - love it. This was another event where the audience were there to relive old times and once again, it was a room full of happy people who weren't disappointed - they did all that we could have asked for.

Georgie and Kyle's wedding
I have known Georgie for about 10 years - we met as we were often at the same gigs together - I particularly remember quite a few Chris Wilson gigs that we shared. When I was doing the website for the Rainbow Hotel, I introduced Georgie to the owner, Chick, and they became great mates and Georgie worked there for quite a while - a very happy time in her world. We have been to lots of stuff together and we used to catch up for dinner quite often - not so much over the last year. She is an installation artist and has put on shows here and in New York. Last year, whilst Carolyn and I were in New York, Georgie was over there showing Kyle the delights on offer. We caught up with them for brunch one day and then saw on Facebook later that day that they had got engaged.
The wedding was held at the Grub Cafe in Fitzroy. It was a lovely sharing event where all the guest were part of their day - it was great to be there and they really make a great couple - there is little doubt that this is going to be a happy union - it's great to see.

Steph's art show
This was the second year where Steph has organised an art show at the Tacit Gallery in Abbotsford. Steph has some of her own stuff as well as a piece from her mate Zoe who I finally got to meet and also her friend Freya Jobbins from Sydney whose stuff I really like - I like her sculptures mainly. Steph and I have been mates for a few years now and has been great to see her develop into a fulltime artist - she is already getting a really good reputation and her stuff sells well. So putting a show together enhances her reputation further - good to see.