Happy New Year.

I hope your 2008 is all you want it to be. For me it is going to involve a lot of changes. Changes I both want and need to make. Whatever you decide to do … do it to the best of your ability.

I’d like to take a minute to thank a few people for a few things.

Mum and David for providing a roof over my head and food in my stomach without asking for a cent in return.

Matthew for loving me just as mch as when his mother and I were together.

My family and friends for encouraging me to follow my photographic dreams.

Those who have trusted my abilities enough to have paid me to take photos of and for them.

I thnak the readers of my blog (and there are a LOT of you) for inspiring me to put my thoughts to paper so to speak.

Lastly but by no means Lucy for being who you are and for loving who I am although I know at times it goes against your wishes. You have made me a better man in the short time I have known you and I have never been happier. Your smile warms the heart and advice soothes the often turbulent paths of my life. Because of you I am striving to be a better person in 2008 and beyond. Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to Matthew. He loves being around you and talks about you and Jake whenever you are not around. Thank you for feeding me and all the healthy eating and living advice. I assure you I am listening.

Have a great New Years Eve and make sure what ever you do you get home safley so we can all begin 2008 together.

I look forward to catching up with as many of you as I can as soon as possible.

Richard

135/365 – Christmas Day

Originally uploaded by RXAphotos

I awoke on Christmas morning and woke up Lucy to inform her that Santa had been and left us stockings. After prying both her eyes open we took a look at what the big jolly guy had left us.

I then drove to Matthew’s to watch him open his stocking and presents from his Mother and I (we decided after our separation that his Birthday and Xmas presents would still be from the both of us to avoid an air of competition).

Next it was back to Lucy’s to open the presents under the tree. My gifts from the lovely lady included a gorillapod and the Muppet show season 2 DVD.

After opening Jake’s stocking (he got a new collar and tag and lots of doggy treats) we took him for his morning walk.

It was then off to Mornington for a great day out with Lucy’s family.

Eventually we returned home and after walking Jake we crashed on the couch and watched about six episodes of the Muppets.

A most enjoyable Christmas.

Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog. It makes it easier to write when I know there are people reading it.

I’m spending the day with Lucy and her family tomorrow … Wednesday it’s her turn to visit my family.

Then I have Matthew for four days which I am really looking forward to.

See my business blog for a sneak peek.

Up early tomorrow with Matthew to go for a walk on the beach with Lucy and Jake.

* YAWN *

Forty two years ago he and his family (mother, father, brother and three goats) set sail from England to Australia.

I for one am glad you made the journey.

“Why does David always have to look at hot helpers … it really freaks them out!”

Referring to our “pretend instrument orchestra” – “Daddy is going to play the Hobo”

• Borders gift voucher (there’s a couple of books I would like to get)
• JB Hi-fi gift voucher
• Officeworks voucher
• Ted’s camera gift voucher
• Comb binding machine
• Guillotine (at least A4 size)

That’s all that comes to mind except for the hideously expensive stuff which no-one I know can afford or would ever spend on me anyway.

Matthew and I went to see Lucy and Jake. We went to the beach for a walk and grabbed some breakfast at the Chelsea beach kiosk (once we found it). After this we went to the Christmas Kingdom to augment Lucy’s Christmas decorations.

After having our photo taken with Santa, we piled back in the car and went to put up the Christmas tree. All three us us helping in our special way. Matthew entertained Jake, Lucy put up the decorations and I took photos of them both.

After taking Matthew back to his mother, Lucy and I went and did some clothes shopping (for me) and stocking up of the cupboard (Lucy) before heading home and doing very little on the hammock.

After taking Jake for his afternoon walk we were picked up by friends and taken to a great little cocktail party (an annual event). The drinks were varied and plentiful … this was both a good thing and a bad thing.

Luckily I knew I had history on my side. I have not had a hangover in over fifteen years, so I knew I’d pull up fine.

Three shoots for two clients (first one blogged about here), BBQ with Lucy’s dive club, 80th birthday for my Nana and a couple of walks with Jake make Richard a tired boy.

Just realised I haven’t downloaded all the photos from the weekend off the camera yet.

My new lens worked a treat. I rarely had it off the camera all weekend.

Must go … sleepy.