Well it’s been a very interesting year, that’s for sure. It seems almost like two years since I stood at this point last, looking forward into a new year and looking back upon the one that has just passed.

I feel like 2003 was pivotal for me in almost every area of my life. Not all of it has been good, but it’s been mainly good, and that’s what counts. I feel like I’ve gotten a lot done. Improv is going well, photography is going well, and The Mouse Academy is going well. All of my friends seem happy and healthy, and that’s comforting too. Some of the highlights (in somewhat chronological order) from 2003’s calendar include:

I’m really looking forward to 2004. There are so many cool things on the horizon already… Moving into my new place is my first priority. I’ll also be working on reorganizing my business and then putting a major push on promoting my photography in the spring and summer. Improv will remain a huge part of my life. I’m excited about the new direction KPR will be giving to the Staircase Theatre in 2004 as its new artistic director. Jenni (suzi9mm) is coming from Finland to visit in the summer, and we have huge plans for collaborative photography projects, and just for having fun in general. I’m also hoping to do some travelling. I’d like to go back to Los Angeles for a long weekend, and drop in on New York City too. Maybe I’ll visit Thailand towards the end of the year. Oh yeah. It’s gonna be a good one. ance:

But, until it gets here, enjoy the tail of 2003, celebrate its end, and be safe. Have a Happy New Year everyone!

I had a good, long look at my life today. I think it’s important to do this once in a while to put things in perspective. Here’s what I see:

I have a beautiful home that I’m moving into next month. It’s more than I had ever hoped for, and perfect for me in every way. Surprisingly, it even makes financial sense.

I have a wonderful and loving family with whom I feel very close. They enthusiastically support and never question my choices in life, because they trust my judgement and respect me.

I have a successful business with loyal customers who give me more work than I can handle. Being busy at work when you’re self-employed means you’re doing something right. I’ve proven you can run a business ethically in a competitive industry and still survive. I’ve got great plans for the evolution and future success of my company.

I’m proud of my artistic accomplishments in photography and on stage. I feel confident enough to tackle any artistic challenge thrown at me. With a little bit of effort, I can make photography pay my bills. I’m so close to doing what I love for a living.

I’m surrounded by friends who are so close they may as well be family. Because my schedule is so crazy, I don’t get to spend as much time with them as I’d like, but when we’re together it’s like no time has passed at all. My friends are always willing to drop what they’re doing to comfort me when I’m down, or to celebrate with me when I’m up.

I’m healthy and fit. I have no debilitating diseases or addictions. All parts of my body that I know about are doing roughly what they’re supposed to be doing.

So, just because one thing doesn’t work out the way I had hoped it would, I have no excuse to be unhappy. I’m done with it.

I’m going through a period of feeling distracted, unhappy and uneasy about a number of different things. If I’ve seemed neglectful or distant lately, please bear with me. I’ll get myself back on track soon enough. :nod:

Believe whatever you want to believe.
The truth will find you when you are ready.
Do not try and bend the spoon. That’s impossible. Instead only try to realise the truth.
There is no spoon.
Then you will see it is not the spoon that bends. It is only yourself.

The Matrix is control. It is a system.
Most people are not ready to let go.
The system is built on rules for all those who live within it.
They are hopelessly dependant upon the system and will fight to keep and protect it.
The mind has trouble letting go.
As long as The Matrix exists, the human race will never be free.

Only some of us live outside the Matrix. Only some of us want to.
FREE YOUR MIND.
I can only show you the door.
You are the one who has to walk through it.
Let go of fear, doubt and disbelief.

Walk through the door into a world without control, without rules,
with no borders or boundaries. Where everything is possible.
But understand…
There is a difference between knowing the path and walking it.
The choice is up to you.

Do not think that you are.
KNOW that you are.

by Sade

I’m crying everyone’s tears
And there inside our private war
I died the night before
And all of these remnants of joy and disaster
What am I supposed to do

I want to cook you a soup that warms your soul
But nothing would change, nothing would change at all
It’s just a day that brings it all about
Just another day and nothing’s any good

The DJ’s playing the same song
I have so much to do
I have to carry on
I wonder if this grief will ever let me go
I feel like I am the king of sorrow, yeah
The king of sorrow

I suppose I could just walk away
Will I disappoint my future if I stay
It’s just a day that brings it all about
Just another day and nothing’s any good

The DJ’s playing the same song
I have so much to do
I have to carry on
I wonder will this grief ever be gone
Will it ever go
I’m the king of sorrow, yeah
The king of sorrow

I’m crying everyone’s tears
I have already paid for all my future sins
There’s nothing anyone
Can say to take this away
It’s just another day and nothing’s any good

I’m the king of sorrow, yeah
King of sorrow
I’m the king of sorrow, yeah
King of sorrow