Accountability? What's that then?
Whoops - 94% of 2024 has flown by. Back at the start of the year, I made an accountability plan, and I've done bits of it.
I guess the main thing to highlight is I've welcomed baby number 3 into the world. They are 6 months old, and a new baby, mixed with work, has totally eaten away at my free time. I blinked, and before I knew it, 2024 was ending.
Pick up photography again
I did do this! I wouldn't say I released 2 projects - I reflected on how I wanted this to go. I've always been fascinated by analogue photography, and decided I wanted to capture some of my life this way.I have picked up a Canon EOS 500, and shoot exclusively so far on Kodak Ultramax film. All processing/scanning has been done by Gulabi, a lovely independent store based in Glasgow, a city I hold dearly to my heart.
I've released some photos on Unsplash, and one has even been downloaded a few time. I've ever had some lovely mail from folks telling me where they've used the art.
My life is obviously very personal to me, and I've not shared too much on this which would identify me. So, I'm just going to hotlink my favourite picture so far.
Wild camp
Ha. haha. ... ha :( Never managed to juggle this with my kids & commitments. Here's to 2025! I did do a few walks, and managed to explore a lot more of my local area.
Program again
I did do this in small chunks - I did some Project Euler problems, all in Python. I want to focus on this, as I would like to transition my career back to programming.
Lose weight
I maintained a more healthy eating & excessing routine, but also maintained my weight of 17 stone. Turns out I just like crisps too much. Oops.
Read 10 books
Did this if you count books I'm reading for exams. Or the audiobooks I did end up listening to. (Or the books I've read my kids - at that point, I'm easily in the thousands, as I on average read 5 a day, more on the weekends) Ended up listening to 11,000 minutes of podcasts & 150,000 minutes of music this year, as well watching show TV shows, films & anime I wanted to catch up on. Just need to remove YouTube so I don't watch rubbish or LastWeekTonight repeats (my comfort show for my depression - thanks John!)
Break the short-form content loop
😡 No. I ended up getting a contract that included a Pixel 8a. I did this because the cost of the contract per month for the plan & handset was cheaper than buying the phone outright. So technically means I got the phone for free. However, I have spent a lot of time on Instagram Reels & Facebook. Predatory algorithms decided to keep you addicted & glued so you can get ads for Temu. I'm most disappointed at myself for this
Blog weekly
Also no - but again, here to 2025! I have a number of blogs in my drafts - I served on a Jury (which destroyed my mental health), had a programming project I wanted to discuss, and had some fleeting thoughts, but ultimately no time. I'm doing this on my kitchen table instead of meal planning - just to book end the year a bit.
Continue to cook
I did do this. Not much to say. I make a mean chilli. I'd recommend everyone try the recipes from traditional slow cooking by Eve Parker.
See you star side. I love you.
Lost, but surviving.