Homecoming

It's been one year and two days. It started out as laziness, as a reluctance to put into words all that was not happening in my life, an apathy about sharing what was, and it snowballed into a complete and total absence.

But I've missed being here. I've missed you guys. And I've missed the strange bonds you form with faceless, nameless strangers across cyber space.

It's hard to sum up a year in a post.

But since my last post on June 28, 2010, here's what I've been up to, not necessarily in this order:

• Realised a long-held dream of travelling to Italy...And having the guts to do so alone! It was a lot less scarier than I expected, a lot more liberating and a whole lot more fun. I went to Rome, Florence, Venice and Cinque Terra over 20 days. And came back with memories, pictures and the conviction that travelling alone is seriously under-rated.
• Realised I had serious feelings for a friend, found the balls to tell him that, and dealt with the knowledge that he wasn't willing to go down that road. AND succeeded in not just staying  friends but becoming better mates.
• Realised that I needed more stability in my life then a freelance career offered, and finally, after seven long years of flitting from one gig to another, signed on the dotted line for a full-time job.
• Turned 40.
• Dressed as a hooker for a Halloween party, fishnet stockings and all. AND shared the pictures with my mother!
• Moved house. And survived.
• Made peace with my brother and laid to rest an estrangement that had never really been verbalised but one that had existed for years. We may never be best mates, but we are more accepting of our differences and way, way more appreciative of our similarities. Most importantly, we've become a family in a way we haven't been for far longer than I'd like to admit.

For those who've been here before, the beasties are fine, healthy, as neurotic as ever and send their regards. As does their mum.

It's good to be back.