New Years Resolutions… what’s next..

Just a couple of points that I’ll refer to later this year for guidance. It’s funny how a week away from mon-fri ‘work’ clears the mind and really lets you see things as they are. If you want something, go get it… Time is never on your side, the stars will never be aligned – get your finger out and go get it. The end.

Music

LAST YEAR saw only two finished tracks come out of the studio. Fair enough, these weren’t ‘run of the mill’ house tracks, that consist of pretty much the same timbers each time. These were full on studio tracks, vocals, bass, drums, guitars.. with song structures and fuller arrangements.. but even still, two tracks in 52 weeks?? Not good enough.

THIS YEAR I need to free up more time (yes, this means sacrifice going out for lunch on a weekend, or going to cinema on Wednesday for Orange Wednesdays BOGOF, or even just getting back from work and putting my feet up). Even though you can’t ‘force” creativity in this industry, you CAN learn new software, you CAN find new samples, you CAN design artwork for releases, you CAN. Stick at it and good things will come. I remember I had a quiet couple weeks, the closest I’ve been to experiencing writers block, but I just kept at it. New track idea, a coffee, new arrangement, a walk for some fresh air, and KAPOW, in one day I’d created TWO new tracks.. they were named “Forwards” and “backwards”, and featured on set lists and compilations around the world; including Tiesto naming one his “favourite track” on radio 1.

Travel

LAST YEAR We visited Morocco, for what was going to be a lazy/feet up beach holiday. This didn’t work out too well as our hotel was 130 miles away from the coast. Instead, we ended up having a Hovis-holiday (best of both!) sunbathing during the day, and traveling through the souks, seeing beggars, snake charmers, story tellers by night. You can view the photo album here: http://www.michaelburns.co.uk/blog/flickr/tags/morocco/.

We also visited Cuba in November, which was great! One of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.. even though we only had 4 days out of 14 of nice weather! You can view the photo album here: http://www.michaelburns.co.uk/blog/flickr/tags/cuba/.

THIS YEAR we’ll be off to Las Vegas as Louise’s mam and dad are renewing their wedding vows for a laugh.. including Elvis music and a mini dance off.. oh god! We’ve decided we only want to spend a short time in Vegas as we’ve been before, and so we’re looking at flying inland to a couple of other states. Like last year, I’m going to be looking for a week away in the sun too (or if we’re lucky.. two weeks!), and so I’m thinking Mexico, Goa, Egypt, or somewhere down west coast of Africa.. who knows.

Food

LAST YEAR I cooked / baked a hell of a lot, but it seemed to fizzle out a tad over the last couple months.

THIS YEAR I want to get into Thai cooking, as everything I’ve tried Thai has been really nice. I’m also going to bake more too.. which means more cookies, more cheesecake, and ultimately more waist (that’s not a type on ‘waste’ either, as there will no doubt be less ‘waste’ resulting in more ‘waist’, and of course, bigger pants)

Exercise

LAST YEAR I worked hard at getting fit. You’d have found me in the gym 3 or 4 times a week, and in the jacuzzi every Friday night for “Friday Night – Jacuzzi Night” Cooking healthier foods on the whole, and eating plenty of fresh fruit and veg meant for healthier looking skin.

THIS YEAR I plan to keep it up. I’m happier with my figure now, I’m happier with this healthy lifestyle (being a member of the gym for 4 years now). At times it’s hard, but I like hard. I like the feeling you get after a workout, where you know you pushed it hard, and the sweat on your kit proves it. I like the aching the day after!

Experience

LAST YEAR I didn’t check a lot off my “things to do in 2008″ list, which I’m a little cheesed about, but I did get some stuff done.

1. I started ‘Wall Climbing’.
2. I bought a new camera (Nikon D60) to take up photography.
3. I cooked more, mastered the risotto and home made soups with home baked bread!
4. I realised I may have developed a minor version of social phobia (or just enjoyed my own company more, depends how you look at it), and so made an effort to ‘get out more’ with friends, be it coffee, cinema, food, gigs, etc. This spanned from producing music 24/7, it was hard work, and intense at times, but I loved it and wouldn’t have had it any other way.. the down side, I didn’t see much of anyone and started to enjoy my own company more than other peoples. This isn’t necessarily ‘complete’, more a work in progress.

Surfing was a to-do, and so was kayaking / white water rafting. So this year I’m doing this stuff:

1. London weekend trip
2. Edinburgh weekend trip
3. Canoeing / Kayaking
4. Surfing
5. Camping out in Wales
6. Beach BBQ in Cornwall (maybe surf too)

I’ll be adding more to this i’m sure, but it’s a start. Even with the global recession in full force (for another couple years I’d say), I still want this year to be a GET THINGS DONE year, less talk, more.. pork? (hmm, pork rhymes, but makes little sense… imagine the word “fun” rhymes with “talk” and we’re happy!)

Happy 2009 everyone, and if you’ve any info on the above that might help get this stuff ticked off, let me know!!