Firstly I would like to wish all my regular readers a Happy 2018. Your loyalty in visiting me has greatly brightened each day. This post is a bit of a retrospective finishing with a list of goals. In other words, expect me to be totally self-absorbed, so flee while you can.

Okay, for those of you foolish enough to continue reading, here goes…

The past two years were mostly awful as I struggled with failing vision, operations, and unemployment  All this said, 2017 ended on a high with

1. my eyesight having been restored to a solid mostly-usable state; and
2. finding a job just before (most likely) being forced to sell my house.

Yippee.

My creative achievements over 2017 include:

• becoming a lot more familiar with modeling in Blender (X-ray machine, art-nouveau door, starship)
• getting a few things published (ST:TNG review in an anthology, 18 Steps)
• writing 6 short stories (of which one has found a home – see above)
• becoming a confident baker of muffins and cakes

Life lessons learned:

• Persist in all things
• Laugh whenever possible
• Be kind to others
• Avoid toxic people (unfortunately, this self-preservation sometimes comes into conflict with being kind)
• Don’t stand still

2018 comes with its own challenges. Primary among these is the fact that I am 53 and don’t know what I want to be when I grow up. As I ponder that question, I intend to strive with my art, writing and singing.

My 2018 creative goals are:

Art

• master hair in Blender (and DAZ)
• make some costumes for Genesis models
• make some nice 3D models/artifacts
• learn Hexagon
• paint at least 2 oil paintings

Writing

• have 6 short stories published

Singing

• Learn 6 1980s songs well enough to perform

On a more personal note, I intend to strive to be a better father. Rhiannon has reached her teens and “the teenager transformation” is happening as surely as in any classic werewolf film. I feel a sense of loss, as well as frustration and despair at some of her choices. This said, other aspects of her are really shining. Hopefully, I can learn to guide her without alienating her.

So thanks everyone for reading.

I genuinely do wish you all well in 2018. I also hope that my blogging pals among you keep blogging. I love your posts, and while sometimes all I do to demonstrate it is click “Like”, please don’t imagine that I don’t.

Best wishes

Greg (aka SoulThief)