The past 12 months...

has been a complete whirlwind. I'm actually writing this from a semihorizontal position, propped up on my left elbow, not very efficient for typing but I'm making it work. I just woke up and being vertical just isn't appealing at this time of day. Not for me anyway. You can call me Nighthawk. I was just sort of trying to put things in their right place as I lay here and happened to look through my photos. No matter how many I have, I feel like there are not enough. Mainly because I feel like you can snap a ton of photos but it takes so many to get the one really awesome one that you adore. At least, for me it does. Oh, and did I mention I am no photographer, have no idea what I am doing. I just point and snap.

Let me stop digressing and get on with it already. I was thinking about it and yes, the last year has flown by and so much has happened and I feel like I have been just about everywhere. Leaving my tracks on the world, the lives of those I love, and even those of strangers. The thing I love and appreciate most are the moments I share with people. On any given day I can close my eyes and think up a moment. Perhaps one I may have shared with you. I can see it in my mind's eye. I can remember the lighting, sounds, smells, facial expressions. Nothing is happier than watching someone smile and you can tell that the smile on their face is coming from somewhere deep inside just because of the twinkle in their eye. Those are the moments in life I appreciate most. I hope that my smile can bring that sort of imagery to those who interact with me.

So in short, this year has flown by. Looking through photos I realize I measured my year by Coachella. As we all just got back from our yearly trip our modern day mecca. Where all is right in the world, and perfection is real. I hold close to me the things that mean the most in my life and it is through both physical photographs and the moments captured in my mind that I am able to go back to these times, and relive them when the rain does come. In a year I have gone from dark days to ones full of love and light. I think of that line from The Crow, when he says, "It can't rain all the time."

I realize it can't and sometimes you don't have a choice. You don't have to welcome the shower but I feel they are necessary. Rain washes away the grit, and when the sun shines again you have the opportunity to start fresh and grow. I am happy to say that the rain... has stopped for now. My thanks and love to all of you. I feel refreshed and ready for the next adventure and wherever I end up next. I keep my rain boots and umbrella on hand because sometimes it is going to rain but now I know it doesn't hurt to stomp through the puddles.

Love. Life. Music.