Funny by the time you read this, your New Year will be over.

Im in the internet cafe near G's thinking of interesting stuff to say, coming up with nothing. I had intended (when I was walking over here) to take an extract from my journal at the begininning of the year, where I set my yearly goals, and compare to the actual stuff I did.

But when I read back on it I couldnt believe how naff that entry was, so Im not going to now.

I've come a long way. I realised that the most last night when I was talking to Kathleen on the phone for possibly the last time in a long long time, because shes going home to the States.

I knew she was going but I thought not until March or so. I thought we would have time to see each other once more before she goes, but she has a job that starts on the 12 Jan so away she goes.

I was feeling sorry for myself when I got her mail about it and had a bit of a weep, not that we see each other often, but I liked the idea that she is at least on the same continent.

So we had a great conversation about when we first got here, her from Colorado via New York and me from little old Melbourne, we were so naive. I didnt even know what an Antipodean was, or am I just stupid?

We've come so far just in our views in life from when we first met and went to Reading to now, shes married and starting her career proper, Ive been promoted and demoted, moved in and out and everything has changed a million times over.

Very weird.

Ive learnt a lot over the past year and one of the things that I have learned is that I waste way too much time over thinking things.

We both regret not seeing more of Europe, not going to see more bands while we had the chance and not participating as much as we could in the whole experience.

On the other hand we both realise now that we want to be in our respective real homes and that when we get there it'll be "All systems go" for both of us in whatever we choose to do.

At the moment both Kathleen and I are the most excited about owning cars again! Sounds crap and materialistic, but thats what perspective changes are all about- changing views about everything.

And we both agreed that when we get home we are going to do whatever the hell we want, doesnt matter what everyone else it doing, doesnt matter whats cool, all that matters is not wasting time and doing what makes you happy.

So heres so that, not wasting time and being happy.