But It's Me Stumbling Away. Slowly Learning That Life Is O.K. Say It After Me. It's No Better To Be Safe Than Sorry

As the feral festive season draws closer and closer Devil is again having difficulty finding his balance.

I'm not a fan of the December period simply because there are (1) so many more functions happening and (2) all the activities I do have a tendency to go on a bit of a break. I need to be doing something at all times...and it unsettles me when my schedule has to change.

My weekends are becoming more and more congested with social events, the majority of which revolve around food so I'm having great difficulty maintaining some restraint and sticking to my diet. It's going well so far and I have to admit, it's easier when you have similarly health conscious people around you.

It's difficult having to juggle such a hectic social life but after officially resigning as a swimming instructor, I'll have a bit more time to socialise, network and focus on my photography business. Yeah, after a year of being a swimming instructor I've learnt everything I can and it's now time for me to move on. This Saturday will be my last Saturday and I'm somewhat sad about leaving.

I'll miss the people I worked with and the kids too. I've grown attached to them and it gave me such a great sense of achievement watching them learn and progress. At least now I can say I've been a swimming instructor. I've always been wary of the fact that "those who can't do, teach" so I'm still going to be doing my own swimming on Saturday mornings...I just won't be teaching.

The teaching thing has also given me my own sense of accomplishment too. I found something I wanted to do, I got qualified, I got a job. It's all about goal setting I guess...and I accomplished that. I followed something through from beginning to end and I guess that it proves to myself that I can do things that I focus on. Not everyone can say they are capable of doing that. I mean...how many people would have looked at a job and never applied for it? How many people would have tried to get qualified but couldn't? How many people did get qualified but couldn't get a job at the end of it? It's the reality of life really. Not everyone makes it in the end...and to be quite honest...not everyone should.

In other news, my first solo aerial silks performance occurs in about 2 weeks. I'm ready for it but I'm nervous (as I would expect to be). The coaches and directors are extremely (constructively) critical of any technique flaws and have spent a fair bit of time giving my routine a bit of "polish". I'm actually pretty happy with the overall routine and I can't wait to extend it into a longer more extravagant routine.

Because of the existing strength that I had when I joined up with the circus troupe, myself and one of the other circus trainees are now working on a attempting to replicate this routine. Ok...so maybe replicate is not the correct term, but we're mimicking a number of moves. The other trainee is very closely matched to me in terms of height and weight which is going to make balancing relatively easy. Plus it's also a bonus when the person you're working with is as passionate about it all as you are.

In recent months I've also become more and more involved with live theatre and I have to admit, I'm actually really drawn to it. I find the "live" aspect so much more enjoyable and memorable. Having a great group of friends who are also as passionate about theatre also helps and I've once again managed to establish a whole new network of people and start up another set of regular social events.

Anyway...I have a great many things to do and I can't spend all night updating everyone on the details of my life. As much as I'd love to, just remember that my life (in almost all instances) will be better than yours could ever be.

Devil's Winamp : Reel Big Fish - Take On Me
Devil's Mood : Accomplished / Progressive

Destroy Everything You Touch Today

And so...Devil blogs again with something weighing heavy on His mind.

Of late, I've come to the realisation that the trust that I had (mis)placed in people could potentially come back to bite me...and that I should always trust my instincts. Without sounding arrogant, people have talked to me (in confidence) and I have held that trust to the highest of standards that I possibly can.

Others...who I have spoken to (in confidence) have unfortunately not done the same and spoken some-what freely to others.

Unfortunately for me...there's not much I can do about any of it. I've learned my lesson and I will not be misplacing my trust again.

As for the individuals who have betrayed my trust. Well...Karma will ensure that they are taken care of and I will be there to see it. In fact, I doubt it would be possible for me to miss it.

If my past experiences are anything to go by, the people in my life who I trust, their lives get better and better. Opportunities open up to them. Good luck is brought their way and Karma (by association) looks out for them. Once a person has betrayed my trust however...their life becomes somewhat...worse. Once a person has betrayed my trust they become somewhat...cursed.

In other news:

• I've started riding my bike to work again. It's still a bit cold in the mornings but the extra cardio exercise and savings on fuel are are good incentive to keep going.
• My weights program is still continuing with some occasional refinements in order to support and progress all the things I'm doing...but I'm almost bench pressing my own body weight (finally). Hopefully I should be able to by the end of the year.
  
• My martial arts is progressing slowly but systematically. I'm currently learning to use a new weapon that incorporates some of the skills that I've learnt in gymnastics and circus.
  
• My dancing is going really well. On the weekend I went to the monthly dance event and I realised that I now know more than enough moves to dance all the way through a song without repeating moves AND when I do stuff up, I know how to recover from it.
• My gymnastics has slightly stalled and I can't get past a mental block that I currently have. I can do all the basic components of a round-off back-sault but I just can't seem to put them together in a combination. I've done them before on my own...but yeah...there's something stuck in my head that's stopping me from doing it and I can't seem to get past it.
• My pilates is still continuing. The progress in this regard can't really be seen at pilates itself...but in other things like rock climbing and gymnastics and circus.
  
• My circus training is progressing nicely. All the trainees were recently reviewed for performance material and my "routine" passed other than minor technical changes that need to be made which means that I need to be ready to perform in December...which incorporates both a front lever and a back lever off the aerial silks.
  
• My rock climbing appears to have plateaued but that's by my own doing. I've given precedence to other activities so admittedly it's because of my own choosing. Having said that though, I'm still climbing and I haven't gone backwards in my abilities so that (in a round-about way) is a positive thing.
• My swimming is still continuing and although progressing with greater speed and efficiency through the water, the side-effect benefits are being noticed elsewhere. My lung capacity has definitely increased and being in the water is a definite advantage to any muscle recovery I might need to have. As a side note to the swimming, I'm thinking about giving up my job as a swimming instructor. I've learnt everything I can from being a swimming instructor and I'd like to progress my side-career as a personal trainer (now with aquatic experience).
  

• In terms of photography, my own personal photography business is progressing nicely and I don't seem to have a shortage of available work...but that comes from having a massive network of people. On top of that, The Grey Wolf and I have officially started our business as wedding photogrpahers and we've got a number of bookings already (some as far ahead as November of next year) and we haven't even started to advertise. At this rate, we probably won't need to advertise.
  

I've still yet to take up ballet and yoga...but I think I may hold off on any of that until next year.

Devil's Winamp: Ladytron - Everything You Touch
Devil's Mood : Fuming / Distrustful / Betrayed

I Want To Live Close To The Sun. Well, Pack Your Bags Cause I've Already Won. Everything To Prove Nothing In My Way. I'll Get There One Day

So once again, Devil has been out rubbing shoulders with the influential and powerful people. And yes, shoulders were the only thing being rubbed. This time anyway.

An important exhibition was shown recently held at the state museum which was closed to the general public but being me...and doing what I do best...I was there, amongst a variety of dignitaries, politicians, ambassadors and other associated people of power and influence.

Ok, so I was there as a photographer which got me thinking...it must be so difficult for some amateurs who are attempting to start out in this field of work to get opportunities like this. I’ve been steadily building my network for years, and the recent launch of my business has gone extremely successfully because of that...and here I was at an event that extremely few people got to attend let alone know about (it was a strict invitation only event) and because of my reputation, I was right in amongst it with other professional photographers and photojournalists and even cameramen from various television stations.

Admittedly, it was hard work. It’s not easy always attending events like this, doing what I do best, getting close to the action, and getting excellent photo opportunities because of it...but I soldier on as best I can, because I know that not everyone is as lucky or as gifted as me.

It’s a burden – but I’ll manage. I mean...since I officially launched my business, I’ve barely had a single weekend where I haven’t been off photographing someone or something important. Some people might say I should be happy with that but it can get tiring, always having to be the one in the thick of it all.

Devil's Winamp: Total Drama Island - I Wanna Be Famous
Devil's Mood: Wishful