There came a point around the 200 day mark where I really really struggled with finding the motivation to continue my 365 project. The great thing about flickr is that there are a billion million people who share their 365 photos, so you can cheer each other on, find inspiration, and generally just be nosey.

Well on one my being nosey adventures through flickr, I stumbled across Megg. Megg, straight up, is amazing. She’s doing 365 jumping shots. JUMPING shots. And oh! They are wonderful jumping shots, with gorgeous colours and brilliant lighting and I’m jealous, jealous of her skill! Flicking through her photostream, it often looks as if she’s just floating mid air.

So last week, during one of my motivation ruts, I decided that I was going to do a week of jumping shots. I didn’t think much about it, just then, I was just going to do it. Well, let me tell you that my opinion of Megg is now a billion times higher than it was the week before last, because you know what? Jumping shots are HARD.

Jumping shots where your face isn’t contorted from the effort of willing yourself into the air long enough for the flash to take the shot. Timing things right so you don’t look like you’re doing some weird disco dance with your knees bent while standing on the ground. Making sure that your clothing isn’t doing weird things, that you are, in fact, in focus, and that you don’t hurt yourself too much trying to jump in interesting places.

Let’s not forget that the people who walk past are going to think you are absolutely mad because you’ll look an idiot.

But it was a fun mini-project, I’m glad I did it. Are any of you rocking 365 projects? How did you keep yourself motivated??

Oh June. What happened in June? I crossed another something off The List (post to come, I’m still editing the video, I’ve been a bit slack). I started painting my nails again, I’ve been a social bunny really. My best friend came back for a bit. I started Maori lessons. Completely failed at going to the gym, and instead did a silly amount of cocktail drinking and expensive dinners. I did some baking, rediscovered my love for Kenwyn, indulged in much cuddling, and watched an awful lot of soccer.

And I’ve been super slack about uploading photos. And taking any kind of imaginative photos. Sigh. Still, I made it to June. I’m less than a hundred photos from the end. That’s SO mind blowing!

The last thirty days:

1st of June 2010 to 30th June 2010. 268 down. 97 to go.

Past Months: October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May.

Oh May. May was a good month. Mostly (the weather turned from ‘balmy’ to ‘artic’ in the space of about two days). My best friend came back for a bit, there were many nights at Osborne Street, many game nights. I made pumpkin soup for the first time (and crossed it off my list). I got on a skateboard for the first time, and fell off a few times too. I discovered that I’m over drama, and that there has been too much of it the last month or so . . . generally truth be told this month was mostly about my friends. Hanging out, meeting for coffee or drinks. Lounging around in the sun. Going on adventures, or just staying home and watching movies. It was pretty brilliant.

I completely failed at taking any kind of imaginative shot. My enthusiasm for this project is definitely waning, but I feel like I’m too far in to really give it up. I think the result is medicore photos. Most of them are out-takes from other projects. Or one of those ‘oh crap, I almost forgot, quick, take a photo of your bellybutton!’ kind of shots. Ah well. Chin up, forward ho, right?

Here’s an idea. If you want to see me do something random, or crazy, let me know, and I’ll make it one of my 365 shots. Okay? Leave a comment, or send me an email and I’ll do it. :)

In the mean time, here was May:

1st of May 2010 to 31st May 2010. 238 down. 127 to go.

Past Months: October, November, December, January, February, March, April.

Hurrah, I’m officially over half way through this project! April has been a mad month, absolutely mad. I joined a gym with Fiedi, and the first few weeks of that were pretty painful. I fainted in my first gym session, which wasn’t at all awesome. I accidentally broke some hearts, too, and ended all my nothings. So that was a painful lesson to learn. I worked behind the bar (for what I’m pretty sure was the last time), which was brilliant (though, not the work part. The party part was awesome). I fell madly head over heels for Dub Fx, and have been thrashing his brilliance to the exclusion of all else. I’ve been slowly getting myself organised for possible adventures, which has been a lesson in patience and organisation. The last week wasn’t so brilliant, with two funerals to attend. I was closer to those that grieve than those that passed, but still, funerals aren’t particularly easy.

Apart from the last week or so, things feel more stable this month. Like I’ve finally found my footing, and I’m not grasping for handholds, and I don’t have to hold my breath anymore. It’s kinda nice :)

1st of April 2010 to 30th April 2010. 207 down. 158 to go.

Past Months: October, November, December, January, February, March.

March, another very crazy month. I got a bit down with the inspiration, and trying to figure out new shots to take. For a while there it was just ’stand in front of a textured wall and take a photo, yeah!’ But that worked out okay for me. I also did ‘The Week of Random Headgear’ which was pretty fun, too. I dunno, I was super super busy this month, being busy most nights after work, and weekends filling up a week in advance. Madness! I did alot though, I’m glad I did. There were many, many adventures to be had. :)

Anyway, this is my March:

1st of March 2010 to 31st March 2010. 177 down. 188 to go.

Past Months: October, November, December, January, February.

Looking back, February was much better for me than January. My best friend came home for a week, and it was great to see her. I did alot of exciting new things, and definitely towards the end of the month felt like I was finally finding my feet again. Everything seemed alot less overwhelming, a lot less dramatic. It was nice to be able to breathe again.

I completely failed at uploading daily this month. One day would slip by, and the next, and it became a hassle. I’m still taking the photos everyday (which has been made easier by carrying my camera with me everywhere I go!) which has been good. I suspect if that became an issue the project would wither and die. Let’s hope it doens’t come to that!

This was my February:

1st of February to the 28th of February. 146 down. 219 to go.

Past Months: October, November, December, January.

Okay, I’ll be honest. Keeping up with this month was a serious struggle. I had to FORCE myself to take photos, and I was pretty slack at uploading them to flickr everyday. Often I’d do a bulk upload once a week. Sorry for the mass twitter spam updates. While I’m glad to say I’ve made it through January, I feel like I’m not really pushing myself to take better photos, to really experiment and get out there. Each of these photos has been a ‘quick, just take a photo of something, anything’. I will make an effort this February to change that, I think.

Also, looking back, January started off awesome, but descended into a twisty dark place with lots of horrible drama. Gah. Fingers crossed February is a better month!

This was my January:

1st of January to the 31st of January. 118 down. 247 to go.

Past Months: October, November, December.

Woo! Made it through another month. This project is getting easier and easier to put off, and it’s becoming a bit of a struggle to consistently take a shot. There are alot more ‘Just take a shot, any shot’ kind of photos than I’d like, but you take what you can get. It was incredibly tricky while I was away over the New Year to remember to take one, especially as I didn’t have the daily upload process to get me through! Heres hoping January will be an easier month.

My December:

Past Months: October, November.

Hurrah! I’ve made it through another month! This month was a little harder than last. I kept forgetting to pick up the camera on my way out the door (its a big SLR, not the most pleasant thing to lug around) which meant I’d get home at around 11pm and go gah! Have to take a photo! It meant lots of photos in my bathroom, or ‘look at the camera and JUST TAKE IT’. Taking a photo everyday is not as easy as I thought it would be. It requires effort, and commitment. Still, it helps pass the time and I haven’t given up on it yet! :)

So, this was my November:

1st of November to the 30th of November. 56 down. 309 to go.

Past Months: October.

I was going to post yesterday, but I didn’t. Things are still up and down with me, I’m not sure what I’m doing, or what I want and I’m pretty sure I should know these things. I’m struggling with the idea that it’s okay to not know what I’m doing, or what I want. And I’m still rocking the distractions like it’s no ones business.

Like, the 365 project I started last month. I made it all the way through October. It’s been pretty easy, but I was surprised at how some days I just could. not. be. fucked. I pushed through, and I’m still taking a daily photo, but I was surprised at how some days I was happy with a two second ‘just take the damn photo of something, ANYTHING’ shot, and other days I’d take 200 shots of my tongue, looking for the PERFECT photo to post. Yeah, things are bit odd for me right now.

Anyway, because I’m stoked I’ve got this far. This is my October:

October 6th to the 31st. 26 days down. 339 to go. :)