A Bingle Year

Family
This was a year of mixed blessings and emotions: we celebrated my mother's 90th birthday with family and friends at her favourite Thai restaurant. Mimi looked splendid as always, elegantly ignoring her previous night's visit to hospital emergency as well as the two-week hospital stay in June. I had a few weeks of worry at that time, but Mimi bounced back well, although a little frailer. On her birthday, she and I visited the Serbian church for an impromptu morning tea with Father Dragan.

Father Dragan, Bobby and Mimi

I went to Melbourne a couple of times to visit Alex and Peter and catch up with her daughters Helen and Ali as well as with Tony and Jonny, their respective partners. But the best visit was their trip to Canberra in August. This is the family in front of Parliament House.

Alex, Peter, Ali (in front), Tony, Helen and Jonny

Louis had a terrific 2010. He turned 20 in October. He completed his first year at ANU with high distinctions and distinctions in most subjects. He and Joe have signed up two songs with a US record label, and the possibility of another two-song EP with a German label. I think the most exciting thing was his moving into a share house with Joe and Jordan: ten minutes cycle from ANU and Civic, home of all the hipsters. Here he tries on Alex's Christmas present, a knitted scarf.

Louis

Thomas hung up his soccer boots after a fall that broke his arm, but that didn't prevent him from taking up a new position with the Attorney Generals, where he's happy managing grants administration. He's done well with his Adoption Journal, even delivering eloquently at a Senate Enquiry into the effects of adoption in Australia. We enjoyed good holidays and trips away: Tasmania, Tuross, Tathra, Sydney and Victoria, camping, driving and a bit of eating.

Thomas

Work

As always work was fun: I enjoyed working with my team, re-acquainting myself with publishing skills: ebooks, apps, iBooks, iPads and all those wonderful new reading technologies that emerged this year. As expected, it rained on our annual Bingle Street BBQ, but we all still enjoyed it. Even though he's no longer working with us, Jason, pictured here with Donald attended our function.

Jason and Donald

Learn

I took a few evening classes at ANU this year: 'So you want to write a thriller' was most probably the best course I've done for years: highly recommended. I enjoyed German I as well and may even continue in 2012; it's either that or piano lessons. I'm still working my way through an online interior design course (only 8 more modules to go). Perhaps the most beneficial exercise has been my time with Myles, my personal strength and mobility trainer: I've rediscovered bits and pieces of my body that haven't been used for quite some time.

Home

When we moved into Bingle Street in 2006, we temporarily placed our books in the kitchen. This year we finally moved them into the studio when we had our kitchen renovated in time for Christmas. We're delighted with the new layout, cupboards and all the space. We've ordered an artwork for the red wall, all the way from the US (it's easier shopping online than on foot).

Thomas and Bobby

Connections

I bought a new camera to use when we go on holiday in 2012. I've had fun trawling through old images, scanning and publishing them on Facebook and Flickr. I've enjoyed spending time with my Canberra friends, making new friends and re-acquainting myself with older friends - Phaldiela visiting from Cape Town was a big treat - and socialising through Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Soundcloud and any other social medium on offer: the new 'me-ism' of social media works well for me. I think family and friends is what it's all about. I look forward to 2012; I hope it brings more of the same joys and interests.