Well, I did it. Last week I posted the final photo in my 365 Series:

And I can’t believe I did it. I can’t believe that I took that many photo’s of myself, that I committed to a full year of this project. That I finished. And for serious, for anyone looking to do it, it’s hard. There are so many times I took shitty photos. Photos that are out of focus, or just of me pulling a face or my feet. Times where I just took a shot, any shot of whatever because I’d almost forgotten, or was out, or was lacking in motivation.

I think that was the hardest part. The complete lack of motivation to keep going. For a while there I used mini projects to keep my motivation up. The Week of Jumping, of Reflections, of Upside Down and of Random Head Gear. I think the best part is being able to look back and remember. Remember how I was feeling, how far I’ve come in the last year. The adventures I’ve been on, the people I’ve met. The ups and downs and in betweens.

So, for your viewing pleasure, the full 365 images:

The video was put together by the brilliant and fantastic and amazing Lucas, who said if I got the end he’d make me a video. <3 him muchly for this. The song is "Go Do" by Jónsi.

For the images in their still form, check them out here.

On The List: Number 20 – Complete the 365 Project – Done!

So, here’s an interesting and kind of mind boggling thing to know – I’ve almost finished my 365. I am FIVE photos away from being done. FIVE! Which is unbelievably mad. I can’t believe I’ve come this far, but so so glad that I have.

Anyway, September. There was alot of rain this month. Like, torrential rain. I was also sick for alot of it, which was not super awesome. I did a snow trip with Lyth, I discovered a new cupcake place. I got my first sunburn of the year (woo for the sun!). I got a smart phone (HTC Desire with an Android OS) which was alot of fun. Less fun was that until I upgraded to Froyo it would tell me when to pray. Five times a day, which totally gave me a new found respect for Muslims that are THAT dedicated to their religion. Because for serious? That’s ALOT of praying!

I worked an awful lot, both at my day job and design jobs. Some of the stuff I designed work went to print, which I was pretty stoked with. There was a silly amount of nights out, drinking and dancing and socialising. There was a fair amount of Guitar Hero thrown in too. And jazz. There was alot of jazz this past month. And I booked flights. And made some serious decisions about my plans for next year. Woo! September has been a very exciting month indeed…

1st of September 2010 to 30th September 2010. 360 down. 5 to go.

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

Oh goodness, what a month! I’m still finding it difficult to find the momentum to keep going, even though I’m SO CLOSE! 35 to go! Madness, I can’t believe I’ve taken that many photos of myself, really. This month was all about projects, I did the Week of Upside Down, and the Week of Reflections. I definitely wasn’t feeling the Week of Reflections, and was pretty disappointed in the photos I took, but ah well.

What have I done this month? I went to Waiheke for the Blues Fest, I discovered how to make an amazing (almost) foolproof Carrot Cake. I mailed some letters, took part in my first (less than) subtlemob, and snuck into the semi-permanent after party. I’ve had a stupid amount of cocktails, taken up an interest in Jazz at the bar on Thursday nights. I watched Lyth play League (and freaked out when he temporarily went mad and tackled people bigger than he). I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. I got my portfolio up and running. I submitted an expensive and scary visa application, and started a Couch to 5ks attempt and drank cocktails from teapots.

Another month passed. One more and I’ll be done. Goodness, what an idea . . .

1st of August 2010 to 31st August 2010. 330 down. 35 to go.

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

I’m really really struggling with my 365 project at the moment. Like, really really really struggling. What is getting me through is random week long projects. I’ve done the Week of Random Headgear. I’ve done the Week of Jumping. And now, I’ve done the Week of Upside Down.

I’m at 312. I only have 53 shots more to go, FIFTY THREE! That number seems both dishearteningly high, and so close to the end. No doubt there will be other mini projects happening before the end. Have any of you got any ideas for the next mini project? Anything you want to see?

Oh July, you were brilliant. There was a lot of adventuring happening this month. There were snow trips, and trips to Wellington. I did a week of jumping, I watched The Third + Fourth Quarters debut short film on the big screen, with an audience (which was amazing!). I started Maori lessons, I painted my nails a lot, I watched my friend beat the World Record for Longest Solo Performance, I had and resolved warranty dramas with me car, said goodbye to a few London bound friends, went on a date, saw a handful of film festival films, took out my sternum piercing, and generally downplayed a lot of the drama that happened this month.

Generally, it was another good month. Fingers crossed there are more months like this one.

1st of July 2010 to 31st July 2010. 299 down. 66 to go.

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

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:

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