THREW Mikes EyEz

Original Writings, Images, Video and Artworks of Mike Hartley

Tag Archives: New Years


by Leave a comment

Renewed effort

I don’t make resolutions, but I do take the beginning of the year to refocus, renew efforts, rebalance or start over. And then of course it’s always wise to maybe drop things that weren’t productive or fun.

Coming off being sick for a bit this month I feel especially inspired. So, I’m off to enjoy the last hours of 2025.

Physical

In 2025 I got off to a strong start regarding exercise. Spring and Summer were active and even early fall, but after that I fell off the table and got slack. Grade for the year C+. So, I fired up the treadmill earlier this week and that will again be my daily companion till the weather warms. I’ve also decided not to measure distance but in time, walking, jogging or lifting weights.

Photography

This will be my primary focus. I believe the saying goes practice makes perfect. I’m going to set aside 3-4 hours a day minimum to shooting and editing. More if possible.

I could fill a post with just things on the list to learn. My own equipment to start with. Lighting and different aspects and areas of photography. Like more street shooting and many more.

Then there are the printing goals and building out the photo site on Zenfolio.

There are several projects I hope to attempt both shooting and presentations.

Writing

I hope to Chime In on many topics for the coming year here in the blog, but I’ve got to get going on the books I started to write. So those two will be competing for my time all year.

Nature plays these. Photo by Mike Hartley

In terms of my written communication, I will probably continue to keep the pace I have now. I write to my children a few times a week. My friends fairly often and even extended friends periodically.

Arts

Well, if I’m increasing time spent on my other hobbies I might as well declare that here also. And given I did more drawing and painting in the last few months of 25 than anything previously I might be on a roll there.

Food

Oh yeah, I love to eat. So, you will see me sharing those great meals more often. And I’m committed to getting in the kitchen more often myself.

Focusing and Results

Lots of ideas and weak execution. Time to change that dynamic. I’ve been enjoying the flexibility of retirement and maybe spending time on the wrong things.

A Happy New Year to you and wishes for good health and happiness in your lives.


by Leave a comment

Happy New YEAR

Sorry I’m a few hours late with the well wishes for the New Year but we were babysitting our grandson so his parents could attend a party with longtime friends. We only saw a few people that might have had a few too many on the beltway around Baltimore on the way home.

The police were active with one pulled over and another on his way to get someone because he came blowing by me.

The fireworks of Hong Kong at New Years were incredible. I haven’t been out in years to see any, maybe next year. Photo by Mike Hartley

Today is the start of a whole new set of goals. And none of them are from the JOB. That is sweet and invigorating at the same time. There are few things, like setting your own agenda and carrying it out.

Of course some are common with many people. Exercise for instance. I have goals for this blog. I averaged a little over 2 posts a day over the last year and my goal is to double that number in 2025.

There is so much swirling around in this head to do I had better get working on some more of it. There is a 2025 challenge that needs to be posted this morning, and that one is going to take another hour or so. I’ve got about 80 images to finish editing and a couple hours of sleep would be nice sometime.

I hope you all made it home safe tonight and wishing everyone a healthy New Year.