Happy New Year, everybody!
It’s that time again when we bid farewell to another year and welcome a new one. It’s also that time when some of us make New Year’s resolutions. I have some, which I will share later on.
It’s over a year now since my mother’s passing, and it is the sort of thing that can be hard to get over, especially when that relative appears now and then in dreams. However, I know she’d want us all to get on with our lives, and I’ve been getting on reasonably well.
One of my best friends, who lives in China, and I revisited each other for the first time in a few years. It was great to see her again and she stayed here in England, only temporarily though, due to reasons relating to visas. I also learned a few skills that I feel will come in handy for my career – Blender, a source of animation software that I’ve been using to create something like this;
And one of my upcoming projects (Attack Of The Killer BlackCurrants);
Of course, this is a rough snippet, and I shall complete production soon. Speaking of projects, they have kept me going and contributed to why I’ve not required any recent counselling. Unusually, they have improved my mental health. I especially thank a children’s book that I’ve been writing.
And this is the main protagonist, Sian Reynolds, who is eight years old and also wishes her future book readers a terrific start to the new year.
I have also honed my Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator skills regarding the above image. Those have come in useful. Despite my usual working routine, I also extended my credits in sound recording – some of which I’ve used my latest sound equipment well. Here’s a reminder of some of the films/videos I’ve contributed.
Those are just some of them, and I thank the filmmakers for having me on board and offer my congratulations for achieving those works.
Other things I got up to include helping at the Little Theatre, a theatre based in Leicester, trying out some poetry readings, and performing at a local summer music festival where I played a new song I wrote called Water Bombs on my guitar. I offer my thanks to a lady-friend named Georgie for the singing lessons she provided. She’s a very skilled singing teacher, so if you’re living in Leicestershire and want to improve your voice, I’d recommend her. Oh and I also saw one of my favourite musicians, Rick Wakeman, perform at De Montfort Hall.
Enough about me for a moment. How have things gone worldwide? Firstly, the United Kingdom, my home country, experienced something different. The conservative party had been in rule for 14 years. But that changed halfway through 2024. We had a general election, and this time, Labour won. I’ll leave readers to express their views on the result and what it led to, but it makes a massive change. The lead-up to the election had undoubtedly made an impact on the country. Of course, we’re still experiencing a financial crisis. But I have my opinions.
I also offer my praise to Jon Bon Jovi for saving a woman from suicide. I am even impressed with what Nasa has achieved just recently;
Unfortunately, some people have not had a good year. Ukraine is still experiencing attacks from Russia. I also offer my hopes for King Charles, who has now been the king for over two years since his mom’s passing, to get well soon following his cancer diagnosis. And the Coronavirus still remains a thing.
One thing I failed to mention about 2023 was the closedown of CITV. It’s made me think about the changes within the film/TV industry—the rise in streaming and the use of AI. Speaking of the latter, my fellow filmmakers and I occasionally discussed how people use AI. One argument is that it can help people with writer’s or applicant’s block if the latter term exists, but it can reduce creativity skills. Readers can feel free to debate the subject.
When I heard about Huw Edwards’ charge with pornography, I was one of those shocked to hear about it. Not only due to what he did, but I never imagined him causing such an act. My thoughts also go to those close to the children attacked in the dance club in Southport, to those who lost their lives in the Titan submersible, to the victims who recently lost their lives in a terrorist attack that occurred in New Orleans, and to everybody else who died.
And speaking of which, let’s not forget those we lost;
Glynis Johns
David Soul
Steve Harley
Donald Sutherland
Bob Newhart
David Graham
Maggie Smith
Jimmy Carter
Johnnie Walker
James Earl Jones
Norman Jewison
Ewen MacIntosh
Richard Sherman
Roger Corman
Colin Gibb
Doug Ingle
Jonathan Haze
Jim Abrahams
John Anderson
Tito Jackson
John Mayall
Kris Kristofferson
Jack Green
Eric Carmen
Melanie
Mike Pinder
Jimmy James
Duane Eddy
Liam Payne
Quincy Jones
Chris Cross
Herbie Flowers
Joe Egan
Randy Fuller
Ian Lavender
Frank Ifiled
Steve Wright
When a new year starts, the one thing to do to prepare for it is to make some plans. Some people make New Year’s resolutions, and I’ve got a few in mind – some major, some minor;
Get my car’s fan fixed
Cycle more than drive when I can
Extend my volunteering at the Little Theatre and any other creative arts organisations.
Suss out book publishers for my novel
Get some of my projects completed
Consider courses
There are some resolutions I intended to achieve last year, but I can continue to pursue them. It’s the case with some people; sometimes, we can’t accomplish everything all in one year.
But as the old saying states, “never give up.” I also encourage the same to everybody. Not giving up was exactly the case with me last year, and may that be the case this year.
Happy new year everybody! And feel free to leave your thoughts and comments below.
JDE Films 
Leave a comment