So it wasn’t too bad, this New Year’s eve. I just decided I wanted to be proper and let go of any animosity within me was dispelled on New Year’s eve. I just wanted to get on with doing things and living, no more moping around. It was a quiet day at work, and I packed up around 5pm and was on my way home. I had already planned to catch the fireworks at night and see if I could grab a few snapshots. Heh, I detoured sideways to Adorama (one the larger camera equipment vendors in NYC) and asked to look at some tiny tripods. I was reluctant to get one before as I didn’t want the extra bulk of something to carry when I pack up and leave the country. I had done my research prior to entering the shop, oh, like 2 months ago. Heh, went in, got them to show me the tripod (a Slik Sprint Mini) and wow, was it small. It’s small and only goes up to 120cm as a maximum but for me, a short, light tripod is better than a heavy, sturdy one that stays at home. Without a car in NYC, I’d prefer to travel light and this thing weighed only 740g, and since it was relatively cheap, I just bought it on the spot.

Thank goodness I did, as there’s no way you can shoot a 6 second exposure for fireworks without something steady, as below.

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So this is another record for me, spending New Year’s eve alone. Had pasta and bought myself a beer to celebrate. Heh, other than making me run to the toilet more often, it didn’t really contribute much to the celebration.

Walked to the edge of the coastline between New Jersey and New York and camped there a bit, taking some night shots and waiting for the fireworks to start. A few ‘test’ shots flared up in the air prior to the New Year and as the clock struck midnight, the small crowd around me cheered and started singing while giving out New Year wishes. I just stood there watching the fireworks and tweaking camera settings every now and then. Heh, the weather was around 4 degrees C, so it was still alright (I’m a little more immune to the cold now). Contrast this to last year where I was at a friend’s place eating and drinking with friends, and it was probably around 30 degrees C at night as well. I figured, this is probably the only chance at a New Year I will get at NYC, so might as well make the most of it.

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2008 will be more of the same, play hard, work hard. I don’t push either of them to the limit as much as I should, but I know I can. Heh, last year I resolved to take better photos and I feel there is an improvement, although the quantum leap only occurred in the last 3 months of the year. The D300 helps as well, heh, and I haven’t picked up the D70 since, so I don’t know if it’s a camera thing or just an improvement in personal skill.

Heh, I didn’t manage to finish my financial course, but I guess it’s ok, I’m not too keen on it either. It helps a little, but I learn best when putting things into practical application, and not just regurgitating them to pass exams.

I am now enthusiastic about my hobbies again, well, only because they are the only things that keep me occupied more often these days. Improved my programming skills, which i am finding useful for a lot of other things now. Heh, will just continue the year learning and doing more of the same. Just letting things move forward now.