I’d say this year’s been hectic, but then this would seem true of every year. I found myself picking up part time study this year, and juggling my time between writing fiction and academic essays. As a consequence, I pulled out of regular participation in the Air Force Association brass band in which I’d been playing the last few years. Popped back in for a spot on the euphonium at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service in April.

Finished the second draft of the novel and read through it in June. I’m looking forward to sharing this one, but there’s more development work to be done, so it’s going to be a little longer yet. Also knocked out some fun short stories and have begun submitting those to publishers. If any get picked up I’ll be posting links to where they can be found here. Hopefully they do, and turn out to be as much a pleasure to read as they were to write.

After I thought I’d hung up the instruments and regular practice for the year, someone from the SSSO reached out and asked if I’d be willing to join their trumpet section in one or two upcoming concerts. I looked at the schedule, thought that half the practice time was between semesters, and (since I’m bad at saying No) agreed. I do love orchestral music, and as we come up to the final performance I find the notion of walking away from it again rather bittersweet. If only I had time for everything!