“My blog is now officially ten years old”, I told my friend over dinner last night. She was quite amazed, and I guess I am too. But yes, on April 27, 2012, I wrote the following…

It’s late Saturday night. I still haven’t packed, I still haven’t organised the house, but I have set up an Online Diary, so I can record all of my thoughts and feelings while living in the Northern Territory. I hope this period will be a significant one in my life. A real turning point. The last few months I’ve felt a little directionless. I hope this will give me the strength to make a new life.

A couple of days later, I wrote more expansively…

It’s been a weird day. Pat called me early this morning to tell me there have been complications with Michelle’s baby. Lachlan was born at 9.20 last night, but because of complications with the umbilical chord, the birth was an emergency caesarian. He had to be taken to Brisbane via helicopter, and Michelle followed in the ambulance. Michelle is okay, but there are some concerns about the little boy. Earlier today he had a 50/50 chance of surviving, but that seems to have improved. Concern about the possibility of brain damage remains. Please say a prayer for him.

Sadly baby Lachlan died about eighteen months later, when his little body could no longer cope.

At my desk
At my desk

As I look back on the last ten years, I have to say I’m much happier with my life now than I was then. Back then I was sad about the relationship breakup with Damien, something which I took far too long grieving. In between time, I’ve also I spent far too much time “beating myself up” over various things in my life and thereby making myself feel even worse. But something’s happened lately. I feel much better about myself. I feel much better in my own “skin”, and I feel like the new direction I was seeking in my life back then I’ve now achieved though in a much deeper way.

It’s been an interesting ten years with lots of ups and down. Although I’ve never been overly personal here – you won’t find the saucy details of a mad pash and dash in the archives – it’s been an interesting to have this blog as a constant. I haven’t been writing as much lately, as say, a couple of years ago. But still it’s something I enjoy doing very much.

Happy Birthday Blog.

5 responses to “Happy Birthday Blog”

  1. Andrew Avatar

    Ten years is really up there. Well done. Do you sometimes read old things you wrote about and had totally forgotten?

    1. James O'Brien Avatar

      Yes absolutely. A workmate and I were discussing a show at the Opera House and I had no recollection of it at all until I searched my blog and all of the memories came flooding back.

  2. Ian Marks Avatar
    Ian Marks

    I have to say James how much I have enjoyed your blog. I count you as a friend but see you far too little so your blog has always been a great way of knowing not only what you’re up to but also what you thought of what you’re doing.

    Please blog more, I do miss it.

  3. Victor Avatar

    Congratulations on the anniversary. Keep feeling good about yourself!

  4. James O'Brien Avatar

    Ian – haven’t had my blogging “mojo” lately, as I’ve been too busy, both physically and mentally, but feel as though it’s coming back.

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  2. I’m so glad you have patience and a sense of humour. And I get the invisibility thing. The older I…

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