I just want to take a moment and let everyone know what’s new, I feel like I’ve been a little disconnected from the world. So what’s new? The real answer it what’s not…

I’ve been working hard, travelling a bunch and really enjoying life the last couple of months. Things that were hanging out there that were not so good all seemed to work themselves out – which has been a big relief. (That’s all I can say about that stuff now for the moment. There’s a lot to write and post about the situation but I’m in the process of deciding how to handle things.)

I was lucky enough to take a couple of days off and hit the road with my brother Kevin and friend Adam. We were basically bums for about five days, camping along the way and seeing some of the better sights of Southern California. We stayed in Joshua Tree National Park and a couple of state beaches in North County San Diego and Orange County. I stopped from time to time at random Starbucks to catch up on email and some client work for TMC Interactive and handled one conference call from the beach – which didn’t suck. Honestly, I could have stayed another five days but I needed to return to Tempe to catch up. It was a great trip and I’m looking forward to doing it all over again this summer.

Two weeks after California we planned on hitting the Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers show in Rocky Point. Kristina and I rented an amazing house in Cholla Bay with another couple and experienced Mexico to the fullest. (Yes it is a safe place to visit and yes I can’t wait to go back.) Before we headed to Mexico Kristina and I decided to exchange rings during the trip. We held a private commitment ceremony on the beach below our Cholla Bay home for the week. It’s a special place to both of us and just a great place to be. With RCPM being in town we were very lucky to have professional photographer Chadwick Fowler and Eric Fullmer take photos of us on the beach during the sunset to mark the moment.

Now, I’m back in Tempe working hard on my firm TMC Interactive and seeing an uptick in business and project interests. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but for right now I am extremely content with life. Thank you all for being a part of it.

Year One of working on my own is in the books. It’s been an exciting journey to say the least. I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned, experienced and done in the last 12 months and it’s been nothing short of a rollercoaster of highs and lows.

Believe me, if you think your life is boring and you want a little excitement leave a job and a guaranteed pay check and join the entrepreneurial/startup world. Your life will change the minute you leave your office with box in hand and escape cubicle nation.

Want the short story bullet points of the last year? Ok here they are…

• Found clients to work with
• Found out some clients that are cool and like to pay their bills
• Learned that there’s a whole community of small businesses and freelancers who are willing to help (both paid and unpaid – sometimes they just appreciate lunch or drinks.)
• Did some cool photo/video production work in Mexico with RCPM
• Came back from Mexico with a hangover
• Tapped into the power of the Gangplank network
• Learned that owning a business meant working on other things rather than actual client work. (Banking etc.)
• Learned that signing up dead beat clients who refused to pay their invoices for porn newsletters really makes me laugh (If you refused to pay and got something in your ‘inbox’ – You’re welcome.)
• Reminded to remember daily that I am luckier than most
• Celebrated my 40th birthday with friends and family
• Spent one day too long in Las Vegas with said family and friends
• Merge and formed TMC Interactive (GRT2 Studios does photo/video production)
• Found out that not all clients are created equally
• Figured out that owning a car is overrated
• Learned to say No to projects that don’t suit me even when I’m broke
• Launched a Music Documentary Project on Kickstarter
• Realized that some people’s perception of owning a business is skewed
• Got in and out of legal troubles (I still hate the Mesa PD)
• Learned not everyone has the balls to go out on their own
• Reminded daily I have the best girlfriend ever
• Got fired from projects (and it was all for the better)
• Learned Evo Terra really digs the Centipede
• Realized I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be

Thank you to everyone who made the last year an amazing ride and helped me get through. I am truly humbled by your friendship, mentoring and support. I hope I am lucky enough to write another post like this one-year from today.

I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. Resolutions unconsciously set you up for failure and who wants to fail. Not me.

Let’s face it 2009 was a rough year for everyone – but I can still count the many blessings that 2009 brought me.

2009 was the year I got my health in order and discovered what was really important. (Sidenote: I got fired – not layed off, straight up canned in November 2008 for some BS. Yep, I got fired from a job I freaking hated every minute of. I was bummed for maybe 20 minutes and then this amazing feeling came over me – FREEDOM. I traveled for four months off and on rediscovered my hapiness.) Money, material things and the like are cool – but in 2009 I set my priorities right. I’m no longer chasing pipe dreams and bar plans. That doesn’t mean I don’t have goals and aspirations but they are more aligned with the bigger picture.

That brings us to my Declarations for 2010. These are things that I focus on during the next year.

HEALTH: I will continue my pursuit of fitness. I will continue my pursuit of clean eating. I will continue my adopted vegetarian lifestyle. I will limit unnecessary late nights and make sure that I listen to what my body needs.

PHOTOGRAPHY: I will continue to make pictures at every opportunity. I will continue my pursuit to being the best photographer I can. I will have an exhibit in August for my 40th birthday. I will continue my informal study of the masters of photography. I will continue my pursuit of knowledge by asking questions, answering questions and discussing photography with others.

PERSONAL: I will continue to be a friend and a trusted confidant. I will continue my pursuit of being the best person I can. I will make sure that I tell the people in my life how grateful I am for their love, friendship and support. I will engage in off-line social activities in Tempe / Phoenix with the great people of Social Media in AZ (I will let myself be known to everyone in person rather than in 140 characters.)

PROFESSIONAL: I will continue to hone my craft and ward off complacency at every turn. My focus will be on achieving results that help my clients move toward their goals. I will continue to be a conduit of information, ideas and creativity.

There it is – posted to live forever. Here’s a question to anyone who reads this and to everyone: What are you going to do in 2010?

To view my complete photography portfolio please visit:www.grtaylor2photo.com