2009 was one of the best years of my life.

At the start of the year I was fortunate enough to spend 6 weeks attending Clarion South (a science fiction writing workshop) in Brisbane.  I learned a lot and made some wonderful new friends.  After that I went on to sell two stores to a SFWA-level professional market.  I also had other stories and articles published.

In the middle of the year I spent 3 months backpacking in Asia and Eastern Europe.  I visited my friends in Japan, took the boat to China, the train through Mongolia and then the Trans-Siberian Express across Russia.  Then I spent a while wandering around the Baltics and the rest of Eastern Europe.  I’ve now managed to visit the grand total of 73 countries.

Asia & Eastern Europe 2009:

In November I returned to Melbourne and got myself a job programming for a government department.  I enjoy the work, my co-workers are great, the pay is good and I only work 4 days a week.  So I can’t complain.

I also found an apartment to rent in South Yarra and moved in at the end of the year.