10,000+ views. 20/30 views per day up from 1 every 2/3 days. Here’s a story of a year of blogging.

It started 10 years ago in a downtrodden estate of Edinburgh in a high rise single room let to me by an old friend. I was having doubts about my life and while 30 was thoroughly lost in where I was in life and where I wanted to go. I had a day job and for 9 years I pretty much blogged only to me.

It was nice. Reflecting. I could put my thoughts into words, save them. Read them again one day. I still have them all.

I also never had much in the way of formal schooling so I read a fair whack of wikipedia. That was a trip.Spent a good 5 years being an avid fan.

Suffice to say my 30s were a road to discovery. From it I came out with a sure fire certainty.

We’re here to be good, set a good example in how we bring up our families and that life ain’t easy for one and all. No one has it easy. I’ve seen compassion in the darkest corners and utter trash on stage up in lights.

I’ve mingled with the worst as in world leaders, government officials, police officials and also seen some of the best in ‘scummy’ families that do nothing but look out for their own and themselves and get by as best they can – with a general common sense of decency to ones fellow man.

Seems as soon as someone makes more than £50,000 per year they think they have a right to be dicks. There are exceptions.

As I’ve seen it all from the top looking down and the bottom looking up, the view has inspired me to try myself in the arts. Writing, photography and volunteer work.

I find peace in these activities which I never knew while in the ‘rat race’, I broke free from it’s slavery and I pity those who aspire to a 9-5. Full respect to career professionals like doctors (except stop peddling pysche drugs already for free holidays, anyway).

I’ve been a carer, solider, janitor, builder, negotiator, salesman, disaster relief first responder and a geek and worked in the odd pub. During it all I’ve seen it all.

I hope the works I produce henceforth reflect the scope of my vision. It will be with words and photos.

My final first responder team will be the best in the world.

Perhaps another Dortju book or two in the pipeline in the future if they become popular.