Time it was and what a time it was, it was...*

The walls of my room are covered with photographs.

Two collages of the Australian landscape; a 19 year old me clutching beers and some fellow backpackers I never saw again. Two identical black frames hold clouds across the French Alps and a night view of the Thames from London Bridge. A big map of Europe shows snippets of an inter-rail trip, none showing the boy I went with.

Opposite that, my horse, touching noses with another over the fence, ears forward; the moment before the squeal. A professional photo of me, the Shark and the Jellyfish, laughing with each other on a pure white background. Enclosed in a metallic square; a group shot of me and my uni housemates; all seven of us together on a night out, arms round necks, some crouching to get into the shot. On a shelf, the ladies ski team on the lawn at uni, dated my final year. Back to the wall, and the most deceptive of the lot. Pouts and arms a plenty with my five old school friends; only one of whom I'd ever want to get that close to again.

By my bed, another snowy Alpine backdrop. Myself and twenty others in an Austrian apres ski bar; some I know better now than then, two ex boyfriends I don't miss, and several people, long gone from my social life, that I do.

White sand and turquoise sea framed in pink to my left, and tucked above it, a spontaneous, smiley self portrait of the Boyfriend and I on the steps of the Sydney Opera House this year. Me and my fourth year housemate on the eve of our last university ball, clad in posh dresses; a make-shift washing line hanging in the background.

I look at all these photos, all these little snapshots of people who I like, love, once loved, even severely dislike. Some I feel ambivalent towards, others I'd do anything for, those who I miss and still wonder about. The ones I regard as best friends, the others who once were, before life, distance or growing up got in the way.

Here they all are, but equally, sometimes I can't help but wonder: where did they all go?

* Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories; they're all that's left you."

Probably one of their shortest songs, but a favourite of mine nonetheless.