My favourite photograph I took this year—or maybe ever—is a picture that's only for me. I waited five months to shoot it, and then I promised the person in the photo not to show it to anyone, so it's just sitting on a hard drive. Every once in a while I look at it when I'm alone. I'm so glad I took it, and it reassures me, but every viewing reminds me of that time that's gone, and then my heart breaks a little. Photography can be so intimate, and so melancholy: Every time I press the shutter, it's an acknowledgement that the moment I've just photographed has passed.

In case you're wondering what it's like to take months and months off of work, here's my take. When I came back from Madagascar in mid-May, I didn't have any plans apart from running (a lot) and swimming (even more), chillaxin', getting a tan and working on my book project on the side. The summer months stretched endlessly in front of me and it was both scary and amazing. I realized that I haven't had this much free time since I began first grade, 30 years ago! And I did stuff I've never done before, just because I had. So. Much. Free. Time.

More Mada love: Antananarivo, the airport bar in Maroantsetra, the view on the way back to Tana from 5R-MVO, Ambohimanga and pool players, Nosy Iranja (aka tropical paradise where I swam with sea turtles), and a couple of shots from the car on Nosy Be.

I just came back from a wonderful vacation in Madagascar where I stayed at the Masoala Forest Lodge on the Masoala peninsula. I flew to Maroantsetra from Antananarivo by private plane and was met by the Blue Fin boat crew for the two-hour boat transfer across Antongila Bay. Staying at the lodge and exploring the rainforest with trusted guide Elysee was one of the most wonderful experiences I've ever had and I loved every second of it. I even loved the incessant rain and the fact that my camera stopped working after two days (it got soaked in my backpack). I mean: How adventurous!?

Last week, I returned from a three-week reportage trip to Johannesburg, South Africa. Thanks to my fantastic fixer and confidante Matshidiso "Manika" Mofokeng, I was able to kick ass, take names, and pretty much finish up the South African chapter of my Lesbian Lives Project book series. All that's left for me to do now is to transcribe a ton of interviews and edit five years worth of copy ... which I will do with pleasure. Making a book is so much fun! (I'm being serious: There is nothing more satisfying in the world to me than seeing a book slowly come together.)