Review of 2011

A lot of people on Facebook are raving about 2011. I want to be a bit more considered than that – as you will see below. I would describe it as a funny old year. It ended much better than it started with a magical Christmas. And hopefully it laid the groundwork for a better 2012 – finally getting somewhere at work, marathon in the pipeline, driving lessons in full flow and a luxury holiday to the States booked.

Anyway, in time honoured tradition, here are my resolutions for 2012 and my review for 2011.


Resolutions
1) Run a marathon
2) Pass my driving test
3) Get promoted
4) Break 76
5) Become a photographer
6) Go on an adventure
7) Blog and tweet
8) Learn to play 100 new songs on the guitar
9) Save money
10) Have a better work/life balance

You may notice some similarities to last year.

Review

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before?
- Raised £1000 for charity
- Cycled round the Isle of Wight
- Visited Norway
- Cycled round Normandy and Brittany
- Hiked Hadrian’s Wall
- Won on the Grand National
- Flew a kite on the beech
- Climbed Mount Snowdon


2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I made ten resolutions last year. I didn’t do that well. But maybe a little better than the year before. I have returned to football and put in some good performances. I wouldn’t say that I am amazingly fit. I haven’t been promoted which has been a constant source of frustration, but hopefully that will happen soon. And I have done some good stuff at work. I haven’t passed my driving test, but at least I am learning again. I did shoot 78 round Oakwood golf course. I have had guitar lessons and I am definitely getting better. I haven’t written a book. I have blogged a reasonable amount including about my cycle ride in France. I have been there for my family and feel better for it. I am sometimes on time.

New resolutions above. They are quite similar to last year’s.


3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No


4. Did anyone close to you die?
No


5. What countries did you visit?
Last year I said I would never go back to the Netherlands because bad things happen there. I went back to the Netherlands. Bad things happened.

Apart from that, I visited Wales, France and Norway.


6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2011?
- A more healthy lifestyle
- More contentment with where I am in my career
- I would love to say Sky Sports but I think that is one for 2013


7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don’t remember the date, but Stevie and Kate getting married was the most significant day of the year. It was brilliant to see two close friends so happy to be getting married. We celebrated with an adequate amount of drunken merriment. Jessica Rudkin put in an award winning performance.” Fuck them shoes!”


8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
My bike ride to France. Going on my own, completely unprepared and with no plan was liberating. It was the best thing I did all year. I loved it. The charity bike rides were good too, as was the hike along Hadrian’s Wall.


9. What was your biggest failure?
I have been frustrated with my progress at work for a lot of the year, so I think that is my biggest failure. I also eat rubbish and need to look after myself better. I also need to be a better friend sometimes.


10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
No. And the knee feels much better.


11. What was the best thing you bought?
I haven’t bought very much at all this year. I would say the scalextric I bought my brother for Christmas. That is a great present if I do say so myself.


12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
- Emad Nadim’s general behaviour always warrants celebration
- Stevie and Kate for getting married
- My mum has been pretty remarkable this year


13.Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
There were a lot of morons in the Priory in St Neots the day. David Cameron gets on my nerves.


14.Where did most of your money go?
Rent and debt. Depressing.


15.What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Christmas. Stephen hosted. We saw all of our closest family in a matter of days. We made a nice video for Jenna. It was a transformation from last year. It was the best Christmas for many years.


16.What song will always remind you of 2010?
I’ve racked my brains and there isn’t one.


17.Compared to this time last year,
I. are you happier or sadder?
Happier

II. thinner or fatter?
About the same

III. richer or poorer?
Poorer


18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
- Played golf
- Eaten green things
- Saved my money
- Kept in touch with important people


19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
- Eaten pizza and chicken
- Felt less self conscious/unsure of what I am doing


20. Did you fall in love in 2010?
No


21. How many one-night stands?
None


22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No


23. What was the best book you read?
One Day. That hits you right between the eyes. Closely followed by Cloud Atlas.


24. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Vaccines are cool. Wretch 32 and Example have a catchy song. I like Coldplay’s new album. Noely G never lets you down.


25. What did you want and get?
My Dad gave me all of his cameras which was nice.


26. What did you want and not get?
A digital clock radio that wakes you up by recreating sunlight. I’ve wanted one for a number of years now.


27. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Inbetweeners film. Or Arthur. Russell Brand was genius in that.


28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 28. It was a low key affair at ‘The Diner’ in Kensal Rise. Stevie and Kate bought me some nice gloves. I had a big chocolate milkshake and a burger. Perfect.


29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A long holiday
Promotion


30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Retro – as in I didn’t buy any clothes all year so there was a lot of recycling. I just bought some stuff in the sales. The theme has been cheque. I think that’s ‘in’. I could be wrong.


31. What kept you sane?
Emad Nadim. I couldn’t go on without him.


32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I’m rubbish at this. I rarely fancy famous people.


33. What political issue stirred you the most?
I think David Cameron’s decision to veto the European treaty was a little bit silly. I’m also stirred by the lack of leadership in the Labour party. I want them to get me angry this year and make me believe they are capable of taking on the Tories.


34. Who did you miss?
- The Pakistani family
- Family
- I’ve not seen Nick Howard this year. It would be good to see him at some point. Cheeky little bastard


35. Who was the best new person you met?
People at work… and some others…


36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2011:
It’s easy to take the most important things for granted.