Farewell 2009

And here we are. 2010.

It’s sort of less impressing than what I thought the year 2010 would be really. I grew up in an era where there was no Internet and my source of information was a show called Beyond 2000. No wonder I’m underwhelmed, according to it I’m meant to be flying around in my hover car all Jetson style by now. (PS is it interesting that my two favourite cartoons in the whole world are set in the future and the past, being The Flintsones and The Jetsons? No you are right, its not interesting……moving on)

So anyway, I’m not flying around in my spaceship slash hover craft slash car slash shopping trolley. I’m still in a nondescript 4 cylinder that gets me around far less glamorously than Beyond 2000 predicted. In a way, this is a good thing; I hate flying and heights anyway.

But as I was saying, here we are in 2010. As I get older the years really do go quicker, proving that youth really is wasted on the young. All that time wasted in my 20’s thinking my arse was too big, wow, if only I could have seen it in 2010, I would have had a much more carefree existence.

But I can’t complain, because life threw some real curveballs at people close to me last year, whilst I remain relatively unscathed. Sure, I did my own soul searching and all that gaff, tears will always fall on occasions, but I didn’t have to go through the extent of emotional turmoil that others did, and for this I’m grateful, and in a way I'm glad I was (for once!) the level headed one that was able to offer some support and words when needed. Maybe in 2009 I finally learnt that life isn’t all about me after all. That sometimes you need to let it revolve around someone else for a while, and help them find their way to 2010 whatever way they can. Therein lays another lesson in a way, sometimes the world revolves around someone even when they don’t want it to, and as much as it can hurt, the world just keeps on doing its own thing.

Sun rises, sun sets, seasons pass. Maybe in 2010 I’ll make more of an effort to appreciate each one of them too.

So moving on, because crikey, I’ve been serious for a good few paragraphs now, and quiet frankly I’ve had enough. For approximately three weeks I’ve been trying to start a 'Welcome to 2010 rada rada rada' post, but sadly, I’ve been somewhat hungover in most of my free time, and this combined with the death of my laptop (henceforth known as the 'Great Toshiba Incident of 2009') has meant its eluded me (or maybe I’ve just been lazy, take your pick)

So, reading my friends entry here http://sometimesitsbetteroutthanin.wordpress.com/, I’d decided I’d rip her idea (sorry love, I know you will understand!) and also do the goodbye to 2009 survey.

Here we go (can I just add here, I do so love a survey. If I ever end up unemployed I might just make my career surfing the web and completing surveys)

Away we go folks, pour a drink, this could take a while.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

Allowed someone else to name a pet of mine. This is how my beloved and I (yes those of you wondering, still loved up here) ended up with a cat called Jeff. 'Jeff the cat' if you want to be formal. For those thinking this is a negligent thing, please remember that allowing someone to name a pet of mine, is akin to allowing someone to name one of your children. Generally speaking it just not on. But I really, really wanted a cat, and he really, really only wanted one if he got to name it. And we welcome Jeff the Cat to our humble abode.

Stay tuned by the way, Jeff could have an entire blog dedicated to him. He is part cat, part ninja, and quite possibly part man beast also.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions and will you make more for next year?

Not really, I think I used the generic “I will loose weight and get fitter”. This once again lapsed and waned throughout the year as it does every year, in relation to the weather, my motivation and occasionally the price of vegetables.

This year I decided to really challenge myself though and aim to learn Spanish. This may also lapse and wane throughout the year in relation to the weather, my motivation and occasionally the realisation I don’t actually need to learn Spanish for any reason whatsoever other than I needed a new years resolution.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes my best friend did. He was very early and came after a mighty long wait to his parents, but Mr Darcy did indeed enter the world in 2009, and Mr J and I became his proud God Parents. (There is a possibility my best friend regrets the drunken pact we made many moons ago to be godparents to each others children, based on the fact I’m still going around making drunken pacts and she probably thought I too would be married with children by now and make an calm inspiring God Mother….but if this regret thought is running through her mind, she hasn’t voiced her concern thus far, so I continue to lead the way in my shining light and all that jazz. My efforts thus far have been to remember to send up a Christmas Present, so I think I’m doing okay.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I was quite close to my Toshiba. We try not to talk about it.

5. What countries did you visit?

None, just a few useless states, like the state of hysteria a couple of time, but Mr J does a good job of stamping my passport and bringing me back to solid ground.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

Patience. And possibly a pony. I miss my ponies, as for patience, can't miss what I never had, but at my (ahem) advancing age, about time I learnt the art of patience. (or is it a virtue? Never mind, I’m bored and want to move on)

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory and why?

Being incredibly hopeless with numbers, I don’t actually remember dates. Just events. That’s boring isn’t it?

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

I got to see my name in print, in an actual book, you know, like one people pay money for an everything. Insert satisfied smile here.

9. What was your biggest failure?

The denim shorts I thought were cute. They aren’t. I need to face facts, denim shorts, now I am the wrong side of 35, may never be cute again. Insert big sad sigh here.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I suffered through numerous hangovers, and that was enough.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

A smile to Mr Js face. Bahahaha, that was seriously the worst line I have ever written.

It was actually the smile I bought to your face.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

At the risk of being serious for a minute, human nature continues to amaze me, and I hope one day when I grow up, I’m as strong as some of my friends are.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Tiger Woods, I thought he was on of the good ones, what an arsewipe. Also taking the aresewipe award is my friends ex-boyfriend. Insert a barrage of swear words here….

14. Where did most of your money go?

I have no idea, this thought might be what appalls and depresses me in next years survey though.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Jeff the cat, he was an outstanding highlight.

16. What song will always remind of you 2009?

All Summer Long, Kid Rock. It seemed to be everywhere

17. Compared to this time last year, are:

a)happier or sadder? I’d like to say happier, but worried you may think I wasn’t happy at the end of 2008. Rest assured, I got to kiss Mr J at midnight in 2008, then at midnight in 2009, and will again at midnight in 2010, so I’m a happy girl.

b)thinner or fatter? Fatter. Fatter by the way is horrible word, I cringed just typing it.

c) richer or poorer? Probably the same, I’m eternally hopeless with money.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Writing.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Worrying, sometimes my mind just thinks of things to worry about. I wish I could fix that.

20. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Yes, see references to Jeff the Cat. I could say I fall in love everyday with Mr J, but he might read this and accuse me of being a soppy fool, so I won’t. (though technically I got it in anyhow)

21. What was your favourite TV program?

Californication. I was late to the party with this show, but became hooked after getting season one on DVD.

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Hate starts wars, so I would rather just strongly dislike. So yes, I strongly dislike my friends ex boyfriend.

23. What was the best book you read?

Please, I beg you, don’t ever try to make me pinpoint a favourite book! Its akin to asking someone which of their children they love best.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery?

See answer 23, but replace the word 'book', for artist, song, singer, or lyric.

25. What did you want and get?

Jeff the Cat. Totally awesome.

26. What did you want and not get?

A new car. Patience, and a pony.

27. What was your favourite film of this year?

Oh tuff choice, can’t bloody think, NEXT.

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I was 29F, and I went out to dinner with Mr J where I probably ate too much thai and drank too much wine.

29. How you would describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

I don’t think I had a fashion concept, I was too busy coming to terms with the Bras and Things lady telling me I my boobs were a Double D, thereby rendering my 27 C cup bras living in the draw at home utterly useless.

30. What kept you sane?

My J, music, Jeff the cat, alcohol and my pissy cat dolls.

31. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Hugh Jackman, not only am I in lust with him, I just my genuinely be in love with him.

32. Who did you miss?

My pissy cat dolls.

33. Who was the best new person you met?

See answer 23, but replace the word “book” with ‘friend”.

34. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Good things come to those who wait. Toshibas are shit.

35. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

Every now and then,

I get a little lost

My strings all get tangled

The wires all get crossed

Every now and then

I’m right upon the edge

Danglin’ my toes out over the ledge

I just thank God you’re here

Cause when I’m a bullet shot out of a gun

When I’m a firecracker comin’ undone

When I’m a fugitive ready to run

All wild-eyed and crazy

No matter where my reckless soul takes me

Baby you save me