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raven2012 was not a good year for me. I think for the most part it represented the culmination of some stupid and cowardly decisions I made several years ago about what my life was going to be like, decisions I now rightly regret. Consequently my 2012 New Year's resolution was "live through this".
I have done that. In 2013 there are two things I will do, in the same week in mid-September: I will be admitted to the roll in England and Wales, and I will marry Shim. These are the solid things. Otherwise - if hard work and faith will do it, this is the year I will put my life back on track towards what I want it to be.
Shim and I have blown through a season and a half of Babylon 5 over the last few days. We are just beginning season 4, and we would've stuck on the season finale and begun again the following night if I hadn't wanted to hear the new opening credits. (Look, I am a total sucker for a portentous opening narration, okay. I even tolerated Enterprise.)
(There is an old story told about a man who believed as he had been taught that there is divinity in all things. He was walking down the street one day when he heard a great commotion and lots of people running the other way screaming. He held his ground for a moment and then a musth elephant lumbered into sight with a mahout desperately clinging on. "Get out of the way, you idiot!" he shouted as they thundered down the street.
"No!" said our hero, standing his ground. "God is in this elephant! He will not hurt me!"
Of course the elephant went straight into him with a squelch. When he came round his guru was at his bedside and he said, "Panditji, you taught me that God was in everything. Is that not so?"
"No, no, beta," said his guru, "God was in the elephant, certainly that was so. But God was also in the mahout, telling you to get out of the way. You should have listened!")
In other words, there are truthful things to be found everywhere, even in the portentous opening narration of fifteen-year-old TV shows. It was the year of rebirth. It was the year everything changed.
Here is the usual meme:
1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
I was published, in actual print! And I had a book signing! And I saw a Radio 4 recording as part of the studio audience, which was the BEST.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
See above. Sigh. Next year's resolution is broad-based and solid: change.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Ahaha, yes!stupidore had Maisiebean, and my cousin E. had her wee sproglet. So pleased for them both.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.
5. What countries did you visit?
New Zealand, France, Germany and Portugal.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2013?
Clear sightlines forwards.
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Today, December 31st, is the end.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Eh. I am not sure. It's not the piece in Chicks Unravel Time because I actually wrote that in 2011.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I... can't actually talk about it. Not, 'it's too painful to talk about', but 'I cannot write a word about it on the internet".
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had absolutely crushing migraines for a couple of months in the spring, which frightened me rather a lot at the time, although they've cleared entirely now.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I was going to link you to them, but it appears they have stopped making them! A travesty. Anyway, they are lovely Timberland calf boots in dark brown leather that are somehow both waterproof and gorgeous. Love them.
-
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Shim's, and my former supervisor's - not that my current ones aren't good people, but the last one is not only a nice guy and brilliant lawyer, but when I couldn't turn up to work on time for days on end because of migraines, he was sympathetic, helpful and, I suspect strongly, casually forgot to inform my firm's enormously unhelpful HR dept on the grounds it was something we could sort out for ourselves.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Last year I wrote "Those awful, creeping, self-serving self-declared class warriors some total fuckers elected into government". I haven't changed my mind.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, boots, flights, emergency sandwiches from Boots.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The Chicks Unravel Time book signing; the studio recording of Cabin Pressure!
16. Which song will always remind you of 2012?
hey I just met you and this is crazy / but here's my number / so caaaaaaaaaall me maybe?
I also love this string instrumental version. Je ne regrette rien.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Oddly, much happier. Last year at this time was not a good place.
ii. Richer or poorer? Same job, same salary.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
So many things. But the circumstances weren't right, and in the meantime I think I did what I could with the time available.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Cycling for miles in the rain.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Withhappydork and her large, fascinating and very kind family. It was a lovely, lovely time.
21. How did you spend New Year's Eve?
Tonight Shim and I are having a quiet evening with friends. We're taking the bottle champagne that's been lurking in the fridge for months.. I'm looking forward to it.
22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Still falling, still flying.
23. How many one-night stands?
This is such a ridiculous question.
24. What was your favorite TV programme?
Fringe and Babylon 5 - I love them both in very different ways, but I do love them both.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't think so.
26. What was the best book you read?
Ah, Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, and The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex, which I am evangelising shamelessly. Sci-fi with aliens! With aliens called J.Lo!! It's the best.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nothing stand-out, but I liked Ben Howard, The Lumineers, The Head and the Heart, and Marketa Irglova.
28. What did you want and get?
Here.
29. What did you want and not get?
Peace of mind.
30. Favourite film of this year?
I didn't go to the cinema at all this year? Again? Yeah. People shouldn't ask me this question. In 2013 I will at least go and see Star Trek
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 25 - this was basically eleven and a half months ago - and it actually wasn't that bad of a birthday. My department gave me chocolates and my colleagues took me out for dinner.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting along further with my post-qualification plans.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Dresses for work and jeans for everything else. I like some of my work dresses, but going through the January sales yesterday solidified my view that they're mostly REALLY, REALLY UGLY.
34. What kept you sane?
Languages, books and TV, as always.
35. Which public figure did you fancy the most?
Benedict Cumberbatch! Shh. I'm allowed.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I remember saying that it wasn't a game any more: that if Romney won in November we were all going to hell. I am so, so grateful that we're not.
37. Who do you miss?
gavagai, who for those who have not been paying attention for the last ever is my dearest friend in the world, and moved continents in October. I miss her very much.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I am afraid I have not met any new people this year. This cannot be true. Someone up and correct me.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:
There are many ways to be grown up? I think there are, now.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I am on my way / I am on my way back to where I started
-"Down In The Valley", The Head and the Heart (listen to it! it's awesome.)
I read 53 books in 2012 - 54 if I finish Is That A Fish In Your Ear? this afternoon - so not as much as previous years, but enough. I wrote approximately 65,000 words of fanfiction, and a further approx 20,000 words of the novel. I took a term of French classes, I took up swimming regularly, I advanced another year towards qualification. Not a write-off year, but. Can do better. Will do better.
I have done that. In 2013 there are two things I will do, in the same week in mid-September: I will be admitted to the roll in England and Wales, and I will marry Shim. These are the solid things. Otherwise - if hard work and faith will do it, this is the year I will put my life back on track towards what I want it to be.
Shim and I have blown through a season and a half of Babylon 5 over the last few days. We are just beginning season 4, and we would've stuck on the season finale and begun again the following night if I hadn't wanted to hear the new opening credits. (Look, I am a total sucker for a portentous opening narration, okay. I even tolerated Enterprise.)
(There is an old story told about a man who believed as he had been taught that there is divinity in all things. He was walking down the street one day when he heard a great commotion and lots of people running the other way screaming. He held his ground for a moment and then a musth elephant lumbered into sight with a mahout desperately clinging on. "Get out of the way, you idiot!" he shouted as they thundered down the street.
"No!" said our hero, standing his ground. "God is in this elephant! He will not hurt me!"
Of course the elephant went straight into him with a squelch. When he came round his guru was at his bedside and he said, "Panditji, you taught me that God was in everything. Is that not so?"
"No, no, beta," said his guru, "God was in the elephant, certainly that was so. But God was also in the mahout, telling you to get out of the way. You should have listened!")
In other words, there are truthful things to be found everywhere, even in the portentous opening narration of fifteen-year-old TV shows. It was the year of rebirth. It was the year everything changed.
Here is the usual meme:
1. What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
I was published, in actual print! And I had a book signing! And I saw a Radio 4 recording as part of the studio audience, which was the BEST.
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
See above. Sigh. Next year's resolution is broad-based and solid: change.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Ahaha, yes!
stupidore had Maisiebean, and my cousin E. had her wee sproglet. So pleased for them both. 4. Did anyone close to you die?
No, thankfully.
5. What countries did you visit?
New Zealand, France, Germany and Portugal.
6. What would you like to have in 2012 that you lacked in 2013?
Clear sightlines forwards.
7. What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Today, December 31st, is the end.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Eh. I am not sure. It's not the piece in Chicks Unravel Time because I actually wrote that in 2011.
9. What was your biggest failure?
I... can't actually talk about it. Not, 'it's too painful to talk about', but 'I cannot write a word about it on the internet".
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I had absolutely crushing migraines for a couple of months in the spring, which frightened me rather a lot at the time, although they've cleared entirely now.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
I was going to link you to them, but it appears they have stopped making them! A travesty. Anyway, they are lovely Timberland calf boots in dark brown leather that are somehow both waterproof and gorgeous. Love them.
-
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Shim's, and my former supervisor's - not that my current ones aren't good people, but the last one is not only a nice guy and brilliant lawyer, but when I couldn't turn up to work on time for days on end because of migraines, he was sympathetic, helpful and, I suspect strongly, casually forgot to inform my firm's enormously unhelpful HR dept on the grounds it was something we could sort out for ourselves.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Last year I wrote "Those awful, creeping, self-serving self-declared class warriors some total fuckers elected into government". I haven't changed my mind.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, boots, flights, emergency sandwiches from Boots.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The Chicks Unravel Time book signing; the studio recording of Cabin Pressure!
16. Which song will always remind you of 2012?
hey I just met you and this is crazy / but here's my number / so caaaaaaaaaall me maybe?
I also love this string instrumental version. Je ne regrette rien.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Oddly, much happier. Last year at this time was not a good place.
ii. Richer or poorer? Same job, same salary.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
So many things. But the circumstances weren't right, and in the meantime I think I did what I could with the time available.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Cycling for miles in the rain.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With
happydork and her large, fascinating and very kind family. It was a lovely, lovely time. 21. How did you spend New Year's Eve?
Tonight Shim and I are having a quiet evening with friends. We're taking the bottle champagne that's been lurking in the fridge for months.. I'm looking forward to it.
22. Did you fall in love in 2012?
Still falling, still flying.
23. How many one-night stands?
This is such a ridiculous question.
24. What was your favorite TV programme?
Fringe and Babylon 5 - I love them both in very different ways, but I do love them both.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't think so.
26. What was the best book you read?
Ah, Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, and The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex, which I am evangelising shamelessly. Sci-fi with aliens! With aliens called J.Lo!! It's the best.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Nothing stand-out, but I liked Ben Howard, The Lumineers, The Head and the Heart, and Marketa Irglova.
28. What did you want and get?
Here.
29. What did you want and not get?
Peace of mind.
30. Favourite film of this year?
I didn't go to the cinema at all this year? Again? Yeah. People shouldn't ask me this question. In 2013 I will at least go and see Star Trek
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 25 - this was basically eleven and a half months ago - and it actually wasn't that bad of a birthday. My department gave me chocolates and my colleagues took me out for dinner.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Getting along further with my post-qualification plans.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Dresses for work and jeans for everything else. I like some of my work dresses, but going through the January sales yesterday solidified my view that they're mostly REALLY, REALLY UGLY.
34. What kept you sane?
Languages, books and TV, as always.
35. Which public figure did you fancy the most?
Benedict Cumberbatch! Shh. I'm allowed.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I remember saying that it wasn't a game any more: that if Romney won in November we were all going to hell. I am so, so grateful that we're not.
37. Who do you miss?
gavagai, who for those who have not been paying attention for the last ever is my dearest friend in the world, and moved continents in October. I miss her very much.38. Who was the best new person you met?
I am afraid I have not met any new people this year. This cannot be true. Someone up and correct me.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2012:
There are many ways to be grown up? I think there are, now.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
I am on my way / I am on my way back to where I started
-"Down In The Valley", The Head and the Heart (listen to it! it's awesome.)
I read 53 books in 2012 - 54 if I finish Is That A Fish In Your Ear? this afternoon - so not as much as previous years, but enough. I wrote approximately 65,000 words of fanfiction, and a further approx 20,000 words of the novel. I took a term of French classes, I took up swimming regularly, I advanced another year towards qualification. Not a write-off year, but. Can do better. Will do better.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
on 2012-12-31 03:17 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2013-01-01 09:35 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2012-12-31 03:40 pm (UTC)Before you came into my life / I missed you so bad *dances* Yes, this song has not been played enough yet.
no subject
on 2013-01-01 09:35 pm (UTC)95 plays, my iTunes says, which seems... an underestimate!
no subject
on 2013-01-01 02:14 pm (UTC)(also, SMEKDAY. YES. IT IS BRILLIANT AND WONDERFUL. but when is it J Lo's time?)
no subject
on 2013-01-01 09:36 pm (UTC)(ISN'T IT THE BEST. THE ACTUAL BEST. oh J.Lo!)
no subject
on 2013-01-04 09:50 pm (UTC)*hug*
no subject
on 2012-12-31 02:19 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2013-01-03 11:34 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2012-12-31 07:40 pm (UTC)Wishing you the best 2013. Change, happiness, everything.
(I am so excited that you are in print! that is as it should be)
no subject
on 2013-01-03 11:35 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2012-12-31 08:33 pm (UTC)You met
September looks like it is going to be very momentous for you (understatement). I hope 2013 is an excellent year.
no subject
on 2013-01-03 11:35 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2013-01-03 11:42 pm (UTC)So do I. :) I hope it treats us all wonderfully.
no subject
on 2012-12-31 08:36 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2013-01-03 11:34 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2013-01-02 07:40 am (UTC)xx
no subject
on 2013-01-03 11:34 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2013-01-04 07:35 am (UTC)xx