Put the blame on Mame, boys
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
Moved in with someone I was in love with, on purpose like. Decided to become an electrician. Went on tour, twice. Got a largeish tattoo. Attended the wedding of a generational peer.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Looking over the previous ones of these, 'Learn to drive' was one both the year before last and last year, and I still haven't done it. My test's on the 15th of January so hopefully I'll manage it this time. Other stuff from last year was mostly to do with keeping on with the good stuff, which I have done - our home is lovely, and my relationship with Fred is wonderful.
My resolution this time is a coincidence - I happened to decide it towards the end of the year so it may as well count. This year I'm going to start working towards becoming a qualified electrician. That and keep up the other stuff, as above.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit in 2013?
It's funny to keep putting Scotland down. But maybe next year it'll actually count as a different country? Maybe! And Belgium. Belgium twice! Belgium was great. Ghent is awesome. Everyone should go to Ghent. It's way better than Bruges.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Job security, really. And to live somewhere where there's no crazy neighbours.
27. What did you want and get?
I stopped working in the office, and I got my seahorse tattoo. I'm nearly done learning to drive... I have a bicycle and I love cycling but I feel sick whenever I read the news and there's a new poor thing under a lorry somewhere. I wanted various bits of work that I got. Fred got a good job. That's grand.
28. What did you want and not get?
I wanted various bits of work that I didn't get. I don't feel as secure as I would've liked, but I'm taking active steps in the right direction so that's nice.
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Ah hmmm. My birthday was pretty special - the Brighton date of the Boy In A Dress tour, when it turned out that the stage was about half the size of the set and it was an insanely stressful day. But the show was amazing, and so many of my friends came, and there was champagne and cake. Also, the Amanda Palmer Party was very good times. So was the first Camp Cabaret.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Managing to support myself as a freelance theatre person. Having such a nice time with Fred.
9. What was your biggest failure?
'Not learning to drive.' (- Me, 2012)
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The odd little cold. I am a surprisingly healthy bod, considering my 'lifestyle'.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Maybe my clear Doc Marten style boots, but I haven't had a chance to work out how to wear those yet. Maybe my tapestry rucksack. Nice food. My camera.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Everyone who arranged for me to go to a beautiful place and spend time eating excellent food and lovely games with ace people, so Izzy Lockhart Smith and Sean Mooney. Suzy for getting that job and moving to be my neighbour. Fred obv. Everyone who employed me, again. Grandma deserves special mention.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The government are pretty saddening pretty often. It would be nice to go back to the thing where the more vulnerable members of society can be expected to be looked after, and to stop reading about suicides of people labelled as scrounging scum in the papers, please. The job centre, although they did give me money when I needed it - but in such a way that made it almost not worthwhile.
14. Where did most of your money go?
'Food, as ever.' (Nothing changes)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to big houses in the countryside with friends.
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
I haven't been so much of a music listener this year, at least not in any kind of making an effort way. But when I have been, I've been listening to shitloads of blues. So maybe something by Skip James, or Lightnin' Hopkins.
17. Compared to this time last year:
Happier or sadder? I was happy then, and I'm happy now. How marvellous.
Older or wiser? Both.
Thinner or Fatter? 'Don't know or care.'
Richer or poorer? Probably poorer, financially, or at least I will be once I've paid this tax bill. Ouch.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Work maybe, but that wasn't through lack of trying. Spending time with Fred but that's just always how I feel. Gay.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being a bit of a div? But my ratios aren't too bad. I wouldn't change anything.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it at Bayswater, same as I have the past X number of years, where X is 'quite a lot'. It's conceivable that this year was the last time though. Hum.
21. Did you fall in love in 2013?
ERR' DAY
22. How many one-night stands?
I was 100% monogamous the whole of this year.
23. What was your favourite TV program?
Parks and Rec.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
25. What was the best book you read?
The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter//Catch-22 by Joseph Heller//Candide by Voltaire
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I think I've literally made none this year. I fail at music these days.
29. What was your favourite film of this year?
Again, I can't think of a single one that came out this year that I particularly enjoyed (though admittedly I haven't been to the cinema much).
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 24, and working at Boy In A Dress. See above.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A steady income, perhaps.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
I've discovered leggings! Used to hate 'em, now can't get enough. I am a fickle beast.
33. What kept you sane?
Good friendship, all the time. Good food as well.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Tilda Swinton.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Tory business.
36. Who did you miss?
Fred, while on tour and also just like, whenever I'm not with him. So gay.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
I've worked with various awesome new people. Aste Amundsen and the rest of the Apocalypse Gameshow team. The Gonzo Moose gang. And so on.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013:
Just do your best, silly.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
If I had one wish
Just a wish
Throw me in the water
'Cause I wanna be a bottom feeder
And finally, a recent picture of myself.
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?
Moved in with someone I was in love with, on purpose like. Decided to become an electrician. Went on tour, twice. Got a largeish tattoo. Attended the wedding of a generational peer.
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Looking over the previous ones of these, 'Learn to drive' was one both the year before last and last year, and I still haven't done it. My test's on the 15th of January so hopefully I'll manage it this time. Other stuff from last year was mostly to do with keeping on with the good stuff, which I have done - our home is lovely, and my relationship with Fred is wonderful.
My resolution this time is a coincidence - I happened to decide it towards the end of the year so it may as well count. This year I'm going to start working towards becoming a qualified electrician. That and keep up the other stuff, as above.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit in 2013?
It's funny to keep putting Scotland down. But maybe next year it'll actually count as a different country? Maybe! And Belgium. Belgium twice! Belgium was great. Ghent is awesome. Everyone should go to Ghent. It's way better than Bruges.
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?
Job security, really. And to live somewhere where there's no crazy neighbours.
27. What did you want and get?
I stopped working in the office, and I got my seahorse tattoo. I'm nearly done learning to drive... I have a bicycle and I love cycling but I feel sick whenever I read the news and there's a new poor thing under a lorry somewhere. I wanted various bits of work that I got. Fred got a good job. That's grand.
28. What did you want and not get?
I wanted various bits of work that I didn't get. I don't feel as secure as I would've liked, but I'm taking active steps in the right direction so that's nice.
7. What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Ah hmmm. My birthday was pretty special - the Brighton date of the Boy In A Dress tour, when it turned out that the stage was about half the size of the set and it was an insanely stressful day. But the show was amazing, and so many of my friends came, and there was champagne and cake. Also, the Amanda Palmer Party was very good times. So was the first Camp Cabaret.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Managing to support myself as a freelance theatre person. Having such a nice time with Fred.
9. What was your biggest failure?
'Not learning to drive.' (- Me, 2012)
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The odd little cold. I am a surprisingly healthy bod, considering my 'lifestyle'.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Maybe my clear Doc Marten style boots, but I haven't had a chance to work out how to wear those yet. Maybe my tapestry rucksack. Nice food. My camera.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Everyone who arranged for me to go to a beautiful place and spend time eating excellent food and lovely games with ace people, so Izzy Lockhart Smith and Sean Mooney. Suzy for getting that job and moving to be my neighbour. Fred obv. Everyone who employed me, again. Grandma deserves special mention.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The government are pretty saddening pretty often. It would be nice to go back to the thing where the more vulnerable members of society can be expected to be looked after, and to stop reading about suicides of people labelled as scrounging scum in the papers, please. The job centre, although they did give me money when I needed it - but in such a way that made it almost not worthwhile.
14. Where did most of your money go?
'Food, as ever.' (Nothing changes)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to big houses in the countryside with friends.
16. What song will always remind you of 2013?
I haven't been so much of a music listener this year, at least not in any kind of making an effort way. But when I have been, I've been listening to shitloads of blues. So maybe something by Skip James, or Lightnin' Hopkins.
17. Compared to this time last year:
Happier or sadder? I was happy then, and I'm happy now. How marvellous.
Older or wiser? Both.
Thinner or Fatter? 'Don't know or care.'
Richer or poorer? Probably poorer, financially, or at least I will be once I've paid this tax bill. Ouch.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Work maybe, but that wasn't through lack of trying. Spending time with Fred but that's just always how I feel. Gay.
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Being a bit of a div? But my ratios aren't too bad. I wouldn't change anything.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it at Bayswater, same as I have the past X number of years, where X is 'quite a lot'. It's conceivable that this year was the last time though. Hum.
21. Did you fall in love in 2013?
ERR' DAY
22. How many one-night stands?
I was 100% monogamous the whole of this year.
23. What was your favourite TV program?
Parks and Rec.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
25. What was the best book you read?
The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter//Catch-22 by Joseph Heller//Candide by Voltaire
26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I think I've literally made none this year. I fail at music these days.
29. What was your favourite film of this year?
Again, I can't think of a single one that came out this year that I particularly enjoyed (though admittedly I haven't been to the cinema much).
30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 24, and working at Boy In A Dress. See above.
31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A steady income, perhaps.
32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?
I've discovered leggings! Used to hate 'em, now can't get enough. I am a fickle beast.
33. What kept you sane?
Good friendship, all the time. Good food as well.
34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Tilda Swinton.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Tory business.
36. Who did you miss?
Fred, while on tour and also just like, whenever I'm not with him. So gay.
37. Who was the best new person you met?
I've worked with various awesome new people. Aste Amundsen and the rest of the Apocalypse Gameshow team. The Gonzo Moose gang. And so on.
38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2013:
Just do your best, silly.
39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
If I had one wish
Just a wish
Throw me in the water
'Cause I wanna be a bottom feeder
And finally, a recent picture of myself.