2017 Year-End Review
Why won't this work? AAAAARGHHHH! Ah, there we go.
Seriously? Do I really want to dust off the old meme and repost the whole thing on my LJ? Probably. That's all I use my LJ for, anyway. Maybe that should be one of my resolutions for 2018 that I'll never keep: write more than once a year in my LJ. Or something. Ehh...
1. What did you do in 2017 that you'd never done before?
Not writing in my LJ throughout the year makes this one a difficult to do. So, from memory, a few are: lived in Southgate; paid rent of more than £650; played in a musical tribute for a friend (I miss you, Hoops); worked in a secondary school; had an interview for an SEN position (and nearly got the job - close, but no cigar); written a list of all the people I've kissed; worked in... actually, I've already worked in Oxfordshire, scratch that; scored a film 0 out of 5 in my annual list; teach a class with a 100% pass rate; been promoted, then demoted, within a few months; done an escape room; listened to Roxy Music; and (as of Christmas) owned an Amazon Fire tablet!
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I still didn't lose any weight, but I did give up hard cheese for a month, so there's that. I'm not entirely sure gaining weight was my fault: I lost a bit over the summer, but then got thrown into a while world of stress, and inadvertently started to eat it all out.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, although my cousin Rosie is about to have her second child, so that'll happen early next year.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Hoops.
5. What countries did you visit?
I still haven't explored outside of England this year. I don't have the time or, crucially, the money. I went to Henley-on-Thames, though, and I've never seen that before. Still not a different country, though. Haven't even been anywhere else in Britain, even.
6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?
More motivation, really. I still want to do music; I still want to do (more) writing. I don't have the technology to do so, I don't have the space, and I genuinely don't have the energy. Stuff like work and rent is important, sure - but where's the soul?
7. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
GCSE results day. I didn't go in on the assunption that my boss would be there, but she wasn't. I had students asking me about their results and wasn't able to give them because I hadn't gone in. I had to do everything from my end and give everyone the news personally.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Possibly, if not definitely, running a session at the annual conference I go to. The fact that it was accepted at all was a surprise, because I kept putting in the same application for year upon year and never getting accepted; that I got to do it this year was nothing short of a miracle. And then there was the fact that people turned up, and...
9. What was your biggest failure?
It's not my fault, but the low results of my GCSE class were pretty depressing. That's mostly down to the exam boards, though, and their new, tougher GCSEs and harsher marking. I'm not the only English teacher who'd had this complaint. AQA, take note.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Continuous IBS pain which, apprently, isn't ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, although I was convinced it might be. I also had an accident a couple of weeks ago which ripped holes in my leg, hands, and arm; and I fell on my head at Ardmore. I always fall on my head at Ardmore. Maybe I shouldn't do Ardmore any more if I keep falling on my head.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Still my Cineworld Unlimited card. I don't buy much else, really.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
helenseviltwin, I think. She inspired me to be a better live musician, and I think we kind of clicked a little. Also my niece, Matilda, who still doesn't speak in full sentences but has incredible gross motor skills for someone her age.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
I don't really know. My own made me depressed, although that's more my feelings, rather than my behaviour. There are a couple of people who have been merciless with their mockery, although I'm not sure what they're trying to get out of that. Maybe it's just me being a target or something. Also, really, my boss, who kept withholding pay for so long that the following happened...
14. Where did most of your money go?
Overdraft fees, and pre-notified charges of £5/day whenever I go over my overdraft limit, and bus travel considering the fact that this is London. This year I got into the appalling situation of being unable to use anything - not even my overdraft - because of all the fees. That got sorted out eventually, but it was seriously scary for a while.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I got stupidly excited about the My Little Pony movie, and even more so when the local cinema put up a huge banner advertising it. I had to wait a bit to see it, but I did eventually (and then the short movie beforehand freaked me out!).
16. What song will always remind you of 2016?
Probably Human by Rag'n'Bone Man, because ALL THE OTHER SONGS FROM 2017 SOUNDED THE SAME.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Sadder. I always seem to get sadder.
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter. Most definitely and one of the things I still hate the most. When my girlfriend wants to wound me, she calls me fat. I'm working on it, I promise.
c) richer or poorer? Richer, although I suspect this won't be the case for very long.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Seeing my friends - Jack, Thomas, Daniel, Alice, Luke, Maria, Fréya, Matt, Matt, Mabel, Rita, Marek, Jenny and Ed, plus morti. I've barely seen any of them.
Something I've been wondering about is whether or not my friends actually want to see me. There have been a few incidents of poor timing insofar as me not being available, or them, but there have also been things happening when I'm perfectly free and yet not get invited to. Facebook tells me so, and as a result, going on Facebook makes me depressed. Maybe this is me being paranoid, but I surely can't be that bad company, can I?
Also, let's talk about seeing Matilda (although I've done more of that this year), plus music (although I did a little more, not so much), comedy (ditto), acting (barely a whiff this year), etc. (Some of this, I'm pretty reliant upon other people at least presenting the opportunity to me. One can only get so far without having the contacts, or the push.)
...I'd also have liked to have some sex, y'know?
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Facebook, because it almost invariably makes me despondent about myself. But then, that's what Facebook does; it makes everyone else you know seem like they are having a better life than you.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
As usual, with my family. I don't think I'll ever spend it with anyone else. Doctor Who made me cry, but it's not the first time I've cried at Christmas.
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
My parents. Not living with them any more kind of necessitates this.
22. Did you fall in love in 2017?
...probably?
23. How many one-night stands?
None. I don't think I've ever really had a one-night stand. I haven't had sex this year, really.
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
Unsurprisingly it is still Knightmare - it will always be Knightmare - although this year I've enjoyed new Robot Wars, new Red Dwarf, new Dave Gorman's Modern Life is Good(ish), and My Little Pony. I was also pleased with The Crystal Maze, which was as wacky as ever.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't really do hate. I'm not sure I can hate.
There are two people who I can think of, though. I quite like the first one, but I'm pretty certain they don't like me, and their constant low-level mockery, which is quite clearly trying to elicit a response but I'm not sure what, is becoming tiresome.
here's also the someone I formerly considered a friend, as I mentioned last year. Another year later and it's still happening, in a slightly worse way, although - as it turns out - I'm not the only person who's noticed, as someone else has done so too... and she's in Australia!
26. What was the best book you read?
The 100 Best Video Games That Never Existed, by Fred "Nate" Crowley (aka @FrogCroakley on Twitter).
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Roxy Music. I spend most of the year reading, on and off, Brian Eno's biography, which mentioned his time in Roxy, so I gave their first album a listen. I like it, and got a best-of for Christmas.
28. What did you want and get?
Spiritual fulfilment. I've felt rather distant from God as of late, but I felt God's presence towards the end of Mass this year while singing away lustfully. I was hoping for that all year, and I got it.
29. What did you want and not get?
Thinner, obviously. I got everything I wanted for Christmas, so I'm okay for material goods. I'd really have liked a holiday, though.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
The film that had a biggest impact of me I actually can't say, but then again, that was made in 2016. I made a list of the things I saw in the cinema, though! We put together all the films with a mark between one and five and then a combined score out of ten. We then picked ten from all the films that scored 8 or more, and ordered them. Mine were:
1. The Lego Batman Movie
2. Paddington 2
3. My Little Pony: The Movie
4. Beauty and the Beast
5. Spider-Man: Homecoming
6. Star Wars - Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
7. Get Out
8. Thor: Ragnarok
9. Wonder Woman
10. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
31. What did you do on your birthday?
I had a gathering with my family on the day itself, which was a Friday... and the the day after that, I went to see Get Out!
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A spotlight... for the same reason as last year.... and more time with Matilda, and my friends. I'm satisfied with my job, but being paid prompty on time would be nice.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?
Pooka Chic, the fashion industry's next big thing.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't do celebrity crushes. Again, I keep reiterating this: if you're in a relationship, you shouldn't answer this question.
Here's something fun, though. Keira Knightley regularly comes up in lists of fanciable celebrities. I met her when we were both two and I didn't fancy her back then either. She was a good playmate, though.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Sexual assault, as it was everywhere. I actually reached out to the one who assaulted me, and that was cathartic for the both of us.
37. Who did you miss?
Gran, Bert, Hoops. Matilda, and all my friends, especially morti. Helen. Emma, Lianne and Natalie, who still have a space if they want it. Still Serafina, as well. I also kind of miss smashmouthnaked, although I'm not sure she exists any more, and the Knightmare crew, since I couldn't afford the social this year.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Abby, from Ardmore, who was a lovely person to chat to. Amy, as well, from the blogging community, was refreshingly unique.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.
One always thinks the past is better than it probably actually was. (Apart from all those bits that still hurt. I'm talking more generally here.)
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Frequency dip! Frequency dip! Frequency dip! Frequency dip!"
Seriously? Do I really want to dust off the old meme and repost the whole thing on my LJ? Probably. That's all I use my LJ for, anyway. Maybe that should be one of my resolutions for 2018 that I'll never keep: write more than once a year in my LJ. Or something. Ehh...
1. What did you do in 2017 that you'd never done before?
Not writing in my LJ throughout the year makes this one a difficult to do. So, from memory, a few are: lived in Southgate; paid rent of more than £650; played in a musical tribute for a friend (I miss you, Hoops); worked in a secondary school; had an interview for an SEN position (and nearly got the job - close, but no cigar); written a list of all the people I've kissed; worked in... actually, I've already worked in Oxfordshire, scratch that; scored a film 0 out of 5 in my annual list; teach a class with a 100% pass rate; been promoted, then demoted, within a few months; done an escape room; listened to Roxy Music; and (as of Christmas) owned an Amazon Fire tablet!
2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I still didn't lose any weight, but I did give up hard cheese for a month, so there's that. I'm not entirely sure gaining weight was my fault: I lost a bit over the summer, but then got thrown into a while world of stress, and inadvertently started to eat it all out.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope, although my cousin Rosie is about to have her second child, so that'll happen early next year.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Hoops.
5. What countries did you visit?
I still haven't explored outside of England this year. I don't have the time or, crucially, the money. I went to Henley-on-Thames, though, and I've never seen that before. Still not a different country, though. Haven't even been anywhere else in Britain, even.
6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?
More motivation, really. I still want to do music; I still want to do (more) writing. I don't have the technology to do so, I don't have the space, and I genuinely don't have the energy. Stuff like work and rent is important, sure - but where's the soul?
7. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
GCSE results day. I didn't go in on the assunption that my boss would be there, but she wasn't. I had students asking me about their results and wasn't able to give them because I hadn't gone in. I had to do everything from my end and give everyone the news personally.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Possibly, if not definitely, running a session at the annual conference I go to. The fact that it was accepted at all was a surprise, because I kept putting in the same application for year upon year and never getting accepted; that I got to do it this year was nothing short of a miracle. And then there was the fact that people turned up, and...
9. What was your biggest failure?
It's not my fault, but the low results of my GCSE class were pretty depressing. That's mostly down to the exam boards, though, and their new, tougher GCSEs and harsher marking. I'm not the only English teacher who'd had this complaint. AQA, take note.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Continuous IBS pain which, apprently, isn't ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, although I was convinced it might be. I also had an accident a couple of weeks ago which ripped holes in my leg, hands, and arm; and I fell on my head at Ardmore. I always fall on my head at Ardmore. Maybe I shouldn't do Ardmore any more if I keep falling on my head.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Still my Cineworld Unlimited card. I don't buy much else, really.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
helenseviltwin, I think. She inspired me to be a better live musician, and I think we kind of clicked a little. Also my niece, Matilda, who still doesn't speak in full sentences but has incredible gross motor skills for someone her age.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
I don't really know. My own made me depressed, although that's more my feelings, rather than my behaviour. There are a couple of people who have been merciless with their mockery, although I'm not sure what they're trying to get out of that. Maybe it's just me being a target or something. Also, really, my boss, who kept withholding pay for so long that the following happened...
14. Where did most of your money go?
Overdraft fees, and pre-notified charges of £5/day whenever I go over my overdraft limit, and bus travel considering the fact that this is London. This year I got into the appalling situation of being unable to use anything - not even my overdraft - because of all the fees. That got sorted out eventually, but it was seriously scary for a while.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I got stupidly excited about the My Little Pony movie, and even more so when the local cinema put up a huge banner advertising it. I had to wait a bit to see it, but I did eventually (and then the short movie beforehand freaked me out!).
16. What song will always remind you of 2016?
Probably Human by Rag'n'Bone Man, because ALL THE OTHER SONGS FROM 2017 SOUNDED THE SAME.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Sadder. I always seem to get sadder.
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter. Most definitely and one of the things I still hate the most. When my girlfriend wants to wound me, she calls me fat. I'm working on it, I promise.
c) richer or poorer? Richer, although I suspect this won't be the case for very long.
18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Seeing my friends - Jack, Thomas, Daniel, Alice, Luke, Maria, Fréya, Matt, Matt, Mabel, Rita, Marek, Jenny and Ed, plus morti. I've barely seen any of them.
Something I've been wondering about is whether or not my friends actually want to see me. There have been a few incidents of poor timing insofar as me not being available, or them, but there have also been things happening when I'm perfectly free and yet not get invited to. Facebook tells me so, and as a result, going on Facebook makes me depressed. Maybe this is me being paranoid, but I surely can't be that bad company, can I?
Also, let's talk about seeing Matilda (although I've done more of that this year), plus music (although I did a little more, not so much), comedy (ditto), acting (barely a whiff this year), etc. (Some of this, I'm pretty reliant upon other people at least presenting the opportunity to me. One can only get so far without having the contacts, or the push.)
...I'd also have liked to have some sex, y'know?
19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Facebook, because it almost invariably makes me despondent about myself. But then, that's what Facebook does; it makes everyone else you know seem like they are having a better life than you.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
As usual, with my family. I don't think I'll ever spend it with anyone else. Doctor Who made me cry, but it's not the first time I've cried at Christmas.
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
My parents. Not living with them any more kind of necessitates this.
22. Did you fall in love in 2017?
...probably?
23. How many one-night stands?
None. I don't think I've ever really had a one-night stand. I haven't had sex this year, really.
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
Unsurprisingly it is still Knightmare - it will always be Knightmare - although this year I've enjoyed new Robot Wars, new Red Dwarf, new Dave Gorman's Modern Life is Good(ish), and My Little Pony. I was also pleased with The Crystal Maze, which was as wacky as ever.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I don't really do hate. I'm not sure I can hate.
There are two people who I can think of, though. I quite like the first one, but I'm pretty certain they don't like me, and their constant low-level mockery, which is quite clearly trying to elicit a response but I'm not sure what, is becoming tiresome.
here's also the someone I formerly considered a friend, as I mentioned last year. Another year later and it's still happening, in a slightly worse way, although - as it turns out - I'm not the only person who's noticed, as someone else has done so too... and she's in Australia!
26. What was the best book you read?
The 100 Best Video Games That Never Existed, by Fred "Nate" Crowley (aka @FrogCroakley on Twitter).
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Roxy Music. I spend most of the year reading, on and off, Brian Eno's biography, which mentioned his time in Roxy, so I gave their first album a listen. I like it, and got a best-of for Christmas.
28. What did you want and get?
Spiritual fulfilment. I've felt rather distant from God as of late, but I felt God's presence towards the end of Mass this year while singing away lustfully. I was hoping for that all year, and I got it.
29. What did you want and not get?
Thinner, obviously. I got everything I wanted for Christmas, so I'm okay for material goods. I'd really have liked a holiday, though.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
The film that had a biggest impact of me I actually can't say, but then again, that was made in 2016. I made a list of the things I saw in the cinema, though! We put together all the films with a mark between one and five and then a combined score out of ten. We then picked ten from all the films that scored 8 or more, and ordered them. Mine were:
1. The Lego Batman Movie
2. Paddington 2
3. My Little Pony: The Movie
4. Beauty and the Beast
5. Spider-Man: Homecoming
6. Star Wars - Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
7. Get Out
8. Thor: Ragnarok
9. Wonder Woman
10. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
31. What did you do on your birthday?
I had a gathering with my family on the day itself, which was a Friday... and the the day after that, I went to see Get Out!
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
A spotlight... for the same reason as last year.... and more time with Matilda, and my friends. I'm satisfied with my job, but being paid prompty on time would be nice.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?
Pooka Chic, the fashion industry's next big thing.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't do celebrity crushes. Again, I keep reiterating this: if you're in a relationship, you shouldn't answer this question.
Here's something fun, though. Keira Knightley regularly comes up in lists of fanciable celebrities. I met her when we were both two and I didn't fancy her back then either. She was a good playmate, though.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Sexual assault, as it was everywhere. I actually reached out to the one who assaulted me, and that was cathartic for the both of us.
37. Who did you miss?
Gran, Bert, Hoops. Matilda, and all my friends, especially morti. Helen. Emma, Lianne and Natalie, who still have a space if they want it. Still Serafina, as well. I also kind of miss smashmouthnaked, although I'm not sure she exists any more, and the Knightmare crew, since I couldn't afford the social this year.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Abby, from Ardmore, who was a lovely person to chat to. Amy, as well, from the blogging community, was refreshingly unique.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017.
One always thinks the past is better than it probably actually was. (Apart from all those bits that still hurt. I'm talking more generally here.)
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"Frequency dip! Frequency dip! Frequency dip! Frequency dip!"