2009; a year in review.
First up, I do not buy in to the "this year has been *insert good/bad/indifferent here* so bring on the New Year" philosophy of things. The chiming of a bell one night will not make this suddenly change. It is up to the individual to bring their changes upon themselves whenever and however they feel like it. I do, on the other hand, believe getting to the end of December provides an excellent opportunity to look back on the 12 months that have passed and see what has changed.
And looking back, so much has changed yet it almost feels like nothing at the same time.
I guess the big one this year was getting my permanent job in July after finishing up with in my temp one in June. I think I got incredibly lucky in this as I was only on the dole for 1 sign-on and to get a permanent job as quick as I did in the middle of a recession is something I am very thankful for as I know many others are not as lucky. The job itself is much better than the one before. Don't get me wrong, I did like the other one but as I was a temp I never really had any responsibilities...just tasks to get done. In this one I have a few areas that are completely under my control and I like that. Not for the ego trip thing but it does make the whole thing more worthwhile and can bring a feeling of accomplishment, which I think is important in a job. The company is a good place to work for also, I find. Really good people around and I am looking forward to the next few months there as there will be changes happening for the finance dept.
Another one, which was a bit of a surprise, was returning to drumming. The organic way that resulted me drumming again with Dave was unexpected. Starting from percussion to a 'folk' kit to going back on to the full thing. I got to meet some great people through playing in the band, and also play some exceptional gigs. Sadly in the end I couldn't commit to it and had to take a step to the side. Still floating around as the back-up but I think Woody has made the position very much his own, which I am happy with. Was a surreal experience watching them play in Slanj and hearing someone else play my drum parts! Never had that before!
Piping, as always, was a big part of my year. The band basically had a massive overhaul in personnel which brought more success in competitions. It also brought a better atmosphere within the band making for some excellent nights out. Too many highlights to list but I now know that I am prepared for the amount of hen parties there are in Belfast...and this year I am there over my birthday!
Over the year I have seen live; Ed Byrne (the new live DVD being filmed at the show I was at, and I was front row...but don't know if I am on it, not watched yet), Kevin Smith, Michael McIntyre, Lily Allen and Paramore. More and more I am going to see less bands but the ones I chose to see are those I really enjoy and know most the songs. Because of that there is never a poor gig.
I guess I need to talk about my weight. Something I rarely do but people keep bringing it up with me lately so I have been talking about it more.. Over this year - especially the last quarter - I have upped my effort to get rid of what is left, with quite a bit of success. My full loss currently is 65.5lb which equates to 4st and 9.5lb in old money. Have about another stone and a half to go til I reach what I think is an acceptable weight for someone my height. And I am hell-bent to do that as soon as possible!
Linked to the above I have actually began to have a lot more self-confidence. This has came about in the last 2 or so months, but I have noticed it growing over the whole year. This has been in ways such as how I carry myself infront of new people, the clothes I buy and how I dress, the things I do (such as going for a night out in Edinburgh), and the way I act with the opposite sex. I don't just stick the *BE FUNNY* security blanket up as much now, still do to an extent as it is my personality but it's more now just to be funny rather than to try and delfect away from anything else.
So that is what has been changing over the last 12 months.
Year highlights in no order - Celtic Connections 09, Subcrawl, Uni piss-ups, Ireland with the band, the night I earned a hi-5 from Johnny for, getting stoned with 3 foreigners and no one else in a flat in the town on my birthday, Paramore and Lily Allen, going to Moville on St Patrick's Day, Wick weekend, supporting Mischief Brew and gaining a new best friend.
Year lowlights in no order - Badly spraining my ankle in Ireland and having to travel home before getting to a hospital, the blind-date from hell, getting my ipod nicked, the hangover caused after the bank holiday swalley down the battery park, having the step down drumming with Dave and losing the old best friend and the shite that followed after that
Album of the year - Brand New Eyes (Paramore).
Cinematic film of the year - Star Trek
TV Show of the year - Better Off Ted
Tomorrow is Hogmanay. I'm piping with some of the band at Asda in Linwood during the day. At night I am piping at Slanj for the Bells. I have no idea if anything else is happening. At the moment I don't have any plans. Will just have to wait and see.
And looking back, so much has changed yet it almost feels like nothing at the same time.
I guess the big one this year was getting my permanent job in July after finishing up with in my temp one in June. I think I got incredibly lucky in this as I was only on the dole for 1 sign-on and to get a permanent job as quick as I did in the middle of a recession is something I am very thankful for as I know many others are not as lucky. The job itself is much better than the one before. Don't get me wrong, I did like the other one but as I was a temp I never really had any responsibilities...just tasks to get done. In this one I have a few areas that are completely under my control and I like that. Not for the ego trip thing but it does make the whole thing more worthwhile and can bring a feeling of accomplishment, which I think is important in a job. The company is a good place to work for also, I find. Really good people around and I am looking forward to the next few months there as there will be changes happening for the finance dept.
Another one, which was a bit of a surprise, was returning to drumming. The organic way that resulted me drumming again with Dave was unexpected. Starting from percussion to a 'folk' kit to going back on to the full thing. I got to meet some great people through playing in the band, and also play some exceptional gigs. Sadly in the end I couldn't commit to it and had to take a step to the side. Still floating around as the back-up but I think Woody has made the position very much his own, which I am happy with. Was a surreal experience watching them play in Slanj and hearing someone else play my drum parts! Never had that before!
Piping, as always, was a big part of my year. The band basically had a massive overhaul in personnel which brought more success in competitions. It also brought a better atmosphere within the band making for some excellent nights out. Too many highlights to list but I now know that I am prepared for the amount of hen parties there are in Belfast...and this year I am there over my birthday!
Over the year I have seen live; Ed Byrne (the new live DVD being filmed at the show I was at, and I was front row...but don't know if I am on it, not watched yet), Kevin Smith, Michael McIntyre, Lily Allen and Paramore. More and more I am going to see less bands but the ones I chose to see are those I really enjoy and know most the songs. Because of that there is never a poor gig.
I guess I need to talk about my weight. Something I rarely do but people keep bringing it up with me lately so I have been talking about it more.. Over this year - especially the last quarter - I have upped my effort to get rid of what is left, with quite a bit of success. My full loss currently is 65.5lb which equates to 4st and 9.5lb in old money. Have about another stone and a half to go til I reach what I think is an acceptable weight for someone my height. And I am hell-bent to do that as soon as possible!
Linked to the above I have actually began to have a lot more self-confidence. This has came about in the last 2 or so months, but I have noticed it growing over the whole year. This has been in ways such as how I carry myself infront of new people, the clothes I buy and how I dress, the things I do (such as going for a night out in Edinburgh), and the way I act with the opposite sex. I don't just stick the *BE FUNNY* security blanket up as much now, still do to an extent as it is my personality but it's more now just to be funny rather than to try and delfect away from anything else.
So that is what has been changing over the last 12 months.
Year highlights in no order - Celtic Connections 09, Subcrawl, Uni piss-ups, Ireland with the band, the night I earned a hi-5 from Johnny for, getting stoned with 3 foreigners and no one else in a flat in the town on my birthday, Paramore and Lily Allen, going to Moville on St Patrick's Day, Wick weekend, supporting Mischief Brew and gaining a new best friend.
Year lowlights in no order - Badly spraining my ankle in Ireland and having to travel home before getting to a hospital, the blind-date from hell, getting my ipod nicked, the hangover caused after the bank holiday swalley down the battery park, having the step down drumming with Dave and losing the old best friend and the shite that followed after that
Album of the year - Brand New Eyes (Paramore).
Cinematic film of the year - Star Trek
TV Show of the year - Better Off Ted
Tomorrow is Hogmanay. I'm piping with some of the band at Asda in Linwood during the day. At night I am piping at Slanj for the Bells. I have no idea if anything else is happening. At the moment I don't have any plans. Will just have to wait and see.