(no subject)
What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before?
Complete a course of therapy, move in with a man, hold down a job, get various body parts tattooed, live in Preston.
Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
”Next year, I will not resolve to achieve anything, but will attempt to start afresh in many ways and carry on the way things are going in others.”
So said I at the end of 2006. AND! I started afresh, more than I probably anticipated, and kept up the good things.
This year…I am, as every year/week/day/face-stuffing moment of my life, planning to lose weight. However, this will not happen. I won’t get better with money. I won’t be a better friend. Or! These things might happen but I’m not going to bully myself into it.
SO! Realistically, I want to get better at tattooing and hope to tattoo human flesh (on a living person) this coming year.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES! For the second year running! And probably for every year until I’m forty. Judith and Joe gave us Martha.
Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully not.
What countries did you visit?
Norway and Scotland. That’s it. Maybe I passed into Wales at some point? Though I’d imagine not.
[EDIT - And ireland! Whoot]
What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Hmmmm, nothing life-changing. But not having to worry about council tax/bloody interweb bills/being able to buy cds often enough would be lovely.
Oh! And having all my favourite people move nearer-by. HINT HINT BIGGLES.
What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
3rd March, my first non-date with the Canadian, and the one we count as our anniversary. The last weekend of August, as this was the best of the year - CONNECT!
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Only a stone hearted Grinch of a person could argue that this was probably my most highly achieving year to date. Not that this is, in itself, a great achievement.
Firstly, the concrete: getting out of an abusive relationship, getting a wonderful job (This was mostly fluke, but, hell, this is my damn quiz), getting my apprenticeship. Secondly, the abstract: getting better, allowing myself to be happy, managing to pay my rent and look after myself when dropped in at the deep end, being a better person, getting my gorgeous wings and flying away.
What was your biggest failure?
I really can’t think of anything, which sounds awfully conceited, but compared to recent years - I didn’t drop out of uni, I didn’t try to do myself in, I didn’t do anything fraudulent and money-related, I didn’t cause harm or pain to my family, I didn’t even fail a single college module. So….something work-related and easily forgotten?
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not so much. Couple of killer colds and a trip to A&E following a blow to the head. I was on antibiotics for ten days as a result of an angry vagina. I got put into an ambulance at connect, but only because it was so muddy and I fell.
What was the best thing you bought?
I didn’t buy it as such, but I do rent a seriously lovely flat in preston city centre. HEATED TOWEL RACK MUHFUCKER. I bought very little of consequence.
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Andy Jones, for taking a chance on me, encouragement and support, and for unfathomable generosity; Bigglesworth Reid and Richard Browne for being wonderful in every possible sense; Jacqui Nevin for everything.
But, above all, Simon T Canada for being the bestest, more caring, most loving and all round amazingest person in the whole world.
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
FC, unsurprisingly. Not really anyone else. I’ve been surrounded by nice things and people for the most part. So insert something about George Bush here.
Where did most of your money go?
Rent. Not the musical.
But that’s boring, so socializing. Yeah, booze.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
CONNECT! Going out with Simon that night in March. Christmas! Tattooing in general.
What song will always remind you of 2007?
’Phantom Limb’ by the shins, ‘Roscoe’ by Midlake, 'Dashboard' by modest mouse; all those awful songs that you learn through being subjected to Radio 1 all working week - scouting for girls, the enemy, the hoosiers, etc.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier. Happy in fact.
ii. thinner or fatter? I am fatter. Undoubtedly. But I’m much more comfortable in it. I’m almost happy with myself.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer! I have an actual job and everything.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Seeing The Hanaghans, seeing my Crewe friends, karaoke, tattooing.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spending time with FC; not realising that things would probably be ok.
How will you be spending Christmas?
The first ever Bratherton-Cowling Christmas is taking place! Today, we bought Cyril, our turkey, a big salmon, pate, cheeses, pigs, blankets and stuffing. Tomorrow we get the veg. I am going to cook my first ever Christmas dinner (with help from Canada of course), then we shall be drinking vast quantities of Baileys and champagne (not together) and passing out in front of only fools and horses, as is only right and proper.
Prior to that, and in the days following, there are daily parties, family visits and opportunities to get fat.
Did you fall in love in 2007?
A million times Yes!
How many one-night stands?
NONE! For the second year running. Balls.
What was your favourite TV program?
Heroes! But, while not actually on TV as such, I fell in love with Arrested Development. And, as ever, anything with Gordon ramsey got my vote.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Well, yeah. But not really, no.
What was the best book you read?
Outsider art: Spontaneous Alternatives, by Colin Rhodes. I know most people choose fiction, but it’s a great book. Plus I’ve been ever so lapse on my reading this year. It has truly been all about the weekend papers.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Okkervil River. God, two years ago this band would have saved my life. This year, I didn’t need them to. But I immersed myself in their twisted world. It does bother me that I never found them sooner, so ideally suited to my tastes they are I could have invented them. Perfect.
Midlake come second.
What did you want and get?
Everything.
What did you want and not get?
Nothing
What was your favourite film of this year?
I can almost certainly say that I watched no new or even vaguely current film this year. Sorry.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was twenty-two. The theme was ‘come as what you wanted to be when you grew up’. The turn out was not great, but the party itself was.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Is this not the same as ‘What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?’ See that answer.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Depressingly familiar. Only more so. My clothes barely changed, but I got more tattoos, awesome red glasses and cut off half of my hair. Next year, I have a new look planned.
What kept you sane?
The Canadian.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Conchords Sandwich for the lady with the tattoos? Sold.
What political issue stirred you the most?
Oh god. I hate the phrasing of this question. Global warming. But luckily, Pussycat dolls taught me lots about it during Live earth, thus saving the world.
I’m as angry about the myriad issues facing women as I ever was.
Who did you miss?
Loads of people. My grandma, my Crewe friends, Rand, Laura, Carl and Ethan, biggles and Rich when they weren’t around, Jugs when I hadn’t seen her a while….the list goes on….
Who was the best new person you met?
There are loads. I didn’t meet Canada this year, so he doesn’t count. Andy would be first, of course. Also, Krystal and Wobser, both Emmas, Brooner, Loads of people through work…
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
That I’m not doomed.
My favourite albums of this year, in chronological order:
The shins - Wincing the night away.
I like this album so much, I put my name on it. No, wait! I like this album so much, I got a lyric from it tattooed on my arm.
Modest Mouse - We were dead before the ship even sank.
Probably the album I listened to most this year. These first two bestrode my musical landscape this year like two massive….stones or summat. Only to be usurped later by…
Okkervil River - The Stage Names
My favourite album this year. Complex, catchy, beautiful, hideous, perfect.
Iron & Wine - The shepherd’s dog
My favourite in Sam Beam’s cannon. The same heartbreaking tenderness but….bigger. And therefore better.
Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedela.
Relatively new, but one of the only albums this year which, upon first listen, had me leaping up going ‘did you hear that?!’ to no one in particular.
Merry Christmas, the lot of you.
Complete a course of therapy, move in with a man, hold down a job, get various body parts tattooed, live in Preston.
Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
”Next year, I will not resolve to achieve anything, but will attempt to start afresh in many ways and carry on the way things are going in others.”
So said I at the end of 2006. AND! I started afresh, more than I probably anticipated, and kept up the good things.
This year…I am, as every year/week/day/face-stuffing moment of my life, planning to lose weight. However, this will not happen. I won’t get better with money. I won’t be a better friend. Or! These things might happen but I’m not going to bully myself into it.
SO! Realistically, I want to get better at tattooing and hope to tattoo human flesh (on a living person) this coming year.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
YES! For the second year running! And probably for every year until I’m forty. Judith and Joe gave us Martha.
Did anyone close to you die?
Thankfully not.
What countries did you visit?
Norway and Scotland. That’s it. Maybe I passed into Wales at some point? Though I’d imagine not.
[EDIT - And ireland! Whoot]
What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Hmmmm, nothing life-changing. But not having to worry about council tax/bloody interweb bills/being able to buy cds often enough would be lovely.
Oh! And having all my favourite people move nearer-by. HINT HINT BIGGLES.
What date from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
3rd March, my first non-date with the Canadian, and the one we count as our anniversary. The last weekend of August, as this was the best of the year - CONNECT!
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Only a stone hearted Grinch of a person could argue that this was probably my most highly achieving year to date. Not that this is, in itself, a great achievement.
Firstly, the concrete: getting out of an abusive relationship, getting a wonderful job (This was mostly fluke, but, hell, this is my damn quiz), getting my apprenticeship. Secondly, the abstract: getting better, allowing myself to be happy, managing to pay my rent and look after myself when dropped in at the deep end, being a better person, getting my gorgeous wings and flying away.
What was your biggest failure?
I really can’t think of anything, which sounds awfully conceited, but compared to recent years - I didn’t drop out of uni, I didn’t try to do myself in, I didn’t do anything fraudulent and money-related, I didn’t cause harm or pain to my family, I didn’t even fail a single college module. So….something work-related and easily forgotten?
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not so much. Couple of killer colds and a trip to A&E following a blow to the head. I was on antibiotics for ten days as a result of an angry vagina. I got put into an ambulance at connect, but only because it was so muddy and I fell.
What was the best thing you bought?
I didn’t buy it as such, but I do rent a seriously lovely flat in preston city centre. HEATED TOWEL RACK MUHFUCKER. I bought very little of consequence.
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Andy Jones, for taking a chance on me, encouragement and support, and for unfathomable generosity; Bigglesworth Reid and Richard Browne for being wonderful in every possible sense; Jacqui Nevin for everything.
But, above all, Simon T Canada for being the bestest, more caring, most loving and all round amazingest person in the whole world.
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
FC, unsurprisingly. Not really anyone else. I’ve been surrounded by nice things and people for the most part. So insert something about George Bush here.
Where did most of your money go?
Rent. Not the musical.
But that’s boring, so socializing. Yeah, booze.
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
CONNECT! Going out with Simon that night in March. Christmas! Tattooing in general.
What song will always remind you of 2007?
’Phantom Limb’ by the shins, ‘Roscoe’ by Midlake, 'Dashboard' by modest mouse; all those awful songs that you learn through being subjected to Radio 1 all working week - scouting for girls, the enemy, the hoosiers, etc.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier. Happy in fact.
ii. thinner or fatter? I am fatter. Undoubtedly. But I’m much more comfortable in it. I’m almost happy with myself.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer! I have an actual job and everything.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Seeing The Hanaghans, seeing my Crewe friends, karaoke, tattooing.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Spending time with FC; not realising that things would probably be ok.
How will you be spending Christmas?
The first ever Bratherton-Cowling Christmas is taking place! Today, we bought Cyril, our turkey, a big salmon, pate, cheeses, pigs, blankets and stuffing. Tomorrow we get the veg. I am going to cook my first ever Christmas dinner (with help from Canada of course), then we shall be drinking vast quantities of Baileys and champagne (not together) and passing out in front of only fools and horses, as is only right and proper.
Prior to that, and in the days following, there are daily parties, family visits and opportunities to get fat.
Did you fall in love in 2007?
A million times Yes!
How many one-night stands?
NONE! For the second year running. Balls.
What was your favourite TV program?
Heroes! But, while not actually on TV as such, I fell in love with Arrested Development. And, as ever, anything with Gordon ramsey got my vote.
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Well, yeah. But not really, no.
What was the best book you read?
Outsider art: Spontaneous Alternatives, by Colin Rhodes. I know most people choose fiction, but it’s a great book. Plus I’ve been ever so lapse on my reading this year. It has truly been all about the weekend papers.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Okkervil River. God, two years ago this band would have saved my life. This year, I didn’t need them to. But I immersed myself in their twisted world. It does bother me that I never found them sooner, so ideally suited to my tastes they are I could have invented them. Perfect.
Midlake come second.
What did you want and get?
Everything.
What did you want and not get?
Nothing
What was your favourite film of this year?
I can almost certainly say that I watched no new or even vaguely current film this year. Sorry.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was twenty-two. The theme was ‘come as what you wanted to be when you grew up’. The turn out was not great, but the party itself was.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Is this not the same as ‘What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?’ See that answer.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Depressingly familiar. Only more so. My clothes barely changed, but I got more tattoos, awesome red glasses and cut off half of my hair. Next year, I have a new look planned.
What kept you sane?
The Canadian.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Conchords Sandwich for the lady with the tattoos? Sold.
What political issue stirred you the most?
Oh god. I hate the phrasing of this question. Global warming. But luckily, Pussycat dolls taught me lots about it during Live earth, thus saving the world.
I’m as angry about the myriad issues facing women as I ever was.
Who did you miss?
Loads of people. My grandma, my Crewe friends, Rand, Laura, Carl and Ethan, biggles and Rich when they weren’t around, Jugs when I hadn’t seen her a while….the list goes on….
Who was the best new person you met?
There are loads. I didn’t meet Canada this year, so he doesn’t count. Andy would be first, of course. Also, Krystal and Wobser, both Emmas, Brooner, Loads of people through work…
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
That I’m not doomed.
My favourite albums of this year, in chronological order:
The shins - Wincing the night away.
I like this album so much, I put my name on it. No, wait! I like this album so much, I got a lyric from it tattooed on my arm.
Modest Mouse - We were dead before the ship even sank.
Probably the album I listened to most this year. These first two bestrode my musical landscape this year like two massive….stones or summat. Only to be usurped later by…
Okkervil River - The Stage Names
My favourite album this year. Complex, catchy, beautiful, hideous, perfect.
Iron & Wine - The shepherd’s dog
My favourite in Sam Beam’s cannon. The same heartbreaking tenderness but….bigger. And therefore better.
Jens Lekman - Night falls over Kortedela.
Relatively new, but one of the only albums this year which, upon first listen, had me leaping up going ‘did you hear that?!’ to no one in particular.
Merry Christmas, the lot of you.