New Year reflections

[wildeabandon]

Was 2014 a good year for you?
It really was. There were no more than minor difficulties, and I felt a lot of things which had been difficult previously starting to settle into place.
What did you do in 2014 that you'd never done before?
Learned to do interesting nail art, sang solo in public (only a few lines, in Church, because the organist and the usual cantor were both away, so I figured someone had to do it, and that might was well be me, but considering how much the thought used to terrify me, it felt like a big thing)
Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't think I made any last year - I don't usually, although at various points throughout the year I resolved on various self-improvement things, with varying degrees of success. This year I intend to maintain my habit, just recently begun, of running at least twice a week. There are other things I want to do (sleep more regular hours, drink less, manage my money better), but I'm going to wait until the exercise habit is cemented and then try to introduce them one at a time.
Did someone close to you give birth?
Several people I like and am fond of.
Did anyone close to you die?
We were less close by then than we were when we both lived in Cambridge, but yes, meirion died recently. I am very grateful that I was able to visit them in hospital when I was last in Cambridge.
What countries did you visit?
France
What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
An MBA (this seems quite likely), a house which we own rather than renting (this much less so)
What date from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
I don't remember dates per se, but the events that stand out are coming home from Oxford, and the holiday in France with many of my most beloved friends.
What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?
I don't think one things really stands out, but I'm quite proud of my performance at work, and the way I'm shaping my career in general. After a few years of not being quite sure where it was going, it feels back on track.
What was your biggest failure(s)?
Again, nothing really big, which is nice. Consistent failure to manage my sleep cycle and alcohol intake as well as I'd like.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not really.
What was the best thing you bought?
Nail art supplies, the new World of Warcraft expansion, a meal at Dinings, new running gear.
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Am I being hopelessly sappy if I say obandsoller 
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Parts of the British government.
Where did most of your money go?
Rent and restaurants
What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The new WoW expansion. Coming home from Oxford, going to France.
Compared to this time last year, are you...
i. Happier or sadder? Significantly Happier
ii. Richer or poorer? Slightly richer
iii. Healthier or iller? Slightly healthier
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spending quality time with Ramesh. Cooking.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Faffing on the internet, being hungover
How did you spend Christmas?
In a tiny cottage in Devon with Ramesh. We ate delicious food and watched films and did very little else.
How was your religious year?
Good. I found a new church community which I'm very happy in.
Did you fall in love in 2014?
No.
How many one-night stands?
One, plus a new super-casual FWB, Nathan.
What is the best thing you created in 2014?
Various fabulous nails.
What was your favourite TV program?
Breaking Bad (yes, yes, I'm behind the curve)
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. I don't really tend to hate people, but there are a couple of people I was quite angry with at this point last year, and I've mostly moved on from that.
What was/were the best books you read/listened to?
I read a lot of London-based urban fantasy at the beginning of the year, which I enjoyed a lot. Kate Griffen's Midnight Mayor series, and the Rivers of London books.
What did you want and get?
A job in London
What did you want and not get?
To own a house
What was/were your favourite film/s this year?
I liked the Imitation Game and The Grand Budapest Hotel a lot.
What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
Worked, then went out for a meal with Ramesh. I was 33.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
Rediscovering my femme side.
Who and what kept you sane?
Ramesh, borusa , atreic 
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
David Bowie.  Honourable mentions to Anthony Stuart Head and Nathan Fillion
What political issue(s) stirred you the most?
Effective altruism, austerity.
Who did you miss?
Lots of people, especially when I was in Oxford, including Ramesh, atreic , emperor the_alchemist  borusa , robert_jones kerrypolka, Oliver (who I think is not on LJ anymore), my parents, Lindsay after she returned to America and Seph after I returned from Oxford to London.
Who did you spend the most time on the phone, IMing and/or Skyping with?
I spend very little time doing those things for the most part. Ramesh whilst I was in Oxford, and other than that my parents.  Oh, unless you count chat & voice comms in WoW, in which case it would be my guild, particularly the officers.
Who was the best new person you met?
I can't pick just one, but Lindsay and Father Daniel stand out as people I've met through church, plus Nathan who I  met through OkC and a shared love of cocktails.
Have you changed your hairstyle?
Yes, in the sense of repeating the "trying to grow it long, having to cut it short for a job interview" cycle that I've been wrestling with for the last couple of years. That's going to be coming up again soon, but I think I'm going to experiment with products, and see if I can make it look respectable without cutting (much) length off. It's also changed colour a few times - purple, red, and its natural brown have all featured, but currently blond, and I think likely to stay that way for a while - I think it rather suits me.  I've experimented on and off with growing a beard, and was actually just getting it to the point where it no longer looks completely ridiculous, when the_alchemist viciously gave me the awesome part that I'd asked for in Bardcamp, and I don't think Lady M would really suit a beard, so that's gone...
What are you looking forward to most in 2015?
Bardcamp , finishing my MBA.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014?
I already sort of knew this, but 2014 confirmed very clearly that I am much better at my job and enjoy it more if I change it every 6-9 months, and that therefore the contracting lifestyle is one that suits me down to the ground.

Comments

[sfred]

I do like reading people's this-memes: thanks for writing it.
Happy new year, and all the best for 2015!