December 31, 2006
Fights will be aplenty, marriages will end, children will not come home for the first time in their lives, as many have the first rubbish, empty sex of their lives; the Samaritans will be on overdrive, ITV’s Christmas Careline will be on hand to counsel people upset with this year’s soap storylines, while genuinely suicidal people will wait for Jools Holland to appear on screen before tearfully reaching for their vodka and Co-Codamol cocktails.
And so yet another year passes, and we look forward to a celebratory evening of packed bars, rubbish parties, pools of sick, police sirens, girls lying legs akimbo in the gutter, boys sat with faces akimbo courtesy of a pint glass, snogging-with-tongues the face off everyone we know, and waking up shamefaced tomorrow lunchtime with a grinning, toothless, naked elderly neighbour lying next to us. And a kebab.
If we’re exceptionally lucky and all goes to plan, that is.
It’s been a funny (sic) old year - for me, anyway - and as of last New Year’s Eve I asked people to contribute to a sort of diarists’ diary - A Blog Compendium, if you like.
There are some very interesting entries, for all kind of reasons.
Thanks to everyone who took time out to take part. If anyone else would still like to, email your entry to bindall (at) easy.com or PM me with your thoughts, and we can always update or repost this page.
Anyhoo, here it is: Another Three Hundred And Sixty Five Days - Your Words.
Old Nick
This year (so far) I have done a few things.
Good things. (In no particular order)
Got taken to Edinburgh for a weekend for free.
Made some new friends on here.
Met some of these new friends.
Found out just how good these friends are.
Discovered just how good some of my real world friends are.
Had some great weekends round S&F’s
Learnt to play the blues much better than I could before.
Got offered (and accepted) a free holiday.
Started a blog.
Lost some weight intentionally.
Lost some weight unintentionally.
Felt totally, blissfully happy.
Started a blog again.
Planned an escape
Got better.
Bad Things. (In no particular order)
Burnt my blog to the ground.
Cheated.
Went on holiday and screamed inside for most of the time with loneliness, even though I was with Jo and Sarah.
Pissed off some of my new friends.
Planned an escape
Hurt someone who didn’t deserve it.
Hated.
Watched the snapping and stress between Jo and I change my daughters personality.
Went totally fucking mental.
Lied.
Sat staring at my lighted cigarette end and wondered what it would feel like to put it out on the inside of my wrist on more than one occasion.
Cried.
Had a major hand in fucking up some ones life.
Drank far too much.
Realised some things about my marriage.
Felt heartbroken.
Made someone sick with worry.
Saw a version of me I never want to see again.
Puredawn
2006
It flew by!
It marked 5 years as a single parent, 5 years in this town...there have been magical times and "learning" times.
For a while, I seemed to have a stalker and, I assume, for ever, I have a criminal record thanks to my son refusing to stay at school. I reconnected with old friends, made new ones, and severed ties with things that did me no good. I learned to fit carpet, I decorated the living room, I got a new bed!
And now, I just want to be me!
Lyndzzz
I don’t really know what to say about my year, it hasn’t been the greatest, but mostly for each bad there has been good.
For instance in January I got suspended from my job, and then eventually lost that job, which culminated in me eventually losing my flat, though that didn’t happen until August.
I have watched my brother turn into an old man before his time, too much drink and his attempt to take his own life last year has left him a stranger to me, he seeks me out when he wants something
I lost some friends, but gained some more, one in particular who never a day goes by without some kind of contact, I bless the day I found him, that has been one of the really good things about this year.
In April I found another job, and within months was running my own department and thoroughly enjoying it, I moved into my little house, which is cosy and didn’t have a no pets rule and so I now have my little dog Molly.
In July I had some major financial problems, which culminated in me losing my PC and my Internet connection, had to move out of the flat and stay at my sons for a few weeks, I was off line until September, just getting on now and then through the library, I also managed to break my wrist, but did get a lovely yellow pot, and still worked throughout the time I wore it.
At the end of last year I joined a place called Blog.co.uk, throughout the year it has at times been my salvation, in November I got to meet some of the great people that I have got to know through blog, this helped me in more ways than anyone can imagine.
There have been down times, particular parts of the year are bad for me but I have found this year that I have been able to open up more about this, to certain people. My finances are still quite shaky, and I have to be very careful, but I am slowly getting there.
While I still have a long way to go, and a lot of Demons still to fight, I will eventually get there, with a little help from my friends.
xxxxxxxxx
Paul Boyd
January
Was in New York, visiting a certain gentleman blogger for the first time and started making life-changing decisions. Returned to Ireland to see the final performances of my musical "Hansel & Grettel" that had been running in Dublin.
February
Wrote the storyboard for a water-based production of "Sinbad" (to be produced next year). Recorded the voice-over for Belfast City Hall's centenary exhibition, playing the role of the City Hall itself (bizarre). Went into hospital for an operation to fix my nose (following an attack the year before). Spent three weeks recovering.
March
Returned to the USA to visit John and we spent a week in another part of the USA where we both made some life-changing decisions.
April
Back in Ireland, wrote the script for Belfast's Titanic exhibition and started scoring "Sinbad". Celebrated John's birthday and then my birthday, although we were apart. Agreed to direct "Pinocchio" for the Lyric Theatre later in the year.
May
Completed the score for "Sinbad". Returned to the USA, but not to New York as, by now, John and I had moved to the new area (and State) we had visited in March. Back in Ireland, held auditions for "Pinocchio" and went into rehearsals for "The Little Mermaid" before flying to Leicester in England where the show opened at the end of the month.
June
"The Little Mermaid" sold out in Leicester and then we flew to Belrade in Serbia. The show ran for a week, playing to over 2000 people at every performance. Flew back to Ireland before returning to the USA. Celebrated my Blogaversary - one year of blogging!
July
A hot, sticky summer in the US. Started rewrites of "Pinocchio" and edited my musical "McCool" for a summer production the following month.
August
Returned to Ireland for "McCool" rehearsals - the show opened in the middle of the month. Worked on the score of "Pinocchio" in the studio. Agreed to co-produce a second production of "Pinocchio" which would run in Dublin at the same time as the Lyric Theatre's Belfast production. Attended "Pinocchio" auditions in Dublin. Spent a weekend with friends in London.
September
Attended a second day of "Pinocchio" auditions in Dublin before returning to the USA. Continued to work on the script re-writes for "Pinocchio". John and I moved into our newly-refurbished apartment.
October
Returned to Ireland. Got my cats successfully re-homed. Started rehearsals for "The Little Mermaid" which then began its first ever run in Belfast. Completed the script and music for "Pinocchio". Started rehearsals for "Pinocchio" at the Lyric Theatre.
November
"Pinocchio" rehearsals continued. Visited friends in London and Bournemouth. John came to Ireland. "Pinocchio" opened in Belfast.
December
"Pinocchio" was named the Lyric Theatre's fastest selling show in over three years. Returned to the USA to spend Christmas with John in our apartment! Bought a tree, matching pyjamas and a vast array of baubles. Will cook Christmas dinner on the 25th and have had my sprouts on a low heat since October.
Ros Thompson
Jan - Erm. What did I do?! Apart from exams. Nothing much.
Feb - Witness Thierry Henry's beautiful goal against Real Madrid.
Mar - Passed my driving test, at the seventh attempt on St Patricks Day!
Apr - Watched with ever shortening fingernails, as Arsenal cautiously made their way to The Champions League final.
May - Finished exams; got tipsy. Went to Paris for the Champions League final. Arsenal lost; got a little tipsy.
Jun - Got my first car. Yay!
Jul - Haha. I knew England wouldn't win the World Cup! But never expected Italy to win though.
Aug - Finally got a summer holiday job. Have to drive through Mill Hill everyday for the next six weeks, to reach hell; I mean work.
Sep - Back at Uni for my third year. Middlesex screw my timetable up again!
Oct - Erm.....blimey another boring month. This isn't going to be a very interesting blog review, is it?!
Nov - Students Union Sabbatical officers made me very angry. And I learnt how to post a youtube video!
Dec - Mmmm. Advent calendar.
Usksider
Well let’s see; this year has been a mixture of good and bad, much like may others I suspect. So anyway, I guess I could define my year in three parts; the good, the bad and the ugly.
Being in optimistic mood I’ll start with the good.
I’ve met a whole bunch of really nice people this year, quite a few of them here in blogland. I’ve also made a few extraordinary friends; one in particular has become a very special friend and it’s always nice to have very special friends isn’t it?
Although I’ve had a few problems, my health has improved; something I’m very happy about.
My enthusiasm for capturing images has been rekindled and the addition of an excellent quality pocket-sized digital camera has increased the versatility of my kit; I’m able to capture images now in situations where carting a SLR and a range of lenses is impractical. Photography presents a constant challenge since the search for the perfect image is a very long one, but hey it’s fun seeking!
The bad.
Society never ceases to amaze me. Man’s inhumanity to his fellow man is truly sickening. I’m not a religious person, but I sometimes wonder why God doesn’t simply wipe us out and start all over again. Globally and nationally we’re up shit creek without a paddle.
On a more personal front; work sucks! As an educator I really enjoy seeing people transform through the acquisition of new knowledge. Unfortunately higher education in the UK these days is ruled not by sense, but by politics; students, by and large, get a really bum deal and that is seriously sad. I look at my own daughter struggling with her university education and I feel the blood rising. I want to bang a few heads together and return our college system to a saner time.
I should be grateful to be relatively secure in my employment it’s true, but the truth is I wish I could afford to retire early and just get away from all the crap.
The ugly.
I had a close encounter with depression this year and found myself plunged into depths I never want to revisit. They say one in four has problems with mental illness at some stage in their life; I’m here to tell you that if you become one of the stats you’re in for a rough time, but you can live through it.
Fight the demons.
Be as strong as you can be.
Don’t be afraid to accept help and if you’re lucky you’ll come out the other like me; battered and maybe a little bruised, but otherwise okay.
I wish you luck!
Abilene
Well, at the request of one rather charming fellow blogger here I am with my 2006 diary in hand. I am quite intentionally missing January off.
February 6th 2006
I take off my shoes and socks to feel the cool grass between my toes. I turn back and look at that dismal building that has been my home for what seems like forever. I can hardly believe I am free. I am waiting for one of the guards to come running out and say it is a mistake and to get back in my cell.
February 27th 2006
As the plan eases down the runway I cannot help but let a tear slide down my cheek. I know I am doing the right thing by being on this plane to England but cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of loss for the life I leave behind.
March 2006
Well, I guess this is a good sign. I have only been in the country two weeks and have just started work for a rather successful firm. My career it seems has not been destroyed by the past.
April 2006
My own little shoebox. Yes, I bought a house. It’s small but it’s mine. If only all this good luck could erase the dark clouds in my mind. I fear people finding out where I have been as I fear they wont hear past the first sentence “I have been in a US jail”. When I close my eyes I hear the words “Bobby is dead”. I see his face. I want to punch him for being so selfish.
May 2006
This month I got laid extremely well by a face from the past only to soon after regret it. Why am I so dumb sometimes? Also found out that I have a half-sister out there and a biological dad who can only be described as a fuckwit (see how quick I pick up English slang). Thanks mom for keeping that a secret for so long!!
June 2006
What a quiet month. Of course that might be because I spent most of it nicely settled in a wine bottle. I find that by staying a little bleary I can pretend I am happy and that I am not bothered by losing part of my soul.
July 2006
Another failed attempt at romance. Lots of wine. Reacquainted myself with the pleasure of vodka. Welsh rugby teams. Pretty much sums up my July don’t you think?
August 2006
His birthday comes and goes. I am unable to give him a hug on his big day. Fucking ex husbands can really put a spanner in the best laid plans. Nothing spectacular this month either. God I am a boring cow aren’t I?
September 2006
Everything that happened this month (and for once it was quite a bit ) is eclipsed by a single phone call from a 13 year old.
“Why couldn’t you have just gotten married and then my daddy would still be alive”
What a punch in the stomach that is. I wish I could change things too sweetie, I really do.
October 2006
Got a speeding ticket. Joy. 36mph in a 30mph zone. Had empty sex ( not while getting the speeding ticket ) and loaned out a large sum of money that I am quite sure I will never see again. The money loaning was not connected to the sex. I am not adding paying for sex to my list of sins. For some strange, unknown reason I decided to quit hiding my past and tell some people about it. I was completely shocked by their responses. It appears that I may have some support out here after all. Ex hubby did himself proud by ruining my Christmas two months ahead of time. What a star.
November 2006
Fantastic. Someone wants to hear my side of the story. In print. I am scared to death and excited all at the same time. Things are going to come out about my survival in jail that will make my family cringe. Oh well, not like they supported me when they thought I was guilty. Amazing how things changed when I became able to prove my innocence. I am scared of releasing some of the demons in my mind but I am definitely excited about getting my story out there. What else happened in November? Met with some wonderful new friends in a strange and eclectic place known as Leeds. Made a complete drunken spectacle of myself and am sure I am banned from entering that city again!!
December 2006
Discovered something about myself that has apparently been laying dormant all these years. What an interesting journey I find myself on.
Summary of 2006
It’s been a strange year of reacquainting with society and discovering myself. I feel that this year has been a catapult year for me and 2007 is going to be a huge fireworks display. Come along and enjoy the show, bring your own popcorn.
TheMusingsOfAMenopausalMama
"I can't say this was a bad year, nor was it a good year. It simply was the year of 2006.
Meno's Journey Through 2006 (in no particular order)
* drew the line in the proverbial sand with Management and decided to be a
thorn up their backside
* alienated boy-child who refuses to acknowledge his mother
* hurt over girl-child's intense focus on career - translation: no time for her momma
* attempted to wean off anti-depressants and had the darkness of depression knocking at my door once again.
* decided that anti-depressants were my friend and allows me to cope with shite way better than if I was "clean"
* discovered that there are physical side-effects to anti-depressant medication withdrawal which sucks the big one, actually sucks many big ones
* gained weight whilst attempting to wean my self from anti-depressants which is quite the boot in the box...almost enough to get you back on the dang medication
* started the HENS to cope with my isolation from family
* decided there must be more to life than this shite and turned to the Catholic Church for comfort
* met some wonderful people, virtual and real
* decided husband needed a reality check and asked him to open the car door for me when out and about...little thing but definitely much-appreciated
* self-admits I drink too much, but have no intention of stopping
* opened my heart and arms wide for new people
* wondered for the millionth time if anyone would miss me if I was dead and decided, yup, I would be missed.
* enrolled in Egyptian Belly Dancing class to combat my loneliness
* wondered if I could "fake" an illness to get the children to love me and pay attention to me....was too lazy to put the plan into action
* learned that opening your heart and arms wide for people doesn't make you completely vulnerable
* discovered that my father had remarried, months after the fact...felt disgusted to know the family dysfunction continues..
This year, 2006, has been deemed to be the Year of Tears and Heartache peppered with many blessings.
PS. "I am sure I learned many more things this year but didn't write them down."
Faffajane
Positives of 2006
Turning 40. Had a wonderful birthday filled with lots of presents and being surrounded by the best hubby and children anyone could wish for.
Joining Blogland and having a ‘friends list’ consisting of a great bunch of people.
Mortgage being sorted so that we are now paying less than we were before.
Insurance payout so that we were able to clear some of our debts
Being healthy
Hubby not losing his job and things picking up for him workwise again.
Getting a new dishwasher
Having a great Christmas
Negatives of 2006
Tearing both of my calf muscles
Being in pain with my back
Not losing the weight I wanted to
Dishwasher packing up
Seeing so many of my friends so down and fed up
3 close friends losing members of their families, 3 funerals to attend
A beloved 2nd cousin dying and attending his funeral
That’s about it really for this year, nothing exciting on reflection, and hoping for more positives than negatives in the new year 
Sixpence
January & February
Can’t fookin remember.
Apart from this: I remember going on a week’s writing workshop in Stratford upon Avon, coming back and decking myself out in Ann Summers gear and waiting in the bedroom for Mr Expence to get home from work. But when he arrived, he couldn’t be bothered to make love to me. Largely because he was pissed off that I’d gone on a week’s writing workshop in the first place. Even though I’m a writer, and that’s what I do.
I remember that.
March
Send my first full-length poetry collection off to my first potential publisher.
Start injections for my 5th attempt at IVF.
9 March: meet freakishly tall Lancastrian at a writing workshop.
Something unexpected happens.
I get butterflies in my stomach.
Lovely mouth, you see.
As he leaves I think “God, I hope he emails me”.
He emails me 2 days later.
That’s how I met morelearning.
April
I go on a writing weekend in Harrogate. Mr Expence tells me to “fuck off and enjoy myself”.
My book is accepted for publication.
My chronic insomnia is kicking off big time.
The IVF is gathering momentum.
Morelearning is going on a family holiday with his partner and kids for 2 weeks.
A combination of the two things above puts a considerable strain on my conscience, so I ask for an email reprieve.
I have 7 egg follicles developing.
The hospital fucks up. A blood test shows that I am drastically over-reacting to one of the drugs, and someone is supposed to phone me to tell me to reduce the dosage.
No-one phones.
All the developing egg follicles get destroyed.
I email morelearning to let him know, although I don’t expect a response until he returns from his holiday in Fuerte Ventura.
He replies the same day saying “I was just checking, just in case”.
I need to get to know this person better.
21 April: my first blog entry.
My marriage crumbles.
May
5 May: morelearning and I meet in the Yews for the first time since our original meeting.
Get thrown out of the Yews for rude snogging.
I have not slept in about 6 weeks. The doctor puts me on temazepam.
I win a runner up prize in a short story competition for my tale about guacamole.
June
I am falling in love.
9 June: Mr Expence agrees we should separate.
19 June (morning): Mr Expence moves out.
19 June (evening): Mr Expence comes home, tells me our marriage is over, says he knows I am having an affair, names morelearning, and tries to throw me out of my house.
20 June: I run over a cyclist on his way to the funeral parlour.
Things are going great!
July
I go to Brazil for two and a half weeks to attend my brother’s wedding.
I cross the Tropic of Capricorn.
I see dolphins.
I turn 35.
I take a notebook to Brazil with me to record all my amazing experiences.
I fill the notebook with endless whingeing about how much I miss morelearning.
August
Time for one quick rendezvous with morelearning between me returning from Brazil and him departing for his family holiday in Amsterdam.
I get offered a job at Market Randomtown District Council.
9 August: morelearning returns from Amsterdam.
11 August: morelearning tells his family he’s leaving.
13 August: I move out of my marital home and into my rented place.
25 August: I receive the divorce petition – the day before my 6th wedding anniversary.
Bank holiday weekend: morelearning moves in.
The circumstances are traumatic – to say the least.
The sex is fantastic – to say the least.
September
Morelearning and I battle our way through being abused and messed around by the people we once loved more than anyone in the world. But it’s hard going. For everybody.
I start my job at Market Randomtown District Council.
I learn how difficult it is to manoeuvre a pushchair.
October
My brother in Denmark announces he’s leaving his wife because he’s met someone else.
I introduce morelearning to Mummy and Daddy Sixpence.
Littlun stays overnight for the first time.
I nearly kill myself working too hard for Market Randomtown District Council.
November
I consider resigning from Market Randomtown District Council.
Blogmeet. Yay! How cool was that?
I win the Cleavage Competition.
Morelearning has a birthday.
I get the Decree Nisi in the post.
December
The events of December are too recent to report on.
So I’m gonna have to let you know.
A hell of a lot has happened this year.
I have lost my husband, my home, my cats, and my financial security.
But you know how I feel right now?
BLISSFULLY FUCKING HAPPY.
That’s how.
Happy 2007, everyone
Morelearning
December 05: My Christmas message was from William Burford, and he wasn’t wrong:
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2005/12/22/title~409298
My exhaust blew up on the way to Christmas dinner. I upgraded to a PRO account, apparently on New Year’s Eve. I knew how to party in those days! And I went to Coalville:
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2005/12/31/coal_not_dole~430432
January: New Year resolutions will probably be the same this year:
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/01/01/be_bloody_bold_and_resolute~430758
My mother died:
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/01/07/tempus_fuckit~449939
Watched my eldest play football a fair bit and the fish tank is leaking:
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/01/22/kirby_muxloe_vs_wigston_youth~497050
February: Ill children, courtesy car, Tom Robinson, trains, cycling and general madness. It can’t go on:
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/02/02/whip_lash_aerial_racing_trim_wish_that_i~528669
March: Memorial service for mum was mostly comic. Good read, this one –
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/03/28/scatterlings~680314
Also, I went on a writing course in Wigston. This proved to be significant.
April: Went to Fuerteventura over Easter. Had a good time, but also snatched time on the internet where possible and got to know new friend. Then she decided to take a break from me. Then she came back.
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/04/07/hey_let_s_go_to_spain~711235
I discovered that in Fuerteventura the same people make the toilet roll holders and the margarine, that I enjoyed bank holiday Sundays and that the Leicestershire Police force are corrupt. And I didn’t get a job.
May: My sister got married
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/05/08/cause_or_just_impediment_why_these_two~785289
I discovered I was addicted rather than allergic to straw, and I started leaving work at lunchtimes. I had lots of fun with the kids -http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/05/13/oh_look_there_goes_concorde_again~797274___##10##___
one of whom had his 15th birthday -http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/05/15/joe~802553___##10##___
and without the kids, for example in the Old Greyhound with sixpence
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/05/10/summer_i_like_it~790242
(for it is she, as I cannot yet reveal). The world’s biggest tyre manufacturer was revealed to be: Lego. Crazy days.
June: This is where my blog starts reflecting the reality of the situation. I’ve gone and fallen in love with Sixpence. I have lots of fun in the garden with the kids, although youngest is scared of planes and oldest has GCSEs coming up
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/06/11/bandits_at_one_o_clock~870868
and family life is just chaotic and interesting as ever
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/06/03/do_not_drive_to_lancashire~851589
but I’m smitten. And her husband decides to find out just as 600 exam scripts arrive, when I simply MUST disappear for a month. The World Cup finally arrives, but my blog is interspersed with smiley faces and subtle hints that my mind is very much elsewhere. My youngest becomes two years old.
July: Six goes to Brazil http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/07/14/name_that_city~960136 and I go mad marking exam scripts http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/07/16/bezzin_as_fook~964480
We communicate via the wonders of msn and blog. Alton Towers and lots of confusion. http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/07/22/her_name_is_rio_and_she_dances_on_the_sa~980998
Then she comes back on the day I leave for Amsterdam with the family.
August: In Amsterdam I accidentally cycle past a café I worked in 20 years ago http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/08/05/heineken_brewery_and_the_passage_of_time~1015148
Which completely does my head in. I’m worried about the kids and try to make it a holiday to remember,
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/08/06/and_then_i_woke_up~1017177
because I know by now it will be our last. I feel guilty – but things at home haven’t been good for a while.
Soon after we return, I leave the house. I stay at a friend’s. I feel like a shitbag. I am a shitbag.
We confess: http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/08/24/confession_time~1066431
Take littlun on the railway and go back to work. I move in. It’s exciting; it’s scary. It works.
September: Interesting times. We get some furniture, and one by one the appliances start to work. Things are still difficult with the ex. http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/09/14/how_long~1126573
Won 2-0 away at Lincoln! http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/09/30/no_f_in_justice~1175518
October: The best of times! http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/10/07/mission_possible~1197415
I try not to kill people at work. http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/10/16/management_for_beginners~1228096
I post while drunk: http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/10/18/slightly_drunk_once_again_all_alone_with~1236743
November: Work is crazy http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/11/24/last_lesson_of_the_morning~1364376
And I start the worrying trend of blogging during the quiet moments. I have a birthday and one card from all three kids. http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/11/26/to_a_dad_who_s_a_real_winner~1372434
Sixpence takes me somewhere I want to go, treats me like a human being and generally reminds me of why I love her. http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/11/29/feels_like_the_first_time~1381475
December 06: My application to beautiful people dot com is rejected. I’m not surprised. I am not one of the beautiful people* (though sixpence is). I’m just an average bloke doing his best, and I have someone to love me, and though I’m missing my elder kids I have hopes that they will eventually be happy for me. And in any case, I know they will be OK and I won’t stop loving them. http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/12/02/your_application_for_beautifulpeople_was~1394789
*plus I submitted a picture and biog of George Best!
I do some writing – I still seem able to muster up some work-based misery!
http://morelearning.blog.co.uk/2006/12/13/standing_at_the_gates_of_the_west_nights~1432780
Bury are kicked out of the cup for fielding an illegible player – nobody could read his name properly.
Six’s parents stay over Christmas and it turns out to be a great time. And the future is just over the horizon…
This has taken me ages, Juz, you sadistic bastard, and it strikes me that it’s the kind of narcissistic nonsense that gives blogging a bad name. I’m sorry. Have a happy new year, everyone!
Emsbabee
January
Well, as so many of us did, I saw in the New Year with a stonking great hangover. I was living in Chichester with two Christian men, one of whom got upset if you put a fork in with the spoons, the other who ate tuna and porridge every day, sometimes together. I was working part time for an organisation that supports young asylum seekers, and tax free for a disabled man who was trying to include sexual favours in my job description.
However, the resurrection of Celebrity Big Brother eased the pain somewhat, and became the subject of pretty much my every conversation in this month.
February
There was a plane crash on Neighbours. Lives were lost, characters were axed, and the whole thing seemed to have been filmed in a giant bath tub. Friends and family rallied round to support me at this difficult time, as Harold said goodbye to his family through the medium of tuba. I managed to get pretty much every winter illness out of the way in one go, by having them all at the same time, and sending my strange African flatmate over the edge by lodging myself in the sitting room for an entire week and festooning it with biscuit crumbs and snot rags. Our relationship never recovered.
February also saw my first encounter with the Mighty Boosh. That's right folks, I touched Vince Noir. I would have done a lot more if security hadn't been quite so tight, and over-weight. My boyfriend moved out of his squat in Brighton and in with his parents. Thus began a series of rushed sexual encounters on a sofa bed.
March
A visit to Marwell Zoo was the highlight of March. My cousin (a single man in his 30's) arrived alone, with a back pack and a camera, he then spent the rest of the day being referred to as 'Paedo Pete'. It was during this month that I decided to stop watching 'Chantelle - Living the Dream', as every episode was exactly the same. Oh, and Harold tried to strangle Paul on Neighbours, which certainly got my knickers in a twist.
One of the girls I work with finally popped her sprog. He was tiny and perfect, and would have been oh so easy to slip into my handbag.
April
I KISSED VINCE NOIR! ON THE LIPS AND IN PUBLIC!! THEN I PESTERED THE REST OF THE BOOSH UNTIL I WAS ESCORTED FROM THE BUILDING BY MY SISTER!! NOTHING HAS EVER LIVED UP TO THAT MOMENT AND NOTHING EVER WILL!! UNLESS I EVER GET TO MEET KARL KENNEDY!!
May
Ogfest 2006 baby! My boyfriend's birthday went off in style, once it was relocated from the pissing rain to the splendour of Wetherspoons. Seethong (other cousin's husband) ended the evening in style by vomiting profusely in our bathroom and waking up Strange African flatmate, who was preaching a sermon the next day. Ha! I'm sure it was just a little test from God Dave.
My good friend alcohol and I made up, and started spending a lot more time together after the abstinence of the winter months. This resulted in a pole dancing session with some people who should have known better.
Oh, and it took me six days to get fed up with Big Brother, much better than last year.
June
Started with a festival and ended with a funeral.
Geri Halliwell gave birth. So did my cat.
July
My birthday! Got drunk, exposed myself and fell asleep in a hedge. Had to endure weeks of boob jokes.
Nikki got kicked off BB which was fabulous. Dave (strange African flatmate) got married. Single women around the world, wept.
August
We found a flat in Brighton. About fucking time, as with the departure of Dave came the arrival of John, the hamster man who got tongue tied around the cat, never mind an actual huiman being. Olly's sister (18) announced her pregnancy and impending marriage to Gypsy Dave, Sussex's answer to Frank Gallagher.
September
Two blue lines in the window! Aaaaargh-snarf-gargh-christ-fuck! Most of this month was spent eating salt and vinegar crisps, crying at the Carphone Warehouse adverts, and punishing my boyfriend for even considering coming near me. Still, at least we had a sea view and a sofa and our own saucepans. I was offered a full time position at work, and managed to make it there at least three times.
October
All over.
A pasty was stolen from Spar in Aberystwyth. Lynn and Paul started an affair on Neighbours. These were bleak times.
November
Tornadoes! In Britain! I spent most of this month making emergency preparations.
Jordan and Peter released their first album, to much critical acclaim.
December
A time for reflection. I must stop watching Neighbours.
So there we have it folks. Hope you've found this little update as entertaining to read as I have to live. The telly has been great this year hasn't it? Here's to a goggle-eyed 2007!
GoingSomewhere
I did quite a lot of laughing.
I travelled to Edinburgh once, Oxford twice, and to the Peak District.
I had a really lovely birthday with my family.
Ditto Christmas.
I knitted some cool garments for my daughter and granddaughter (and her new baby doll). Also for a friend. They were much appreciated, and I must say, admired.
I gardened with my daughter and grew some tasty vegetables and fruit.
I read some novels and saw some films.
I went for walks. I did some thinking.
I blogged a lot. And met some cool people here.
Things didn't quite turn out as I'd planned. I didn't do some of the things I set out to do. But there's always next year. I am, and will be, Going Somewhere.
I think this is a lovely idea, and I'm looking forward to reading all.
Happy New Year.
xx
BrownEyes
Can’t remember a great deal
Won’t go into the lows.
Highlights:
Moving house
The birth of my beautiful niece
Being a Birthing Partner for my best friend, and her OH, and the subsequent birth of Rhys
My little sister graduating and now being a teacher
My niece's wedding
Princess's 7th Birthday
Wasn't all negative after all x
Buzzzy
I'm not gonna do it month by month cuz that could and probably would
take me all year so Im gonna keep it shorty there were good times ahoy (August, September and November and a lil bit of December) the rest was like shite lighting.
August my brother got married and like the true girl that I am, I cried its on video 2 so there is no point in me trying 2 deny it cuz the evidence is all there.
September Robbie Williams a close encounter at Milton Kenyes Bowl
Thursday the 14th finally came and I was up and ready 2 go we (me and cc) got 2 Newport Pagnell just after 2 pm I know cuz Diganosis Murder was on the telly, Newport Pagnell was like Broadstairs but without the sea and sand.
Friday rise and shine at 7pm went shopping and was shitting it a bit I remember starting 2 feel sick with nerves on the bus yes we got the bus 2 the station then we had 2 walk 15 minuites 2 get 2 the bowl. As soon as we started 2 que up they were this peeps from T - Mobile giving out pink and white laynards 2 get one you had 2 pretend Robbie was standing next 2 you while they took your photo (silly I know but I wanted it cuz it had a picture of RW on it
and I wasnt gonna get anything else not half I had 2 get a programme, a set of RW bonoculars and on the way out of the bowl I picked up a poster and a Pink Cowgirl hat Im not the tourest type you know I was born in Oxford.)
In the park just after 2 ish 3 ish we had lunch and then went and taxed a spot next 2 some really nice Aussie girls we chatted for a bit but I think they went 2 find a loo and we never saw them again.
It felt like we had been there 4 years then The Jaxx (Basement Jaxx) came on at 6ish they where very wacky and very loud totally worth seeing.
And then just after 8ish the music starts the music from close encounters that film which Ive never seen but I knew this was it our youth was due on cuz I'd seen it on youtube.
I felt sick and nervous flashes from freedom, feel, advertising space etc came up I didnt know if I was gonna be able 2 do this again but sure enough I survived it and deep down I always knew I would cuz I wouldnt miss him for the world... but then alas it was all over 2 quickly 4 me I wanted to relive it all again.
November 9th My 28th birthday and guess waht I got for my birthday... a period
still I had a good night out with the girls we stayed out til 2am in the belgan bar (I like that place cuz you can get pints and pints of becks yum) talking about work and animals.
December
2nd shit fuck shit no, no way
25th I got a Tigger bag (and I hope Paddy got one 2) and my mum got a new
car from my brother and sister in law its got power stearing, cd player and
all the mod cons she cried bless her I thnk shes just a bit over the moon
and stars about it.
4 out of 8 aint bad its taken me an hour 2 this here 4 month review I could do the other 8 months (insert mental note here will make a better effort next year maybe do a review at the end each calendar month yes I must be more organised like that if only and how long would it last) but I iz a lazy lou.
I have no excuse cuz I could have done it anyday in the last week cuz I aint not been at work you see
Tuesday popped out 2 get some red wine from the co-op
Wednesday, Thursday spend all day in jimmy jams, stuffing face with chocolate,watching crap tv.
friday shopping
saturday shopping brought some crap that I probably wont wear.
sunday out with maz
ROLL ON 2007
CHOOSE LIFE
AND STAY LEGAL
(cant decide which of them statements I likes the best so I put both even though they both kinda saying the same thing)
Juzzzy
http://juzzzy.blog.co.uk
FACT is, I can’t really remember very much about January, February March and April.
I know I went to Porto on a press trip during that time. And I know I rather enjoyed myself. I know my parents’ respective birthdays took place, along with Snails’, during that period, too.
I’m sure a rocket took off here and there, that some famous celebrities died, that thousands more died in the world’s various wars and that pointless political decisions were made in our name for no reason other than the galloping vanity of our leaders.
None of it I can really remember, though - and I don’t want to trawl back through my blog, even, to find out what else did go on.
Because my year began in May. And like an expensive, exploding firework , one with a vast display of bursting colours that seems to sit floating in the sky for an eternity before those same colours suddenly limp away into the gloomy background, it was all over again by August.
It’s unnecessary to go into every detail of what happened - regular readers will know, anyway - but I can tell you, five months later after my split from K, I am still in pain over it every day, physically and mentally.
Since “the incident”, I can no longer sleep on my front (which was always my favoured comfort position) for any prolonged periods. It makes my right collar bone - broken years before and never properly healed - ache like hell.
To turn over in bed makes my neck, spine and shoulder blades creak with agony. Sitting up hurts. Lying on one elbow to read a book is a bloody nightmare.
Then there’s the dreams that come whether I’m awake or asleep.
The ones when I’m asleep are unsettling, sure, but somewhere deep down in my psyche, I at least know they’re only dreams. I wake from them, though, staring at the ceiling, my bones creaking as I shift in my bed.
And then I have my waking dreams: the ones where I’m still saying sorry; where I’m being forgiven and that everything’s alright. Where the one person I’d loved, consistently, for twenty years, albeit from afar, hadn’t been let down in the most ridiculous and stupid way.
So that takes me to mid-August. At the end of that month I went away for The World’s Wettest Week In The World’s Wettest Place - Langdale in the Lake District - with my brother, Mark, who had taken careful notice of the pitiful wretch I’d turned into since the split and was determined to drag me, hillside, to a better place.
(I should note that on Boxing Day, I found out what my other brother did for me during that period: Took those photos of me in the hospital bed and kept them until now to gleefully pass them on. Maybe next year I'll post them...)
The weather was atrocious; my niece and nephew unwittingly hilarious; the dog, Mojo, out of control; and the beer plentiful. It was absolutely bloody brilliant, actually, and I did return a different, much happier, man.
I began to blog in a frenzy around that time, even more than usual. My mother, somewhat worryingly, started reading it, too.
In October I met someone else, and we got on really well.
I had another press trip, this time to Madeira, off the coast of Africa. Lovely place, lovelier people, fucking atrocious PR man (but let’s not go there).
In November we had our Blog Meet, which sadly caused a bit of a stir but in retrospect was a fart bubble in a teacup. On a personal level, I think my head was so far up my own arse in advance of it that I couldn’t see anything other than my own bullshit.
But anyways. The meet was great.
Something ended near the end of that month.
December, and I approach my most miserable time of year. For starters, birthdays on a Tuesday seem so much worse than birthdays on other days, don’t they?
And other stuff was going on. Complicated stuff that fucks up my head and makes me go haywire. I think it must have something to do with seeing everyone else around me get all happy and geared up for jollity. I think my own mask slips, then - tears of a clown, and all that.
Oh, and I got buttfucked by our wages department again. Which helped my mood tremendously.
And then the strangest thing, just yesterday (I write this on December 31).
A text from an old colleague, who was lunching with a girl I lived with many, many years ago. A girl who left me alone for Christmas in London, pretty much split up with me that day, but did't actually leave until five months later. A girl who broke my heart good and proper, the ultimate result of which was my five weeks in the Priory.
She said she wanted to say sorry; that she’d treated me appallingly; that she was ashamed and wanted me to know.
Call it an unburdening of guilt, or a meek wave from someone who’s not sure if I’ll wave back. Call it what you will.
I’m not saying I didn’t have dreams last night; nor that my bones weren’t creaking and shrieking as I did so.
But I did sleep a little easier.
It felt good to hear.
So next year, now of course only hours away, I’ll be doing some unburdening of my own.
x
