The Last Meme of 2010

I'm stealing this off the Plastic Mancunian - King of the Meme. I have heaps to say, but as Mercury is still in retrograde and I have a large ironing pile, I recking it's iron a piece of clothing and answer a question.
PM has given people permission to steal this, so please go ahead (Thanks PM)

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?

Hmm. Quite a few things.

I went to the Netherlands and Spain.
I ran a full half marathon, all the way.
My job got made retundant and I got retrenched - that's never happened before.
I saved money.
I kept my car reasonably clean - normally Andrew is filled with empty water bottles, not this year.
I won a competition with a big prize.

In the scheme of things, nothing that big - but they meant a lot to me.

2. Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

No - and partly because injury and illness played with my head - however, I did make a resolution to write more, and I have kept this blog for the better part of the year. I'm pleased with that, as I'm writing regularly - even if it is navel gazing drivel.

Resolutions for next year will be discussed in another blog. I have a few things I want and need to acheive this year, but I want to write about it in more detail later.

3. How will you be spending New Year's Eve?

I'm going around to Blarney and Barney's for a house party. Can't drink as I'm driving, but I have made a cassata - a large ice cream cake. It will be a mellow affair, especially as we're expecting 40 degrees in Melbourne tomorrow and also because most of Blarney and Barney's mates have young kids.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

I lost two friends from my co-freemasons lodge - both very special women in very different ways. Though not particulary close, they are missed.

5. What countries did you visit?

For a change, I can say something here - Singapore, Malaysia, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany for about six hours (transiting through to the Netherlands...)

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

Oh, that's too easy. Sex - in the words of my favorite Patrick Marber play, what do you have to do to get a bit of intimacy around here?. And a few more adventures. I like going on adventures.

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

30 May. It was the day that I ran a full half marathon.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Running the full said half marathon. I'd done two half marathons before this but I walk/ran them. This time I ran all the way - okay, so the 21.1 kms took me two hours and 33 minutes to complete, it's just the fact that I RAN THE WHOLE FREAKING WAY. This isn't a think I'll forget easily.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Losing some weight. I'm a kilogram heavier than I was at the start of the year, but I've maintained - which is good under the circumstances. This wasn't a weight loss time. There were other things to concentrate on. (To be discussed in a0 later blog)

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Unfortunately the last six months have been a litany of crap. A badly strained  calf muscle, followed by this recurring pain in my side, which turned out to be a benign tumour around my fallopian tube - that was operated on in September. Then my right knee blew up late in the year - and I'm still waiting for my whooping cough results. Not a good year for injury and illness.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I didn't really make any large purchases this year, but I'm rather fond of my GPS, Shirley. I bought a purple dress in the UK at TK Maxx - I love that. Oh, and two pairs of Asics Kayano trainers in the US - at a third of the price of what we pay here. Rather fond of my little food processor too - I have no idea how I functioned in the kitchen without it.

12. Where did most of your money go?

Rent. But I managed a five week overseas holiday this year - and that took up quite a bit too.

13. What song will always remind you of 2010?

Unfortunately it will be something from Lady Gaga - I'm not really a fan, but they play her all the time at the gym and her music gets in your head.

Martha Wainwright's "Motherfucking Arsehole" will always remind me of a session at dream group - but this can't be discussed here. It was an incredibly intense evening and the song fitted what was going on perfectly.

14. What do you wish you'd done more of?

Laughed. It hasn't been a laughing year, though it's had it's moments. And writing - I wish I had more time to write.

15. What do you wish you'd done less of?

Sat in doctor's waiting rooms. I'm over doctors. Next year will be much better.

16. What was your favourite TV program?

Ah, I have a couple.

I adore Glee - just great fun and positive messages.

I'm still a sucker for medical shows like Embarrassing Bodies and RPA.

Masterchef and The Biggest Loser are my can't miss shows - the only reality shows I watch.

17. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

I don't hate people - too strong a word. I have had a recent blow out with a friend, yet to be repaired. He's not in the good books, but I don't hate him. I'm hoping time and space will sort this out.

18. What was the best book you read?

David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas was amazing.

I listened to Margaret Atwood's The Year of the Flood on the way back to Adelaide and loved it - now I have to read Oryx and Crake - I adore Margaret Atwood.

20. What was your favorite film of this year?

I'm going to put a few.

The Argentinian masterpiece, "The Secret in their Eyes" was sublime. I have no trouble with subtitles, but this was an unexpected gem.

"The King's Speech" has to win a few Oscars - adored it.

"Inception" was great in an action way. Fantastic thought processes.

21. What did you do on your birthday?

Went out to dinner with friends and my folks. A very pleasant night was had.

22. What kept you sane?

Writing, sleep and exercise. And the occasional ice cream.

23. Who did you miss?

Nobody at the moment. Ask me this in three months - as I'm now no longer employed at Tin Can, String and Whistle, I'll miss quite a few people, but as it's only been a week this hasn't sunk in yet.

I have missed running with Dan and Roger over the last few months - but I still see them occasionally, so they're not missed per se.

Now I think about it, I miss Reindert - well, I talk to him most weeks, but I miss having him about. He's fun.

24. Who was the best new person you met?

The Rosemary and Colin, the couple I met when I was in Granada at the Alhambra.  I can't single out any new friends, but these two kept me entertained all day, and it made it all the more memorable - they were a laugh - and a breath of fresh air after speaking Spanglish for the entire week before.

25. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:

A positive attitude and a bit of perseverence can get you further than you would ever think.

Oh, and never stop wishing on stars. It does work.