Goodbye 2024

Sunday Stealing is taking a break for a few weeks, and I've missed their end of year questions, but thanks to the Plastic Mancunian, he's resurrected the trend of having a look at the past year and give it a good going over. As it's New Year's Day, I'll give 2024 another, thorough looking over before putting it to bed. For me, it was not the worst of years, which is good. 

 1. What did you do in 2024 that you’d never done before?

Two things stand out. I went on a road trip to Mataranka and Nitmiluk Gorge with a colleague for a weekend. That was wonderful. I've loved seeing this other strange and beautiful part of the nation. I also finally got to the Corner Hotel to see a gig. A small thing, but a great thing. 

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I've just had a look back at last year's post and I don't seem to have made any New Year's resolutions, however, I'm going to make a few here now as I'm going into Saturn Return later this year. It's time to get some shit in order. 

I resolve to do the following: 

• Stop buying crap on the internet
• Get something published
• Write that bloody book
• Continue on this health journey I've been on for the last four months. I'm feeling to good to stop. 
• Use more hand cream and moisturiser. 
• And put myself out there and get dating. (This I write with a lot of trepidation)

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

No. 

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes. My colleague Andy passed away unexpectedly in late July. He's left a big dent in the universe.  

5. What countries did you visit?

Only Australia. Hopefully I will use the passport again in 2025.

6. What would you like to have in 2025 that you lacked in 2024?

More overseas travel. Move love.

7. What dates from 2024 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

29 July. It was the day we got the call that Andy had passed. I felt a seismic shift that day. Andy, a good friend, but not a close friend, has left a big hole. 

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Taking back control of my diet and exercise. It's been a great journey, and I feel so much better for it. I also took hold of my finances and did some good things there. 

9. What was your biggest failure?

Other than not writing more of the stuff I love to write I'm not beating myself up for being a failure. 

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

 I had a mild bout of COVID mid-year and a spot of cellulitis on my leg which needed antibiotics to clear up. Other than that, I've been in positively rude health. 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I found something that revolutionised my life a few weeks back - a microwave sandwich press. It is the absolute bomb. Love it to bits. Even if I'm using gluten free bread and vegan cheese. 

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Genevieve Pelicot. What a courageous woman. If you don't know her story, look it up. She is incredible. 

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

American politics continues to baffle me. And Peter Dutton.... horrible, horrible, horrible man. 

14. Where did most of your money go?

After rent, feed and bills, most of my money goes on travel, books, theatre and film. No change there, though I'm saving a lot at the moment - very proud of that. 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

A few things. Seeing The Pixies again at the Pearl Jam concert - that was really good. I loved seeing Dracula at the Sydney Theatre Company. And it was great to get my energy back after changing my diet. It's been life changing. 

16. What song will always remind you of 2024?

Something by Chappell Roan - who I only discovered a few months ago, but really like. 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer?

I'm pleased to say that I'm happier, thinner and richer in many ways. 

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

 Relaxed, exercised and wrote fiction. 

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

 Procrastinate and doom scroll. 

20. How will you spend New Year's Eve?

Last night I did some writing, watched some telly and went to bed. New Year's Eve is not a big thing for me. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2024?

No. 

22. What was your favourite TV program?

One of the following: Bad Sisters (Apple +), Bridgerton (Netflix), One Day (Netflix) and Nobody Wants This (Netflix) just to name a few. 

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No - I don't hate on people, unless it's Peter Dutton, but I've intensely disliked him for years. 

24. What was the best book you read?

One of the following, When Good was a Rabbit, Still Life and The Year of Marvellous Ways by Sarah Winman. I love Sarah Winman. She's exceptional. 

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

This year - Chappell Roan and Ruby Fields. I like both of them for different reasons. 

26. What did you want and get?

A bit of sanity and my health back. 

27. What did you want and not get?

A functioning love life. 

28. What was your favourite film of this year?

I saw a lot of good films over the year, but the one I keep returning to is Perfect Days, a Japanese film directed by Wim Wenders. It's simple, but magnificent. 

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I was 56 on my birthday, and I was in Darwin. That evening, a couple of colleagues and I went to see Being John Malkovich at the Deckchair Cinema. It was a nice evening. 

30. What one thing made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Friends and my cat. 

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2024?

Clean, comfortable and with a load of Melbourne black. I am trying to wear a bit more colour, but black is still a staple. 

32. What kept you sane?

 Friends, movies, books and exercise. That rarely changes. 

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I've still got a thing for Clive Owen and Matthew Goode. 

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

As always, women's rights and abortion rights, particularly in America, where it seems The Handmaid's Tale is used for a how-to manual. 

35. Who did you miss?

Other than my mate Andy, I can't think of anybody in particular. I tend to miss people at funny times, then I don't think about them, only for them to come back soon. 

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Again, there are no standouts, but I met some great people at work and at the writer's retreats I go on every year. 

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2024.

Take control of your life. It's easy once you commit to yourself. 

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

And I was thinking, that it might do some good

If we robbed the cynics and took all their food

That way what they believe will have taken place

And we'll give it to everybody that had some faith

Oh, please be careful with me

I'm sensitive and I'd like to stay that way.

(Jewel, I'm Sensitive)

Today's song: