personal

My 2018 in Summary

Traditionally at this time I look back at a summary of my achievements and engagement (or, more accurately the lack of it) over the past year.

As I said last year at this time, it’s been a strange year with a huge amount of work and depression which just hasn’t lifted even during the summer months. But I have somehow managed to function most of the time, although a few things got binned along the way, which overall means I don’t feel I’ve achieved anything much – although as Noreen will point out that’s measured against my exacting standards. So here’s the summary …

At the beginning of the year I posted 10 Things I’m Trying To Do in 2018. The results are in and amazingly I’ve done pretty well this year.

  1. Handover AP Soc Hon. Sec. role – DONE; although I’m still involved in the Society in a non-executive role
  2. AP Oxford conference – DONE; and this was a huge success
  3. Work to improve knees and back – DONE; knees are doing well; and physio/massage/acupuncture is improving the back
  4. Reduce waste/rubbish/clutter and recycle more – DONE
  5. Have a 2 week holiday – FAIL; AGAIN!
  6. Do something not done before – DONE; citizen science counting wasps; had a golden eagle sit on my hand; had acupuncture
  7. Go somewhere not been before – DONE; Horniman Museum; Broughton Castle
  8. Visit the Horniman Museum – DONE
  9. Walk across London’s Millennium Bridge – FAIL
  10. Prove my family history back to Tudor time – DONE; if I believe what I’ve found then I have the Nowers line back to ca. 1520

Wow! That’s a surprising 8/10.

Looking at the year through the usual 25 questions is a bit of a mixed bag though.

1. What did you do that you’d never done before?
a. Counted wasps as part of a citizen science project.
b. Had golden eagle on my hand.
c. Had acupuncture.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I made an Old Year Resolution: Not to make any New Year Resolutions.

3. What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?
Health, wealth and wisdom.

4. What dates from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory?
a. Sunday 2 September: Visit to Broughton Castle.
b. Sunday 23 December: the day the oven door shattered.

5. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Apart from the usual trivial stuff, there was ‘flu, a nasty yeast infection, and of course depression.

6. What was the best thing you bought?
Tom to do the decorating.

7. Where did most of your money go?
a. Refurbishing parts of the house.
b. Oh and, of course, tax.

8. What did you get really, really excited about?
Nothing really; I don’t do excitement, just like I don’t do panic and crisis.

9. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a. happier or sadder? – about the same despite the depression.
b. thinner or fatter? – about the same.
c. richer or poorer? – about the same; possibly very slightly richer.

10. What do you wish you’d done more of?
a. Sitting in the sun in the garden.
b. Family history.
c. Photography.

11. What do you wish you’d done less of?
AP Society & PPG work.

12. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Running the Anthony Powell Society conference, and then retiring as the Society’s Secretary.

13. What was your biggest failure?
Not kicking the depression into touch.

14. How many one-night stands?
None – even if I had the energy, who would want to?

15. What was your favourite TV program?
Yet again, I’ve watched hardly any TV all year – it is such a load of garbage. So yet again the pick has to be the RI Christmas Lectures.

16. What was the best book you read?
There is nothing truly outstanding amongst the little I have read this year.

17. What did you want and get?
New carpets (how sad is that!)

18. What did you want and not get?
a. A big lottery win.
b. Restored libido.

19. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
a. Less work.
b. Not having depression.
c. Decluttered house.

20. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018?
Non-existent.

21. What kept you sane?
Nothing – there is no hope.

22. Who did you miss?
My mother.

23. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018:
We’re all doomed.

24. A quote or song lyric that sums up your year:
“I have always believed that I was slightly saner than most people. Then again, most insane people think this.”
[Truman Capote]

25. Your hopes for 2019
A government with the courage to cancel Brexit.

Overall Result: REQUIRES IMPROVEMENT

But enough of me. How was your 2018? And what are your hopes for 2019?