2009 and Feelin’ Fine
No internet at home so sneakily spewing this out at work! I got this from my pal Trish.
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Competed in a kickboxing tournament (v. unsuccessfully), went on the telly, became a UK citizen, grew tomatoes and salad leaves, bought a house.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next this year?
I resolved to 1) exercise 20 mins a day 2) write down what I eat 3) internet curfew of 10.30pm. About 37% success. My resolution for 2010 is to do more stuff that I enjoy. That is all.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My foxy work colleague, Lorraine.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My great uncle Gordon passed away. He was a lovely man.
5. What countries did you visit?
Australia and USA
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A clearer mind!
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Thursday 22 January. Last day in New York. Killer cookie from Levain Bakery.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Growing tomatoes!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Ignoring my health.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The big D.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
iStuff 808 Bass Sound Isolating Earphones – only £16.99 to totally drown out snotty noses and rubbish banter on public transport! I heartily endorse!
12. Where did most of your money go?
Airfares to Australia and deposit for Crooked House.
13. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The sausage and onion pie from SimpleSimon Pies.
14. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Hocus Pocus. Gareth dragged me along to a Focus gig – Dutch prog yodelling ahoy.
15. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
I was sadder, but i'm doing something about it, so much happier now!
b) thinner or fatter?
Fatter, but again doing something about it.
c) richer or poorer?
Poorer financially due to mortgage shackles. But feeling very lucky and appreciative to have a good life and know so many groovy people.
16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Look after my mental health.
Fun outings with Dr G.
Travel. I've not been anywhere Euro since 2007! (shitey work trip doesn't count 
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying about what other people think.
18. How will you spend Christmas?
Rhi and the in-laws are coming to Crooked House! There will be feasting and port.
19. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Yes, with my cherry tomatoes! And more in love with Dr G. We have both had a real stinker of a 2009 in many respects but we kept each other trucking along.
20. What was your favorite TV program?
The Thick of It.
21. What was the best book you read?
Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner
22. What was your favorite film of this year?
Didn't see too many good films, but some oldies I saw for the first time and loved were Blade Runner and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
23. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I went to the BBC Good Food show in Glasgow then I scrubbed the walls of our putrid house. I turned 32.
24. What kept you sane?
Kickboxing and the addictive genius of SJ and the Egg's brilliant FYCL podcast.
25. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Peter Capaldi. Loved him shouty sweary on The Thick Of It and loved him rambling on as he drew little sketches on that documentary about Scottish art.
26. Who did you miss?
Everyone in Australia, especially Peita, Jane and Jen Dog.
27. Who was the best new person you met?
Alison, a sage and hilarious arsekicker
Happy Holidays to all you groovy groovers out there!
I LOVE THESE. so revealing and I adore your honesty.
Im so honored to call you friend.
oh oh oh, you are a Peter Capaldi fan! Andy met him on the tube the other night and they had a chat, Andy said he was really nice (the Scotland bonding helped I’m sure); even better Andy had a blank Christmas card in his bag and got him to write it to his friend in the style of Malcom Tucker. Unprintable, hehe. I like him best in Local Hero, when he does that dorky run down the hill. SHAME JOB!
Thanks for sharing, it made me smile a few times
BTW come to tiny Luxembourg on your next trip to Europe, i’ll show you around
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Shauna!!
xoxo
Peter Capaldi?! Wasn’t he the heart-throb Tristram on The Vicar of Dibley?! “It’s all so perfect – he’s Scottish, and I love McVitie’s biscuits!!”
Totally with you on number 17. Let’s both try and do less of that next year!
Merry christmas darl and cheers to happy times and fun in 2010 – I’ll drag you to the continent with me at some point
xx
Thank you for sharing.
I like number 6.
Merry Christmas!
I got to hug you in 2009,
which makes the entire year worthwhile!
HAPPY HAPPY EVERYTHING TO YOU AND DR G.
love yas
xxxxx
I LOVED The diving bell/butterfly movie! it was actually pretty pivotal in changing my way of thinking. If a man can write a g-damned book by blinking his eyes, hell! I can get off my ass and go for a walk.
I’ve been a shitty friend this year, still haven’t got your package posted even though it’s ready. *sigh* I promise, i swear to God, when I get back from my dad’s on the 27th, I’ll post the bloody thing.
have a good christmas shauny, this past year seems to have sucked for me as much as you… misery loves company! But, you know what else makes better company? Sharing good things with our friends. 2010 will be a better year! I promise! Plus, it has a better ring to it ….
Oh dear, sorry you’ve had a bad year. But glad you’re feeling happier now. Hope you have a lovely Christmas.
(Meeting you was one of the highlights of my year. Also reading your book. I reread it the other week and it was just as good as before; possibly even better. (How did that happen?))
I’m with you on the big D thing and the kickboxing thing. Moving, Major financial changes, job changes all are major stressors that can throw us off balance. Recently I was driving to kickboxing with the intent to stop by the drugstore for dark chocolate afterward. Then , WOW , Kickboxing class. I got the giggles trying to do flying front kicks. We all looked like clumsy superheros. If only I had kickboxing class everyday.
It’s been a long time since I visited here. Way back when in 2002 I used to read your blog. Just added it to my faves again.
Eff the big D, here’s to a great 2010!
Seasons greetings from my parents’ house in Iceland, oddly it’s MUCH much warmer than the UK.
Here’s to putting 2009 behind you (well, the bad bits anyway) and ONWARDS AND UPWARDS. Will come and see you if I get within cooee of the UK this year, and we shall go out for breakfast, and we shall order Eggs Benny. Have a cracker of a year, Shauna! You’re my hero! Mwah xx