As much of a tradition as Auld Lang Syne and... erm... my Last.FM blog... Here's a delightfully honest look back at the shit-fest that was 2009. One year I really should try writing this without drinking half a bottle of Malibu first.
What Did You Do In 2009 That You'd Never Done Before?
Karaoke, in public - not just relying on the safety of living room SingStar. Went to a Lesbian Wedding. Went abroad on my own. Lived alone. Bought toilet roll. Kept a diary. Threw up at a fairground. Got naked in the middle of a field. Got naked in the middle of Bromley high street.
Did You Keep Your New Year's Resolutions, And Will You Make More For Next Year?
What Did You Do In 2009 That You'd Never Done Before?
Karaoke, in public - not just relying on the safety of living room SingStar. Went to a Lesbian Wedding. Went abroad on my own. Lived alone. Bought toilet roll. Kept a diary. Threw up at a fairground. Got naked in the middle of a field. Got naked in the middle of Bromley high street.
Did You Keep Your New Year's Resolutions, And Will You Make More For Next Year?
The photo diary fell by the wayside about two months in when my PC crashed and took all the photos with it. Plus they all seemed to be of me in bed eating pizza. I kept an actual diary though - with the odd week missing here and there if nothing interesting had happened, or if I just couldn't be fagged to update it.
My New Year's Resolution for 2010 is to make this my Year Of Plenty. And I know I'm not the only one who has such an aim. 2009 was a bit wank, so I'm hoping to make this coming year one of absolute amazing-ness. And it's already looking quite, quite promising...
Did Anyone Close To You Give Birth?
My New Year's Resolution for 2010 is to make this my Year Of Plenty. And I know I'm not the only one who has such an aim. 2009 was a bit wank, so I'm hoping to make this coming year one of absolute amazing-ness. And it's already looking quite, quite promising...
Did Anyone Close To You Give Birth?
Janette. Again. Am I going to be copying and pasting this answer for years to come?!
Did Anyone Close To You Die?
Did Anyone Close To You Die?
Not close to me, as such, but several relatives of close friends passed away which was obviously a complete shitter.
What Countries Did You Visit?
What Countries Did You Visit?
Spain (twice) and Portugal. Does Allhallows count?
What Would You Like To Have In 2010 That You Lacked In 2009?
What Would You Like To Have In 2010 That You Lacked In 2009?
Surely the one thing that everyone wants...?
What Date From 2009 Will Remain Etched Upon Your Memory, And Why?
August 10th. It's the only day of the year that's taken up three A4 pages of my diary - THAT's how brilliant it was.
What Was Your Biggest Achievement Of 2009?
What Date From 2009 Will Remain Etched Upon Your Memory, And Why?
August 10th. It's the only day of the year that's taken up three A4 pages of my diary - THAT's how brilliant it was.
What Was Your Biggest Achievement Of 2009?
Moving out. I'm an actual rent-paying grown-up person. I have a pretty-ish flat near work, which is what I've wanted for YEARS now and I've finally got it. Sure, it's not all it's cracked up to be. The amount I have to spend on rent and bills is a fucking disgrace, and I could really do with a place that has a tumble-dryer. But it's given me a lot more freedom, and it's mine. It's a place I can call my own. I love it. I'm SO proud of my drinks cabinet! And I've only had two nights where I've just felt completely lonely, which is better than I was expecting...
What Was Your Biggest Failure?
Time for another copy and paste job: Letting friendships suffer just because I was having a bad day/week/month. I really need to learn to deal with things better. Rather than cutting myself off from people and social situations, I need to put on a brave face and get on with things, rather than avoiding people until I’m feeling “better”. Something to work on in 2010, methinks.
Did You Suffer Illness Or Injury?
What Was Your Biggest Failure?
Time for another copy and paste job: Letting friendships suffer just because I was having a bad day/week/month. I really need to learn to deal with things better. Rather than cutting myself off from people and social situations, I need to put on a brave face and get on with things, rather than avoiding people until I’m feeling “better”. Something to work on in 2010, methinks.
Did You Suffer Illness Or Injury?
Apart from ridiculous ManFlu spanning the first two months of the year, 2009 was actually a good year for me health-wise. "At least you've got your health..." - Yes, that was about ALL I had in 2009!
What Was The Best Thing You Bought?
What Was The Best Thing You Bought?
Well, I'm only renting so I can't say 'The Flat'. I'm torn between three things: The shiny cushions in my bedroom (Oh yeah!), the tickets to see FrankMusik (one of the best nights I've had this year) and the ticket to Spain on my own. Wasn't having a great time of it, so needed to get away. Did me the world of good. For a week or so, at least. But while I was there, I had a great time. It was brilliant. And, of course, there was Gio...
Where Did Most Of Your Money Go?
Rent. Fucking, bleeding-me-dry, God-awful, whose-pissing-idea-was-this, Rent. Oh, and the M&S bedding wasn't all that cheap, either.
What Did You Get Really, Really Excited About?
Where Did Most Of Your Money Go?
Rent. Fucking, bleeding-me-dry, God-awful, whose-pissing-idea-was-this, Rent. Oh, and the M&S bedding wasn't all that cheap, either.
What Did You Get Really, Really Excited About?
Several things. Which was my first mistake, because life is crap.
What Songs Will Always Remind You Of 2009?
FrankMusik - Complete Me
FrankMusik - Better Off As Two
Alex Cornish - In A Word
Lady GaGa - Paparazzi
La Roux - In For The Kill
Snow Patrol - Crack The Shutters
Compared To This Time Last Year, Are You:
I - Happier or Sadder? - Sadder
II - Thinner or Fatter? - Fatter
III - Richer or Poorer? - Poorer (That DAMNED rent!)
What Do You Wish You'd Done More Of?
Touching men on their bell-ends. No... I jest. Ish. I wish I'd been able to get drunk more with the people I care about. Drunk and silly and loud - with Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson on the iPod. Hence the New Year's Resolution.
What Do You Wish You'd Done Less Of?
Wallowing in any or all of the following: Self-pity. The past. Pig shit.
Did You Fall In Love In 2009?
Do you think this questionnaire would be quite so downbeat if the answer to this was 'Yes'...?!
How Many One Night Stands?
*Whistles Innocently*
What Was Your Favourite TV Programme?
Well, Doctor Who was barely on-screen this year. And with offerings like 'Planet Of The Dead' it was never going to be enough to secure its position here. Which means I'm stuck. I LOVED Psychoville. And the return of Ruth Evershed to Spooks made it an AMAZINGLY GOOD series this year. But for the sheer amount of heartbreak it caused me - and I do LOVE a good cry - the winner has to be Torchwood. Sid's Dead Dad was brilliant, and the fourth episode one of the finest pieces of television ever screened.
Do You Hate Anyone Now That You Didn't Hate This Time Last Year?
Nope. Because I'm lovely.
What Was The Best Book You Read?
Alan Carr's autobiography. By default, as it was the ONLY book I read in 2009.
What Was Your Greatest Musical Discovery?
Lord FrankMusik of SexyTown. God, I want that man's babies. Completely took me by surprise, because it's not my sort of music at all, but his album is a masterpiece. And the title track became the soundtrack to 2009. For better or for worse. Alex Cornish was a good find too, actually. Although technically I discovered him in 2008, this was the year I finally got round to buying his album. His gig at the Water Rats made me wet in so many ways.
What Concerts Did You Go To In 2009?
Keane - They sang The River! The Killers, Snow Patrol (minus Annie, the support act) and P!nk. FrankMusik, Alex Cornish and... erm... The Jonas Brothers, again, who were actually really good, again. They sang Sweet Caroline, FFS! That was ALWAYS going to give me an erection.
What Was Your Favourite Film Of This Year?
I'm not really a film person, but I did laugh hysterically at The Hangover. He's Just Not That Into You, however, made me want to end it all.
What Did You Want And Get This Year?
My own place. Chez Bollock, with its cupboards of obscure celebrities and calendars of nudey men. I love it.
What Did You Want And Not Get This Year?
Someone to come home to.
What Did You Do On Your Birthday, And How Old Were You?
I was Twenty-Something! I went to a dinner party at the McMahon's, drank Black Sambucca, vomited up the house and cried into someone else's pillow.
What One Thing Would Have Made Your Year Immeasurably More Satisfying?
A date with someone who could speak English, wasn't a klepto, didn't have a piss fetish or someone who had the skills to operate a bar of soap.
How Would You Describe Your Personal Fashion Concept In 2009?
"Sponsored by Topman"
What Kept You Sane?
Nothing. Have you not read the above? I'm a fucking mentalist.
Which Celebrity/Public Figure Did You Fancy The Most?
FrankMusik. Or Colin Morgan. Or that bloke who was told to drop his pants in Spooks - He was bootiful.
What Political Issue Stirred You The Most?
I don't do politics. But the whole 'Expenses Scandal' certainly livened work up a little bit - Who'd have thought The Daily Telegraph could become an entertaining read.
Who Did You Miss?
Matt. A little bit.
Who Was The Best New Person You Met?
Probably 'Miss Rich Porty' - He was, erm... Fun, I guess.
Tell Us A Valuable Life Lesson You Learned In 2009:
Life's a bitch and then you die. That seems to be rather apt. Or maybe I'll just resort to one final copy and paste job: “Pain and loss. They define us as much as happiness or love. Everything has it's time, and everything ends.”
Quote A Song Lyric That Sums Up Your Year:
The optimist in me wants to suggest: "Kiss me like a final meal, kiss me like we die tonight".
But the side of me that notices that is a ridiculously hopeful and passionate lyric for such a shit year has put forward this instead: "Darling, I'm lost. Adrift in the dark. I'm clutching your words, to my Vampire Heart once more. So let in the light, turn me to dust, if it don't end in bloodshed, dear, it's probably not love. Here we are in the darkest place, my reflection shows only your face. Something is found, something is lost. Looking for clues, in the streets of old New York. And I've spilled someone's blood, I broke someone's heart again. Someone you know. You're looking at him, my friend. And the people in our lives, we all leave behind. Leave behind. Here we are, in the darkest place. To keep from forgetting, I picture your face. And I wonder how we count the cost. Which is sweeter: Love or its loss? So I curse you my Vampire Heart, for letting me love you, love you, love you, for letting me love you from the start"
What Songs Will Always Remind You Of 2009?
FrankMusik - Complete Me
FrankMusik - Better Off As Two
Alex Cornish - In A Word
Lady GaGa - Paparazzi
La Roux - In For The Kill
Snow Patrol - Crack The Shutters
Compared To This Time Last Year, Are You:
I - Happier or Sadder? - Sadder
II - Thinner or Fatter? - Fatter
III - Richer or Poorer? - Poorer (That DAMNED rent!)
What Do You Wish You'd Done More Of?
Touching men on their bell-ends. No... I jest. Ish. I wish I'd been able to get drunk more with the people I care about. Drunk and silly and loud - with Elaine Paige & Barbara Dickson on the iPod. Hence the New Year's Resolution.
What Do You Wish You'd Done Less Of?
Wallowing in any or all of the following: Self-pity. The past. Pig shit.
Did You Fall In Love In 2009?
Do you think this questionnaire would be quite so downbeat if the answer to this was 'Yes'...?!
How Many One Night Stands?
*Whistles Innocently*
What Was Your Favourite TV Programme?
Well, Doctor Who was barely on-screen this year. And with offerings like 'Planet Of The Dead' it was never going to be enough to secure its position here. Which means I'm stuck. I LOVED Psychoville. And the return of Ruth Evershed to Spooks made it an AMAZINGLY GOOD series this year. But for the sheer amount of heartbreak it caused me - and I do LOVE a good cry - the winner has to be Torchwood. Sid's Dead Dad was brilliant, and the fourth episode one of the finest pieces of television ever screened.
Do You Hate Anyone Now That You Didn't Hate This Time Last Year?
Nope. Because I'm lovely.
What Was The Best Book You Read?
Alan Carr's autobiography. By default, as it was the ONLY book I read in 2009.
What Was Your Greatest Musical Discovery?
Lord FrankMusik of SexyTown. God, I want that man's babies. Completely took me by surprise, because it's not my sort of music at all, but his album is a masterpiece. And the title track became the soundtrack to 2009. For better or for worse. Alex Cornish was a good find too, actually. Although technically I discovered him in 2008, this was the year I finally got round to buying his album. His gig at the Water Rats made me wet in so many ways.
What Concerts Did You Go To In 2009?
Keane - They sang The River! The Killers, Snow Patrol (minus Annie, the support act) and P!nk. FrankMusik, Alex Cornish and... erm... The Jonas Brothers, again, who were actually really good, again. They sang Sweet Caroline, FFS! That was ALWAYS going to give me an erection.
What Was Your Favourite Film Of This Year?
I'm not really a film person, but I did laugh hysterically at The Hangover. He's Just Not That Into You, however, made me want to end it all.
What Did You Want And Get This Year?
My own place. Chez Bollock, with its cupboards of obscure celebrities and calendars of nudey men. I love it.
What Did You Want And Not Get This Year?
Someone to come home to.
What Did You Do On Your Birthday, And How Old Were You?
I was Twenty-Something! I went to a dinner party at the McMahon's, drank Black Sambucca, vomited up the house and cried into someone else's pillow.
What One Thing Would Have Made Your Year Immeasurably More Satisfying?
A date with someone who could speak English, wasn't a klepto, didn't have a piss fetish or someone who had the skills to operate a bar of soap.
How Would You Describe Your Personal Fashion Concept In 2009?
"Sponsored by Topman"
What Kept You Sane?
Nothing. Have you not read the above? I'm a fucking mentalist.
Which Celebrity/Public Figure Did You Fancy The Most?
FrankMusik. Or Colin Morgan. Or that bloke who was told to drop his pants in Spooks - He was bootiful.
What Political Issue Stirred You The Most?
I don't do politics. But the whole 'Expenses Scandal' certainly livened work up a little bit - Who'd have thought The Daily Telegraph could become an entertaining read.
Who Did You Miss?
Matt. A little bit.
Who Was The Best New Person You Met?
Probably 'Miss Rich Porty' - He was, erm... Fun, I guess.
Tell Us A Valuable Life Lesson You Learned In 2009:
Life's a bitch and then you die. That seems to be rather apt. Or maybe I'll just resort to one final copy and paste job: “Pain and loss. They define us as much as happiness or love. Everything has it's time, and everything ends.”
Quote A Song Lyric That Sums Up Your Year:
The optimist in me wants to suggest: "Kiss me like a final meal, kiss me like we die tonight".
But the side of me that notices that is a ridiculously hopeful and passionate lyric for such a shit year has put forward this instead: "Darling, I'm lost. Adrift in the dark. I'm clutching your words, to my Vampire Heart once more. So let in the light, turn me to dust, if it don't end in bloodshed, dear, it's probably not love. Here we are in the darkest place, my reflection shows only your face. Something is found, something is lost. Looking for clues, in the streets of old New York. And I've spilled someone's blood, I broke someone's heart again. Someone you know. You're looking at him, my friend. And the people in our lives, we all leave behind. Leave behind. Here we are, in the darkest place. To keep from forgetting, I picture your face. And I wonder how we count the cost. Which is sweeter: Love or its loss? So I curse you my Vampire Heart, for letting me love you, love you, love you, for letting me love you from the start"
-
-
