I’ve never thought of NYE as just another night, it has all the trappings of a grand finale, a celebration, a toast and metaphorical big hug as we collectively say goodbye to the previous 12 months – and look forward to the next, with a sense of renewed optimism, hope and excitement. As the countdown begins, we waive goodbye to memories as they drift that little further away, and welcome a new world, an uncharted journey ready and waiting before us, with tangible expectation tapered with hindsight, as our trusty guides.
Well at least I do.
There is something delightfully magical about the start of a new year don’t you think? It’s not just a date on a calender, many see it as the opportunity to improve, make amends, challenge and grow themselves. I’m certainly looking forward to doing all those things and more over the next 365 days. Those NYE resolutions will no doubt be tapping me on the shoulder from time to time. But for all the euphoria and enthusiasm a new dawn brings – its important to take the time to pause and reflect on the year that was 2008.
It was the year America gained a decorum of respect from the world, by electing Barack Obama, a man with intellect, governed by an astute sense of calmness, mixed with a fierce resolve of integrity and compassion. A uniter, not a fighter if you like, with a genuine passion for looking at what is best, not just for the United States, but the world at large.
“I won’t be a perfect president, he had warned during the campaign, but promised this: I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree.
If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.”
Can you ever imagine Dubya giving such an inspirational speech?
Thought not.
On a personal level, it’s been a year which has been as challenging as it has frustrating. Yet my holiday to Palm Cove was not only restorative, but allowed me to gain perspective on everything that was happening around me. I’ve had poor health this year, diagnosed with high cholesterol, my teeth needing major work and the daily pain of my lower back – all contributing factors there. Damaged goods as they say!
Until a few months ago, I had become disillusioned at work, a side effect of never truly having any separation from it (I live 6 minutes from the office) and ultimately failing to maintain that much heralded ‘work/life’ balance. If you commit to something so intensely, putting in the extra hours, truly living and breathing it, it fast becomes to the detriment of your own mental health – I see that now. I’m extremely fortunate my friends and family helped me recognize that, because without taking that holiday I genuinely feel that I was weeks away from a total meltdown, mentally & physically.
2.5 years without a holiday, working up to 60 hours a week, no matter who you are, will cause you to burn out.
There’s been some highlights of course, learning to cook for myself was a 2008 resolution which through the kindness of my friends I was able to achieve. Lending or buying me cook books, even giving me lessons, have now ensured that although I am no master chef, my ability now expands beyond the microwave ready meal!
I starred in my own TV Show, which was both a taxing and exciting experience. Not many people get that kind of opportunity, and I’m glad I got out of my comfort zone and tried my hand at something new and utterly alien to me. I need to do more things like that in 2009 I feel.
Speaking of 2009, I’m going to put my personal site back up online. There are so many web 2.0 platforms out there, MySpace, Facebook, Wordpress, Twitter, YouTube, Virb, Flickr, Photobucket, MSN Live Spaces, Bebo, LiveJournal, Buzznet – the list is endless. I’m on most but there is no centralized location where all my friends are or where my family can access my life without having to login to a variety of sites.
So I’m going to launch my personal site again, which will aggregate and be integrated into as many of these other networks as possible. So it will be a one-stop location, which will pull feeds and automatically update itself with my current activity – from any number of those networks. Fingers crossed, I’ll have it cooking within the first quarter of the year I hope.
A friend recently told me that, they wanted to have more levels in their life, more interests and options, so that when one thing isn’t going so well, they had other avenues to immerse themselves in. It prevents you from obsessing about one particular element in your life. After all, variation is the key ingredient needed to become a well-rounded individual is it not?
For example, if you’re overloaded at work, worn out and stressed, at least you could go and burn off some of that energy by playing tennis on Wednesdays afterwards or seeking a distraction in the form of going rock-climbing or dirt bike riding.
I really feel I lacked that in 2008 – that missing factor. I haven’t written music for over 8 months, even my other creative outlets such as photography, and design have all slowed down to. Hamstrung by over-tiredness, apathy, and downright lazyness. Don’t even get me started on playing sport!
So I want to do more this year, mix it up again, rather than constantly bounce around between work, the bar and the Xbox. I miss creating music and art, and whilst I don’t think I excel at them especially, I have a natural affinity in those areas and I enjoy both immensely. Could 2009 by the year I start to paint????
But just before I go, I want to say a very sincere and genuine thank you for everything you’ve done for me this year, for your kindness and patience, your thoughtfulness & advice, the laughs, drinks and hugs we’ve shared – and everything in between. I know I haven’t been the most active friend in 2008, and that over the past 12 months I’ve gone a bit AWOL, not returning phonecalls, canceling meet-ups or not replying to messages and I’m truly sorry for that.
You deserve better and I need to change that. 2009 is that year my friends.
Stay Safe,
Alex
