A year in summary (2003)
1. What did you do in 2003 that you’d never done before?
Made plans for the rest of my life. I’ve always been a “let’s see what comes along” sort of guy, but this year I’ve made some life plans. Not that I thought I would be doing so this time last year, but I’ve done it anyway.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn’t make any, as I usually break them after about 12 minutes. I suspect I will make at least one this coming new year, but I can’t guarantee anything.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I can think of.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, unfortunately. My uncle Dave who, regrettably, I haven’t seen for so very long. I miss you Dave.
5. What countries did you visit?
I haven’t been out of the UK this year, although I’ve really wanted to at certain points.
6. What would you like to have in 2004 that you lacked in 2003?
Money. I know it may sound incredibly shallow, but money has definitely been an issue this year.
7. What date from 2003 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
9th August, the day I asked Suzy evils to marry me.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
I’m going to say that I’ve made some great achievements this year. I met someone who I’m totally in love with, someone I want to share the rest of my life with (q.v. #7) and I took the huge step of saying “sayonara” to the 9-5, and set up my own business, something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time, but it didn’t seem right, or I didn’t feel strong enough, until this year.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not being brave enough to stand up to someone (for a while) and then failing someone I hold very dear. And losing a potential friendship in the process.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major, just the odd cold. There was a point where my shoulder was extremely painful, but I think that was booze-induced, hence self-inflicted injury, and I deserve no sympathy whatsoever.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A digital camera for Suzy’s birthday. The smile on her face was indescribable, but of the “good” variety.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Paul, who’s been a fabulous friend for the past couple of years, supporting me through everything, and has never asked for anything in return. Except to go to the pub for a pint now and then. :-)
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
I really don’t want to name names, but there was one person, who I was very close to at one point, who made life exceedingly difficult. And of course, my own.
14. Where did most of your money go?
The mortgage, bills, food, fags. And, if I’m being honest, probably DVDs. Not having had much of the stuff recently (certainly less that I think I deserve, cheers Pure!) I’m really having to spend most of it on the essentials.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Lots of plans. Christmas with Suzy. The future.
16. What song will always remind you of 2003?
I think “Let Me Be Your Armor”.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Far, far, far, far, far, far happier!!!!
ii. thinner or fatter? Probably a little lighter/thinner, but not by a great deal.
iii. richer or poorer? In fiscal terms, definitely poorer. Emotionally, a great deal richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Spent time with Suzy. Spent time with friends. Spent time not worrying about things, whether I can change them or not.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Farted around, doing what I thought I had to do, rather than what I should have done, when setting up the business. Smoked.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Eating, drinking, playing and laughing plenty with Suzy and her folks in Ayrshire. Basically the complete opposite of last year’s “look for something that’s open on X-mas day, can’t find anything, beans on toast it is then.”
22. Did you fall in love in 2003?
Absolutely. 11th January 2003. I was in London, she wasn’t.
23. How many one-night stands?
None.
24. What was your favorite TV program?
It’s got to be Family Guy, Will and Grace, or 24 (season 2)
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I think so. Yes, *think* I think so.
26. What was the best book you read?
The Brentford Trillogy, Robert Rankin. I know it’s five books, but I did read them all this year.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That I wasn’t the only person that can’t stand Kylie Minouge. I have no idea how to spell that, and I’m not even sure it’s music related… Bitch? Me? Ha!
28. What did you want and get?
Happiness. Not sure I deserved it, but I wanted it and got it.
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
LOTR: The Two Towers. It would probably be LOTR: ROTK but I haven’t seen it yet.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 31. I was surprised by the great number of folk that turned out to wish me well. I did myself a mischief playing with the Eye-Toy.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I can’t say I wanted anything more. Perhaps a little less grief from certain quarters, and being paid on time for the work I’ve done.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2003?
What I like, exactly as it’s been for the past god-knows how long.
34. What kept you sane?
A few close people and a million little distractions.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Is this a trick question? I can’t say that I think anyone that’s regularly in the public eye has anything worthy of being respected for. Unless it’s honesty, and that’s very, very rare.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Not an issue as such, but the complete lack of accountability (and backbone) of the British Government. I suppose the next thing would be the thieves building the Holyrood Parliament.
37. Who did you miss?
My uncle Dave, my Mum, Dad and sisters, David in Cardiff, plenty of friends still in Edinburgh, and down in London.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I can’t answer this question with one name, there have been many.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2003:
I already answered this here http://www.matt.blis.co.uk/archives/000026.html
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Music has taken a back seat for me this year, so I can’t think of anything that immediately jumps out at me. I may edit this later if I think of something.