I’ve decided I’m not going to make any New Year’s resolutions this time round, not only because I took a look at last year’s post on the subject and realised just how crap I am at fulfilling them, but because events of the last few weeks have proved to me once and for all just how bloody unpredictable life can be.
There’s no point in me vowing to give up smoking for example, if in the course of a week I’m going to learn that a) a friend is gravely ill and fighting for his life on a ventilator (update: Ian’s not out of the woods yet, but although he’s still on the vent and will be for some time to come, he’s slowly starting to come round, and yesterday while I was visiting he gave me a big wink and a grin, which was lovely, [and probably the only time in my life I’ve actually been happy to have a man wink at me!]) and b) my oldest daughter has got engaged and in the not too distant future I’ve going to have to do the mother of the bride thing……whatever that thing is.
So while a month ago I could have easily said “Oh yeah, next year I’m definitely going to quit smoking”, right now all I can think is “You can fuck off if you think I’m handing over my fags: you’ll have to prize ’em out of my cold dead hands! Now where did I put my lighter…..”
I also couldn’t have predicted back in January 2009 that by the end of the year not only would I have got an honourable mention in a couple of pretty high-profile books (cheers Ariane and Kat), but that I’d have had a hysterectomy, and that December would see me speechifying at an international trade union conference on trafficking and prostitution, in Stockholm of all places. Look, that’s me, up at the rostrum doing my thang!
Thankfully I don’t appear to look as terrified as I felt…..
So anyway, if I’ve learnt anything this year it’s that nothing is predictable and so there’s no point busting a gut trying to plan for any of it: it’s probably best to just to go with the flow and see where life takes you.
The only thing I am going to say about the year ahead is that I sincerely hope it’s going to be better than the last one. And not just for me and mine, but for everyone. Because let’s face it, 2009 really was a bit poo wasn’t it?
Too Much To Say For Myself 
2009 was indeed pants. Hope this year’s a good one for you 🙂
I think I am the only person to consider 2009 a good year!
Happy New Year Cath.
Oh yeah – that missing lighter thing is the only thng that makes me want to give up smoking!
2009 was mixed, but here’s wishing everyone except David Cameron a happy new year.
Mother of the bride: You need to buy several outfits and cross examine everyone else in your family about what they’re wearing I think. I shall be going to my first ever civil partnership ceremony (somebody else’s, not mine) in 2010 if all goes according to plan.
And ‘dick’ Griffin of course, lets hope he has a very miserable new year. Maybe as he’s my MEP I can get him working for his keep. Any suggestions?
Happy New Year, Cath.
I think the Mother of the Bride needs a bigger and better hat than everyone else, and more gin.
Happy new year, Cath. I’m the same with the smoking – I keep saying I’m going to quit but when it comes down to it, I just like smoking too damn much. 😉
Happy New Year!
Too right 🙂 resolutions are shite.
I hereby resolve to eat as much chocolate and drink as much wine as possible.
Oh and congrats to your daughter!
Yeah, I said I was gonna give up soda pop, and I’ve had some every day since I said that. Circumstances were conspiring against me.
How about a resolution to work harder to expose the gender pay gap and say we can’t wait any longer? 40 years since the Act this year. Here’s a funny little film I found on youtube about this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3_e755DXoI