[Yearly Review] Part 1: looking back on 2013

It doesn't seem that long ago that I was writing my end of 2012 review. A lots happened in 2013, and it seems to have gone past in a blur at times. On the other hand bits of it have seemed interminable, so I suppose it's a wash really! Anyway, I'm going to reprise my set of three end-of-year posts: part 1 will be a review of the events and happenings in my life during 2013; in part 2 (tomorrow) I'll look at how well I met my goals for the year, and in part 3 (on New Year's Day) I'll be setting my goals for 2014

I rather liked this image. Quite appropriate. (Credit: linda-dawn-designs.blogspot.com)

What have you done in 2013 that you’d never done before?

Become a Doctor: just a little thing I know, but it was the culmination of four years hard work, lots of sweat, and lots of tears. It was worth it in the end.

Go to Proms in the Park: I've actually never been to any of the BBC Proms before, but Proms in the Park was one that I've wanted to do for a while. This year I finally got the chance.

See a live RSC production: I managed to snag tickets to Richard II from a friend who was selling some spares. I loved it, and will be trying to see some more whilst I'm still in Coventry.

Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

Much like last year, I didn't really set any proper resolutions. Some of my goals come close though, and I managed to fulfill some of them.

Did anyone close to you give birth?

Not this year. But more of them are getting engaged and married now, so it's only a matter of time.

Did anyone close to you die?

Fortunately not.

What countries did you visit?

England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, France; nowhere particularly exciting. I didn't have any observing trips, and of the two big planetary conferences I skipped one to finish my thesis (and promptly took another 3 months over it), and the other was in London.

What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2013?

I'm not really sure. 

What date from 2013 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Le Mans raceday. It was a tense race all the way through, in all four classes. But I will remember that 24 hours for the tragic accident that led to the death of Allan Simonsen, and the way that the other drivers and Radio Le Mans paid tribute to him at the end of the race.

My PhD Viva day, and my graduation, for obvious reasons.

October 10th: the day I became single again for the first time in 6 and a half years.

Porsche Motorsport's post Le Mans video, and Allan Simonsen tribute.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Becoming a doctor! I suppose that successfully pulling off the BULSCA Championships comes 2nd, albeit rather distant.

What was your biggest failure?

I don't think I had any particular failures this year. None that are big enough to be memorable at any rate.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

Until a few days ago I would have said no. Then I caught a vomiting bug over Christmas and spent the 2nd half of Boxing Day hunched over the sink. I suppose taking a massive chunk out of my top right incisor counts as an injury.

What was the best thing you bought?

A bed? Seriously, you don't appreciate having a bed in your flat until you don't have one anymore. Or at least until it's sitting there in flatpack boxes waiting for you to put it together.

Whose behaviour merited celebration?

My family's during October. It was a tough month for me. I had my PhD viva to start it off, then the stress of trying to get my corrections done. Then my girlfriend of six years and I decided to separate, and I struggled to come to terms with that. Plus I was trying to sort out my flat, which had been empty when I moved in. My family really came through for me, and hopefully they realise how grateful I am.

Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

I can't think of anyone in particular this year that appalled me. Depressed is easier - the continuing nonsense surrounding the Scottish independence debate is just, ugh. I can't even think about it without being upset.

Where did most of your money go?

That's easy. Day-to-day life in St Andrews after my PhD stipend stopped, then moving. I've spent a fair amount furnishing my new flat too.

What did you get excited about?

Graduating. Seriously, I think I was both more nervous and more excited than I was the first time around! I also got pretty excited about my visit to Belfast with my friends, which turned out to be a pretty awesome weekend. On a less serious note, I really looked forward to the We Are Scientists gig in Glasgow, and got far more excited over Pacific Rim than I possibly should have done.

What song will always remind you of 2013?

This:

Birdy, covering Passenger's "Let Her Go"

Compared to this time last year, are you:

• Happier or sadder? Sadder.
• Thinner or fatter? Pretty much the same, but leaning towards the slightly bigger.
• Richer or poorer? Definitely poorer! But I'm gradually building it back up.

What do you wish you'd done more of?

Visiting my friends around the UK, or even talking to them on the phone/via Skype. That's definitely going on my 'must do better' list for 2014. Writing my thesis also comes to mind; I probably could have finished much earlier than I did, but kept finding ways to avoid it. Possibly looking for a flat in Coventry too, although that was ridiculously time constrained and I'm lucky to have found where I ended up.

What do you wish you'd done less of?

Surfing the internet instead of writing my thesis (see above). Moving and settling into my flat - the whole moving process was the epitome of ridiculous, then I had to try and get it furnished whilst dealing with everything else. It's just about there now, three months after I got the keys.

How did you spend Christmas?

With my family, as usual. This year we were in Scotland with my Granny. I slept in, had a lazy morning unwrapping my presents, then spent a lot of it in front of the TV or with a book. Granny wasn't well on the day itself (she had the vomiting bug), so spent some time helping my Mum look after her too.

Did you fall in love in 2013?

No. Somewhat the opposite in fact.

What was your favourite TV programme?

Arrow, by a mile. The last series of Dr Who was ok, and the 50th anniversary was about as good as I could have hoped. But for sheer consistency it has to be Arrow. It's been continuously improving, and shows no sign of stopping.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?

No. I tend to think that hating someone is a waste of energy. 

What was the best book you read?

I read a lot of very good books this year, and it's hard to pick just one. "Ready Player One" was excellent, as was "Terminal World". Then there was the PC Grant series that I blogged about. I think I'm going to go for the First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie, but "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman runs them very close (I seriously don't know how I avoided Gaiman until this year).

These are great books. Gritty fantasy with believable characters, and a 'big picture' storyline that clearly hasn't concluded

with the end of the third book. (Credit: WaltInPA.com)

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Hmmm. The only musical discoveries I made this year were those I've blogged about previously. Of the three, I'd say Pentatonix win out.

What did you want and get?

A job!

What did you want and NOT get?

I can't think of anything particularly. 

What was your favourite film of this year?

Pacific Rim: giant mecha, fighting giant monsters. What more do you need!

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I was 26. I spent it in St Andrews with my then girlfriend, doing not very much.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Staying in a relationship.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2013?

My fashion concept hasn't changed for some time, so I'll repeat what I said last year: Jeans most of the time, with long shorts in summer; slouchy hoodies in winter; long sleeved t-shirts in spring/autumn; t-shirts in summer. I have been making a move towards smartening up a bit though, and smarter jumpers with short-sleeved shirts or polo shirts are now making more regular appearances.

What kept you sane?

My friends and family. Work too, for the routine normality that it provided during that hard periods of the year.

What political issue stirred you the most?

Meh. I suppose the ongoing Scottish Independence 'debate' that I've already mentioned. But apart from that, nothing springs to mind. Politics in science has been frustrating I suppose.

Who did you miss?

Since moving to Coventry I've missed my friends from work up in St Andrews. I miss the friends who've moved away too, although I see some of them fairly regularly at lifesaving competitions.

Who were the best new people you met?
My new work colleagues at Warwick are pretty nice people. But I'd have to say that Ben, my friend Jordan's husband, is far and away the best person I met for the first time. He's pretty awesome.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learnt in 2013:

Nothing lasts forever, and sometimes it's for the best if it doesn't.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Staring at the bottom of your glass,
Hoping one day you'll make a dream last,
But dreams come slow, and they go so fast.
  - Passenger, "Let Her Go"