[Yearly Review] Part 1: looking back on 2014
2014 has almost come to an end, so it's time for my three-part, end-of-year review. In the first instalment I'll be looking back on 2014, and what I made of it.
(Credit: 123rf.com)
What have you done in 2014 that you’d never done before?
Visit China, which was fascinating, and also marked the first time that I'd ever been invited as a guest to a conference. I also made my first visits to Portugal and Sicily, again for conferences.
Most excitingly, 2014 was also my television debut! After the selection of PLATO by ESA back in February, I was interviewed by the local arm of BBC news as part of a piece they were doing on the mission. It was a lot of fun, and far less scary than I'd imagined.
Visit China, which was fascinating, and also marked the first time that I'd ever been invited as a guest to a conference. I also made my first visits to Portugal and Sicily, again for conferences.
Most excitingly, 2014 was also my television debut! After the selection of PLATO by ESA back in February, I was interviewed by the local arm of BBC news as part of a piece they were doing on the mission. It was a lot of fun, and far less scary than I'd imagined.
Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
As you'll see tomorrow, 2014 was a bit of a failure on the personal goals front. But yes, I'll be trying again in 2015.
As you'll see tomorrow, 2014 was a bit of a failure on the personal goals front. But yes, I'll be trying again in 2015.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
No, although my cousin is due to give birth in January, and I've recently discovered that one of my friends is pregnant. So 2015 will see some babies arriving on the scene.
No, although my cousin is due to give birth in January, and I've recently discovered that one of my friends is pregnant. So 2015 will see some babies arriving on the scene.
Did anyone close to you die?
Fortunately not this year.
What countries did you visit?
Ooh, lots of places this year. I visited Belgium twice, France twice, China, Portugal, and Italy. The split was about 50:50 work:pleasure, which is nice.
The Buddhist temple in Kunming. It was so peaceful. (Credit: David Brown)
What would you like to have in 2015 that you lacked in 2014?
My own house? I'm starting to think about buying somewhere in Coventry now that it looks like I'll be there for a long time.
To be honest, there isn't a lot that I feel like I'm lacking at the moment. Life's been pretty good through 2014, particularly towards the end of the year as I really got into the swing of my job. My main hope for 2015 is that it doesn't go downhill.
My own house? I'm starting to think about buying somewhere in Coventry now that it looks like I'll be there for a long time.
To be honest, there isn't a lot that I feel like I'm lacking at the moment. Life's been pretty good through 2014, particularly towards the end of the year as I really got into the swing of my job. My main hope for 2015 is that it doesn't go downhill.
What date from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
It's been a good year all around, but nothing particularly memorable has happened to me personally.
I suppose one of the most memorable days would be the 19th of September, the day that we found out that Scotland would be staying in the UK after all. Oh, and there was the day that I saw Kate Bush perform live, which was fantastic.
It's been a good year all around, but nothing particularly memorable has happened to me personally.
I suppose one of the most memorable days would be the 19th of September, the day that we found out that Scotland would be staying in the UK after all. Oh, and there was the day that I saw Kate Bush perform live, which was fantastic.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
(Unofficially) Getting the long-term position I wanted at the University of Warwick, which (fingers crossed) gives me a job for at least a decade, in a location I like, with people that I enjoy working with.
(Unofficially) Getting the long-term position I wanted at the University of Warwick, which (fingers crossed) gives me a job for at least a decade, in a location I like, with people that I enjoy working with.
What was your biggest failure?
Hmmm. Nothing springs to mind really. Much like memorable dates, there wasn't anything that really went horribly wrong this year.
Hmmm. Nothing springs to mind really. Much like memorable dates, there wasn't anything that really went horribly wrong this year.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing too serious. A couple of really heavy colds, one of which left me utterly miserable for about a week, but that's it thank goodness.
Nothing too serious. A couple of really heavy colds, one of which left me utterly miserable for about a week, but that's it thank goodness.
What was the best thing you bought?
Probably my new telescope. It was supposed to be a Christmas present from last year, but I took forever to decide which one I wanted so was just given money towards it instead. I finally made up my mind in mid-November, and took the plunge on a 150mm Dobsonian reflector. Sadly I've been super-busy, and the weather hasn't cooperated, so I've not actually used it for stargazing yet! But I'm looking forward to finally getting a chance in the new year.
Probably my new telescope. It was supposed to be a Christmas present from last year, but I took forever to decide which one I wanted so was just given money towards it instead. I finally made up my mind in mid-November, and took the plunge on a 150mm Dobsonian reflector. Sadly I've been super-busy, and the weather hasn't cooperated, so I've not actually used it for stargazing yet! But I'm looking forward to finally getting a chance in the new year.
This isn't my telescope, but it's the same make and model. I'm looking forward to giving mine a test run. (Credit: darkskytelescopehire.co.uk)
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
The aid workers fighting against Ebola in western Africa. The search teams that still haven't given up on finding the missing Malaysian Airlines flight.
The aid workers fighting against Ebola in western Africa. The search teams that still haven't given up on finding the missing Malaysian Airlines flight.
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Various people involved in the selection process for the ESA M3 mission. Yes, PLATO was selected. But some of the politics involved, the conflicts of interest, and the arrogance of some of the scientists involved in the other missions really defied belief.
Everyone involved in the politics of the Ukraine, and it's independence from/inclusion in Russia.
The American police, and to a lesser extend the general population of the USA, in the wake of the most recent fatal shooting of a black teenager.
Various people involved in the selection process for the ESA M3 mission. Yes, PLATO was selected. But some of the politics involved, the conflicts of interest, and the arrogance of some of the scientists involved in the other missions really defied belief.
Everyone involved in the politics of the Ukraine, and it's independence from/inclusion in Russia.
The American police, and to a lesser extend the general population of the USA, in the wake of the most recent fatal shooting of a black teenager.
Where did most of your money go?
The usual. Rent, bills, the car's MOT (which was hideously expensive this year). Dental work to get a crown on my chipped tooth (way more expensive than I imagined). My two holidays to France. Games and models.
The usual. Rent, bills, the car's MOT (which was hideously expensive this year). Dental work to get a crown on my chipped tooth (way more expensive than I imagined). My two holidays to France. Games and models.
What did you get excited about?
Lots of things. PLATO being selected, my cycling trip to France, my trip to China, my telescope, my new job.
Lots of things. PLATO being selected, my cycling trip to France, my trip to China, my telescope, my new job.
What song will always remind you of 2014?
'Centuries' by Fall Out Boy. Not for any particular reason, it's just an awesome song that was released this year, and that I loved right from the first time I heard it.
'Centuries' by Fall Out Boy. Not for any particular reason, it's just an awesome song that was released this year, and that I loved right from the first time I heard it.
Compared to this time last year, are you:
- Happier or sadder? Definitely happier.
- Thinner or fatter? Leaning towards the latter, though it mostly seems to be going on my bum and hips unfortunately.
- Richer or poorer? Pretty much a wash I think.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Visiting my friends. Or talking to them even. I've been slightly better this year about keeping in touch with people, but I'm still pretty terrible. I didn't know, for example, that my friend Chris had moved to Birmingham until our St Andrews reunion weekend. She now lives about half an hour away from me, but I had no idea.
Work. I feel like I spent a lot of time slacking off during the first half of the year in particular, and could have been far more productive.
Exercise. I've put on a bit of weight this year, and I feel as thought I'm becoming less fit than I was a couple of years ago.
Blogging. I've let it slip the last few months, and I want to get back into it.
Visiting my friends. Or talking to them even. I've been slightly better this year about keeping in touch with people, but I'm still pretty terrible. I didn't know, for example, that my friend Chris had moved to Birmingham until our St Andrews reunion weekend. She now lives about half an hour away from me, but I had no idea.
Work. I feel like I spent a lot of time slacking off during the first half of the year in particular, and could have been far more productive.
Exercise. I've put on a bit of weight this year, and I feel as thought I'm becoming less fit than I was a couple of years ago.
Blogging. I've let it slip the last few months, and I want to get back into it.
Catching up with friends at our St Andrews lifesaving reunion. It was so much fun, and in some ways just
made me miss everyone even more. (Credit: Ella Hunt)
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Lazing around. Avoiding talking to people.
Lazing around. Avoiding talking to people.
How did you spend Christmas?
With my family, as usual. We were at my parents' house this year. I had a lazy morning, read a new book in the afternoon, played some board games, and chilled out.
Did you fall in love in 2014?
No.
What was your favourite TV programme?
'Arrow' season two was very good, I'm really enjoying the first season of 'the Flash', and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D was better than I'd been led to believe, particularly towards the end of the season. But I think my favourite show was 'Orphan Black'. I loved season one, and although season two isn't quite as good so far it's still the best sci-fi show I've seen in a long time.
'Arrow' season two was very good, I'm really enjoying the first season of 'the Flash', and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D was better than I'd been led to believe, particularly towards the end of the season. But I think my favourite show was 'Orphan Black'. I loved season one, and although season two isn't quite as good so far it's still the best sci-fi show I've seen in a long time.
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?
Not a single book, but a series of books. The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (and later Brandon Sanderson) is a spectacular piece of fantasy literature. Ever since starting it while I was at school I've been waiting to finish it, and this year I finally had the chance. It was worth the wait.
Not a single book, but a series of books. The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan (and later Brandon Sanderson) is a spectacular piece of fantasy literature. Ever since starting it while I was at school I've been waiting to finish it, and this year I finally had the chance. It was worth the wait.
Fourteen books, one epic piece of fantasy literature. The Wheel of Time is brilliant.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
I didn't really make any musical discoveries this year. But seeing Kate Bush in concert was good enough to make up for that :-)
I didn't really make any musical discoveries this year. But seeing Kate Bush in concert was good enough to make up for that :-)
What did you want and get?
A long-term job, with the potential for long-term stability. And a telescope :-)
A long-term job, with the potential for long-term stability. And a telescope :-)
What did you want and NOT get?
Nothing that I can think of.
Nothing that I can think of.
What was your favourite film of this year?
I saw a lot of good films this year. 'X-Men: days of future past' was very good, as were 'Edge of Tomorrow', 'Gravity', and 'Interstellar'. But my two favourite films of the year were easily 'the LEGO Movie', and 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.
I saw a lot of good films this year. 'X-Men: days of future past' was very good, as were 'Edge of Tomorrow', 'Gravity', and 'Interstellar'. But my two favourite films of the year were easily 'the LEGO Movie', and 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.
What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 27. I spent the morning asleep, recovering from my cycle trip in France, and didn't anything particular in the afternoon that I can remember. I think I spent it playing computer games.
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Nothing that I can think of.
Nothing that I can think of.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
My personal fashion has been the same for a number of years. I wear 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've been gradually smartening up though, with both shirts and polo shirts, as well as smart jumpers making an appearance.
What kept you sane?
My friends and family.
My friends and family.
What political issue stirred you the most?
Scottish Independence. Leaving aside the result for a second, I've never seen a political discussion involve so many people, from so many different backgrounds. For the most part the debate was quite respectful and considerate, at least among the general public (including my friends). Even people from other countries were getting involved; I was at a conference the week of the vote, and it was the first thing that everyone wanted to ask me about all week.
The Scottish independence debate stirred a lot of people to action. But it was mostly pretty friendly, at least as far as I could tell. (Credit: ukessays.com)
Who did you miss?
My friends Hannah, Chris, Chris, Robyn, and Ella. I managed to see most of them at some point this year thankfully, and it just made me realise how much I really miss them.
My friends Hannah, Chris, Chris, Robyn, and Ella. I managed to see most of them at some point this year thankfully, and it just made me realise how much I really miss them.
Who were the best new people you met?
The new bunch of PhD students are pretty decent people, and the MPhys student that my boss has taken on is cool. Completely mad, but still cool and a lovely person.
The new bunch of PhD students are pretty decent people, and the MPhys student that my boss has taken on is cool. Completely mad, but still cool and a lovely person.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learnt in 2014:
That sometimes, people do the right thing even in the face of political pressure, and/or expectations to the contrary.
That sometimes, people do the right thing even in the face of political pressure, and/or expectations to the contrary.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
The time will come
When you'll have to rise
Above the best, and prove yourself,
Your spirit never dies.
- 'Warriors', Imagine Dragons
The time will come
When you'll have to rise
Above the best, and prove yourself,
Your spirit never dies.
- 'Warriors', Imagine Dragons
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