[Yearly Review] Part 1: looking back on 2016

What a year! I don't think I'm alone in being glad to see the back of 2016. It's been a pretty rubbish year on many fronts; several high profile deaths, and a lot of controversial politics on both sides of the Atlantic. Unfortunately, a lot of what was wrong with this year is only the beginning of what will almost certainly end up being long-term changes to the wider world. The New Year won't be a magical cure-all, but probably just the harbinger of even more unsettled times.

But enough moping around. Let's do the traditional year's-end review for the blog, starting with a look back at the year just passed.

(Credit: http://thanksgiving2016day.blogspot.co.uk/)

What have you done in 2016 that you’d never done before?
I wrote a popular science article for the magazine that my friend is the Editor of. It was the first time I'd written about my work for a non-specialist audience, and I enjoyed the challenge.

Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I was more successful than in 2015, but still didn't do very well. As is becoming typical, it was the hobby aspect that really let me down, in spite of my girlfriend encouraging me to paint at every opportunity. But I also struggled to meet my reading goals for the year. In fact I read relatively few books this year. It's easy to blame that on a particular set of books that I've been trying to finish, but in reality I've been spending more time watching various things on YouTube than reading.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not this year. 

Did anyone close to you die?

Thankfully not anyone close to me personally. But there were a few celebrity deaths that hit close to home, particularly that of Sir Terry Wogan, whose voice accompanied most of my childhood mornings.

What countries did you visit?

France (Châtel twice, Provence; Paris); Germany (Berlin, Munich); Italy (Rome); Switzerland (Davos); Belgium (Leuven twice). Most were work trips, and I didn't get much chance to explore, though an unexpected extra day in Munich was nice.

What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?

A house that I actually own.

What date from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
The day I heard that Terry Wogan had died.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Successfully managing the PLATO:UK application for UKSA funding. That was a lot of work, for a lot of funding. But we made it.

Oh, and buying a new car.

What was your biggest failure?
Not getting a second paper published. Particularly galling is the fact that I'm part way there with two projects, but haven't managed to finish either.

Did you suffer illness or injury?
A couple of really nasty colds / fevers, but thankfully that's all.

What was the best thing you bought?
My new car, Delilah!

Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My girlfriend's. She's put up with a lot of complaining from me this year!

Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

The electorate of the UK. Leaving aside the actual result, there has been far to much bile spewed by both sides of the EU membership referendum. To say I'm annoyed by some of the turns that the 'debate' has taken would be a strong understatement.

Where did most of your money go?
The usual. Rent, bills, the old car's MOT (which was too expensive again), trips to various places (though a lot of that was reimbursed). The new car is proving less expensive than feared, thankfully.

What did you get excited about?

My new car! My holiday to Châtel. The potential for PLATO to be adopted.

What song will always remind you of 2016?
The Floral Dance, as sung by Terry Wogan.

Compared to this time last year, are you:

• Happier or sadder? Happier.
• Thinner or fatter? The same as before.
• Richer or poorer? Slightly richer, thankfully.

What do you wish you'd done more of?
Saving money. Astronomy research.

What do you wish you'd done less of?
Administrative work.

How did you spend Christmas?

At home with my family.

Did you fall in love in 2016?

Yes. Well, more in love.

What was your favourite TV programme?

That's a tough one. I've watched a lot of good TV this year. Jessica Jones is probably top of the list, but I really enjoyed the new series of Robot Wars, and the first season of Netflix's new Voltron show.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hating people is too much effort.

What was the best book you read?
As previously noted, I've not read that much this year. Most of what I've read has been pretty good though; China Mieville's Perdido Street Station was excellent, the Baroque Cycle by Neal Stephenson has been gripping, if time consuming, Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb was a fun read, and Felicia Day's autobiography was by turns hilarious and heartwarming.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Michael Ball and Alfie Boe's joint album.

What did you want and get?
A new car.

What did you want and NOT get?
A house.

What was your favourite film of this year?
Probably Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, though Finding Dory and Star Trek: Beyond were great too. I missed a lot of films at the cinema this sadly.

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

I was 29. 

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Nothing that I can think of.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?

The same as it's been for years.

What kept you sane?
My friends and family, but mainly my girlfriend.

What political issue stirred you the most?
The EU referendum. I'll not go into that now though.

Who did you miss?
My friends from St Andrews.

Who were the best new people you met?
I can't think of anyone that particularly stands out from this year.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learnt in 2016:

"Common sense, isn't", though I knew that one already. Facts don't win people over, appeals to emotion do. The general public is tired of the status quo.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
Errrrrr............?