Look at that, another year has gone by already.
It’s been another tough one, hasn’t it. Definitely for me, there have been days, (weeks, probably months) where I was probably coasting through, letting myself get into bad habits and just trying to get through it.
Both personally, and professionally, the coronavirus pandemic has been a real challenge. Out of work, we’re all subject to the near constant news about updated guidance and restrictions – what you can do, what you can’t (or are advised against) – and the whims of a virus that looks set to stick around for a while yet. At work, part of my job has been to interpret those changes as they come and try and make sense of them for the people so the country can stay up and running. It’s been relentless, but completely necessary. And I know that others have had a much harder time which is why I’m so grateful to everyone ‘essential’ (as if we’re all not) for everything they’ve done, and all the sacrifices they’ve made, whether in public or civil service, healthcare, hospitality, supermarkets, everyone. I’m in awe of some of my friends who’ve overcome some incredible challenges the last couple of years, while also managing to support one another as well.
I wanted to also reflect a bit on 2020 too. A week after the pandemic started, I discovered I needed 2 root canals (while every dentist was closed) and then, suddenly, I was grieving for my Dad. We moved home to Bradford, managed a rule-of-6 holiday to North Yorkshire, got engaged, had more Zoom calls than I care to mention, went back into lockdown, had Christmas outside, and then, it was 2021. I set my New Year Resolutions, the first to read 15 books by 15 different authors, and got ready for the year ahead.
That’s when I discovered this: 2020 in Retrospect: The Things I’m Thankful For by my friend Jord at PeskyGamers.blog, who I’d recommend you all follow.
It helped me to re-evaluate the year, and my mindset, and inspired the only other resolution I ended up keeping last year: to remember what I’m grateful for, and the good times rather than all the negatives. Maybe I’ll cringe in future, but I wanted to keep this record for future rainy days.
So, I present to you nearly everything I’ve been grateful for in 2021:
Having a manager who is calm, measured, considerate and kind (Thanks Lindsey)
Snowy walks on the Moor
Being able to sit with Lucy on our own sofa, watching sitcoms
Early darts to play games and have an early pint at home on Fridays
Out the blue texts from Will and Dan
The ridiculous Lord of the Rings memes that Dan shares
Lockdown Lager (mmmm guava)
Saltaire Brewery
That Mum and Paul are alive, healthy and live so close by
Zoom
Sharing (and discovering new) poems with Chance
Midweek McFlurry’s with Lucy
Spending hours talking about how to create the best cities on Cities: Skylines with Sene
4pm Dota games
Saying ‘ez mid’ when it was, in fact, not an ez mid kind of game
How much Will enjoys the idea of me licking his face post-pandemic
My Kindle
Corona, the beer not the virus (good one…)
Books
Books
So. Many. Books
Talking to Paris about short story ideas I need to write (and haven’t started)
The way Lucy deconstructs bouquets so there’s flowers all over the house
Midweek pub trips with Jord
A fridge so full of fresh food it’s hard to get at what you want
Easter Sunday spent with family
Paul’s BBQ’d lamb
Easter Sunday nights with friends
Will’s pulled pork sandwiches
Red’s and good beer with Tom
North Bar Social pints with Tom, Cazzie and Lucy
Playing lunchtime Warzone games with Will and Clu
Being able to hug friends and family (again)
P&Co T-Shirts (They are the comfiest brand ever, support them!)
Song Exploder on Netflix with those beautiful dulcet tones of Hrishikesh Hirway
Being tired on Monday’s from being able to do so much at the weekend
F1 Sundays with Tom and Lucy
Our NorthFUNberland holiday
Making pizzas with Seb and Caitlin’s Ooni
Experiencing Coasteering for the first time
Having talented, dedicated, smart friends
Centre Parks bikes
Getting back down to solid ground after doing an Aerial Adventure at Clu’s Stag
Sleeping in a king-sized bed
Our summer of weddings (Thanks Beth and Clu, and Ovey and Charlotte)
Free lateral flow tests
Free PCR tests
Having an older brother
Reconnecting with old friends
Leaving Blackpool
Star Trek (and finally getting Lucy to appreciate it)
Head of Steam daydrinking with Lucy, Claire, Rachel, Alice, Ami, Emma, Jack, Jake and Gary
Thursday Pub quizzes with Risky Quizness/No Chance
Winning the Thursday Pub Quiz after a couple go’s
Uber
National Rail (I know, how did this make the list?)
Throwing axes for Dobby’s Stag
Paris and Bec and their spare bedroom
Little Bradford outings with Jord
In-month paid expenses
The end of conference season
Waking up to texts from Kirky in New Zealand
Bottomless Brunch (ANOTHER PEAR SPRITZ)
Mitchell’s birthday city breaks
Impromptu Hawkhill Tavern beers with Beth, Clu and Lucy
Friendsmas (and Clu’s amazing pork)
Beth’s Christmas karaoke
The Witcher (Netflix)
Our Fun December
Free room upgrades at fancy spa hotels
Gilmore Girls
A sea of gifts under our drooping Christmas tree
Annual school reunions in old man pubs in Guiseley
A COVID-free Christmas (So far, so good)
Mum and Paul’s Christmas Duck
Christmas Day walks with Dan and gorgeous George
Boxing Day at Dan and Gems
Chess games with Lucy
Lucky House noodle boxes (Mine’s a KT Box)
Couch to 5K (No, really)
TK Maxx bargains!
Running into Usher and Luna while running
My new Saucony trainers
Airbnb
Clu testing out Dan and Gem’s new skiing helmets
SUPER JUICE
The return of King house parties
UberEats maccies
Netflix’s Sex Education – Season 3 absolutely devastated me emotionally (Thanks for the reminder Paris)
Lucy, always
So, there’s to 2021 and my slightly chaotic list.
Now let’s get on with 2022. I can’t wait to marry Lucy, read more amazing new books and maybe finally share some writing with you all.
Happy New Year.
DRYSTONE. 