My Year in Lists!
2008 in review. Compare and contrast with 2007 or 2006, if you really want to.
What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Got a degree. Got a PhD place. Moved to London. Completed Expert Minesweeper in 99 sec. Went to see things I really love live. Had a flatmate. Got back in touch with a lot of old schoolfriends. Start going to the gym regularly. The number of things to write here is decreasing. I'm aging.
Did you keep new year's resolutions and will you make more next year?
1) Get out of St Andrews
2) Succeed less while being self-destructive
3) Finish getting a good first class Master of Mathematics
4) Focus again
5) Quit soft drinks for detox again, keep off Coke for as long as possible
6) Stay lean
7) Finally go to some shows in the Fringe this year
Definitely did the first, and the third, though that was never really in doubt. Saw Stewart Lee, so that sort of does the same. I didn't really succeed in the 5th, or, sadly, the 4th. The 6th was reasonably successful, but less so than I'd like.
I didn't understand what I'd meant by the second: I meant that I wanted my self-destructive moments to produce less success for my life in general. And also not to succeed at self-destructiveness, I think. I like it, kinda wish I'd resolved that again. I have been less successfully self-destructive, though not as much as I'd like. And I've been less successful on the whole, too, I think. So I kept it, I suppose, not as much as I'd like.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope
Did anyone close to you die?
My 83-year old granny, out of nowhere, crashed her car, didn't hurt anyone else and was killed instantly. Best possible way for her to go, I think. I'm mainly worried about how it's affecting my mum, who's aged a lot in the last 2 year, since getting chronic fatigue, losing her job, and needing to spent every afternoon asleep. Although, coming three weeks after I moved to London, it really did disrupt my attempts to start a PhD.
On the whole, though, I've realised I know very few people who've died, which is really good. I don't know how I'll deal with it when someone close does die. I've never been good with loss.
What countries did you visit?
England, for a couple of interviews, a conference and to see a sick girlfriend, and come across as a very cool boyfriend.
Then, in the last quarter, Scotland, for a funeral, and for the holidays.
I've gone two calendar years without leaving the UK. I should correct that.
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
That's a very good question. A trite answer ... could be "stability", but, if I'm really honest, I don't know how unstable I am, and how much being more stable would be dull. - I wanted for 2008 lacking in 2007.
I'm now rather aware that I'm apparently definitely unstable, and would rather like to deal with that a bit.
Health and happiness for everyone I love is really the main thing I'd ask for. But I know I'm not going to get that.
I'd go with that again, this time with more optimism. Also, the ability to accept some things, and something lasting and good.
Actually, screw it, self-confidence.
What dates from 2008 will remain etched in your memory and why?
22rd of January - Oxford interview, which hurts because I was so nervous I thought I'd totally screwed it up. So never called, because they didn't get back to me before I'd accepted my Imperial place. Might've been better, if I'd gone.
20th of Febuary - "Interview" at Imperial, which wasn't anything of the sort, but was a nice way to chat to Nikolay, and sort of start getting to know him
5th of March - Finding out I got funding for Imperial. This was in the midst of a three day run of getting places with funding, where I actually got to use the line "I've not felt this good since James MacFadden scored in Paris in 2007", and really meant it.
1st of April - Pain.
2nd of May - Handing in my dissertation, getting Colva to swear at the size. Shortly followed by Soph returning and a genuinely great, if high-adrenaline month with my final exams.
20th of May - oversleeping to miss an exam
24th of May. Last exam. Best performance. Crashing in the bed of an ex with nothing happening and not getting chucked out.
31st of May - Leaving Melville.
24th of June - graduating.
27th of July - Leonard Cohen live.
29th of September - End of last time I was properly in St Andrews, and when I really left it, for the first time in ages, properly.
4th of October - starting in London
22nd of October - Los Campesinos! Live. Awesome.
2nd of Novemer - high contender for best sporting event I've ever watched.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Funding for a PhD place. By far. Dealing OK with starting out in London. Still to be seen how this pays out, though.
What were your biggest failures this year?
Not really working that much. Having Pamela end up wanting nothing to do with me. Not making it to St Andrews since I was in Scotland for the funeral.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
I still throw up most days, get headaches, and colds a lot, but don't let them stop me.
As for the last ten years now. That's kinda depressing.
What was the best thing you bought?
My grey fedora, my copy of the Book of Longing, my Leonard Cohen T-shirt, my copy of We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed or my copy of Analytic Pro-p Groups.
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Everyone for putting up with me, and everyone for being there.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Oh, myself.
What did you spend most of your spare cash on?
Comics, books, DVDs, Music. Though going out more, since I got to London
What did you get really, really excited about?
Los Campesinos!, graduation! Arcade Fire! London! Kathryn! Kathryn!
What song will always remind you of 2008?
The Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies), or Los Campesinos! - You! Me! Dancing! or You'll Need These Finger For Crossing
Compared to this time last year are you happier or sadder?
Happier, definitely.
Thinner or fatter?
Slightly fatter, I think. Again.
Richer or poorer?
Poorer.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Dedicated more time to Maths.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time on the internet
What was your favorite TV programme?
How I Met Your Mother
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. Honestly no. Which makes it three years in a row.
What was the last book you read?
Wow, not read any prose for a while, have I? I've started a few books lately, but last thing I finished was probably re-reading Catch-22. Rereading a book you loved years ago, but still old enough to be who you are, or a rough approximation, is great.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Los Campesinos! Arcade Fire? Add The Long Blondes, and you've got my aural diet of the last two months.
What did you want and get?
Happiness, for a while. Academic success and some respect. Friends.
What did you want and not get?
A place in Oxford. A lasting relationship. Though that doesn't matter, and things with Kathryn seem good!
What was your favourite film this year?
Iron Man! So Awesome!
What did you do on your birthday and how old are you?
I am 22. On my birthday I was at a Go Tournament in Yorkshire, and spent the evening, leaving at 4, on a train, which was delayed, getting me into London too late for the last tube, so I had to try getting night buses for the first time. Which meant I got back at 2 am...
What one thing would've made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not having things in certain places fall apart.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Jeans, T-shirt and a jacket, generally leather. Occasionally kilt or a shirt. A hoody, for hiding in from April onwards
What kept you sane?
My meds helping me to pull all-nighters alone with maths. Sophie. Kathryn. Actually, Kathryn, definitely, dragging me out when I wanted to stay in a couple of times.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None, really.
What political issue has stirred you the most?
Nothing much, really.
Who did you miss?
Everyone from St Andrews, of late.
Who was the best new person you met this year?
Kathryn. Akthough honourable mentions to Nikos, Liz Duffy, Ben Hoare, all the maths postgrads, especially Simon and Chris, various Aikmans denzins and Torben earlier in the year
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
A new start is a magical, precious thing.
What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Got a degree. Got a PhD place. Moved to London. Completed Expert Minesweeper in 99 sec. Went to see things I really love live. Had a flatmate. Got back in touch with a lot of old schoolfriends. Start going to the gym regularly. The number of things to write here is decreasing. I'm aging.
Did you keep new year's resolutions and will you make more next year?
1) Get out of St Andrews
2) Succeed less while being self-destructive
3) Finish getting a good first class Master of Mathematics
4) Focus again
5) Quit soft drinks for detox again, keep off Coke for as long as possible
6) Stay lean
7) Finally go to some shows in the Fringe this year
Definitely did the first, and the third, though that was never really in doubt. Saw Stewart Lee, so that sort of does the same. I didn't really succeed in the 5th, or, sadly, the 4th. The 6th was reasonably successful, but less so than I'd like.
I didn't understand what I'd meant by the second: I meant that I wanted my self-destructive moments to produce less success for my life in general. And also not to succeed at self-destructiveness, I think. I like it, kinda wish I'd resolved that again. I have been less successfully self-destructive, though not as much as I'd like. And I've been less successful on the whole, too, I think. So I kept it, I suppose, not as much as I'd like.
Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope
Did anyone close to you die?
My 83-year old granny, out of nowhere, crashed her car, didn't hurt anyone else and was killed instantly. Best possible way for her to go, I think. I'm mainly worried about how it's affecting my mum, who's aged a lot in the last 2 year, since getting chronic fatigue, losing her job, and needing to spent every afternoon asleep. Although, coming three weeks after I moved to London, it really did disrupt my attempts to start a PhD.
On the whole, though, I've realised I know very few people who've died, which is really good. I don't know how I'll deal with it when someone close does die. I've never been good with loss.
What countries did you visit?
England, for a couple of interviews, a conference and to see a sick girlfriend, and come across as a very cool boyfriend.
Then, in the last quarter, Scotland, for a funeral, and for the holidays.
I've gone two calendar years without leaving the UK. I should correct that.
What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
That's a very good question. A trite answer ... could be "stability", but, if I'm really honest, I don't know how unstable I am, and how much being more stable would be dull. - I wanted for 2008 lacking in 2007.
I'm now rather aware that I'm apparently definitely unstable, and would rather like to deal with that a bit.
Health and happiness for everyone I love is really the main thing I'd ask for. But I know I'm not going to get that.
I'd go with that again, this time with more optimism. Also, the ability to accept some things, and something lasting and good.
Actually, screw it, self-confidence.
What dates from 2008 will remain etched in your memory and why?
22rd of January - Oxford interview, which hurts because I was so nervous I thought I'd totally screwed it up. So never called, because they didn't get back to me before I'd accepted my Imperial place. Might've been better, if I'd gone.
20th of Febuary - "Interview" at Imperial, which wasn't anything of the sort, but was a nice way to chat to Nikolay, and sort of start getting to know him
5th of March - Finding out I got funding for Imperial. This was in the midst of a three day run of getting places with funding, where I actually got to use the line "I've not felt this good since James MacFadden scored in Paris in 2007", and really meant it.
1st of April - Pain.
2nd of May - Handing in my dissertation, getting Colva to swear at the size. Shortly followed by Soph returning and a genuinely great, if high-adrenaline month with my final exams.
20th of May - oversleeping to miss an exam
24th of May. Last exam. Best performance. Crashing in the bed of an ex with nothing happening and not getting chucked out.
31st of May - Leaving Melville.
24th of June - graduating.
27th of July - Leonard Cohen live.
29th of September - End of last time I was properly in St Andrews, and when I really left it, for the first time in ages, properly.
4th of October - starting in London
22nd of October - Los Campesinos! Live. Awesome.
2nd of Novemer - high contender for best sporting event I've ever watched.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Funding for a PhD place. By far. Dealing OK with starting out in London. Still to be seen how this pays out, though.
What were your biggest failures this year?
Not really working that much. Having Pamela end up wanting nothing to do with me. Not making it to St Andrews since I was in Scotland for the funeral.
Did you suffer illness or injury?
I still throw up most days, get headaches, and colds a lot, but don't let them stop me.
As for the last ten years now. That's kinda depressing.
What was the best thing you bought?
My grey fedora, my copy of the Book of Longing, my Leonard Cohen T-shirt, my copy of We Are Beautiful, We Are Doomed or my copy of Analytic Pro-p Groups.
Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Everyone for putting up with me, and everyone for being there.
Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Oh, myself.
What did you spend most of your spare cash on?
Comics, books, DVDs, Music. Though going out more, since I got to London
What did you get really, really excited about?
Los Campesinos!, graduation! Arcade Fire! London! Kathryn! Kathryn!
What song will always remind you of 2008?
The Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies), or Los Campesinos! - You! Me! Dancing! or You'll Need These Finger For Crossing
Compared to this time last year are you happier or sadder?
Happier, definitely.
Thinner or fatter?
Slightly fatter, I think. Again.
Richer or poorer?
Poorer.
What do you wish you'd done more of?
Dedicated more time to Maths.
What do you wish you'd done less of?
Wasting time on the internet
What was your favorite TV programme?
How I Met Your Mother
Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No. Honestly no. Which makes it three years in a row.
What was the last book you read?
Wow, not read any prose for a while, have I? I've started a few books lately, but last thing I finished was probably re-reading Catch-22. Rereading a book you loved years ago, but still old enough to be who you are, or a rough approximation, is great.
What was your greatest musical discovery?
Los Campesinos! Arcade Fire? Add The Long Blondes, and you've got my aural diet of the last two months.
What did you want and get?
Happiness, for a while. Academic success and some respect. Friends.
What did you want and not get?
A place in Oxford. A lasting relationship. Though that doesn't matter, and things with Kathryn seem good!
What was your favourite film this year?
Iron Man! So Awesome!
What did you do on your birthday and how old are you?
I am 22. On my birthday I was at a Go Tournament in Yorkshire, and spent the evening, leaving at 4, on a train, which was delayed, getting me into London too late for the last tube, so I had to try getting night buses for the first time. Which meant I got back at 2 am...
What one thing would've made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Not having things in certain places fall apart.
How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Jeans, T-shirt and a jacket, generally leather. Occasionally kilt or a shirt. A hoody, for hiding in from April onwards
What kept you sane?
My meds helping me to pull all-nighters alone with maths. Sophie. Kathryn. Actually, Kathryn, definitely, dragging me out when I wanted to stay in a couple of times.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None, really.
What political issue has stirred you the most?
Nothing much, really.
Who did you miss?
Everyone from St Andrews, of late.
Who was the best new person you met this year?
Kathryn. Akthough honourable mentions to Nikos, Liz Duffy, Ben Hoare, all the maths postgrads, especially Simon and Chris, various Aikmans denzins and Torben earlier in the year
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
A new start is a magical, precious thing.