2009
Happy New Year Everyone!
Here’s my list:
Plus:
Rafi – He’s turned into a wonderful, chatty, loveable little guy. A really cute little toddler.
Ali – He’s doing really great at nursery, he’s coping surprisingly well with T1D, and he’s my little buddy.
Zee – My darling wife has had to cope with a lot of turmoil this year, not the least of which has been Ali’s T1D. She still manages to be a great mother and wife.
Parents – Zee’s mum visited again and was a tremendous help, as always, and promises to return in 2010. We’ve seen my parents and sister several times this year.
Tyler – my main (and only) guitar is still the perfect guitar for me. This is a first! I’m usually itching to sell by now. Of course an electric guitar without an amp is like a garage without a Corvette – to paraphrase Jim Tyler. Maybe this year will see me finally get that AxeFX Ultra.
My Xbox 360 didn’t die this year. That’s a first. I bought a new one anyway, why break with tradition?
I was promoted to band 8, got a meager salary increase, and a company car allowance. Goodbye to paid overtime!
Sleepless nights are a thing of the past, except when Ali has a bug / cold which plays havoc with his blood sugar. Rafi loves to sleep for hours and hours.
We had a nice trip to Paris in October, pre T1D, and enjoyed Christmas with my parents last week.
I got a nice, big, fast, quad core iMac i7 27″ for my birthday which I really enjoy.
Minus:
My 4yo son Ali was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Everything else seems trivial in comparison.
Favourite TV:
The Wire – we watched the entire series, every episode of every season in a couple of months.
The Goodwife – a new favourite.
Mad Men – another new favorite.
House – still love it.
Stargate Universe, Smallville, Heroes, and Lost are also personal favs. To be honest, the jury is still out on SGU. Looking forward to 24 again.
Favourite Movies:
Star Trek
Public Enemies
The Hangover
District 9
So many I can’t remember them all. Star Trek by a country mile though. Still to watch 9 and looking fwd to Avatar.
Favourite Music:
This year I haven’t listened to much music. My iTouch has been mostly about surfing, apps, and games. I can’t recall a stand out album. I picked up plenty but never got around to listening.
Favourite Games:
Forza 3 (360)
Infamous (PS3)
Assassins Creed II (360)
Dirt 2 (360)
Uncharted 2 (PS3)
Modern Combat 2 (360)
Borderlands (360)
I bought a lot of good games this year, but for me, Forza 3 is by far the best. I’ve put a lot of hours into that one in the two months it’s been out and expect to play a lot more.
Here’s my 2009 list.
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
Inject our son with Insulin and all the other stuff related to T1D.
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
No and no AGAIN.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, my Uncle Laal.
5. What countries did you visit?
France & England.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Motivation, energy, no debt.
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
11/11, T1D.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Letting go at 14 months when I desperately wanted to nurse for longer.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Being inconsistent and not the best parent I can be.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My huz bought me an iPhone for my birthday and I wuv that thing.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Ali for the drastic changes he has endured because he must.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Baby P’s mum, her boyfriend and his brother. That whole case sickened me.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Our money went to paying off debt.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going to Paris with the family.
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Single Ladies.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Happier
b) thinner or fatter? Neither.
c) richer or poorer? Both.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Getting outside more with the boys.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Losing my temper with all my boys.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
We had a lovely time at my in-laws.
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
No, I’m already in love with all the important dudes in my life.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
The Wire. Yo!
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No AGAIN.
24. What was the best book you read?
Nothing stands out as I’ve read so little.
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
None.
26. What did you want and get?
Peace and reconciliation, an iPhone, help and a visit from my mum, a holiday, a Mont Blanc, a Nespresso Coffee Machine.
27. What did you want and not get?
That big spacious sunny house with a beautiful garden.
To go to Celesta’s 40th party in London.
An Hermes bag mwahahaha.
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
The Hangover.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I had a great birthday, mum was here and I turned twenty-one. What?
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
No T1D.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Ha hahahaha AGAIN.
32. What kept you sane?
My faith.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Idris aka Stringer Bell.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
War in Muslim countries.
35. Who did you miss?
My mum at times.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
No-one.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
I don’t have anything profound so will quote this story.
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold; the bird froze and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on it. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, it began to realize how warm it was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him! The morals of this story are:
1) Not everyone who drops shit on you is your enemy.
2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.
3) And when you’re in deep shit, keep your mouth shut.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
You know it ain’t easy
For these thoughts here to leave me
There’s no words to describe it
In French or in English
Cause, diamonds they fade
And flowers they bloom
And I’m telling you
These feelings won’t go away
They’ve been knockin’ me sideways
…
Citizen Cope