Looking back and looking forward.

So, 2005. Not a good year, was it. Disaster after disaster. A few terrorist atrocities, notably the London bombing of 7th July. Sitting there, listening to and watching all unfold was horrific, particularly if, like me, you have friends or relatives working in London. Fortunately, everyone I knew got through, with only inconvenience caused by travel problems.

For me personally, things were ok, if undramatic. Nothing much to look back on, though I hope I'm building for a much better future. I realise I look back too much and ruminate on things past which is a poor trait to have. I think I'm working my way around a few issues and I'm getting there.

One of the most positive things I did was a silly one. I spent lots of time reading my old diaries, and getting stressed out over things as a result. I mentioned this in a chat or email to Kar, and she suggested I got rid of them. I did, with the aid of a super duper cross-cut shredder. It was strangely cathartic, and I feel somewhat better for it!

Loved my visit to Dublin, that was terrific. A lovely place to visit, lots to see and do, with lots that didn't get looked at. Meeting Kar was great, and she's every bit as great in real life as she is online.

Kefalonia was fun too... a lovely island, but not all that much to do as most of it was flattened by the earthquake in the 1950's.

Sport wise, England won the Ashes, which was a great achievement, and the footie guys qualified for the World Cup. Spurs now look solid, and are going into 2006 with a realistic chance of a Champions League spot. (OK, we all know the final 4 will be Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd and the Arse, but at least we are challenging.)

Best movie of the year for me was a close run thing. Cinderella Man was wonderful, but my favourite would have to be Serenity. For surprise value, Sideways must be up there too.

On TV... Carnivale... wow! Battlestar Galactica was top sci-fi, and top marks too for Russell T Davies's Doctor Who.

Didn't read as many books as I ought, but there are two highlights... Audrey Niefenegger's The Time Traveller's Wife was magnificent. The other is, well, three highlights really. Kar put me onto Cecelia Ahern. I've read all three of her novels now, At Rainbows End, P.S. I Love You, and her latest, If You Could See Me Now. Hardly challenging, but all with a lovely feelgood factor which leaves you with a warm glow. (Plus, she's a babe, and the sleeve pics look great!)

So, looking forward. Surely the year can't be as bad for the world as 2005. Who knows what may happen?

So what are the plans for me? Sue and I will be visiting Lincoln in a couple of weeks. I have to book up the March trip to Prague soon. Then, we'll be either heading for Venice or having a posh hotel break in the UK in September for the 10th anniversary. The plan is then to head somewhere warm in the winter.

Hopefully, we'll be getting the kitchen done too. I intend to shift some weight... I have 6 stone to get rid of... ridiculous, but I know a lot of it will be gone this time next year. Maybe we can get expecting too, who knows? Obviously, I need more sex for that!

Naturally, the footie side will win the World Cup. OK, I know it won't happen, but a side like
Robinson; Neville, Terry, Ferdinand, A.Cole; Carrick; Gerrard, Beckham, Lampard; Rooney, Owen must surely stand a chance. Clearly, Brazil are favourites, but England rank, in my view, alongside Argentina, France, Italy, Germany and Holland as joint second favourites.

In cricket, we have the build up to an Ashes winter. It's hard to believe that after 19 years, England are looking to retain instead of regain the Ashes. My tip for the top is Northants slow left armer, Monty Panesar. A wicket taking spinner who will do a grand job for us and be the final piece of the jigsaw, assuming Simon Jones gets back to full fitness. (Just so long as Essex win promotion to Division One of the County Championship too.)

All my other hopes and whatever are in the resolutions set out in yesterdays post.

Take care, my friends,

Andy