"So this is Xmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun”
The lyrics above start the well-known Christmas song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono entitled “Merry Xmas the war is over”. The tune was playing in my car on the way to work on Monday and I reflected that the lyrics raised a good question – just what did I achieve in 2014?
Well at the beginning of this year, I suppose I did set myself some targets – that’s what resolutions are after all.
It’s slightly worrying that when reflecting on the passing of a whole year, it is hard to remember many of the things that actually happened – at least achievements against targets can be reviewed and that makes setting them in the first place useful.
I am sure that the reason it is hard to remember one’s successes is that so much time is spent at work and the weekends are often chore-filled - e.g. the process of actually living, paying the bills and simply getting on with things. Life isn’t one big celebration, in fact it is usually rather mundane.
For me 2014 started with the resolutions of change my job, change my car, lose some weight and re-establish my running routine. Achievements have been made in all areas albeit that celebration in some would be a tad premature.
Job change
Getting back into the fleet/finance industry was the source of much pleasure; October saw a new job opportunity that I couldn’t resist and I have since been enjoying meeting new people and taking on new challenges.
Change my car
Zafira has moved on, her departure coinciding with my new job and the benefits package that included a company car.
Weight loss
I began 2014 with the aim to lose the weight I had gained throughout 2013 and particularly over the festive period. I have made it to December and weigh less than I did at the beginning of the year and that is positive. After decent early gains following the post-Yuletide diet regime, the slow but inexorable weight gain began around spring. The collapse of my exercise programme, thanks to the hernia, didn’t help.
The last month or so though has seen a dieting routine re-established and that has enabled me to get to the point where I can make the claim that I end this year a better, lighter weight. Fingers crossed that I don’t reverse the gain by overindulging over Christmas (there is much risk).
Running
From the highs of 2011, the importance of running in my life has been in constant decline, which is a shame but circumstances have been as much of an issue as willpower. 2013 marked the fewest number of road miles run since 2006 and that was a source of genuine disappointment for me. 2014 began with the commitment to get my act together but my hernia ended up frustrating my plans. The same ailment also prompted me to stop doing karate.
I did manage to run a number of times post-convalescence during a brief period of gardening leave but since, life has got hectic all over again and things have slipped. No self-congratulation here then! Maybe next year.
Aside from resolution related achievements, this site has effectively chronicled my year, or at least some of the random events/ideas/experiences that occurred during it. I find myself unexpectedly grateful to be able to review my own thoughts and observations (the blog and its associated library are published if you care to review).
The good thing is that I clearly had some fun and it wasn’t all just work, work, work.
As I re-reflect on thoughts from the beginning of 2014, I can’t help thinking of Michael Schumacher who had his terrible accident nearly twelve months ago. He has been in my thoughts ever since and unfortunately there has been little in the way of hope; recent news would suggest that he is paralysed, speechless, has memory problems and is confined to beds/wheelchairs. His 46th birthday falls on 3rd January but he and his family won’t have much to celebrate this year.
Jules Bianchi had a horrendous crash in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka; I hope that 2015 sees him regain consciousness and get some kind of life back. For both Jules and Michael the struggles they face are monumental.
My thoughts also go out to Kelvin ‘Kelly’ Hewitt who faced the horrors of emasculation earlier on in the year. I hope that he has found the strength and endurance necessary to rebuild his body, his confidence and his life. For all the misery, he’s in a better place than Jules or Michael.
The above constitutes some review and reflection; in addition I want to give some thanks.
I hope you have an excellent Christmas, here’s to 2014.
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And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun”
The lyrics above start the well-known Christmas song by John Lennon and Yoko Ono entitled “Merry Xmas the war is over”. The tune was playing in my car on the way to work on Monday and I reflected that the lyrics raised a good question – just what did I achieve in 2014?
Well at the beginning of this year, I suppose I did set myself some targets – that’s what resolutions are after all.
It’s slightly worrying that when reflecting on the passing of a whole year, it is hard to remember many of the things that actually happened – at least achievements against targets can be reviewed and that makes setting them in the first place useful.
I am sure that the reason it is hard to remember one’s successes is that so much time is spent at work and the weekends are often chore-filled - e.g. the process of actually living, paying the bills and simply getting on with things. Life isn’t one big celebration, in fact it is usually rather mundane.
For me 2014 started with the resolutions of change my job, change my car, lose some weight and re-establish my running routine. Achievements have been made in all areas albeit that celebration in some would be a tad premature.
Job change
Getting back into the fleet/finance industry was the source of much pleasure; October saw a new job opportunity that I couldn’t resist and I have since been enjoying meeting new people and taking on new challenges.
Change my car
Zafira has moved on, her departure coinciding with my new job and the benefits package that included a company car.
Weight loss
I began 2014 with the aim to lose the weight I had gained throughout 2013 and particularly over the festive period. I have made it to December and weigh less than I did at the beginning of the year and that is positive. After decent early gains following the post-Yuletide diet regime, the slow but inexorable weight gain began around spring. The collapse of my exercise programme, thanks to the hernia, didn’t help.
The last month or so though has seen a dieting routine re-established and that has enabled me to get to the point where I can make the claim that I end this year a better, lighter weight. Fingers crossed that I don’t reverse the gain by overindulging over Christmas (there is much risk).
Running
From the highs of 2011, the importance of running in my life has been in constant decline, which is a shame but circumstances have been as much of an issue as willpower. 2013 marked the fewest number of road miles run since 2006 and that was a source of genuine disappointment for me. 2014 began with the commitment to get my act together but my hernia ended up frustrating my plans. The same ailment also prompted me to stop doing karate.
I did manage to run a number of times post-convalescence during a brief period of gardening leave but since, life has got hectic all over again and things have slipped. No self-congratulation here then! Maybe next year.
Aside from resolution related achievements, this site has effectively chronicled my year, or at least some of the random events/ideas/experiences that occurred during it. I find myself unexpectedly grateful to be able to review my own thoughts and observations (the blog and its associated library are published if you care to review).
The good thing is that I clearly had some fun and it wasn’t all just work, work, work.
As I re-reflect on thoughts from the beginning of 2014, I can’t help thinking of Michael Schumacher who had his terrible accident nearly twelve months ago. He has been in my thoughts ever since and unfortunately there has been little in the way of hope; recent news would suggest that he is paralysed, speechless, has memory problems and is confined to beds/wheelchairs. His 46th birthday falls on 3rd January but he and his family won’t have much to celebrate this year.
Jules Bianchi had a horrendous crash in the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka; I hope that 2015 sees him regain consciousness and get some kind of life back. For both Jules and Michael the struggles they face are monumental.
My thoughts also go out to Kelvin ‘Kelly’ Hewitt who faced the horrors of emasculation earlier on in the year. I hope that he has found the strength and endurance necessary to rebuild his body, his confidence and his life. For all the misery, he’s in a better place than Jules or Michael.
The above constitutes some review and reflection; in addition I want to give some thanks.
- Thanks to Mrs Baldwin for her proof reading support and all round tolerance
- Thanks to all my readers for taking the time to read my posts – please come back next year and, if you are feeling festively generous, recommend this site to your friends
I hope you have an excellent Christmas, here’s to 2014.
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