Well, here we are, just a few short hours till Auld Lang Syne rings out around the country, champagne corks are popped and 2011 is put behind us.
For some, the past 12 months have been fantastic with new experiences under the belt, new additions being brought into the world, marriages celebrated and achievements aplenty.
That's great and it's always great to hear that some people have had an impressive year with lots of success. But take a look away from your successes and have a wider scope of thought for others for a minute or two.
2011 will not be a vintage year across the globe; a massive tsunami wrecked the lives of millions in Japan, an earthquake ruined parts of New Zealand, the Phillipines was devastated again by flooding, the Arab Spring caused thousands of innocent civilians to perish and the economy of Europe foundered while the global financial crisis was as bleak as it's been since the recession began in 2008 (yep, four years and counting folks)
The recession is still with us, let's not kid ourselves. There is more financial hardship being experienced than ever before. You only have to look at the spending at Christmas to see that. Personally, I cannot see 2012 getting much better but there is a lot to look forward too, not least the Olympics; four weeks of wall-to-wall sport of all shapes and sizes. I cannot wait.
The title of this blog of course refers to the superb Manic Street Preachers song and I thought it would be an apt way to describe my state of mind as we bid farewell to 2011 and enter another new year.
There wasn't a song I could think of called Thank Christ This Year Has Ended so I went for the second best option!
Yeah, I've had better years. 2004 was great, 2006 was even better but 2011 is akin to the year I lost my old man at the age of 52 in 2000. Hated every second of that year almost as much as this one.
But the old adage of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger has never been truer and in this case, it's apt enough.
For those familiar with my ramblings, you will be aware that I lost my job in September and have been busy trying to rebuild my life since. Various attempts have failed at the first hurdle and promises of riches are still out of reach but I have survived with the help of friends and family.
I am still bitter about losing a job I loved, who wouldn't be but the more I think about what happened the more I realise it wasn't my fault and the more I know that maybe being promised the world and it not materialising means that I am destined for bigger and better things. Getting made redundant sucked big time, my life fell apart for a while and all thoughts of a happier few months ahead evaporated when I saw the state of the jobs market.
But hey, it's almost New Year's Eve and I am still here, still breathing (despite a head cold) and still have that burning ambition to take the next opportunity that presents itself by the scruff of the neck and give it everything I have.
Yeah, I got laid-off but there are millions of people around the globe that have been in the same boat and foundered. I won't be one of them because 1. My wife won't let that happen and 2. I love life too much to let it happen.
And that brings me to my next subject. If there is one person above all who has stood by me when my world came tumbling down around my ears then it's my wife. She has been a total rock and I owe her everything (plus I holiday, I suspect) so I just want to say a big thanks to her for everything she has done for me. Put up with my whingeing, moaning about the state of the world, my occasional drunken rant when reacting to what has befallen me and generally just being the best wife any many could ever wish for. Thanks Angie. Love you.
In order, I would like these things please:
1. A new job
2. Fresh challenges
3. Money (obviously)
4. Continued support from my friends and family
5. Something else (those of you who know me well enough will know)
6. Everton to finish top half of the Premier League
7. Team GB to triumph on home soil
8. England to do well at the Euro's (but we won't)
9. Lose more weight (at least 2 more stone)
10. Weddings, christenings etc (but no funerals)
When I woke up at 4am this morning with the idea of writing a blog I thought about having a proper rant about losing my job, hating what happened and a general moan but no-one wants to read that do they?
I want the next 12 months to be brighter so this blog is the start. I will be writing more soon so stay tuned.
If you are still reading then well done for not falling asleep and may I wish you all a healthy and prosperous 2012 and let all disasters be little ones eh?
