Right then (resolutions and other asides)

It was a hell of a year wasn't it? Tragically, quite literally hell for some. So even though I have very few readers I feel it would be wrong to not at least acknowledge some of the devastating things that have happened in 2015: in particular the scale and tragedy of the ongoing refugee crisis, of course the IS and related terror strikes that have happened all around the world, and most recently yet more floods in the UK bringing disaster and misery to so many. I don't have any answers, but here's hoping that there will be less anger and intolerance, and more compassion and generosity in 2016.

PHOTO BY RICH REID

Here we go again already - farewell to 2015, and bring it on 2016. Blimey, that seemed to come round with surprising speed, twelve whole months, whoosh.

To not-quite-quote Rickie Lee Jones*, the world is definitely turning faster than it did when I was young.

Now, anyone that knows me will know that I am not a fan of Christmas. But, New Year always fills me with optimism.**  Don't get me wrong, I'm not one to make a big song and dance of it all.*** But it is a chance to take another run a 'things' isn't it? Clear the decks and start again kind of deal.

Even so, I have always refused to make New Year's Resolutions, mostly on the basis that this type of thing is quite obviously setting oneself up for the kind of failure that all too easily turns into a self perpetuating cycle of low-grade, chronic unhappiness (or worse).

And yet, I very decidedly did resolve to do several things last year - some I have managed to stick to, and feel on-goingly great about (good-bye cigs, hello yoga). As for the other things...well, I have a bit of a theory as to why I didn't manage to pull them off.****

Anyway. There are several things on the agenda this year. More getting out and about -  spending time with the hubbo on beach walks and exploring the wonders that rural and small town Norfolk has to offer, and on occasion venturing a bit further afield as well. Some concerted domestic TLC is definitely on the cards. And  not forgetting, write more.*****

This rather confusing footnote habit has left me struggling to end-out this post, but then again I suppose there's really only one way to do that - so I wish good health, good spirits, good luck******, and plenty of good times in 2016 to one and all!

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* The title of the song escapes me, but it's on Girl at her Volcano...I think. Or maybe on Flying Cowboys...if you like quirky indie-alt-folk/jazz/americana then Rickie Lee is your gal.

**I expect it is mostly the fact that the predictable and extended horrors of Christmas are finally done with that elevates my mood. On the other hand, I can't deny that I rather enjoyed things this year, but only because absent son was around for the first time in a good long while.

*** I have had my fair share of depressing Jan 1st hangovers. No more of that, thanks. And anyway, I rarely stay up much past ten thirty so midnight is really pushing it. A medical or other emergency aside, and of course an un-put-downable novel, might persuade me to stay up into the wee small hours, but very little else can make it seem like a good idea, new year included. Besides, by the time New Year comes round my tolerance of enthusiasm for social interaction has totally expired. This year I hit a new high/low (depending on your pov) and was in bed by half nine (in my defence I've come down with a bit of a cold, but frankly I'll take pretty much any excuse to bail).

**** The resolutions that remain 'resoluted' were specific eg "give up smoking". The ones that didn't last the course were a bit vague eg "write more". In fact, I did write quite a lot, but not enough, and - it can't be denied - without sufficient application of self discipline and/or self belief.

***** Yes yes yes, I know what I just said in****, but I'm starting a new blog. It's called "Footnotes***" ...boom tish!! It'll just be stuff, whatever kind of stuff that comes up and gets written about, and you can visit it if you like. Or not - there's nothing to see there yet. I don't mind. Hopefully I'll be able to create less onerously marked footnotes, maybe even give this whole footnote style of mine some sort of 'flow', or something.

****** Especial good luck with any resolutions!