Well, and that’s it. The very final end of my Milton Keynes @ 40 Blog. As always when summing up a year (The List Brain The List Brain) it’s been both typical and atypical. On one level not much happened except we all got a year older and some of us got married. On other levels… well, you can all analyse your own levels, I’m sure.
It may well be (!) that this Blog didn’t really say much about life in Milton Keynes in 2007, or if it did it was about our particular and peculiar lives rather than the lives of The General Public. Still, it now exists for ever (or as long as the Interweb lasts!) as a document of the times. And that’s mostly what I did it for. MK @ 40. That’s what it was like.
The year of Heelies and of Facebook, of many more discussions of the eternal expansion plans for the Mirror City. The year where Tony finally stepped aside for his long-suffering pal Gordon, who must presumably now be wishing he hadn’t bothered.
We’ve learnt many things. Among them that Mellish Court in Bletchley - that ugly old seventies granite edifice - is the tallest building in Milton Keynes. For now. We’ve learnt the many ways to say “thankyou” in Polish (including “jinky”, “jinkweer”, and “jinkvay”). We’ve learnt about the history of Haversham church, that Arsenal are the most popular football team in the city and that not only can sugar bowls speak, they can attempt to break into your hotel room and seduce you.
We’ve said hello to the hub:mk region up the City, to Lily the Pye House Cat, and welcomed back the Evenings of Diverse Entertainment. We’ve said goodbye to Stone Circle, Sky One on the cable, and Pavarotti.
You’ve sat patiently through interminable reminiscences about Transvision Vamp, crowing rants about getting four grand’s worth of bank charges back off NatWest (not that it lasted long!), and the endless endless grumbling about feeling poorly. Goldurnit.
And I've enjoyed it - even though I'm looking forward to the slightly more leisurely progression next year where I don't have to post (or try to!) every day. When all's blogged and done, it’s been a chance for me to celebrate just why I love my home town so much – quite apart from the fact it’s where all my stuff is. It’s got the greatest employment growth in Britain. It’s got a still-growing culture, bits of which have even got me and my mates in. And here’s to the next year. And the one after that. And the one after the one after that.
Thanks for watching.
To be Continued.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
2007 In Quotes: part 2 - Sun Dec 30
This (the second part of my handy cut-out-and-keep guide to the Highs And Lows of 2007) will be the 286th post on the Blog this year. According to the Word Count feature in Microsoft Word I've racked up approximately 157,000 words. It's no "War And Peace" (560,000!), but it's still described as a "hulking" novel by most novel standards! Cool! Now, if only any of these words were any good! Bom bom bom parumpa pum pum.
Uh Huh
"When I took my t-shirt off in the changing room on my way in to the pool, I remembered I’d got two Spiderman, one Wolverine and one The Thing tattoos on my left arm from the bubble gum someone had brought into work! D’oh! Still, once I was underwater I don’t think anyone noticed. Ahem."
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/08/ibbotson-taylor-coefficient-sun-aug-12.html)
The State Of 2007?
"Jim sez he read an article somewhere that sez, robbed of the smoggy atmosphere, all pubs and bars are now unmasked as smelling like cleaning fluid, sweaty customers and half-cooked food. And he’s right. That’s exactly what The Secklow Hundred smells like now."
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/07/blue-asphalt-mon-jul-30.html)
More Best Fantasy Entries
1. Jim Morrison parody – I hope you GOT that’s what it was!
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/11/full-phil-ment-sat-nov-17.html)
2. Jim’s Stag Day II
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/10/more-stag-oct-14-15.html)
Friends Reunited
"“Look deep into my face”, I urged, “and you’ll still see somewhere the boy who once dwelt there.”"
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/11/back-of-cannon-thu-nov-15.html)
For Some Reason I Just Like This Paragraph – More Pool Stuff
"As always, the only drawback with Wolverton pool is that 80% of the clientele are wire-hard chavs with taut alley-fighting bodies or their puffy girlfriends, but to be honest the weather seemed to have struck everyone very mellow indeed. I did a few lengths in the Big pool (where Simon once almost caught pneumonia when Bushfield made us swim there one winter!) and then we went for ice creams. Heaven."
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/08/sweaty-capt-cools-off-sat-aug-25.html)
Famous Last Words
"For the first time in ages, I feel like I’m on an even keel."
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/11/suspiciously-content-tue-nov-13.html)
Even More Things I Promised To Do And Failed
1. A Diet
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/08/burly-oaf-writes-wed-aug-22.html)
2. Visiting Those Outlying Villages
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/11/corm-lives-nov-8-9.html)
The Joys Of Acting
“Hasn’t he got a nice face? I like a nice fat face.” - An old lady does wonders for my self-esteem in the City
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/08/leaflet-dance-sun-aug-26.html)
The Comedy Highs
"The rain has stopped, I’ve bought custard doughnuts from Sainsbury’s and I’ve worked out I don’t have to exile myself from this society – I can just dip in and out as the mood takes me. “It’s Raining Men” comes on the mp3 player and I stride through the City streets grinning a stupid wide grin."
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/10/autumn-of-pop-tue-oct-9.html)
Yeah, As If…
"There’ll be more incisive gonzo journalism coming soon. Just take a look… Over there! (points in opposite direction then legs it)"
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/08/rumbly-tummy-thu-jul-2.html)
And Finally
"The other side of the hospital I saw the nicest piece of graffiti I’ve seen all year, possibly the nicest ever. It just said DAVID I LOVE YOU. How can you beat that? You can’t, that’s how."
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/10/dog-whisperer-mon-oct-15.html)
Uh Huh
"When I took my t-shirt off in the changing room on my way in to the pool, I remembered I’d got two Spiderman, one Wolverine and one The Thing tattoos on my left arm from the bubble gum someone had brought into work! D’oh! Still, once I was underwater I don’t think anyone noticed. Ahem."
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/08/ibbotson-taylor-coefficient-sun-aug-12.html)
The State Of 2007?
"Jim sez he read an article somewhere that sez, robbed of the smoggy atmosphere, all pubs and bars are now unmasked as smelling like cleaning fluid, sweaty customers and half-cooked food. And he’s right. That’s exactly what The Secklow Hundred smells like now."
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/07/blue-asphalt-mon-jul-30.html)
More Best Fantasy Entries
1. Jim Morrison parody – I hope you GOT that’s what it was!
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/11/full-phil-ment-sat-nov-17.html)
2. Jim’s Stag Day II
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/10/more-stag-oct-14-15.html)
Friends Reunited
"“Look deep into my face”, I urged, “and you’ll still see somewhere the boy who once dwelt there.”"
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/11/back-of-cannon-thu-nov-15.html)
For Some Reason I Just Like This Paragraph – More Pool Stuff
"As always, the only drawback with Wolverton pool is that 80% of the clientele are wire-hard chavs with taut alley-fighting bodies or their puffy girlfriends, but to be honest the weather seemed to have struck everyone very mellow indeed. I did a few lengths in the Big pool (where Simon once almost caught pneumonia when Bushfield made us swim there one winter!) and then we went for ice creams. Heaven."
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/08/sweaty-capt-cools-off-sat-aug-25.html)
Famous Last Words
"For the first time in ages, I feel like I’m on an even keel."
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/11/suspiciously-content-tue-nov-13.html)
Even More Things I Promised To Do And Failed
1. A Diet
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/08/burly-oaf-writes-wed-aug-22.html)
2. Visiting Those Outlying Villages
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/11/corm-lives-nov-8-9.html)
The Joys Of Acting
“Hasn’t he got a nice face? I like a nice fat face.” - An old lady does wonders for my self-esteem in the City
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/08/leaflet-dance-sun-aug-26.html)
The Comedy Highs
"The rain has stopped, I’ve bought custard doughnuts from Sainsbury’s and I’ve worked out I don’t have to exile myself from this society – I can just dip in and out as the mood takes me. “It’s Raining Men” comes on the mp3 player and I stride through the City streets grinning a stupid wide grin."
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/10/autumn-of-pop-tue-oct-9.html)
Yeah, As If…
"There’ll be more incisive gonzo journalism coming soon. Just take a look… Over there! (points in opposite direction then legs it)"
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/08/rumbly-tummy-thu-jul-2.html)
And Finally
"The other side of the hospital I saw the nicest piece of graffiti I’ve seen all year, possibly the nicest ever. It just said DAVID I LOVE YOU. How can you beat that? You can’t, that’s how."
(http://mk40.blogspot.com/2007/10/dog-whisperer-mon-oct-15.html)
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Final Shakedown - Dec 27 - 29
The final word on 2007 is coming, of course. In the meantime, here’s my traditional personal Best Of The Year things – not connected to the forthcoming Monkey Kettle Awards. I don’t tend to send award certificates out for any of these… Maybe I should?
Album Of The Year
The one I listened to most was “The Black Parade”, but the two best ones released in 2007 were by old faves Nick Cave (under the Grinderman pseudonym) and the surprisingly-back-from-the-dead Manic Street Preachers. I’m going with the Manics and “Send Away The Tigers”.
Book Of The Year
The book I’ve read most often is Vol.1 of the Michael Palin diaries, but as I got that for Christmas last year I think that’s the best book of 2006. I suppose the best new book I’ve read this year is “Lisey’s Story” by Kingy. Fresh in my mind cos I read it last week, and particularly good as it’s one of his “girl books”.
Disappointment Of The Year
The Spice Girls’ comeback. If anything it’s even blander and more soulless than their last album. They let down the Autumn Of Pop.
Event Of The Year
Jim’s Stag Weekend in Poland. No contest.
Film Of The Year
Only saw two at the cinema, but “Transformers” clearly swings it. Did almost everything I wanted it to.
Foodstuff Of The Year
Lard. In that rustic Polish café bar.
Gig Of The Year
Probably the one Stone Circle and Modus Vivendi played at Zak’s, though I say so myself. Loads of our mates came, it was Da Circle’s only gig with a drummer and Modus Vivendi were really good.
Hero Of The Year
Michael Palin.
Moment Of The Year
I can only imagine it would have been sat up at the top of Birkenau with the sun setting behind the trees, watching Simon and James (in my red top) walking the vast journey towards me up the tracks.
Play Of The Year
I don’t suppose I should count ‘Allo ‘Allo or Thrupenny Standup cos I was in them. Did I see anything else, though? (thinks) Nope. So Thrupenny Standup it is. And it was good, after all! Must see something that's not by or starring us next year though! ;-)
Single Of The Year
“Thou Shalt Always Kill” : Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip. For the line "thou shalt not watch Hollyoaks" alone!
TV Show Of The Year
Didn’t see the new Boosh series yet, can’t really count “The West Wing” after it’s won the last two years. So I’m going to controversially go for “Top Gear” – one of the only programmes the missus and I get to watch together and mercifully not now really that much about cars. Vroom!
And the tracklisting of my Soundtrack To 2007:
1. “Emo In My Thirties” : The Further Adventures Of Vodka Boy
2. “Welcome To The Black Parade” : My Chemical Romance
3. “You Could Have Both” : The Long Blondes
4. “The Second Great Depression” : Manic Street Preachers
5. “Sweeping The Nation” : Spearmint
6. “Sunday” : Bloc Party
7. “My Alcoholic Friends” : Dresden Dolls
8. “This House Is A Circus” : Arctic Monkeys
9. “Standing In The Way Of Control” : The Gossip
10. “Battle Metal” : Turisas
11. “This Is How I Disappear” : My Chemical Romance
12. “Here Comes A Special Boy” : Freezepop
13. “Teddy Picker” : Arctic Monkeys
14. “Black Mirror” : Arcade Fire
15. “Indian Summer” : Manic Street Preachers
16. “Thou Shalt Always Kill” : Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip
17. “No Pussy Blues” : Grinderman
18. “The Prayer” : Bloc Party
19. “Poor Boy” : Mechanical Bride
20. “Famous Last Words” : My Chemical Romance
Album Of The Year
The one I listened to most was “The Black Parade”, but the two best ones released in 2007 were by old faves Nick Cave (under the Grinderman pseudonym) and the surprisingly-back-from-the-dead Manic Street Preachers. I’m going with the Manics and “Send Away The Tigers”.
Book Of The Year
The book I’ve read most often is Vol.1 of the Michael Palin diaries, but as I got that for Christmas last year I think that’s the best book of 2006. I suppose the best new book I’ve read this year is “Lisey’s Story” by Kingy. Fresh in my mind cos I read it last week, and particularly good as it’s one of his “girl books”.
Disappointment Of The Year
The Spice Girls’ comeback. If anything it’s even blander and more soulless than their last album. They let down the Autumn Of Pop.
Event Of The Year
Jim’s Stag Weekend in Poland. No contest.
Film Of The Year
Only saw two at the cinema, but “Transformers” clearly swings it. Did almost everything I wanted it to.
Foodstuff Of The Year
Lard. In that rustic Polish café bar.
Gig Of The Year
Probably the one Stone Circle and Modus Vivendi played at Zak’s, though I say so myself. Loads of our mates came, it was Da Circle’s only gig with a drummer and Modus Vivendi were really good.
Hero Of The Year
Michael Palin.
Moment Of The Year
I can only imagine it would have been sat up at the top of Birkenau with the sun setting behind the trees, watching Simon and James (in my red top) walking the vast journey towards me up the tracks.
Play Of The Year
I don’t suppose I should count ‘Allo ‘Allo or Thrupenny Standup cos I was in them. Did I see anything else, though? (thinks) Nope. So Thrupenny Standup it is. And it was good, after all! Must see something that's not by or starring us next year though! ;-)
Single Of The Year
“Thou Shalt Always Kill” : Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip. For the line "thou shalt not watch Hollyoaks" alone!
TV Show Of The Year
Didn’t see the new Boosh series yet, can’t really count “The West Wing” after it’s won the last two years. So I’m going to controversially go for “Top Gear” – one of the only programmes the missus and I get to watch together and mercifully not now really that much about cars. Vroom!
And the tracklisting of my Soundtrack To 2007:
1. “Emo In My Thirties” : The Further Adventures Of Vodka Boy
2. “Welcome To The Black Parade” : My Chemical Romance
3. “You Could Have Both” : The Long Blondes
4. “The Second Great Depression” : Manic Street Preachers
5. “Sweeping The Nation” : Spearmint
6. “Sunday” : Bloc Party
7. “My Alcoholic Friends” : Dresden Dolls
8. “This House Is A Circus” : Arctic Monkeys
9. “Standing In The Way Of Control” : The Gossip
10. “Battle Metal” : Turisas
11. “This Is How I Disappear” : My Chemical Romance
12. “Here Comes A Special Boy” : Freezepop
13. “Teddy Picker” : Arctic Monkeys
14. “Black Mirror” : Arcade Fire
15. “Indian Summer” : Manic Street Preachers
16. “Thou Shalt Always Kill” : Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip
17. “No Pussy Blues” : Grinderman
18. “The Prayer” : Bloc Party
19. “Poor Boy” : Mechanical Bride
20. “Famous Last Words” : My Chemical Romance
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Messy Chrsms - Dec 22 - 26
I dunno if anyone's still reading in these Festive times, but here's another brief rattle through what I've been up to as the Yuletide festivities finally landed.
Saturday (22nd) we did Whose Panto Is It Anyway?, a special festive edition of the semi-regular Impro Night, out at Olney Working Men's Club. A generally half-arsed affair, but cheerful with it, and the audience never care anyway as long as we start doing anal sex gags soon enough. I took the wise precaution of postponing my payment till the next one in mid-Jan, by which time I'm sure I'll be desperate for cash.
Sunday (23rd) was more recording with Phil. The concept is coming through loud and clear, and we seem to have done about a third of the double album already. In some ways it's odd to be writing and recording songs we're never intending to play live - or even perform again once they're 'down' - but it's also quite liberating.
Monday (24th) was my Christmas with Helen. We did the last of the shopping, met Simon and Caroline in the Slug & Lettuce to exchange presents, then came home to sit on our sofas, eat turkey and sausages and watch our respective favourite Xmas Films together: It's A Wonderful Life for me, Home Alone for the missus.
After an epic bout of inexplicable insomnia, Christmas Morning was a bit tricky, but somehow I got through. My presents as ever ranged from the excellent (the "Walking With Dinosaurs" box set from Helen) through the interesting (the semi-traditional "Book Of Lists") to the comedy irksome (a Pam Ayres DVD from Simon and Caroline - recorded Live At The Stables no less!). We had a great Christmas afternoon at Peter and Kerry's with all the family. The Taylor grandchildren generally the main source of entertainment!
Thence to the Pye House and Pennyland in the evening and more fun. Because, as It's A Wonderful Life clearly tells us, no man is alone who has friends. Amen.
Right. 2007. The Final Lap.
(rubs stomach ruefully)
Saturday (22nd) we did Whose Panto Is It Anyway?, a special festive edition of the semi-regular Impro Night, out at Olney Working Men's Club. A generally half-arsed affair, but cheerful with it, and the audience never care anyway as long as we start doing anal sex gags soon enough. I took the wise precaution of postponing my payment till the next one in mid-Jan, by which time I'm sure I'll be desperate for cash.
Sunday (23rd) was more recording with Phil. The concept is coming through loud and clear, and we seem to have done about a third of the double album already. In some ways it's odd to be writing and recording songs we're never intending to play live - or even perform again once they're 'down' - but it's also quite liberating.
Monday (24th) was my Christmas with Helen. We did the last of the shopping, met Simon and Caroline in the Slug & Lettuce to exchange presents, then came home to sit on our sofas, eat turkey and sausages and watch our respective favourite Xmas Films together: It's A Wonderful Life for me, Home Alone for the missus.
After an epic bout of inexplicable insomnia, Christmas Morning was a bit tricky, but somehow I got through. My presents as ever ranged from the excellent (the "Walking With Dinosaurs" box set from Helen) through the interesting (the semi-traditional "Book Of Lists") to the comedy irksome (a Pam Ayres DVD from Simon and Caroline - recorded Live At The Stables no less!). We had a great Christmas afternoon at Peter and Kerry's with all the family. The Taylor grandchildren generally the main source of entertainment!
Thence to the Pye House and Pennyland in the evening and more fun. Because, as It's A Wonderful Life clearly tells us, no man is alone who has friends. Amen.
Right. 2007. The Final Lap.
(rubs stomach ruefully)
Friday, December 21, 2007
Lamb Shanker - Dec 17 - 21
One last catch-all entry shouldn’t be a problem now we’re winding down, should it? I’ve already made provision for all our futures – MMT In MK (http://mmtmk.blogspot.com/) will be doing much the same as MK@40 but better! There’s nothing there yet though. Just a sense of expectancy and hope. ;-)
This just isn’t the time of year when things happen. Everyone is facing squarely down the barrel of Christmas, that’s the only world for many of us. Spent most of Wednesday burning Vodka Boy CDs and colouring in the sleeves individually (so each one is Limited Edition!), after Tuesday night round Pennyland with Martin and Grahame doing a final scrub of the mix. It’s still good. Am already looking forward to the second one!
So there’s not much to tell. Google Alerts have been no help. Almost every single one at the moment (and there’s a lot!) directs you to job advert pages. Looks like there’s a lot of new positions in middle management jobs I don’t understand at corporations I’ve never heard of doing things I couldn’t care less about! Except that an 18-year old lad from Milton Keynes became that rarest of things the other night – an English youth player making his first team debut at Arsenal! His name is Mark Randall, he studied at Lord Grey, and Arsene Wenger has apparently dubbed him “the little Giggs”. Which is nice! Ironically, he had been with the Wimbledon youth academy before we stole their club – and the Gooners snapped him up instead of him returning up the M1 to his home town. Makes sense.
We had our Team Christmas Lunch at work on Tuesday, at The Plough in Simpson. Worth mentioning a) because I haven’t been to Simpson this year yet I don’t think, and b) I ate so much Lamb Shank With Sprout Mash that I almost turned into a Lamb Shank. T’is the season to be bust inside, as ever.
But it all winds down. Slowly we stop working at work. And previously stern-faced disciplinarians don shiny tinsel deely-boppers.
So here’s an end-of-year meme, cribbed from Annabel’s LiveJournal. Yes, I know I promised no more memes in 2007, but it’s the End Of Term, innit!
1) Where did you begin 2007?
Sat relatively peacefully in the flat with Helen, watching fireworks over London on the telly and over MK out the window. In fact I think I had a cup of tea.
2) What was your status on Valentine's Day?
Foxy.
3) Were you in school (anytime this year)?
I was in a school a few times. Mostly Stantonbury for Ludamus.
4) How did you earn your money?
Number crunching at the Library, with extra pocket money as usual from the Impro Nights, Murder Mysteries, audio recordings and dressing as a weasel.
5) Did you have to go to the hospital?
Not this year, thank the Maker.
6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
Nope.
7) Where did you go on vacation?
Poland, I suppose. Wish it’d been as long as a vacation, but it was immense and fantabulous nonetheless!
8) Did you buy anything over $1000?
That’s a tadge over £500? Well, Poland cost that much in total. Or maybe actually a little bit less than that! I paid back over £500 in debts to other people with the NatWest Bonanza, but not to any one person.
9) Did you know anybody who got married?
Lee & Anna, Jim & Laura and some people at work.
10) Did you know anybody who passed away?
Yes, me Grandad.
11) Did you move anywhere?
No. In fact our Oldbrook flat is now the most time I’ve lived in a single place since we left Marjoram Place in 2002, overtaking Hodge Lea, Greenleys and Pennyland.
12) What concerts/shows did you go to?
Cooo. I’ve probably missed some, but the main ones were Deftones with Phil & Martin and Steely Dan with me Mam, Dad & Chris. Plus loads of local gigs usually including me Martin Phil or all three of us.
13) Are you registered to vote?
Yes ta.
14) Who did you want to win Big Brother?
Nobody wins a war, somebody loses.
15) Describe your birthday?
I went for lunch in Borders with me Mam and Dad. And then presumably stopped in with the missus, as I was up pretty early the next day to go to Alsager.
16) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2007?
There’s quite a few thanks to my 101 in 1001 list – give blood, go to Poland, pay off some long-standing debts. Yeeha for self-improvement!
17) What has been your favorite moment?
Oh, there’s been loads. It’s been a ride.
18) What's something you learned about yourself?
I am never going to be 'normal', but I finally don’t care.
19) Any new additions to your family?
Not this year, but stand by for Next Gen Taylors Vol.3 in February or thereabouts!
20) What was your worst month?
Jan or Feb. Ill in both mind and body, choking insomnia and despair. Still, it was all uphill from there! ;-)
21) What music will you remember 2007 by?
Vodka Boy and Stone Circle. Plus The Black Parade.
22) Who has been your best drinking buddy?
They’re all good. Friday after work with Simon, Caroline and Motorbike Simon has probably been the most regular source of mischief.
23) Made new friends?
A few, yeah.
24) New best friend?
Well, there’s always the same chosen few at the top these past ten year or so. Phil has been a high climber though, up into the upper echelons. Awesome! ;-)
25) Favorite night out?
The first one in Krakow, I think. The Bonding Of The Fellowship. Bisongrass vodka. Salsa dancing. Get in.
This just isn’t the time of year when things happen. Everyone is facing squarely down the barrel of Christmas, that’s the only world for many of us. Spent most of Wednesday burning Vodka Boy CDs and colouring in the sleeves individually (so each one is Limited Edition!), after Tuesday night round Pennyland with Martin and Grahame doing a final scrub of the mix. It’s still good. Am already looking forward to the second one!
So there’s not much to tell. Google Alerts have been no help. Almost every single one at the moment (and there’s a lot!) directs you to job advert pages. Looks like there’s a lot of new positions in middle management jobs I don’t understand at corporations I’ve never heard of doing things I couldn’t care less about! Except that an 18-year old lad from Milton Keynes became that rarest of things the other night – an English youth player making his first team debut at Arsenal! His name is Mark Randall, he studied at Lord Grey, and Arsene Wenger has apparently dubbed him “the little Giggs”. Which is nice! Ironically, he had been with the Wimbledon youth academy before we stole their club – and the Gooners snapped him up instead of him returning up the M1 to his home town. Makes sense.
We had our Team Christmas Lunch at work on Tuesday, at The Plough in Simpson. Worth mentioning a) because I haven’t been to Simpson this year yet I don’t think, and b) I ate so much Lamb Shank With Sprout Mash that I almost turned into a Lamb Shank. T’is the season to be bust inside, as ever.
But it all winds down. Slowly we stop working at work. And previously stern-faced disciplinarians don shiny tinsel deely-boppers.
So here’s an end-of-year meme, cribbed from Annabel’s LiveJournal. Yes, I know I promised no more memes in 2007, but it’s the End Of Term, innit!
1) Where did you begin 2007?
Sat relatively peacefully in the flat with Helen, watching fireworks over London on the telly and over MK out the window. In fact I think I had a cup of tea.
2) What was your status on Valentine's Day?
Foxy.
3) Were you in school (anytime this year)?
I was in a school a few times. Mostly Stantonbury for Ludamus.
4) How did you earn your money?
Number crunching at the Library, with extra pocket money as usual from the Impro Nights, Murder Mysteries, audio recordings and dressing as a weasel.
5) Did you have to go to the hospital?
Not this year, thank the Maker.
6) Did you have any encounters with the police?
Nope.
7) Where did you go on vacation?
Poland, I suppose. Wish it’d been as long as a vacation, but it was immense and fantabulous nonetheless!
8) Did you buy anything over $1000?
That’s a tadge over £500? Well, Poland cost that much in total. Or maybe actually a little bit less than that! I paid back over £500 in debts to other people with the NatWest Bonanza, but not to any one person.
9) Did you know anybody who got married?
Lee & Anna, Jim & Laura and some people at work.
10) Did you know anybody who passed away?
Yes, me Grandad.
11) Did you move anywhere?
No. In fact our Oldbrook flat is now the most time I’ve lived in a single place since we left Marjoram Place in 2002, overtaking Hodge Lea, Greenleys and Pennyland.
12) What concerts/shows did you go to?
Cooo. I’ve probably missed some, but the main ones were Deftones with Phil & Martin and Steely Dan with me Mam, Dad & Chris. Plus loads of local gigs usually including me Martin Phil or all three of us.
13) Are you registered to vote?
Yes ta.
14) Who did you want to win Big Brother?
Nobody wins a war, somebody loses.
15) Describe your birthday?
I went for lunch in Borders with me Mam and Dad. And then presumably stopped in with the missus, as I was up pretty early the next day to go to Alsager.
16) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2007?
There’s quite a few thanks to my 101 in 1001 list – give blood, go to Poland, pay off some long-standing debts. Yeeha for self-improvement!
17) What has been your favorite moment?
Oh, there’s been loads. It’s been a ride.
18) What's something you learned about yourself?
I am never going to be 'normal', but I finally don’t care.
19) Any new additions to your family?
Not this year, but stand by for Next Gen Taylors Vol.3 in February or thereabouts!
20) What was your worst month?
Jan or Feb. Ill in both mind and body, choking insomnia and despair. Still, it was all uphill from there! ;-)
21) What music will you remember 2007 by?
Vodka Boy and Stone Circle. Plus The Black Parade.
22) Who has been your best drinking buddy?
They’re all good. Friday after work with Simon, Caroline and Motorbike Simon has probably been the most regular source of mischief.
23) Made new friends?
A few, yeah.
24) New best friend?
Well, there’s always the same chosen few at the top these past ten year or so. Phil has been a high climber though, up into the upper echelons. Awesome! ;-)
25) Favorite night out?
The first one in Krakow, I think. The Bonding Of The Fellowship. Bisongrass vodka. Salsa dancing. Get in.
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