Summing Up 2012

Well folks, 2012 was always going to be a doozy of a year but it exceeded expectations in all sorts of highly unexpected ways.  Obviously this post is going to include a fair bit of repetition of previous blogs but tough shit - what would you expect from a year summary?!
Let's see...

JANUARY
The big deal in January is always my kids' birthdays.  This year was a landmark year as Kathleen finally hit her teens and Erin turned 16.  Naturally having midwinter birthdays it was obvious to have a Hawaiian themed Sweet Sixteen although technically that happened in February.  I did however bust my knee attempting Limbo.

FEBRUARY
After months of anticipation I finally started my first ever university course with The Open University.  Naturally I promptly contracted a chest infection that left me feeling like I was about to die.  Fabulous timing!

MARCH
Turned 34. Least said about that the better.

APRIL
Maybe nothing happened...I can't remember!!!

MAY
Went along to see the Olympic flame on it's way through Taunton and got to see Will.I.Am too!

JUNE
Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in February was marked in June by a long weekend and a number of televised events that we watched...and munched on any number of themed treats!

Erin's prom...didn't she look gorgeous?! Scary how grown up she is...

JULY - AUGUST
Having decided to go the London 2012 Olympics on the day it was announced - in fact, the first my mum heard of it was when I phoned her about 5 minutes later asking if we could come camp on her floor...in seven years time! - it was a long time coming and a tremendous relief to get there.
We saw Water Polo, Dressage and Synchronised Swimming.  It was a pity we never got into the stadium but you can't have everything.

SEPTEMBER
Erin having got her GCSE results in August - 1 x A, 4 x B, 4 x C, 2 x D - Erin started at 6th form college in September eventually settling on A/S levels in Mathematics, Classical Civilisations, Sociology and History.
My 1st OU course came to an end - I would eventually get awarded a distinction - and started my 2nd.
Kathleen had me watch the video for My Chemical Romance's "I'm Not Okay (I Promise)" in late September.  This was not the first time I became aware of the band but for some reason it kicked off an MCR obsession that knocked me for six!  Having been a Blockhead for 22 and a bit years I thought that was the extent of my fan-girl issues...how wrong I was! 

I Cinderella at a castle and I'd love this Knight to come rescue me...

OCTOBER
Working in a castle is pretty cool.  Having a prince visit "your" castle is also pretty cool.  Being invited to the Royal Opening when you're the cleaning lady is surreal beyond words.

October was also about endings.  I finally ended a long standing friendship that had become very negative; which has ended up being a high point of the year.  Taking control of your own happiness and distancing yourself from people who, in whatever way, bring you down is liberating and empowering.  The other end was dropping out of my second OU course.  Despite having always wanted to learn Latin it became abundantly clear that I may be able to scrape through the TMAs but I was never going to pass the end of course exam, so I reluctantly admitted defeat.

NOVEMBER
Started what is now going to be my actual 2nd OU course - Archaeology.  As I was only taking the course to make up the points around the now dropped-out-of Latin it's proving to be a bit of a challenge.  The textbook is dry and I'm not getting into it at all.  Hopefully I can scrape a pass or my entire academic year is kaput and I'd be in danger of not completing my degree on schedule!  It's all a bit worrying.

DECEMBER
The world did not end on December 21st with the end of the Mayan long count calendar so I guess I will have to get my backside in gear to write an essay about them for my Archaeology course. *sigh*

Apocalypse Day

So the world was supposed to end today cos the Mayan Long Count Calendar came to an end.  Just nip down to the shops and buy a new one, guys!  Rather bizarrely I'm doing Mesoamerica on my Archaeology course this week...including the Mayans and their assorted calendars!  Kinda creepy coincidence.

So glad the world didn't end cos I'm not at all sure if they have MCR in the afterlife!  Yup, my obsession is still going strong - three months today.  It's calmed down a little thank goodness; the music in my head is playing at a slightly lower volume and I can (mostly) hear myself think again.
That said, Conventional Weapons Part 3 came out on Tuesday..."The Light Behind Your Eyes" might possibly be the most beautiful thing I have heard in my life.  Right now I can't function if I don't play it at least once every couple of hours!  The other song, "The World Is Ugly," almost didn't get a look in being unfortunately eclipsed by its sister track but it's truly awesome.

In the last couple of weeks I have also stumbled belatedly and zombie-like across the awesomeness of the films "Shaun of the Dead" and "Hot Fuzz"; it seems appropriate to mention this here for two reasons - firstly, thanks to Shaun I now have a zombie apocalypse survival plan.  So if the Mayan doodah turned out to be zombies I was sorted!  Secondly, these two films are part of 'the Cornetto trilogy' - the principal photography of the final instalment wrapped today...it is most appropriately titled "The World's End"!!!  Another good reason for the world not to end cos I really want to see that!  Roll on next August (^_~)

Just a few days to go until Christmas.  Can't say I'm too fussed.  Between a nasty cold, work, study (I keep falling asleep on my textbook) and zombies I can't really be bothered.  Plus there's no ostrich steaks at Lidl for my Xmas Day BBQ.
Mind you, one of my New Year's Resolutions is a long overdue return to vegetarianism.  I like meat but I was deeply disturbed by a recent story that Halal meat is being served 'secretly' to the general public.  I have no objection to Halal meat per se but the exemption is on religious grounds - for it to be served to non-Muslims in this way is flouting laws put in place to prevent animal cruelty.  Highly unethical and really ought to be illegal.
My other New Year's Resolution is "to fuck up my hair, a lot."  I'm currently enjoying a green phase and I have a pot of blue dye.  In 2013 I pretty much plan to work through the entire range, trying out blends and colour combinations along the way.  Should be fun!