Highs and lows of 2013 for you?
Discussion
A bit early perhaps, but how has the year about to finish been for you?
Here are my thoughts on 2013.
Job: All change for me. Back to uni in September to start my PGCE. Very busy, but enjoying it.
Cars: Low priority for me sadly. Managed 17k miles this year in an '09 Honda Jazz. As dull as you'd imagine it to be, but never goes wrong.
Relationship: Over 3 years with the missus. Long distance is awful, but we're coping.
Health: Nothing major. Got back into mountain biking and walking since September. Done 500+ miles since. Lost over a stone!
Holidays: Was on a 'gap year' until September. All over the UK, 2 months backpacking in Europe including Paris, Prague, Auschwitz, Rome, Venice, south of France. 3 months in Washington, Oregon and Idaho in the summer. Heading back to the US in a fortnight for 2 weeks.
Finances: Spent more than I've earned. Getting bursaries for my tuition fees is a nice bonus!
Anything else: Enjoying becoming a teacher, but not the 80-mile per day commute I currently have. Plenty of great experiences in 2013 though, a vintage year overall.
Here are my thoughts on 2013.
Job: All change for me. Back to uni in September to start my PGCE. Very busy, but enjoying it.
Cars: Low priority for me sadly. Managed 17k miles this year in an '09 Honda Jazz. As dull as you'd imagine it to be, but never goes wrong.
Relationship: Over 3 years with the missus. Long distance is awful, but we're coping.
Health: Nothing major. Got back into mountain biking and walking since September. Done 500+ miles since. Lost over a stone!
Holidays: Was on a 'gap year' until September. All over the UK, 2 months backpacking in Europe including Paris, Prague, Auschwitz, Rome, Venice, south of France. 3 months in Washington, Oregon and Idaho in the summer. Heading back to the US in a fortnight for 2 weeks.
Finances: Spent more than I've earned. Getting bursaries for my tuition fees is a nice bonus!
Anything else: Enjoying becoming a teacher, but not the 80-mile per day commute I currently have. Plenty of great experiences in 2013 though, a vintage year overall.
Low was having 3 months on sick with depression, cured by the high of buying my first TVR.
This was followed by another massive low of watching it burn on the drive
Then another high of getting my v8, followed by the high from driving it on track followed by being offered (and accepting) a new job with much less travelling and more money.
Next year should be pretty good, new job starts in new year
This was followed by another massive low of watching it burn on the drive
Then another high of getting my v8, followed by the high from driving it on track followed by being offered (and accepting) a new job with much less travelling and more money.
Next year should be pretty good, new job starts in new year
Job: Finished my college course this year, struggling to really get anywhere employment wise, but it will take time!
Cars: Erm, I lose track. Sold a mark 1 Golf, sold a Corrado VR6, bought a Porsche 924, sold a Porsche 924, bought another Corrado VR6! (Oh yeah and theres a 5 series in there too somewhere)
Relationship: Coming up to four years now.
Health: As good as ever, can't grumble at all.
Holidays: Was in Florida for New Year, just got back from a long weekend in Dublin. Also had a few relaxing days in Scotland with some friends.
Finances: Up & down. Bit tight at the moment, as I'm in and out of jobs and we both have expensive courses to pay off/finish paying off.
Anything else: It seems to have gone ridiculously quick this year. A stark opposite from last year, it's amazing how much can change within twelve months. You never know where you will end up..
Cars: Erm, I lose track. Sold a mark 1 Golf, sold a Corrado VR6, bought a Porsche 924, sold a Porsche 924, bought another Corrado VR6! (Oh yeah and theres a 5 series in there too somewhere)
Relationship: Coming up to four years now.
Health: As good as ever, can't grumble at all.
Holidays: Was in Florida for New Year, just got back from a long weekend in Dublin. Also had a few relaxing days in Scotland with some friends.
Finances: Up & down. Bit tight at the moment, as I'm in and out of jobs and we both have expensive courses to pay off/finish paying off.
Anything else: It seems to have gone ridiculously quick this year. A stark opposite from last year, it's amazing how much can change within twelve months. You never know where you will end up..
Job: N/A
Cars: Had a service and a new set of tyres, booked in to fix an oil leak in a couple of weeks
Relationship: Single
Health: Nothing to report
Holidays: Not been away this year, but am spending Xmas/New year in the sun
Finances: Probably frittered too much, but still comfortable
Anything else: I'm very dull
Cars: Had a service and a new set of tyres, booked in to fix an oil leak in a couple of weeks
Relationship: Single
Health: Nothing to report
Holidays: Not been away this year, but am spending Xmas/New year in the sun
Finances: Probably frittered too much, but still comfortable
Anything else: I'm very dull
Job: Joined the senior management team of a company which is well respected in my industry in April. The appointment came after a period of 10 months with nothing but 6 months of being a courier via an agency (which I was loving actually!)
Cars: The new job saw me have a brand new BMW 320i company car arrive in September. The First car I have ever specced myself from new and the first new car I've ever had.
Relationship: First wedding anniversary to my wonderful wife was this year.
Health: Not brilliant actually - had a bit of a scare in June but nothing came of it.
Holidays: A couple of long weekends away, 10 days in Lanzarote (have friends who live there).
Finances: New salary is very healthy. Also came into some money via an inheritance.
Anything else: Spent 10 weeks on jury service - a great experience and met some great people at the same time. I'm enjoying seeing my mum enjoy her retirement as much as she is - she has a better social life than most people I know and is better travelled too! Still seeing my Son who lives with my ex-wife and our relationship is great. Saw my favourite musician, Mark Knopfler in concert - a first for me. Finally got a table at Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant too. Became a season ticket holder for my beloved Nottingham Forest aswell. I also got my weight and shape in order - long overdue and took a personal trainer to do it!
But above all of that, my mental and emotional health improved massively. For me, a big deal and I couldn't have done it without the most amazing 'head doctor' by my side.
Cars: The new job saw me have a brand new BMW 320i company car arrive in September. The First car I have ever specced myself from new and the first new car I've ever had.
Relationship: First wedding anniversary to my wonderful wife was this year.
Health: Not brilliant actually - had a bit of a scare in June but nothing came of it.
Holidays: A couple of long weekends away, 10 days in Lanzarote (have friends who live there).
Finances: New salary is very healthy. Also came into some money via an inheritance.
Anything else: Spent 10 weeks on jury service - a great experience and met some great people at the same time. I'm enjoying seeing my mum enjoy her retirement as much as she is - she has a better social life than most people I know and is better travelled too! Still seeing my Son who lives with my ex-wife and our relationship is great. Saw my favourite musician, Mark Knopfler in concert - a first for me. Finally got a table at Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant too. Became a season ticket holder for my beloved Nottingham Forest aswell. I also got my weight and shape in order - long overdue and took a personal trainer to do it!
But above all of that, my mental and emotional health improved massively. For me, a big deal and I couldn't have done it without the most amazing 'head doctor' by my side.
Edited by Fun Bus on Saturday 7th December 21:12
Crap basically...
Job: Not been too bad, more of the same, but have been enjoying it less this year.
Cars: Low, not using the Caterham as much as I should have, just hadn't been in the mood for it. Highs, getting rid of the MkV Golf diesel and getting an MX-5 sport black. Also, driving an Atom and F360 around Donington as a 40th birthday gift from my lovely sister.
Relationship: Still with the woman from school. She gets me, I get her, that's been good.
Health: Norovirus wasn't fun. Had times where I was waking up with pain for an hour or so around my kidney over a period of five weeks, went away on its own as soon as I'd been to the docs and he'd said keep monitoring it. Been far too lazy rest of year. That said, I'm otherwise healthy.
Holidays: None. Too many work commitments and too many personal issues. Am now on holiday until new year though, so I get to rest. No plans, just recouperating.
Finances: We live comfortably, can't complain, but very little that I want to buy.
Anything else: My lovely sister lost her battle with cancer in June at the age of 42 Miss her dearly and have been emotionally all over the place ever since. We were close, got on really well, now involved in picking up the pieces of a husband she was about to get divorced from, and two young children who don't appear to be the priority of said husband. Life has basically changed completely for me now, whilst I didn't see my sis all the time, I just know she's not there now to talk to and be with
Job: Not been too bad, more of the same, but have been enjoying it less this year.
Cars: Low, not using the Caterham as much as I should have, just hadn't been in the mood for it. Highs, getting rid of the MkV Golf diesel and getting an MX-5 sport black. Also, driving an Atom and F360 around Donington as a 40th birthday gift from my lovely sister.
Relationship: Still with the woman from school. She gets me, I get her, that's been good.
Health: Norovirus wasn't fun. Had times where I was waking up with pain for an hour or so around my kidney over a period of five weeks, went away on its own as soon as I'd been to the docs and he'd said keep monitoring it. Been far too lazy rest of year. That said, I'm otherwise healthy.
Holidays: None. Too many work commitments and too many personal issues. Am now on holiday until new year though, so I get to rest. No plans, just recouperating.
Finances: We live comfortably, can't complain, but very little that I want to buy.
Anything else: My lovely sister lost her battle with cancer in June at the age of 42
Miss her dearly and have been emotionally all over the place ever since. We were close, got on really well, now involved in picking up the pieces of a husband she was about to get divorced from, and two young children who don't appear to be the priority of said husband. Life has basically changed completely for me now, whilst I didn't see my sis all the time, I just know she's not there now to talk to and be with Job: No change and coming up to 7 years this April ... I'd like to move on, but it's a public sector job and pretty much what most would consider a job for life.
Cars: No change. I've owned it for 4.5 years now! I test drove a Z4M this morning. Awesome car, but I don't know whether it'll persuade me away from Lotus ...
Relationship: Met a lovely girl through PoF. We've been going out for nearly 3 months now and I couldn't be happier!
Health: Got back into mountain biking and became more interested in fitness! Lost 2.5 stone, although I want to lose another 1-2 stone.
Holidays: No holidays this year, but looking to go to Venice with the girlfriend in 2014
Finances: Spent more than I've earned, mainly on new clothes ...
Cars: No change. I've owned it for 4.5 years now! I test drove a Z4M this morning. Awesome car, but I don't know whether it'll persuade me away from Lotus ...
Relationship: Met a lovely girl through PoF. We've been going out for nearly 3 months now and I couldn't be happier!
Health: Got back into mountain biking and became more interested in fitness! Lost 2.5 stone, although I want to lose another 1-2 stone.
Holidays: No holidays this year, but looking to go to Venice with the girlfriend in 2014
Finances: Spent more than I've earned, mainly on new clothes ...
Job: Still in the job I hate, started my sixth year in September. Job hunting come the new year though.
Cars: Sold my car in February and got a bike instead, 10,000 miles+ since then, I have got a shed for if I need a car though, but chances are that will be going come the end of January when the tax runs out as I can't afford to run a bike and car.
Relationship: Met a girl New Years Eve last year online, took a while, but we are now together.
Health: Put some weight on, lost some weight, put some on...
Holidays: None
Finances: Spent way more than I can afford really, bike on finance, credit card to pay for my bike lessons/tests/gear, currently in about £5,000 worth of debt, however, its manageable (just!).
Anything else: Starting to regret not applying for Dorset Police, despite waiting nearly five years for them to do so. But too late to do anything about it now.
Cars: Sold my car in February and got a bike instead, 10,000 miles+ since then, I have got a shed for if I need a car though, but chances are that will be going come the end of January when the tax runs out as I can't afford to run a bike and car.
Relationship: Met a girl New Years Eve last year online, took a while, but we are now together.
Health: Put some weight on, lost some weight, put some on...
Holidays: None
Finances: Spent way more than I can afford really, bike on finance, credit card to pay for my bike lessons/tests/gear, currently in about £5,000 worth of debt, however, its manageable (just!).
Anything else: Starting to regret not applying for Dorset Police, despite waiting nearly five years for them to do so. But too late to do anything about it now.
Job: still s
te, hate it, hate the people, hate the monotony, still haven't got around to fixing it.
Cars: still got a VW Bora which is on the vinegar strokes of 200,000 miles. Bought a 1974 VW Campervan and have never been so happy with a vehicle in all my life!
Relationship: married for three years this year, celebrated by doing feck all!
Health: still fat. Did a proper diet for the first time, lost 1/2 stone in one week, put it back on the next week even though I did more exercise and ate less ste. Diets are s.
Holidays: Lots of mini adventures in Dave the Campervan. Nothing longer than a weekend unfortunately
Finances: got none of this stuff
misc: became a Daddy for the first time!! My little lad, James, joined the world on 15th August and has been awake EVER fkING SINCE.
te, hate it, hate the people, hate the monotony, still haven't got around to fixing it.Cars: still got a VW Bora which is on the vinegar strokes of 200,000 miles. Bought a 1974 VW Campervan and have never been so happy with a vehicle in all my life!
Relationship: married for three years this year, celebrated by doing feck all!
Health: still fat. Did a proper diet for the first time, lost 1/2 stone in one week, put it back on the next week even though I did more exercise and ate less s
te. Diets are s.Holidays: Lots of mini adventures in Dave the Campervan. Nothing longer than a weekend unfortunately
Finances: got none of this stuff
misc: became a Daddy for the first time!! My little lad, James, joined the world on 15th August and has been awake EVER f
kING SINCE. Job: Got to an accreditation standard recognised by the industry. Though obviously "in the current financial situation" means no actual payrise. Overall good. Some days better than others of course.
Cars: No change. Same car since April last year. Done maybe 3k this year
Relationship: Single. I've not even met a single person this year that I could imagine being in a relationship with. It bothers sometimes but then I realise that I'm better off without another person to worry about. I have my routine and my foibles. I like the freedom to do what I want, when I want. Others seem to think it's a bigger deal to be single/no dependents and mid 30s than I do. I don't even miss the lack of regular sex. (Maybe I've inadvertently become Japanese
)
Health: Few sports related injury niggles. Nothing too serious
Holidays: Nope. But a long weekend in Berlin planned for next year.
Finances: Saving hard. No GF means any outgoings are kept to a minimum since I'm only impacting myself.
Few other things that I won't be posting on here.
Cars: No change. Same car since April last year. Done maybe 3k this year
Relationship: Single. I've not even met a single person this year that I could imagine being in a relationship with. It bothers sometimes but then I realise that I'm better off without another person to worry about. I have my routine and my foibles. I like the freedom to do what I want, when I want. Others seem to think it's a bigger deal to be single/no dependents and mid 30s than I do. I don't even miss the lack of regular sex. (Maybe I've inadvertently become Japanese
)Health: Few sports related injury niggles. Nothing too serious
Holidays: Nope. But a long weekend in Berlin planned for next year.
Finances: Saving hard. No GF means any outgoings are kept to a minimum since I'm only impacting myself.
Few other things that I won't be posting on here.
High - our little boy was born in April. Bought new house and renovated.
Lows - My wife had a very difficult birth and is still recovering in some ways. My Mum was diagnosed with not one, but two cancers (unrelated to each other, million to one shot). She is reeling from the effects of major surgery. Wife's Mum suffered healths issues also.
In all I will be happy to leave 2013 behind, but having our son was fantastic. Good things to come for all I hope in 2014.
Lows - My wife had a very difficult birth and is still recovering in some ways. My Mum was diagnosed with not one, but two cancers (unrelated to each other, million to one shot). She is reeling from the effects of major surgery. Wife's Mum suffered healths issues also.
In all I will be happy to leave 2013 behind, but having our son was fantastic. Good things to come for all I hope in 2014.
Job: High-Started in an engineering graduate role straight from uni, currently loving the work. Low-Not much really!
Car: Highs-Bought a Mazda 2 (my first car I've owned), does everything I need it to. Low-Going to need a service and some tyres soon so will soon become more expensive than it has been and it really needs a 6th gear.
Uni: High-Graduating with a 2:1 MEng from one of the best unis in the country after 4 hard years of work. Low-Having two mini-breakdowns during my final year, one during my final project when I thought I'd cocked everything up close to the end, and another when I failed a module and thought my chance of a 2:1 had gone down the pan.
Relationships:
Holidays: Excellent holiday to Scotland with the family, canoeing alongside dolphins a particular highlight!
Sport: High-Running 1:21.05 off fk all training at the Bath Half. Low-All the time I've had to have off with uni work and an achilles injury in the spring, and illness at the back end of the year.
Anything else: High-Having money is really nice after 4 years at uni, some big nights out that have been memorable for all the right reasons. Lows-Still living at home 6 months after graduating.
Car: Highs-Bought a Mazda 2 (my first car I've owned), does everything I need it to. Low-Going to need a service and some tyres soon so will soon become more expensive than it has been and it really needs a 6th gear.
Uni: High-Graduating with a 2:1 MEng from one of the best unis in the country after 4 hard years of work. Low-Having two mini-breakdowns during my final year, one during my final project when I thought I'd cocked everything up close to the end, and another when I failed a module and thought my chance of a 2:1 had gone down the pan.
Relationships:
Holidays: Excellent holiday to Scotland with the family, canoeing alongside dolphins a particular highlight!
Sport: High-Running 1:21.05 off f
k all training at the Bath Half. Low-All the time I've had to have off with uni work and an achilles injury in the spring, and illness at the back end of the year.Anything else: High-Having money is really nice after 4 years at uni, some big nights out that have been memorable for all the right reasons. Lows-Still living at home 6 months after graduating.
Job: Still a (not very powerfully built) company director (meaningless as I'm also the chief cook and bottlewasher here at EskiArap Inc). Hard to get work/life balance, but the highlight was seeing one of my boyhood heroes using one of my products on YouTube.
Cars: Added 2 NSXs and a Stratos replica to the stable, so very happy.
Relationship: Just had our second anniversary. Going very well.
Health: Sometimes bits of me stop working properly for a while, but no significant worries.
Holidays: Japan, Portugal and Berlin this year.
Finances: OK, but currently off the property ladder which makes me feel vaguely insecure.
Overall, more than happy. Only minor) low is that two years after moving here, I've still not made any real friends. Probably my own fault as I hardly make time!
Cars: Added 2 NSXs and a Stratos replica to the stable, so very happy.
Relationship: Just had our second anniversary. Going very well.
Health: Sometimes bits of me stop working properly for a while, but no significant worries.
Holidays: Japan, Portugal and Berlin this year.
Finances: OK, but currently off the property ladder which makes me feel vaguely insecure.
Overall, more than happy. Only minor) low is that two years after moving here, I've still not made any real friends. Probably my own fault as I hardly make time!
Job: Same as last year. Been here now for just over two years and still liking some aspects, but wondering if this is what I actually want to be doing. Not too bad though for now. Not a high or low really.
Cars: My old one was costing me lots of money every month to keep on the road (and gave me my first "side of the road" breakdown). Part ex'ed it for it's bigger brother and know I did the right thing. It's a lot better and isn't going wrong! (Touch wood). I think that's a high overall
Relationship: There isn't one, wasn't one, and for the foreseeable future don't intend for there to be one. High.
Health: Pretty good. Bit of a scare seeing how much weight I'd lost due to erratic/sometimes nonexistent mealtimes at work. I'm already pretty thin, so I've made sure that doesn't continue. Will end on a high.
Holidays I had two weeks off work at the start of March, and another two at the start of October. Didn't really go anywhere as I didn't feel the inclination. Going half a year without a real break was tiring though. Low.
Finances: They're good enough. I'm 20, living at home paying rent/housekeeping, have a decent enough wage and not really any other outgoings. For now, high
Pretty standard year really. I'm not the most exciting person (I had some chilli with lunch today, which I thought was daring) so don't tend to go out and about that much. Had to give up something I'd been a part of for 7 years back in June. Not too sad about leaving the organisation, but I don't get to see the friends I made as much as I'd like anymore. Excellent memories though, and that's always a good thing
Cars: My old one was costing me lots of money every month to keep on the road (and gave me my first "side of the road" breakdown). Part ex'ed it for it's bigger brother and know I did the right thing. It's a lot better and isn't going wrong! (Touch wood). I think that's a high overall
Relationship: There isn't one, wasn't one, and for the foreseeable future don't intend for there to be one. High.
Health: Pretty good. Bit of a scare seeing how much weight I'd lost due to erratic/sometimes nonexistent mealtimes at work. I'm already pretty thin, so I've made sure that doesn't continue. Will end on a high.
Holidays I had two weeks off work at the start of March, and another two at the start of October. Didn't really go anywhere as I didn't feel the inclination. Going half a year without a real break was tiring though. Low.
Finances: They're good enough. I'm 20, living at home paying rent/housekeeping, have a decent enough wage and not really any other outgoings. For now, high
Pretty standard year really. I'm not the most exciting person (I had some chilli with lunch today, which I thought was daring) so don't tend to go out and about that much. Had to give up something I'd been a part of for 7 years back in June. Not too sad about leaving the organisation, but I don't get to see the friends I made as much as I'd like anymore. Excellent memories though, and that's always a good thing
Job: Still a student, but one exam f
kup later and I'm at a new uni on a new course - and enjoying it a lot more!Cars: No change here, still 2 Land Rovers. However, I now have access to a rather nice Audi A6 twin turbo as well
Relationship: Had one, she had major mental, I binned it off after about 4 months. Currently trying to get together with a really sweet girl I've met
Health: Now that I walk 200 metres onto campus rather than cycle 2 miles, the pounds have started coming back and my stamina has plummeted. Must cut out the after-dinner jam donuts!
Holidays: Just a week in Gran Canaria this year. Too many summer shows on the diary prevented anything longer/further away
Finances: Also more outgoing than incoming, even with a part time job. Every time I cut down on frivolous purchases, something else comes up and bites me.
Anything else: A better year overall than 2012, but still not a patch on 2011
Job: Not really progressing as well as I've liked - most probably have to tighten the belt next year... been a lot of back stabbing and broken promises just hope things change for the better next year.
Cars: What can I say, top of the world owning my current car but unfortunately due to job looks like it has to go next year unless something changes
Relationship: 10 year anniversary next year looking forward to it
Health: Better this year than last.
Holidays Not ha a proper holiday this year at all but manage to have a few short UK breaks.
Finances: Been ok this year but I guess there is only so long you can enjoy living the high life...
I wouldn't say it's a bad year but definitely not looking so good for the next year - I hope I am wrong though
Cars: What can I say, top of the world owning my current car but unfortunately due to job looks like it has to go next year unless something changes
Relationship: 10 year anniversary next year looking forward to it
Health: Better this year than last.
Holidays Not ha a proper holiday this year at all but manage to have a few short UK breaks.
Finances: Been ok this year but I guess there is only so long you can enjoy living the high life...
I wouldn't say it's a bad year but definitely not looking so good for the next year - I hope I am wrong though
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