How has 2015 been for you?
Discussion
I thought it was about time for the annual review post again, so here's my 2015. How's your year been? 
Job: Been teaching in a secondary school all year, which I love but it can be hard work at times! 2nd full year as a qualified teacher and I'm still happy; must be mad.
Cars: Boring, but functional for me this year. Got rid of the '09 Jazz in January, briefly had an '06 Micra in the spring, now in an '03 Yaris Auto we've had since March. Done nearly 15k including an amazing 5k mile roadtrip round Scandinavia. Will probably keep it for a few years yet.
Love Life: Together nearly 5.5 years, had a small wedding celebration in April with family and friends after eloping in 2014. Genuinely have never been happier, she's definitely a keeper and things just seem to get better and better!
Health: Had some wisdom tooth problems and a few colds, but mostly healthy. Bought a new bike for commuting to work in June and I've managed over 100 rides so far this year, which helps with fitness! Climbed our first Munro in Scotland and some big peaks in Norway in summer too.
Holidays: Had a week in the Scottish Highlands, then drove from Perthshire straight to Sweden and enjoyed an epic 4-week roadtrip around Norway and Sweden. We camped most nights and saw some seriously spectacular places. Probably one of my favourite holidays ever.
Anything else: Got our home just as we want it now, made some good friends in 2015, took up a new hobby of geocaching and my family remain mostly happy and healthy too.
Goals for 2016: Sadly the same almost the same as I said a year ago, "get back into my hobbies including taking more photos, hiking more and getting fitter - barely touched the camera in 2015, just like 2014! Might move away from Milton Keynes in 2016 as well." Oh well, mostly a positive 12 months and I'll try and hit those goals in 2016!
Job: Been teaching in a secondary school all year, which I love but it can be hard work at times! 2nd full year as a qualified teacher and I'm still happy; must be mad.
Cars: Boring, but functional for me this year. Got rid of the '09 Jazz in January, briefly had an '06 Micra in the spring, now in an '03 Yaris Auto we've had since March. Done nearly 15k including an amazing 5k mile roadtrip round Scandinavia. Will probably keep it for a few years yet.
Love Life: Together nearly 5.5 years, had a small wedding celebration in April with family and friends after eloping in 2014. Genuinely have never been happier, she's definitely a keeper and things just seem to get better and better!
Health: Had some wisdom tooth problems and a few colds, but mostly healthy. Bought a new bike for commuting to work in June and I've managed over 100 rides so far this year, which helps with fitness! Climbed our first Munro in Scotland and some big peaks in Norway in summer too.
Holidays: Had a week in the Scottish Highlands, then drove from Perthshire straight to Sweden and enjoyed an epic 4-week roadtrip around Norway and Sweden. We camped most nights and saw some seriously spectacular places. Probably one of my favourite holidays ever.
Anything else: Got our home just as we want it now, made some good friends in 2015, took up a new hobby of geocaching and my family remain mostly happy and healthy too.
Goals for 2016: Sadly the same almost the same as I said a year ago, "get back into my hobbies including taking more photos, hiking more and getting fitter - barely touched the camera in 2015, just like 2014! Might move away from Milton Keynes in 2016 as well." Oh well, mostly a positive 12 months and I'll try and hit those goals in 2016!
Job: Self-employment continuing to pay its way just about, getting more and more circuit motorsport and TV work with several new ideas and contracts awaiting for 2015 which should be confirmed in the new year. Couple of things still up in the air but that's freelancing for you.
Cars: Finally replaced my long-suffering Peugeot in May and bought a Ford Focus Sport. Dropped the Peugeot off with its new owner, drove home, and less than 12 hours later had an epileptic seizure and haven't been able to drive since. Either I've bought a cursed car or the old one has taken its revenge on me for selling it!
Love Life: Non-existent, I would rather remain single.
Health: After the above-mentioned seizure I had another one a couple of weeks later which dislocated my shoulder, and then about three weeks after that a third which left me with a broken collarbone. Thankfully it is now under control through drugs, my collarbone is now healed and I have just about full movement back in my arm, and as all three seizures happened in my sleep I will be able to reapply for my driving licence next summer. So in other words, this year healthwise has been crap.
Holidays: I don't do holidays unless they are motorsport-related, so none this year.
Anything else: Slowly overcoming my anxiety problems away from my work but am still frightened of becoming overconfident and arrogant and that causing me trouble. It's a difficult thing to get round (I have had mental problems all my life) and does affect my ability to form friendships, but my own self-hatred has dropped somewhat.
Goals for 2016: Get my driving licence back, find as much TV and circuit work as possible, improve my mental heath further, maybe do some more exercising.
Cars: Finally replaced my long-suffering Peugeot in May and bought a Ford Focus Sport. Dropped the Peugeot off with its new owner, drove home, and less than 12 hours later had an epileptic seizure and haven't been able to drive since. Either I've bought a cursed car or the old one has taken its revenge on me for selling it!
Love Life: Non-existent, I would rather remain single.
Health: After the above-mentioned seizure I had another one a couple of weeks later which dislocated my shoulder, and then about three weeks after that a third which left me with a broken collarbone. Thankfully it is now under control through drugs, my collarbone is now healed and I have just about full movement back in my arm, and as all three seizures happened in my sleep I will be able to reapply for my driving licence next summer. So in other words, this year healthwise has been crap.
Holidays: I don't do holidays unless they are motorsport-related, so none this year.
Anything else: Slowly overcoming my anxiety problems away from my work but am still frightened of becoming overconfident and arrogant and that causing me trouble. It's a difficult thing to get round (I have had mental problems all my life) and does affect my ability to form friendships, but my own self-hatred has dropped somewhat.
Goals for 2016: Get my driving licence back, find as much TV and circuit work as possible, improve my mental heath further, maybe do some more exercising.
Job: Last Thursday I was told to resign or be fired. Really nice just before Xmas. After 20 months served, it appears I have no rights. Fortunately I was already actively hunting for another role as I could see how I was being set up.
Cars: Same old boring Octavia vRS. But now with a naughty engine...
Love Life: Married 11 years!
Health: Just before I was effectively fired, I put my back out. Worst I've ever done it. Apart from that, pretty good.
Holidays: A week in Suffolk, some time in Devon, Easter in Portugal, October half term in Rome and 10 days in our French house.
Anything else: Trying to sell the house, in fact the chain completed today. Job news might well scupper that!
Goals for 2016: Get a job
Oh, and get my ex-boss and the troublemaker fired. They forget I know about gross misconduct event they were involved in 
Cars: Same old boring Octavia vRS. But now with a naughty engine...
Love Life: Married 11 years!
Health: Just before I was effectively fired, I put my back out. Worst I've ever done it. Apart from that, pretty good.
Holidays: A week in Suffolk, some time in Devon, Easter in Portugal, October half term in Rome and 10 days in our French house.
Anything else: Trying to sell the house, in fact the chain completed today. Job news might well scupper that!
Goals for 2016: Get a job
Oh, and get my ex-boss and the troublemaker fired. They forget I know about gross misconduct event they were involved in Job: Good, not much change from 2014 but that's no bad thing since the oil and gas industry is taking a bit of a dive - we have plenty on for next year so no worries, I stopped contracting early 2014 and took a job on the books, a very good move on reflection.
Cars: Leased Volvo went back so my second car, the Clio, became my main car, I've threatened to buy something else, from a new Civic Type R (finance deals were criminal) to a Volvo V60 Polestar, but being the tight Yorkshire man that I am I dither for months on end before doing anything about it - maybe in 2016, my birthday is in April, perhaps I'll treat myself :wink:
Live life: No change here, just plodding on, together five and a half years, she still has the patience of a saint, too.
Health: I've put about a stone in weight on, due to an initial bout of laziness, I'm currently working at getting rid of that and it's shifting nicely - Christmas is near though and as usual that becomes a bit of a booze and food fest.
Holidays: Prague with my brother was a good laugh, the boss lady and I did Download Festival and that was it - we've spent a lot on the house so that has taken priority, we have two weeks in Costa Rica booked in for March though.
Anything else: Not much really, the last work to do on the house is the kitchen - it's being put in next March when we are away, as we can't be arsed living in a building site anymore!
Goals for 2016: Stone to lose, a guitar to pick back up and my degree (electrical engineering) to start.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all!
Cars: Leased Volvo went back so my second car, the Clio, became my main car, I've threatened to buy something else, from a new Civic Type R (finance deals were criminal) to a Volvo V60 Polestar, but being the tight Yorkshire man that I am I dither for months on end before doing anything about it - maybe in 2016, my birthday is in April, perhaps I'll treat myself :wink:
Live life: No change here, just plodding on, together five and a half years, she still has the patience of a saint, too.
Health: I've put about a stone in weight on, due to an initial bout of laziness, I'm currently working at getting rid of that and it's shifting nicely - Christmas is near though and as usual that becomes a bit of a booze and food fest.
Holidays: Prague with my brother was a good laugh, the boss lady and I did Download Festival and that was it - we've spent a lot on the house so that has taken priority, we have two weeks in Costa Rica booked in for March though.
Anything else: Not much really, the last work to do on the house is the kitchen - it's being put in next March when we are away, as we can't be arsed living in a building site anymore!
Goals for 2016: Stone to lose, a guitar to pick back up and my degree (electrical engineering) to start.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all!
Job: Training course going well but still stuck in the same crappy job having been unable to find an alternative
Cars: Stuck with the 406, which went straight through the MOT but then blew the radiator and clutch a few months apart. Don't have the spare cash or enthusiasm to chop and change right now.
Love Life: Still single, living by myself. One very brief encounter from POF in the summer, haven't logged in there since
Health: Fine
Holidays: None, can't afford it
Anything else: Granddad died recently, funeral is on the 23rd so Christmas is officially cancelled in our family
Goals for 2016: New job first and foremost
Cars: Stuck with the 406, which went straight through the MOT but then blew the radiator and clutch a few months apart. Don't have the spare cash or enthusiasm to chop and change right now.
Love Life: Still single, living by myself. One very brief encounter from POF in the summer, haven't logged in there since
Health: Fine
Holidays: None, can't afford it
Anything else: Granddad died recently, funeral is on the 23rd so Christmas is officially cancelled in our family
Goals for 2016: New job first and foremost
Job: Left a dead-end job where I wasn't valued, working for a technologically backward company and started a new job which couldn't be better.
Cars: Nowt. Fireblade and Fiesta still in service. Things may change next year.
Love Life: I've masturbated a lot. A LOT.
Health: I'm fatter than I was.
Holidays: Going to Canada soon.
Anything else: 2015 has been a big year of change and achieving things. 2016 looks like it might be even better.
Goals for 2016: Focus RS. Ducati Multistrada S. Get fit.
Cars: Nowt. Fireblade and Fiesta still in service. Things may change next year.
Love Life: I've masturbated a lot. A LOT.
Health: I'm fatter than I was.
Holidays: Going to Canada soon.
Anything else: 2015 has been a big year of change and achieving things. 2016 looks like it might be even better.
Goals for 2016: Focus RS. Ducati Multistrada S. Get fit.
Job: O&G industry is in dire straits; this year has been tough to say the least. At least I still have my job I guess.
Cars: Still have my 6 series, still love it.
Love Life: Broke up end of Feb; that was pretty grim.
Health: my local supermarket loves me, my work shirts don't.
Holidays: just back from 2 awesome weeks in Hawaii.
Anything else: Tough year; stressful and depressing at times. Good points include moving into a nice part of central London, the holiday and a few other small things of note.
Goals for 2016: New job I reckon. And new work shirts.
Cars: Still have my 6 series, still love it.
Love Life: Broke up end of Feb; that was pretty grim.
Health: my local supermarket loves me, my work shirts don't.
Holidays: just back from 2 awesome weeks in Hawaii.
Anything else: Tough year; stressful and depressing at times. Good points include moving into a nice part of central London, the holiday and a few other small things of note.
Goals for 2016: New job I reckon. And new work shirts.
Job: looking at my work planner for the year i have only spent 45 days at home this year vs 249 onsite in other countries. i am sure you will agree that this is ridiculous. survived redundancy at least but now the dust has settled on the restructure the landscape isn't looking all that great. the thrill is gone as they say.
Cars: bought an elise at the very end of last year. love it to bits but don't get to drive it very often
rented space in a shared lockup with my mate to store and work on our cars which for dubai is an extremely hard thing to come by. my locost build hasn't progressed much thanks to my wonderful work/life balance but at least it now resides somewhere suitable rather than my apartment parking space. the clio cup racer was proving a cracking buy for trackdays and auto-x until my mate/co-owner buzzed the engine on a downshift and it needed a new one. he's fitted it but is chasing ecu gremlins.
pretty annoyed i didn't have much time for more fun motoring or motorsport this year. for the last few years i've marshalled the abu dhabi f1 as well as spannering for local teams svdp racing and zrt racing the dubai and barcelona rounds of the creventic 24H series. this year i've missed the lot due to work...
Love Life: 2 thumbs up. hit a purple patch this year for sure. its been fun but i'm still single mainly due to working away and the accompanying inability to make any plans.
Health: caught amoebiasis in SE asia back in march which meant several days of delirious fever and the worst journey ever to get to a decent hospital!! my guts haven't been right since. lost some weight then found it again.
Holidays: my job has taken me to some cool places and revisit some others that i'd previously written off as crap such as dakar. a week in stockholm/talinn, a week in the uk and a long weekend in bangkok was all i managed for 'proper' holiday and the rest of my leave rotations were spent in the workshop. looking forward to monday and the start of my 4 weeks off!
Anything else: parents are getting older and dad had a cancer scare which makes me think about things i'd rather not have to. very glad to have been in the uk when he saw the consultant though.
a really great guy i worked with over summer died aged 32 leaving behind a wife and 2 kids. another mate i work with who is 36/wife/1 kid just had a major heart op. this has put a lot of things into perspective and made me question what direction to take next.
Goals for 2016:
a new job, a new country to live in, a new adventure.
get the elise in tip top condition, built and sell the locost, race the clio with my mate jase.
class wins for zrt I'm everything we enter!
http://www.zettanetracing.com
Cars: bought an elise at the very end of last year. love it to bits but don't get to drive it very often
rented space in a shared lockup with my mate to store and work on our cars which for dubai is an extremely hard thing to come by. my locost build hasn't progressed much thanks to my wonderful work/life balance but at least it now resides somewhere suitable rather than my apartment parking space. the clio cup racer was proving a cracking buy for trackdays and auto-x until my mate/co-owner buzzed the engine on a downshift and it needed a new one. he's fitted it but is chasing ecu gremlins. pretty annoyed i didn't have much time for more fun motoring or motorsport this year. for the last few years i've marshalled the abu dhabi f1 as well as spannering for local teams svdp racing and zrt racing the dubai and barcelona rounds of the creventic 24H series. this year i've missed the lot due to work...
Love Life: 2 thumbs up. hit a purple patch this year for sure. its been fun but i'm still single mainly due to working away and the accompanying inability to make any plans.
Health: caught amoebiasis in SE asia back in march which meant several days of delirious fever and the worst journey ever to get to a decent hospital!! my guts haven't been right since. lost some weight then found it again.
Holidays: my job has taken me to some cool places and revisit some others that i'd previously written off as crap such as dakar. a week in stockholm/talinn, a week in the uk and a long weekend in bangkok was all i managed for 'proper' holiday and the rest of my leave rotations were spent in the workshop. looking forward to monday and the start of my 4 weeks off!
Anything else: parents are getting older and dad had a cancer scare which makes me think about things i'd rather not have to. very glad to have been in the uk when he saw the consultant though.
a really great guy i worked with over summer died aged 32 leaving behind a wife and 2 kids. another mate i work with who is 36/wife/1 kid just had a major heart op. this has put a lot of things into perspective and made me question what direction to take next.
Goals for 2016:
a new job, a new country to live in, a new adventure.
get the elise in tip top condition, built and sell the locost, race the clio with my mate jase.
class wins for zrt I'm everything we enter!
http://www.zettanetracing.com
Edited by shirt on Wednesday 16th December 04:29
Job: Love my job, despite being a desk job in the finance industry. Work in a great company with talented people. Been put forward for management and find out before xmas.
Cars: Running a 2011 Ford Focus as family car and bought a new to me Suzuki Swift Sport in February. All boring really.
Love Life: celebrated being with my wife for 15 years this year. Not bad going since we got together at 17 and our relationship still feels like it did in the first few months.
Health: The highlight of the year for me. I had let my self go, reached near on 14 stone, ate s
t and smoked to much, a real sore point for me as I used to be extremely fit. Started group training on July 22nd and gave up smoking the night before. I was violently sick after my first session and slept all day when I got in. I have now lost 3 stone, toned up and fee as fit and as strong as I did when I was 18.
Holidays: Nothing interesting as our little lad is one and we didn't fancy any long haul flights. Went to France for a 2 week holiday and I flew to London with the lads for a weekend away.
Anything else: The best thing about 2015 was watching my little boy turn into a little person with his own personality and qualities.
Goals for 2016: Learn Italian so I can have a conversation with my dad in his mother tongue. Sell my apartment and buy a house. Sell the focus and buy another family car (thinking Ford S Max) and depending on my promotion sell the Swift and buy a new car for me. Keep the fitness up. But most importantly continue to spend as much time as possible with family and friends, having a laugh and enjoying life.
Cars: Running a 2011 Ford Focus as family car and bought a new to me Suzuki Swift Sport in February. All boring really.
Love Life: celebrated being with my wife for 15 years this year. Not bad going since we got together at 17 and our relationship still feels like it did in the first few months.
Health: The highlight of the year for me. I had let my self go, reached near on 14 stone, ate s
t and smoked to much, a real sore point for me as I used to be extremely fit. Started group training on July 22nd and gave up smoking the night before. I was violently sick after my first session and slept all day when I got in. I have now lost 3 stone, toned up and fee as fit and as strong as I did when I was 18.Holidays: Nothing interesting as our little lad is one and we didn't fancy any long haul flights. Went to France for a 2 week holiday and I flew to London with the lads for a weekend away.
Anything else: The best thing about 2015 was watching my little boy turn into a little person with his own personality and qualities.
Goals for 2016: Learn Italian so I can have a conversation with my dad in his mother tongue. Sell my apartment and buy a house. Sell the focus and buy another family car (thinking Ford S Max) and depending on my promotion sell the Swift and buy a new car for me. Keep the fitness up. But most importantly continue to spend as much time as possible with family and friends, having a laugh and enjoying life.
Edited by megapixels83 on Tuesday 15th December 20:01
Job: Fun. Getting busier and busier to stage where I can no longer cope.
Cars: Nice work car. Family car getting on a bit, but nice place to be.
Love Life: Got Married
Health: I'm alive.
Holidays: I got married and had a great 10 days in various parts of USA
Anything else: Had to work hard, not enough family time. Now away at least 2 nights a week, most weeks.
Goals for 2016: Get new help busy busy. Do a few less miles. Spend more time with the family. Stop working at weekends.
Cars: Nice work car. Family car getting on a bit, but nice place to be.
Love Life: Got Married
Health: I'm alive.
Holidays: I got married and had a great 10 days in various parts of USA
Anything else: Had to work hard, not enough family time. Now away at least 2 nights a week, most weeks.
Goals for 2016: Get new help busy busy. Do a few less miles. Spend more time with the family. Stop working at weekends.
Job: Crazy year, both colleges left last January leaving just myself holding the fort in my department with all of 6 months experience. Thankfully we're all good now, rebuilt and back up to full speed and enjoying it!
Cars: Still in the E39 540i, been on the road a lot more this year and all, actually working! Did a first track session thanks to PH at silverstone...not the best tool - smokey! (Tyres/brakes) just can't think what to change it to!
Love Life: Still with the GF, getting on for 5 years now!
Health: Still all good personally, still haven't shifted the excess weight though...will be on it next year!
Holidays: Given the work situation I've had only a week in Kos all year, but left the office on friday, to return in mid-January - off to South Africa on Boxing Day for a 3 week tour/road-trip
Anything else: 16 weeks into a house sale now, should complete soon! Moved everything out today and now living with the inlaws! Thing is there is a load of work to do - not been touched since the 60's so won't be moving in any time soon...
Goals for 2016: My appearance (wardrobe) and stubble was picked up in my interview, always been the type to head down and do but being front office this has to change, together with the health kick I'll have to become a bit more image conscious/refresh the work wardrobe
Cars: Still in the E39 540i, been on the road a lot more this year and all, actually working! Did a first track session thanks to PH at silverstone...not the best tool - smokey! (Tyres/brakes) just can't think what to change it to!
Love Life: Still with the GF, getting on for 5 years now!
Health: Still all good personally, still haven't shifted the excess weight though...will be on it next year!
Holidays: Given the work situation I've had only a week in Kos all year, but left the office on friday, to return in mid-January - off to South Africa on Boxing Day for a 3 week tour/road-trip
Anything else: 16 weeks into a house sale now, should complete soon! Moved everything out today and now living with the inlaws! Thing is there is a load of work to do - not been touched since the 60's so won't be moving in any time soon...
Goals for 2016: My appearance (wardrobe) and stubble was picked up in my interview, always been the type to head down and do but being front office this has to change, together with the health kick I'll have to become a bit more image conscious/refresh the work wardrobe
Job: I run my own business and have remained busy. Bills and taxes paid and some left over to play with so no complaints here. Recently moved into new premises and we're looking forward to progressing further in 2016. Hard work at times and I never really switch off but I enjoy what I do.
Cars: Started the year with an old (but cherished) Audi S8, now ending it with a Range Rover. My wife's always wanted one and I'd grown tired of the Audi so I thought I'd treat her.
Love life: Happily married and totally at the mercy of my nearly-4 year old daughter. Finger. Wrapped. Around.
Health: MrsABitLike was diagnosed with cancer in May. She's battled through it like a trooper and is now coming out the other side so looking forward to the new year and putting it behind us. NHS have been faultless from the start.
Holidays: Yeah... they all got canned due to the above. Will be making up for it next year.
Anything else: Finally get started decorating and renovating the house we moved into in 2014 and I should see my music 'career' (I say career; it's a semi-serious hobby) crawl back into life.
Goals for 2016: Convince Monica Bellucci to buy the house next door and find £40,000 from somewhere and buy an Integrale or Alfa SZ.
Cars: Started the year with an old (but cherished) Audi S8, now ending it with a Range Rover. My wife's always wanted one and I'd grown tired of the Audi so I thought I'd treat her.
Love life: Happily married and totally at the mercy of my nearly-4 year old daughter. Finger. Wrapped. Around.
Health: MrsABitLike was diagnosed with cancer in May. She's battled through it like a trooper and is now coming out the other side so looking forward to the new year and putting it behind us. NHS have been faultless from the start.
Holidays: Yeah... they all got canned due to the above. Will be making up for it next year.
Anything else: Finally get started decorating and renovating the house we moved into in 2014 and I should see my music 'career' (I say career; it's a semi-serious hobby) crawl back into life.
Goals for 2016: Convince Monica Bellucci to buy the house next door and find £40,000 from somewhere and buy an Integrale or Alfa SZ.
Job: After applying for jobs left, right and centre since November 2014 I finally started a new role in a new place back in August. Settled in really quickly, got to grips, manager very happy with how I've done. Only problem is I've realised just how my skills were wasited in my old role, I should have got out at least 18 months quicker as I was deeply unhappy, it wasn't a good environment. Contract is only for 2 years and I'm already looking around for the next step.
Cars: After four years in London, where I was within walking distance of my work place, I now need a car for commuting, so I took on my Dad's aging car. It's not flashy, but it's fast and I can't afford anything better at the moment.
Love Life: Three year anniversary with my OH. Really, really hope we'll be able to move in together in the first half of next year, difficult at the moment as his job is not very well paid and his job hunting is not going well either
Health: Apart from some stress from the aforementioned unhappy workplace, my health has been fine this year. Bits of eczema, bits of mild insomnia, but it could be worse!
Holidays: Long weekend to Edinburgh for our two year anniversary, lovely city, will go back with a car next time and stay on the outskirts so we can see more outside. Short weekend trip to Brighton, and a few last museums and other London places before I moved out of the capital.
Anything else: Currently living with my parents which has allowed me to put extra money towards a house deposit, it's still tiny but it has to start somewhere!
Goals for 2016: Bigger house deposit. Move in with OH. Drive car until it falls apart. Plan for 2017.
Cars: After four years in London, where I was within walking distance of my work place, I now need a car for commuting, so I took on my Dad's aging car. It's not flashy, but it's fast and I can't afford anything better at the moment.
Love Life: Three year anniversary with my OH. Really, really hope we'll be able to move in together in the first half of next year, difficult at the moment as his job is not very well paid and his job hunting is not going well either
Health: Apart from some stress from the aforementioned unhappy workplace, my health has been fine this year. Bits of eczema, bits of mild insomnia, but it could be worse!
Holidays: Long weekend to Edinburgh for our two year anniversary, lovely city, will go back with a car next time and stay on the outskirts so we can see more outside. Short weekend trip to Brighton, and a few last museums and other London places before I moved out of the capital.
Anything else: Currently living with my parents which has allowed me to put extra money towards a house deposit, it's still tiny but it has to start somewhere!
Goals for 2016: Bigger house deposit. Move in with OH. Drive car until it falls apart. Plan for 2017.
Job: I work in the oil industry offshore so it's been a year that started with a 20% paycut and continued with lots of stress and layoffs. I survived the cull by a slim margin but there isn't much work out there at all just now.
Cars: Started the year with a 2011 BMW X6 40d, saw the way work was going and got rid of it as it seemed a bit silly to have that much cash sitting in the drive when I was likely to be out of work soon. Bought a 2005 BMW 645ci to replace it using the excess cash from the PCP deal on the X6. It's a lovely thing that's cost some money to get sorted but should now be relatively cheap to run.
Love life: Happily married, still.
Health: Lots of stomachs pain turned out to be a bleeding ulcer at the start of the year (I do like a drink but I'm only 38), more pain after that was fixed was finally diagnosed as a buggered gallbladder. It's coming out in January.
Holidays: Cheaper ones this year Crete, Croatia, and Lanzarote.
Anything else: Lost my Granddad in the middle of the year, miss him loads. He was a tough ex lorry driver and had about 90 years of good health. He was 97 when he died and mentally sharp until the last few months. I'm now grandparentless.
Goals for 2016: Big road trip on the motorbike, not sure where yet. Get a proper grip of my finances and stop spending like it's a competitive sport. The job situation has given me a large dose of reality.
Cars: Started the year with a 2011 BMW X6 40d, saw the way work was going and got rid of it as it seemed a bit silly to have that much cash sitting in the drive when I was likely to be out of work soon. Bought a 2005 BMW 645ci to replace it using the excess cash from the PCP deal on the X6. It's a lovely thing that's cost some money to get sorted but should now be relatively cheap to run.
Love life: Happily married, still.
Health: Lots of stomachs pain turned out to be a bleeding ulcer at the start of the year (I do like a drink but I'm only 38), more pain after that was fixed was finally diagnosed as a buggered gallbladder. It's coming out in January.
Holidays: Cheaper ones this year Crete, Croatia, and Lanzarote.
Anything else: Lost my Granddad in the middle of the year, miss him loads. He was a tough ex lorry driver and had about 90 years of good health. He was 97 when he died and mentally sharp until the last few months. I'm now grandparentless.
Goals for 2016: Big road trip on the motorbike, not sure where yet. Get a proper grip of my finances and stop spending like it's a competitive sport. The job situation has given me a large dose of reality.
Job: Part time consultancy since retiring but must learn to say no more often and enjoy my freedom more.
Cars: Thought about changing the Caterham for a new Superlight but decided I would carry on giving my old one a regular spanking. Say no to avarice.
Love Life: Continue to have a few dates since being widowed 6 years ago but not found anybody I want to spend more time with. Don't need to try too hard to find new lady company as they are looking harder.
Health: No issues but will need to exercise more and cut down on the beers to keep weight under control.
Holidays: Learnt to take holidays this year - Paris for the New Year, Costa del Sol in Feb, Canaries in May, Le Mans in June, UK Festival in August and 2 weeks in Greece in October. All cheapies / self catering / camping / out of peak time and a complete change of character. Previously just 2 weeks in the summer.
Anything else: Discovered Serendipity - luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for.
Goals for 2016: Hope that people will see that at last I am genuinely at ease with myself and happy to make my own way rather than do what they expect me to do. Say WTF a bit more often and do more things spontaneously.
Cars: Thought about changing the Caterham for a new Superlight but decided I would carry on giving my old one a regular spanking. Say no to avarice.
Love Life: Continue to have a few dates since being widowed 6 years ago but not found anybody I want to spend more time with. Don't need to try too hard to find new lady company as they are looking harder.
Health: No issues but will need to exercise more and cut down on the beers to keep weight under control.
Holidays: Learnt to take holidays this year - Paris for the New Year, Costa del Sol in Feb, Canaries in May, Le Mans in June, UK Festival in August and 2 weeks in Greece in October. All cheapies / self catering / camping / out of peak time and a complete change of character. Previously just 2 weeks in the summer.
Anything else: Discovered Serendipity - luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for.
Goals for 2016: Hope that people will see that at last I am genuinely at ease with myself and happy to make my own way rather than do what they expect me to do. Say WTF a bit more often and do more things spontaneously.
Job: I started the year with the local authority and currently work for the NHS via an agency. It isn't permanent but is a means to an end. I'd really like a permanent position but the staff are great which is half the battle.
Motor: I started the year with my trusty first car, but the problems started to irk me which made a change all the more convincing.
I opted for a 2005 Ford Focus 1.6 Ghia which is well equipped and reliable, just what I need.
Love Life: N/A.
Health: Dentist happy, not visited the doctor and optician has noted an improvement in my vision.
Holidays: A weekend in London is about as adventurous as it got.
Anything Else: Happy to see two really close friends get engaged and start planning their respective weddings.
Upon reflection, this year could have been a lot worse. I'm not going to complain.
Goals for 2016: Try and save some more money and secure a permanent job. Invest more time into photography as I live on the doorstep of the Peak District.
Motor: I started the year with my trusty first car, but the problems started to irk me which made a change all the more convincing.
I opted for a 2005 Ford Focus 1.6 Ghia which is well equipped and reliable, just what I need.
Love Life: N/A.
Health: Dentist happy, not visited the doctor and optician has noted an improvement in my vision.
Holidays: A weekend in London is about as adventurous as it got.
Anything Else: Happy to see two really close friends get engaged and start planning their respective weddings.
Upon reflection, this year could have been a lot worse. I'm not going to complain.
Goals for 2016: Try and save some more money and secure a permanent job. Invest more time into photography as I live on the doorstep of the Peak District.
Edited by TorqueR on Tuesday 15th December 21:37
Job: Same crap different day, looked at new opportunities elsewhere but I've decided to stay where I am until I get a house.
Cars: Still got the A3, would love a weekend toy, but I cant afford it and even if I could I would have nowhere to keep it!
Love life: HAHAHAHAHAHA, a few dates here and there but nothing to write home about.
Health: Got back into my Mountain Biking big time, done a few enduro races. even got a road bike which is quite addictive! So my fitness on a whole is a lot better. I do need to loose 2 stone and strengthen my upper body somewhat though!
Holidays: 2 week California road trip in a Ford Mustang cornvertable witha good mate of mine, San Diego, Vegas, LA, San Francisco. one of the best holidays I've ever been on!
Anything else: Nothing really, not had much time for any kind of car related stuff really
Goals for 2016: Get a house, would be nice to find a female who will put up with me. Enter more Mountain bike races. Get a new job!
Cars: Still got the A3, would love a weekend toy, but I cant afford it and even if I could I would have nowhere to keep it!
Love life: HAHAHAHAHAHA, a few dates here and there but nothing to write home about.
Health: Got back into my Mountain Biking big time, done a few enduro races. even got a road bike which is quite addictive! So my fitness on a whole is a lot better. I do need to loose 2 stone and strengthen my upper body somewhat though!
Holidays: 2 week California road trip in a Ford Mustang cornvertable witha good mate of mine, San Diego, Vegas, LA, San Francisco. one of the best holidays I've ever been on!
Anything else: Nothing really, not had much time for any kind of car related stuff really
Goals for 2016: Get a house, would be nice to find a female who will put up with me. Enter more Mountain bike races. Get a new job!
Job: Same as the last 13 years. Lots of OT all through the summer again, enjoying some free time now. Christamas off for a change. Contract until Jan16, not sure what happens after that. Not that fussed tbh right now.
Cars: Still got the Yeti. Lease up in August 16. Tested the new CTR & BMW135i as possible replacments. Very much dependant on the above now! BMWS1000RR still gives me thrills.
Love Life: Superb. My little Romanian is just perfect and treats me like no one ever has. Getting married at the end of Feb 16. Can't wait.
Health: Really good. Training hard, in good shape. Lifting bigger numbers, feeling strong. Nothing negative to mention that I can think of
Holidays: Spent my 40th in Koh Phra Thong, Thailand. Was perfect. Brilliant 4k mile Eurotrip to Romania and back in June. A few weeekends away.
Anything else: It's been a great year really. My family are all well. Neice and nephews are growing up and becoming lovely young adults. I'm happy.
Goals for 2016: Again dependant on my job/contract for a lot... If it all goess south then we might bugger off travelling for a year or so. Want to keep training hard, get more cycling in as I've negelected that a bit. Would like to start my backpiece at some point. Want to work less in the summer and enjoy more of it with my new wife, if I'm still in this job.
Cars: Still got the Yeti. Lease up in August 16. Tested the new CTR & BMW135i as possible replacments. Very much dependant on the above now! BMWS1000RR still gives me thrills.
Love Life: Superb. My little Romanian is just perfect and treats me like no one ever has. Getting married at the end of Feb 16. Can't wait.
Health: Really good. Training hard, in good shape. Lifting bigger numbers, feeling strong. Nothing negative to mention that I can think of
Holidays: Spent my 40th in Koh Phra Thong, Thailand. Was perfect. Brilliant 4k mile Eurotrip to Romania and back in June. A few weeekends away.
Anything else: It's been a great year really. My family are all well. Neice and nephews are growing up and becoming lovely young adults. I'm happy.
Goals for 2016: Again dependant on my job/contract for a lot... If it all goess south then we might bugger off travelling for a year or so. Want to keep training hard, get more cycling in as I've negelected that a bit. Would like to start my backpiece at some point. Want to work less in the summer and enjoy more of it with my new wife, if I'm still in this job.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff