How has 2017 been for you?
Discussion
It's that time of year again to review the year almost over and I know it's probably too early, but sod it:
Overall: A tough year. Worked hard, enjoyed some great experiences and I'm happy, but need better work-life balance.
Job: Still teaching, now in my 4th year. Still enjoy it most days, but can see why so many are leaving the profession.
Car: My old faithful Yaris was written off by someone who "didn't see me" driving down the road. Replaced by an '05 Honda Jazz.
Holidays: The Scottish Highlands as ever (Braemar, Perthshire, Inverness and even John O'Groats), North Pennines with friends from the US, Northumberland and a day trip to Dublin for work. Also climbed a few hills including Ben Nevis, Scafell and the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Relationship: The best part of the year once again, been together nearly 8 years and I'm very happily married.
Health: Realised eating like crap, being lazy and not exercising enough can't go on forever and I need to do something about it. Joined a local mountain bike group in the summer, ate more salads, and bought an elliptical and some weights; just need to use them everyday now.
Anything else: Stopped biting my nails after 30 years, bought a few new toys this year; new camera, new Mac etc. Ironic to post it here, but I've hugely cut down my time-wasting on PH, social media and my phone, which has meant more time for reading and other interesting stuff.
Plans for 2018: The main things are to exercise more consistently and eat better. Got some good trips booked already; Iceland, NYE in Edinburgh, northern Scotland in May and want to get out hiking, cycling, camping a lot more in 2018 too and do a '52' photography challenge.
Old threads below to see if you actually did what you planned last year
2016 - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
2015 - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Overall: A tough year. Worked hard, enjoyed some great experiences and I'm happy, but need better work-life balance.
Job: Still teaching, now in my 4th year. Still enjoy it most days, but can see why so many are leaving the profession.
Car: My old faithful Yaris was written off by someone who "didn't see me" driving down the road. Replaced by an '05 Honda Jazz.
Holidays: The Scottish Highlands as ever (Braemar, Perthshire, Inverness and even John O'Groats), North Pennines with friends from the US, Northumberland and a day trip to Dublin for work. Also climbed a few hills including Ben Nevis, Scafell and the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Relationship: The best part of the year once again, been together nearly 8 years and I'm very happily married.
Health: Realised eating like crap, being lazy and not exercising enough can't go on forever and I need to do something about it. Joined a local mountain bike group in the summer, ate more salads, and bought an elliptical and some weights; just need to use them everyday now.
Anything else: Stopped biting my nails after 30 years, bought a few new toys this year; new camera, new Mac etc. Ironic to post it here, but I've hugely cut down my time-wasting on PH, social media and my phone, which has meant more time for reading and other interesting stuff.
Plans for 2018: The main things are to exercise more consistently and eat better. Got some good trips booked already; Iceland, NYE in Edinburgh, northern Scotland in May and want to get out hiking, cycling, camping a lot more in 2018 too and do a '52' photography challenge.
Old threads below to see if you actually did what you planned last year
2016 - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
2015 - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Interesting looking back at 2016. I have done some of what I wanted, I have two bikes on the road, I definitely have put my self out there more but I am still yet to buy a place and have shelved the idea for now.
Overall: A superb year really. I have done a ton of interesting things, visited some great places and had a great time with some great people. The down side is I do feel like I have been treading water in some respects so I am looking to make a change and move away for a bit. Fingers crossed for Canada.
Job: Business still good. Part time work remains rewarding.
Car: Faultless. Bikes have been a welcome reintroduction. My TRX is back on the road and I bought a little Kawasaki 500 as a project which has been going well.
Holidays: Few days in Berlin, a handful of trips Barca, a long weekend in Dublin and a weeks skiing. Also done a fair bit of camping locally which has been great. Loved it.
Relationship: Single after a tough breakup last year. Ok with it.
Health: Had a pretty solid effort in the gym for most of the year. Recently switched to calisthenics, enjoying it.
Anything else: A noticeable element to this year is how much 'life' has got in the way of some friendships. At the age where people are having kids, getting married etc. It's been quite a big change actually and has definitely been a driving factor in my plans going forward.
Plans for 2018: The big thing for me is to move away. I have submitted an application for a working holiday visa to Canada. It's a lottery now but I submitted my application early which gives me a fair chance so, as I said, fingers crossed.
Overall: A superb year really. I have done a ton of interesting things, visited some great places and had a great time with some great people. The down side is I do feel like I have been treading water in some respects so I am looking to make a change and move away for a bit. Fingers crossed for Canada.
Job: Business still good. Part time work remains rewarding.
Car: Faultless. Bikes have been a welcome reintroduction. My TRX is back on the road and I bought a little Kawasaki 500 as a project which has been going well.
Holidays: Few days in Berlin, a handful of trips Barca, a long weekend in Dublin and a weeks skiing. Also done a fair bit of camping locally which has been great. Loved it.
Relationship: Single after a tough breakup last year. Ok with it.
Health: Had a pretty solid effort in the gym for most of the year. Recently switched to calisthenics, enjoying it.
Anything else: A noticeable element to this year is how much 'life' has got in the way of some friendships. At the age where people are having kids, getting married etc. It's been quite a big change actually and has definitely been a driving factor in my plans going forward.
Plans for 2018: The big thing for me is to move away. I have submitted an application for a working holiday visa to Canada. It's a lottery now but I submitted my application early which gives me a fair chance so, as I said, fingers crossed.
v15ben said:
It's that time of year again to review the year almost over and I know it's probably too early, but sod it:
Overall: A tough year. Worked hard, enjoyed some great experiences and I'm happy, but need better work-life balance.
Job: Still teaching, now in my 4th year. Still enjoy it most days, but can see why so many are leaving the profession.
Car: My old faithful Yaris was written off by someone who "didn't see me" driving down the road. Replaced by an '05 Honda Jazz.
Holidays: The Scottish Highlands as ever (Braemar, Perthshire, Inverness and even John O'Groats), North Pennines with friends from the US, Northumberland and a day trip to Dublin for work. Also climbed a few hills including Ben Nevis, Scafell and the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Relationship: The best part of the year once again, been together nearly 8 years and I'm very happily married.
Health: Realised eating like crap, being lazy and not exercising enough can't go on forever and I need to do something about it. Joined a local mountain bike group in the summer, ate more salads, and bought an elliptical and some weights; just need to use them everyday now.
Anything else: Stopped biting my nails after 30 years, bought a few new toys this year; new camera, new Mac etc. Ironic to post it here, but I've hugely cut down my time-wasting on PH, social media and my phone, which has meant more time for reading and other interesting stuff.
Plans for 2018: The main things are to exercise more consistently and eat better. Got some good trips booked already; Iceland, NYE in Edinburgh, northern Scotland in May and want to get out hiking, cycling, camping a lot more in 2018 too and do a '52' photography challenge.
Old threads below to see if you actually did what you planned last year
2016 - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
2015 - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Overall: Not bad, partner and I both very busy with work, haven't been able to see either of our close friends as much.Overall: A tough year. Worked hard, enjoyed some great experiences and I'm happy, but need better work-life balance.
Job: Still teaching, now in my 4th year. Still enjoy it most days, but can see why so many are leaving the profession.
Car: My old faithful Yaris was written off by someone who "didn't see me" driving down the road. Replaced by an '05 Honda Jazz.
Holidays: The Scottish Highlands as ever (Braemar, Perthshire, Inverness and even John O'Groats), North Pennines with friends from the US, Northumberland and a day trip to Dublin for work. Also climbed a few hills including Ben Nevis, Scafell and the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
Relationship: The best part of the year once again, been together nearly 8 years and I'm very happily married.
Health: Realised eating like crap, being lazy and not exercising enough can't go on forever and I need to do something about it. Joined a local mountain bike group in the summer, ate more salads, and bought an elliptical and some weights; just need to use them everyday now.
Anything else: Stopped biting my nails after 30 years, bought a few new toys this year; new camera, new Mac etc. Ironic to post it here, but I've hugely cut down my time-wasting on PH, social media and my phone, which has meant more time for reading and other interesting stuff.
Plans for 2018: The main things are to exercise more consistently and eat better. Got some good trips booked already; Iceland, NYE in Edinburgh, northern Scotland in May and want to get out hiking, cycling, camping a lot more in 2018 too and do a '52' photography challenge.
Old threads below to see if you actually did what you planned last year
2016 - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
2015 - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Job: Same work but some big internal changes, possible new role in a few months.
Car: Still the same cars, likely to be changing the Land Rover to something else next year.
Holidays: Various long weekends away in the UK, Skiing in Chamonix March and Corfu in September but no holidays planned next year as saving for a marriage.
Relationship: Got engaged one day before my 30th!
Health: Lost just under half a stone at start of the year. Put it back on in the last 4 months
Anything else: Still bite my nails! Turned 30 too.
Plans for 2018: Work on the house (improvements), change car, probably another busy year in work, plan some long weekends away and definitely get back to exercise.
Overall: Very good. This year realised plans to relocate to the Algarve in Portugal 2 years ahead of schedule. Arrived in July and have loved every minute of being here. Never saw any rain for nearly 5 consecutive months! 99% of days clear blue skies and warm Sun. Beach only a 10 min walk away.
Job: Self-employed, profits up on last year. No complaints.
Car: Sold my beloved Golf R. Now own a very high spec Mini Countryman S E Hybrid. Ideal car for around here. Actually very impressed with it. Will get another car next year, sporty convertible most likely.
Holidays: Visited my sister in Texas but otherwise spent all my time at home in the Algarve; one of the best holiday destinations in itself.
Relationship: Still married! 12 years now. Happy.
Health: Getting fat! Need to cycle more.
Anything else: Nothing significant.
Plans for 2018: Holidays in Sicily, South Africa (Durban and Kruger) and possibly the USA.
Job: Self-employed, profits up on last year. No complaints.
Car: Sold my beloved Golf R. Now own a very high spec Mini Countryman S E Hybrid. Ideal car for around here. Actually very impressed with it. Will get another car next year, sporty convertible most likely.
Holidays: Visited my sister in Texas but otherwise spent all my time at home in the Algarve; one of the best holiday destinations in itself.
Relationship: Still married! 12 years now. Happy.
Health: Getting fat! Need to cycle more.
Anything else: Nothing significant.
Plans for 2018: Holidays in Sicily, South Africa (Durban and Kruger) and possibly the USA.
Odd.
Overall: Sold the house for a good sum, moved a long way from friends but have a small/decent home now and can live within my means, mostly.
Job: Same job, usual problems with the business being short of investment/customers. Some big deals on the horizon may improve it, but I'm wondering if I should look for something more stable.
Car: Still the same cars. Will be changing the Range Rover, fixing (and maybe selling) the bike, selling the Series Landy, finishing my classic Yank
Holidays: No idea. Don't fancy going solo so depends on the dating situation probably. Or maybe my kids will come away with me.
Relationship: Divorced mid-year. See the "Being told I don't love you any more" thread. A few dates,
Health: Same old thing. I should lose some weight and exercise more, but isn't that always the case?
Plans for 2018: Work on the house, although I got a lot done this year since I moved in. I'd like to finish the music room the PO started in the garage, get the first round of essential decorating done and stop for a while. Must go out more, it's too easy to stay in with the TV/games/music.
Overall: Sold the house for a good sum, moved a long way from friends but have a small/decent home now and can live within my means, mostly.
Job: Same job, usual problems with the business being short of investment/customers. Some big deals on the horizon may improve it, but I'm wondering if I should look for something more stable.
Car: Still the same cars. Will be changing the Range Rover, fixing (and maybe selling) the bike, selling the Series Landy, finishing my classic Yank
Holidays: No idea. Don't fancy going solo so depends on the dating situation probably. Or maybe my kids will come away with me.
Relationship: Divorced mid-year. See the "Being told I don't love you any more" thread. A few dates,
Health: Same old thing. I should lose some weight and exercise more, but isn't that always the case?
Plans for 2018: Work on the house, although I got a lot done this year since I moved in. I'd like to finish the music room the PO started in the garage, get the first round of essential decorating done and stop for a while. Must go out more, it's too easy to stay in with the TV/games/music.
Overall: It's been a tiring year, have worked too hard and not played as hard as I could. Has certainly felt like a spinning my wheels kind of year, can't really think of anything major I've actually done this year to be honest!
Job: Same job I got fresh out of uni, 18 months in now and is certainly wearing on me as there's no real room for expansion/promotion/raises. Managed to get involved in the biggest project of my professional career thus far and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Car: My trusty Mk2 Focus saloon bought in August as a means to get a fair bit of money put away. Has done it's job brilliantly! Got rather tempted by a lease on an Audi A4 so the Focus will be going soon. The focus has been my 3rd car this year, after a Focus Mk2.5 Titanium Sport which I didn't even remotely get on with and my first car, an Astra H, which after 25k miles (118-143k) over 3 years I was just absolutely sick of due to most parts of it not working properly.
Holidays: A week in Bodrum, Turkey in July with my then-girlfriend to spend some time at my Turkish pal's summer house.
Relationship: Spent January-July in my first serious relationship, didn't end well or even go particularly well so have been happily single since with the odd casual thing here and there
Health: Unremarkable, could do with losing half a stone next year as per my usual cycle of keeping the weight off and getting lazy
Anything else:
Plans for 2018: Decide what I want to do next career-wise and start doing it. Planning on 2 weeks in NYC with my best friend in June or so. Move out of parents' house. Host my Turkish friend, host (and later visit again) my Belgian friend.
Job: Same job I got fresh out of uni, 18 months in now and is certainly wearing on me as there's no real room for expansion/promotion/raises. Managed to get involved in the biggest project of my professional career thus far and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Car: My trusty Mk2 Focus saloon bought in August as a means to get a fair bit of money put away. Has done it's job brilliantly! Got rather tempted by a lease on an Audi A4 so the Focus will be going soon. The focus has been my 3rd car this year, after a Focus Mk2.5 Titanium Sport which I didn't even remotely get on with and my first car, an Astra H, which after 25k miles (118-143k) over 3 years I was just absolutely sick of due to most parts of it not working properly.
Holidays: A week in Bodrum, Turkey in July with my then-girlfriend to spend some time at my Turkish pal's summer house.
Relationship: Spent January-July in my first serious relationship, didn't end well or even go particularly well so have been happily single since with the odd casual thing here and there
Health: Unremarkable, could do with losing half a stone next year as per my usual cycle of keeping the weight off and getting lazy
Anything else:
Plans for 2018: Decide what I want to do next career-wise and start doing it. Planning on 2 weeks in NYC with my best friend in June or so. Move out of parents' house. Host my Turkish friend, host (and later visit again) my Belgian friend.
GOG440 said:
Pretty s
t really.
started off by having surgery to my neck to remove a stray piece of disk, now got 2 vertebrae fused together.
Got back to work, my mrs said thank god things are back to normal, the next morning we got a phone call from the hospital, her brother had had a fit at work and dislocated both shoulders. We got him home and I went to get his car and stuff from his work, when we got back we foun him fitting again, so back to a/e. The upshot of this is that he had managed to destroy his shoulders in the second fit, both humeral heads in little pieces, then when they investigated why he had fitted we found out that he had a brain tumour.
They removed it in one operation, then he had a 6 hour operation to try and nail his shoulders back together.
We were told this week that his tumour has come back with a vengeance, its inoperable and he has had the maximum amount of radiotherapy he is allowed and he has a matter of weeks.
And also I have had 3 interviews, given a presentation and done a teaching session and spent a day shadowing someone doing the job to be told at the end that because the NHS arent buying enough equipment that the job is "on hold" so I dont know if I will get offered it or not.
Roll on 2017, it cant be any worse
How wrong could I be.t really.started off by having surgery to my neck to remove a stray piece of disk, now got 2 vertebrae fused together.
Got back to work, my mrs said thank god things are back to normal, the next morning we got a phone call from the hospital, her brother had had a fit at work and dislocated both shoulders. We got him home and I went to get his car and stuff from his work, when we got back we foun him fitting again, so back to a/e. The upshot of this is that he had managed to destroy his shoulders in the second fit, both humeral heads in little pieces, then when they investigated why he had fitted we found out that he had a brain tumour.
They removed it in one operation, then he had a 6 hour operation to try and nail his shoulders back together.
We were told this week that his tumour has come back with a vengeance, its inoperable and he has had the maximum amount of radiotherapy he is allowed and he has a matter of weeks.
And also I have had 3 interviews, given a presentation and done a teaching session and spent a day shadowing someone doing the job to be told at the end that because the NHS arent buying enough equipment that the job is "on hold" so I dont know if I will get offered it or not.
Roll on 2017, it cant be any worse
Her brother died in february of his brain tumour, the job eventually came to nothing as did the other 3 interviews I had last year and I had to have my dog put down a couple of weeks ago.
The good stuff
Relationship is as good as ever, love her to bits and really get on well with her
Job, despite applying for other jobs (trying to move into training) I actually like the people I work with and the job so generally ok
Cars, I traded my e91 in against a Jaguar xf which is lovely, and I still have my TVR even if yet again I havent used it as much as I wanted to.
Money has improved now I am no longer being raped by the CSA.
Health is a bit mixed, I have on going issues with my neck but I have managed to drop 2 stone over the year and joined a gym so I am slimmer and fitter than I have been for years
Overall: Also a tough year. Lots of up’s and down’s. Not too sure where I stand overall though.
Job: Still in the same role, been here for 3 and a bit years now. There’s been good times and challenging ones, but I’m remaining positive for the future.
Car: I’ve had the Lotus for a couple of years now. I love it to pieces, but have to admit I’m getting itchy feet. I feel that a Jaguar S-Type R is what I want next (for a variety of reasons).
Holidays: Had an amazing week long tour of Europe at the end of May in the Elise, with a couple of mates in a 911. Did the Route Napoleon, stayed near Monaco, did the Stelvio Pass and maxed the car on the Autobahn. Despite ending the holiday in hospital, I enjoyed it hugely (more in that in a bit)
Relationship: Single (still).
Health: Generally normal, and nothing to note, until I came back from holiday. A couple of days before returning, I was in Germany and suddenly fell very ill. Somehow, after a good nights sleep and some strong pain killers, I managed to drive home.
The night I got home, I ended up in Hospital with suspected appendicitis. I was turned away with the doc citing ‘stress’. I ended up back in the next morning when I couldn’t stand up any more. Many tests later, I was operated on an they found my appendix had burst and I had Peritonitis.
Recovery was slow and complications from the surgery mean that I still can have the occasional bad day.
Anything else: I got my leg up onto the property ladder. Nice little 1 bed flat near home with a double tandem garage. Looking forward to moving in soon I hope. My cat sadly also passed away which was pretty tough. He was 17 and he’d been with us since I was about 7 years old.
Plans for 2018: Try to get slightly fitter. Find a new hobby or interest, and have fun.
Job: Still in the same role, been here for 3 and a bit years now. There’s been good times and challenging ones, but I’m remaining positive for the future.
Car: I’ve had the Lotus for a couple of years now. I love it to pieces, but have to admit I’m getting itchy feet. I feel that a Jaguar S-Type R is what I want next (for a variety of reasons).
Holidays: Had an amazing week long tour of Europe at the end of May in the Elise, with a couple of mates in a 911. Did the Route Napoleon, stayed near Monaco, did the Stelvio Pass and maxed the car on the Autobahn. Despite ending the holiday in hospital, I enjoyed it hugely (more in that in a bit)
Relationship: Single (still).
Health: Generally normal, and nothing to note, until I came back from holiday. A couple of days before returning, I was in Germany and suddenly fell very ill. Somehow, after a good nights sleep and some strong pain killers, I managed to drive home.
The night I got home, I ended up in Hospital with suspected appendicitis. I was turned away with the doc citing ‘stress’. I ended up back in the next morning when I couldn’t stand up any more. Many tests later, I was operated on an they found my appendix had burst and I had Peritonitis.
Recovery was slow and complications from the surgery mean that I still can have the occasional bad day.
Anything else: I got my leg up onto the property ladder. Nice little 1 bed flat near home with a double tandem garage. Looking forward to moving in soon I hope. My cat sadly also passed away which was pretty tough. He was 17 and he’d been with us since I was about 7 years old.
Plans for 2018: Try to get slightly fitter. Find a new hobby or interest, and have fun.
Overall: I doubt I'll remember it in a decade. A forgettable year bordering on st.
Job: A massive step down from what I'm specialised in, have to make due with it until April.
Car: I finally bought my first (legal to drive) car. My dad's old ST170. He owned it 2003-2005, I love it. A sliver 5 door hatch, got plans to bring it back to A+ condition over the coming months.
Holidays: Just 1 to Fuerteventura, usually go to Florida but wanted a change this year. After a week of food poisoning there, it'll be back to Florida next year.
Relationship: Had a few 1 nighter/weekenders. Been with my girlfriend since May.
Health: No complaints except getting food poisoning twice.
Plans for 2018: Finish my awful job in April, then take a month to relax and hopefully prepare to do a stint in America working in Cyber Security for a family friend. Looking to start the work on my Focus which I imagine I'll do a thread on. Looking forward to a couple of holidays next year, a week somewhere in summer and 2 weeks in Florida over Christmas. Going to start helping my girlfriend look for her first car next year, be it a new car on lease or something like a Ford Puma (My idea
). Hopefully it'll be an improvement on this year.
t. Job: A massive step down from what I'm specialised in, have to make due with it until April.
Car: I finally bought my first (legal to drive) car. My dad's old ST170. He owned it 2003-2005, I love it. A sliver 5 door hatch, got plans to bring it back to A+ condition over the coming months.
Holidays: Just 1 to Fuerteventura, usually go to Florida but wanted a change this year. After a week of food poisoning there, it'll be back to Florida next year.
Relationship: Had a few 1 nighter/weekenders. Been with my girlfriend since May.
Health: No complaints except getting food poisoning twice.
Plans for 2018: Finish my awful job in April, then take a month to relax and hopefully prepare to do a stint in America working in Cyber Security for a family friend. Looking to start the work on my Focus which I imagine I'll do a thread on. Looking forward to a couple of holidays next year, a week somewhere in summer and 2 weeks in Florida over Christmas. Going to start helping my girlfriend look for her first car next year, be it a new car on lease or something like a Ford Puma (My idea
). Hopefully it'll be an improvement on this year. I’d say it has been just about the worst year I've ever had. 
I’ve cried and moaned about it enough in here already so nobody wants to hear it again, but I sure hope next year is better, or I’m off to live in a commune in Israel or Nepal......
One thing positive is that I’ve learned that my 16 year old daughter and I can live together succesully with not a single bad word or problem.
I’ve cried and moaned about it enough in here already so nobody wants to hear it again, but I sure hope next year is better, or I’m off to live in a commune in Israel or Nepal......
One thing positive is that I’ve learned that my 16 year old daughter and I can live together succesully with not a single bad word or problem.
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