Goosebumps and roadhumps

Hadrian's Wall - Sycamore Gap.jpgGetting back into the swing of things in 2014 was always going to be interesting…*

(*deliberate avoidance of the word 'difficult'). 

Having 4 days off before the Christmas shut down, 2 weeks Crimble holidays then 10 days in Austria for New Year meant basically a month off. I ‘worked’ on bits and bobs while I was away – remote working isn’t just a pipe dream anymore – arranging a meeting on hands-free while snowboarding, was pretty bad-ass. But I also kicked back and had a lot of fun. Among the many fun bits, I walked along Hadrian’s Wall with some lovely lovely people, I ate 3 Christmas dinners, rang out carols on hand-bells, lounged about in a hot-tub til I went wrinkly, led a pub-crawl I wasn’t even on, and dodged fireworks while dancing with strangers in the street on New Years Eve.

So now it’s busy as hell but I don’t expect any sympathy – I’m lucky to have had some time off – it just doesn’t feel like I have, and now I’m into the 12 hour days to catch up/get ahead…again, no sympathy expected.

But that’s in the past – as was the last January blog post I remember – (“let’s look backwards and forwards”) in fact, it was 5 years agohttps://www.lingoliz.co.uk/2009/01/january/ …where the hell does the time go?

So, 2013 in summary: It was good, but went by wayyyyy too quickly. 

Some of the highlights were; getting a hellofalot better at kitesurfing and wakeboarding thanks to some superb friends, the festivals I went to despite the main one not happening, and, if I’m really honest… 2013 was most enjoyed for just not having any significant crises in it. No unexpected and extreme incidents or accidents. Lingo ticked along as did I. [I should totally ‘touch wood’ at this point, or recognise I’m probably jinxing the crap out of 2014]. Becoming a charity director and working with young people has been a totally unexpected and amazing bonus. It’s eaten up hours I didn’t know I had but I’m so glad it’s happened that way, so, no regrets.

While wearing fancy dress at a festival, I also met a particularly special person from Bristol. Rather than risk anymore jinxing (and over-sharing) at this point, I think that’s all I’ll say on that. OK, I’ll risk adding that I’m very happy that it was raining that day…otherwise I might have never ventured into that marquee with a chaise lounge in it… but that will have to do for now!

I should have spent more time with my family – I particularly miss my sister and my nieces. Once again I promise myself more visits this year.

2014 looks like:

A lot to get on with at Lingo, Lifestyles, downhamweb and the Youth Centre.
An appeal about to kick off, a festival to finance and develop/organise...how the hell do you get willing and able committee members on board? If it doesn’t happen this year…. (dot dot dot)…

More kitesurfing, wakeboarding, winching and general extreme sporting activities.

…but most importantly for me and for everyone I know and don’t know – hopefully – the continued and further absence of crises.

Wishing you all a safe and happy 2014.