It’s nearly the end of the year, I’m due to go home for a few days for Christmas, so I thought I’d look back at the year almost gone. I’ve seen this format on various weblogs before, but it was today’s entry by fellow Scot, Fraser Spiers, that had me thinking about doing one myself.

1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
Graduated, got a proper job.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I didn’t make any this year, and I doubt I will next.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
John and his partner gave birth to a lovely baby girl.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Not that I was really close to her, having only met her a few times, but James’ gran died a few months ago.

5. What countries did you visit?
Stayed in the UK this year, hoping that’ll be different next year.

6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
More focussed training, along with getting to races south of the border.

7. What date(s) from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
28th November, 2006 – The day I graduated from university.
5th June, 2006 – Emma’s birthday, and the day I binned it big style at Grizedale.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Graduating.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Not racing as much as I would have liked to, that was fairly big failure for me. I did ride the bike lots in fun places, this made up for it.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
One week with an ear infection, one with a bruised tailbone, one with a trapped nerve in my back. A broken toe in the first SXC at Laggan. Multiple days at various times with other bike relate injuries.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
No contest, is definitely my Macbook. Has made my working life a lot less stressful and entertainment a whole lot easier.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mine, I graduated!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
The Royal Mail, they do their job well most of the time, but other times they just don’t.

14. Where did most of your money go?
This year it definitely went on wheels, I bought a fair few this year.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
My Macbook arriving.

16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Muse – Knights of Cydonia.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier.
ii. thinner or fatter? The same, as always!
iii. richer or poorer? Richer.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Racing, taken more photographs.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Working at the weekends.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Mum’s for Christmas day, Dad’s for Boxing day.

21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
Clients, nailing down specs for work.

22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
Yeah, she ’s lovely. :o)

23. How many one night stands in this last year?
That’s a bit rude! But since you ask, none.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
Lost, series 3 is brilliant so far.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nah, I’m pretty mellow with everyone.

26. What was the new best book you read?
Kings of the Mountains – Matt Rendell.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The Flaming Lips, a band I had previously completely disregarded.

28. What did you want and get?
A degree.

29. What did you want and not get?
A high end road bike.

30. What was your favorite new film of this year?
Children of Men.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
It was my 21st, had a nice dinner with friends and my sister, then went for a few quiet drinks.

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I can’t really nail this one down to anything, I’m pretty pleased with 2006 so far.

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
It was the closest thing to hand when I wanted to put clothes on.

34. What kept you sane?
The bike.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Um………none come to mind.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The fact that other people get so worked up over it?!?

37. Who did you miss?
The Malones, I definitely didn’t visit them enough this year.

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Danny at work, he’s solid.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
Good stuff only comes looking for you when you go looking for it. Make and effort, write a letter, pick up the phone, whatever it takes.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
“Everybody dance now,
doo doo doo doo doo”