The year that was...

2007 was year that...

I enjoyed living in London and then got royally pissed of with living in London. I think that the feeling of “God help me, I need to get out of this city” perhaps coincides with finding yourself becoming increasingly impatient with how slowly people move in tube stations. As I became ‘one of them’ I desired to be anything but. Would it have been better if I had more money to enjoy the city? Would it have been better if I made more of the free stuff – the parks, the museums and galleries? Would it have been better if I wasn’t in poor health? Would it have been better if I wasn’t working 9-10 hour days and sleeping all weekend? In the final analysis I think not. Perhaps the city is as much a state of mind as a location, and it is a state of mind that is not me-shaped.

I welcomed two new arrivals into my family. My nieces are a joy. The innocence and uncomplicatedness of children inspires me immensely. And the unique character of the type of unconditional love I feel for them fascinates me.

I enjoyed moving back to Bristol and re-acquainting myself with a somewhat marvellous city which only 18 months ago had seemed so very small and uninspiring. Now I value it immensely, or at least what it represents: a good quality of living; friends; family; leisure; left-wingism; a round of drinks for under a tenner.

Poppy & Hugo moved from North London to South London to Bristol with their little white socks and strange fascination with water. I have never before met cats who get so much pleasure from standing underneath a running tap. I am certainly, as Jim points out, “a mad cat woman”, but then I don’t think you can underestimate the companionship of cats, the feeling of being blessed that accompanies their sporadic but enthusiastic displays of affection. Humans don’t own cats; they own us and force our submission continuously. Anyone who claims otherwise is either: (a) in denial or; (b) a dog person with a cat.

I got medicated! 400mg a day of an amphetamine-like stimulant which enables me to: stay awake in moving vehicles; not spend all weekend sleeping; not need a nap after work; have the energy to exercise; function like a ‘normal’ human being. Life changing and revolutionary in a way I not only never dared dream of, but had not been able to dream of (because I didn’t know that it was possible to feel like this). I’d like to thank the British tax payer, who will keep me medicated to the tune of £200 a month for the rest of my life and I’d like to thank the post-war generation for the marvel that is the NHS. Whatever its failings, whatever its limitations, the protection of the NHS and the universal free health care it represents is essential.

I rethought, redefined, recreated, recycled and rejuvenated. Kate-life is a constant process of growth and change – for that alone I love being me. If I ever stop evolving please shoot me.

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2008 is the year that I would like to...

... be surprised.

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Photo: Me as a Viking on New Year's Eve.