Seven Best Things
That talented varlet NotSaussure has repaid me for tagging him once c/o Iain Dale's meme by tagging me back to write about the Seven Best Things of 2006.
1. Getting engaged to the man I love (February, Amsterdam, in a Mexican cantina in the Red Light district, since you ask). We're getting hitched in April 2007
2. Leaving my job to write full time. Scary, but ace.
3. Getting a book contract ( book will be out in July. The dreadline of 30th Jan isn't funny though and means I'll be very quiet in the New Year).
4. Meeting two Home Secretaries, one Secretary of State for Culture and Prince Charles . Prince Charles was lovely and twinkly. The politicians, less so .
5. Meeting some amazing people, too many to name. Film directors, film-makers, writers, fellow-passengers, bloggers, activists, campaigners, politicians, journalists, lawyers, athletes, dancers, actors, musicians, police officers, researchers, presenters and composers, it has been an humbling privilege and an absolute pleasure.
6. Seeing Edward Scissorhands at Sadlers Wells.
7. Still being here.
Just writing it all down is mad. I know I will never have another year like this ever again. Well, I appreciated the hell out of it while it was all going on.
Argh, now I have to tag seven people...Apologies in advance to:
Iain Dale, Netherworld , Holly Finch, Nosemonkey, Kobwebby, RabbitStrike, Disillusioned Kid
1. Getting engaged to the man I love (February, Amsterdam, in a Mexican cantina in the Red Light district, since you ask). We're getting hitched in April 2007
2. Leaving my job to write full time. Scary, but ace.
3. Getting a book contract ( book will be out in July. The dreadline of 30th Jan isn't funny though and means I'll be very quiet in the New Year).
4. Meeting two Home Secretaries, one Secretary of State for Culture and Prince Charles . Prince Charles was lovely and twinkly. The politicians, less so .
5. Meeting some amazing people, too many to name. Film directors, film-makers, writers, fellow-passengers, bloggers, activists, campaigners, politicians, journalists, lawyers, athletes, dancers, actors, musicians, police officers, researchers, presenters and composers, it has been an humbling privilege and an absolute pleasure.
6. Seeing Edward Scissorhands at Sadlers Wells.
7. Still being here.
Just writing it all down is mad. I know I will never have another year like this ever again. Well, I appreciated the hell out of it while it was all going on.
Argh, now I have to tag seven people...Apologies in advance to:
Iain Dale, Netherworld , Holly Finch, Nosemonkey, Kobwebby, RabbitStrike, Disillusioned Kid
posted by Rachel at 3:53 pm
Well, if ever I was toying with the idea of starting a blog, I reckon a meme like this one could put me off for life! You don't realise how difficult it is until you try...
1 Giving up smoking (4 months! Yay me!)
2 My new iPod
3 Blade Runner Director's Cut on DVD
4 Amazingly supportive friends (on and offline) and colleagues
5 Girly shopping
6 Chana masala from the takeaway place near the office
7 Becoming enthused and optimistic about Life [TM] again
Just following all the meme links and got here. Yes, Helen, it's not easy. Sorry. Back tomorrow, Rachel, to read some.
James - doing unto others, and following *you* back into the Mordor-like catacombs of blogdom, it seems that I have misinterpreted your meme from "What are the seven [7] best things you did this past year?" to, simply, "the Seven Best Things of 2006". Not that it's any easier, mind you!
So, because I'm a stickler for accuracy (okay, a nit-picky pedant) and because I'm bored and awake at 5.30am, I thought I'd update my little list to try and more accurately reflect your original question. My replies remain much the same in content, they're just worded a little more elaborately and in a more answering-the-question-like manner. Well, it makes *me* feel better. Humour me, dammit!
1 Found the motivation to give up smoking (4 months! Yay me!)
2 Listened daily to my 3 current favourite CDs on my zappy new iPod (which are, and yes there were others slightly less-frequently played too - All Angels, Anna Ternheim, Underworld's first CD from the dim and distant past)
3 Bought Blade Runner Director's Cut on DVD on the day of its release and dashed home to watch it
4 Discovered in others - friends on and offline as well as colleagues - depths of understanding, wisdom, humour and caring that I feared may not exist
5 Discovered the joys, delights, pleasures and simple fun (remember 'fun'?) of girly shopping with friends
6 Tasted the chana masala from the takeaway place near the office last month. Yum.
7 Became enthused and optimistic about Life [TM] again. "Life is not a rehearsal", as they say. Whoever 'they' are...
James, are you *really* 90? Sorry, personal question, I'm just curious. Nosey, even...
Thanks for taking it in such good part, Rachel, and what a list; one reason -- other than revenge, as you say -- I tagged you was that I thought your year had been pretty astonishing one way or the other, but I hadn't realised quite how astonishing until I saw it all written down. Have a great Christmas and an even better 2008.
And helen g; don't be put of -- I think it's a smashing list. As you say, it is a lot more difficult to compose one than at first you think. You have a great Christmas, too.
Oooooohhhhhh Thanks!
Rachel, you're an inspiration. Good things happen to good people and gratitude is the best way to manifest more of the same. Here's to an equally blessed 2007.
Puss
Book Contract! You arrived Rachel!!
Maybe I should I write a book....
Good Luck for the dreadline!!
Hi Rachel,
I came back to your blog after a long time. I remember reading what you wrote after the London bombings happened. Then today I was looking at the BBC website and they did a review of 2006 which talked about the 1 year rememberance, and I thought of your blog again. Anyway, I'm really glad you're still blogging and that you're writing a book.
I don't think I'll ever really come to terms with the what happened on 7th July. But maybe that is OK.
I wish you a Happy New Year.
All the best for 2007! Good luck with the book.
Rachel,
Wishing you a good 2007.
Peace,
Deb
hi rachel,
2007 began here in ny with a lot of rain and wind..maybe its a sign of cleansing...im so glad that 2006 is over.
i hope 2007 is a better year for all of us.
seth :)