It's been a while since I've filled in one of these...What did you do in 2025 that you'd never done before? Several things but to pick just three: visited Ireland (for real, not merely passing through), went to New Wine, and jury service. I was selected on the first day for a case which was supposed to last maybe 2 weeks... and took 3 and a half as
things happened.
Did you keep your New Years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Did anyone close to you give birth?Not this year.
Did anyone close to you die?Sadly yes - my grandfather passed away at the start of the year having reached the grand old age of 95, and then in August a close friend at church unexpectedly died.
Which countries did you visit?Ireland!
What would you like to have in 2026 that you lacked in 2025?¯\_(ツ)_/¯
What dates from 2025 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?Several, but I'll go for seeing Rend Collective in Southampton, in mid September. There was something wonderful, dare I say spiritual, when the band sang "Bless the Lord..." and the
entire audience responded with "O my soul~~". The entire night was incredible but that moment was the highlight for me.
What was your biggest achievement of the year?Ireland!
What was your biggest failure? Still haven't got round to buying a house yet.
Did you suffer illness or injury?Not really, no.
What was the best thing you bought?Well, I didn't buy it myself (the landlord did) but having a washer-dryer is
nice. The washing machine failed earlier this year - the drum motor packed up (most likely just ran out of brushes, it was 15+ years old) and my landlord opted to replace rather than repair so I cheekily asked if I could upgrade to a washer-dryer and he did so!
Whose behaviour merited celebration? I'll pick the court usher for the trial I was on the jury for. We had
the best court usher.
Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?A certain person in the trial. Though there were also some hilarious moments.
Where did most of your money go? The usual combination of rent, bills, HMRC.
What were you really, really, really excited about?Ireland!
What song will always remind you of 2025? Matt Redman -
10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) Happier or sadder?About the same.
b) Bigger or smaller?About the same.
c) Richer or poorer? The housing deposit is still growing...
What do you wish you'd done more of? Visiting friends - what with one thing and another, I never did manage a trip to Craig's this year.
What do you wish you'd done less of? Procrastination, as always.
How did you spend Christmas? With my sister - this year we went for a COOK turkey roast again. After lunch we then visited friends for board games (Muffin Time, Imploding Kittens, Super Mario Power Up card game).
What was your favourite month of 2025? September, for both Ireland and Rend Collective.
What was your favourite TV programme?I didn't watch all that much TV over the past year, so nothing comes to mind.
How did you see in the New Year? Just me this year, there were plans for New Year's board games but those didn't pan out.
Do you dislike anyone now that you didn't this time last year? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
What was the best book you read?The Invisible Library, by Genevieve Cogman.
What was your greatest musical discovery?The
Interstellar soundtrack, which I found via
Anna Lapwood covers (also an artist worth following). Have a listen to
Tick Tock with good speakers (or earphones) and crank the volume up.
What did you want and get? Probably several shiny things. And chocolate. Can't forget chocolate.
What did you want and not get? A Switch 2 - though to be fair I didn't put it on my wishlist. It's going to be a present-to-myself for completing Invisalign which is taking a little longer than planned. Treatment was going to end November, but at that appointment my orthodontist and I discussed it and decided to see if we can fine tune a couple of teeth (which is easier to do before moving to a retainer). I suppose I have only myself to blame for the delay :)
What was your favourite film of this year?I didn't go to the cinema at all this year - I meant to go and see
Tron: Ares but failed to do so! That said, my housegroup did a study based on
Casablanca and that film is excellent - it's got so many great lines in it. Seriously, go and watch it.
What did you do on your birthday?Can't remember. It probably involved cake and chocolate :)
What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?The Ireland trip was far too short - flew out Friday, returned Sunday (still managed to fit in loads - to name a few Killoskehane Castle, the Rock of Cashel, a hurling match). I must visit again.
What kept you sane? Family, friends, housegroup, and a well-stocked MP3 player.
Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy/respect the most?¯\_(ツ)_/¯
What political issue stirred you the most?The erosion of LGBT+ rights. LGBT+ rights are human rights, why are we even having this discussion?
Who did you miss?The aforementioned friend who passed away.
Who was the best new person you met?New friends - V in housegroup and her partner B.
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2025.Don't be worried about jury service - it was genuinely fascinating being on it, and the judge explained everything. It helped that we all got on together in the jury.
The advocate also made a very important point - "it's not a popularity contest". We are to try the case purely on the evidence and testimony in front of us, and I believe we achieved that.
Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.It's not a song lyric, but I found this verse from Ephesians very reassuring during jury service:
So put on God's armour now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.
So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight round your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate,
and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace.
At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One.
And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you.(Ephesians 6:13-17, GNB)Oddly, in the run-up to jury service two entirely separate church events picked that verse. The Lord moves in mysterious ways.
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