In this post: repeated mentions of moving house and health. I’m afraid it’s not a terribly exciting review.

What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?
Moved into a house that I helped buy. A little patch of hillside swamp, all of my very own.

Did you keep your 2017 new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for 2018?
Rather than make a list of absolutes, I instead wrote out a bunch of things that I knew were going to happen in the year (and how I was going to approach them), and areas of my life I wanted to improve. I’m very happy to say that I did reasonably well. There’s plenty of room for improvement, but I’m happy with what I achieved.

Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope.

Did anyone close to you die?
I went to a funeral in honour of the woman who passed away in support of her son and husband. She wasn’t close to me, except through the web of Wyrd.

What countries did you visit?
I didn’t even leave England. Moving takes an awful lot of time and brainspace.

What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?
A diagnosis, and a clearer idea of what I want accomplish in life.

What date from 2017 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Both my birthday (on account of it being easy to remember) when I shaved my head, and May 26^th when we got the keys to the Cave.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Nothing big, but I’m proud of the things on my resolution list I aced. Lots of little, personal things so nothing too magnificent or worth sharing.

What was your biggest failure?
Personal hygiene, I shyly confess. It was one of the big things on my 2016/2017 resolution list. I brush my teeth, I shower, I change my pants, but there’s so much more I could be doing to look after my person suit.

Were you seriously ill during 2017?
Not seriously, no. There are things currently under investigation but – fingers crossed – it won’t be anything too dire or unexpected.

What was the best thing you bought?
HOUSE.

Whose behaviour merited celebration?
The Ginger. Always.

Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The shit stain who took my nephew.

Where did most of your money go?
House and house related gubbins.

What did you get excited about?
Nesting.

What song will always remind you of 2017?
Symphony – Clean Bandit feat. Zara Larsson. It was playing on the radio a lot during my one real trip of the year.

Compared to this time in 2016, are you…
i.happier or sadder? Happier, I believe. I have a greater sense of purpose and a better handle on who I am.
ii.thinner or fatter? Thinner. Cutting down on booze is good for you, kids.
iii. richer or poorer? About the same.

What do you wish you’d done more of?
Getting out and about. Being active. Roleplay. Being engaged and involved in the projects I committed myself to.

What do you wish you’d done less of?
Sleeping and being sick. I have taken a shameful number of days off work over the last six months. It’s a problem.

How will you be spending/did you spend Christmas in 2017?
I had a wonderful Yule party with the good people of Lancaster, officially (finally) toasting to the Cave and its landwights. There were fairy lights, fires, mead, and vidja games.

Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Nope.

What was your favourite TV programme?
Stranger Things 2 was good fun. I finally finished watching Breaking Bad and thoroughly loved it, although the last season felt unnecessary in places. I’ve also watched all of Game of Thrones. I’ve put my thoughts on that elsewhere. Oh, I also developed a short-lived obsession with the gameshow The Chase. Going into 2018, I’m fascinated by The Dark.

What was your greatest musical discovery?
Sadly, I haven’t listened to much music this year. A 10 minute commute to/from work is only enough time for me to put on the radio, listen to a couple of songs and some adverts.

What was the best book you read?
I haven’t read this much this year. I re-read The Talisman after remembering how good it is, and wasn’t disappointed. In 2018 I plan to read more. It should help with my writing, if nothing else!

Are you happy with your situation?
Health aside, yes. This is a good place to be in and I’m lucky to be here.

What did you want and get?
HOUSE

What did you want and NOT get?
A diagnosis.

What was your favourite film of this year?
Blade Runner 2049. An absolutely stunning work of art and no disappointment. I could be critical, but in the interests of finishing this post (the second draft of it after the first was lost), I’ll leave it there. It’s still resonating with me.

What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 33 and I shaved my head in a park with friends beneath cherry blossoms.

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Difficult to say. I suppose I could say ‘a diagnosis’ again. I wish I’d been able to do more writing.

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?
Same old, with a resurgence of long-unworn favourites.

What kept you sane?
The Ginger. And happy pills.

What political issue stirred you the most?
All of it. All the political issue.

Who did you miss?
Newt. Always Newt.

Who were the best new people you met?
The only new people I’ve met this year have been through work. We’ve taken on a few new people, including a lass who does Viking re-enactment. She’s a role-player and doesn’t know it yet.

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017
Be the best You you can be.

Quote a song lyric that sums up your year
Don’t give up, because you have friends
Don’t give up, you’re not the only one
Don’t give up, no reason to be ashamed
Don’t give up, you still have us
Don’t give up now, we’re proud of who you are
Don’t give up, you know it’s never been easy
Don’t give up, because I believe there’s a place
There’s a place where we belong