Howdy folks,
We're getting to that
time of the year where we pause and reflect on the year that was. What have
been the extra-special discoveries of 2014? What pearls of wisdom have we
acquired in the last twelve months? What have been our highlights and our
lowlights?
For me, 2014 has been
a real mixed bag of nuts. Truly, there have been some awful raw hazelnuts among
the salty, fatty yummy roasted cashews. But life is like that - we have to take
the good with the bad.
So I have compiled
this list of the Best and Worst of 2014 and hope that you read it exactly the
way you would shove your hand in the proverbial Nobby's Bag of Nuts and see
what you pull out...
1. Going to New York City with Muddy Karpitz was
definitely the salty cashew AND roasted macadamia of 2014. Despite the
nose-numbing cold and snow and wind and sleet, this was a magical experience
for both of us. We ate, drank, walked, strolled, inhaled and absorbed as much
of this wonderful, crazy place as we could in the 13 days we had at our disposal.
Beers in Brooklyn, snowmen in Central Park, brunch in the West Village and hot
salted caramel donuts in Chelsea. Extraordinary.
2. Taking on a new
role at work was more of a salted peanut than a cashew. Still good though. And
I happen to be working with a very capable bunch of people in a challenging
environment. Always good for the brain cells. It's been exhausting,
exhilarating and excruciating in equal parts.
3. My mother's
illness and major surgery. In September, my poor mam underwent 5 hours of surgery
to remove a bowel tumour AND a hernia. Needless to say, this was bloody tough
for her, requiring a two-week stay in hospital. But bless her, for a
78-year-old, her subsequent recovery (no rehab required) was nothing short of
astonishing. She's all-clear and fighting fit and as cranky and foul-tempered
as ever. Great stuff, mum! Now get back in the kitchen.
4. Muddy K's being
awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy is most definitely the salty cashew,
macadamia AND roasted peanut in this bag. An awesome achievement and
culmination of a near five-year epic effort - well done to you Muddy! The
academic world beckons - go forth and set it alight!
5. The police
killings in Ferguson, Missouri and Staten Island (NY) respectively. In both
cases, a Grand Jury (essentially the US equivalent of our committal
proceedings) did not believe there was sufficient grounds to lay charges
against the police officers who killed an (unarmed) 18 year old and (also
unarmed) 43 year old. I found it astonishing that neither of these cases were
deemed serious/complex/doubtful enough to warrant prosecution in a court of
law, in the presence of a judge and jury, with expert witnesses thrashing out
the details under oath. Did I miss something?
6. My cousin’s cancer
diagnosis on top of a pre-existing kidney disorder. A waiting game for him, his
immediate family and extended network of friends and family, this will be an especially
poignant Christmas for all of us.
7. #I'llridewithyou.
Not a fan of hashtivism at the best of times, I was ready to cynically dismiss
this as a bit of a Lefty-soft-cock-solution in the face of an imaginary
problem. That is, until a hijab-wearing colleague reported being verbally harassed
and abused whilst riding on public transport on the first night of the Sydney
siege. That'll learn me. And if anyone out there decides to indulge in a spot
of vilification in public, or indeed in private, #I'llbitchslapyouyouworthlessgobshite
8. Tony Abbot's
defence of his Thomas Cromwell/Luca Brasi/Al Neri/Tom Hagen-all-rolled-into-one
bouncer Peta Credlin against her critics, claiming their criticisms were
motivated by sexism. Really, Tones? Really? That's the only shot you had in the
proverbial locker????
9. Season 2 of House
of Cards. Everything but the raw bitter hazelnut here. Notwithstanding the
dodgy (and unintentionally funny) threesome involving their factotum and
house-robot Meechum, Frank and Clare Underwood are seriously the most glorious
political scumbags ever to disgrace the small screen. Darker, nastier and with
much less in common with the British original than Season 1, this was seriously
awesome telly. More please.
10. Attending my
niece and nephew's school concert and tattoo. There were kiddies singing
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight", 8 year olds doing a delightful version of
the "Cups" song, bagpipes, drums, Daftpunk and the theme to Flash
Gordon (don't ask). Worth the 40 minute drive to some Godforsaken craphole in the
South-eastern 'burbs. The kids did their aunt proud.
That's it.
May 2015 bring you
all much love, happiness, laughter, joy, success yadda yadda.
Love,
DV
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