Bumper 2010

What did you do in 2010 that you've never done before??

Wore platform-type wedge-ish shoes. Became aware of my thyroid. Saw a 3D movie. Had my hair coloured.

Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year??

2010 was all about recovering from the car crash that was 2009, with a couple of super-stressful exams thrown in. 2011 will be about building further on that - further development of my work brain, less takeaway food, better organisation / tidiness, and losing enough weight to make some proper headway with yoga.

Did anyone close to you die?

Sweeney's grandma Joan died after a long, unfair illness.

What countries did you visit?

Good lord, I don't even think I have a passport anymore ...

What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?

Well, I'm going to have full health after a wee bit of surgery and a blast of radioactivity in the next six weeks. That'll be awesome. And I don't know that I lacked this, but I will have a schoolboy in the house, come June.

What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

This is a bit sad, but it's October 1st, because it's the date the Budget personal tax cuts were implemented, and that's what most of my work life this year was about.

What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Workwise, I passed two exams that I convinced myself I had no chance of passing. Personalwise,

I resumed my yoga practice and I swear to all the gods that it's given me another centimetre of height.

What was your biggest failure?

I haven't decluttered nearly so much as I need to. And I totally didn't cure Sweeney of arguing with me every time I ask him to do anything / offer him anything / issue a direct order relating to his safety.

Did you suffer illness or injury?

Actually, I spent a lot of this year feeling sub-optimal. There's a muscle in my shoulder that goes out if I think a sideways thought, and the months leading up the the Great Thyroid Diagnosis were just vile. Yoga has mostly sorted the shoulder, or at least given me a way to alleviate it, and I'm embracing western medicine for the thyroid. Feel much better these days ...

What was the best thing you bought?

My Huffer raincoat. Weather is so not the boss of me anymore.

Whose behaviour merited celebration?

Everyone representing the company, the miners, their families and their community over the Pike River disaster. They were respectful, refreshingly open and honest, and held it together under devastating circumstances.

And the team I've been working with for the last six months. Man alive, they are beyond words. You got your tax cuts and increased Working for Families tax credits this year?? That's because of these people and their knowledge and their dedication to doing a quality job for the public. Management, take note.

Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Our current government, especially our so-called Social Welfare minister, Paula Bennett. Do not get me started. This latest debacle with the wee girl whose mother sought help directly from the PM and Bennett's office just makes me wish we could get a coup going ...

Where did most of your money go?

The same old chestnuts - the mortgage and preschool. With some chunks here and there for house maintenance. And a lovely holiday in November.

What did you get really, really excited about?

Seeing the Pixies in Auckland. Seeing the team through to October 1st. Sweeney's birthday.

What song will always remind you of 2010?

Celebration, by Madonna. And I Bleed, by the Pixies.

What do you wish you'd done more of?

Lego. No contest.

Did you fall in love in 2010?

Only with the apricot slice at the Cozy Cake Shop. You will, too.

What did you want and get?

I saw the Pixies, passed my exams, landed in an entirely suitable work situation, got the willow pruned.

What did you want and not get?

I keep putting off buying a new duvet. And I really have to get the hang of iTunes.

To close, I'll leave you with the most horrifying image I've seen in ages. Take care, people ...