Saturday, December 30, 2006

2006 in review

High Points
* Time spent in Rio de Janeiro, as well as trips to Taiwan and Hong Kong, Italy and Sweden.
('Christo Redontor on Corcovado mountain, Rio)
(Sunrise at Alishan, Taiwan)
* Arrival of 1st 2 nephews.
(Benjamin and Nathaniel)
*Being asked to be a godfather for the 1st time.
* Succesfully negotiating my 1st year at Ridley.
* The ongoing getting to meet and know new people and developing of friendships through Ridley, church and elsewhere.
* Deepening of my relationship with and understanding of God through much of what I am studying and experiencing at Ridley.

Lower Points
* At times the frustrations of Lisa's job situation.
* The struggles of writing some of my essays and particularly of exam week!
* Friends made in my 1st year at Ridley moving on over the summer.
* Missing Liverpool and friends and family there.

Scary Moment: Toss up between the aforementioned exam week and giving a short talk / homily in Ridley chapel to all my fellow students and staff.

Humorous Moment: Getting to read in Ridley chapel again to all my fellow students and staff that "Too much learning is driving you insane!" (Acts 26 vs 24) Made me chuckle anyway!

Best Sporting Moment: Without a doubt Steven Gerrard's majestic equaliser in the dying seconds of the FA Cup final against West Ham - absolutely amazing!

Not much else to shout about, particularly for a fan of Liverpool and England football or England rugby union and cricket teams!

Best Music
New albums: In no particular order, Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Stadium Arcadium, The Killers - Sam's Town, Razorlight - Razorlight, Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am I'm Not, Bob Dylan - Modern Times, The Fratellis - Costello Music.

Newly discovered old albums: Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks and John Wesley Harding, Radiohead - Pablo Honey.

Rediscovered old favourites: The Levellers - Levelling the Land, Runrig - The Cutter and The Clan, Oasis - Definitely Maybe.

Fave Songs: U2 - Window in the Skies, Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Snow (hey oh) and Dani California, The Killers - When We Were Young and Bones, Bob Dylan - Workingmans Blues #2. Also, older songs either rediscovered or newly found this year: Bob Dylan - Tangled up in Blue & Mr Bojangles, The Beatles - Octopuses Garden, The Levellers - The Game & 15 Years, Velvet Underground - What Goes On, Metallica - One.

Favourite Film: Has to be Bond - Casino Royale

Favourite TV: 24 series 5 definitely, though unfortunately this was only on Sky and only got to see it quite belatedly on DVD.

In terms of TV actually watched 'live' Spooks latest series was awesome as well.


Would be interested to read other people's views of 2006 - under whatever headings you choose. All the best for New Years celebrations tonight, and for a joyful and peaceful 2007!

3 comments:

Ellen Loudon said...

what a year you have had! Hope 2007 brings you much joy. Love Ellen. xxx ps I will send the pool your love!

Anonymous said...

You did a lot of travelling! My highlight of 2007 will be when Arsenal finish above Liverpool in the league and beat them in the FA and Carling cup!

Simon said...

I love it when other teams or their fans get 'cocky' before the event! We shall see...

(Having said that - I'll grant that your optimism is not unfounded given how badly Liverpool played against Arsenal the last time!)