Tuesday 8 January 2013

That was 2012

At the start of every month I make a note of what I got up to during the previous month. It's been great looking at all the stuff I did during 2012. I'm really happy that I did so much, tried new things, and generally felt alive.

January - surprisingly little clear up required after NYE party. Started my third Burlesque course. Enjoyed sobriety January. Moved offices. Began to learn Javascript with Codecademy. Visited the V&A and was rather taken with many things including the netsuke. Cleared out lots of cupboards. Experimented with marinated TVP.

February - Went to exhibition of Mexican miracle paintings and amulets at Wellcome collection. Tried to do less and failed. Became a landlord. Thrilled car was washed while being MOT'd. Got stressed about keeping up with code lessons.

March - Visited Vx and bought vegan junk food. Followed up with vegan hot dog and ice cream in the park. Continued with Burlesque classes including some with tassels. Acquired a green corset. Acquired a green top hat. Cleared out lots more stuff. Had a wonderful time in Rome. Drove with my niece in the car for first time (while bellowing Grand Old Duke of York). Went to a humanist funeral. Wondered if adding a funeral songs playlist to iPod would be morbid. Continued with code lessons. Drove a TT and decided that I didn’t want a sports car.

April - made fresh pasta. Joined Burlesque class with a view to performing with the Red Hot Frilly Feathers. Made vegan aero tray bake and overloaded on sugar. Finally put a timer app on my camera. Got annoyed with a boring haircut and went home to take scissors to it. Bought shoes with ridiculous heels. Tried to keep up with daily quota of Bass, Burlesque, yoga, reading and code and realised that something had to give.

May - Enjoyed NKOTB at O2 more than expected largely due to family time. Bought more heels. Looked into meditation courses but didn’t actually get around to booking anything. Spoke on Social Media at an Executive Briefing. Had to replace my iPhone but thrilled to be able to make full use of technology again. Went to Bristol Vegan Fayre and consumed ridiculous amounts of food. Got my summer clothes out and realised that most of them were too big. Alterations pile grew to mammoth proportions. Did loads of burlesque.

June - Celebrated Jubilee by exhausting myself with auntie type duties and increasing my respect for parents and carers. Signed up for Instagram. Failed to understand ending of Alcatraz. Discovered the joy and stash busting that patchwork done on a sewing machine brings. Wore vintage to the japanese embassy. Saw Kokoro exhibition at Somerset House. Went to Okinawa day at Spitalfields market. Performed burlesque on stage for Jubliee celebrations (and got into local rag). Had an afternoon of drinking and planning with Carla and bought a green lace dress. Sewed like a demon for my first craft stand.

July - Did my first handmade and vintage stall. Set up my Etsy shop. Drove an open top Porsche. Danced under the stars. Saw the Rolling Stones 50 exhibition at Somerset House. Came up with an idea for a business venture with Carla and began to put it into action. Drove to Somerset with my sister and her family (and back by myself). Did the Hot Fuzz tour tour in Wells. Finished a Princess and the pea playset just in time for my niece’s birthday. Ate vegan cupcakes and then went to vegan drinks. Remembered how much I enjoy swimming. Got drenched in torrential rain and acquired a rain poncho.

August - ​Went to V festival and got hit on the head by numerous objects. Camped at Reading festival and avoided such things. Picnicked in the park. Did a tassels workshop. Had a couple of teeth filled. Participated in Great Big Stitched Postcard swap (although my swapping partner failed to reciprocate). Went a car boot sale and picked up a horde of goodies.

September - ​Went to two trade fayres and decided to make Inkdrops a reality. Had a night out with the girls and danced to Motley Crue in the kitchen while drinking things both nice and horrid. Enjoyed carnival, especially the tractors. Heard Terry Pratchett speak in Ely Cathedral. Went to the Munch exhibtion at the Tate Modern and was reminded of my 18 year old self. Went to an evening of Burlesque and whooped lots. Took time off work to sew. Looked after my niece and lived to tell the tale. Got the problem with my car tyre solved. Played the 'name a food beginning with' game at London Vegan Drinks.

October - ​Worked at getting Inkdrops set up and ready to rock (with my awesome business partner). Had my own stall at a craft fayre and glowed when I sold a few pieces. Performed burlesque in a cabaret night. Visited The Third Estate to buy vegan boots. Danced at a Vintage night and got inspired by the vintage catwalk show. Went to Mimi’s annual pumpkin carving party. Carved a pumpkin, won the crown for longest apple peel and ate vegan mac and cheese. Went to Alice Cooper’s halloween night of fear and rocked along to Alice, Duff McKagan’s Loaded and Ugly Kid Joe.

November - ​My sister got married in a surprise ceremony at Marylebone Town Hall followed by a pint in the pub and dinner at Pizza Express. Was ill all month with a bug I couldn’t shake. Launched Inkdrops boxes with Carla. Got a new chartership mentor. Went to Cookies and Scream and adored time wandering around Camden. Went to Hogswatch and demonstrated Burlesque. Got 3 girls to dance with me at the Miss/Mr/Other Discowrld contest. Went yule shopping with my sister. Spent a weekend just resting.

December - ​Drove a Mini (and felt that gears are in the wrong place). Went to Christmas without cruelty fayre and engaged in more comsupion of vegan goodness. Packed up first Inkdrops order and discovered that suppliers can be unreliable. Did three craft and vintage fayres. Went to the Helle’s Belles Ball with Carla, and decided to start our own troupe. Made progress with Chartership thanks to awesome and inspiring new mentor. Acquired a ukulele. Worked on tax return. Viewed a derelict property with a view to renovation. Served Sloe Gin fizz at New Year, using the Sloe gin I made in 2011.

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