As always, I like to take stock and reflect on what I’ve been up to over the past 12 months. Unsurprisingly, there have been ups and downs. I don’t think I can come up with a single word to describe my 2024, although ‘change’ and ‘challenge’ certainly come to mind.
‘Change’ because we have experienced the biggest change at home for several years - an end to fostering and Wifey taking up a new career path. Not only that, but I have continued to ponder next steps for myself work wise, with a renewed sense that things need to change. Although I still doing the same thing, I have already taken steps towards making a change and feel that next year could well be the year it happens. ‘Challenge’ because work has been its usual unpredictable self with the first half of the year being a virtual wasteland of jobs and then from September onwards I’ve been flat with projects flying at me left right and centre.
So why did we stop fostering? As I explained in my last end of year post, there were several reasons but exhaustion was one of them. We’d gone almost five years looking after different babies/toddlers and when you’re pushing fifty it gets all a bit too much. It was a difficult decision to make, particularly because we’d invested a huge amount of time, effort and money into it, but ultimately it was a matter of mental and physical health due to lack of quality sleep. In fact, I think it’s taken almost a year to recover from the last placement because of the sleep thing.
Wifey started her training to be a social worker in September – something I know she will be excellent at – having applied for a Masters degree at the local University. She is really enjoying it and doing well so far on her assignments.
As for me, I’ve continued to consider my career options, thinking about what work might look like for me in my final decade or two. I’ve continued to submit job applications but not had much luck. Facing a dearth of jobs throughout the first half of the year, it was looking more and more like I had to find something else to do (anything, really) urgently – but then it all kicked off in September and I haven’t had a chance to look at much else. Even so, I know my time is limited doing what I’m doing. I can’t keep going, even if there is an abundance of projects to work on. It’s time to step aside and let the kids get on with it, as they’re doing it so much better anyway. I’ve simply lost the will to fight on being self employed.
But what to do? The honest answer is I have no idea. I don’t see a future in the TV or Film industry, apart from teaching, mentoring or producing maybe, but I think that’s an unlikely step. What I do know is that I’d like to do something meaningful, that also helps people – and if it can have a lot of variety, even better. The search continues on in 2025…
On a lighter note, we were blessed to have a couple of great holidays. The first was in March when we went to France for our annual ski trip. The third time that we’d gone, it was slightly spoilt by noisy guests in the apartment next door. Plus the snow was not the best. Both boys had a great time, though, and got their fill of skiing/snowboarding. More importantly, it was a break and a change of scene. In the summer, we had two extended family breaks – one in Herefordshire and one in Devon. It was nice to hang out with family and just relax.
I was pleased to pass my Grade 3 Electric Guitar exam in March and in the summer started looking at Grade 4, which feels a step up much harder. Not sure if I’ll be ready to do the exam in March next year but we’ll see. This year I put myself forward to play in the worship band at church. I wanted to get experience of playing in a band situation and to my surprise I was allowed to join – despite being something of a beginner still. I’ve just kept myself in the back, quietly playing away without being too prominent. It’s definitely helpful for my confidence and maybe one day I’ll be able to be more up front. For now, I’ll just hang back and do my thing.
I’m still trying to learn Welsh, but only really using Duolingo which I know isn’t the best way to learn a language (at least not on its own). I’ve kept my streak going for over 1,000 days but you wouldn’t know it given how useless I am! I know I need to practice more with real people – but finding others to converse with at my level is not easy. I should sign up for a class again but I’m not sure if I can commit to evenings for the long term.
And then there’s the state of the world. Sigh.
In July the whole country breathed a sigh of relief as the Tories were annihilated in a very satisfying defeat. Sadly, Reform were getting a bit of traction which doesn’t bode well for the future seeing as the Conservatives are as good as buried. I think it’s too early to tell how Starmer and co are doing, although early signs are not as hopeful. On one hand, they seem fairly competent and at least demonstrate some earnest desire to sort the mess out left to them by fifteen years of shambolic leadership. On the other hand, they come across as Tory-lite with baffling decisions like the change to the winter fuel payment.
Ultimately, it feels like they are ‘playing it safe’ – which is not what this country needs. Sure they’re doing stuff, but not enough that’s radically different to the previous lot. My fear is that failure to move quicker will result in the continued rise of populism and an eventual return to right-wing buffoonery.
Which leads me on to the clown show across the pond…
I was definitely relieved when Kamala Harris took over the reigns in the summer, as Biden was definitely losing the plot, but it came as no surprise when commander-in-orange Drumpf resoundingly won. The reality is that the Democrats are a joke and failed to offer anything better than ‘more of the same’, plus the US democratic system (if you can call it that), is utterly broken with too much influence from billionaires and foreign powers. In a sense, Drumpf deserved to win because his opponents were so utterly useless, and America is getting what it asked for: a bunch of oligarchs in power with no real interest in making things better for everyone else. I will wait to see if Drumpf and co promise to deliver for the people of America and the free world – but If I had to bet I’d say that democracy is doomed and things are definitely going to get worse.
Moving on from the depressing stuff, I’ve been fortunate to enjoy a few memorable moments in 2024. In June and July I did a load of hiking – one was up to the top of Scafell Pike to celebrate my cousin’s 50th birthday and the other was to complete the Welsh Three Peaks as part of a sponsored climb to raise money for Shelter Cymru. I did a fair amount of training for it which usually involved walking the hills of North Cardiff for the afternoon, but I was quite nervous about the Three Peak Challenge seeing as it was meant to be done within 24 hours and I wasn’t sure how I’d cope with the physical demands combined with sleep deprivation. Thankfully, it was fine – we completed it in a decent time and I wasn’t too wrecked afterwards. It’s inspired me to attempt the remaining UK peak (Ben Nevis) next summer, which I’m hoping to do with a few family members.
Another thing I got to do was see Bruce Springsteen in concert in Cardiff in May. This was totally unexpected as we were given the tickets for free by a work colleague because they couldn’t make it. Me and Wifey had a great time – although being an old fudder, standing for several hours didn’t do great things for my back. Not that we had a choice, but next time I go to a concert I know I’ll have to get seats! I’ve never been a huge fan of Springsteen, but was well aware of him as a solid rock star with decades of hits. The concert gave me a renewed respect and admiration of his work, and I was also super-impressed with his energy on stage. The guy is in his 70s and I don’t have his energy levels!
In October we enjoyed the wedding of Wifey's dad to his new partner – it was a fun event with various family members although I was charged with the job of official photographer which was extremely stressful. Thankfully I had two cameras at my disposal and borrowed a decent flash. I've shot weddings before, but this felt like the most high profile one I'd done. I don't like ordering people around and there is the pressure to do it well (plus it's a one-off event that you can't re-do!). I think I did OK, but it confirmed yet again that I'm ready to change career.
Looking forward to 2025, I am slightly fearful for what’s in store on the global stage. As for me, I’m trying not to think about it too much and instead just try and look forward to our ‘Jubilee Year’ as we are celebrating a number of milestones including mine and wifey’s silver anniversary and a number of significant birthdays. It will no doubt make me feel really old (something I’ve struggled with of late as I face up to the march of time) but at least we will get to do some fun stuff and hopefully create good memories.
Here’s to 2025 - let’s make it a good one!
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