A rather personal tradition on this blog, but one I’ve stuck to thanks to Molly Steenson who initiated this years before we met when this blog was my thesis project blog.
1.What did you do in 2014 that you’d never done before?
Spend a month away from London for work. That felt very weird.
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I’m not sure what they were but they did involve staying fit which I’ve been doing thanks to Diamond Jive. This year though, I’d like to spend time with friends who are slowly leaving the country for far away, more profitable places.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not yet.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
Scotland, Germany, Finland, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Belgium, Canada
6. What would you like to have in 2014 that you lacked in 2014?
Not much.
7. What date from 2014 will remain etched upon your memory?
March 8th.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Pushing through with the Good Night Lamp’s first batch which is now in production. Also putting on IOT Angels Master Classes. We’ve done two and our third is coming up. Working with the BBC R&D North Lab folks again, Nominet R&D & Digital Catapult. Some really talented people in those organisations.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Misjudging the shape of some work relationships.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing serious.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
A birthday meal at the River Café for me and my best friend.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Berg for closing Bergcloud and Little Printer. I’ve written about their amazing work. It made me sad but I think they should be recognised as pioneers in the wild. Who will catch them all!?
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Most airlines.
14. Where did most of your money go?
The Good Night Lamp (again and again)
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Going back to dancing regularly thanks to Diamond Jive.
16. What song/album will always remind you of 2014?
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
Happier.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
More writing and doodling in my sketchbooks. They’ve become to do lists this year.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Travelling.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
With loved ones.
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
F.
22. Did you fall in love in 2014?
See above.
23. What was your favourite TV programme?
I still don’t watch TV, maybe I should change this question.
24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
No
26. What was the best book(s) you read?
I’m great at starting books in parallel so started but haven’t finished and really enjoying
The Old Ways by Robert Macfarlane
All that is Solid Melts into Air: The Experience of Modernity by Marshall Berman
The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
The War on Drugs, Future Islands, Blood Orange & Rodriguez
28. What did you want and get?
Opportunities to work with great people.
29. What did you want and not get?
Understand how to grow teams effectively. I’m still learning how to do that.
30. What were your favourite films of this year?
I watched most films in airplanes and really enjoyed The One I Love, The Grand Budapest Hotel and discovered Pina.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 34 a few weeks ago, got a haircut, went to lunch and then to see Edward Scissorhands at Sadler’s Wells.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
More time.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2014?
Retro.
34. What kept you sane?
Hanging out with A., J. and F.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
No time for that this year really.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Syria again. Can’t believe how much things have just kept deteriorating in the Middle East since I left as a child.
37. Who did you miss?
My family & my nieces and nephews.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
F.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2014.
Some things come to those who wait. Not all, but some and maybe that’s enough.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
“When you say it’s gonna happen “now”
well, when exactly do you mean?
see I’ve already waited too long”