out with the old…
Predictably, and even more so after glancing back at last years’ entry, the resolutions have boiled down to the usual vague and well intentioned, but ultimately futile idea to lose as much weight as possible whilst still eating just as much and sitting on my arse, as well as the continued avoidance (wherever possible) of Wetherspoon’s pubs, Debenhams, shiitake mushrooms and anything even tenuously linked to the insufferably smug and utterly repellent Robbie Williams.
I have also resolved to nobly bag up and charity shop any items of clothing in my wardrobe which pull, gape, ride up or leave a red mark after less than fifteen minutes of being worn, an exercise which will hopefully leave me with what is sometimes called a ‘capsule’ wardrobe, quite possibly because what is likely to be left will fit inside a Sudafed. After almost eighteen months in my slowly-progressing apartment, a room-by-room clearout is certainly on the cards if for no reason other than to pass on to a good home all those items I bought within a fortnight of moving to replace their equivalents that I couldn’t find/hadn’t unpacked yet.
Anyone hoping to live vicariously through a tale of reckless debauchery over the last 24 hours or so is going to be sorely disappointed, unless going to bed at 10 with cheese and crackers and a DVD box set is your idea of a wild night, in which case I ought to point out that not only do I conduct my appointments in a state of near or total undress (stockings-on is usual, colour, denier and thickness dependant on accompanying ensemble, ambient temperature and yes, the number of hours since I last shaved my legs) but also almost always with the light on (which oddly enough, and after x number of years has left me with a faintly bizarre fetish for entertaining underneath the bedclothes and with the lights off, probably because it has been so long since I have done it).
Being an eater rather than a drinker this understated approach does not bother me unduly, but I do intend to aim a little higher and make proper plans for next year; my favourite city is calling and (Eurostar trains not withstanding, considering the chaos which ensued recently following a couple of inches of snow) in the event of a prosperous 2010 I will be spending the next New Years Eve (and with luck, rather more of the coming months than I have had lately had time for) in Paris. If not that, then a good outside bet is Kuala Lumpur, a fabulously diverse, vibrant and welcoming city which I once ended up in by accident and have always thought I would like to return to on purpose. To any prospective companions for whom this sounds appealing, I am, as ever, open to offers!
Next week – Edinburgh! I am told by my on-the-ground sources that it is very cold, and I am thus planning layered outfits for my occasional sojourns outside the warmth of my lovely apartment (which those of you who have visited before will remember). As it looks at the moment, these opportunities will not be presenting themselves that often and I am looking forward very much to reacquainting myself with the gentlemen of the city as well as hopefully dispersing the last of any post-Hogmanay sufferings. This coming Sunday is fully spoken for already but I still have some availability on Monday and Tuesday – ring for details!
Finally, to all those wonderful ladies and gents I have met this last year (some of whom travelled many miles, and happily, many of whom I will be meeting again) as well as those for whom our paths are yet (but in some cases not too far away!) to cross, I wish you a very Happy New Year and all the best for 2010! Will look forward to seeing you soon (and not just because I’ve got a stone to shift, promise).
Back in Scarborough on the 7th!