The hattiehattie Review of the Year 2008*

I started January 2008 with someone who told me, during the celebrations, that he hoped this would be the last year of his life. That really got things off to a fun start. I'm pretty sure that he's still alive as the year draws to a close, but sadly I'm not in touch with him any more. I hope it's been a much happier and more positive year for him than 2007.

In February I reignited a relationship with a different guy - the one I mentioned in my last post. Even though everything was going tits-up at my office, it was quite a fun month, and at least I got flowers on Valentine's Day.

March was a bit difficult because I was made redundant - but I didn't give a monkey's, because it was also the month that Milo, my nephew, arrived. He's the most beautiful, funny, sweet baby you could imagine, and I look forward to teaching him bad habits and stupid jokes (unfortunately this is all I have to share) as he gets older.

I was basically unemployed in April, a fact that is reflected in the number of blog posts I wrote: a record 23 in one month. All of them boring, because I had nothing to do and nothing to talk about.

In May it was hot, and I sunbathed in my bikini on the lawn outside my flat. Now it's zero degrees and I can't imagine ever wanting to strip to a bikini outdoors ever again, especially in England. Anyway, it was also my 25th birthday, which I loved, and it was the month that I finally, thankfully, got a job.

I started that job in June, and I'm so glad I did. Other than being a barmaid when I was 18, no other job has been as sociable and as fun. June was also the month I went to see Radiohead, and banged on about that a lot on the blog.

In July I... didn't really do anything except work.

August was great, because I went travelling around Washington (state) and British Columbia. I discovered David Sedaris (excellent), s'mores (sickly) and Jaeger bombs (usually not a good idea).

In September my job came to an end, and I headed up to Newcastle to pack up my things before my parents moved house. It was a weird and slightly depressing month, but with fun interludes when I went out and got drunk and went dancing with my friends. As it came to a close, my good friend Sandeep moved to London and we became flatmates again. It was the first time in two years that I'd lived with someone, and it's been a total success, and I don't mind saying that I love her very much.

In October I developed a huge crush on Barack Obama, met some famous comedians and went on some dates. I also welcomed my parents to London, which was lovely.

We were all in a celebratory mood in November, getting ready to wave goodbye to the chimp who's been inhabiting the White House for the last eight years. I was doing my second reality-TV-related job, and I'm about to go into my third now. I didn't particularly want this to be my professional niche, but apparently it is, and I suppose at least I've got a niche.

And finally, December: nose-blowing, working, and Christmas-present-buying.

In 2009 I hope to stay in employment, read more, produce better work and spend some time in New York. For my friends and family, I hope for everything wonderful they deserve, and most of all that they stay healthy and happy. For the world, I just hope Obama is as clever and moral as he seems, and that this recession slows down a bit.

I hope you've all had a good year. Thanks so much for reading the blog. I genuinely appreciate you all, and I promise to try and write more interesting stuff in 2009.


*complete with unruly capitalisation