Oh arse, it's that time of the year again

Best of 2002! Song of the Year! That was the year that was! Lists! More Lists! Even more lists! Easy filler end of year post!

If I had to sum up 2002 in one word, it would be: "ouch".

For anyone who's kept track of this site it will be abundantly clear that we've had our fair share of strife around these parts, none of which we would like to see repeated in the coming year. I'd like to keep the job I have and I'd also like to keep the friends I have, thank you very much.

Let's focus on the positive.

The biggest thrills this year were: Driving along the Thames at night. Taking acting classes. Building WHEDONesque.com. (Thank you, Milo, for your skills and help in setting this up.) It was the best remedy for my commercial web building-blues. And, though I continue to be ambivalent about it, reconnecting with the long lost part of my scattered relatives was also a pleasure.

I hated, absolutely detested losing control over my destiny when I was made redundant, but in hindsight it was probably a good thing to happen. The new job's a blessing. I'm writing, actually putting words together, for a living.

Musically, I got the biggest kicks out of seeing Arno at the Melkweg in Amsterdam and Sinead O'Connor in London. I enjoyed mash up bootlegs (has that trend fizzled out a bit?), The Streets, Bowie's Heathen, Kid Loco, Peter Gabriel's Up, Futurism, Soulwax, Kylie and Boy George's U can never b2 straight. I'll have to single out U2's Electrical Storm, probably not the "best" single, but I'll forever link it to my Summer of Discontent.

I continued my Buffy/Angel obsession and discovered The West Wing and Six Feet Under. Sadly, I got a little hooked on BBC's Fame Academy. Most of my TV viewing was done 'on line'. I added Joss Whedon's Firefly to my essential viewing list. All these shows offered distraction as well as involvement. I was mainlining this stuff when I was unemployed. I always did go for the least harmful drugs.

Unfortunately, I spent very little time reading, but I enjoyed reading bits and pieces of Ursula LeGuinn's new Earthsea stories. I don't remember a lot of the films I saw, but Monster's Ball made an impression.

Friendship made a difference. I cried, laughed and cry-laughed with my off line friends as we clung to each other for dear life. The Dutch Minimeeters crew expanded my people-horizon. Chat sessions with Stuart and Gavin's phone calls would lift my spirit, boost my confidence in the wake of loss and sadness. I remain, forever, their faithful minion.

Goodbye 2002. Farewell PJ, farewell John, may our lives be a little prayer to you both.

Bring on 2003, it can't be bad, sure I'm only turning 40.