Tuesday 1 January 2008

New Year's Greetings


This is a picture of Pendennis Castle in Falmouth, as requested by the Rotten Correspondent. Though I would hasten to add that we walk around this castle's large moat every morning, not the castle itself, which is owned by English Heritage and so you need to pay to go in.

January the First is traditionally the time for News Review of the Year, a programme I worked on in my television days. It was fun compiling an hour long programme of the disasters of the past year, the howlingly funny sound bites, the moments of achievement. We made it in early December, of course, as tapes and scripts had to be sent round the world by courier in those days. I would crouch in the newsroom, trying to send pages and pages of script by the temperamental fax, sworn at by the editor of the day desperate to use the machine for some far more urgent business. Oh happy days.

But it strikes me that the new year should surely be a time of looking forward. If your hangover permits, that is. Our upstairs neighbours got in at 4.30 this morning so you can guess what they’re going to be feeling like today.

I haven’t made any new year’s resolutions, but I have goals, and they are mostly to do with work. That is, make more money out of my writing. Journalism and fiction. These are not just professional aspirations but part of a plan that involves looking after a husband who, like many of my friends, has next to no pension and can’t afford to give up work. No that there is much at the moment anyway.

The long term financial future is not one that I care to look at too closely.

So that’s my goal for this year. I would also take a leaf out of our friend John’s book and adopt his maxim for life – to go my own way but help others when I can. That sounds fearfully priggish but there is a selfish motive to this – it makes me feel a whole lot better. Cheering someone up, or taking a cat to a vet doesn’t take a huge amount of time or money. But it’s worth it when you see that smile.

So here’s hoping that 2008 brings us all health, wealth and happiness. Most of us can survive without the wealth, but the other two are vital.

Cheers.

17 comments:

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

Happy New Year FP!

Flowerpot said...

And the same to you, Himself and the lovely lurchers!

Akelamalu said...

May you exceed your goals, and my wish for the new year for you is everything you wish yourself.

It's been a pleasure getting to know you m'dear. x

Flowerpot said...

Ak - how very kind. Teh same to you and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know you, too!

HelenMWalters said...

A very happy New Year to you. Great wealth we can do without (although I wouldn't say no to a tiny bit!) but health and happiness is what we all need!

Flowerpot said...

Yes I'd like a bit of wealth too Helen!

laurie said...

cheers, flowerpot, and best of luck with your goals! long-term financial outlooks are bleak for all but the wealthiest, i fear. so just keep going day to day.

happy new year!

fergy said...

I know you will succeed in your goals. Happy new year to all of you there, and a special kiss for Bussie-in-the box.

Love, Linda and EJ

the rotten correspondent said...

Thank you for the picture, flowerpot. What a lovely sight to see first thing every day.

Here's hoping that you get everything you want in 2008. It's been terrific getting to know you this year!

wakeupandsmellthecoffee said...

You're so right, Flowerpot. If you don't have your health, nothing else matters. Happy New Year to you and Himself.
xx

B.E. Sanderson said...

Happy New Year to you, too! May the next twelve months be successful, joyous and productive for us all! =oD

Flowerpot said...

laurie - wise advice to keep going day by day.

fergy - and a very happy new year to you and EJ. Lovely to hear from you! Spoke to your Dad just before Christmas and he sounded well. Best love and from Bussie too!

Flowerpot said...

RC - you are very welcome to the picture - we saw a fox up on the ramparts one summer morning - that was incredible! All the best to you and yours.

wakeup - I do hope the new year brings good news to you on the job front and that you enjoyed the festive season.

bes - good to hear from you and I wish you all the best too!

Katherine and Pippa said...

Thank you for leaving a comment on my blog (about my father) some time ago. This being the new year I have finally got organised enough to visit back.

And I read a post about new year reviews in journalism - hah! I remember that (although in print rather than tv), and spending new year's day writing up the honours stuff (but at least getting paid double time plus TOIL). And I too would like to make freelance money - when one of us cracks the secret - perhaps we should share it.

I hope the New Year brings you everything you want.

Katherine

rilly super said...

I'm afraid to say I try and avoid other old ruins at my age flowerpot dear, sigh

very best wishes for 2008

Philipa said...

Great post fp, and the castle looks fab, happy new year!

The newsroom sounds great fun, I could live my life 3 x over with all the things I'd now liked to have had a go at ;-)

Flowerpot said...

katherine and pippa - lovely to meet you and please call this way again. yes I will gladly share the secret if I find the answer!

Rilly - good to see you and happy new year to you too.

Philipa - glad you like th eold heap. I'm like Rilly, try and avoid them otherwise!