The diet books are out, the running clothes are valiantly struggling to make their way to the top of the drawer, the trainers are slowly but surely edging their way out from their long winters hibernation under the bed, to take their rightful place on the bedroom floor, just by the door where they like it, ready to trip me up with guilt every bloody time I step over them. The resolutions are resolute as the echoes of last empty wine bottle clinks and clanks (against the other 20 empty wine bottles) on the way to the bin (ahem, recycling unit).
Yip, its the start of another year, another battle of the bulge begins as the 'to do' this year list gets fatter and fatter.
So here we are 1.1.11, we've emerged from frozen artic conditions, burst water pipes (which thankfully I escaped) a country that's teetering on bankruptcy, a shattered economy and a Tory government. 2010 was some year!
Yes, 2010 was some year, both on a personal level and for my adopted city, a year that saw Justice for the families and victims of Bloody Sunday, a year that crowned Derry/Londonderry the 2013 City of Culture (and to all those that dispute the UK City of Culture title, check out where your DHSS cheques have been issued from), the short list for the European Youth Capital (not to be unfortunately), the Turner prize announcement, the building of the peace bridge and not to mention the hoards of people representing their city and excelling in their fields, here and afar.
Derry, is an enigma, a city that survives against all odds, a city that's proud, a city that pulls together and fights, shouting and complaining and kicking all the way. As one man on Stephen Nolan says, 'Derry people don't have a chip on one shoulder they have a chip on both shoulders!' but you only have to look at the economic and social history of the place to see why. Derry works, even when there's no actual employment. Derry works because it is a grass roots city, a city made up of people that don't take 'no' for an answer, a city that demands answers, a city of grass roots organisations which sprouts forth organic green shoots which entwine to explode in a riot of culture, art, music, education, community initiatives, projects and festivals. So more of the same please Derry for 2011, It will be interesting to see how City of Culture directors shape up. As long as City of Culture make sure you don't go too mainstream and bureaucratic, it's the people of Derry that worked for the award, so remember to take them with you. But, I know the people won't let that happen!
So what can I expect personally from 1.1.11, despite the doom and gloom forecasts of Cameron and his buddies and despite their best efforts to beat us all into a impoverised submission (or maybe because of it) I myself see 1.1.11 as the year I finally grow up and decide what it is I want to be! lets see, I know its going to be in the social media, events management, crafts, painting, photography and arts field, probably all of the above!
What ever it is, I'm going to do it for myself, enjoy it and be good at it. Thats my resolution. (that and running!)
Happy New Year, may it bring, health, happiness, love and prosperity to us all.
