2012: Good or Bad?

[Ivo]

As per last year's thread 2011: Good or Bad?, I feel it would be interesting to reflect on the highs and lows of the last 12 months and see where we all stand this time around. And with less than four of the year's 8,784 hours (for those of us observing GMT) left, now is as good a time as any.

So, to start with the personal side of things...

Highs...

• Taking an enormous stride towards knowing where my future truly lies, with every reasonable avenue now considered and appreciated. Having the backing from my University and First Group does help of course, as does the experience I've gained in both fields during the last two months...!

• Doing the apparently impossible and keeping my New Year's Resolution (for 2012) right to the end. There have been a few close calls, as some of you will know, but not one genuine complaint has left my mouth in relation to being single! Not to mention the progress made in doing something about it towards the end of the year anyway

• Experiencing something as massive as the Olympics in person, even if it was only a pair of football matches - although seeing Luis Suarez scythed to the ground was certainly amusing (as was booing him )!

Lows..

• Having to wait for virtually the whole year for my DLA appeal, only for the appeal to be a complete waste of time because of not being told what to expect as part of it. A complaint will soon be on its way.

• Learning that the man who would have been my childhood hero (if I had had one) died

• As with last year, there was one specific day to forget on the travel scene - June 1st. I got so fed up of it at the time that I didn't even bother telling you all how it ended up (with two exceptions), not least because I was practically slaughtered by a select few members of this very forum, so here you go - for a £14 Travelcard, I received £40 compensation!

Overall then, 2012 has been very quiet, with a very bumpy last two months. I am not sure whether 2013 will be beat it; it is the best full year I have had since leaving home and second only to 2009 since I left school.

And on a macro scale? Sadly, deaths have been prominent of late, with the likes of (among others) Sir Patrick Moore and - as inferred above - Gerry Anderson having passed on to name but two, with Neil Armstrong another from earlier in the year. Another Armstrong - Lance - has been effectively shot down in public opinion, as has another deceased man in Jimmy Savile, while the USA bore centre stage for two weeks as Hurricane Sandy and then the Presidential Election took our attention for a short while.

Oh, and the Olympics were a massive success.

So who wants to go first? Thoughts for next year, or a reflection on this one maybe?

 

[newbie babs]

2012

Highlights
My son getting married
My daughter passing her driving test 1st time
Fighting the illness and fingers crossed I can start life again in 2013


Extreme lows
Being ill and not being allowed out on my own for most of the year
in the last 6 weeks;
my daughter having a car accident
Having to put my beloved dog of 15 years to sleep
My mum dying on boxing day
A friend telling me they have cancer

2013 look forward to
Me being 50 (very soon) and looking forward to it.
Going for a ride in a friends rally car
Going back to traveling on the trains
Arranging a rally day for charity
in fact much more than 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

 

[Temple Meads]

Highs:
Travelling on the railways on average two or three days a week.
Developing a hobby for photography.
Finally getting a proper "best mate".

Lows:
Problems with education.
Some health concerns (mainly regarding sleeping patterns/problems).
Far too much in-fighting among friends/acquaintances, especially train enthusiasts.

 

[Phil6219]

Words really can't describe this year for me, it has high points sure however these are battered by the low points which despite not being big in numbers are just hard to cope with.

The Highs...

• Starting my volunteer work and getting to work on a Railway. Finally getting hands on experience working on and with locomotives, everything from overhauling and restoring bogies and unique Crossley engines to performing B exams and general maintainence on other preserved diesels.
• Getting to drive a Class 47
• Making new friends, both on the ELR and also out and about spotting.
• Finally going on a pilgrimage to Toton to see my beloved Tugs rotting away, also getting to see Tug 099 after two years of chasing it.
• To finally meet some of my Youtube subscribers and also meet folk I subscribe to.
• Meeting an adult movie actress in my local supermarket

The Lows...

• Being forced out of my job (sure I wanted to quit for months, it was causing no end of stress related health issues not to mention excessive drinking and I did feel awesome walking out with my head held high and according to my friends looked and seemed like a different person afterwards but I'm now still out of work some 9+ months later and completely skint).
• Loosing all of my old friends, it was a complicated matter. Sat in the pub one day having a laugh as always we were all having a joke around, my best friend of 17 years decided to act "sore" at my remark , after accepting my apology sent me a very hurtful text the following morning. Some friends came up from London and we hung out with them during their trip, saw them off and had a few good beers afterwards. The following week we both have curry with our friends and that was the last time we spoke, I saw him a few times on my bus but he wouldn't acknowledge or even sit near me (a few weeks ago he stood at the front for a whole hour rather than sit within 5 rows of me). My other close friend (a girl) who has been interested in him romantically for years decided to cut me out as she doesn't want to upset him - and by proxy all of the others have gone with her. I now have one old friend left and the last time I managed to get him away from the group was three months ago not long after my Birthday.
• Sitting round the back of Manchester Piccadilly waiting for my former best friend to say goodbye to my London friend (on her most recent visit) before I could go in an say farewell after he vacated the building
• Inadvertantly putting my one remaing old friend in an awkward position, he wants to continue being friends but as he lives streets away from my former best friend he doesn't see me much now and he feels bad for me.
• Found out the girl at work I was dating was also screwing my boss.

Not much of a list but believe me there is nothing worse than the feeling of total abandonment from people you would have taken a bullet for (over the years we have taken hits for each other). It is hard enough coping with that but when you are out of work and having nothing else to do other than wonder the hows and whys it is unbearable.

I've been very close to the edge before, I went lower than rock bottom a few years ago, I mean very close to the event horizon and managed to see some sense and pick myself up, dust myself off and get on with things. Over the last nine months the pain has been awful, knowing exactly what my "friends" are doing on nights out while I'm sat at home, alone (thanks to constant facebook updates from my one remaining old friend). Not being able to go on our traditional trip to the Manchester German Market, have our weekly Sunday Roast Dinners in my local pub, talk about computer games and even play my X-Box (Too many memories of playing team games). It's New Years Eve for buggers sake, and I'm sat at home listening to an 80's radio station in front of my computer running down the reasons why my year sucked.

I can safely say without being melodramatic, if it wasn't for the fact I've made new friends (and some really good new friends too) and got to immerse myself in railways (from spending 16 hours on platforms to burying my head inside engine compartments on old locos) I don't think I would have made it this far.

The future does look good though, me and my spotter friends have got numerous trips planned accross the country, I'll be starting my secondman training soon as well as learning to drive some shunters. The Bo-Bogie is almost ready to put back together and we will be starting the Co-Bogie with a possibility of having the Class 28 back on it's wheelsets by the end of next year. Employment wise it's still bleak but I'm hanging in there and am fairly sure I'll find another woman...

To 2013

Phil

 

[Lrd]

Fairly neutral year for me I think.

Don't have many highs or lows really, still in the same job, still at my mums house, still don't have a girlfriend, all the same as last year but I'm not upset about any of it really.

The only one big downside is my poor cat was put to sleep because of illnesses but I knew that would happen at some point anyways.

I have my hopes for 2013, I am going to make a real effort to get fit, eat right, progress with my career and perhaps move into my own place. Anything else is just a bonus.

Happy New Years One And All.

 

[ACE1888]

2012 was for me superb
Highlights: Got engaged and moved in with Pauline (who always comes out and about with me on the 'Four foot')
Went to Scotland on a 7 day all line Rover, and finally got to Celtic Park to see Celtic play
Been out on the local network in Cornwall and Devon more than I ever have
Achieved 'Cornwall in a Day' (all NR Routes) in 13 hours and 1 minute
Visited several preserved lines
Did loads of rail related phtography
Played my 30th (and final) season for Ludgvan Cricket Club, which included winning Division 5 West (now having called it a day with regards to playing)
Spent time with those who matter (my children)
A Vintage year Indeed

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I would say that Hyde ending up as Champions of the Conference North and their subsequent elevation to the Conference Premiership was a highlight of my 2012 year.

Being afflicted by a stroke in July 2012 was definitely the lowest point of my 2012 year....(My recovery from that event is well advanced now).

 

[317666]

The highs:

• Leaving School
• Improving my photography skills
• General railway trips, including the last A Stock, the Shambles 317 tour to York, and much much more!

The lows:

• Failing my Maths GCSE (although I'm retaking it in a few weeks' time)
• Being unable to find a job (so my New Year's Resolution is to find one!)

So overall 2012 has been an alright year, and I'd like to wish everybody a very happy 2013

 

[Crossover]

2012 has been a fairly good year.

Main high was probably getting myself a job doing something I was hoping to do, working in IT as a Network Administrator
I started that in April (hock and it seems to have since gone from strength to strength since - there is never a dull day!!!

It has also been a chance to continue doing other things I enjoy - mainly helping on the technical aspects (lighting/sound) of shows (I think I mentioned in last years thread about getting back into it again, after a few years away) and of course, travelling on and learning more about the railways (it wouldn't be RUK without some mention of that, would it :P)

Been another good year of seeing new parts of the country, both alongside RUK members, old and new, and alone or with friends, having been as far North as Inverness and down towards Portsmouth and across to the Isle of Wight for the first time in a number of years (on a glorious weekend weather wise, too!) as well as the rest in between

Low points - I guess some mention of the need to travel on the M62 nigh on every day has to come in somewhere :P

Seriously though - I think I have probably lost touch with a few people as the year has gone on, probably because I am usually too busy with one thing or another, but I have met lots of new people too.
Can't really think of too much else - I tend to try not to dwell on negatives too much (found out in final year of uni a couple of years ago, when I doubt I would have got through all the uni stuff had I been too negative about it!) - always look on the bright side even if that has been difficult since this year has been mostly rain!

Happy New Year all

 

[yorksrob]

As far as years are concerened, I find they all seem to merge into one after about 2003.

So for 2012 - "meh".

 

[Lampshade]

High points:

- Getting a job
- Passing my driving test
- Getting a car

All three of which I'd dismissed as impossible by the end of 2011 hock:

Low points:

- Second places in the GM and Merseytravel challenges

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

My high was probably my 14th birthday party, honestly one of the funniest nights ever when my mate got wedged in a fence and was stuck for ages also new Basshunter songs came out, all of which were pro.

My low, err don't have one. However we didn't win Euro 2012, and because Preston got smashed up in League One, that hurt.

 

[starrymarkb]

Good
Berlin, Leipzig and Wave Gotik Treffen
Highlight of my year had to be my trip to Germany with some of my best friends for one of the worlds biggest Goth fests. In fact 2012 was a good year for Gigs and Travel.

Bad
Still being stuck in my current job... had several near escapes to be denied at the last minute.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

High points
Finally managing to catch not one but 5 fish after 3 years of fishing and catching nowt.

Managing to go out more on the railway this year

My school report not being as bad as previously

Low points
Losing virtually all my school mates because they think me going out on the train is slagging them off

Getting in more and more fights at school in retaliation to bullying and me being the one in trouble and not them

School being very rubbish

Not being able to go on the A-stock tour due to something last minute popping up.

and many many more

Heres to 2013

 

[anthony263]

Good:
Getting a new job.
Buying a new car.
New model trains and new computer.

Bad:
Loosing both my jobs.
Little money to buy anything as I have to pay for my car.

What I am looking for in 2013 lets see:

New Job - I have a couple of applications outstanding with London Midland and Stagecoach South Wales.

Getting a new girlfreind - one who this time will not be so controlling especially when I am trying to work or out bashing trains and I get her phoning me all the time.

Move into my own house rather than living with my parents - Should happen if some of my job applications are sucessful.

 

[martinsh]

. Having the backing from my University and First Group does help of course,

I'm not sure than being backed by First Group would be a high point for me !

 

[WelshBluebird]

Highs:

• Getting a job offer and knowing I would start work in the summer as long as I passed university.
• Graduating from university with a 2.1.
• Started the job.
• Started quite well in the job, both professionally and socially.
• Realised who my friends really are, and which ones I can count on when I need them.

Lows:

• Got dumped by my (ex) gf of 3 years. Still don't know why. Still no where near over her.
• Was a victim of an assault and attempted robbery at 00:10 on xmas morning, so ended up spending xmas morning in hospital and then at the police station.
• Finding it difficult socially as many of my uni friends have moved away, and I haven't.
• Realised that some of my "friends" weren't worth the time or effort, and weren't there when I needed them to be.

There are probably a few more that I can't remember too.

In terms of 2013:

• Get over her.
• Get myself out there a bit more socially.
• Save some money.
• Get a car (I know, blasphemy on this forum, but the lack of a car means I am missing out on a lot of things right now).
• Try to find a girl who actually cares about me and won't mess me around like that last one.
• Try to vist more places around the country (by rail!).

 

[jon0844]

High points

• Having our first son, now 10 months old, who just stood up on his own for the first time this morning. Walking can't be far away now.
• Still enjoying my job and coping with working from home most of the time.
• Having enjoyed a great year of 'feel good' events, which really made anyone who lives here proud to be a part of it all. That and how brilliantly we managed things, from the volunteers to the staff that kept public transport running.

Low points

• Still missing the regular commute a little bit (yes, seriously) as there was always something I enjoyed about my journeys; A bit of time to enjoy a coffee and read my emails or plan my day, observe other passengers (and rail staff) and the occasional dealings with revenue officers!!

 

[Heinz57]

Overall 2012 wasn't that much of a bad year for me...

High points:

- Getting a job and becoming quite good at it.
- Selling my layout, and then being able to start construction on a new one without any moaning from the 'management' at home.
- Of course completing my dissertation to a high standard and finishing my degree was an exceptionaly high point.

Low points:

- Getting assulted outside work by a physcopathic motorist. Basicaly what happend was there was a mis-understanding between myself and this motorist (he was in the wrong by the way) whilst I was driving to work. He decided to follow me to the car park, where he then assulted me. Thankfuly I wasn't injured but it certainly shook me up, and I wasn't able to concentrate on my job that day. Two months later and I'm still not over it, EVERY time without fail I pass the junction the incident flashes infront of my eyes.
- Sadly losing contact with many of my uni friends.

Aims for 2013:

- Get me a girlfriend, one who I will have a lot in common with, and will beable to respect my interests.
- Get fitter and less skinny and hopefuly build up some muscles.
- Get my business idea off the ground.