Reflections on 2010

If you really try you can cram a lot into a year but strangely when it comes to an end it still feels empty. This post could be an excuse to list all the awesome things I've done this year to make my life sound more interesting than it is and remind me that I haven't totally wasted the last 52 weeks. In a way I'll actually attempt to do just that, but maybe not quite so explicitly, so I'll just list my highlights...

1. Running the Great North Run

Sadly, this running malarky has undoubtedly had the largest impact on my life this year. I'm not going to bother totalling up my mileage but I think it would come to a few hundred miles since January and the disgusting state of my feet testify that. It would be fair to say that having completed my first half-marathon I gained an actual real-life hobby. I don't think I've ever had one of those that wasn't enforced. In running the Great North Run I also managed to raise some money for charity. I think, for me, it was nice to see those people who actually are around to support you, certainly not just by donation but also by remembering I was doing it and that it was quite important for me.

2. Meeting David

No, I've not turned gay. David was a work colleague who is greatly respected within certain circles. He's been everywhere - twice - seen everything and bought all the metaphorical T-shirts you can buy. He retired this year after 40 years of policy making. The first time I met him as he moved into my room at the Treasury, someone turned to me smiling and said "you're incredibly lucky to be sitting next to this man so make the most of it". At the time I totally dismissed this as ego inflationary tactics, but as the year rolled on I realised it was an enormous understatement. David is one of a very very small list of people I look up to. I don't mean this arrogantly in the slightest, but as a stern cynic I never look at people in awe purely because of who they are or because I'm told they're great. If anything that puts me off them. David and I worked together on some very challenging policy areas and I don't think I'll ever forget his constantly calm approach, the way he cared greatly about the legacy he was leaving behind for us young guns or the time he desperately tried to get me to hire a bike with him in Dublin to go site-seeing despite his broken foot. Most words of thanks go unsaid and I'm certain he will never see this but I know David has been a positive influence on my year and I'm sure his wise reflections will stay with me for years to come and for that I'm very grateful.

3. The General Election

This is an easy one considering my work. The twists and turns of the election and the drama of a hung parliament unfolded themselves right on my doorstep. It's something I don't think I'll experience again on the same scale, perhaps as I may have moved my career on to pastures new, or because the next election will be tame by comparison. One of the standout moments in the height of the drama was the full blown argument live on Sky News between Alistair Campbell (Tony Blair's old spin doctor) and Adam Boulton (Sky News political correspondent). I'm not sure how I put up with the drone of news helicopters above my office for a month, but luckily the lack of government to advise meant I wasn't too rushed off my feet.

4. Seeing Leeds promoted and beating Man Utd in the FA Cup

The recent demise of Leeds United is a popular but poorly chronicled collapse, the lowest point of which was undoubtedly the failure to beat Doncaster Rovers in the League One playoff final of 2008. I was at that game and left utterly disheartened that we had to suffer another year in that godforsaken division of tin pot clubs and really poor football. Finally, this last summer, after three years in the wilderness of League One football we got promoted to the Championship which I maintain is actually the most exciting league in English football.

I won't focus on football anymore, but beating Man Utd has to be a massive highlight. I can remember shouting at the TV watching the game alone (often the best way considering what comes out of my mouth). When the goal went in I think I tore a few vocal chords.

5. All My Sons and Bocca Di Lupo

I went to see David Suchet in All My Sons at the Apollo Theatre with my mum. I'm not a massive theatre man, but I was completely gobsmacked at how good the whole production was. I think he won a few awards as the best leading man in the West End, but I have absolutely no basis for comparison and won't pretend I know. Going to Bocca Di Lupo afterwards was amazing, it's a restaurant I'd heard a lot about and had to book nearly a month in advance and it didn't disappoint. Obviously these trendy places can raise expectations, but it met every single one. We sat at the chef's counter and watched all the dishes go out in front of us before we chose what we thought looked best.