This year that’s coming is special, in many ways. It scares me, and it fascinates me. I’ll be eighteen in March. In September I begin at University. In August I marry Mark. Everything within the scope of one single year.
Little moments of massive importance, dotted out across the months.
Sometimes I’m wondering when it is all going to crash and fail, but I don’t have those thoughts nearly as often as I used to have. Maybe I’m growing up? That would be a relief to dad, at least. Then he can’t ring me and tell me to do just that regularly.
A few hours of a whole year that is going to define decades of my life hence. Is it any wonder I’m in awe of the next year, in the original sense of the word, where there is an element of fear at the root? Like you’re awestruck by a terrific lightning storm, but at the same time fear the powers that are unleashed?
There is a part of me that wants none of it. That wants the status quo. That wants nothing to change. That wants everything to be exactly as they are now, because as things are now they’re good. Not just good, they’re great. I don’t say that often enough when I launch into my moody missive of angst, but I feel it every time I look up and see him arguing with a pixel football player on the telly, telling that image how to play soccer.
Today is the last day of the old year, and tomorrow is the first day of that new awesome and frightening year.
I can’t wait.
Happy New Year!
A special happy new year to the following people: Richard, who is the consummate Englishman where I fail to be one; Tony whose often blunt, brash and low-down advice here in the comment field has made me see around many a corner; PinkAgendist (otherwise known as Pink) who made me sit and try and evaluate the sofa at Cambridge, wondering what he would think about it. Ricky, who’s on an adventure that I’m envious of. Fairyjerbear, Gary, Simon, Meeka (who writes a fantastic blog herself), and so many of you that read and comment here.
A very special Happy New Year to you too Colin! Yes, it will be a big one but that tends to be the case at your age when so many things are changing all at once. I suggest you regard it less as a frightening prospect and more an exciting one – indeed awesome, in the traditional sense :). Thank you for sharing your life with us, and for me at least brightening my days with your thoughts and insights. You are a remarkable young man in so many ways – now go and share the new year with that other remarkable young man you share your life with!
Happy New Year 😀
(- and thanks for the kind words 🙂 )
I Truly a new year go look forward to! We will all be along for the ride as you share your experiences with us. Thanks for the memories of 2012 that you’ve shared. Happy New Year 2013 to you and Mark.
Sorry about the unintended, “I” – my new keyboard app adds random words & letters now and then.
It all sounds a bit like Peter Pan’s description “An awfully big adventure” – except for You it doesn’t involve dying! 🙂
(If you’ve never read Peter Pan, you need to before you get to Cambridge. That, The Wind in the Willows and Swallows and Amazons are essential reading to prepare you for the inutterably poncey bastards you will have to rub shoulders with as you punt yourself and your beautiful Mark down the Cam.
Have an amazing year, Colin 🙂
[and what’s the bet html will not work for me :p ]
Happy New Year Colin. Just keep being yourself and enjoy the ride!
Happy 2013 Colin! May I suggest a slight change of vocabulary? Instead of being awestruck at the changes about to happen, how about seeing this coming year as ‘awe-spicious’. 😀
1974 was an auspicious year for me, and it’s one I’ll never forget. I hope 2013 is the year you’ll tell your grandkids about one day [I know, easier said than done but anything is possible if you want it enough. }
-huge hugs-
Happy new year Colin and Mark! 🙂
I hope that ’13 really is a lucky number for you, and that all those special moments give you the best possible results for the years ahead.
Hope you keep us all with you during the year – it is such a privilege to be able to read about your lives.
x
Happy New Year. Keep up the blog. I love reading about your exciting life. Good luck in the new year.
Welcome to 2013. This stage of the adventure is a bit like the first half of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows–I feel like it should be more exciting than it is, but it’s just a lot of daily life with few enlivening events. I’ve even started playing football, to get myself off the couch a few days a week.