Year in the life of Rob, 2008

Year in the life of Rob, 2008

1. What did you do in 2008 that you'd never done before?
Moved into my own place back where I grew up - it's weird to think it but I've always stayed in a place owned by family or Lu's mum.

Went paintballing. Went go-karting. Injured myself on a space hopper

Been told that I'd caused a a positive pregnancy test. Watched ultrasound scans. Watched other people inspect my wife in ways that I thought only I should. And of course, I became a dad - one of the best things in the world.

2. Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
As stated many, many times before I don't do new years resolutions, but last year I thought about taking swimming lessons so Lu could have some company whilst swimming. But after going swimming once I remembered why I hate the activity.

I also mused about learning a language, but once I realised we weren't going on holiday it seemed pointless.

It isn't a resolution as I started before New Year, but I'm (re)learning the guitar. I learnt and had lessons as a kid and desperately wanted to do it again - I thought it would be nice to have something to teach Archie at some point if he wanted me to. So I went out and bought a cheap but gorgeous guitar and am teaching myself. I have surprised myself with how much I remember, but I need a lot of practice to make myself anywhere near competent.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
My wife and Jen.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Unfortunately yes. As you're probably aware, my brother-in-law was killed in a work accident in February. I can't say too much as it's currently with the Health and Safety Executive, but it really affected me and to this day still does. I can honestly say a week doesn't go by where I get a little emotional about it.

5. What countries did you visit?
None

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
No idea... more time to myself maybe? Since Archie came along and Lu isn't at work I don't have any time in the house that is purely just me. It might sound selfish but sometimes I miss that chance to just do whatever I want.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Lucie telling me on the phone at work that she'd taken a pregnancy test and that it was positive. The phone call from my mum to inform me of Neal's death. Neal's funeral. Going into his shed for the first time about two months after his death, seeing that it was just as he left it (nobody had the stomach to clear it out) and smelling the smell of his workshop, the smell I knew so well from when I'd chat to him in there and feeling that he could literally just come home at any minute, which caused me to break down uncontrollably in a way I hadn't since his funeral.

And similar to last year, the date I got offered my new job, albeit a different one. Going to Wembley to watch my team get a chance to be promoted to the Premiership. Archie's birth. Being told that I'd be getting a four figure Christmas bonus (though a lot of it was swallowed up by the taxman and then Christmas)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Doing the right thing and coming home. Oh, and spawning some offspring

9. What was your biggest failure?
Taking so damn long to move home.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I was doing alright for colds and flu but got caught by a couple towards the end of the year. I'm off to the doctors tomorrow about my eye as I've had a lump on the eyelid since July. I know I should have had it looked at sooner but I thought it might sort itself out. Plus I know that it can sometimes be a pointless journey.

I injured myself racing a child-sized space hopper against my colleagues. It's not everyday you come home from work and announce that you did that at work.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
My car

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
Well, she gave birth didn't she?

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
Hanson Quarries, Neal's boss, and in the last quarter of the year, my sister.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Archie, my car

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Taking delivery of my car. The pregnancy. Being a dad.

16. What songs will always remind you of 2007?
MGMT - Failing to Pretend
Kings of Leon - Sex on Fire
Oasis - The Shock of the Lightning
One Night Only - Just for Tonight

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? 100% happier.
b) thinner or fatter? Fatter I'm afraid, though the weight gain has slowed.
c) richer or poorer? Poorer – That's what kids will do I suppose. Plus Lu isn't working which has created a huge dent in the ol' finances.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Thinking truly about what would make me happy

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating on biting the bullet and handing in my notice.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
I spent it at my parents' all day. I ended up playing Guitar Hero with my brother until 11.30pm. We spent time with Lu's family on New Years.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
With Archie I suppose

22. How many one-night stands?
I can't think of anything witty to say about this any more

23. What was your favourite TV program?
I don't watch much TV any more - not really anything new anyway. Though I did get into Skins and it made me yearn for home.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
I normally say no, but this year it's a yes... Neal's boss for reasons that would probably make you angry too.

25. What was the best book you read?
You'll probably think I'm mad but a parenting book my Penelope Leach. It was very much along the lines of "do whatever feels right with your baby, if they're not crying you're probably doing fine". It helps but you at ease when you have a momentary "argh!" panic attack when you wonder how you're going to deal with a baby 24/7.

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I'm ashamed to say that I've only just started listening to Ted Nugent. If you don't know what I'm talking about look him up on Youtube

27. What did you want and get?
A better car and a job I wanted to do.

28. What did you want and not get?
A holiday

29. What was your favourite film of this year?
Quantum of Solace. Not because it was the best but because it was the first time Lu and I got to go out after Archie was born. The Dark Knight was probably my favourite film that we went to watch though.

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was stuck in Cheltenham on a training course.

31.What would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If the job had actually worked out. On the plus side, the fact that it didn't meant that I moved back home and actually got into an ace job.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
The same, nothing changes. Though I've started shaving less.

33. What kept you sane?
Moving home. Waking up in the morning to see Archie smiling. Coming home from work and seeing Archie smiling.

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Back to Kelly Brook I think.

35. What political issue stirred you the most?

36. Who did you miss?
My family, so I moved back home. I felt very isolated when Neal died and felt useless for helping people out. And of course Neal - often I wonder what I would say if I could say just one more thing to him.

37. Who was the best new person you met?
Archie. My new boss.

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008
Sometimes people are taken from you suddenly and without warning. Don't live morbidly but remember they're there and how you'd feel if they weren't. Then make an effort to not waste it all .