So here we all, safely through to 2025! We are doing our usual trip away with friends. This year, we are in a rented mansion near Stratford upon Avon. We've had a lovely couple of days, but soon set off back to sunny Mill Hill to walk our doggies (the kids have been taking care of them). Last night we had our traditional New Year takeaway curry. Not quite up to the Mill Hill Tandoori if truth be told. but very pleasant none the less. I've taken a bit of a break from my diet of late, sadly it all starts again today. We'll have lunch then it is back to the 20+4 regime that has lost me a stone in a month! By this time tomorrow, I'll no doubt be most grumpy!
I was reading last years message and was reminded of a rather disturbed nights sleep and a nasty dream. I am pleased to report, this year, I slept like a baby, although I did have a truly bizarre dream. I think it was inspired by a scene in the new Wallace and Gromit film that we watched before the Hootenany. I dreamed that I was part of a team checking the sewers under the White House in the USA, ahead of the inaugeration of Donald Trump. Oddly, my daughter Lizzie was part of team as well. The rest were top Admirals and Generals from the US Navy and Marines. For some reason, I was the boss and I'd brought Lizzie to give a 'different perspective' on the risks to Trump. I had a massive argument with the top General who wouldn't let us into a secret chamber in the network. In the end, he opened up and to my surprise, it was an empty brick chamber with nothing in. Lizzie started teasing the General saying he clearly didn't know what was down there, which he didn't take very well. All rather odd. Then I woke up. It may (or may not) surprise you to learn I have no experience in sewerage systems or presidential security, although I once met the US Navy Secretary on a business trip to Washington. Nice chap, into Ice Hockey. If Trump gets blown away by an exploding turd fountain on his first day of office in the White House, they'll wish they got me & Lizzie to check it out properly!
Last year I wrote these words in teh equivalent blog dicussing my break from boozing for the first two weeks of the year "In truth, I really don't feel like drinking at all at the moment. We had a lot at Xmas and I was looking forward to the two week break I always have at the start of the year. We had a really busy December and it was cathcing up with me. Normally at this time of year, I make New Years resolutions. I have decided that this year I won't. There is a saying that "men make plans and God laughs". I have things to do, the band have gigs lined up and a single & album to release. The studio needs some major improvements, that we put off until we knew that the business had a future. We need some serious work on the house. I really feel like I need a couple of weeks in the sunshine somewhere."
This was interesting. I feel exactly the same about drinking. Last night, I had a relatively tame night. I had some IT admin on the studio website that had to be done this morning, which meant I needed a clear head. The band got their album out and did some cracking gigs. We did some of the work needed on the studios, but the finances are still 'difficult'. We've been forced to raise prices substancially and we need to see whether this works. If it does, we have a business. The feedback from customers so far has been good, but we will see, We need to raise our revenues by at least 15% simply to break even in 2025, once the NI and rates changes kick in. If this happens, we will do some more refurbishments and push on. If it doesn't, then we will need some serious restructuring. I never got that holiday in the sun last year. It is needed more than ever this year.
I usually feel positive going into a New Year, this year I feel very pensive. I don't want to go into it here and now. I just hope I'm wrong and it's a classic year. Looking at the bright side, The False Dots have our first gig lined up. I have a brand new song to present to the band, when we start rehearsing. We have a few gigs booked that look good.
Finally, my hopes for the new year? All I can say is that I hope the idiots we seem to keep electing in the UK and elsewhere receive some divine inspiration and start governing for people rather than bankers and their rich mates. I hope that our religious leaders step down and hand over to people who don't think noncing is OK. I hope that the people who run football wake up to the fact that without fans, football is nothing. They need to put fans ahead of TV companies. I hope my family and friends all stay healthy and are happy. After a year packed with elections, it seems that it is likely to be a quiet year. Be grateful for small mercies!
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