2009 Review

It's the time of year when we traditionally look back at the last 12 months and forward to the New Year. So here are my highlights and lowlights of 2009 and things to anticipate in 2010.

January - We woke up on the first day of 2009 in Sutton on Sea, Lincolnshire. We spent New Year's eve with Jayne's brother Ian and his wife Irene, their son Dan and his wife Clare. We went to a rather bizarre party and played some interesting games!! Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States on 20th January. I was really excited about this - we had stayed up all night to see the election results the previous November. I shared the hopes of many Americans for a new and different type of politics in that country. My musical hero, Bruce Springsteen, performed at the "We are One" concert during the inauguration celebrations. Here's a link to the inaugural address on The White House website http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/inaugural-address/.

February - We went to our good friends and neighbours, Mike and Jacquie, to watch the Super Bowl XLIII. We supported the Pittsburgh Steelers because that is where another of my music favourites, Joe Grushecky, is from. The final score was Pittsburgh Steelers 27 - Arizona Cardinals 23 - so we were happy with the result and also that Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band provided the half time entertainment. Towards the end of the month Jayne went for a routine mammogram - because she had reached a certain age!!

March - the 12th is etched in my memory as the day we found out Jayne had breast cancer. I was scared, we both cried but Jayne told me that she wasn't going to die. Well that's OK then!! Not sure I really believed that at the time. Anyway we saw the surgeon and found out what was going to happen - we were initally told that Jayne's operation would be on 21st April - my birthday (this subsequently changed). When Jayne was asked if she had any questions all she could come up with was " Will I be well enough to see go and see Bruce Springsteen at Hyde Park on 28th June and in Dublin in July"!!! Also this month we met up with my old school friend, John Brown and his wife. We hadn't seen each other for nearly 40 years since we left school in 1969.

April - Jayne went in to hospital on 6th.

May - had a short break in Sutton on Sea at Jayne's brothers. Did a bit of walking around Louth. Had family round for a curry night to remember Dad's birthday - becoming a tradition.

June - Jayne started radiotherapy and finished just in time for us to go and see Bruce Springsteen at Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park (London) on 28th. Brilliant, first time we had been to a music festival thingy. Not too sure about the Dave Matthews Band - could have done without them - but there were loads of people there who really liked them.

July - our long awaited trip to Dublin for two Bruce Springsteen shows at the RDS Arena. The weather wasn't very good - it rained most of the time. The two shows were fantastic and we met up with some new friends from Greasy Lake - Sinead, Ceinwen and Hywell. Enjoyed a drop of the "black stuff" on Temple Bar. Jayne went back to work on 27th.

August - another break at the seaside in Sutton on Sea this month. Finally finished my "father of the bride" speech for my daughter's wedding on 28th. Work meeting in London to be told that our jobs are going and our is likely to be privatised - felt really awful and still do.

September - quiet month. Jayne's birthday, we both took time off work and went to Whitelocks for fish and chips. Had hoped to get a pint or two of Black Sheep but they didn't have it!!

October - went to Mike and Jacquie's on Halloween. Sat round their chiminea in the back garden eating beef stew and drinking brandy to keep warm.

November - New York yee hee. Two Bruce shows at Madison Square Garden, trip to New Jersey (Asbury Park and Freehold), lots of sightseeing in NYC. Brilliant week - want to go back. The second night at MSG was the best Bruce show I have seen - The River night. Met up with Sinead, Steve, Ceinwen and Hywell and had great time with them in New Jersey. Back home to reality. Day out with my bro (Trevor) for his birthday - pub crawl in Leeds - lots of real ales. Another work meeting in London - jobs still being privatised!! Went with Paul, Allyson, Janet and Joan to the champagne bar at St Pancras.

December - spent Christmas at home. Dinner at our house with brother Trevor, sister in law Val and nephew Chris. Good food, drink and playing on the Wii. Worked in between Christmas and New Year. Went to Sutton on Sea to spend New Years Eve with Ian and Irene. So started and finished 2009 at Sutton.

In many ways this was the worst and best of years. Looking forward to 2010 with some anxiety - Jayne's hospital check up in March, uncertainty about my job, which as I write is due to be privatised at the end of June. So here's to a good 2010 for everyone - especially my blog followers. Happy New Year.