How Do You Measure A Year? 2012

Last year I wrote my end of year summary in an arctic winter London.

This year, after 18 months on the road, I’m writing from the comfort of my old Melbourne bungalow with sunshine streaming through the open windows with a delightful breeze blowing through the garden. It is magical to once again bask in the golden Aussie sun and a perfect location to reflect on the year that has been.

January
I started the year on a freezing rooftop in Angel listening to Wait Til You See My Smile in memory of Addam Stobbs. I missed the warmth of my friends around me.

February
I met a boy. He was dashing and charming. A favourite memory was when we both fell asleep on a double decker after a long day of exploring London together.

March
For the first time in years, I said ‘I love you’ to a lover. First murmured subconsciously in my sleep, then accidentally over the phone before finally saying it in person.

April
I saw the European continent for the first time, stealing away to glorious Montpellier. My boyfriend and I stayed at a remarkable 400 year old apartment and ate our way around all the delicious French menus on offer.

May
I moved from the East End to Kennington – ‘the town of the King’. On a good night, I can open the windows and hear Big Ben chiming. Amazing.

June
Ah young love, sometimes it doesn’t last. I joined a gym, visited galleries, read in a park and did all the things you should after break up. I think I saw more of London in a month than all the time before.

July
My friend Jasper took me to the Proms to see ‘Human Planet’ (a doco he worked on). It featured one of my favourite musicians, Nitin Sawhney with an odd entourage – an African gourd player, Mongolian throat chanters, Siberian shamans and Pacific Island dancers.

August
I went to the Edinburgh Fest and enjoyed great comedy, theatre and all the whisky drinking that happens in between. So many things to see in such a short span of time – incredible.

September
I made a true friend in London. John and I have robust discussions about the city’s financial austerity, architectural abyss and socially conservative attitudes. I finally understand the place I now call home.

October
I visited the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. It was extraordinary to see a ‘timeline’ of his work from beginning to tragic end. Learning he started late in life reinforces the idea that there’s hope for me yet!

November
I saw the ENO production of Tosca. It was surreal to see one of my favourite operas by one of the world’s preeminent opera companies. It was a nice reminder of how far I’d come since presenting that opera programme so long ago.

December
I came home. It was a bit sad ticking the ‘just visiting’ box at immigration. It was so liberating to go driving with my friends again, riding along all of Melbourne’s lush forests, sun-glittered beaches, tree-lined boulevards – pure bliss.

The Gay List: Jonah and the Big Wish

We can do better. We must do better. We must say no to bullying.

This video deeply moved me.

As Christmas approaches, I wish for a kinder world where everyone is celebrated for who they are. As Oscar Wilde said:

Be yourself; everyone else is taken.