Saturday, December 31, 2005  

I realise that I haven't blogged in forever. I also realise that when I blog, I tend to moan and complain a lot. So as a nice change, this is going to be a really happy blog, because to be honest it's been a really good year. I realise -- especially given what I do -- that much has gone wrong in the world this year, but I wanted to focus on the brighter side of life. So, without further ado, here are 12 reasons why 2005 ROCKED:

I GOT A JOB



Well, I always had a super-steady freelance gig at CNN. But in January I left the freelance ranks and became a full-time associate producer and writer, which is the main reason I don't blog as much anymore. It's worth it though, because I genuinely love the job, the people I work with and the company. No, really.

ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT



It may be on life support, but 2005 was the year I discovered Arrested Development, and thanks must be given for that because it is an unbelievably good show.

E3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I made a long-awaited return trip to the US for a vacation with Haneal and Mukund, and first on the agenda was E3. This was an incredible experience for all the games that were there (Zelda!), the systems that were unveiled (Xbox 360 and PS3!), and the people I met. I have a lot of friends in the game industry, so E3 was a great time to meet them all -- some for the first time in the flesh (Patrick, on the left) and seeing some again (Cameron, on the right).

VIVA LAS VEGAS



And then there was Vegas. There is little unclassified information I can reveal about Vegas. However, we stayed in awesome rooms at Caesar's, my uncle got married in the Little White Wedding Chapel, the food was unreal, and we rocked the so-called #1 Nightclub in America.

LIVERPOOL WIN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE



Laugh all you want, but this may well be my moment of the year. I cannot begin to tell you what this means to me. Never mind that it was a match for the ages, WE WON THE EUROPEAN CUP! I may be a massive Liverpool fan, but not being born in Liverpool and missing on the glory days meant there was always an awkward gap between me and Liverpool's honours. But this triumph was all mine.

BATMAN BEGINS



What a movie.

I LOVE JAPAN



I really do. Going to Japan is special for me, period; going with my family, going to all our old haunts, visiting Hakone and going to DisneySea was awesome.

NEW STUFF IS COOL



I actually got everything I wanted this year. And I mean everything. A new phone (Nokia 6670), camera (Sony Cybershot T9) and iPod (video) were just the beginning. I also now sport a Blackberry. I got the house media server to cross the 1 TERABYTE barrier. I got an Xbox 360. And, as the picture proves, an unbelievably gorgeous 32" Samsung LCD HDTV.

AUSTRALIA IS A HOSTILE PLACE



CNN sent me to Australia for a fascinating course on Surviving Hostile Regions. The whole thing was brilliant -- being sent off for a week with your colleagues really helps you realise that you're working with good people. The course itself was very interesting and full of useful information (like first aid -- hence the mock injury), the scenarios were good fun, and Australia's a great country. I even got to eat Krispy Kreme and Wagamama!

I HAVE A CAR



My wonderful amazing grandfather bought me a brand new Toyota Prius in September. Too bad I didn't actually have a driver's license then. It's a long story, but I failed parking when I applied for my license six years ago, then thanks to university and laziness never re-took the test. When my grandfather announced he was buying me the car, I applied to re-take the test... but then my instructor didn't show, so I had to postpone. Then I was sent to Australia, so I had to postpone again.

I LOVE JAPAN 2



In the meantime, I took a second trip to Japan with a colleague to see Liverpool, the EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS, play in the World Cup Championship in Yokohama. And guess where they stayed? MY HOTEL! Japan is always good, but this was an especially good trip: Liverpool, Mt. Fuji outside my window every morning, insane shopping, and a mall next door with a Starbucks, Pompadour and Mario Kart Arcade.

I HAVE A LICENSE



And when I came back? I had my driver's license. I LOVE driving. I'll sound stupid saying this, but I never thought I'd enjoy it as much as I am. I'm pretty much taking the car out for no reason just so I can drive around!


2005 -- which for the most part has also been the Chinese Year of the Rooster, my own sign -- has been awesome. Here's to a good 2006. Happy New Year everyone!

Posted at 6:03 AM

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