Can it really be a year since I did this last?? I've loved 2012 and am rather sad to see it go - it's been quite unique! So here, sitting at 2am on New Year's Day with a mug of tea beside me, are this year's awards!!BEST BOOK READ: Half Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan
BEST FILM: Chariots of Fire and Lawrence of Arabia both re-released, both astounding.
BEST SONG: ‘We could be Heroes’ - David Bowie. Will now always be a very specific place and time. (And hearing Matt Cammelle finally sing ‘Some Enchanted Evening’ at the Empire – waited twenty three years for that one!!)
BEST THEATRE MOMENT: Tough choice this year – but probably Ben Chaplin bringing Harley Granville Barker to life perfectly at Hampstead Theatre (and glaring at a woman in the front row who was using her mobile as he did so!) Ties with finally seeing Paterson Joseph on stage in Julius Caesar with Ray Fearon as Antony. I was cheering both sides... and the RSC in general!
BEST BALLET MOMENT(S): The Two Pigeons and then Hobson’s Choice in Birmingham, two March weekends in a row; interviewing Cesar Moralis for BRB Friends (ahhh! Cesar!); Faster in London (matinee perf!)
BEST TV MOMENT: Elbow singing at the Olympics Closing ceremony! Even if the stupid commentators did talk all over it!
BEST SILLY MOMENT(S): dashing to Birmingham on a train in May after work, missing the thing I’d really wanted to see – and oddly, not even minding!
MOST EMOTIONAL MOMENT: watching Robert Parker dance the two ballets aforementioned : in tears every time. (In tears thinking about it now!)
BEST PURCHASE: A lovely 1916 'Complete Works' of Shakespeare: last thing I probably needed but...
BEST CAKE: Probably the Mincemeat Bakewell from Cafe Maison in Norton last week, partly for the cake but mostly for the company!
BEST NIGHT'S SLEEP: still Jury's Inn, Birmingham though the Hilton in Islington gave it a run for its money...
BEST PLACE(S) VISITED: Eltham Palace and Gardens – Art Deco delight! Walberswick, Snape Maltings, Suffolk in general!
BEST CONCERT(S): Eddi Reader at the Gala in Durham - totally restorative - and West End Men at the Sage – despite the odd staging!
BEST DECISION: Applying for my new job!!!! Joining the choir! Putting Grouse and Partridge onto Kindle!
BEST DISCOVERY: Louis Smith (before the Olympics!): gymnastics in general!
BEST MOMENT(S): Getting the phone call (in Tesco’s car park!) offering me my new job! Walking back to Piccadilly Circus station on air, having been whisked into the star dressing room at the Garrick theatre for bubbly and told I was wonderful!
What more does a girl need...!
Happy New Year!
Jan 3rd update: My second hand (sorry - I meant 'vintage'obviously!) Harris tweed jacket from Glasgow Vintage is sulking. It thought it was my best purchase of the year - a sartorial bargain at a mere £22. I am apologising to it unreservedly. It's just become so much a part of my life I can't imagine I was ever without it!!
Happy New Year!
Jan 3rd update: My second hand (sorry - I meant 'vintage'obviously!) Harris tweed jacket from Glasgow Vintage is sulking. It thought it was my best purchase of the year - a sartorial bargain at a mere £22. I am apologising to it unreservedly. It's just become so much a part of my life I can't imagine I was ever without it!!
