It must have been about four months ago when Jack mentioned that one of his friends on Facebook mentioned that as far as he was concerned ‘2016 could just f**k right off’. I don’t know which of the many horrible pieces of bad news that we’ve all had to put up with this year pushed him to make that comment, but I didn’t half agree with him. It started with the shocking death of David Bowie and so many other ‘national treasures’ followed him right to the end of this year.
It just kept getting worse and worse though in all sorts of ways and it has without doubt been the saddest and most heart-breaking year that I can ever remember, and I’ve had a few of them over the years.
How do you feel about numbers? I was born at home – a number 33 and I’ve always liked 3, it’s a lucky number. I’ve never liked the number 6, despite the fact that I was born in June, I’ve always been quite trepidatious of number 6. It’s probably something to do with that biblical ‘666’ thing, although I’m reliably informed that that is a mistranslation and it should really be 606 – whatever! So I will be glad to get rid of that 6 from the year date.
I really can’t see that 2017 is going to be any better, in fact I suspect it’ll be even worse what with Brexit and T***p, but I live in hope, because I grew up from the age of 5 in a house that was a number 17 and for me it has always been a friendly number. I know, I’m clutching at straws – but it’s definitely straw clutching time.
Hello, Katrina – We are entering an era now when it’s fifty years, give or take, since our living-rooms saw the presence of these stars week in, week out, in a way that’s very different to visiting a cinema or concert-hall or hearing records. So I think the connections we have to these “treasures” can feel almost “personal”.
As for numbers – every year in this 21st century still seems to sound like a science-fiction date to me!
Under nine hours to go here in this old year now; I hope the New Year is kind to you. Best wishes, across the miles.
Valerie,
Happy New Year to you, I’ve seen the fireworks from Auckland on TV although it’s over eight hours to midnight here and the Edinburgh display. I agree with everything you’ve said, especially that science-fiction date, it sounds like we should be zooming around with our personal jet-packs!
Here’s hoping 2017 won’t be as bad as we think it could be – I had some very happy years living at No. 17, but also when I was 17 (not whilst I was living at No. 17 though) I was in a car crash. We’d better forget that!
Best wishes for the New Year!
Margaret,
Fingers crossed for a better year. I suppose you should look on the bright side – you survived the crash. I was trying to think what had happened to me when I was 17 – then I remembered – I got married. Crazy!
I am very behind and trying to catch up so firstly, I hope you had a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year/Hogmanay đŸ™‚
2016 was certainly a memorable year and not always for the right reasons. I find myself slightly dazed now we’re in this new year – and wondering what it might hold for us all. And I can’t think of any personal connections with the numbers involved – nothing to suggest it might be good or bad! Time will tell!
Sandra,
Thanks, Happy New Year to you! We had a good time although I’m glad that everything is getting back to normal now. I’m getting to the point where I’m just not going to worry about anything (or trying not to anyway) because there is nothing that we can do about it.
Here’s to hoping 2017 is better, though like you, I think it looks rather grim at the moment. Fingers crossed we are proved wrong! Happy New Year!
Stefanie,
Fingers, toes and everything crossed! Happy New Year!