Glasgow, Scotland, UK • December 2019 • Length of Read: 2 Minutes
The past twelve months have given me the opportunity to slow down and enjoy the fruits that were planted during my formative years of adulthood. Time, always my most valued commodity, has been at the forefront of all the major decisions I’ve made, and my relationship with Eva has blossomed into something so spectacular and incredible that sometimes I have to pinch myself as a reminder that it’s not just a fairy-tale dream but real.
As will be apparent from the lack of new material produced this year, writing has taken a back-seat to fitness as I’ve created a solid structure around my diet and exercise regime. Despite also seeing changes to my employment and living situations, however, I’ve still managed to cross a few more items off the bucket list and am now a third of the way towards completing the 150 items that were set a decade ago. Some notable trips from this year include visiting my best friend in Dublin, relaxing on the beaches of Crete with my love, golfing with an awesome group of guys in Portugal, and spending quality family time with my brother and parents in Bologna.
On the learning front, geo-politics was a topic that I found of particular interest in 2019 and I also took a shining to the programming on Netflix, my favourite documentaries and series being Ricky Gervais’ After Life, the Obama-endorsed American Factory and Dre’s The Defiant Ones. Three books I couldn’t put down were Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell, The Jersey by Peter Bills, and Becoming by Michelle Obama.
And after much deliberation, here are my top five moments of 2019:
Taking a sunset Gondola ride through the canals of Venice with my Eva after a day exploring the islands of Murano and Burano; topped off with a concerto in the piazza.
Road-tripping up to Skye with the Tourists, where we bagged a Munro, sampled flights of whisky at a ceilidh with a movie star, and crawled between the taverns of Fort William.
Improving my cardio, gymnastics, and weightlifting at Crossfit Glasgow, where I’ve been able to challenge myself physically and mentally in a goal-oriented environment against some awesome training partners.
Purchasing a flat and taking my first step onto the property ladder.
Relaxing in heated outdoor whirlpools in Chamonix against a backdrop of the glorious snow-capped French Alps.
For the first time in these annual reviews, I’m also going to set myself some goals for the twelve months ahead. I’m not really one for New Year’s Resolutions, preferring to take action in the here-and-now than waiting until January rolls into town, but to kick-start 2020 I’d like to: learn basic conversational Greek, gain the gymnastic strength to string together a set of bar muscle-ups, and make a conscious effort to complain less. After all, I’ve got a new roof over my head and am sitting pretty with the woman I love lying in my bed. Life is more than alright.