It’s 2019 and as per usual everyone is full of this new year resolution nonsense. We all do it, even if it’s only subconsciously rather than proclaiming it from the rooftops.

For me 2018 was an odd mix. It was my first full year in the USA and included a lot of rather large negatives. My health hasn’t been great but, though so far, not majorly bad, I split up from my American wife and subsequently got divorced, and financially it’s been a struggle finding a safe and convenient existence here in what is still a relatively strange environment for me. On the positive side I started a great job working with friendly and kind people, I’ve made a few friends, had a few brief romantic altercations, and finished the first draft of the latest novel. It’s been an odd soup of emotions during 2018.

I don’t do resolutions. Well, not out loud anyway. This time next year I’ll be awaiting the decision on whether I’m going to receive my next visa. In the meantime that gives me another full year to improve my social circle, get healthier, finish the novel, and create my stories and paintings. I plan on 2019 being a better and happier year than 2018. If that’s a resolution then okay I’m just as bad as all the folk trying on Lycra and running shoes for the first time today. I hope they’re successful.

Here’s to a wonderful 2019 for all of us (apart from the candy floss haired orangutan in the White House).