Last Day of 2010

I completely forgot this is the last day of 2010, until my dad reminded me. As cliqued as this is, what can I say? 2010 has been a very stagnant year and to some, a bit of a bastard, considering that the Tories have gotten into power, the LibDems went back on their word and as a result, most college leavers won’t be able to go to university.

Has it been a bastard to me? Yes and No.

Yes, because my ex moved on with someone else, resulting in me struggling to concentrate on my university work and feeling depressed 99.9% of the time. But, I think his indifference was a wake up call, which in the long run was good for me, for I feel absolutely nothing for him now. And can I just throw out…being detached is a very, very good feeling.

Finding work after graduating has been a piss take. It got so bad to the point where I had to settle for an unpaid internship, which wasn’t very pleasant. It was like working in Azkaban with a bunch of Dementors. Yes, in all seriously, their bitterness and ugly personalities really do suck the life out of you. But because of this, I managed to find a paid job at the end of the year (although the first 3 weeks will be an internship), so it all worked out in the end.

And the latest misfortune happened this morning, when I found a thick A4 envelope shoved through my letter box, which I instantly recognised as the one I sent to Conville and Walsh. Yes, I knew I was rejected before I read the letter accompanied with my synopsis and chapters. Although they read with interest and really enjoyed reading my work, they felt it wasn’t quite suitable to be on their list. But they did encourage me to sent my work to other agencies and publishers, which was what I did later today. I’ve got a feeling I might be rejected by the agency I sent the copies to, but according to the ‘Writer’s Market’, they do offer constructive criticism when they return stuff, so at least I will know the strengths and weaknesses from a publisher’s point of view.

But 2010 hasn’t been all bad; in fact it was brimming with achievements and exciting people and experiences.

For starters, I graduated with a degree back in May. Although I didn’t attend my Graduation, seeing my certificate in print was a pretty proud moment…it was like being told that I’m officially a graduate. I also managed to complete a novel. After eight months of writing, redrafting and writer’s fatigue, I proved to myself that I could indeed do whatever if I put my mind to it.

Year 2010 is also the year I made some of the most amazing chums. I developed my friendship with Jason, who I befriended at the end of 2009, after one year of being estranged. We became much closer after my ex moved on, because Jason had been in the same situation with his ex girlfriend, who also moved on. Its strange how these things bring people together.

Ashish and Birmingham David were also amazing; giving me advice with the novel, as well as taking me out every other weekend. They’re both different, Ashish is very hyper-active, doing funny impressions and gestures, whereas David is much more reserved and bookish by comparison. But they’re both equally great to hang out with. I also made good friends with Janet, who I mostly ignored at university, as there was no opportunity for us to be acquainted. But we got talking during our 3rd year lectures, since we sat together and found that we were quite compatible as friends.

But the largest highlights were the holidays. I went to Morocco after I left university, which was a pretty amazing experience. Even when we stepped off the plane, it felt like a different place, as the smell of earth, dusk and dirt filled the air. Market places were brimming with beaded necklaces, filigree lanterns, tagines and beaded hangings. And dancers and flute players performed in small spaces during the night.

We also went on a road trip around Scotland. Edinburgh had an old grandeur about it, despite the modern shops and teens in Topshop gear - it was probably because of the old honeyed buildings and Art Nuevo architecture. Oban and Ben Nevis were the same as they were since I last visited four years ago and Glasgow had the same ambience as any average city.

I’m hoping that 2011 will be a better year. I hope the new job goes swimmingly and someone decides to publish my novel. For the mean time I can only hope and pray.

As for tonight, I’m not sure what I am going to do…I’m too skint to travel all the way to Wolves or Birms to see friends. I think my family might make some last minute plans and go out for dinner and some drinks.