Rate Your 2015

[Foe]

Every year I do this as I think it's good to reflect on what's happened.

Last Year found here: http://www.thedugout.tv/community/sh...01#post4296301

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In somewhat of a Foe tradition I share with you great people the highs and lows of my year and reflect upon what has happened over the previous calendar year.

Highs:

1. I bought my first flat, with a lot of help from my parents, but it's a great feeling knowing I have a base.
2. I'm pretty well paid for what I do, I live comfortably.
3. I've definitely gotten stronger, managing to bench press 100kg which has always been my goal is great and learning to squat.
4. I had a lot of interesting, high profile work to do this last year which I think has helped me gain somewhat of a reputation in the company in small circles - a good reputation and relationships are key in this industry. I felt like I was really contributing to the team and felt respected.
5. I get on really well with my parents. We don't speak that often, but I enjoy speaking to them. I spent nearly two weeks with my dad in America and really enjoyed his company.

Lows:

1. Got a banging bald spot and receding hairline on the go, which has utterly ruined my already pretty slim confidence. Might well shave the thing in early 2015 and embrace it.
2. Im becoming far more lazy, work is really starting to impact on my desire to exercise.
3. My job last year was really, really tough. I was dealing with really quite sensitive issues (of other peoples doing both internally and externally) and
directly reporting findings to some really senior people in the region, most of which wasn't a positive message. In a few years time they won't remember why they know my name, but at the moment it's difficult being associated with an operation seen to be a nuisance.
4. Still no girlfriend, but I'm actually quite content by myself. In hindsight, the first relationship I had and the spectacular fallout from the resulting breakup have really given me a "fuck it, I don't need someone" attitude in relationship terms. At some point that'll need to change though as I'm 25 and have no intentions of growing old alone.
5. I'm not quite convinced what the end goal is. I'm keen on the idea of moving to America but I'm not sure whether that's because I'll have a fresh start in a new, hotter place and I'll just realise when I get there that it's no different and I've left behind the friends and family I had.

It's good to reflect.

2012 here:

http://thedugout.tv/community/showth...68#post3806968

2013 here:

http://www.thedugout.net/community/s...ight=Rate+year

So 2015:

+ves
1. I got a promotion, and with it a pay increase which sees me really quite well paid for my age.
2. I enjoy having my flat (not the mortgage) and knowing that I control the destiny of my living arrangements.
3. I'm definitely a lot stronger than I was previously. I've been training with guys who take the gym pretty seriously and as such have pushed me to embrace new exercise and find my limits.
4. I feel more competent at work. People seem to respect my input and don't see me as a shite engineer - which is definitely a positive.
5. The new car I've picked up is actually very pleasant.
6. I've really enjoyed watching a lot of american football, tv series and films. It's a fairly shite hobby, but it's what I enjoy doing and I do it often.
7. I've got euro 2016 tickets to a couple of decent games which means I have the option of an enjoyable summer.


-ves
1. My metabolism is terrible, and as such I'm now carrying more fat than I have in a long time.
2. The hairline fell apart and I've had to embrace a shaved head look. It's not ideal.
3. It's been a rough time family wise. One of my cats died quite suddenly and my nan has deteriorated rapidly with alzheimers. I'll hopefully get to see her over christmas but she's in a home now and definitely losing grip of reality so it might be the last time I see her when she knows who I am or indeed the last time I ever see her.
4. 2015 has been a year of unease at work due to the low oil price. Redundancy was a concern earlier in the year and the lack of improvement has meant it's a known concern rolling into 2016. Given the way things are going there's a real risk there's some significant changes coming and with that it's feasible I won't have a job come June. Right now I'd probably rate my odds at 50/50. I'm in a better position than some for sure, but I do fear things could go drastically wrong. If nothing else it means the office will be a morbid environment in Q1/Q2.
5. Still no girlfriend, and it's been a year of poor progression. On the plus side, I'm quite happy by myself but it's concerning that many of my friends are settling down whilst I'm stagnating.
6. I live in a boring and cold place and do think that there's a much better standard of living to be had somewhere warmer. I've no interest upping sticks to the middle east, but I'd relish the opportunity to move to the states. If things go badly in the new year I'm not going to rule out a move across the pond.

So it's been a bit of a mixed bag. How's your year been?