It’s Monday, 31 December 2001 at 23:40. In the remaining twenty minutes I’m going to try to make a summary of what I did this year, to articulate a short opinion, and also to specify some things that for now is important for the year that will commence in twenty minutes. (It is of course appropriate that I exit this year in the same way that I have spent so many thousands of hours over the past twelve months – behind my Toshiba Satellite 2180 CDT.)
I continued building this year on what I started last year – by not talking anymore about what I was going to do, but to talk about what I’m currently doing. Or better yet, to not actually talk about it, but rather to show what I have done. I earned less money this year than what I thought would be the case. On the other hand, I wrote a lot more, and tackled more projects and finished more than I thought I would.
I worked hard this year – on my own projects. I sat or stood around until five o’clock, six o’clock in the morning in my “office” or in the living room or on the porch giving birth to more ideas. Sometimes I would buy breakfast at McDonald’s, and by the time most people were already in their offices, I would go to bed. I spent hours, days, and weeks working on things that ended up in brown envelopes, excluded from the projects for which they were intended. I learned a lot about myself and about things I want to do.
I also (once again) realised that I have a real interest in language studies. I spent a lot of time putting together material that I used to study Chinese, and I actually ended up with a few additional words and expressions in my head.
In short, I’m proud of myself. I had a good year – and I worked hard to make it a good year! (Funny that I almost feel like thanking someone.)
There’s still six minutes left. Ideas for 2002? Pay off my student loans, buy a house in South Africa, become a millionaire, master Chinese, fly around the world in my own Boeing with a dozen mistresses to keep me company, do a master’s degree in History, buy my parents a house, get married and have children, see the hair grow back on my head …
Time is up. I have to go pour myself a Muscadel and roll my first cigarette of the new year.
* * *
Okay, the new year is already fourteen minutes in progress. Let the work begin!
______________________
