I described last year as a, “black ice drive“. I didn’t realise then that 2012 was only a warm up act. 2013 has been memorable, I can at least say that.
I could now tell you about the testicular cancer of my dog, my guinea pig’s genital warts, or some other contrived tragedy, in order to make you feel sorry for me. I could plead exceptional circumstances, reach out for the community love. But you know what, as I’ve said before, I’m one of the lucky ones.
Things have happened, things are happening, things will happen. That’s the rub. That’s life
So here are ten things that I’ve learnt in 2013 that you don’t need to know,
1) There are good people out there doing good work, daily. They don’t feel the need (get the space) to tell the world.
2) Winning stuff and being recognised. That’s nice. But not the point.
3) Laugh in the face of adversity. Constantly.
4) The most supportive and helpful people aren’t the ones who talk about how supportive and helpful they are.
5) Until you’ve sat and broken bread with someone, you don’t know whether you’ll really like them.
6) SoMe is full of guff. Period.
7) The real conversation isn’t happening where you think it is, it’s happening where you hope it isn’t.
8) Given a choice, most people would elect for self interest over collective benefit.
9) 90% of debate results is nothing more than intellectual masturbation. Fun, but unproductive.
10) Never listen to a blogger that thinks they can summarise a situation in 10 points.
Happy Christmas one and all.
Neil
PS. That’s me done for 2013. I may be back in the new year, who knows?
change-effect 
It kind of feels like you are signing off. Which would be a shame, you’ve written some of the most interesting pieces I’ve read this year and I’m sure the same is true for many others.
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone kicking about any contrived tragedies, as you say – things happen, that’s the rub. I know you will have had people in mind when you wrote that paragraph if I’m one of them then I’d say my desire to help others will always beat my desire to gain approval from you. I hope you approve of that.
There are people doing great things without time to share, that doesn’t reduce the value of people sharing great things.
Masturbation is a genuine form of stress relief. And there is no harm in spreading the seeds of debate.
SoMe contains guff, so does any conversation. But it contains value, same as any conversation.
I hope you and the family have a great Christmas,
DDS
Thanks Neil. If I’ve learned anything in the past few years it is that life is mixed feelings. It is not good or bad, right or wrong, it is good and bad, right and wrong.
I hope the guinea pig feels better soon and Happy Christmas to you and yours.
Love – Doug.
Reblogged this on Yachne.