So we come to the end of year seven. Time for my customary taking stock.
My memory of this year, as I start to review it, is of one of few, memorable moments. It started full of promise with Ross's arrival but it has felt increasingly that much of the zest drained away. The formats have felt hackneyed, tried and tired. But there must be some things to celebrate.
Let's begin with...
and the usual variety of categories.
As ever, whether through video or through the good graces of our local cinema, the Plaza (which institution probably deserves an award in itself), Ross and I have seen many films this year. Many simply don't rate a mention as they were so instantly forgettable. Others, like Attack of the Clones and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets aren't in the running because, they didn't possess that extra something. In a slim year, there were some films worth celebrating. The nominations are
And the award goes to both
because I enjoyed them both so much that I couldn't place a card between them.
I attended very little theatre this year. Noel Coward's Design for Living at the Royal Exchange in Manchester was OK and it was pleasant to see Oliver Milburn's nob. But the evening doesn't really rate an award. Vincent in Brixton was also something of a let down. And so there are no nominations.
It was a very slight year for television and radio. Most of the tried and tested formats of quiz shows, soaps, reality TV and house, garden and cookery make-overs ran out of steam. Like many people, I found myself watching less and less television as the year went on and the channels proliferated. However, the nominations go to
And the award goes to
because it was the starting point for so many new thoughts I have had this year about history and Britain and Europe and me.
In the non-fiction category I should like to make mention of A History of British Art by Andrew Graham-Dixon but I don't think I can reward the same chap twice in the same year. Luckily, I can give the award to
which was the most hopeful and challenging book I have read in a long time.
In fiction, the field is still pretty restricted. The nominations are
And the award goes to
because I had never previously read any fiction by this master craftsman and I was completely captivated and entertained - he is due for rediscovery.
Well, any year that includes such rarities as La Vestale (ENO), Erismena and La Périchole (Buxton Festival), Albert Herring (Opera North), La Clemenza di Tito (WNO) and La sonnambula (Royal Opera) can't have been all bad. However, none of these really stick in the memory.
The same is true of worthy efforts such as the Royal Opera's Don Giovanni, La Rondine and Il Trovatore, Opera North's Sweeney Todd and Der Rosenkavalier, Carl Rosa Opera Company's The Gondoliers and Welsh National Opera's Rigoletto and Madama Butterfly.
Meanwhile, Welsh National Opera's Die Fledermaus, English Touring Opera's La Traviata and Glyndebourne Touring Opera's Eugene Onegin were just bad.
No, we have to look elsewhere for the memorable. The nominations are
And the award goes to the
for wringing my withers with a piece that has been dear to my heart for nearly 30 years now.
There were only two outings to dance performances this year and both were given by English National Ballet. Romeo and Juliet was not good. So it's useful that this year's award winner
provided an excellent evening's entertainment with some superb dance.
With music, the situation is the reverse. I've attended a lot of music events but very little has proved to be really special. At the Phil, I've liked Tchaikovsky's Symphony No 1 Winter Daydreams, Beethoven's Pastoral along with Shostakovich's 9th Symphony and the Vivaldi concert which included his Gloria in D. But I've not wanted to bravo.
I want to give an honourable mention to Naxos's series of historical broadcasts and recordings re-mastered and presented on budget CD because the have been real ear openers. However, the award must go to
because it has revolutionised the way in which I access radio broadcasts.
The most expanded category of the year has to be this one. Ross and I have enjoyed much fine art this year. The nominations are
And the award goes without question to both the
events for making me see things differently.
If the arts provided a lot of events if few truly edged their way into the memorable category, the picking are even slimmer in the social arena.
Peak experiences were few on the ground this year. Nominations go to
Even with few contenders the award goes to
because it was a complete family event.
There have been lots of improvements around the house. I have
And the award goes to
because I am so glad that I don't have to look at that tatty wallpaper in the corner any longer.
Aside from my intense relationships with the Internet and the VCR, there has been no memorable sex this year.
When I looked back, there were very few social moments around food this year. And this is reflected in a very short nominations list.
I've already given an award to the Chester trip and, though I'd like to give the award to the meal at the Tate because it was one of the very few perfect moments that Ross and I have shared this year, I have to give the award to
because it reminded me that there are things that I miss about not being in the capital and good conversation with close friends is one of them.
Even though my new healer Janet has made a distinct contribution to my life already, I don't feel that I can yet offer her this award and so it remains in the box this year.
Last year, I gave this award to Crosby as it had become my home. This year I am going to assign the award to
Reading back over this year's events one thing became clear to me. Despite the fact that there had been few memorable social events, there was a theme that ran throughout the year and that was the pleasure I obtained from my garden. Early in the year the daffodils trumpeted the arrival of spring. Easter brought potting and planting with the result that later on in April things began to take shape. Azaleas bloomed, summer flowers blossomed and continued into September. Ross and I put the garden to bed in November.
In a difficult year for the two of us, the garden represents the one true enterprise which Ross and I have shared and which we have enjoyed and which has progressed. For me, it represents something profoundly strong which underlies our relationship.
