2006 - The Retrospective (revisited)

I begin to fold up 365 days. I catalogue tokens, tickets and stubs marking experientials, things I did (and didn't) along with habits I failed (and the ones that failed me). I put these into piles; Discard and Memento. Some of these will carry me into the years that proceed (Allah willing), some will drag water. I must choose wisely, the things to keep and that which will lay bare to the sun on the scrapheap.

And what will I write in black marker on this box before I pack it away?

“This is the year;
I signed off weekdays from 8am-5pm.
I allowed gym fees to debit my bank account.
I passed my drivers license test.
I sang with Robbie Williams.
I bought a car.
I moved house.
I changed towns.
I loved.
I lost. (and my heart cracked) {but how else would I have known it's strength?}
I found that while i am averse to boiling bunnies, I make a damn good stalker.
I went to the Grahamstown Arts Festival.
I found a pebble shaped like a heart on a beach in PE.
I made mistakes. And they know who they are.
I blogged.
I said goodbye.
I became a little more cynical.
I became a little more hopeful.
I lost friends, kindred spirits, soulmates.
I found friends, kindred spirits, soulmates.
I read.
I went to the Live concert.
I laughed.
I cried.
I cried.
I laughed.
I lost sleep.
I overslept.
I worked hard.
I slacked off.
I lied.
I walked.
I wrote some poetry.
I made a list of things to do.
I went to Capetown.
I went to Kimberley.
I went to Mafikeng.
I went to Bloemfontein.
I parallel parked.
I went to the movies alone.
I smiled.
I started using Mxit.
I watched a movie being made.
I questioned my mental well-being.
I realised that everyone else is as fucked-up, if not more so.
I met a few local celebrities.
I had some fun with 419-scammers.
I watched Saul Williams and Suheir Hammad as they punched holes in my spirit's complacency with their spoken word.
I cut my hair.
I took more pictures.
I went on blind dates.
I acted with cowardice on one occasion.
I figured out how to deep-etch an image in Photoshop.
I learnt how to use Quark Express and Scribus.
I asked a stranger her name.
I attended crazy x's walimah.
I met my doppelganger in cyberspace.
I went to the Eid Gah.
I found out some bitter self-truths.
I discovered my strengths.
I listened as Leila Khaled spoke of her vision.
I laughed at George Galloway's barbs when he spoke at Wits.
I became my worst enemy.
I became my best friend.
I got lost.
I found a way.
I hacked mp3s using google.
I was quoted in the Mail & Guardian.
I dreamt in music.
I shared in a friend's grief.
I shared in a friend's joy.
I learnt.”