Hello, 2010

I'm no Woody Allen fan, but this one's always made me smile. "How do you make God laugh? Tell him your plans." OK, then, Big Guy, here you go.

Despite the best endeavours of the economy, lawyers, and politicians, 2009 was a truly wonderful year for me, as you probably all know by now. So here's what I'm hoping for from 2010. These aren't exactly New Year's Resolutions, because, like most people, I never keep those. They're more like goals.

• Get my US residency. I like this country, I like these people, I absolutely love my new family, and I want to stay here. If I'm ever going to be truly successful, it'll happen in America.
• Create something. I haven't made a movie or written anything in ages, and the only music I've done in the last year has been fairly half-hearted. I don't really care what I end up doing, but I'm damn well going to do something. What I'd really like to do is become a story-teller and learn to use my voice rather than a computer, and tell stories out loud to real people around a campfire.
• See some new places. I'm probably going to be confined to the USA for most of the year, but there's so much to see in this country. I want to get down to the Everglades, for sure, and I'd love to visit some of the antebellum bits of Georgia. I really want to take a short trip to New Orleans, and, if at all possible, it would be great to get to Hawaii.
• Give my kids a holiday here. It would make me so happy if they could come out and see where I live. I want to show them so much, and I want them to know that I'm always here for them.
• Get off my increasingly fat butt once in a while. Most of you probably don't know that I'm a qualified rugby coach. There's a rugby team here in Orlando, and I'd like to help coach their youth squad. I also want to take up tai chi again, or some similar discipline.
• Go out as much as I can afford. I realised last year how important it was to spend money on experiences, rather than things. I also realised how important it is to get out of the house every day when you work at home. Orlando and the surrounding area has so much to offer, and I want to experience it all: music, food, art shows, movies, gardens, beaches, and all sorts of cool events.
• See a pro football game. Just one will do. Tampa's not at all far away, neither's Jacksonville, and Miami's only a bit further. I'd like to see a NASCAR race too.
• Meet new people. Sounds simple enough, but that's what changes your world.
• Get a bike. I'm in the land of Harleys, and I'll regret it for ever if I don't get one at some point. Though I'm actually more tempted by an Indian, just because.
• Don't sweat the small stuff. When it comes down to it, most things don't matter that much. They sure as hell aren't worth getting stressed and upset about. I'll be a much happier person if I keep that in mind more often.

Most of all, though, I'm looking forward to spending time with family and friends. I've been given the chance for a complete new start, and I have a magnificent and marvellously supportive lady by my side. If 2009 was the year both our lives changed, then 2010 will be the year where we find out what we can achieve together.

Here's to you all - have a great year, and thanks for reading!