Happy new year, happy new decade and happy rest-of-your-lives to all my friends and family across the world.

To paraphrase Quentin Crisp, think how you’d be – how you’d behave, how you’d dress, who you’d love – if there was no one in the world watching you – and JFDI.

SG’s 10 best bits of the last 10 years

Best sportsperson – Ricky Ponting (Australian cricket captain)

Best album – Hairspray the soundtrack

Best book – Shantaram

Best pub – Hermits Cave, Camberwell

Best film – The Boat that Rocked

Best holiday – Kangaroo Island, Australia

Best web things – BBC, Facebook, any of the google sites and apps, spotify

Best tv series – 24

Best purchase – Trixie, my BMW. She stood the test of time and served me well for most of this decade.

Best gadget – its a toss up between skyplus and the creative range of mp3 players

remember, be nice to one another and kinder to animals, children and those less fortunate than you.

happy new year

sg x

Some people are generally curious about the whole idea of them and want to learn more, others see them as a waste of time and potentially dangerous. But for every conversation I have with someone (such as my partner) trying to warn me about the trouble they have caused and why I shouldn’t write it , I have another with someone else who thinks they are great and that I should keep on writing.

So why do I do it? Here’s why.

• I write it so I can learn about it, so I can understand this thing called blogging

• I write it because I can – I am privileged to live in a country which supports freedom of the press and free speech

• I write it because I believe in the voice of the everyday person needing to be heard for political, social and cultural reasons, no matter how inane the conversation

• I write it because I enjoy sharing knowledge, always have, always will – I’ve learned loads from the web and this is my small way of giving something back

• I write it because its an easier and more accessible way of communicating what I am up to with a wide group of family and friends than by email

And yes, I fully appreciate the dangers of not only blogs but of social media in general (people being sacked for their Facebook comments and so on). Naturally I don’t wish to be sacked, sued or assaulted, or to offend any individual or group as a result of what I might write – ok, except for George Bush, child abusers, racists, homophobes and bigots. You can all feel free to be as offended as you like, the more the better.

But I will continue writing my blog until I run out of things to say. And people who know me might appreciate that that day is some time away.

Wise advice from the wonderful comedian, George Burns. (Thanks Kimberly, for sharing it).

Here are more wise words from Steve Jobs, founder of Apple.

Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.

Its so very true. It takes courage and often great risk to break out of a rut, to get yourself back onto your feet after a setback and to stick to your principles and goals, but its so totally worth it.

I’m currently waiting to hear about two jobs, both of which I’d love to do, as they would allow me to do what I love doing.

Last night I asked my partner what one I should choose. “Which ever one makes you happiest” was her reply.

I know I took a risk by leaving my previous job, especially in the current climate. And I might not get either of these two jobs – but I had to do it. And if I don’t get either of these jobs, I’ll re-group and get back out there again and keep looking for another ideal opportunity. Life goes on.

Being happy – with your job, your friends, your family, your life. Its simple, its free, and its what its all about.