A summary of our 2017. Up front I’d like to thank all of you who have been with us on the journey. It has been a really positive year for us and has been made all the more possible thanks to you.
2017 was a great year for the SPearing-bOND Alliance. Team Spond (better than BoRing?’)have gone from strength to strength in the flow of life and happiness.
A Spa day start for Gramel gave us some startup pampering as we readied ourselves for a big year. Carmel started work as a mental health nurse in a medium secure unit, whilst I was zeroing in on the go live for our project to replace a national NHS IT service with a lower cost and more flexible alternative. Later in the year our talented senior architect submitted and our project for the National DevOps awards, winning the Public Sector category! Tuxedos and celebrations at a glitzy event.
Home and work, life and love, always looking for balance. I published ‘Heroic Fantasy’ a fun all in one starter roleplaying game based on David Black’s simple and effective ‘The Black Hack’. A lightning trip away to Hadrian’s Wall and the Edge of Empire with Cameron was super special for both of us.
Game conventions continue to feature, with my first ‘Revelation’, dedicated to ‘Powered by the Apocalypse’ games. Smaller than the lean stature of my other ventures, I heartily enjoyed the opportunity to focus in on some ‘Moves’ and hope it will have some legs for some years to come. A slight departure was a day trip out to Insomnia60 with Cam. We had a great time exploring the stalls and Cam got to meet one of his heroes: 8 Bit. We also snuck in a Free RPG Day at Patriot Games; so very proud to be gaming with him next to me at the table. I’ve setup ‘North Star’ for 2018, an SF RPG gathering which looks to be a hit!
Many a positive milestone achieved in 2017. My project of several years gestation went live and has been incredibly successful, with a 2018 of consolidation and realisation of potential. Connor graduated with a 1st in Sociology, a real testament to his ability. He has followed this by turning things around and is now in the world of work and in his own room in a shared house.
It was great to celebrate Carmel’s graduation with a Masters in Mental Health Nursing. I think it is her second Masters, I lose count of her achievements. Perhaps a PhD to follow? What a marvel that lady is, truly remarkable!
Erin has had a fabulous first year at Leeds University, nt only excelling on her course, but finding happiness and I expect friends for life. Really chuffed to bits for her and for other good things to happen in her life throughout the year. We have had some ‘Daughter & Dad’ meet-ups for lunch throughout the year, and hope for more in 2018. Remarkable lady number 2.
Megan did extremely well at college and has moved on to greater things, studying Biomedical Science at Nottingham Trent – go Megan! Remarkable lady number 3! 🙂
Our summer holidays were brief this year, with more to come in 2018. A great trip down with my kids to see Ruth and Ross in Bristol, and for me and Cam to slip away for an overnight at the Eden Project and their shipping container based YHA. We had a great time all round.
Cam has managed the transition to ‘Big School’ really well. In March we managed to secure the school place that I had wanted for him, and so glad that he has settled into an excellent school that should see him through for a number of years to come.
Getting my Far Havens setting published, along with my partner in grime, Paul Mitchener, for Sarah Newton’s Mindjammer Publishing was a real high point. It was brilliant to see our ideas in professional published form.
This was to be the #muscles4carmel year. An attempt to stay a viable fiance, as the young stallions circle, waiting for me to slip and falter. I have to accept a slight misstep here and haven’t transformed myself into Chris Hemsworth quite yet. Connor is on the case still, so all is not yet lost. On the body front, I had a minor eye procedure late in the year to resolve a large cyst, so impressive that the nurse who took me in to the treatment room simply said “wow that’s a really good one…”.
Yet more milestones to conclude. We have moved into our new blended family home. It is secluded away in a cul-de-sac within a cul-de-sac, three toilets, super kitchen and lots of space. Just perfect for us. We’ll spend 2018 transforming and making it our own (with the addition of a ground floor man/game cave!
To cap it all Carmel took me to Gran Canaria for some sun, chill and time for each other. A truly memorable holiday and only served to remind me that I’m the luckiest man alive.
Family Christmas has been lovely again this year, with 2018 destined to bring everyone together under one roof.
Honestly, as I look back I’m blown away by the positives. We have packed a lot in between us this year. Not everything has been plain sailing for us, we have had our trials on the way, but I can safely say it has been a wonderful year, with the prospect of our wedding, Canada, and possibly Crete, a new man cave, and many more triumphs for next year.
Oh yes, and IKEA came to Sheffield. We like that. Good timing.
Love, peace, happiness and kindness to you all for 2018. xx
