Roaring 20s

I am taking a moment out to reflect on the past decade for here it is. 30. Well, tomorrow 30, today last day of my 20s. And much like the 1920s it has been a real rollercoaster ride.

I started my 20s at university, and reading my diary from that day I haven’t changed all that much - I still obsess over things in a very geeky way (except then I didn’t have the label for it); I still feel tired (although then it was a world weariness-tired of life melodrama and now it’s a physical manifestation of that); I still have this desperate need to write every little thing in my head.

There have been periods of high drama and appalling stillness. I have had the best of times and the worst of times - I have experienced all the extremes of emotions. I have tried to dig myself out of collapsed tunnels of misery using a tea spoon of hope and I have given up and given in to the blackest clouds and breathed in the earth.

I have met people who have reminded me what life is and have brought me back from the brink and I have met people who have sent me straight to the bottom of the pile.

I have learned valuable life lessons, so here are 5 10 20 things I have learnt during the past 3653 days.

1. Never trust a man by his I.T. Skills - I used to assume good computer skills meant sensitive and ever so slightly insecure. No.
2. A timetable means nothing to bus companies.
3. It really is only a game but it sure feels like life and death.
4. Never drink Jack Daniels in the same night that you are drinking Tequila.
5. Never lend your copies of The West Wing Season 1 & 2 to anyone who is moving to Australia in 2 weeks time - not everyone will stay awake for nights on end to complete watching them.
6. Don’t leave your diary out.
7. Lightning really does strike twice and sometimes even more.
8. Love is not the be-all and end-all, but it sure is nice.
9. If a pair of shoes are uncomfortable the first and second times you wear them they are probably still going to be uncomfortable the third time.
10. Hair straighteners are more trouble than they’re worth.
11. You will lose touch with people if you don’t try to keep in contact.
12. Life is not a rehearsal but when you write you get a second chance to get the scene right.
13. Health issues should not be ignored.
14. Your team winning the big match feels really really good.
15. You don’t have to meet someone face to face to love them.
16. Just because you think you should be good at something doesn’t mean you are but just because you aren’t good at something doesn’t mean you should stop doing it.
17. No is a word you can use as often as yes; and it’s just as valid.
18. Once you go Mac, you never go back.
19. Decaff coffee really is pointless.
20. If you don’t know - ask

There will of course be more, and I implore you to tell me the things you have/are learning, but I’m gonna be 30 in mere minutes, and of course all the answers and the maturity will hit me in a big wave and I will be able to see clearly… yes?