… and so long to the ‘noughties’. You weren’t the frontrunner for what we were going to call this decade, but fair play to you for sticking in there and making your case.

It’s time for an end of year list, as is now traitional in blog land:

Biggest regret: Buying that Swedish Phrase book!

Biggest disappointment: Don’t want to got too deep here, so I’ll settle with a work thing. Passing all my exams with a distinction, then being missed out and forgotten when it came round to the office exams drinks thing. Just a small thing, but it would have been nice to have my hard work recognised – all safely tucked away in the back of the mind, informing what kind of manager I want to be in the future.

Discovered new talent: The ability to grow a convincing tache in 7 days.

Biggest spiritual high: There’s a few up for the award here – but I’m going to go for the glod fillings incident. Just bonkers grace and power in the atmosphere. Still causes a lingering worship moment whenever I brush my teeth. For a full theological explanation, please see here.

Biggest “ground swallow me up now” moment: Probably when I met a fairl senior figure in the SRI world and then proceeded to use this word in conversation . . .

Wedding of the year: Hmm, limited choice this year. As I recall there were only a couple, but the standout for me would be the Dennisons. Awesome speeches, venues and some awesome jamming with the Leroys. PLus, the view over the hills all the way to Wales – come on.

Most interesting person discovered: I was invited to the Churches together conference looking into the financial crisis, and heard this guy speak. Incredible wisdom, on the highest plane of economic thought.

Best unexpected moment of bliss: The last night of the Southampton Conference, the band all playing percussion, led by this guy. It just exploded. Joy, joy, joy. Then on the way home, eveyone stopped out of the Thompson Mobile to get drinks while I stayed in the van and got a little blasted by the HS. It then spread in the van on the way home and we had a full on HS party the rest of the way home. Wakey wakey!

Best song: Oh No, Andrew Bird OR Daniel  by Bat for Lashes.

Best Film: I rather enjoyed Bright Star  . . .

Best Live music Moment: P J Harvey at the Anson Rooms was ethereal, angry, delicate and curiously ugly.Incredible. Or Rolf Harris at Glasto . . .

Best new instrument learned: I didn’t really get on that this year, although I’ve been having great fun with the Boss RC-20XL looper, which has even found its way into the worship set.

Best coffee bliss: Copenhagen, -2, incredible pastry in one hand, clear blue skies, 100,000 protesters.

Remember kids, we make our own future. Or at least download as much of it as we jealously desire.

Matt