So how's 2012 been for you?

[C2K]

Has 2012 been a good year or a bad year for you? Perhaps made redundant, promoted? Perhaps a major milestone this year like getting engaged or married? Perhaps a new job?

What's your favourite memory of the year?

It's been a good year for me on the whole. Have spent just 9 weeks in the UK all year, been on site in South Africa for the rest.

Here's the steam turbine i've been working on for 20 months all finished and shiny! I've put about 5000 man hours into this!

Have felt a lot of pressure and learned loads but most importantly the customers feel like the right technical team has been on the job. Does suck a bit that life has been parked though and will have missed two visits by my best mate who emigrated to Oz though!

Going to be my first ever hot Christmas and New Years as i'll be spending it with the girlfriends family in Cape Town when she arrives back here from the UK.

[MarkTD]

Well most of it has been utter shite as my health has deteriorated. But I'm looking forward to 2013! I'm going to try and have a better year!

[Matt]

2012 has been good and bad for me. More good recently. Those who know me will know the reasoning. But all in all looking forward to 2013

[Tyronnster]

2012 been good to me

Lost my sons granddad an my gran has got worse dementia but I'm grateful of what I have rather than don't have

[Toms306]

Wow, your turbine looks pretty cool!


2012 for me started as it went on - NYE last year I felt quite ill with a bad cold, got a phone call from my Nan at midnightish saying how my Grandads legs were 'leaking' and if they got any worse would I be able to take him to A&E (my parents had been drinking alcohol so they couldn't). Then next morning my step-dad was chucking up as he'd drunk too much and I had the sh*ts after eating some greasy 'party' food which is apparently fun.

My Grandad then passed away on 2nd Feb, meaning I then had 2 Nans that can't really do much for themselves and they've noticeably deteriorated over the last year, I didn't expect one of them to see 2013 if I'm honest. In January I did some work experience at Ford, which I really enjoyed - but it also reinforced the worries I had about coping with a full time job. A few months later I popped a £300 turbo on an expensive VAG, and ended up driving a 106. Then in August I broke the Golf completely, turning £2500's worth of car into scrap value (so I thought) and ended up driving an Avensis. Over the year my 'issues' got much worse as well as you know from my thread.

I guess it's not all been bad though, I made and drove the fastest, newest, best specced car I'd ever had. I ended up meeting quite a few OC guys over the year. I managed to distinction my Vehicle college course. At the start of the year I got along to several cruises and Dub meets to try socialise more. Gained a lot more confidence in doing car work over the year, even though I hadn't really noticed that till I was just thinking what I've done more recently that I wouldn't have touched last year! I managed to help fix an undrivable car that cost £300 up to a roadworthy condition again - and can't forget managed to drive that very car to 'almost' Norwich for a meet with the Norfolk guys....then the 120 mile round trip to Norwich to play cars with some car fwends - twice!

And from that list I guess it shows I need to thank you guys from OC for the good things in this year!

It's a shame that the bad things this year majorly over shadow the good things, but lets hope something drastically chnages for the better in 2013.

[Niall]

For a change, I've had a good year! Had my first full year at my current company which has been great. It's nice to work for a good company. Any of you that knew me last year (not many) will know how my h of a miserable bastard I was due to work. Had a few health issues which only seem to be getting worse at the moment but for once, I'm not overly fussed. Hope 2013 is just as good!

[1616six]

I actually can't complain this year - had a great year to be honest.

Spent the year with Amber & moved in with her, got Fenton the dog, been on a cruise, been at Flux for a year, got a pay rise.
Built the best 306 I could have asked for (Even if its no longer with me)
Bought the newest & nicest car i've ever had.

For me the best thing for 2012 has been my dad, my dad has been through hell the past 7 or 8 years. Started off with a brain aneurysm quite a few years ago, ended up losing his job through health issues, which lead to unfortunately losing his house. Been a massive downhill spiral since then, out of the blue at the end of 2011/beginning of 2012 an inheritance from a Canadian relative turned up.. Which has enabled dad to get back on his feet again & it's amazing to finally see him with a smile on his face & hes recently got a new partner.

[cwspellowe]

2012 has been such a mixed bag for me. Best news being that my job's awesome and allowed me, Linzi and Phoenix to finally get our own place.

Ups and downs with the estate which have ended the year with it not running and no tax but we'll try again next year. It's got far too much potential to let it go now. The GTi got scrapped, which was fun, if you've never chopped a car shell into little bits I advise it one day.

Two additions to the family, one on Linzi's side, one on mine, but one has been overshadowed with premature labour and months in intensive care. Alongside that, death threats from local drug dealers and a lot of "things" to sort out with certain people have been pretty tiring.

Thought things were looking up for the last couple of months though, work was doing good, was well on course for my payrise of another £2.5k p/a for moving up the tech ladder, with no absences and good performance, but after smashing my knee a couple of weeks ago I now can't hit targets at work to get my payrise as i've a sickline until January. Pay is reviewed every 6 months so next chance I get will be June. Can't even use the time to fix the car as I can't get down on my knee or anything, which is gutting. Normally I'd love to be off for 3 weeks at Xmas but when you can't walk properly it's a bit of a shitter.

Finally sealed the deal with Linzi though, ring bought and everything so that's my high note I plan to end the year on. New year, focusing on getting back to work asap and raking in bonus again as I lost £300 this month by being off work.

[Stephen]

2012 has been a brilliant year for me so far!

Up until August it was pretty uneventful. Just working lots and going to nandos lots.

Broke my 306 but bought a 205 that was lots of fun!

August the 1st I left home on my travelling adventure. Just with a 38litre backpack with all my stuff I did

Paris, Munich , Salzburg , Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest, Brno, Prague, Berlin all in the first month

Then spent most of September travelling the trans Siberian/Mongolian railway from st Petersburg to Beijing, stoping in Moscow, Irkutsk, lake Baikal, Ulaanbaatar, an amazing national park in Mongolia (see sig) and Beijing!

Then I stayed in Beijing for three weeks volunteering in an orphanage. A very humbling experience that won't be forgotten easily!

After that I flew to Thailand and spent a month travelling around. Went to the famous full moon party on the south islands, which was amaaaazing. Week long party on amazing beaches etc
Also saw some other amazing islands in Thailand. Such as phi phi where the film the beach was filmed! If you've seen it. That was awesome

After Thailand spent 10 days in Laos. Staggeringly beautiful country. And rather underdeveloped. Had a great time there.

Then went to Vietnam for 4 weeks. Another amazing country. Very diverse yet beautiful nearly everywhere!

Then two days ago I flew to Australia! In Perth for Christmas and the undefined future.
First hot Christmas for me too!
Luckily met a girl on the trans Siberian who's welcomed me into her flat/family for Christmas!

Probably going to look for a job after new year!

So yeah it's been more amazing then I can comprehend really!

Still miss my 306 though

[C2K]

2012 has enabled me to put my finances straight once and for all and take a huge chunk out of my mortgage. It has sucked for a few reasons like the job feeling like groundhog day for days on end at times, and i've missed my best mate twice as per the first post on his return visits from Oz.

Looking forward to getting my life back in 2013, getting the cats back home from my parents, moving in with the girlfriend and getting the Rallye on track.

[Ruan]

Very up and down for me this year, started off amazing, in a new job that I loved... Half way through got made redundant, worked for an Insulation company, hated every second of it, got my job at my new place, which is OK, but very up and down, people have serious attitude issues and a lack of social skills... Hopefully next year will be better, want to start doing more freelancing, but getting experience isn't the easiest, would prefer my work to be more intense for the time i work, but more relaxed for the time I'm relaxing.... The driving every day is killing me atm, so need to sort something...

[Pete]

Pretty good year for me too. Out went the troublesome-yet-awesome Bluebird, Eventually getting replaced by the Coupe. Finally got started on the van, Its far from finished but earning its keep doing 20k+ fairly trouble free miles. Moneys been decent this year too, with plenty of work on and a 6k PPI repayment helping things. Two new MTB's to play on as well

Gained an awesome little nephew in march but Lost one of my grans afew months ago which wasn't nice but she was suffering so it was for the best I suppose. Next years aim is to keep cracking on with work and sort out fixing a date for the wedding (bloody expensive do) I'd like to get a house bought soon but think that's a pipedream TBH in this financial climate

[Moonstone2.0]

Got married, moved into a house and now have a baby on the way...it has been quite a year!

[Ben Jay]

My year has been quite up and down also. First part was good.
Was engaged and planning engement party then having engagement party.
Then in May she broke up with me, was absolutely devistated. Was a mess for about 2 months but got back on track and started feeling me again.
Now I'm doing so much stuff I bearly have time to split it with all of my friends I have and have made this year! Plus I'm starting to get into the swing of things with girls again and been seeing a few recently!

[ozonehostile]

i bought a 306, can't complain

[Andy]

Pretty shocking year tbh.

Have been made redundant twice, Ex Mrs Cheated on me, been arrested as you know.
People dying and and currently worse than skint.

2012 can suck my left testicle.

2013, Come at me bro!

[parrotveasey81]

got made upto powder coat supervisor at start of year
then got my debts sorted out
found out i have stomach cancer
but just had it removed and waiting to see if they got it all

so all in all not to bad a year if a little skint for most of it

[Scott]

got made upto powder coat supervisor at start of year
then got my debts sorted out
found out i have stomach cancer
but just had it removed and waiting to see if they got it all

so all in all not to bad a year if a little skint for most of it

Damn dude, hope it comes back clear! Fingers crossed for you.

[Andy]

got made upto powder coat supervisor at start of year
then got my debts sorted out
found out i have stomach cancer
but just had it removed and waiting to see if they got it all

so all in all not to bad a year if a little skint for most of it

Damn dude, hope it comes back clear! Fingers crossed for you.

This mate :/ Hope you kick it's ass.

[Kezzieboy]

Fairly standard year for the most part, just standard uni stuff, bagged a 1st in my first year, went back to work over the summer, decided I shan't be going back there again, going to branch out and get into the automotive side of engineering. Ended the year with a pretty crappy semester, got a bit discontented with uni as the content wasn't very practical, but that's looking up for next term.

Biggest thing without a doubt this year had been starting things with my missus, it's been remarkably easy given she's had a pretty tough year, but I'm very optimistic for next year!

[Tom]

Left college skint, cant find a job, fell in love, got dumped shortly after. Shit year.

Lets hope 2013 gets better!

[parrotveasey81]

Damn dude, hope it comes back clear! Fingers crossed for you.
[/quote]

This mate :/ Hope you kick it's ass.

thanks
will try to kick its ass but if its my time its my time but i wont go without a fight

[kentiiboii]

This year for me has had it's ups and downs. Mostly with the other half. Breaking up and getting back together!

But first had a wickedly sexy 306 looked amazing at fcs! Also spent the weekend with you guys! And amazing night with Kingy wayne and my dad!

Split up with my mrs Becuase Bosch of us was a little unhappy not with each other but everything else! So the time apart I went out partying drinking! Having a majorly good time! Possibly found an amazing girl who is now a good friend. She was into cars as much as me but I just couldn't see her as anything other than friend as I wasn't over my ex!
Then after killing my 306 I realised that I was seriously attached to the car and with out the car and mrs I had nothing!

One day out of the blue we got texting! She had a boyfriend but by end of the night told me she loved me! Next day we met up and within a hour we was together and she told her "ex".

Then a week later I decided seeing as how much I wanna make it work we have to take massive steps! So took her to big posh hotel proposed with a ring in hand! She said yes!


Everything now to end the year is better than its ever been! Money is great!
I've been at iceland for a year now and love it!

2013 for me is saving for our own place! Hopefully by June/July!
In may were going Zante for the week!
Also after Christmas I'm going to start my training for duty manager as well as home delivery supervisor!
Hopefully if I get my own way! Ill finally have my own kid too! been so ready for all this for a long time just never really realised I was already with the right person!
So I have done lots of growing up! .
Now I beat get going I have work at half 5 in morning and I just finished work at half 1!!! Saving them penniessssss

[InkedMuttley]

2012 can suck my big, hairy bollocks to be fair.

First part of the year saw me destroy my pride and joy, my Mondeo. Then in may I got my next pride and joy, my cherry 306 had about a month of that before I threw a rod leaving me without transport yet again and I did adore that car. Had a Primera for a while after that...Guess what happened to that!

I have lost 2 jobs, my home as it was condemned. The council have told me that they will not re-house me as I have made myself intentionally homeless because I moved here from Nottingham 3 years ago!

My dad, grandad, grandma and all my cousins, uncles and aunties on my dad's side disowned me because I stuck up for my mum when my grandma was causing trouble. Not to mention being f*cked around something chronic by *HER*, and to top it all off the boat that me and Soapy were going to do up was destroyed as the ex-owners needed the trailer and we had nowhere to keep it.

Still...2013 is around the corner, Sophie is keeping me occupied and my mental health is finally on its way back up again and in the new year we are planning on going travelling...But this time I think we're sticking to the roads!

[Piggy]

totally and utterly awful...worst year of my life...

roll on 2013 and a 2.1 firing breathing diesel!

[procta]

been a hard year for me and family, due to my gran going into a home, also work acting the goat too with the refit and stock levels etc.

[bigcheez2k3]

2011 was a bit shit for me but 2012 has been amazing so far. Done a lot of new things.

I'm a bit shit socially sometimes, or just not good at meeting new people, so when you read what I've done this year, you'll realise why I'm happy with myself.

Agreed to take part in a charity moped rally last year, John O'Groats to Lands End, and in January thought I best pull my finger out and finish the moped so by the end of January I had a roadworthy moped ready for 1000mile trip.

Did the trip in April, was organized on an aircooled VW forum I go on, hadn't met any of them before so was a bit crazy. I travelled the country with 80 strangers for 12 days :o however got to know them by the end.

Then in August I went to Ibiza for a week with a friend from college...and 9 of his friends that I'd never met before. I pretty much booked it then got to know them all and now I go out with them every week.

Went to the Christmas meet a few weeks ago too. Had met a couple of you guys but met loads more and had a great time.

Mix in a few ladies and my year has been pretty decent, car problems aside

[spike2002]

Crock of shit that is all...

[306carter]

Pretty good year for me. Highlight becoming a dad in October, got a promotion at work in March. New job starting in 2013 that's doubled my salary.

Roll on 2013. just about got the deposit for a house so hopefully buy one!

[Dum-Dum]

Been an incredible year but had some real shit moments, got engaged, that didnt last and i no longer even speak to someone who i thought i spend the rest of my life with.

But Ive been to some incredible places met some awesome people worked stupidly hard but got to where I want to be and Im loving proving that I am the best at work. Also loving caning the overtime, I can ra*e the equivalent of my entire teams overtime budget for the month in just 2 days but am regularly ending up working double shifts.

The money is going towards the deposit for a house and Im desperately trying to cut my spending so that I can save up more for a house but I love life too much for that.