well, it's New Years Eve and I'm being reflective. 2005 has been a horribly difficult year for me, and yet by the end of it, I'm feeling happier than I have done in years, and I've never been so excited or optimistic about the new year coming. And it's thanks, in part, to this little website, so I thought I'd spread some love.

In January 2005, my long-term boyfriend became clinically depressed. It's a horrible illness, because it makes you lose interest in EVERYTHING - getting up in the morning or deciding what to eat were major tasks I had to help him through. He no longer wanted to see friends, leave the house, play in his band or even to listen to music - which meant that I pretty much stopped doing all of these things too. However, at the same time, I discovered DiS - so even if I didn't get chance to listen to music, I did get to keep up with what was going on.

In the summer, he fortunately began to get better. Unfortunately, as he began to sort his life out, he realised that it would be easier without me in it, so he finished with me a week before my birthday in June. Which was not fun. However, I'd started posting on here by then, so talking about music and inane crap on here kept me going when I found it impossible to sleep or to work.

With so much of my life blown apart, I took the decision to move from Birmingham to London in September. Which is officially, the best thing I've ever done. I've managed (somehow!) to land myself my dream job, I've never seen so many bands or bought so many CDs in my life, and, by taking a decision to meet up with STRANGERS FROM THE INTERNET, I've now met loads of fantastic people, who have been so fun and friendly and welcoming. I love you all.

So, thank you so much to all the people who make this website (especially for making it even better in October) and to all those who spend their time posting on it. You've all, in your own small ways, made me very happy in the face of rubbishness. Happy New Year, be optimistic, 2006 will be ACE. x