Christmas Letter 2013

When I thought about what I want most for Christmas this year, the only thing I could think of was peace.

It's been a year that's gone quickly. I think I've grown out of saying 'glad it's over' because it's not really over, is it? 2013 may be coming to a close but my life goes on. December turns into January the same way that March becomes April. I'll get a new Alphonse Mucka calendar the same way I bought a new pair of shoes in June. And life will go on.

Life goes on.

drawing on St Cyrus beach - Angus

That's been the strangest and most marvellous sensation considering that on 14 January 2013 I lost my best friend, Ryan, to cancer. She was only 30. But, despite this, she married her husband, Ben on 5 January and it was beautiful. I shortly thereafter lost my Uncle Reg who died very unexpectedly from a heart attack on 22 March. These deaths coupled with the effect Ryan's friendship had on my life has created a profound and haunting feeling: I feel both grateful and a bit sad every day (surely the Welsh or Germans have a word for it - gratestrista?). Grateful that Ryan was in my life, sad that I'm going on without her. We always left parties together (except when we didn't) and I'm angry she got to leave before me. But, in some ways I feel like I've been passed something that I'm now responsible for carrying, and that's the memories, the love and the laughter she gave me.

West Brewery - Glasgow

So, 2013 had a start that passed in a blur and I honestly can barely remember the first 6 months or so. I did stuff. And then I kind of woke up somewhere around the end of June. Thankfully I remembered to take photographs and have pictures of visits to London, Oxford, Montrose, Glasgow on trips with friends, etc. I went to the Edinburgh Zoo (which I haven't done since I first moved here) to see the Pandas with Ray and Craig. Made it down to London to visit them twice as well which was a welcome relief away. Got to see sights and explore London town, visit friends (met up with Margaret Pritchard-Houston who I've known since I was 10!), visited museums and galleries and did the usual London tourist business and saw Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' at The Globe Theatre. It was epic!! I also so my first live international rugby match at Murrayfield and watched as Scotland trounced Italy! Wooooooo!

Ray and Craig for a visit to Edinburgh Zoo

I went on some dates, made some new mates, bought some new shoes (which was a major thing as one of the reasons I was having back problems was because my shoes fit improperly), got nominated for a magazine award again (we didn't win but it was a great night out!), went on Stonewall Authentic Role Model training (which was amazing for many reasons), did lots of chicken sitting (like dog sitting but with chickens), made lots of journals, visited the Royal Yacht Britannia, grew chillis, and spend a lot of time with my friends who have been so much fun, support and generally all around aces and kept me on the right side of life and laughter.

I had a few visitors from home which was awesome. Lauren Howard and Downstairs Dan came to visit with their respective partners and it's always a boost to see old friends (I just realised I still have Lauren's copy of David Sedaris' Naked which has orange dust in it from her trip to Africa. I must return this). It strikes me how we all remain the same people we were at heart and the only big change is that we seem a bit more comfortable in our own skin. I guess that's maturity!

I was in a show, Sweet Charity, this Autumn and I think that's where things started to pick up. I had fun, lots of fun. I met new people, got some exercise, made new friends and having a reason not to be inside of my head all the time did me a world of good. In the show I played Johann Sebastian "Daddy" Bruebeck (which was played in the film version of Sweet Charity by Sammy Davis Jr). I would love to say I did it as well as SDJ, but I did it better, because I did it the Harry way! Big, over the top and with just a little bit of sex-appeal (who am I kidding? A lot of sex-appeal). In my head I was channelling Dr Teeth from the muppets but probably came across more like my dad than anything else. :-/ The wig alone was phenomenal (thanks Caroline) but the glittery cape was the bees knees. And the whole cast were just awesome to sing and dance and be bumbling jackanapes with. By far my favourite show to have performed in!

Then came... the book! I published my first novel (*ahem* available in print and Kindle on Amazon in the UK and US ), Black Star, in November. It's been amazing and scary and exhausting and amazing. The launch itself was overwhelming in that sort of 'OMG, people are here to support me and I'm all emotional and happy' way. I went with Shug and Andy (who were super stars organising ME on the night) to Mamma's (my favourite pizza restaurant) for dinner which is next door to the Beehive Inn where we had the launch. My mate Eilidh made fantastic cupcakes and we held a silent auction for a hand-bound copy of the book, framed map and drawing! I was so overwhelmed by the love and support of everyone there and those who showed their support by pre-ordering special edition copies of the book. So far from my launch and sales of the book we've helped donate almost 150 books to school reading programmes in Africa through Book Aid International!! All of the other figures like numbers sold fall away when I think about that. Thank you so much to everyone who's bought a copy or made donations. It's unreal to have a book published but it makes it all the better for knowing that it's doing some good! I've already had to start in on Book 2! Watch this space.

Two new wains have popped out of my sisters and into my family. Stefanie had a little girl, Talia, who is the cutest thing you've ever seen. And Love had a little boy, Hunter, who's just a smiley ball of adorable.

Early next year I'll be taking the 'Life in the UK' test in the aim of getting residency in Scotland (I say Scotland because I live in Scotland. That is not a comment on the referendum for Scottish Independence in 2014. Yes, it's a big issue, but you know what, I have to sort myself out and make sure I don't get chucked out of the UK or Scotland first before I consider how to sort the entire freaking country, so bleh!). It's scary and exciting to think I've lived in Scotland over 8 years. If nothing else, I've seen in the last few years that this is just as much my home. I've got as much wonderful family here as I do in the states and that's really seen me through a year that could have gone either way. But I'm happy to say, having come through it, everything is good and happy and I'm looking forward to the days ahead.

I hope you're all happy and healthy and that this holiday sees you right.

All my love,
‽

PS: You can buy 'Black Star' on Amazon in the UK and US
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