She’s/He’s/They’re/Them’s/I’m or whoever you are, welcome to my yearly sum up. 2025 was both the slowest and fastest year for lots of reasons. Lots of change, but it’s been worth the whirlwind.

So when i started typing this (November 16th), I was waiting on some news, which i now have feedback on. I have accepted an offer for a new job. It’s to join a company that has offices elsewhere and wants to set up here in England. I will get to set up my own department from scratch when I start there in January. If I’m honest, leaving my previous job wasn’t on my radar, but then we had work done on our flat that we all had to deal with, which, along with re-mortgaging at a higher interest rate, has meant I need to put me first. I am going to miss who I work with a lot; this is the first time I’m leaving for me. However (even though the money is a factor) this is too good an opportunity to turn down. I am really excited.

No big summer holiday this year. Me and the girls have all been doing small little craft days, some quiz nights, a few meals out. It’s just been super chill and it’s nice to just sit and chat and be us.
That being said, we have just got back from seeing 5ive, we went up to Glasgow for a mini break for a few days as it was cheaper to fly, stay & see the show up there than it was to get decent seats at the o2.

The parents took me on a mini-break up to Liverpool for a couple of days. The Beatles Experience was so good. But it was doing the Anfield Stadium tour that was wonderful. Goosebumps every time. Watching Liverpool win the league again this season was rather incredible.

I got a new tattoo as well this year (I know, I know) but it’s of Feathers McGraw in the milk bottle from Wallace & Gromit. He is very iconic.

I donated blood for the first and second times this year. First time they struggled to find a vein, but second time they got it first go. It always makes you feel good that you can help people out by just giving up an hour of your time and a pint of your O+.

Personally, as well as the cinema and film review writing, I have written a book. I am very, very proud of it. I just need to work out now if I want to self-publish it (and if I have the time to do it), or if I actually try and contact a publisher. It’s my baby and I can’t wait for you all to read it.

My sister had her baby. The munchkin is now 10 months old. They arrived a little bit early, but everything is good, and getting photos and videos of them every day seriously makes my day. My sister doesn’t go back to work until spring next year, but she and her husband are loving their little bundle of joy. Lando, the dog not the driver, is slowly getting used to them. He’s looking forward to when the food is going to be dropped on the floor soon when they start eating. They went on a couple of nice holidays too, her brother-in-law turned 30 so they had a trip for that, as well as a cruise.

We have done our annual wreath-making still this year, they are both rather glorious, even if my sister take the piss out of mine having some mushrooms on it.

Parents are already planning when the Llama can come for sleepovers. Both are well and truly enjoying retirement. Lots of gardening and walks they do; Mum’s also getting creative. We had a family friend who got married this year and she did some craft bits for them. It was a lovely day. The parents are often out for lunches with friends.

Grandma is now 93. She’s had a few health issues this year, but she has been very happy to see both her great-grandchildren (my cousin had a baby right at the end of 2024) and has seen them all for extended times. She has finally agreed to stop driving. I know it was hard for her, but the parents are driving her about and there is a local minibus that can take her to all sorts of places. Doctor’s orders and some pressure from us made her see this was the best decision. We just want her safe and healthy for as long as possible and appreciate she loves her independence, but I have to remind my parents to slow down sometimes, so she really needs to as well.

For the film and fandom people here, I’m sorry I’m behind on reviews, but I’m going to get up to speed as soon as I can. I didn’t attempt the 100 Club this year for cinema trips, but we have still got there. I could have got there much sooner as well, but there were some films where I was like, “I’m seeing this for the sake of it.” Taking little Fink to IMAXfest and ScreenXfest for The Wild Robot (yes, I saw it in both formats this year) was pretty cool. Cineworld have also realised millennials want to see their fave films in the cinema, so there have been some seasons of films for sure.
The main highlight of the year, though, was going to see the live Q&A with the actor and director (and chaos characters) of Hundreds of Beavers. That was phenomenal. I will remember that forever. It was also weird as the man had a voice (it’s a silent film) and that we basically got kicked out of the cinema as the staff wanted to go home.
Also, a summer dominated by our man was rather glorious, that every week I could go to the cinema and watch Pedro Pascal.

So the real reason for this post is to tell you that again this year, I’m not sending out Christmas cards. I haven’t sent Christmas cards for about the last 19 years now, mainly because it’s quite expensive — especially with postage — and we’re all online and I try to see most people to wish them a Merry Christmas as well. If I can’t, I usually text or call them. (Disclaimer: yes, this has been entirely copied and pasted this next paragraph from last year except for the year, so well done for noticing — yay, next paragraph isn’t though {and I always love the fact I can get away with that}.)

As I said earlier on, my sister’s baby turned up early. They needed to stay close to them and couldn’t just be at their local hospital for this (they did eventually get transferred there). I then also have another friend who had a baby who had complications and needed to stay close. So you know when you go to McDonald’s and they ask you to round your money up for a donation at the end of it? Well, part of it goes to where they stayed, which is supported by the Ronald McDonald House Charities. You can click here to learn all about it and the incredible work they do. We know first hand that without them it would have made a scary time for the people we know and love even worse. Please consider, next time you get your nugs, clicking the “yes, donate” button.

And that, my wonderful peoples, is 2025. You can go back to watching the finale of Stranger Things if you’re into that, or listen to The Life of a Showgirl for the 100th time this week, or maybe,just maybe, rewatch The Night Manager before season 2… that’s me, hi.

Thank you all for reading this. I hope you’ve all loved it. I wish you, your friends and family a very Happy Holidays, Christmas, end of year, whatever you want to call it. Know that I love you and that you are amazing no matter who you are. You all know I’m here for you no matter what, peoples.

In the infamous words of 5ive:
Get on up when you’re down, baby take a good look around. I know it’s not much, but it’s okay , we’ll keep on moving on anyway.

Look after yourselves, be good to one another, and the rest will take care of itself.

Love & Hugs to you all,
Emile
XxxxxX