As the end of 2017 approaches, my general feeling has been that the year has been unbearably shit. The news has been dominated by terrorism, tragedy, and the feeling that the worst people in the world are currently running things.
In need of some light relief, I dug through my Twitter archive from the past year, and unearthed a collection of the good things that happened to me. So, as an antidote to all the awfulness that seemed to be everywhere this year, here is my year in Tweets.
In 2017, I enjoyed occasional silliness on Countdown.
FILTH. pic.twitter.com/KqCfALtZxt
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) January 6, 2017
…celebrated my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary.
My parents at their wedding, fifty years ago today. Happy anniversary Mum and Dad. pic.twitter.com/YgtuEFgoU6
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) April 1, 2017
…had a lovely weekend in Brighton with my friends
Mark and Peter, and their cats.
Thanks to @MarkC1981 and @_Clyse for putting up with me this weekend. I miss the cats already. ? pic.twitter.com/EJarSxI5Rp
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) May 1, 2017
…voted in the Liverpool Mayoral Election for all the wrong reasons.
Not suggesting this should influence your vote tomorrow, but this is the LibDem candidate for Liverpool city region mayor. ??? pic.twitter.com/BxyqmsACWs
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) May 3, 2017
…watched (and gently mocked) Eurovision.
Sing along everyone! #BLR #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/z8T007dDuT
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) May 13, 2017
…laughed EXTREMELY hard at the General Election result.
UK #GE2017 exit poll projects:
Conservative 314
Labour 266
SNP 34
Lib Dem 14
Plaid 3
Green 1
UKIP 0
Other 18https://t.co/eXyXVSvVsB pic.twitter.com/dmG5fzFBOD— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) June 8, 2017
…got a cake from Merseyrail.
Merseyrail cake to improve my Monday. ? https://t.co/KYELcoJSPV pic.twitter.com/o9MAesAGKR
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) June 19, 2017
…quoted actors out of context.
Fun game: guess what Tom Holland is talking about here. pic.twitter.com/PoeHAVI7Zl
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) July 1, 2017
.thoroughly enjoyed the BBC’s Gay Britannia season.
The BBC's Gay Britannia season starts soon – some interesting dramas and documentaries coming up. https://t.co/i02aFHIt9J
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) July 24, 2017
…tried to pass myself off as a Tom of Finland model:
#NewProfilePic #ForAbout5Minutes #ThenTwitterWouldBanMe pic.twitter.com/xDn3J4sK0m
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) July 24, 2017
…went to Liverpool Pride and purchased this calendar:
Impulse purchase. #LiverpoolPride pic.twitter.com/8V3GbeaOlz
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) July 29, 2017
…had fun using GIFs and being very professional in the office.
Used this gif in an iMessage conversation with workmates and I am so proud. ? pic.twitter.com/vowHBjAOui
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) August 10, 2017
…moved back in with my parents, and reconnected with the cat.
"The strange human who lavished attention on me has returned!" https://t.co/m5uJk4bdlk pic.twitter.com/H0WkhL5Nzv
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) August 19, 2017
…got an unexpected birthday surprises:
Belated birthday present. Thanks @CapitalGoose pic.twitter.com/2vcTOgVIBi
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) September 26, 2017
…caught up with friends I hadn’t seen for ages, including @linguistinrehab and @Chris__Herron.
…met the prolific blogger @diamondgeezer for a day out in Liverpool.
…finished my Open University course, and treated myself with a relaxing hot bath with a lovely bath bomb.
Now time to relax with a nice hot ba-SWEET JESUS WHAT IS IN THIS LUSH BATH BOMB?! https://t.co/41J1Xc3zvu pic.twitter.com/HexEO8fcFC
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) September 10, 2017
…had a lovely day in Stratford-upon-Avon.
New blog: Avon Calling – Saturday's visit to Stratford-upon-Avon, described and photographed. pic.twitter.com/XSMd1aEj9G
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) September 27, 2017
…rode on a tram in Birkenhead:
? https://t.co/b4t9d6nUc5 pic.twitter.com/3hBnEXs5ep
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) October 1, 2017
…laughed EXTREMELY hard at the Conservative Party Conference.
Considering the possible permutations of the word COUNTRY, I think she's been reasonably lucky there. https://t.co/W7il1Irbgx
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) October 4, 2017
…went to Coventry to see some rusty trains in a field.
Combining two of my favourite things: alcohol and trains. https://t.co/5JNTcKUXw2 pic.twitter.com/PxICG2IjQY
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) October 8, 2017
…had my doubts about the vocabulary of Words With Friends.
Spoilsports. pic.twitter.com/lIuNmE2h5L
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) February 22, 2017
Again I must question the Words With Friends dictionary. pic.twitter.com/zeSj6RutWn
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) October 12, 2017
…explored the new LGBT exhibition at the Museum of Liverpool.
Absolutely loving #LGBTales at the Museum of Liverpool. A part of history that has remained hidden for too long. ?️??️??️? pic.twitter.com/ZTbsWHjISf
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) October 15, 2017
…got my digital copy of Pete Wylie’s new album emailed to me.
Pleasant surprise when I opened my email tonight: Pete Wylie's new album, which I pledged towards a looong time ago, has finally arrived.
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) November 10, 2017
…passed my final Open University module and earned my degree:
Checking that I've got enough credits to claim my degree and… yeah, that's not going to be annoying AT ALL. pic.twitter.com/SWboTG7Akg
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) November 27, 2017
…cemented my gay credentials on a cultural night out:
I am watching Ruthie Henshall and Bryn Terfel performing hits from the musicals.
Breaking news: I am a homosexual.
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) November 29, 2017
…was upset by an egg:
I have questions about this egg. pic.twitter.com/fcQq7QvajC
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) December 9, 2017
…found a new series to binge-watch, and a new man to crush on.
How much of this is because of the superbly-crafted storyline and beautiful location photography, and how much is because of Max Riemelt, I couldn't tell you. #ahem pic.twitter.com/bxNiPHEjhy
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) December 23, 2017
…saw an old school friend after a seventeen year gap.
Well, today was fun. Met up with @jamandbees, whom I last saw in 2000 when we were both sixth form students. ? pic.twitter.com/TIXh3hMjHQ
— Robert Hampton (@Hampo) December 27, 2017
2018 promises to be another difficult year in the wider world, but I am determined that whatever shitty events happen globally, I will continue to make progress in my personal life.
That’s assuming we don’t all get nuked, of course. Happy New Year everyone!