- "In short, that was all" -

In the wake of the breakdown of the EU summit on the proposed constitution, I see it only fitting to heed Blair's call for "a time of reflection" by conducting my annual review.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times in this tale of more than two cities.
'twas a year of missions and motives, of revelation and sudden enlightenment, of foolish obscurity that transformed into blindingly obvious transparency in a blink; 'twas a year of intense extravagance and crippling frugality; 'twas a year of snap decisions and bad decisions; 'twas a year of image and the sinister shadows it cast; 'twas a year of shoes to fill: the big ones of your own, the expensive ones of others; 'twas a year of due diligence delivered and steely determination that at times gave way to destined despair.

'twas a year of favours, fallouts and failures.
'twas a year of the awakening, having suffered fools.