Hill+Knowlton Strategies

Ah, 2010. It was the best times, it was the worst of times… so pretty much ’same old, same old’ to abbreviate Dickens slightly. And so far, no guillotine so all good. The year I learned how to safely retrieve items dropped down liftshafts (of which there were a surprising number), that it’s inadvisable to set fire to things on the kitchen table (ditto) and that I’m handy in a swordfight (again, ditto).

When I mentioned to the lovely Mr Muir that I was thinking of doing a Review of the Year in time-old tradition, he asked if was going to be of the real world or our insular little one. Which just goes to show that he is thoughtful and I am not. Well, I’m not going to do the former because that sounds like a pretty big job for a Friday and I’m not going to do the latter because … well, quite frankly, I’d rather not. So instead we have a random selection of our favourite things with no discernible parameters. Hurrah.

Rings our bell.

Firstly, the ‘Most brilliant new thing that already feels like it’s been here forever’ (catchy). Obv the iPad is a contender, but that would be a bit predictable so we’re going with the Boris bikes. Already as much of a part of London life as black cabs and Routemasters, they are A Good Thing. The PR launch was super-smart too: honest and engaging. Of course, it’s highly unlikely I will ever use one, but that doesn’t make me love them any less.

It doesn't get better than this.

Secondly, the ‘Thing most likely to make me laugh out loud on the bus’. This is quite hotly contested – one evening there was an email that made me laugh so much I actually had to get off the bus but, for sheer consistency, it has to be the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Radio 2.  Now, I wasn’t always a fan but really the man is a genius. His show should be available on prescription. For example, this morning – Peter Kay and Rick Astley. It doesn’t get much better than that. Fact.

What's not to love?

Finally, because we like the number ‘3′ and because biscuits are an important part of our lives, the ‘Best Biscuit of the Year.’ Again, hotly contested – so much so that we have two. Because you can never just have one biscuit. Both a bit Paradise Regained - those chocolate animal ones and Malted Milks. The ones with cows on the front. Cows… brilliant. *shakes head in wonderment*

And that’s pretty much it. The best thing about 2010?

Looking forward to 2011.