The Diary
of
Anne Ku

1 January 2001 Monday

New Year's Resolutions

At the start of every new year I have great expectations. Sometimes I write them down. If I do, then it's harder to find excuses at the end of the year.

When I returned to London in 1997, I had three things on my mind: piano, house, and companion.

The reasons for having a grand piano, whether I own it or not, were obvious. I no longer wanted to play on upright pianos. I had come to a point in my life that I noticed the difference between uprights and grands. All my friends who were serious about playing piano owned one. I, too, wanted to join the Grand Piano Owners Club.

To be able to house a piano and play without worrying about disturbing the neighbours meant that I had to buy a place. Renting was no longer economic, as what I spent on moving could easily buy me an upright piano, not that I wanted it. Initially, I only looked at flats. Considering 90% of dwellings in the Pimlico and Victoria areas were not sound proof, I had no choice but to look for a house elsewhere.

Tired of talking to myself, I decided it was important to get a non-threatening companion who was flexible, kind, and huggable: someone who would reciprocate my affections. Just around the time I found my home, my friend's teenage cat gave birth to a litter of kittens. I never expected a cat would make such a difference. But he did. Mister Tidworth is my inspiration and comfort.

Yesterday

Tomorrow

This year's resolutions:

to achieve a greater balance in my life.