Some positives to take away from 2018 (so far)

'I got a good feeling about this'- Han Solo, Solo: A Star Wars Story, 2018

So this happened...

2018 has been... long. It would be a miracle if anybody has kept up with everything, and we still have two months to go! Logan Paul kept up his trend of being a prick, Brexit still sucks and, of course, Donald Trump still sits smugly in the White House. This whole Brett Kavanaugh situation doesn't help either, as the nominee for the Supreme Court snakes his way through the Senate vote despite accusations of sexual assault being raised against him. It appears that the bad guys and things that populate our world are making sure that 2018 is deemed a rubbish year. Indeed, losing Aretha Franklin, Stephen Hawking and Burt Reynolds, to name but a few, doesn't give this year the best of reputations.

But hold on a second; let's not throw 2018 into the flames of eternal damnation just yet! Not only are there two months left for the whole thing to turn around, but throughout these last 10 months some good has come out of this turbulent time in human history. No year is perfect though; just ask 1939 or 1914. However, through all the mess and strife that happens in the course of a year, some good does shine through. Everyone always finds something positive to take away from a certain year, so that's the purpose of this latest instalment of 'Absolute Shambles'. So, in the opinion of this humble blogger, here are 10 positives that can be taken away from the year so far. Fingers crossed that more can be added in the near future.

Let's all be as carefree as a victorious Ricciardo at the Monaco Grand Prix

1. SPORTING MASTERCLASS

Philadelphia's victory was certainly a highlight of the 2018 sporting calendar, and was just one example of the joys that the sporting world has brought to the masses. Amongst fears of nuclear annihilation and heightened tensions, PyeongChang welcomed the world for the Winter Olympics, as billions tuned in to watch the thrilling, gripping, physically and mentally draining duel that is curling. February certainly was packed with sport, and just as everyone caught their breath the Commonwealth Games caught our attention in April. Geraint Thomas' gentle cycling trips across France saw him crowned winner of the Tour de France, and Anthony Joshua continued his rise in the boxing ring. Oh, and the World Cup happened. What a tournament it was; surely ranks as the best World Cup ever. France were rightful winners and England got to the semi-finals after winning on penalties against Colombia. Scenes.

Still in disbelief

2. HARRY TIES THE KNOT, AND BACHELORETTES CRY IN UNISON

If there is one thing that we Brits get in a tizzy over, it's a royal wedding. Some are determined to get their hands on the latest commemorative plate to add to the collection, while others rejoice in having a reason to get royally pissed in the name of Her Majesty. It was Harry's turn to step up to the altar to wed actress Meghan Markle, the gorgeous star of legal drama Suits. Harry is a firm favourite amongst the population, as his antics captured the hearts of the nation. While his brother William performed stately duties on his way to one day becoming King, Harry was having a good time serving in the armed forces and rubbing shoulders with celebrities. Hmmm, becoming a monarch or partying with the rich and famous... tough choice. Regardless, it was a lovely ceremony and the nation was elated for Harry to begin his own life as a functioning adult. Princess Eugenie got married as well, but she's no Harry. Sorry love.

My hear swells with joy

3. HERE COME THE GIRLS

Although beginning in 2017, the #MeToo movement rolled into the new year like a thunderous train, propelled by the continuing scandal surrounding Harvey Weinstein and the persistent problem of sexual assault. The Time's Up movement came into existence on 1 January 2018, continuing the trend of speaking out against the inappropriate and deplorable actions from the worst members of the male gender. As Oprah Winfrey cried out for the hope that 'nobody ever has to say, 'Me Too', again', Ireland unanimously voted to legalise abortion and women in Saudi Arabia were granted the right to drive. The glass ceiling is starting to show a few cracks as even more stats appear over the lack of equality in wages, especially as more women are running for office in the United States. No matter how hard some people try to stifle or erase these steps, it's hard to stop a united force like this. Change is coming.

Oprah for President 

4. TESTIFYING AGAINST TRUMP, FROM CELEBS, COLLEAGUES AND JUST ABOUT EVERYONE REALLY 

As Donald Trump continues to blunder through his first term in the White House, there are plenty of critics out there. Every world leader has to deal with disgruntled voices, but when they are coming at you from all directions then you know you're in trouble. Christine Blasey Ford's accusation of sexual assault against Trump's Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh is just the latest obstacle for the President, still dealing with the fallout from the whole Paul Manafort and Michael Cohen affair. Celebrities and other influential figures continue to pepper the White House occupant with criticism over his lack of diplomatic manners and clear inability to run a country. As the newly-appointed Canadian Trade Minister Jim Carr hosts a trade summit between 13 'like-minded' nations, the United States finds itself increasingly isolated due to the actions of their elected leader. But wait, hasn't his administration 'accomplished more in two years than almost any administration in the history of [the United States'? So true.

No fake news here, folks 

5. CINEMATIC EXCELLENCE

It's been a super year of cinema so far. Once Black Panther dropped, legions of people swore their allegiance to Wakanda as Chadwick Boseman and Michael B. Jordan starred in a film full of incredible action sequences and a villain with legitimate motives. The Avengers then battled Thanos in Infinity War as Marvel continued to expand its incredibly vast and bizarre universe. While all this was going on, Ryan Reynolds reprised his role of Deadpool in his second outing, which was just as rude and hilarious as you would expect. To cap it all off, Pixar gave us Incredibles 2 and the young adults of the world lost their minds. A Quiet Place scared the crap out of all of us, but thanks to Wes Anderson's Isle of Dogs we all got to see another wonderfully directed feature from such a talented director. The Harry Potter fandom waits with belated breath for Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, music lovers eagerly anticipate Bohemian Rhapsody and Peter Jackson brings his creative genius to Mortal Engines. If you want to hide away from the big scary world, the cinema is the place to go.

Nice family day out

6. YOU CAN ALWAYS RELY ON TV

On the smaller screen, their 2018 has been pretty strong as well. With Game of Thrones and Stranger Things absent until 2019 (please stop crying), there are some big shoes to fill. 'Queer Eye' warmed all of our hearts as 5 gay men changed the lives of those in desperate need for a social and personal boost. Another season of Bojack Horseman entered our lives and gave us a rainbow of feelings, from sheer to joy to crippling sadness. The Good Place, currently going through its third season, is making us all have a small existential crisis about morality about what lies beyond, but Ted Danson is wonderfully charming so it's all good. While The Handmaid's Tale strikes a chord with all those dreaming of destroying the patriarchy and feeling enraged by the current political climate, Doctor Who breaks the mould and casts Jodie Whittaker as the first female Doctor to grace our screens. Good luck Josie- may the haters' cries of anguish fall on death ears as you travel through time and space in style.

Oh, does a lady Doctor offend you? What a shame 

7. SO MANY GLORIOUS MEMES

If there's one thing we can rely on, it's the Internet. As we manipulate this wonderful creation to send each other memes and funny cat videos, 2018 has given us a bountiful meme harvest. From off ramps to the acronyms your kids are using while texting, the brilliant minds that rule the World Wide Web have given us plenty to chortle about. Gru's plans certainly went off the rails at times, and people began to question what was a pigeon or not. As the World Cup commenced and England started to do OK for a change, the nation was whipped up into a frenzy and everyone started uttering the phrase 'It's Coming Home'. Certainly the best meme of the year (so far) and united the nation as the government imploded in on itself. Gareth, you're a legend.

Arise, Sir Gareth, Champion of the Waistcoat 

8. A WHITE WINTER AND SIZZLING SUMMER 

Remember when it was really cold and, although we all got to stay home and everything looked lovely, we all wished it would warm up? Then it got really hot and, as we all headed to the pub and we all slowly burned alive, we pleaded for temperatures to return to normal? Good times! The erratic weather patterns are down due to our horrendous treatment of the environment, but Britain more or less got accurate weather for the corresponding season. It was satisfying to take a walk and hear the crunch of fresh snow, as children pestered their parents to take them sledging and hooligans lined up snowballs for unsuspecting targets. Once the climate shifted dramatically, out came the shorts and vests to coincide with the flowing kegs of alcohol to fill the bellies of thirsty workers. The threat of either frostbite or heatstroke was firmly at the back of our minds as we relished in sun and snow.

Oh summer, I miss thee

9. GAME ON

The hostile climate may have forced some of us inside to switch on the gaming consoles and forget about the looming environmental disaster. They Are Billions permanently stole people's sanity, and from there the gaming scene moved from strength to strength. Frostpunk made us all nostalgic about how a harsh winter was causing the collapse of civilisation, and Detroit: Becoming Human made us all nervous about intelligent A.I. and a potential uprising from machines forced into servitude. Gamers got a crash course in parenting as Kratos showed his son Artreus how to be a badass in God of War, or were in hysterics as Pit People blended turn-based strategy with zany humour in a crazy twisted world. Assassin's Creed: Odyssey showcased beautiful graphics set in a time of strife between Sparta and Athens, given players a break from slinging from building to building in Spider-Man. With Red Dead Redemption 2, Fallout 76 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate waiting for their release, there is still plenty more to get excited about. So much to play, so little time.

I've seen this before... can't put my finger on it

10. BEN IS FREE

To end this all on a personal note, 2018 began with this young blogger unemployed, lost in a scary world and accused of being a sexual deviant. As Surrey Police continued to fumble through their investigations, young Ben was left in the dark and unable to do anything about the situation at hand. Even though, by March, any case of wrongdoing was dismissed, there was still a sense of dread as the prospects of success and survival seemed to fade fast. Yet as the year draws to an end, things appear to be on the up. Nepotism has allowed a welcome return to the workforce (and inspired a post on the essential questions to ask when starting a new job) as plans slowly form of taking the next big steps in life. After literally stepping across the fields of Britain and soaking in the culture of the piss-soaked capital of France, 2018 has managed to hoist itself from the gutters of despair to the plinth of moderate triumph. Thank goodness for that.

Champion

No year is perfect. This delightful examination into the positive side of 2018 is guilty of sweeping the dreadful events that have transpired over the last 10 months, but there's no point constantly focusing on the negatives. Yes, the world is slowly going to shit and, quite frankly, there is absolutely nothing we can do about it. But by focusing on those little victories, whether it's playing through a much-anticipated video game or cleared of being a menace to society, then life doesn't have to be so bleak. Keep moving forward, everyone- we ain't got time to be stuck in a pool of hatred.

Everybody dance!

Ben G 😁 xo