Its that time of year again.
Where I look back over the previous year and answer the same 40 questions.
1. What did you do in 2023 that you’d never done before?
OK, New things :-
- Became an Amazon Bestselling Masonic Author in both the UK & USA at same time.
- Got my first Speaking booking from the N.W.A.M.S.
- Visited an Athol Lodge for the first time.
- Had a role in the Opening/Closing of the Provincial Chapter Meeting.
- Gave the First talk on St Edmunds.
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I gave up on resolutions many years back as I never seem able to stick to them.
Although I am challenging myself for 2024 to get at least one of the NWAMS books published and available to buy, and get my website updated.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
None that I can think off.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
A few Masonic Friends passed away this year, including my Seconder.
5. What countries did you visit?
The usual suspects of England/Wales/Scotland.
6. What would you like to have in 2024 that you lacked in 2023?
For 2024 I have two things I would like to have.
- Updated Personal Website.
- NWAMS Book published.
7. What dates from 2023 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
- 14th January – My first visit to an Athol Lodge to see a good friend go in the chair.
- 7th October – Being part of the opening/closing of Provincial Grand Chapter.
- 18th November – My book hitting #1 in Freemasonry around the world.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Noticing my phone going nuts during a rehearsals meeting, and checking it to find out my book on the Widows Sons was going nuts online, with people around the world mass buying it pushing it up the charts.
The funniest part was seeing people discussing it on Facebook groups I am a member of, and strangers claiming to know the author.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not getting my website updated as I had planned.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing, other than colds and the odd accidental paper cut.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Well this is a hard one this year.
I guess the Windows Tablet I got so I could do PowerPoint presentations with a projector. A Tablet makes it a lot lighter and smaller to carry about.
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
- Myself, Just because.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?
The people who are trying their best to destroy every TV series, Book Series, Film Series that had male characters, and forcing their own woke agenda onto everything to the detriment of good storytelling or actual plot.
The world is getting more and more ridiculous.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Books, More Books, Possibly a few more Books.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Taking part of the Provincial Grand Chapter Opening/Closing.
It was cool to actually have a role other than just walking in and out.
16. What song will always remind you of 2023?
Even though I have not seen the episode since I stopped watching the show when the message became more important than the story.
The Goblin Song from Doctor Who’s Christmas special.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
- a) happier or sadder? Happier
- b) thinner or fatter? Same
- c) richer or poorer? Richer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Writing, Following my Dreams, Conquering the World.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? .
Getting upset by the behavior of people.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Eating too much, drinking too much, and doing nothing.
21. What was your favourite month of 2023?
December. Due to book sales, and realising I had raised over £15,000 for Blood Bikes Wales over the year.
22. Did you fall in love in 2023?
Alas No. I am high functioning Sociopath.
23. How many one-night stands?
I do not believe in one-night stands. How can you tell if you realy like something unless you try it at least a couple of times?
24. What was your favourite TV programme?
Way too many to mention, As well as all the excellent ongoing TV shows, There was the new finds of :-
- The Traitors.
- Reacher.
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
You know what? NO! I do not believe I hate anyone this year that I did not hate previously. Maybe I am growing as a person, becoming more enlightened? Or is everyone already on THE LIST
26. What was the best book you read?
This is always a very hard question. According to Goodreads I have read about 155 books this year. Trying to pick the best of that lot is not going to be easy.
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
None. Mostly this year I have been listening to classic rock radio station, so nothing new.
28. What did you want and get?
A new Tablet.
29. What did you want and not get?
A new website.
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
- Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
- Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I am still not having birthdays. I have decided to stop having them so that I can live forever.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
If the Woke agenda was removed from all entertainment.
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2023?
Mostly Cargo Pants (I like the extra pockets) Jumpers.
Oh and suits, because suits are awesome…… True story
34. What kept you sane?
Sane? Sane? “You Keep Using That Word, I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means”.
I think the Sunday Night Beer Chat has done a lot to keep me sane, and save lives!
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.
I may have been re-watching the Suicide and Harley Quinn films.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
This year there are 2.
Firstly the fact the Welsh NHS is falling apart and yet our Welsh Government have wasted millions on reducing the 30mph national limit down to 20, which is causing businesses to close, villages to be cut off from public transport. They have wasted even more changing the areas of Wales to split up areas that voted against Labour and created 18 new areas, so that they can stay in power at the next election.
And even worse than that was the Wrexham Local Development Plan. Wrexham councillor’s voted against the suggested Labour Government plan to build 1000s of homes on green areas with no infrastructure. So the Welsh Labour Government said “You voted wrong. Do it again!” so Wrexham had another vote and again voted against the plan. So the Welsh Labour Government said “You voted wrong. Do it correctly”. And after the vote was against it again, the Welsh Labour Government said “You did it wrong. Do it one last time! Oh and anyone who votes against it will be fines £10000’s and sent to jail!”.
There is no democracy in Wales.
37. Who did you miss?
No one. “ high functioning Sociopath” Remember? Remember? from Question 22?
38. Who was the best new person you met?
I do not think I met any new person who exceptionally stood out.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2023?.
All publicity is good publicity!
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I’m knitting with only one needle
Unraveling fast. It’s true
I’m driving only three wheels these days
But, my dear, how about you?