I usually get depression pangs at the end of December because I start to worry I’ve wasted the entire year. I decided to make a list of all the cool things I did in 2011 to remind myself that it has actually been one of the best ever. Since this is the era of the internet and everyone shares everything online I thought I’d put it up for all to see.

This time last year I promised myself I’d do something class at least once per month. I think I’ve achieved this and more. The aim is to make this list bigger for next year.

A big thank you to all my friends and family who have shared these experiences with me!

January

• Moved back into Belfast.

February

• Recorded Mental Deficiency’s debut album, ‘..And Now For Something Completely Deficient,’ with Rocky O’Reilly at Start Together Studios.
• First Mental Deficiency show in Derry.

March

• Mental Deficiency – Management deal
• Trip to Brussels.
• Saw Warrior Soul at the Diamond Rock Bar.

April

• Saw Earth at Auntie Annies.
• Triumphant return for Mental Deficiency to The Ivy in Newtownards.

May

• Another packed out stage for Mental Deficiency at Pigstock.
• Saw My Dying Bride at the Spring & Airbrake.

June

France:

• Travelled to Paris alone, met some cool Americans and visited the Eiffel Tower with them. Met more cool Americans at the top.
• Travelled to Clisson, met some cool French guys on the train who shared their wine with me.
• Arrived in Clisson, met some cool Dublin guys at the train station. Went for pints at nearby pub.
• Went to Hellfest – three days of insane partying and metal with the Mid Ulster Hallion Battalion and friends.

• Saw Def Leppard and Alice Cooper at The Odyssey.
• Saw Bon Jovi at the RDS in Dublin.

July

• Mental Deficiency – Album launch at The Black Box.
• Supported The Rubberbandits at The Stiff Kitten.
• Went to Glasgowbury.

August

• Mental Deficiency – Played at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
• Mental Deficiency – A packed out performance at Sunflowerfest.
• Mental Deficiency – Helped launch Molten Magazine at The Limelight.
• Saw Iron Maiden at The Odyssey.
• Saw Henry Rollins at The Empire.
• Met the lovely Michelle Mandipira, removed myself from the market.

September

• Saw Warrior Soul at Auntie Annies.

October

• Mental Deficiency – Played a great Halloween gig at Love & Death.

November

• Mental Deficiency – Supported Electric Six in the Spring & Airbrake.
• Started writing a column for Molten Magazine.
• Saw The Answer and Therapy? at The Ulster Hall.
• Saw and met Devin Townsend and Turisas at The Spring & Airbrake.
• Saw Manowar at the Mandella Hall.
• Saw The Sisters of Mercy at the Olympia in Dublin.

December

• Saw Reckless Love at The Limelight.
• Saw Skrillex in The Mandella Hall.
• Went to Manchester to see Steel Panther, Motley Crue and Def Leppard.
• Saw Saxon and Hammerfall in The Mandella Hall.

Other Highlights

• Shifted another stone in fat, that’s two in total since I started eating healthily and going to the gym.
• Edited Darkest Era music video – to be released soon.
• Appeared in Mental Deficiency music video – to be released soon.
• Successful year for my department in the day job.
• Got ongoing nasal health problem fixed(ish).
• Several successful magic performances.
• Helped establish The Monday Night Gentleman’s club a.k.a. The Merrigle.

2012 is already off to a busy start – just the way I like it!