MEME: The Year That Was 2020

Its that time of year again, where I look at the Year that was, and do the customary Year that was Meme.

MEME: The Year That Was 2020

1. What did you do in 2020 that you’d never done before?

OK, New things :-

  1. Became ProvSGD
  2. Experienced a Global Pandemic
  3. Got put in Lockdown multiple times
  4. Worked from home solidly for 9.5 of the 12 months of the year.
  5. Hosted a SRIA Zoom meeting where the Supreme Magus Attended.
  6. Produced several Teams events for Robert Lomas.

2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

2020 was 2.5 months long.

The rest of the year has been basically a lockdown, with hordes of plague spreaders all over the place. Everything is closed, and nothing can be done. I am therefore counting this whole year a bust.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 

Nobody. Well that I know about. I have not seen anyone since March 13th

4. Did anyone close to you die?

A fair few Masonic Friends passed away this year due to Covid and other issues. But mostly Covid.

5. What countries did you visit?

Nowhere. Due to a Global Pandemic all travel is banned. The only time I am legally allowed to go out is if I am going to collect food from a supermarket.

6. What would you like to have in 2021 that you lacked in 2020?  

The Vaccine.

The Vaccine

The Vaccine

The Vaccine

7. What dates from 2020 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

  1. 13th March – Going into a Lockdown due to Global Pandemic

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Surviving Covid.  This area has a very high infected rate.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not being productive at all even with working from home for 9+ months.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing…. Not leaving your house really cuts down on injury’s.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I do not think I bought anything cool this year, since the whole year has been a stay indoors just watching the world burn kind of year

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

  • The NHS workers who have spent 9 months fighting in the front lines of a Pandemic, surrounded by the infected and having to watch the idiots ignoring the rules and gathering in mass helping the virus spread

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? 

  • The Idiots breaking lockdown rules and having mass parties, etc.
  • The idiots rioting and smashing up the world because they can
  • Those who are spreading lies and fear, claiming the virus is a hoax 
  • 2020 is the year of idiots

14. Where did most of your money go?

Amazon I think 🙂
The only place still open and selling none essential stuff.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

The possibility of a vaccine

16. What song will always remind you of 2020?

2020 has been a clusterfuck of a year. I think we are best just forgetting it fully.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

  • a) happier or sadder? Sadder
  • b) thinner or fatter? fatter
  • c) richer or poorer? Richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Well since I have been locked down since March 13th. I wish I had been more productive over all those months.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? .

Being in Lockdown.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

Wales is in a full lockdown. No visiting, No Pubs, No Shops, No seeing anyone.
So I will spending Christmas in a post-apocolyptic lockdown.

21. What was your favourite month of 2020? 

January. Well January & February were the only 2 months without a lockdown, and Jan has a few more days.

22. Did you fall in love in 2020? 

I did not even see many human people in 2020. And those I did were in masks staying several meters apart..

23. How many one-night stands?

I did not even see many human people in 2020. And those I did were in masks staying several meters apart..

24. What was your favourite TV programme?

Way too many to mention, There has been nothing else to do that binge watch TV shows & Films

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? 

Yes. All the anti-mask, covid denying idiots! Not to mention all the people rioting and burning down businesses to protest something that happened on the other side of the world!

26. What was the best book you read?

Too many to mention. I think i read over 200 books this year since there was little else to do.

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

None. all music/shows/etc are canceled. Wait… Granger Smith

28. What did you want and get?

Brexit.

29. What did you want and not get? 

  • Enthusiasm
  • Vaccinated
  • Return to Normal

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

  • Songbird

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? 

Not being stuck in a Global Pandemic

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2020?

Scruffy, since not allowed to leave the house.

34. What kept you sane? 

Sane? I do not think any of us will get out of 2020 still sane. We are talking the year of global fires, earthquakes, riots, civil unrest, deadly weather storms, global pandemics, murder hornets, odd shapes in space, high places people saying aliens are real, space force, Zombie Minks, etc.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 

I am not sure who to pick this year. So I will pick Charlotte Dobre

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

This year is basically the same thing as last two three years. he same screaming angry nazi fascists who believe their echo-chambers and scream death threats against everyone who is different to them, or who does not think 100% the same as them. 

37. Who did you miss?

Everyone. I have not seen anyone due to the global pandemic.

38. Who was the best new person you met? 

Non body, since I have not met anyone due to (Say it with me) the Global pandemic!!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2020?. 

People are dumb, and getting dumber!

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. 

Silent night, Covid night

All is closed, all have blight

‘lone yon shielding Mother and Child

Fearful infant so tender and mild

Sleep in lockdowned peace

Sleep in lockdowned peace

 

Silent night, Covid night!

Everyone’s suffering, incredible plight!

Conspiracies stream from Facebook cries;

Anti vaxers sing its-all-lies!

Covid the Destroyer is born!

Covid the Destroyer is born!

Covid the Destroyer is born!

 

Silent night, Covid night

Six-foot gaps, mask’s in sight

Everywhere closed, no one goes out,

Do not sing, do not shout!

Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives

Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives

Stay Home, Stay Safe, Save Lives

MEME: The Year That Was 2019

Its that time of year again, where I look at the Year that was, and do the customary Year that was Meme.

MEME: The Year That Was 2019

1. What did you do in 2019 that you’d never done before?

OK, New things :-

  1. Went into the Chair in Rose Croix
  2. Saw the consecration of a new Rose Croix Chapter.
  3. Gave a talk in a Royal Arch Chapter with Grand Superintendent attending.
  4. Got an Article published in a Masonic Magazine
  5. Visited a Lodge in Scotland.
  6. Saw an Installation in Scotland

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 stuck to them, whereas my competitive nature makes me stick to challenges. So for the last few years I have had a yearly challenge

This year I again failed miserably with everything apart from the Goodreads reading challenge.

The year was not a total loss, I did get Buster the mini Blood Bike rebuilt, and managed to raise almost £4000 for Blood Bikes from various talks.

But next year is 100% about the Challenge, and I REFUSE to fail again.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 

Nobody. Well I can not think of anyone. Unless! Does Yoda count?

4. Did anyone close to you die?

A fair few Masonic Friends passed away this year. It has been a bad year for Masonic Deaths.

5. What countries did you visit?

Just the home nations of Wales, England & Scotland.

And Anglesey. I figure Anglesey should be counted as its own country, for it is a strange place.

6. What would you like to have in 2020 that you lacked in 2019?  

Productivity.

Productivity

Productivity

Productivity

7. What dates from 2019 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

  1. 7th February – Seeing a great friend go into the chair of zerubbabel
  2. 22nd March – Quitting as Provincial Webmaster
  3. 12th April – Going into the chair in Rose Croix.
  4. 1st June – Being published in The Square Magazine
  5. 21st December – Visit to a Scottish Lodge to see an Installation.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being asked to write an article for The Square magazine and being published.

With going into the chair of Rose Croix with the Inspector Generals of several Provinces, and members of the Supreme Council coming up to see it.

9. What was your biggest failure?

A continued total and unbelieveable lack of productivity!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing…. I did get a cold at one point, but that was it.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I do not think I bought anything cool this year, which is Ok since my complete lack of productivity means I did not deserve anything cool.

I will set a prize for next year, and if I am productive enough I will get myself something really cool.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

  • Everyone who supported Blood Bikes Wales in 2019.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? 

  • Myself for my lack of productivity
  • People who use other people for their own advantage
  • Most the MPs who refused to follow the will of the people

14. Where did most of your money go?

Amazon I think 🙂 
I am not addicted, I can stop at any time……

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Going into the chair of Rose Croix with such a massive event full of VIPs. And getting published in the Square 

16. What song will always remind you of 2019?

After last years Snowflakes attacking “Baby it’s Cold Outside” they returned this year for the Gavin & Stacy version of “Fairytale Of New York” with people actually complaining to Ofcom. How can anyone object to the BEST Christmas Song…. (btw: the word means ‘Lazy Person’)

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

  • a) happier or sadder? Happier
  • b) thinner or fatter? fatter
  • c) richer or poorer? Richer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Writing, Following my Dreams, Conquering the World, Finding a cure for the common cold and blackmailing people for the cure, You know, the simple pleasures in life.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? .

Wasting time, and suffering from lack of enthusiasm, also getting upset by the behavior of some people.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I am writing this on December 28th, so I know exactly how I spent Christmas day. I got up early, and went over to my parents to open presents with family, and  then spend the day eating too much, drinking too much, and doing nothing. Then on Boxing day the whole family gathers for a Buffet and drinks and more madness…..

21. What was your favourite month of 2019? 

December. For the Scottish Trip, among other things!

22. Did you fall in love in 2019? 

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 Mandalorian
  • Harley Quinn
  • Batwoman
  • Blood and Treasure
  • I’m Sorry

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. But if I had to pick just one book, arrgghghhh……

Well there is :-

  • Embrace Your Weird: Face Your Fears and Unleash Creativity by Felicia Day
  • The Rosslyn Hoax? by Robert L.D. Cooper
  • Siege of Stone by Terry Goodkind

I also liked the recent books in the Series’s “The Temple Chronicles”, “Dragon Blood”

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Sister Antics

Nashville based, Southern Rock/Americana Sister Antics aren’t really sisters. AnneMarie Kelbon and Vivian Nicastro are friends who met in New York through their shared passion for motorcycles. Discovering their other shared passion was music, they teamed up and were co-writing at the end of 2015. Kelbon and Nicastro quickly discovered their sound which they describe as a “southern rock blend of rock and roll, country, and blues.” 

28. What did you want and get?

A strong UK Government.

29. What did you want and not get? 

Enthusiasm

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

  • Wyrmwood – Road Of The Dead
  • Rambo – Last Blood

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? 

A research idea!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2019?

Mostly Cargo Pants (I like the extra pockets) Jumpers, and in work Coats…. 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, Good Friends, Good Books, and the fact I was never very sane to start off with, so there is not that much to keep hold of.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 

I am not sure who to pick this year. So I will say Alice from Batwoman

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

This year is basically the same thing as last two years. he same screaming angry nazi fascists who believe their echo-chambers and scream death threats against everyone who is different to them, or who does not think 100% the same as them. 

Take Brexit, the country voted for it yet the Left state no one wants it. We had EU elections and the Left stated 100% no one wanted Brexit and yet the Brexit party ended up as biggest party elected. Then we had a General election where again the Left stated no one would vote Tory, and yet they won the biggest landslide in decades, and Labor strongholds that have been Labor for 100s of years switched. And still the Left state no one wants Brexit or the Tories.

We were wrong guys. 1984 does not come from the far right trying to take over, but from the far left trying to reduce everyone to the same as them.

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 can not think of any new people.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2019?. 

Mulder was correct…. Trust no one

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. 

This land of my fathers is dear to me
Land of poets and singers, and people of stature
Her brave warriors, fine patriots
Shed their blood for freedom

MEME: The Year That Was 2018

Its that time of year again, where I look at the Year that was, and do the customary Year that was Meme.

MEME: The Year That Was 2018

1. What did you do in 2018 that you’d never done before?

OK, New things :-

  1. Got Provincial Rank (In the Holy Royal Arch)
  2. Got Provincial Rank (In the S.R.I.A.)
  3. Went into the Chair of my collage (S.R.I.A.)
  4. Was Part of the Procession in the Provincial Meeting to install a new PGM.
  5. Saw the Installation Ceremony of a Provincial Grand Master
  6. Was Part of the Procession in the Provincial AGM Meeting.
  7. Visited an Anglesey Lodge.
  8. Gave a Talk in a Lodge during a PGM Visit
  9. Gave a Talk in a Lodge in a different Province.
  10. Ran a stall at the LlanBikeFest as the Widows Sons
  11. Was part of the Chain for a PGM’s last visit before retiring
  12. Was part of the Chain for a PGM’s first ever meeting.
  13. Visited Several New Masonic Halls.
  14. Became a Blood Bike Controller.

I notice a trend in this list 🙂 

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 stuck to them, whereas my competitive nature makes me stick to challenges. So for the last few years I have had a yearly challenge

This year I failed miserably with everything apart from the Goodreads reading challenge.

I had a really unproductive year, which can be seen by the fact that the previous Blog post to this one is in fact 2017’s year that was 🙁

It was a busy year as I was acting Steward and with the PGM Retiring he wanted to visit lots of Lodges, so I was out with the team lots. Plus I visited Lodges in two Provinces to give Talks on the Widows Sons, Started as a Blood Bikes Controller for Blood Bikes Wales, So I am writing off 2018, and look forward to the challenges of 2019.

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.

5. What countries did you visit?

The usual suspects of England/Wales.

And Anglesey. I figure Anglesey should be counted as its own country, for it is a strange place.

6. What would you like to have in 2019 that you lacked in 2018?  

Productivity.

Productivity

Productivity

Productivity

Looking at this Blog, the last post I wrote was the “MEME: The Year That Was 2017” which was posted exactly one year ago. So in 2019 I would like to find where my get-up-and-go went, reclaim it and be super Productive. I plan to get my charity book published, update a couple of websites, along with several other projects. And i give permission for people to poke me with sharp sticks if they spot me being too unproductive. The lazyness and apathy of the last few years needs to end.

The line must be drawn here! This far, no further!

7. What dates from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

  1. 12th June – My first shift as a Blood Bike Wales Controller
  2. 31st October – Being appointed Provincial Grand Steward in the Royal Arch
  3. 12th November – Giving a Talk at an Installed Masters Lodge.
  4. 1st December – Being appointed Provincial Conductor in S.R.I.A.
  5. 5th December – Going into the chair of my S.R.I.A. Collage.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being appointed Provincial Conductor in S.R.I.A. before I had even gone into the chair! And being invited to the North Wales Lodge of Installed Masters to give a talk (They normally book professional speakers)

9. What was your biggest failure?

A total and unbelieveable lack of productivity!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I did almost manage to make it through the whole year with no incidents, only to burn my fingertips on Boxing Day.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Either my new qNAP NAS system for my home or I did finally got myself a DSLR Camera, which is something I have wanted for a few years now so I can learn Photography. I have never found a justifiable reason to spend a lot of money on a fad idea before.

Then I remembered I am an Adult, and I do not have to justify spending a lot of money on a toy, Plus it was in the Black Friday Sales, so I now have a fancy camera, so I can not learn what all those mystical terms like ISO, Shutter Speed, and things mean.

And I can take photographs as well, which is a bonus.

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

  • Hugh. A New Candidate to Masonry who has already visited more Lodges than a lot of Masons who have been members for dozens of years.
  • My Father.
  • Myself, Just because.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? 

The Special Snowflakes,  Those people who scream in the echo chamber of their social media circles about how everyone who thinks different are Nazis. And get angry when they loose votes because the majority wanted what they wanted so how can they have lost. We can no longer have conversations or debates because to disagree is to assault them and they need to kill you to defend themselves or run to a safe space. The world is going to pieces.

14. Where did most of your money go?

I got a new car, a fancy Camera, a NAS, and the usual Video Games, Books, More Books, More Games, Possibly a few Books.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Going into the chair of my S.R.I.A. Collage. 

16. What song will always remind you of 2018?

With the amount of outcry and attempts to ban the song there can only be one song to sum up the year.

Baby it’s cold outside.

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?

Falling in Love, Writing, Following my Dreams, Conquering the World, Finding a cure for the common cold and blackmailing people for the cure, You know, the simple pleasures in life.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? .

Wasting time, and suffering from lack of enthusiasm, also getting upset by the behavior of some people.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I am writing this on December 27th, so I know exactly how I spent Christmas day. I got up early, and went over to my parents to open presents with family, and  then spend the day eating too much, drinking too much, and doing nothing.

21. What was your favourite month of 2018? 

December. Due to getting Provincial Honours in S.R.I.A. and going  into the chair in S.R.I.A.!

22. Did you fall in love in 2018? 

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 :- 

  • New Legends of Monkey
  • Shooter
  • Marvels Cloak and Dagger
  • The Crossing
  • Disenchanted
  • Maniac

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 150 books this year. Trying to pick the best of that lot is not going to be easy. But if I had to pick just one book, arrgghghhh……

Well there is :-

  • Robert Lomas’s translation of Daniel Owen’s “Rhys Lewis” 
  • Sorcery as Virtual Mechanics by Stephen Mace
  • Lone Rider: The First British Woman to Motorcycle Around the World by Elspeth Beard
  • Shroud of Eternity by Terry Goodkind

I also liked the Series’s “The Temple Chronicles” and “The Demon Accords”

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Celtic Thunder

28. What did you want and get?

A decent Camera.

29. What did you want and not get? 

Enthusiasm

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

  • Solo
  • Ant-Man and the Wasp

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? 

Alien Invasion, I mean come on Zombie Apocalypse is so last year!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2018?

Mostly Cargo Pants (I like the extra pockets) Jumpers, and in work Coats…. 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, Good Friends, Good Books, and the fact I was never very sane to start off with, so there is not that much to keep hold of.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 

I am not sure who to pick this year. So I will say Emilie Cocquerel as Sandy – The New Legends of Monkey

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

This year is basically the same thing as last year. 

The same screaming angry nazi fascists who believe their echo-chambers and scream death threats against everyone who is different to them, or who does not think 100% the same as them.

We were wrong guys. 1984 does not come from the far right trying to take over, but from the far left trying to reduce everyone to the same as them.

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 would have to say some of the Blood Bikes Members, We have a great bunch of people in Blood Bike Wales.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2018?. 

Always… no, no… never… forget to check your references.

A Prize to anyone who spots the reference. 

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. 

Well due to the very unproductive year I would have to say :-

Today I don’t feel like doing anything
I just wanna lay in my bed
Don’t feel like picking up my phone
So leave a message at the tone
‘Cause today I swear I’m not doing anything

MEME: The Year That Was 2017

Its that time of year again, where I look at the Year that was, and do the customary Year that was Meme.

MEME: The Year That Was 2017

1. What did you do in 2017 that you’d never done before?

OK, New things :-

  1. Got Provincial Rank
  2. Was part of the Provincial Chain
  3. Was asked to give a talk in a Craft Lodge
  4. Gave a Talk in a Craft Lodge
  5. Was asked to write an Article for an International Magazine.
  6. Attended a High Council Meeting
  7. Helped Organising a National Rally (Widows Sons)
  8. Helped Organising a UGLE Tercentenary Event

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 stuck to them, whereas my competitive nature makes me stick to challenges. So for the last few years I have had a yearly challenge

This year I failed miserably with everything apart from the 100 Day challenge, and the Goodreads reading challenge.

Because I failed miserably this year, I am using this failure as the focus of rebooting myself next year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 

My Middle nephew had a Son this year.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

A very good/old school friend died this year!

5. What countries did you visit?

The usual suspects of England/Wales.

6. What would you like to have in 2018 that you lacked in 2017?  

More Productivity, Several more papers written towards a book of papers that I hope to publish in 2018, 2019. My charity book finished, and a published article in an international magazine.

7. What dates from 2018 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

  1. 7th October – The day I got my 1st Honours.
  2. 11th November – My 1st time visiting a Lodge to give a talk.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being appointed Provincial Grand Steward, Being asked to give a talk at a Lodge, then getting other requests for talks, Being asked to write an article for a Masonic Magazine.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not actually getting anything published this year, and not fully completing the years challenge, and my total lack of productivity!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

I had a Vampire Eye occurrence this year.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Alexa!

Or more accurately an echo dot. It is like the PA I always wanted, she keeps track of my calendar, notes, todo lists, etc.

Best toy ever!!!!

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

 

  • Myself, Just because.

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? 

The Special Snowflakes,  Those people who scream in the echo chamber of their social media circles about how everyone who thinks different are Nazis. And get angry when they loose votes because the majority wanted what they wanted so how can they have lost. We can no longer have conversations or debates because to disagree is to assault them and they need to kill you to defend themselves or run to a safe space. The world is going to pieces.

14. Where did most of your money go?

Video Games, Books, More Books, More Games, Possibly a few Books.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Provincial Honours, And being part of the official chain.

16. What song will always remind you of 2017?

With the year (or two) We’ve had there can only be one song to sum up the year.

Friends in Safe Spaces. By Chad Prather and Steve Mudflap McGrew.

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?

Falling in Love, Writing, Following my Dreams, Conquering the World, Finding a cure for the common cold and blackmailing people for the cure, You know, the simple pleasures in life.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? .

Wasting time, and suffering from lack of enthusiasm.

20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I will wake up late, and spend the day eating too much, drinking too much, and doing nothing. Then on Boxing Day I will go to my parents with the rest of the family for an all day long mass family party!!!!

21. What was your favourite month of 2017? 

July. The month started with The Big Party the Provincial party day to celebrate the tercentenary,  And the month ended with the Noerth Wales Chapter hosting the National Widows Sons Rally!

22. Did you fall in love in 2017? 

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, 2017 saw dozens of new shows being released such as The Orville, S.W.A.T., The Brave, The Gifted, The Punished, etc… As well as some old shows I discovered for the first time such as Greys Anatomy, The Catch, etc….

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 150 books this year. Trying to pick the best of that lot is not going to be easy. But if I had to pick just one book, arrgghghhh…… OK I will go with “Revolutionary Ride: On the Road in Search of the Real Iran”

The story of one woman who took a solo motorcycle trip around Iran where women are not allowed to drive cars, let alone ride bikes, and should always be accompanied, and that is before you take into account she was a westerner…

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

The Temperance Movement

Thanks Helen!!!!!.

28. What did you want and get?

An amazon Dot & a coffee machine. Which I wanted, and I got…

GO ME!!!!

29. What did you want and not get? 

Enthusiasm

30. What was your favourite film of this year?

  • Thor: Ragnarok

I have not seen the new star wars yet.

31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I did not have a birthday this year. 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? 

The Zombie Apocalypse. Seriously, How cool would that have been!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2017?

Mostly Cargo Pants (I like the extra pockets) Jumpers, and in work Coats…. 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, Good Friends, Good Books, and the fact I was never very sane to start off with, so there is not that much to keep hold of.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 

Well due to binge watching 13 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy this year, I guess Izzy would count.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

This year is basically the same thing as last year. 

The same screaming angry nazi fascists who believe their echo-chambers and scream death threats against everyone who is different to them, or who does not think 100% the same as them.

We were wrong guys. 1984 does not come from the far right trying to take over, but from the far left trying to reduce everyone to the same as them.

37. Who did you miss?

No one. “ high functioning Sociopath” Remember? Remember? from Question 22?

38. Who was the best new person you met? 

No one jumps out, as the best new person.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2017?. 

Empty Vessels make most noise!
Do not engage in an argument with a stupid person, they will drag you down to their level and beat yo with their experience. 

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. 

I’ve got friends in Safe Spaces And If you don’t go with us Then you must be racist That is our catch phrase Where is my latte Come on in and let’s get cozy Showing off participation trophies Watching CNN In Safe Spaces

MEME: The Year That Was 2016

Its that time of year again, where I look at the Year that was, and do the customary Year that was Meme.

MEME: The Year That Was 2016

1. What did you do in 2016 that you’d never done before?

OK, New things :-

  1. Became a Godfather for none-family member!
  2. Presented a Paper to a group of peers.
  3. Visited a Lodge in the Province of Warwickshire
  4. Was invited to visit a Lodge for the purpose of performing ritual (Charge after Initiation)
  5. Entered the chair of Z
  6. Was Promoted to the Second Order of S.R.I.A.
  7. Did the Intermediate Degrees in Rose Croix.
  8. Got a Provincial Job (Provincial Webmaster)
  9. Partied in the Clubhouse of a 1% MC
  10. Visited a Lodge in the Province of Yorkshire, West Riding
  11. Finally Visited LOLS
  12. Placed a bet on a horse race.
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 stuck to them, whereas my competitive nature makes me stick to challenges. So for the last few years I have had a yearly challenge. This year it was the Artisan Challenge,

  1. Do the 100 Days Challenge.
  2. Write 4 none LOLS papers
  3. Do a piece of Art slowly over the year.

I did not do so well this year.

  1. 100% Completed.
  2. 25% Completed. I only managed 1 papers
  3. 40% Completed. I drew lots of the bits, but never got them put together.

Because I failed miserably this year, I am using this failure as the focus of rebooting myself next year.

I am doing a Challenge Reboot. To reboot my creativity, productivity etc.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 

No.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No one. Which is a good thing considering the year.

But I did loose a load of childhood heroes, and people from Music & Film who made an impact on me growing up.

5. What countries did you visit?

The usual suspects of England/Wales.

6. What would you like to have in 2017 that you lacked in 2016?  

More Productivity, Several more papers written towards a book of papers that I hope to publish in 2018. An army of Minions or at least a few PA’s

7. What dates from 2016 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

  1. 11th June – The day I joined the 2nd Order of S.R.I.A.
  2. 10th December – My 1st visit to LOLS.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Being appointed Provincial Webmaster, Presenting a Paper to a room full of people, Gaining the chair of Z.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Not actually getting anything published this year, and not fully completing the years challenge, and my total lack of productivity!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Not that I can recall! I do not think I even got Man-Flu this year.

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I do not recall any great new purchase this year. This is not acceptable, I must get myself a new toy before the end of the year. 

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
  • My Godson Callum for learning to walk (And for being an evil genius)
  • Henry for being great
  • My father for getting a decent 1st Honours
  • Myself, Just because.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? 

Whoever came up with the Hungry Bird!. And the Special Snowflakes

14. Where did most of your money go?

Video Games, Books, More Books, More Games, Possibly a few Books.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Well for the second year in a row we get a new Star Wars film. This year we also got Doctor Strange & Suicide Squad, so that’s three films this year I got excited about.

I also go excited about finally visiting LOLS after all these years.

16. What song will always remind you of 2016?

With the number of decent musicians we lost this year, there is only one song suitable to remember 2016

American Pie – Don McLean

With every paper I’d deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn’t take one more step
I can’t remember if I cried when I
Read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music
Died

 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
  • a) happier or sadder? Happier
  • b) thinner or fatter? Fatter (slightly)
  • c) richer or poorer? Richer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Falling in Love, Writing, Following my Dreams, Conquering the World, Finding a cure for the common cold and blackmailing people for the cure, You know, the simple pleasures in life.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? .
Wasting time, and suffering from lack of enthusiasm.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I will wake up late, grab some breakfast & a coffee, then go over to my Parents house with the rest of the family to open presents and do that festive cheer stuff. Then Christmas Dinner, and off to youngest nephews house for a Christmas Party type thing. Then home.. Beer, Doctor Who Special, and laze in front of the TV.

21. What was your favourite month of 2016? 

I do not think any one month stands out more than any other since the great stuff that happened this year was spread out over the whole year. 

22. Did you fall in love in 2016? 

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?

How do I pick just one? Lucifer, Blindspot, Van HelsingKilljoys, Dark Matter, Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, Scorpion, Librarians, Blacklist, Brooklyn Nine Nine. the list is endless…….

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?

Picking a favorite book, is even harder than picking a favorite TV Series, or Film. So here is a list of some of the Top books I read this year (In no particular order)  :-

  • Warheart (To finish the Sword of Truth Series)
  • Fox & O’Hair Series
  • Lois on the Loose
  • Ben Hope Series
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

The Forest Rangers

An American Rock Band that started from the TV Series Sons Of Anarchy.

28. What did you want and get?

I do not think there was anything I really wanted this year that I actually got. It is depressing really.

29. What did you want and not get? 
Enthusiasm, Love, Slaves A PA/Intern, A new House (Not easy finding one I like, I may be fussy?)
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
  • Doctor Strange
  • Star Wars – Rogue One
  • Suicide Squad
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I did not have a birthday this year. 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? 
The Zombie Apocalypse. Seriously, How cool would that have been!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2016?

Mostly Cargo Pants (I like the extra pockets) Jumpers, and in work Coats…. 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, Good Friends, Good Books, and the fact I was never very sane to start off with, so there is not that much to keep hold of.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 

I don’t think any one celebratory really stood out this year.

It was a poor year for crushes..

36. What political issue stirred you the most?

There was two this year, but they are basically the same thing.

Brexit! We had the vote, and the Leave group won. And from the second they won the remain lot started screaming that only racist idiots would vote to leave, and their votes should not count. They have tried dozens of petitions, legal campaigns, and everything to go against the winning vote on the grounds that anyone who disagreed with them is too stupid to be allowed a vote. This loud insulting of anyone with a different view started in the run up to the vote.

American Presidential Election. Again, the loosing side started legal means to get the vote changed, they tried forcing the electoral collage to break the law to make the loosing candidate be the winner. There was even rioting on the streets and such. and plans to prevent it from happening.

I am not saying the right outcome was won on either of those votes, but it is the minority who lost and just insult and threaten anyone who thinks differently that has annoyed me the most. You can no longer discuss or debate things, you either agree 100% with the special snowflakes or you are evil racist scum with an IQ of a carrot. And their yells of we must protect democracy by going with the loosing vote. errrr?

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 am not sure, I guess I would probably have to go with some of the Masonic people I have started working closely with since becoming the Provincial Webmaster. There are some insane, funny people among them.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2016?. 

Empty Vessels make most noise!
Do not engage in an argument with a stupid person, they will drag you down to their level and beat yo with their experience. 

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. 

With every paper I’d deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn’t take one more step
I can’t remember if I cried when I
Read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music
Died

See Question 16

MEME: The Year That Was 2015

Its that time of year again, where I look at the Year that was, and do the customary Year that was Meme.

MEME: The Year That Was 2015

1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?

OK, New things :-

  1. Wrote a Paper (The Two Pillars)
  2. Got on the Ladder in Rose Croix (Captain of the Guard)
  3. Got Installed as 2nd Principle in Chapter.
  4. Gave the Charge after Initiation.
  5. Visited a Provincial S.R.I.A. Meeting
  6. Gave a Full Lecture in Royal Arch (Symbolic)
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes. Well I gave up on resolutions many years back as I never stuck to them, whereas my competitive nature makes me stick to challenges. So for the last few years I have had a yearly challenge. This year it was of a threefold nature,

  1. Do the 100 Days Challenge.
  2. Write a paper
  3. Write a joint bi-weekly story.

The first two I did and stuck too, but the third failed due to external problems. But as my friend MeatLoaf says “two out of three ain’t bad!”  Next year I am again doing a threefold challenge, very similar to this years. 100 days, Write 4 papers, Do a unique piece of artwork.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? 
I was going to answer Yes, PlanetPete to this question. Then I realised he only gave birth by proxie. So instead I shall adjust my answer slightly to be, Yes, Mrs PlanetPete AKA H, Gave birth to the MicroMagoo Callum, who I get the honour of being his Godfather, and I plan to take my role seriously and have already begun practicing beheading horses..
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My Uncle Tommy, My Old DC from my mother Lodge, My old Chaplin from my mother Lodge.
5. What countries did you visit?
The usual suspects of England/Wales. I did go through Bala which should really be classed as it’s own country, if not it’s own planet! I also visited the Magical Dale of Roch for the first time.
6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?  
More Productivity, More Published Works, Less things on the todo list. Lolipop on my tablet (stupid americans getting update already)
7. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
  1. 2nd March – The day I Emailed out my 1st Paper for Peer Review.
  2. 14th November – The day the Maguires asked me to be a God Father.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Writing an academic paper for the first time ever, and nobody laughing when it was emailed out and posted online for discussion.
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not actually getting anything published this year, Not finding a New House. Not getting the Lollipop update on my Tablet. (stupid americans getting update already)
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Not that I can recall!
11. What was the best thing you bought?
New Car? PS4?
12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
  • My Niece for getting accepted at 5 of the 5 Universities she applied to.
  • Amanda for going back to Uni to get her BSA/MBA/WTF
  • MaguirePete & Myself for doing the Academic Papers.
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed? 
The same group of people from last year, who are still up to the same sneaky underhand tricks that they were last year, and affecting more people.
14. Where did most of your money go?
New Car, Diesel for said New Car. PS4, Games for said PS4.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
In two simple words STAR WARS starwars We are finally getting a new Star Wars film that has nothing to do with Lucas so hopefully it will not be as bad as the Prequels, or as annoying as the Remastered versions.
16. What song will always remind you of 2015?

Little Mix – Black Magic

For some reason this song got played 300% more often than any other song during my morning commutes when I listen to the radio. Also I lost count the number of times I saw the video on someone’s TV. (Is it just me or is the Video just the film “The Craft” condensed into 3:45 minutes?)

 

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
  • a) happier or sadder? Happier
  • b) thinner or fatter? Fatter (slightly) but 2016 will be a time of change
  • c) richer or poorer? Poorer due to spending Money on things like Cars & PS4’s
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Falling in Love, Writing, Following my Dreams, Conquering the World, Finding a cure for the common cold and blackmailing people for the cure, You know, the simple pleasures in life.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of? .
Wasting time, and suffering from lack of enthusiasm.
20. How will you be spending Christmas?

I will wake up late, grab some breakfast & a coffee, then go over to my Parents house with the rest of the family to open presents and do that festive cheer stuff. Then I am off to my Sisters for Christmas Dinner. (Which I will be fed up of by then as I think it will be my 8th or 8th of the month). Luckily her other half is cooking, if she was cooking there is no way I would go (Sorry Sis but you once cooked boil in the bag fish so bad even the dog would not eat it). Then home.. Beer, Doctor Who Special, and laze in front of the TV. I do need to decide what film series to rewatch over xmas, as per tradition. Something like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Harry Potter, etc?  

21. What was your favourite month of 2015? 
I do not think any one month stands out more than any other. So This year I do not have a favourite month.
22. Did you fall in love in 2015? 
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?
How do I pick just one? Killjoys, Dark Matter, Lost Girl, Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, Scorpion, Jessica Jones, Castle, Person of Interest, Librarians, Blacklist, Brooklyn Nine Nine. the list is endless…….
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?

Picking a favorite book, is even harder than picking a favorite TV Series, or Film. So here is a list of some of the Top books I read this year (In no particular order)  :-

  • You’re Never Weird on The Internet (Felicia Day)
  • Psych Series
  • Warheart (Terry Goodkind)
  • Frabato The Magician (Franz Bardon)
  • Invisible Collage (Robert Lomas)
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Thanks to a random Photo IM from Amanda which showed a CD won at a charity night, I discovered a great now band.

Steel Panther is an American glam metal band from Los Angeles, California, mostly known for their profane and humorous lyrics as well as their exaggerated on-stage personae that parody the stereotypical “glam metal” lifestyle in the 1980s.

So my new (great) musical discovery of the year is….. Steel Panther.

28. What did you want and get?

A New Car, A Next Gen Game system (PS4), A new Star Wars film 😉

29. What did you want and not get? 
Enthusiasm, Love, Slaves A PA/Intern, A new House (Not easy finding one I like, I may be fussy?)
30. What was your favourite film of this year?
  • Minions
  • Star Wars – The Force Awakens
  • AntMan
  • Avengers Age of Ultron
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
 I spent the day as I would any other Sunday. After a time birthdays become meaningless. I believe its as soon as you no longer get toys as gifts So I spent the day playing Video games and drinking beer.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? 
The Zombie Apocalypse. Seriously, How cool would that have been!
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2015?
Mostly Cargo Pants (I like the extra pockets) Jumpers, and in work Coats…. 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, Good Friends, Good Books, and the fact I was never very sane to start off with, so there is not that much to keep hold of.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 
The character Kenzi from the TV Series “Lost Girl” I worked my way through all five seasons in December, and have overdosed on her a bit.  I just love her attitude, style, and her love of dressing up with different wigs to have many different appearance’s. And her eyes…. 
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
It’s not really a “political issue” but it is politics so it counts! We had a General Election this year. and the Conservatives won. Almost instantly all the Labour supporters started screaming that no one in the UK wanted the Conservatives in power, and as the majority did not want them they should not be elected.  Which is odd since UK politics works with the party who win the most seats gets in power, so if only a handful had voted for them they would not be in power. Ignoring that, the next load of shouting was how the Conservatives had destroyed the county, the healthcare, everything, and that we needed Labour in power to fix all the things the Conservatives had broken. Err, lets look at the facts. 2015 was the 1st Conservative government in the UK since 1997. So thats 18 year. 14 of those years were under a Labour Government, and the last 4 under an ineffectual coalition (coalitions never work when both parties have vastly different views). Now I am not saying the Conservatives are the best, or perfect. But since our healthcare, infrastructure, and welfare has been failing for many years now it seems insane to blame a group of people who have been in power for less than a year, its more likely that they inherited the mess the country is in. Yes we are in a state. No Labour is not the solution. the 14 years they were in power proved that. We did not get into the state we are in over night.  Give the other party a chance, you may not agree with them, but you should give them a chance, and not instantly scream for the previous guys back in, when all evidence seems to point to them breaking everything to start with.
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 have considered the new people I have met this year, from Masonic Orders, The Widows Son’s, and online and while I have met a few interesting, and decent people there are none that jump out as “The Best” So I am going to go all sentimental, and say Callum “the littlest” Maguire.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2015?. 
A valuable life lesson I learned this year?. Well I never thought I could write None-Fiction, I have published fictional stories, and while the majority of this blog is None-Fiction it is of a more comical and insane vien than actual factual none-fiction. After writing four academic papers, that did not get laughed at, or pulled apart by my peers, and that a couple of them I actually liked, I have realised that if I put the work into research, I can actually write None-Fiction. Also, when you stop procrastinating and force yourself to actually do something, you can actually enjoy yourself.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. 

I’m just a Maserati in a world of Kia’s

Genius would describe any of my ideas

If I was born in 1453 Leonardo Da Vinci would be jealous of me

But a world of Stevie Wonders will never see.  

It’s a burden being wonderful like me.  

“The Burden Of Being Wonderful” Steel Panther