I couldn’t let 2023 end without a good look back at all the things that have happened. It has been an absolute wild ride and I feel much better about things than I did a year ago.
In January, I moved into a new space with some friends. An opportunity to have a room to call my own after living in the squat and a good chance to recover. At that time, I was still seeing a therapist and unpacking a fairly traumatic period. I was sober for the month to help clean my act up, even if looking at it now, it’s been dirtier and more drunken than ever before. I got another tattoo. As is the fashion. Working my way down my forearm for the first time. I was always worried about being able to hide them in formal situations but, as the saying goes, fuck it.
Improv started up again and I got to hang with my people. Mine. Those who stuck by me are a godsend and I don’t know where I would be without them.
In February, I went to Scotland for Super Bowl weekend, and caught up with Poppy when I had some time in Edinburgh. Having so much time to work on myself meant hitting the gym hard, and turning 36 in the best shape of my life.
E and I took our first trip together, to Paris to celebrate my birthday. We had the most incredible time together, indulging in the Parisian delicacies of drunkenness, love and art. By the time we came back, we were both sure we were going to start dressing solely like Parisians. It is yet to stick.
We finally got our game of darts in, as well as other cute date nights.
March saw us in London for a couple of days, including the Bike Shed with mum and Lawl and Maltby Street in the mix. We went to see the Bowie Experience as a birthday present and I was drunk enough to cry at Heroes.
E and I got matching tattoos as well as a pair of GWYG designs with Dean. The introduction of Skuffin. We continued to eat great food and dine out with friends. We also got to see one of our favourite bands (Death Cab) at the Roundhouse, and spend some time with Other Emily and Irish Dan.
At the end of March I was asked to perform at Hornchurch Theatre with Ross and Lee, and we had a riot. Then I got to visit the Secret Nuclear Bunker to teach improv. Mad day.
This April was the first 48 Hour Southend Improvathon, an event that broke me in so many ways. I played Brillo Paddins, a simple hobbit with a lust for incest. At the 24 hour mark, my character switched to the dark side and I became Poblin, a creature who continued to haunt me every Wednesday in 2023. The event was fantastic and I’m looking forward to the next one in February. It took a good few days after to feel normal.
E took me to Osbournes’ for the first time and initiated another of our favour date spots. I’m such a whelk boy now.
Scott took me and Scott’s Boys to see Garth Marenghi where I got to meet the elusive dreamweaver after and have my copy of Terrortome signed.
E and I went to London for the Infinity Rooms and dinner at Marco Pierre White’s restaurant.
Having claimed I was a stand up comedian, I threw myself into gigs at Attic and Ironworks.
May found us attending some literary events and shmoozing, waiting for the news I had been waiting for about my own book.
The Gaming Gamers went to Gunslingers and E and I went climbing together. We applied for Race Across The World and spent the next six months making toasts to our obvious television debut appearance (that never came to fruition).
I went to Cardiff for work, mostly to see Tom, and then got to go again before the month was out.
We celebrated Eurovision with some very tasteful costumes.
Took dad out for a birthday dinner and, if he asks, I reserved the whole restaurant for us. Better still, we went to Pasta Nostra a few days later.
Took E to London for Korean Hot Pot and A Little Life, cried at both.
Went paddleboarding together for the first time.
Got some new headshots, which are now default on all social media platforms.
In June, we went away for a couple of days and stayed in a converted silo with an adjoining woodfire hot tub. Lots of local pubs and country walks.
Attended Freya’s book launch for her second novel, the excellent Birdcage Library. A little insight in what is to come.
Benjy took me to see Nick Offerman, which was truly excellent.
With July came the good weather, a visit to Darren and Laura and a park run in Battersea.
Sarah and I went to see Blur, ticking off one of the remaining bands that I’ve always wanted to see and never got the chance to. Thinking about it, that’s the Britpop trifecta completed – Oasis, Pulp and Blur all seen.
Went to 180 for the Asteroid City exhibition with Jen and Ricky.
Silent disco at Faye’s.
Mike and Char’s wedding, staying in a castle and forming a lifelong bond with Adam. E and Cel’s speech made the day.
August.
Performed stand up at Twenty One, my favourite gig of the year. Taught the audience the chorus to On My Doorstep and all joined in.
Caught up with old work friends in Canary Wharf (the dirge of it all)
Date night to Featherblade.
Chris’s Star Wars party at Caddies.
Oh, I took up smoking again. A surprise to everyone. It turns out that selling a house with absolutely zero help is quite stressful.
E took me to see The Strokes and Yeah, Yeah Yeahs in London. We got so drunk and had the best time dancing around.
Went camping with Jess and Alex. It rained throughout, as is tradition.
Had a mad September.
Weekend in Coventry for Joel’s stag.
Flew to Northern Ireland for the week, travelled the Coastal Causeway and had the best time at their wedding.
Flew back, got changed and flew to Croatia.
Had the best week by the Adriatic with my love. We ate really well, racked up a bar bill I’d like to see you rival and swam in the sea every day.
Wrapped off the month by getting cosy and into soup season.
Two more tattoos and Taskmaster night at ours.
Oh, and I got an offer for the Italian rights to my novel. I cried.
Lots of fun in October.
Took Eggers out for a birthday dinner.
Went to see the excellent Mike Birbiglia.
Early Thanksgiving with Darren and Laura.
Off Menu at the Royal Albert Hall.
Blink 182 at the O2 with Edd and Nin.
Taylor Swift at Southend Odeon with 18 cans.
Another work trip ending in Chippy Alley.
Suspects in Ashford.
As documented, November saw me lose my mind with National Novel Writing Month. Some 63k words done in a month. Worth it.
Leaving Christmukkah dinner with Benjy and family.
The last improv shows of the year.
Tom came to visit and we took him for dinner and games.
Signed my book deal.
Seven Dials for a very special date.
E’s birthday. Went to London and stayed at Sea Containers, had drinks in their rooftop bar and the most incredible experience dining at Sollip.
Dinner and karaoke with her friends, followed by Switch.
Grayson Perry at Theatre Royal.
End of the year. December.
Darts night.
Dinner at Alchemy with Joey and Keren.
Phoebe’s birthday.
Art show at Twenty One.
Moving days.
Finally having a place to call our own.
Another publishing deal came in. I cried, again.
Christmas day in the flat.
Seeing all of our people. Being able to host them.
Having some much needed time.
This year has meant so much to me.
Here’s to many more.
Paul Schiernecker 
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