It’s been an interesting year. I purposely avoided the news but remained aware of the Glasgow Wonka Experience, Baby Reindeer and the great work of Chappell Roan.
I’ve read 52 books, spent 116,494 minutes listening to music, podcasts and audiobooks on Spotify, ran, swam and cycled a total of 539km, released an album, wrote two books and we got a puppy. It’s been a real time.
January
Visited Sloenia for Keren’s birthday where I tried bear salami for the first time, drove on the wrong side of the road up into the mountains, danced a lot while drunk on local wine and went dickie down in the snow.
Collected our puppy, Herb, who is leaning up against me as I write out this review and who we couldn’t imagine life without.
February
Took part in the Southend Improvathon for the fifth time around. Playing Doug Ropp, I got to fool around with Bunny and helped craft the earworm of the year. Being a part of the improvathon is a big deal and something I am very proud of. The work that Ali, John and all of the technical crew put into it is incredible and I was delighted to be given over a years heads up of what I would be doing in 2025.
Turned 37 which doesn’t really mean much other than that I got to celebrate myself. We took Herb for his first outdoor walk in Belfairs Woods and then to the cinema to see The Iron Claw. I don’t think I’ve stopped thinking about it since.
The day after, I went to the gym with Joey, and on my return was surprised by all of my friends who had assembled for brunch under E’s sneaky guidance. It was a reminder of the people I surround myself with being more important than the things in life. We went to Food by John Lawson and were well looked after. The wine pairing saw the end of us, as it always does.
Signed the contract for my book to be taken international and celebrated with one of many bottles of Prosecco that made up 2024.
Tom and I visited Manchester for some hard graft and well-deserved Guinness.
March
E and I flew to Prague where TCOA is set. I’d promised her that when the book did what it was supposed to do, we would visit the city where the opening of the book is set. We had an amazing time and were able to visit sites I had only ever written about. It certainly stirred something in my creative side and I’ve been thinking up something since to rival my first book.
John invited me onto his podcast, JobsWorth, and I cried twice but was able to share my journey across a two hour conversation.
April
In a moment of madness, E and I started tracking ridiculous diets through TikTok. Amongst them was the cabbage soup diet which broke us both emotionally. It did mean that my goal of dropping some of the weight I’d put on through the winter drew a little closer. It would be longer still before the Christmas bulk started to shift.
Having a dog meant we went for a lot more walks and everyone stopped us to ask how we had such a glorious boy.
May
We were back to running again properly, having dropped off a little through winter. I love running more than any other exercise. It’s the only thing other than writing that clears my mind in the way I need. I then made the mistake of signing up for a half marathon.
We attended Ben & Jess’s wedding which was so beautiful and a good chance to catch up with the boys. I have little recollection of events after a point. I have two pictures of the entire day. God bless them, every one.
Volunteered with a bunch of people at work and we worked in the gardens for the day. Very rewarding and a good opportunity to rock a pair of dungarees that I hadn’t worn since Denim Elliott.
June
Saw Ed Gamble perform at the Cliffs with Chloe Petts as support. Very very good show which it felt like the real people of Southend were all present for.
Ran a half marathon for charity, don’t like to talk about it. Actually, I do. It really sucked. It was tough going and I was worried about an ankle injury I had picked up in training. Even so, 1hr48. Not to be sniffed at.
Saw Adam Buxton at the Hammersmith Apollo (I refuse to call it by any other name) and Louis Theroux was the guest. Very fun!
Took a trip to Norfolk to visit E’s family and went for a bike ride in the forest, the first time I had been on a bike in years. It made us both question why we weren’t up there more often.
July
Got to see Arcade Fire on the anniversary of their first album, Funeral. It’s terrifying that albums I love and still listen to regularly are turning twenty. Aren’t I turning twenty?
London for DG’s stag do where we got to enjoy Mercato Metropolitano, Four Quarters and The Comedy Store. What more could a stag ask for?
As the weather improved, I got back into running again. There’s nothing quite like it.
Took Dad out for his birthday present, tickets to see Fawlty Towers on stage. We went to the war museum and for Korean BBQ. Total boys day and the three of us had a great time.
August
It was a big turning point for us when we started watching NuttyFoodieFitness and other triathletes on YouTube and started triathlon training. Our plan being to take on a sprint tri in May 2025 and a full triathlon next Summer. Since then, my ability on the exercise bike and in the pool has stepped up as well as maintaining my running post-half-marathon. When we first got in the pool, I couldn’t do 200m without a break.
Went to a silent disco with Keren & Joey. It was mostly full of mums getting a break from their kids and husbands.
Joey and I then went to ATG festival, my first experience of progressive, math-rock and alt extravaganza and one that I won’t forget, apart from the parts I have no memory of.
September
Attended our second wedding of the year – David and Nina’s – and did our best to fill the dance floor until the lights came on.
Went to London to watch the Supertri, confirming that this was a hyper fixation that would stick for a while.
Flew to Turkey and spent a week abusing the all inclusive package and then getting violent food poisoning before our flight home.
Smashed my friends at shuffleboard and lost a wedding ring in a ball pit.
October
Took in the horrific sights of the Serial Killer Exhibition at Waterloo Vaults and ate a lot of pizza after to recover.
Took part in the latest installment of the Gameshow Show and haven’t been clean since.
Met up with an old friend at their art exhibition and signed a contract for the book to be sold in Slovakia, the fourth country for the rights to sell in.
Tried my hand at art and had to accept that I am as bad as I have ever been.
Took Dad to see Sounds of Springsteen.
Unlocked the secret dim sum menu at The Pearl Dragon.
November
Early Christmukkah with Benjy and family ahead of his international Christmas plans.
My brother and his fiancé had another baby, another P Schiernecker in fact, bringing the total sprogs that I am worryingly responsible for to eight. Held her for the first time and had a little cry.
Went to Norfolk for pie.
Took RB to London for a head swelling and spent a great day hanging around with JA.
E’s birthday meant another day in London, with dim sum, The Devil Wears Prada and dinner with her friend.
Relived an old flame by seeing Razorlight play the entirety of Up All Night in Brixton.
December
Finally convinced my niece that I’m not evil and we bonded over Limp Bizkit.
Learnt that I still cannot axethrow.
Released my seventh album, You Had Me At Shalom.
Celebrated Hanukkah and Christmas with friends and family across a very spread out festive season.
******
It’s been a real year. There’s been so many highs. I’m very grateful to all the people in my life, how much I’ve been able to travel and how the fruits of my labour are starting to grow.
There’s so much more to come. For now, let’s enjoy the journey.
Paul Schiernecker 
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