Personal highlights of 2011

The Highs:

1. Arab Spring.

2. An amazing weekend visiting Jo in Paris with Charlotte. It reminded me of how wonderful continental Europe is.

3. Leaving Talis to set up a (so far) successful business.

4. Dave's 50th party at the Barton Arms.

5. I join the Prince of Wales Writers' Group and start writing a novel.

6. Fantastic weekend with Dave in St Ives. We happily blow our life savings on a stunning piece of art.

7. A week in the Lake District at Tiplog with Dave and Dave Aveston.

8. Two exciting weeks in Mumbai and Kerala. India is endlessly fascinating.

9. Bill and I meet Odyssey at the Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath.

10. Echo and the Bunnymen at the Symphony Hall with Sandra.

11. Jury Service in June. I loved it!

12. Dave and I meet Roy Hodgson at Bank.

13. The Academy - three days of intensive learning with the Institute of Ideas in July.

14. Working with schools - another great evening judging for the Debating Matters competition. Plus, being a Dragon in the Dragons' Den at Small Heath School, judging marketing plans.

15. Clay pigeon shooting with Dave.

Lows:

1. The summer riots

2. The Birmingham Rep is still closed and there are no theatre highlights this year, which is unprecedented.

3. Dave fell downstairs and broke his toe just after Christmas.

4. Headaches get worse again, after two years of improvement.

5. The moment when I realised I would be losing my job.