It’s New Year’s resolutions time again, when we all promise ourselves we’ll get fit and lose weight after the excesses of Christmas, or even take on the really big challenges of drinking less or giving up smoking. But how many of our resolutions will we actually stick to beyond the first couple of weeks in January?…

A couple of days ago when Zoë and I came back to the castle after we’d been out for a drink, we had a bit of a shock. We’d just come in and I’d turned off the burglar alarm when I heard a loud and unfamiliar noise coming from my bedroom.…

Each day since the beginning of December I’ve posted a Christmas related tic as my festive outburst. In the last few weeks I’ve shared seasonal tips, poems and messages – all building up to today!

This morning I’ve just got one message for you – Happy Christmas!…

I’m not afraid of spiders, but I’m not mad keen on them either.

Earlier, I was lying on my bed doing a bit of work when I started to have a ‘ticcing fit’ – my muscles tensed and my body locked up entirely.…

Bunny has always bitten her nails. She’s repeatedly tried to break the habit but she’s always found it very hard to do.

Earlier today though she proudly showed me her nails. ‘Look!’ she said holding them up in front of my face.…

Tonight the castle hosted a special party in honour of Brian. Many of my regular friends and support workers turned out in his honour – Leftwing Idiot, Poppy, Bunny, Fran, Claire, King Russell and Fat Sister. Brian however failed to show up.…

I got a text this morning from Laura announcing the birth of her son Leo. Both of them are doing well so I thought I’d celebrate by letting my tics make the official announcement (and offer some sage advice on the art of parenting):

Tiny little Leo came into the world on a hovercraft.…

Last Monday night something happened that terrified me. It’s taken me a while to write about it because I’ve been thinking it over, and because I didn’t want to worry anyone.

But I’ve decided to share it today. As you probably know, I’ve had ‘ticcing fits’ several times every day for over a year now.…

Yesterday was Fran’s birthday, or as my tics re-named it, “Fran-day – it’s like a birthday but for Frans” and last night she celebrated it at a Céilidh in North London.

For the last couple of weeks I’ve been trying to find someone who could go with me as my support worker, but at this time of year most people’s diaries are heaving under the strain of parties and social events and as a result I wasn’t able to find anyone.…

Last night we had our work Christmas party at and it was utterly lovely! We had an amazing meal cooked in the kitchen of our new building and nearly all 39 of the staff team sat down and ate together in our cosy multi-purpose room.…