I absolutely detest January.
There's no point trying to sugar-coat it, it is what it is - a long, dull, dark, grey month.
Every year, I just try to keep my head down and power through as best I can.
And this year, I had a plan to try and help me on my way.
For my birthday at the end of November, Darren and the kids gifted me something a little bit different - a bike.
I had mentioned a while back how I used to love being on my bike when I was younger and how it might be a nice way to lose weight and get fit.
You all know I hate walking as a means of getting fit. I'm ok walking somewhere but then you have to come the whole way back and it is just so boring.
I thought a bike might be a new adventure.
So, on I got, wearing my new helmet and off I went believing wholeheartedly that I looked every inch like Murder She Wrote heroine, Jessica Fletcher.
The first few times I went out, I encountered little issues such as I was too cold and then I was too hot and then the maze of gears and brakes confused me.
I suppose I had thought it would be just like it was when I was a child, but it was much, much harder.
I was on the pavement for around 10 minutes when I came across the lovely lollipop lady who works at Abbie and James' school.
She looked at me and asked: "First time?" - so it must have been pretty obvious how much I was struggling.
She told me she was the same when she first started on a new bike and now she "loves it" and encouraged me to stick it out.
That said, I have since encountered an embarrassing issue which is spoiling my fun - cycling really hurts my butt.
I mean, it's agony and sometimes I have had to get off and walk back with the bike - a true walk of shame.
I never remember any pain when I was a child and on my bike, just the fun and freedom.
A few weeks ago, when I was left walking like John Wayne, the new bike was put into the shed and I haven't been out on it since.
However, Santa was having none of it and for Christmas, left me a leisure saddle pad - I didn't even know such a thing existed.
Made of memory foam, I'm told if I put it over my seat, I can expect a much more comfortable experience.
So, I'm slowly building back up to putting it to the test.
At the end of the day, I'll try anything to make the cycle into 2023 all the more smooth - wish me luck.
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Game of Thrones fans may have to wait for a bit longer for any further releases after creator George R.R. Martin revealed that several spin-off shows have been shelved after prequel, House of the Dragon, broke viewing records on HBO.
Speaking about the projects, the author said that after the holidays, he was back 'working on so many bloody things' that his 'head may soon explode.'
He added: "A couple have been shelved. But, I would not agree that they are dead. You can take something off the shelf as easily as you can put it on the shelf".
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Competition
Fancy a night out in Belfast this Spring?
With more than seven million tickets sold, the highly acclaimed and number one recording artist, Steve Steinman has a brand new production, featuring more than 25 of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman’s greatest hits.
Steve Steinman’s Anything For Love - The Meat Loaf Story Featuring The Bad For Good Rock Orchestra will take to the stage at the SSE Arena in Belfast for one night only on Saturday, May 20.
With an impressive stage set and a 10-piece live rock band, combined with Steve’s incredible voice, well-known sense of humour and stage presence, the show has been described as world class.
The show promises to have ticket-holders up on their feet singing and dancing to hits including Anything For Love and Bat Out Of Hell.
Tickets for the show are available at www.ssearenabelfast.com/whats-on/anything-for-love
I have one pair of tickets to see Anything for Love at the SSE Arena in Belfast on May 20 to give away.
If you would like the chance to win the tickets, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com.
Closing date for entries is noon on Tuesday January 17.
(Q) On which date is Steve Steinman’s Anything For Love coming to the SSE Arena in Belfast?
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