So here we are again..

Having read Aidan Silcocks final column, reflecting on his year in print, I'll start with my year of Zero column inches...

Having finished second in the first Big Blogger competition, coming within a whisker of securing the coveted NWEM column, I find myself here again, submitting myself to the competition for Big Blogger 2.

I've filled my 12 month print void by continuing to blog, tweet and generally get involved in far too many projects than I have time for, under my nom-de-plume, "The Dumbwitness".
Happy to put pen to paper (does anybody actually use pens and paper these days?) when I see something that provokes my mind, I've often found myself venting my spleen online about numerous political and social issues.

Nationally and locally, some things seem to be sent just to boil my blood - there have been many, many examples over the last year.

Only this morning, I found myself have a good old rage - I read yesterday of the devastating news of the imminent closure of Furness Enterprise through a lack of funding - then today I see national newspapers leading with a story that we should have a new Royal Yacht.

Yes, that's correct, let's put 18 people out of work and cut off a lifeline to Furness business and at the same time PAY FOR A YACHT FOR THE COUNTRY'S RICHEST WOMAN.

Deep breath, relax.

But you see what I mean?

I did manage to get myself in print, although I didn’t pen the articles, I was mentioned in both the local and national press through my involvement with the Tw1tterband charity project. You may have read it. You may have thought, “Hey, that’s that guy that never won the Evening Mail competition”. Then again, you may have missed it altogether. But I, along with a team of others managed to raise some funds for Macmillan Cancer Care and the NSPCC and that was what really mattered.

The fact it took up way too much of my time stopped me from continuing further, but I’m always on the look-out for something new. If I get this right and grab your attention then I’m hopeful I can last the distance again in this competition and hopefully enjoy my year in print.

Please, feel free to comment on my blogs on the website – feedback is the breakfast of champions after all.

Hoping to keep you entertained over these coming weeks, thanks in advance for your support –

Darren McS (aka The DumbWitness)