Saturday 30 January
The months nearly finished already people 1/12th of the way through the year already. Tomorrow shall be difficult. Super Sunday- Arsenal v Man Utd. I should pull through. I'm visiting my Gran at my Aunties house tomorrow after Church she doesn't have Sky Sports. My cousin is an Arsenal fan! He asked if I was watching the game. I need to publicise this blog more - he didn't even know about the challenge.
For those ardent followers who have begun this journey with me, you'll remember me saying a while ago that I'll revisit the conclussion of the 'How to wean a man off football' book. Well I've just done it and my thoughts are still the same. It's a poor conclussion. Basically, Alistair agreed that football obession isn't good and he should cut down his interest and Ronni stated that men with football are grumpy so take away the football and you can imagine the result. She felt that there was an over kill of a very popular sport and if it were banned it would simply go underground! Great conclussion. I'm writing to the publishers 'faber' to tell them that my material after 30 days is much better! Watch this space!!
I'll rewind 6 days, something I omitted from my blog on Monday. I went to watch tv with my wife in the evening and as we went to sit down my eldest daughter said 'are we watching football daddy? we haven't watched it for ages!' I think she's having withdrawal symptons. Her old trick to stay up late was to say to her Mum she wanted to watch football with her daddy!!! (For the record we watched 'Top Gear' which I had recorded Sky plus)
Saturday 30 January 2010
Friday 29 January 2010
Don't judge me by your limitations!!!
Friday 29 January
I get the feeling that some people don't believe the challenge is real! I say to those people that if you don't believe me then that's your personal choice but don't judge me by your limitations! just because you couldn't give it up it doesn't mean that I haven't.
I've begin to learn that there's some things you can't avoid, football is one of them.
It dawned on me late yesterday that Arsenal opponents this weekend are Man Utd because I remember making arrangements with my brother late last year to attend the match and I remember it was in late January. Even if I didn't know, I would have found out because during lunch today in a supermarket cafe, I heard interestingly enough a middle aged lady saying she wanted to watch the Man Utd v Arsenal game on Sunday. I overheard a trolley attendant saying that Arsenal need to stop playing their reserves, so I assume they did that in the FA Cup when they got knocked out.
I was invited out on Sunday to watch the African Nations Cup on Sunday by my friend who forgot that I have a blanket football ban! He managed to let me know who was in the Final.
I get the feeling that some people don't believe the challenge is real! I say to those people that if you don't believe me then that's your personal choice but don't judge me by your limitations! just because you couldn't give it up it doesn't mean that I haven't.
I've begin to learn that there's some things you can't avoid, football is one of them.
It dawned on me late yesterday that Arsenal opponents this weekend are Man Utd because I remember making arrangements with my brother late last year to attend the match and I remember it was in late January. Even if I didn't know, I would have found out because during lunch today in a supermarket cafe, I heard interestingly enough a middle aged lady saying she wanted to watch the Man Utd v Arsenal game on Sunday. I overheard a trolley attendant saying that Arsenal need to stop playing their reserves, so I assume they did that in the FA Cup when they got knocked out.
I was invited out on Sunday to watch the African Nations Cup on Sunday by my friend who forgot that I have a blanket football ban! He managed to let me know who was in the Final.
Thursday 28 January 2010
Where are all the traffic wardens?
Thursday 28 January
The football Gods are against me! I'll be brief today.
I conquered the temptation to find out about the Man Utd v Man City result, my manager asked me this morning if I knew the result. I didn't, I was asked if I wanted to know - I said 'No'! Of course I wanted to know but I fought the temptation. The cat was let out of the bag by an uninformed colleague who I passed on my way to the toilet, shouted out 'You were jammy last night!' I was so annoyed, I punched the toilet wall. I might as well just watch the match myself. I know now Man Utd won 3-1 and are in the final, but who the competitors are I don't know.
I was offered the opportunity to learn about some January transfer window news, but I declined. The only move I'm aware of is Laindon Donovan to Everton and that was arranged in December 09.
The one I knew I'd never be able to escape was the Nigeria v Ghana game! There was a running joke that you could park anywhere for free today! The joke being that all the Civic Enforcement Officers (Traffic Wardens to you and I)are Nigerian or Ghanian and they'll be watching the watch. 'Why is the kick off 4pm?' was one Facebook status. I know Nigeria lost, my Ghanian friends Facebook status was gloating about the victory. There's 160 million plus (Nigeria's population) disappointed people in the world tonight. If you know any and they want to quit football direct them to my blog!!! http://kfd1.blogspot.com
The football Gods are against me! I'll be brief today.
I conquered the temptation to find out about the Man Utd v Man City result, my manager asked me this morning if I knew the result. I didn't, I was asked if I wanted to know - I said 'No'! Of course I wanted to know but I fought the temptation. The cat was let out of the bag by an uninformed colleague who I passed on my way to the toilet, shouted out 'You were jammy last night!' I was so annoyed, I punched the toilet wall. I might as well just watch the match myself. I know now Man Utd won 3-1 and are in the final, but who the competitors are I don't know.
I was offered the opportunity to learn about some January transfer window news, but I declined. The only move I'm aware of is Laindon Donovan to Everton and that was arranged in December 09.
The one I knew I'd never be able to escape was the Nigeria v Ghana game! There was a running joke that you could park anywhere for free today! The joke being that all the Civic Enforcement Officers (Traffic Wardens to you and I)are Nigerian or Ghanian and they'll be watching the watch. 'Why is the kick off 4pm?' was one Facebook status. I know Nigeria lost, my Ghanian friends Facebook status was gloating about the victory. There's 160 million plus (Nigeria's population) disappointed people in the world tonight. If you know any and they want to quit football direct them to my blog!!! http://kfd1.blogspot.com
Wednesday 27 January 2010
Family Affairs
Wednesday 27 January
Where do I start, two manic days? I didn't blog yesterday as I had a family emergency, my Mum was admitted to hospital. She lives in Milton Keynes, so I travelled down to visit her. Whilst waiting for visiting to begin, I waited at my sister's. My brother was also there with his wife and I could see that he struggled to come to terms with not being able to engage in football talk, as usually we have a good catch up about football as we don't see each other regularly. He told me he listened to the Arsenal v Bolton match on the radio in his cab. He gave away the result. 'I was going to text you after the Leeds result' he said. 'But then I remembered you're not following it'. I thought don't worry, my father-in law gave that result away!
Whilst I was there I received a football joke from my Dad. The joke was about 5 Premier League Managers in a pub getting the rounds in and then came the 5th round one of the managers only bought himself a drink and told the others their not in the 5th round! From the joke - I learnt that Arsenal, Everton, Liverpool and Man Utd are all not in the FA Cup and that Aston Villa are! Martin O'Neil was the manager buying the 5th round.
My Brother-in Law's daughter was also at the house and she said that her partner had driven to London to watch... wait for it ... Torquay United. My mind got ticking straight away and I guessed that they were either playing Dagenham and Redbridge or Barnet. They're the only League Two London clubs I could think of.
Today, whilst watching GMTV news, not thinking that they'll mention sport had a news item about the arrest of some football fans ahead of the Carling Cup semi-final between Man Utd and Man City. Great, so now I know the match is on...
Discussed the blog today with another colleague, who said he's been reading it. Its made me realise that there are some 'silent readers' out there, radio stations refer to as 'silent listeners'. Another colleage wrote a note to self to remind him to read it!!!
Why did my colleage feel the need to tell me Rooney scored four goals in a match recently? Sabotage. I said to him, I might as well just watch the games. I wasn't impressed. It made me think that if it was a league match then he must be one of the top scorers in the league. It'll be typical if he wins the Golden Boot when I'm not following.
I drove through Islington this evening and even the signposts are linked to football. Anytime Arsenal have a home match, the signposts note the date of the match. The borough has match day parking restrictions. So I know Arsenal have a home match on Sunday. This has got me thinking, why do football fans think they own the road on match days, just because there's a couple of hundred of you walking from a stadium it doesn't mean you own the road! I usually drive at them. If you want to drink your beer outside your favourite pub, then at least stick to the pavement, you don't need to congregate on the road. Whilst we're on this subject, drinking before matches, why do men insist on getting so much drink down their neck before a game, that when the game begins, you spend half your time getting up to urinate??
Where do I start, two manic days? I didn't blog yesterday as I had a family emergency, my Mum was admitted to hospital. She lives in Milton Keynes, so I travelled down to visit her. Whilst waiting for visiting to begin, I waited at my sister's. My brother was also there with his wife and I could see that he struggled to come to terms with not being able to engage in football talk, as usually we have a good catch up about football as we don't see each other regularly. He told me he listened to the Arsenal v Bolton match on the radio in his cab. He gave away the result. 'I was going to text you after the Leeds result' he said. 'But then I remembered you're not following it'. I thought don't worry, my father-in law gave that result away!
Whilst I was there I received a football joke from my Dad. The joke was about 5 Premier League Managers in a pub getting the rounds in and then came the 5th round one of the managers only bought himself a drink and told the others their not in the 5th round! From the joke - I learnt that Arsenal, Everton, Liverpool and Man Utd are all not in the FA Cup and that Aston Villa are! Martin O'Neil was the manager buying the 5th round.
My Brother-in Law's daughter was also at the house and she said that her partner had driven to London to watch... wait for it ... Torquay United. My mind got ticking straight away and I guessed that they were either playing Dagenham and Redbridge or Barnet. They're the only League Two London clubs I could think of.
Today, whilst watching GMTV news, not thinking that they'll mention sport had a news item about the arrest of some football fans ahead of the Carling Cup semi-final between Man Utd and Man City. Great, so now I know the match is on...
Discussed the blog today with another colleague, who said he's been reading it. Its made me realise that there are some 'silent readers' out there, radio stations refer to as 'silent listeners'. Another colleage wrote a note to self to remind him to read it!!!
Why did my colleage feel the need to tell me Rooney scored four goals in a match recently? Sabotage. I said to him, I might as well just watch the games. I wasn't impressed. It made me think that if it was a league match then he must be one of the top scorers in the league. It'll be typical if he wins the Golden Boot when I'm not following.
I drove through Islington this evening and even the signposts are linked to football. Anytime Arsenal have a home match, the signposts note the date of the match. The borough has match day parking restrictions. So I know Arsenal have a home match on Sunday. This has got me thinking, why do football fans think they own the road on match days, just because there's a couple of hundred of you walking from a stadium it doesn't mean you own the road! I usually drive at them. If you want to drink your beer outside your favourite pub, then at least stick to the pavement, you don't need to congregate on the road. Whilst we're on this subject, drinking before matches, why do men insist on getting so much drink down their neck before a game, that when the game begins, you spend half your time getting up to urinate??
Monday 25 January 2010
Are Women more rounded than Men?
Monday 25 January
I had a thought today, are women more rounded than men, not in the physical sense but character wise in terms of their interests! I asked a female colleague about her interests in football after she had asked me had I seen any of the FA Cup games over the weekend and if I knew any of the teams that got knocked out. The answer to both was 'No' incidently. I asked what her level of interest was in football and she said that she followed it. However I get the sense that she wouldn't kick the cat if her team lost. If you understand the point I'm trying to make and football would be one of several interests, shopping being one of them!!!
Driving home from work thinking about the content for this blog and my mind turned to something I did earlier on in the season. It came about as a result of listening to 'Bow Time' show on TalkSport and they discussed the issue of some fans travelling hundreds of miles to a match arriving late only to be refused entry to the ground. I was appalled at what I heard, I took it upon myself to write to the football club involved asking for an explanation. Duly the club did write back with an explanation. Fair dues to them. However, the situation had nothing to do with me!!! so I don't know why I wrote, plus it was some League Two club.
From people's Facebook status', it seems as if the African Cup of Nations tournament is livening up and could throw up a mouth watering tie. I can't lie, I am intrigued!! It seems such a long time since the incident happened to the Togo team.
Lastly, I had a little dilemna this morning, I took a call from a friend in Ghana and he asked me to source a set-up plan, business continuity plan for a football club. I had to think really hard as to whether this would make my challenge void. I finally decided that that it was a business request, so therefore I could carry it out. Although i've not done it yet! Dilemena over!!!
I had a thought today, are women more rounded than men, not in the physical sense but character wise in terms of their interests! I asked a female colleague about her interests in football after she had asked me had I seen any of the FA Cup games over the weekend and if I knew any of the teams that got knocked out. The answer to both was 'No' incidently. I asked what her level of interest was in football and she said that she followed it. However I get the sense that she wouldn't kick the cat if her team lost. If you understand the point I'm trying to make and football would be one of several interests, shopping being one of them!!!
Driving home from work thinking about the content for this blog and my mind turned to something I did earlier on in the season. It came about as a result of listening to 'Bow Time' show on TalkSport and they discussed the issue of some fans travelling hundreds of miles to a match arriving late only to be refused entry to the ground. I was appalled at what I heard, I took it upon myself to write to the football club involved asking for an explanation. Duly the club did write back with an explanation. Fair dues to them. However, the situation had nothing to do with me!!! so I don't know why I wrote, plus it was some League Two club.
From people's Facebook status', it seems as if the African Cup of Nations tournament is livening up and could throw up a mouth watering tie. I can't lie, I am intrigued!! It seems such a long time since the incident happened to the Togo team.
Lastly, I had a little dilemna this morning, I took a call from a friend in Ghana and he asked me to source a set-up plan, business continuity plan for a football club. I had to think really hard as to whether this would make my challenge void. I finally decided that that it was a business request, so therefore I could carry it out. Although i've not done it yet! Dilemena over!!!
Sunday 24 January 2010
Confused.com
Sunday 24 January
I was asked twice, if not three times last night, how the challenge was going. One was asking whether I had seen the Tottenham v Leeds match, and the other stating that Man Utd had a good result! Will I ever be able to avoid the game?? It's almost like its following about the place.
Even today, I was asked if I had seen the goals from the Tottenham v Leeds match. NO, I haven't!!! I told you I haven't watched or followed any football this year. I had to tell the individual that if he wanted to continue the conversation we'd have to talk about Current Affairs as I know nothing about football from the beginning of the year! I had to tell his wife, to tell him, that I can't talk about football! I reiterated the point that I gave it up to try new things. He reckons he can try new things and still follow football. I said that I couldn't.
Totally random! Do you know when the Insurance companies ask you how many miles you drive in a year and if like me you select the least thinking that you'll get a lower quote, well at the begining of the year I set my mileage reader to '0'. Just to see how an miles I do drive in a year, currently with one week to go in January the clock reads 850+
I was asked twice, if not three times last night, how the challenge was going. One was asking whether I had seen the Tottenham v Leeds match, and the other stating that Man Utd had a good result! Will I ever be able to avoid the game?? It's almost like its following about the place.
Even today, I was asked if I had seen the goals from the Tottenham v Leeds match. NO, I haven't!!! I told you I haven't watched or followed any football this year. I had to tell the individual that if he wanted to continue the conversation we'd have to talk about Current Affairs as I know nothing about football from the beginning of the year! I had to tell his wife, to tell him, that I can't talk about football! I reiterated the point that I gave it up to try new things. He reckons he can try new things and still follow football. I said that I couldn't.
Totally random! Do you know when the Insurance companies ask you how many miles you drive in a year and if like me you select the least thinking that you'll get a lower quote, well at the begining of the year I set my mileage reader to '0'. Just to see how an miles I do drive in a year, currently with one week to go in January the clock reads 850+
Saturday 23 January 2010
Choco Shreddies!
Saturday 23 January
I am tired! Apologies, I didn't make the 12pm deadline I was set to have this blog done by! Reason being, I was too tired from last night. I attended a surprise 40th birthday party! Thankfully, it stayed a surprise. I was not impressed with the restaurant at all!!! Starter @ 10pm, Dinner @ 11pm and Desert @ 12pm. Apart from that there is nothing much to write home about from yesterday (Friday). I think I finalised my first squash session, yesterday actually. Its been arranged for the first week in February. Looking forward to that. I need to read up on the rules, as I don't have a clue on how the game works.
I got woken early this morning by my youngest daughter wanting 'Choco Shreddies!' Argghh! Went back to bed. Laid in bed watching Saturday Morning TV on ITV. Big mistake! They only go an advertise that they're showing the afternoon FA CUP match between Chelsea and Preston North End. I am pleased though because that is the only game I know of that has been played today.
My meeting was postponed with my friend regarding the proposal that he wanted me to support him. Just as well I didn't have the energy to drive to Seven Sisters and I still had the weekly shop to do. It allowed me to have an afternoon nap. Not much else happened today.
One more week after tomorrow, and I would have completed a whole month without watching a game! What an achievement that would have been! To be honest, I don't think I have missed out!
I am tired! Apologies, I didn't make the 12pm deadline I was set to have this blog done by! Reason being, I was too tired from last night. I attended a surprise 40th birthday party! Thankfully, it stayed a surprise. I was not impressed with the restaurant at all!!! Starter @ 10pm, Dinner @ 11pm and Desert @ 12pm. Apart from that there is nothing much to write home about from yesterday (Friday). I think I finalised my first squash session, yesterday actually. Its been arranged for the first week in February. Looking forward to that. I need to read up on the rules, as I don't have a clue on how the game works.
I got woken early this morning by my youngest daughter wanting 'Choco Shreddies!' Argghh! Went back to bed. Laid in bed watching Saturday Morning TV on ITV. Big mistake! They only go an advertise that they're showing the afternoon FA CUP match between Chelsea and Preston North End. I am pleased though because that is the only game I know of that has been played today.
My meeting was postponed with my friend regarding the proposal that he wanted me to support him. Just as well I didn't have the energy to drive to Seven Sisters and I still had the weekly shop to do. It allowed me to have an afternoon nap. Not much else happened today.
One more week after tomorrow, and I would have completed a whole month without watching a game! What an achievement that would have been! To be honest, I don't think I have missed out!
Thursday 21 January 2010
Barbers Football Banter = Foolishness!
Thursday 21 January
I'm writing this in the cold, central heatings gone off!!
The day started well, in the trying to avoid football sense. I asked my colleague how last night went, meaning a work event and he responded we lost to Liverpool. Goes to show how much football dominated our conversations. The event I was asking after went well. If you were wondering!
Somebody new started reading the blog yesterday and got what it was all about. She needs to catch up though. She said she read two and enjoyed reading them! You can become a follower if you like!
When football banter becomes silly. Football is guaranteed to be a topic of conversation in a barber shop. I had a trim this evening. First one of the new year, got a party tomorrow. The barbers were talking about how many of their current squads had Premier League Medals and Champions League Medals. It was a joke because they were counting medals players had won whilst playing for other teams! Before I got there I gather the Arsenal fan was saying to the Liverpool fan how many Premier League titles have you won? None is the obvous answer. But he must of said that Glen Johnson has one! So what?? He certainly didn't win it with Liverpool!!!
The Liverpool fan must of said how many Champions League medals do Arsenal players have? You'd never guess the response- One! The living joke. Check the answer - Mikael Silvestre!!! These guys are not serious.
I'm almost certain that Glen Johnson never received a Premier League Medal with Chelsea and almost certain Silvestre never got a champions league medal with Man Utd. Can someone check it out and let me know?
Barbers, Football banter never a good mix!
I'm writing this in the cold, central heatings gone off!!
The day started well, in the trying to avoid football sense. I asked my colleague how last night went, meaning a work event and he responded we lost to Liverpool. Goes to show how much football dominated our conversations. The event I was asking after went well. If you were wondering!
Somebody new started reading the blog yesterday and got what it was all about. She needs to catch up though. She said she read two and enjoyed reading them! You can become a follower if you like!
When football banter becomes silly. Football is guaranteed to be a topic of conversation in a barber shop. I had a trim this evening. First one of the new year, got a party tomorrow. The barbers were talking about how many of their current squads had Premier League Medals and Champions League Medals. It was a joke because they were counting medals players had won whilst playing for other teams! Before I got there I gather the Arsenal fan was saying to the Liverpool fan how many Premier League titles have you won? None is the obvous answer. But he must of said that Glen Johnson has one! So what?? He certainly didn't win it with Liverpool!!!
The Liverpool fan must of said how many Champions League medals do Arsenal players have? You'd never guess the response- One! The living joke. Check the answer - Mikael Silvestre!!! These guys are not serious.
I'm almost certain that Glen Johnson never received a Premier League Medal with Chelsea and almost certain Silvestre never got a champions league medal with Man Utd. Can someone check it out and let me know?
Barbers, Football banter never a good mix!
Wednesday 20 January 2010
I HATE FACEBOOK
Wednesday 20 January
Half way through the week, two more days and its the weekend. Yesterday, I thought off the temptation not to watch the football but logging on to Facebook later on in the evening and I felt that I might as well of watched the game. Two peoples status' gave it away one more so than the other. One read 'Bellamy you dive like a swan!' the other 'ha ha I love it Man Utd lost again'. Will I ever get away from it? I guessed that Man Utd lost to a dubious penalty. My colleague told me that Man Utd lost 2-1.
I was accused of copying some movie julie and julia yesterday after I posted my blog. Apparently I'm told it's a story about a lady who's blog takes over her life. Totally threw me, as my blog only takes 10-15 minutes and its done. Just for the record, I haven't seen the movie. The same individual today, told me that I'll lose my masculinity as that's what makes a man - talking about football! We'll see in December!
My PA course was finalised today, I start on February 13th. Looking forward to that.
I forgot to mention yesterday when I was reminiscing about watching football, that football was big in Ireland. The school I attended had half day every Thursday. When the Republic of Ireland had a World Cup qualifier on a Wednesday, the Headmaster swapped around Thursday's timetable with Wednesday, so we could all go home and watch the football!!
Half way through the week, two more days and its the weekend. Yesterday, I thought off the temptation not to watch the football but logging on to Facebook later on in the evening and I felt that I might as well of watched the game. Two peoples status' gave it away one more so than the other. One read 'Bellamy you dive like a swan!' the other 'ha ha I love it Man Utd lost again'. Will I ever get away from it? I guessed that Man Utd lost to a dubious penalty. My colleague told me that Man Utd lost 2-1.
I was accused of copying some movie julie and julia yesterday after I posted my blog. Apparently I'm told it's a story about a lady who's blog takes over her life. Totally threw me, as my blog only takes 10-15 minutes and its done. Just for the record, I haven't seen the movie. The same individual today, told me that I'll lose my masculinity as that's what makes a man - talking about football! We'll see in December!
My PA course was finalised today, I start on February 13th. Looking forward to that.
I forgot to mention yesterday when I was reminiscing about watching football, that football was big in Ireland. The school I attended had half day every Thursday. When the Republic of Ireland had a World Cup qualifier on a Wednesday, the Headmaster swapped around Thursday's timetable with Wednesday, so we could all go home and watch the football!!
Tuesday 19 January 2010
I nearly feel off the wagon!
Tuesday 19 January
Football, Football, Football its everywhere. Driving into work yesterday and I saw some guy with the Spurs badge on his licence plate and N17 as his number. (White Hart Lanes Postcode) for those that don't know.
A text from my brother, 'I've just spoken to Paul Ince at a petrol station, nice bloke, looks smaller on TV'
I just can't seem to get away from it! I was asked yesterday if I knew any results from the weekend and genuinely I didn't. I was asked to confirm that I didn't know what a trauma he as a spurs fan went through against Hull on Saturday. I take it they either lost or drew!
Yesterday my daughter even asked me 'Daddy are you still not watching football?' I must have been bad. We used to fight over who got to watch what in the living room. Now she has no competition, TV's all her's and typical she's happy watching the TV in the dinning room!!!
Today I was in a meeting and a colleague had his Outlook calendar printed out and he's a Spurs season ticket holder so he has all the matches scheduled in his calendar and I saw Spurs have got Leeds in the FA Cup this weekend.
Worked this evening with a group of young people and one mentioned Man Utd were playing Man City tonight and the other said that West Ham were taken over today! You just can't get away from it!!!
Today I nearly feel off the wagon! YES I was tempted to watch the Man Utd Man City game on BBC1, but I thought off the temptation. My wife came home just in time and sidetracked me.
Been questioning whether I can go through with the challenge and I think I can. It made me think back to my early childhood, I spent a few years in Ireland and we were lucky in the early days if we saw a goal a week let alone a game!!! Towards the mid 90's things improved with Champions League matches shown, but English League games only got a 2-3 minute highlight showing on their Saturday Sports Show. If you supported any other team apart from Man Utd, Liverpool, you were screwed because they never used to show any other teams. There came a time when they showed matches on a Saturday afternoon 30 minutes after the game had started so you were 30 minutes behind. My brother and I found ourselves listening to live matches on Radio 5 sitting in our dads car because it had the best reception. He used to go mad saying we'd run down his battery. It was the only place to get good reception!!
Football, Football, Football its everywhere. Driving into work yesterday and I saw some guy with the Spurs badge on his licence plate and N17 as his number. (White Hart Lanes Postcode) for those that don't know.
A text from my brother, 'I've just spoken to Paul Ince at a petrol station, nice bloke, looks smaller on TV'
I just can't seem to get away from it! I was asked yesterday if I knew any results from the weekend and genuinely I didn't. I was asked to confirm that I didn't know what a trauma he as a spurs fan went through against Hull on Saturday. I take it they either lost or drew!
Yesterday my daughter even asked me 'Daddy are you still not watching football?' I must have been bad. We used to fight over who got to watch what in the living room. Now she has no competition, TV's all her's and typical she's happy watching the TV in the dinning room!!!
Today I was in a meeting and a colleague had his Outlook calendar printed out and he's a Spurs season ticket holder so he has all the matches scheduled in his calendar and I saw Spurs have got Leeds in the FA Cup this weekend.
Worked this evening with a group of young people and one mentioned Man Utd were playing Man City tonight and the other said that West Ham were taken over today! You just can't get away from it!!!
Today I nearly feel off the wagon! YES I was tempted to watch the Man Utd Man City game on BBC1, but I thought off the temptation. My wife came home just in time and sidetracked me.
Been questioning whether I can go through with the challenge and I think I can. It made me think back to my early childhood, I spent a few years in Ireland and we were lucky in the early days if we saw a goal a week let alone a game!!! Towards the mid 90's things improved with Champions League matches shown, but English League games only got a 2-3 minute highlight showing on their Saturday Sports Show. If you supported any other team apart from Man Utd, Liverpool, you were screwed because they never used to show any other teams. There came a time when they showed matches on a Saturday afternoon 30 minutes after the game had started so you were 30 minutes behind. My brother and I found ourselves listening to live matches on Radio 5 sitting in our dads car because it had the best reception. He used to go mad saying we'd run down his battery. It was the only place to get good reception!!
Sunday 17 January 2010
'Buffalo Soldier'
Sunday 17 January
I can't update you on my thoughts of the book conclussion, as I didn't find time to read the ending again. I'll try and do that tomorrow.
What the book has allowed me to do is affirm the rules of engagement, as I wasn't clear about what they should be at the beginning. The book has alllowed me to do this:
1) Watch no football match live or highlights
2) Attend no football matches
3) Do not read any post match reports
4) Do not listen to any radio station committed to football (namely TalkSport)
5) Do not check the results of any match
6) Do not surf any football related website
7) Do not participate in Fantasy Football or Football predictor games!
I think I should have listended to my wife, my daughter has a cold now and I think its because I made her walk home after swimming yesterday! (I feel bad about it) Hopefully it won't rain next week and we can walk.
I didn't make the most of the free ebay listings, found myself doing other things. Namely making sure that most of the goods I have for sale actually work. I've got two unpaid items on ebay which I have started cases against the non compiliant bidders.
One thing I learnt over the weekend is that certain music is ageless and will always have an new audience. I'm talking about the Jackson 5 and Bob Marley. I played one of Bob Marley's cd's in the house yesterday, and now my daughters in love with 'Buffalo Soldier' and 'Get up, Stand up'. She also loves the Jackson 5's ABC!
Had thoughts throughout the day thinking today's Super Sunday (football wise) I wonder who the 4pm kick off is? I didn't check! One thing not rushing home to catch football has done, is give me more time to chat to people after church. Normally its head down, jobs done, kids check,wife check! Super Sunday here I come!
I can't update you on my thoughts of the book conclussion, as I didn't find time to read the ending again. I'll try and do that tomorrow.
What the book has allowed me to do is affirm the rules of engagement, as I wasn't clear about what they should be at the beginning. The book has alllowed me to do this:
1) Watch no football match live or highlights
2) Attend no football matches
3) Do not read any post match reports
4) Do not listen to any radio station committed to football (namely TalkSport)
5) Do not check the results of any match
6) Do not surf any football related website
7) Do not participate in Fantasy Football or Football predictor games!
I think I should have listended to my wife, my daughter has a cold now and I think its because I made her walk home after swimming yesterday! (I feel bad about it) Hopefully it won't rain next week and we can walk.
I didn't make the most of the free ebay listings, found myself doing other things. Namely making sure that most of the goods I have for sale actually work. I've got two unpaid items on ebay which I have started cases against the non compiliant bidders.
One thing I learnt over the weekend is that certain music is ageless and will always have an new audience. I'm talking about the Jackson 5 and Bob Marley. I played one of Bob Marley's cd's in the house yesterday, and now my daughters in love with 'Buffalo Soldier' and 'Get up, Stand up'. She also loves the Jackson 5's ABC!
Had thoughts throughout the day thinking today's Super Sunday (football wise) I wonder who the 4pm kick off is? I didn't check! One thing not rushing home to catch football has done, is give me more time to chat to people after church. Normally its head down, jobs done, kids check,wife check! Super Sunday here I come!
Saturday 16 January 2010
What an anti-climax!
Saturday 16 January
Not blogged for two days I think! Not much happened to be honest. Had an interesting conversation, on Thursday evening with a friend. I can't enlighten you with the details because its something in the pipeline that he plans to do and he has asked for my support. It can be one of my challenges as its something that I've not done before.
Last night (Friday) I started to watch the first series of 'The Wire' and I got about 30 minutes into it and it paused; the DVD's scratched and the DVD players is one of those that doesn't have a forward/rewind button and I don't have the remote. I was annoyed to say the least. I'll have to watch it downstairs on the better DVD player. The bit I watched was good though.
I managed to fulfil one of my new resolutions by walking my daughter to her swimming lesson's. Although her Mum tried to say its raining we should drive. My Mum militantly made us walk regardless of the weather! when I was young. I enforced that training today. The walk was good and plus its me doing my little bit for the environment.
Today, I felt it not knowing the football scores as I'm sure there's a full schedule. Found myself wanting to know how Dagenham and Redbridge got on funnily enough. I managed the temptation not to turn on SkySports News. SkySports News comes under the News package which I'm currently still subscribed to.
I had to pop out this evening to get something from the shops and returning home, I walked past the pub at the end of my road and I looked in and saw a match on tv and thought if I looked long enough I could probably tell what ground it was and therefore at least guess the home team! I forced myself along and didn't keep my focus on the screen. The incident reminded me of a time when as a youngster (I can say that now being 30!) my Mum banned me from watching the 1990 FA Cup Final replay. I had alrady seen the first game the 3-3 draw. What a game. If you haven't seen it, check it out. I'm sure you can find it online somewhere. Anyway, back to the banning. We had a TV in our bedbroom, small portable one the screen no bigger than the palm of my hand. I was meant to be in bed, but I watched it anyway with the volumne muted and my hand over the convenient snooze button that could turn it off in an instance, quicker than the off button anyway. I watched up until Lee Martin scored. I knew we (Man Utd had it won from then! My brother came in and confirmed it later.
Saving the worst till last. I took the book along with me to read whilstmy daughter was swimming and what an anti-climax! The ending was dreadful! I just about phantomed that he did the challenged for 12 months, it seems as if he started 3 months before the beginning of a season and went a whole season without following football. He didn't even conclude the book his co-author did and the way in which she did it was awful. I need to read the ending again just to reaffirmed my first thoughts and I'll let you know tomorrow if I change my mind!
Not blogged for two days I think! Not much happened to be honest. Had an interesting conversation, on Thursday evening with a friend. I can't enlighten you with the details because its something in the pipeline that he plans to do and he has asked for my support. It can be one of my challenges as its something that I've not done before.
Last night (Friday) I started to watch the first series of 'The Wire' and I got about 30 minutes into it and it paused; the DVD's scratched and the DVD players is one of those that doesn't have a forward/rewind button and I don't have the remote. I was annoyed to say the least. I'll have to watch it downstairs on the better DVD player. The bit I watched was good though.
I managed to fulfil one of my new resolutions by walking my daughter to her swimming lesson's. Although her Mum tried to say its raining we should drive. My Mum militantly made us walk regardless of the weather! when I was young. I enforced that training today. The walk was good and plus its me doing my little bit for the environment.
Today, I felt it not knowing the football scores as I'm sure there's a full schedule. Found myself wanting to know how Dagenham and Redbridge got on funnily enough. I managed the temptation not to turn on SkySports News. SkySports News comes under the News package which I'm currently still subscribed to.
I had to pop out this evening to get something from the shops and returning home, I walked past the pub at the end of my road and I looked in and saw a match on tv and thought if I looked long enough I could probably tell what ground it was and therefore at least guess the home team! I forced myself along and didn't keep my focus on the screen. The incident reminded me of a time when as a youngster (I can say that now being 30!) my Mum banned me from watching the 1990 FA Cup Final replay. I had alrady seen the first game the 3-3 draw. What a game. If you haven't seen it, check it out. I'm sure you can find it online somewhere. Anyway, back to the banning. We had a TV in our bedbroom, small portable one the screen no bigger than the palm of my hand. I was meant to be in bed, but I watched it anyway with the volumne muted and my hand over the convenient snooze button that could turn it off in an instance, quicker than the off button anyway. I watched up until Lee Martin scored. I knew we (Man Utd had it won from then! My brother came in and confirmed it later.
Saving the worst till last. I took the book along with me to read whilstmy daughter was swimming and what an anti-climax! The ending was dreadful! I just about phantomed that he did the challenged for 12 months, it seems as if he started 3 months before the beginning of a season and went a whole season without following football. He didn't even conclude the book his co-author did and the way in which she did it was awful. I need to read the ending again just to reaffirmed my first thoughts and I'll let you know tomorrow if I change my mind!
Thursday 14 January 2010
'Opinions are like arseholes; we all have them it doesn't mean we should air them!'
Thursday 14 January
Apologies, I noted quite a few typo's in the last blog!
Last night something relating to Liverpool happened because some of my friends Facebook status' were not pleasant or satisfied with what had gone on! I inadvertantly found out this morning what it was when my colleague asked 'did I hear about Liverpool?' and went on to say that they had been knocked out of the FA Cup! It was even more funny when I received a text from a friend, I'll share it with you - 'What do Liverpool and Stevie Wonder have in common? They both have problems with READING! There's an even more explicit one my Dad sent me, but its too crude to post here!
Talking of jokes, I was chatting to my in-law in Nigeria last night and he told me the running joke in Nigeria at the moment is 'Who will come home first? The President or the Football Team' For those not up to date with either Politics or Football. The President hasn't been seen for over a month and is allegedly receiving health treatment in Saudi Arabia and apparently their football team performed badly in the African Nations Cup!
One of those outstanding e-bay bidders came through with their payments today! The other two were sent a warning of no correspondance then they will feel the mighty force of e-bay procedures! I picked up the goods from my brother to list on e-bay. that's my Saturday sorted. Apparently Sunday is free listing day!!!
Speaking to two seperate persons today, they said that they had been following the blog, which again was a huge encouragement as officially there are only three followers but from speaking to people, alot more follow. That was pleasing to know. I was even told I was in the wrong profession and I should have been a journalist! Not even that she reads it, that she reads it with her daughter! I told her I hadn't watched a match for two weeks and a colleague shouted out 'more fool you!' Wow, two weeks into the challenge already. I had a conversation with the colleague who shouted out 'more fool you' and I said speaking of fools, I told him about my quote yesterday. 'Fools speak because they have to say something... He said he knew another one like that credited to Mick McCarty (Wolves Manager) 'Opinions are like arseholes; we all have them it doesn't mean we should air them!' I thought this was was funny but true!
To my bonafide friend 'Peaches' thanks for the encouragment to continue to do this. She even said I had inspired her to start a blog herself! I look forward to reading that. Good Luck with the new job!
Apologies, I noted quite a few typo's in the last blog!
Last night something relating to Liverpool happened because some of my friends Facebook status' were not pleasant or satisfied with what had gone on! I inadvertantly found out this morning what it was when my colleague asked 'did I hear about Liverpool?' and went on to say that they had been knocked out of the FA Cup! It was even more funny when I received a text from a friend, I'll share it with you - 'What do Liverpool and Stevie Wonder have in common? They both have problems with READING! There's an even more explicit one my Dad sent me, but its too crude to post here!
Talking of jokes, I was chatting to my in-law in Nigeria last night and he told me the running joke in Nigeria at the moment is 'Who will come home first? The President or the Football Team' For those not up to date with either Politics or Football. The President hasn't been seen for over a month and is allegedly receiving health treatment in Saudi Arabia and apparently their football team performed badly in the African Nations Cup!
One of those outstanding e-bay bidders came through with their payments today! The other two were sent a warning of no correspondance then they will feel the mighty force of e-bay procedures! I picked up the goods from my brother to list on e-bay. that's my Saturday sorted. Apparently Sunday is free listing day!!!
Speaking to two seperate persons today, they said that they had been following the blog, which again was a huge encouragement as officially there are only three followers but from speaking to people, alot more follow. That was pleasing to know. I was even told I was in the wrong profession and I should have been a journalist! Not even that she reads it, that she reads it with her daughter! I told her I hadn't watched a match for two weeks and a colleague shouted out 'more fool you!' Wow, two weeks into the challenge already. I had a conversation with the colleague who shouted out 'more fool you' and I said speaking of fools, I told him about my quote yesterday. 'Fools speak because they have to say something... He said he knew another one like that credited to Mick McCarty (Wolves Manager) 'Opinions are like arseholes; we all have them it doesn't mean we should air them!' I thought this was was funny but true!
To my bonafide friend 'Peaches' thanks for the encouragment to continue to do this. She even said I had inspired her to start a blog herself! I look forward to reading that. Good Luck with the new job!
Wednesday 13 January 2010
A Wise man speaks because he has something to say, A Fool speaks because he has to say something!
Wednesday 13 January
Nothing much really happened yesterday and I wasn't about to waste your time reading nonsense, just because I felt I had to blog daily. This quote is quite poignant and I always remember it from my college days
I've nearly finished the book, that I've been reading only 47 pages to go! To be honest I'm waiting for the conclussion of his challenge. The frustrating thing is they've not given a time indictation of when each withdrawal was made! Like did you stop watching Champions League one week and then the following week stop going to live matches or was there a longer time period in between. I like how they've written the book tohugh. They alternate between chapters!
My e-bay challenge is up and running and I have made my first sales and well on the way to that £500 target! Although I'm waiting payment from 3 buyers! Hurry up or I'll report you as non paying bidders! I need to collect more goods to sell from my brother.
One funny thing - I found myself doing yesterday was thinking 12 days into the new year, no football! can I really see out January let alone all the way through to December? I just found myself starring at the Calender on my fone!
Spoke to my uni friend tonight and he wanted to speak about a football story and then relented and said he didn't want to tempt me! Interesting!!! Must be abig story!
I might go and start watching The Wire DVD!
Nothing much really happened yesterday and I wasn't about to waste your time reading nonsense, just because I felt I had to blog daily. This quote is quite poignant and I always remember it from my college days
A Wise man speaks because he has something to say, A Fool speaks because he has to say something!I guess I didn't want to be classed as a fool!
I've nearly finished the book, that I've been reading only 47 pages to go! To be honest I'm waiting for the conclussion of his challenge. The frustrating thing is they've not given a time indictation of when each withdrawal was made! Like did you stop watching Champions League one week and then the following week stop going to live matches or was there a longer time period in between. I like how they've written the book tohugh. They alternate between chapters!
My e-bay challenge is up and running and I have made my first sales and well on the way to that £500 target! Although I'm waiting payment from 3 buyers! Hurry up or I'll report you as non paying bidders! I need to collect more goods to sell from my brother.
One funny thing - I found myself doing yesterday was thinking 12 days into the new year, no football! can I really see out January let alone all the way through to December? I just found myself starring at the Calender on my fone!
Spoke to my uni friend tonight and he wanted to speak about a football story and then relented and said he didn't want to tempt me! Interesting!!! Must be abig story!
I might go and start watching The Wire DVD!
Monday 11 January 2010
What a horrendous mistake to make!
Monday 11 January
I read this Guardian article today online, pretty much stating what I had expressed on Saturday stating that the West shouldn't use the incident in Angola as a sounding board as what to expect for South Africa 2010.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/10/football-begins-africa-cup-nations
I hope this isn't me following football, I believe the attack to be a political subject that's why I'm following it, it just happened to be an attack on a National Football team. I read a headline today that it was allegedly a mistake and they were meant to attack the security forces not the team! What a horrendous mistake to make!
I read more of the book last night, I've said it before but I'll say it again its an really interesting read. One of the things that stand out is a point made about football no longer being a sport but a multi national corporation and for as long as fans continue to pay the excessive ticket prices these corporations will continue to fleece them!
You'd think you'd know if you had a professional footballer was in your midst, or maybe not as not all professional footballers are famous i.e. you know their names etc. It turns out that a colleague in another team that hot desks in my office occassionally; is a professional footballer although now nearing retirement has played football in League's 1,2, and 3 and is now seeing out his career in non-league. I found this out today! We had a brief conversation about football but nothing current because obviously I'm not up to speed but it was good to converse with him. He told me that
I was asked out of the blue today how the challenge was going and I said that it was going really well and to be perfectly honest not that difficult. She asked me if the procedes were going to charity. I had to ask 'what procedes?'. I think she thought that I was challenged to do this and I'd win money or something if i completed it! Let me make it public now there are no procedes, just in case you wondered!! But if you do want to sponsor me; get in touch ;-)
I read this Guardian article today online, pretty much stating what I had expressed on Saturday stating that the West shouldn't use the incident in Angola as a sounding board as what to expect for South Africa 2010.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/10/football-begins-africa-cup-nations
I hope this isn't me following football, I believe the attack to be a political subject that's why I'm following it, it just happened to be an attack on a National Football team. I read a headline today that it was allegedly a mistake and they were meant to attack the security forces not the team! What a horrendous mistake to make!
I read more of the book last night, I've said it before but I'll say it again its an really interesting read. One of the things that stand out is a point made about football no longer being a sport but a multi national corporation and for as long as fans continue to pay the excessive ticket prices these corporations will continue to fleece them!
You'd think you'd know if you had a professional footballer was in your midst, or maybe not as not all professional footballers are famous i.e. you know their names etc. It turns out that a colleague in another team that hot desks in my office occassionally; is a professional footballer although now nearing retirement has played football in League's 1,2, and 3 and is now seeing out his career in non-league. I found this out today! We had a brief conversation about football but nothing current because obviously I'm not up to speed but it was good to converse with him. He told me that
Football is full of back stabbers, well in management anyway!
I was asked out of the blue today how the challenge was going and I said that it was going really well and to be perfectly honest not that difficult. She asked me if the procedes were going to charity. I had to ask 'what procedes?'. I think she thought that I was challenged to do this and I'd win money or something if i completed it! Let me make it public now there are no procedes, just in case you wondered!! But if you do want to sponsor me; get in touch ;-)
Sunday 10 January 2010
Football is mans way of holding on to the inner child!
Sunday 10 January
Reading McGowan's book 'How to wean a man off football, is a good read and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I'm just at the stage where he's going through the 12 stages of giving up football. He was weaned off slowly whereas I've come to a complete stop!
The book bought back memories of my childhood, collecting Panini stickers, doing swoopsies, two normal for a shiny and praying to complete a book (I never did)I remember it like yesterday getting two packets every Thursday practically running home to stick them in! Then there was the league tables that you could update every week but I wasn't allowed to do that! That was my brothers job! I used to read Shoot magazine religiously, without fail. If I had taken an exam in Shoot magazine, i'd have been the A* pupil I was capable of being! Living in Ireland we got it two days later than everyone else, It was normally out on Tuesday, but we never got it until a Thursday and Friday if it was a Bank Holiday week!
Even before I saw the Man Utd v Birmingham result, I knew it was a bad result because when I spoke to my Man Utd supporting friend about a non football topic, he asked did I see the match today?, only in a tone that you know its a poor result! Watchin BBC News 24 whilst having breakfast this morning; I saw the runner on the bottom of the screen 'Birmingham hold ten men Man Utd in a controversial result'; or words to that effect, obviously I want to know what the controversy was!
This wasn't a regular football weekend given the amount of cancellations, so I don't know if i'm missing it yet. I didn't watch Match of the Day (If it was on) instead I watched the DVD 'Body of Lies' Not a great choice!
My brother gave my 'The Wire' boxset well series 1&2, so I'm looking forward to that. I deliberately didn't watch it on BBC because I missed the first few episodes. So those people who struggle to make conversations with me now I don't follow football; if your a fan of 'The Wire' then we can converse about that!
Reading McGowan's book 'How to wean a man off football, is a good read and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I'm just at the stage where he's going through the 12 stages of giving up football. He was weaned off slowly whereas I've come to a complete stop!
The book bought back memories of my childhood, collecting Panini stickers, doing swoopsies, two normal for a shiny and praying to complete a book (I never did)I remember it like yesterday getting two packets every Thursday practically running home to stick them in! Then there was the league tables that you could update every week but I wasn't allowed to do that! That was my brothers job! I used to read Shoot magazine religiously, without fail. If I had taken an exam in Shoot magazine, i'd have been the A* pupil I was capable of being! Living in Ireland we got it two days later than everyone else, It was normally out on Tuesday, but we never got it until a Thursday and Friday if it was a Bank Holiday week!
Even before I saw the Man Utd v Birmingham result, I knew it was a bad result because when I spoke to my Man Utd supporting friend about a non football topic, he asked did I see the match today?, only in a tone that you know its a poor result! Watchin BBC News 24 whilst having breakfast this morning; I saw the runner on the bottom of the screen 'Birmingham hold ten men Man Utd in a controversial result'; or words to that effect, obviously I want to know what the controversy was!
This wasn't a regular football weekend given the amount of cancellations, so I don't know if i'm missing it yet. I didn't watch Match of the Day (If it was on) instead I watched the DVD 'Body of Lies' Not a great choice!
My brother gave my 'The Wire' boxset well series 1&2, so I'm looking forward to that. I deliberately didn't watch it on BBC because I missed the first few episodes. So those people who struggle to make conversations with me now I don't follow football; if your a fan of 'The Wire' then we can converse about that!
Saturday 9 January 2010
Thanks Uncle Dickie (RIP) and thanks for supporting such a great team!
Saturday 8 January 2010. Woke really early and got up early for a Saturday. Probably a lot to do with the fact that I slept so early yesterday night. Had breakfast with BBC 24hr News and heard the sad news about the Togo national team being ambushed! Condolences go out to thoses who lost their lifes and their families. I pray the press don't go to town with this one and ask whether this is what they can expect in South Africa; considering most people think Africa as a country and not a Continent.
Got alot done around the house today. I couldn't exercise one of my new year's resolutions - not drive as much. I had planned to walk my daughter to swimming lessons, but the paths were to icy! Usually we drive, so I can get back in time for football! She doesn't like walking either but that will change.
I have arranged to do a course in PA systems, starting in February lasting four weeks. Plus arranged to start some musical instrument lessons. Looking forward to that challenge. I aim to get graded to some sort of level by the end of the year!
The Alistair McGowan book came this morning, I started to read it, its quite interesting so far. Slight difference between us, he was challenged by an ex partner to give up football, I challenged myself. One interesting point they have addressed is analysing where the addiction to football came from. His came from his Dad. I believe my addiction to football or introduction to football was via my older brother, my Dad is not a football fan at all and couldn't care a less. So looking back it was my brother who introduced me to the game, but my late Uncle influenced my team choice. For years, I have been accussed of glory hunting, you should follow your local team and all that (Milton Keynes weren't to get a professional club there until some 23 year later!!), but how I came to support Man Utd was through my Uncle who supported them and at the time I was four or five I didn't know who Man utd were. I'm so glad like Alistair McGowan's influencer that they didn't support a rubbish team like Cheltenham Town!
The story is quite simple my cousin's and uncle were down from London for the weekend and my cousin's and my brother were winding up my Uncle because I think Man utd were losing that day, they were saying he's the only Man Utd fan in the family and he said he wasn't. They asked who the other fan was and he turn around and said 'Kevin!' A Man utd fan was born. By the way they all support Arsenal. It's ironic that I started this blog by mentioning death and I end it with death. Don't get the wrong idea, I'm about life and positivity, but I wanted to share this poignant football story.
Dec 3rd 2007, I remember the date clearly, it was a Monday, I had tickets to go and see Man Utd play Fulham in the Premier League at Old Trafford. It was my second visit to the stadium, first time seeing Man utd play there. On my walk down to the stadium, I received a text from my sister saying that my Uncle had pass away that day! It was ironic that the first time I got to see them play live at Old Trafford he passed away. In fact if it wasn't for him then I wouldn't have been there in the first place, as I may have supported a different team or not even have been a football fan. That day got me thinking about how football has shaped my life.
Thanks Uncle Dickie (RIP) and thanks for supporting such a great team!
Got alot done around the house today. I couldn't exercise one of my new year's resolutions - not drive as much. I had planned to walk my daughter to swimming lessons, but the paths were to icy! Usually we drive, so I can get back in time for football! She doesn't like walking either but that will change.
I have arranged to do a course in PA systems, starting in February lasting four weeks. Plus arranged to start some musical instrument lessons. Looking forward to that challenge. I aim to get graded to some sort of level by the end of the year!
The Alistair McGowan book came this morning, I started to read it, its quite interesting so far. Slight difference between us, he was challenged by an ex partner to give up football, I challenged myself. One interesting point they have addressed is analysing where the addiction to football came from. His came from his Dad. I believe my addiction to football or introduction to football was via my older brother, my Dad is not a football fan at all and couldn't care a less. So looking back it was my brother who introduced me to the game, but my late Uncle influenced my team choice. For years, I have been accussed of glory hunting, you should follow your local team and all that (Milton Keynes weren't to get a professional club there until some 23 year later!!), but how I came to support Man Utd was through my Uncle who supported them and at the time I was four or five I didn't know who Man utd were. I'm so glad like Alistair McGowan's influencer that they didn't support a rubbish team like Cheltenham Town!
The story is quite simple my cousin's and uncle were down from London for the weekend and my cousin's and my brother were winding up my Uncle because I think Man utd were losing that day, they were saying he's the only Man Utd fan in the family and he said he wasn't. They asked who the other fan was and he turn around and said 'Kevin!' A Man utd fan was born. By the way they all support Arsenal. It's ironic that I started this blog by mentioning death and I end it with death. Don't get the wrong idea, I'm about life and positivity, but I wanted to share this poignant football story.
Dec 3rd 2007, I remember the date clearly, it was a Monday, I had tickets to go and see Man Utd play Fulham in the Premier League at Old Trafford. It was my second visit to the stadium, first time seeing Man utd play there. On my walk down to the stadium, I received a text from my sister saying that my Uncle had pass away that day! It was ironic that the first time I got to see them play live at Old Trafford he passed away. In fact if it wasn't for him then I wouldn't have been there in the first place, as I may have supported a different team or not even have been a football fan. That day got me thinking about how football has shaped my life.
Thanks Uncle Dickie (RIP) and thanks for supporting such a great team!
'Body of Lies'
Friday 8th January, written on Saturday morning, because I was so tired yesterday, I hit the sack early, didn't even watch the DVD I had planned to watch. 'Body of Lies' if your interested!
Got in after work and did a few things on the Internet. Normally I would have sat down and watched 'Barclays Premier League World' to see what's the latest; Plus SkySports News to catch up with all the Premier League manager's press conferences.
Cancelled Sky Sports 1, yes I did it! Not a simple process, believe me! (Partly due to the Sky callcentre being based abroad!!) No more SkySports in my house!!! Reduced the monthly subscription from £42 to £19. Amazing difference. I said to my wife with the savings over £250 a year, we could use the money to do a family activity. She seemed pleased.
Found out from a work colleague that the Utd v City League Cup semi-final was called off due to the weather!
Another colleague suggested that I take up some challenges, to add more interest to the challenge, which I'm game for. So if you have any challenges, I'll happily consider them.
Got in after work and did a few things on the Internet. Normally I would have sat down and watched 'Barclays Premier League World' to see what's the latest; Plus SkySports News to catch up with all the Premier League manager's press conferences.
Cancelled Sky Sports 1, yes I did it! Not a simple process, believe me! (Partly due to the Sky callcentre being based abroad!!) No more SkySports in my house!!! Reduced the monthly subscription from £42 to £19. Amazing difference. I said to my wife with the savings over £250 a year, we could use the money to do a family activity. She seemed pleased.
Found out from a work colleague that the Utd v City League Cup semi-final was called off due to the weather!
Another colleague suggested that I take up some challenges, to add more interest to the challenge, which I'm game for. So if you have any challenges, I'll happily consider them.
Thursday 7 January 2010
Thursdays are never a big football day anyway; oh! unless you follow a team in the Europa League!!!
Thursday 7th January. One week into the challenge and its been a very interesting week to say the least. Today, itself has been much of an muchness, as in nothing of any real note happened with regard to the challenge. Thursdays are never a big football day anyway; oh! unless you follow a team in the Europa League!!!
I bought the Alistair McGowan book last night on Amazon, so I await the arrival of that. Should be an interesting read, but from what I read of the preview he's more of a fanatic than I am. Yes, I check the results from the Premier League down to League Two; however I'm not concerned about the attendances like he is! I will do a basic calculation of what football means to the Economy; after this weekends matches.
I found out that to remove yourself from football in this country you've got to practically live in isolation, not work and definitely not access any form of media. I think I should have moved to a cave in Afghanistan for this challenge!
I've decided to cut off SkySports 1 today and will give Sky a call tomorrow; to do so. If you work for Sky please don't try and change my mind.
I bought the Alistair McGowan book last night on Amazon, so I await the arrival of that. Should be an interesting read, but from what I read of the preview he's more of a fanatic than I am. Yes, I check the results from the Premier League down to League Two; however I'm not concerned about the attendances like he is! I will do a basic calculation of what football means to the Economy; after this weekends matches.
I found out that to remove yourself from football in this country you've got to practically live in isolation, not work and definitely not access any form of media. I think I should have moved to a cave in Afghanistan for this challenge!
I've decided to cut off SkySports 1 today and will give Sky a call tomorrow; to do so. If you work for Sky please don't try and change my mind.
Wednesday 6 January 2010
Football is for the thick and the rich. The thick watch it and the rich own it, great business partnership, take them for every penny they have stupid people.
Wednesday 6th January. Dropped my wife to the station this morning and aptly reminded her that it was actually Wednesday and not Tuesday. Days seems to be flying by and I don't even have football to occupy my time.
Dan just asked
But how is the no football going? It's going really well. I wasn't surrounded by football fans today so it was pretty easy. The usual circular e-mail was sent out today, informing 'the lads' that football (5 a side) was back on tomorrow, confirm attendance the usual, only to be proceeded by another saying it was cancelled due to the school hall being closed; something to do with the adverse weather conditions. (1 inch of snow). I plugged the blog again by clicking 'reply all' to inform the organiser that I had quit football for 2010 as a new years challenge and obviously added in the blog address! Knowing everyone else would get the link. I had one comment back!
I took the time to find out about Alistair McGowans challenge about quiting football and found two articles on the net - If your interested here's the links.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2009/sep/23/alistair-mcgowan-obsession-with-football
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1231113/Alistair-McGowan-The-football-obsession-kicked-love-life-touch.html
The Guardian article is the better of the two, it actually discusses it abit more. He's co written a book 'A Matter of Life and Death, Or How to Wean a Man off Football.' I'll have to look for it on Amazon, see if there are any similarities between our challenges. He reckons that it has grown him as a human, not following football. I can see how, because you start to expose yourself to other things.
I realised today that the only reason, I watch TV is to watch football, as since the turn of the year apart from 10 minutes this evening; I've not sat down and watched a single programme. Oh tell a lie there was that rubbish programme 'Heads or tails' but that doesn't count as I only watched it for 8 minutes!!! Maybe I've now become a part of the generation lost to TV that Frank Warren referred to; that spend more of their time on the Internet than sitting down in front of TV.
I started two new things today, that I wouldn't have done before. 1) Started to use a software called Home Designer suite 8, you can design your dream house or use it to create your house and replan your interior without actually replanning your interior. You know what I mean. 2) I arranged to meet someone on Satuday to do a course in setting up PA systems. We have one in our church that we use, that no one really knows how to operate it to its full capacity and the same people teach musical instruments, so I plan to start a musical instrument to, which one I'm not sure , but I like the sounds that come off Bass guiters.
Let me leave you with a comment that I read about the Alistair McGowan article on the Daily Mail website. It made me chuckle. let me know what you think!
Dan just asked
'How's the No F##tball going?'I used the opportunity to plug the blog. He informed me he's given up reading blogs as his new year's resolution, you can't win them all!
But how is the no football going? It's going really well. I wasn't surrounded by football fans today so it was pretty easy. The usual circular e-mail was sent out today, informing 'the lads' that football (5 a side) was back on tomorrow, confirm attendance the usual, only to be proceeded by another saying it was cancelled due to the school hall being closed; something to do with the adverse weather conditions. (1 inch of snow). I plugged the blog again by clicking 'reply all' to inform the organiser that I had quit football for 2010 as a new years challenge and obviously added in the blog address! Knowing everyone else would get the link. I had one comment back!
I took the time to find out about Alistair McGowans challenge about quiting football and found two articles on the net - If your interested here's the links.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/2009/sep/23/alistair-mcgowan-obsession-with-football
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1231113/Alistair-McGowan-The-football-obsession-kicked-love-life-touch.html
The Guardian article is the better of the two, it actually discusses it abit more. He's co written a book 'A Matter of Life and Death, Or How to Wean a Man off Football.' I'll have to look for it on Amazon, see if there are any similarities between our challenges. He reckons that it has grown him as a human, not following football. I can see how, because you start to expose yourself to other things.
I realised today that the only reason, I watch TV is to watch football, as since the turn of the year apart from 10 minutes this evening; I've not sat down and watched a single programme. Oh tell a lie there was that rubbish programme 'Heads or tails' but that doesn't count as I only watched it for 8 minutes!!! Maybe I've now become a part of the generation lost to TV that Frank Warren referred to; that spend more of their time on the Internet than sitting down in front of TV.
I started two new things today, that I wouldn't have done before. 1) Started to use a software called Home Designer suite 8, you can design your dream house or use it to create your house and replan your interior without actually replanning your interior. You know what I mean. 2) I arranged to meet someone on Satuday to do a course in setting up PA systems. We have one in our church that we use, that no one really knows how to operate it to its full capacity and the same people teach musical instruments, so I plan to start a musical instrument to, which one I'm not sure , but I like the sounds that come off Bass guiters.
Let me leave you with a comment that I read about the Alistair McGowan article on the Daily Mail website. It made me chuckle. let me know what you think!
'Football is for the thick and the rich. The thick watch it and the rich own it, great business partnership, take them for every penny they have stupid people.'
Tuesday 5 January 2010
What if Man Utd reach the Champions League Final?
Tuesday 5th January "
09:00-12:00: SoccerAm
12:30-14:30: Early Afternoon Kick Off
15:00-17:00: Watch Match Live (Internet)
17:30-19:00: Evening Match (Probably Championship)
19:00-21:00: Spanish Football (I do (did) follow Barcelona)
22:00-23:00: Match of the Day
23:00-00:30: League Football Show.
I then listed how not following football has effected me and my routine. Or actually let me put it this way how football dictates my routine. Religously every day I would check www.manutd.com without fail, read the The Sun's sports pages online, Listen to TalkSport on my way to and from work, check out the Premier league website too. During the week I play two predict the score games one on Facebook the other on Premier league.com. I have my fantasy football league team that I need to pick and choose a team for the week. Its too much!!!
I was asked what would I do if Man Utd reach the Champions League Final, I said that I would have to carry on the challenge regardless! (Probably easier said than done)
Today, has been the first day where I can trully say that i genuinely don't know whether there are any matches on tonight! I do know paul Ince is facing a disciplinary (I saw my colleague reading the article today online)!
One thing today has produced is the notion that I haven't specified the rules of engagement: That what actually does giving up football really mean? For instance, can I check for results? can I read the 'george Best' biography that I received as a Christmas gift? I'll work on these tomorrow - all suggestions welcome.
On my quiet drive home no radio! (I haven't found a TalkSport replacement) and my stereo only plays am stations, the fm button doesn't work!!! I was thinking about the millions of men that watch on tv or go to matches and if a small percentage of them were to take on this challenge what that would mean to the economy!!! The treasury might shut down this blog; if I succeed. It would remove millions from the economy. Already Sky have lost roughly £20 or so a month from me! Maybe i should't have said that because if this eventually becomes a book (no plans!) Murdoch owns the biggest publishers in the country... not done myself any favours.
By the way SoccerAm, dont bother to reply to my e-mail. I found out who your guest was that has done this already, and if you didn't know or remember it was Alistair McGowan - Cheers Chris!
Read your blog – give me 10 mins and I think I can change your mind. I totally get the feeling after the Fulham game, as a spurs fan you get used to this but I have some ideas. 10 mins next time I see you!"This was the content of an e-mail I received today. 10 hours later, its still full steam ahead with the challenge. I had a conversation with the e-mails author and he proposed that instead of totally giving up that I reduce the amount of football I watch and only watch big games as in don't bother watch Villa v Bolton, or Hull v Wigan. In this conversation I reeled off how easily a Saturday could be dominated by football here goes-
09:00-12:00: SoccerAm
12:30-14:30: Early Afternoon Kick Off
15:00-17:00: Watch Match Live (Internet)
17:30-19:00: Evening Match (Probably Championship)
19:00-21:00: Spanish Football (I do (did) follow Barcelona)
22:00-23:00: Match of the Day
23:00-00:30: League Football Show.
I then listed how not following football has effected me and my routine. Or actually let me put it this way how football dictates my routine. Religously every day I would check www.manutd.com without fail, read the The Sun's sports pages online, Listen to TalkSport on my way to and from work, check out the Premier league website too. During the week I play two predict the score games one on Facebook the other on Premier league.com. I have my fantasy football league team that I need to pick and choose a team for the week. Its too much!!!
I was asked what would I do if Man Utd reach the Champions League Final, I said that I would have to carry on the challenge regardless! (Probably easier said than done)
Today, has been the first day where I can trully say that i genuinely don't know whether there are any matches on tonight! I do know paul Ince is facing a disciplinary (I saw my colleague reading the article today online)!
One thing today has produced is the notion that I haven't specified the rules of engagement: That what actually does giving up football really mean? For instance, can I check for results? can I read the 'george Best' biography that I received as a Christmas gift? I'll work on these tomorrow - all suggestions welcome.
On my quiet drive home no radio! (I haven't found a TalkSport replacement) and my stereo only plays am stations, the fm button doesn't work!!! I was thinking about the millions of men that watch on tv or go to matches and if a small percentage of them were to take on this challenge what that would mean to the economy!!! The treasury might shut down this blog; if I succeed. It would remove millions from the economy. Already Sky have lost roughly £20 or so a month from me! Maybe i should't have said that because if this eventually becomes a book (no plans!) Murdoch owns the biggest publishers in the country... not done myself any favours.
By the way SoccerAm, dont bother to reply to my e-mail. I found out who your guest was that has done this already, and if you didn't know or remember it was Alistair McGowan - Cheers Chris!
Monday 4 January 2010
Are Man Utd still playing??
Monday 4th January. Received some good feedback from a few of you guys that have taken time to read my blogs; thanks for the encouragement. Big test today, first day back at work after two weeks off, obviously colleagues naturally talk about the matches over the christmas period, which obviously apart from the Wigan and Hull matches, I couldn't contribute. Felt like that student who hadn't done their homework that was needed to be able to participate in a lesson. I gave my link to a few colleagues, who can't believe that I've actually given up football. Hopefully they read this and see its for real. I got accused of basically giving up on my team because this was a hard time being a Man utd fan being kicked out of the FA cup by League One opposition!! Thankfully I started blogging from Jan 1st!!! I got ripped abit about not being able to join in one football conversation concerning Dagenham and Redbridge FC, but I can handle that.
I spoke to a colleague about having an alternative to football and he proposed Squash, not something I'd have considered on my own, but I'll give it ago. We both agreed that when the weather gets better we'll go to a Golf driving range and look awful together trying to hit the fairways - Tiger like style. Looking forward to that as I've never tried Golf Golf, had a go at pitch and putt. (not the same) I'll let you know how they both go.
I got home this evening and my normal pattern would have been to sit down and watch Sky Sports 1 and watch, Soccer am highlight show and Netbusters and also Sky Sports News. This evening I didn't follow the norm, I did domestic chores, cooked dinner, washed dishes and put the bins out and tidied under my stairs (something that should have been done during the christmas holidays but I was probably sidetracked by a match and never ended up doing! My 4 year old daughter helped me tidy under the stairs and it was good spending time with her as usually I would have been watching football and be telling her, she's making noise and go play elsewhere!! She did make me smile, asking me if Man utd were still playing, I told her she'd have to ask her Mum, because I don't know!!
As a football replacement past time I'm back on the fitness regime, so I need to go and jog now so I'll blog again tomorrow.
I spoke to a colleague about having an alternative to football and he proposed Squash, not something I'd have considered on my own, but I'll give it ago. We both agreed that when the weather gets better we'll go to a Golf driving range and look awful together trying to hit the fairways - Tiger like style. Looking forward to that as I've never tried Golf Golf, had a go at pitch and putt. (not the same) I'll let you know how they both go.
I got home this evening and my normal pattern would have been to sit down and watch Sky Sports 1 and watch, Soccer am highlight show and Netbusters and also Sky Sports News. This evening I didn't follow the norm, I did domestic chores, cooked dinner, washed dishes and put the bins out and tidied under my stairs (something that should have been done during the christmas holidays but I was probably sidetracked by a match and never ended up doing! My 4 year old daughter helped me tidy under the stairs and it was good spending time with her as usually I would have been watching football and be telling her, she's making noise and go play elsewhere!! She did make me smile, asking me if Man utd were still playing, I told her she'd have to ask her Mum, because I don't know!!
As a football replacement past time I'm back on the fitness regime, so I need to go and jog now so I'll blog again tomorrow.
Sunday 3 January 2010
It's not for a reaction!
Sunday 3rd January 2010. Three days into the challenge and I spoke to a few people today at church about my challenge. One thought that there's no need to quit totally, he's not a big football fan and the other thought that I only put it as my status on Facebook so that I could get a reaction! I had to ask why? and answer that why should I suffer myself to not watch football;so that I could get a few comments on my Facebook status!!! I said it's for real. I asked the one who is not a big football fan that what does he do as a past time and he said, surf the net, Playstation and he used to play Tennis but not so much so now! No inspiring past times there for me!
To tell you how big a fan I was; my father in law greeted me this afternoon like someone had died 'Sorry O, your team got beat today'. So yes I know that Man U got beaten in the FA Cup today, plus I had the pleasure of being mocked on Facebook about it as well. I can honestly say that I'm not actually affected by the result! So Keegan, keep posting comments on my wall!!!
This challenge is tough, but time rewarding!!!
To tell you how big a fan I was; my father in law greeted me this afternoon like someone had died 'Sorry O, your team got beat today'. So yes I know that Man U got beaten in the FA Cup today, plus I had the pleasure of being mocked on Facebook about it as well. I can honestly say that I'm not actually affected by the result! So Keegan, keep posting comments on my wall!!!
This challenge is tough, but time rewarding!!!
Saturday 2 January 2010
Two days in...
The day after the challenge began.. We're still on. I've already noticed that I have more time to do other things. I'm assuming that there were two live games on TV today that I would have watched totalling 3 hours. I've found more time to do things around my house, namely set-up the wireless system. (Previous router was damaged) tidy the shed, and identify items to sell on e-bay.
Temptation is there believe! I wasn't in the house to be tempted by Soccer am, past that test, turned on the TV and I never watch Football Focus but there it was starring me in the face changed the channel immediately only to watch 'Heads or Tails' Is the standard of Programming in this country going down hill or what? What a pile of crap! Spent the rest of the day clock watching thinking the games probably started now, oh its 3:45pm (half-time). Feeling a little weird wanting to know what the scores are is like wondering what an ex girlfriend is doing just after you've split up!!
At least I'm saving money now!! Cancelled Sky Sports 2,3 and Xtra! The biggest challenge is if I actually cancel Sky Sports 1!
Feel so out of the loop, I dont even know one single football score.
Temptation is there believe! I wasn't in the house to be tempted by Soccer am, past that test, turned on the TV and I never watch Football Focus but there it was starring me in the face changed the channel immediately only to watch 'Heads or Tails' Is the standard of Programming in this country going down hill or what? What a pile of crap! Spent the rest of the day clock watching thinking the games probably started now, oh its 3:45pm (half-time). Feeling a little weird wanting to know what the scores are is like wondering what an ex girlfriend is doing just after you've split up!!
At least I'm saving money now!! Cancelled Sky Sports 2,3 and Xtra! The biggest challenge is if I actually cancel Sky Sports 1!
Feel so out of the loop, I dont even know one single football score.
Friday 1 January 2010
New Year New Challenge!!
Happy New Year! (or as this is my first blog I probably wont have any followers, so happy belated new year!)
Why am I writing this blog! Well as a result of a meeting I had towards the end of the year; I was advised that a blog was a great way to get noticed! I thought I'd have nothing to write about that would be of interest to anybody but hey! my beloved Man Utd created one for me!
Being a football fan for 26 YEARS!!! Man Utd lost heavily away to Fulham (Dec 09) and as per usual a negative result always effects my mood! Tired of the control football has over my life; I thought I'd try and give up Football (watching and playing) for a year! Massive challenge for the new year, since I practically eat, sleep and drink football! World Cup Year, 64 games, 32 teams, 31 games, Man Utd challenging for a fourth consecutive Premier League title, most league titles in Britian record, Leeds Utd in the FA Cup, League Cup Semi-Final v Man City, Champions League v AC Milan (Beckham returns to Old Trafford)
So the challenge has begun! No Football for 2010!!! They say you can change your wife, car, house and job, but not your Football team, let me go one stage further and see if I can give up Football totally.
As a result I need a new past time, any and all suggestions welcome!
Why am I writing this blog! Well as a result of a meeting I had towards the end of the year; I was advised that a blog was a great way to get noticed! I thought I'd have nothing to write about that would be of interest to anybody but hey! my beloved Man Utd created one for me!
Being a football fan for 26 YEARS!!! Man Utd lost heavily away to Fulham (Dec 09) and as per usual a negative result always effects my mood! Tired of the control football has over my life; I thought I'd try and give up Football (watching and playing) for a year! Massive challenge for the new year, since I practically eat, sleep and drink football! World Cup Year, 64 games, 32 teams, 31 games, Man Utd challenging for a fourth consecutive Premier League title, most league titles in Britian record, Leeds Utd in the FA Cup, League Cup Semi-Final v Man City, Champions League v AC Milan (Beckham returns to Old Trafford)
So the challenge has begun! No Football for 2010!!! They say you can change your wife, car, house and job, but not your Football team, let me go one stage further and see if I can give up Football totally.
As a result I need a new past time, any and all suggestions welcome!
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