There Are No Endings, Only Beginnings Part II

Random thoughts often pop into my head – sometimes they are totally new random thoughts and sometimes they are the same random thoughts that I have previously had which are triggered by events and occurrences that I experience or see.

I wrote a blog post back in May 2010…it surprised me to see that I’ve been writing this blog for so long. The title of the blog post was ‘There are no endings, only beginnings’ and as I read through it, I’m pleased to say my feelings haven’t changed on this one, so here is the sequel.

I was recently reminded of this blog by a good friend of HJ and mine. Back in 2005-06, we studied together on the Fifa Master degree and we met a German-speaking Italian called Erika Riedl. She will be the first to admit that her English was not the best back then and with my sultry but strong Yorkshire accent, I don’t think we understood each other for a good three months. Thankfully, after Erika spent some quality time with HJ, everybody’s favourite MC Megha Shah, and Dani, her English improved and our conversations slowly but surely began to make sense.

Fast forward to 2011, and we have all been great friends for some years now. Hj, Erika and I lived together for a good period of time while I was commuting to and from London and we spent many an evening on our couch in Montchoisi watching random tv shows….Erika usually napped during them, but that is just between you and I.

Last month, Erika quit her job and has decided to follow her dream by competing internationally as a Skeleton Slider. She will not thank me for giving away her age, but think of mine and you won’t go far wrong.

If you do not know too much about Skeleton, watch this and imagine you are wearing this helmet - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snMCJa6nYCk

My admiration for Erika runs much further than having the cojones to stick a helmet on and shoot down an ice track at some 150km per hour. How many people you know make a decision to leave a great job without something lined up, never mind to test themselves in such a tough sport at the highest level? I have absolutely no idea what it takes to be a top class Skeleton slider, and if I am brutally honest, I don’t really want to find out. Erika has been doing this part-time for two years now and I am not sure I know many other people who have the single-mindedness, determination and ability to do what Erika is doing.

The new season is just around the corner now and Erika will be sliding to Canada, the US, Germany, Latvia and around Switzerland. Check out her website: http://www.erikariedl.com/Erika_Riedl/Hola%21.html. Erika is looking for sponsors and donations right now, so anybody reading this and wanting to support her, contact her through her website. If you don’t have a spare quid and you are on Facebook, click this link and click ‘like’ on her page – it will give her a better chance of seeking sponsors if she has a great FB following, and you can follow her journey this winter.

HJ and I are going to be avidly following you this winter Riedl – we are so proud of you and good luck!! Whatever comes of the next six months, win or lose, rain or shine, you will never sit back in your rocking chair in forty years’ time wondering what could have been. You may have severe arthritis and a few creaking bones, but your mind will be at ease in the knowledge you have done everything possible to succeed!