Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010. Show all posts

Saturday, January 1, 2011

This One's For You

As years go for me, 2010 was a pretty good one. The last quarter was a rough one what with one thing or another, but overall, I cannot complain at all. I am not going to ramble on however about last year. 2010 is now placed in the archive and there is nothing anybody can do to change it. 2011 is another matter and another exciting year lies ahead.

This year is going to be a unique year. I am fortunate enough to be marrying my best friend and I cannot wait. I cannot deny it, it is going to be a little strange wearing a ring (I have never worn any form of jewellery ever) and it will be bizarre to be calling HJ my wife and being called a husband. But it fills me with excitement and I am looking forward to August 4th and beyond.

What else lies in store for me this year? A couple of exciting new projects and business ventures are on the horizon and the first quarter of 2011 will be focused on those and getting them off the ground. The website jumpinsport.com is trucking along nicely and that will be developed further and I have high hopes for that one. I will surely be pestering a number of you to help spread the word on that one. The other projects will be coming and you will hear about them in good time I promise!

Travel plans are pretty limited next year for that reason. There were vicious rumours of a canine arrival in 2011 which I would still not rule out, and along with the new projects, we have nothing much planned for travel at the moment barring a couple of trips to Canada. I am sure that may change here and there knowing HJ and me.

As for resolutions, I have the classic old one – lose weight. I have had a pretty extravagant last two months of 2010 in terms of eating and drinking, and I’m determined to get back on track and in shape. If I am going to fit into a decent suit or something for the wedding, these love handles will have to go. So, alcohol is cut. Not totally, but two days per month. Holy Cow burgers and all that stuff is gone too. And back to running and football.

Not sure I really have many other resolutions, though I always enjoy hearing about other people’s and some of the more original ones.

I will end by making some predictions. Nothing too controversial but just some random thoughts.

If Michael Vick and Asante Samuel stay fit, I can see the Eagles putting a crazy run together for the Superbowl.

I was surprised by Arsenal’s win over Chelsea and the manner of it, but I am still not convinced by them at all. They may win the League Cup but that is it.

This is going to be a huge year for British boxing. There are going to be some majorly exciting fights for David Haye, Amir Khan and Carl Froch this year, and I am particularly looking forward to a major heavyweight fight for the first time in years.

August 4th is going to be a beautiful sunny day!

The UFC is going to become more and more mainstream this year. Events in Toronto and Rio are just the start of a major year, and I will take a punt that I will convert more of the non-believers.

This one is a bit bold and one that comes from nothing but pure feeling…..I see the Washington Capitals winning the Stanley Cup this year.

I have a good feeling that is going to be a great year! Happy New Year folks!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Random Awards 2010

It is usually this time of year that in various industries – sport, music, film - present annual awards to recognise the achievements of individuals in that year. It seems like a random thing to do and I would like to take the opportunity to recognise some friends of mine for outstanding achievements in 2010. I present to you…..the Random Awards 2010.

The ‘Best Emailer’ Award goes to Roob Lockhart. You may not know him, you won’t find him on Facebook nor in a Starbucks, but this gent has pure magic in his fingertips when it comes to comedy emails and never fails to put a grin on any face. Winning this award ruled him out of contention for the ‘Longest Running Thesis Saga in History’ and the ‘Negative Nelly’ awards.

The ‘Weight Losing Champion/Mr Ironman 2010’ Award goes to JP, my colleague at Uefa. Considering that this is something I have made a serious effort with this year, I cannot fail to be impressed with JP. He looks a totally different person and is in fabulous shape after losing kilo after kilo. Utmost respect JP.

The ‘Glue That Holds Group Together’ Award goes to everbody’s favourite Mexican Tacito Vazquez. JVM11 is not exactly unassuming or quiet, but in a certain way he is. He is the cornerstone of a solid group of friends – always in good form even when he is not in good form, always up for anything, and has quietly become the glue. JVM is a rock that every family or group of friends need, and the type that you notice when he is not there. Look out in 2011 for the Glue’s new website!

The ‘Most Exciting Holiday Countdown’ Award goes to Les. Nobody made you feel as excited about somebody else’s holiday as Les did this year as the Steeples hit Florida. Thousands tuned into FB every day to count the days down with Les, and Les didn’t disappoint his faithful by providing photos aplenty of what looked to be one of those classic family holidays that none of them, or us will forget.

The ‘Switzerland’s Got Talent and Cojones’ Award goes to my favourite former flatmate Erika Riedl. ER has taken up the scarifying sport of Skeleton and never ceases to amaze me with her dedication, passion and serious cojones. If anybody I know can succeed in something so random as Skeleton, it is Erika. She just missed out on the ‘F-Bomb’ World Record, narrowly being beaten by her previous bests in 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, and 2005 when she learnt the word. Oh and she needs a sponsor!

The ‘Cool, Calm, Collected but usually Late’ Award goes to Mr Norway himself, JJ. Tour guiding us around Oslo and Kongsvinger, Joey showed that even in his home land, he is the guy we all love and adore. Despite our visit to Kongsvinger’s stadium almost ending in disaster involving me, a steering wheel, 2nd gear, a bold overtaking move, and the longest lorry in Norway, Joey showed us the sights in one of the best weekend trips of the year. For somebody who is not the greatest sleeper (it’s 4.28am), and enjoys the high tempo pace, Joey is a role model for me and how to ease off the pace, stay calm but still produce the goods.

The ‘Happiest Immigrant 2010’ Award goes to Gabor, a gentlemen I met while working in Hungary at the start of the year. A true football man and who I thoroughly enjoy reading on FB and his experiences in Australia and life over there. We all make decisions, many of us have lived and worked abroad, but I cannot think of anybody as cheery as Gabor over in Oz.

The ‘Up and Coming Superstar of 2010’ Award goes to my dear friend Buuude. Larry the News Guy is a staple on the radio, even here in Lausanne, where we can listen to his Sunday show on delayed recording. His achievements have been nothing short of impressive and a reward for working 8 days a week, and greater things lie ahead for 2011.

The ‘Social Media Queen 2010’ Award goes to m for being a truly dedicated blogger, tweeter and genuine social media star. Mallory was the first person ever to write a blog (I think) and she inspired me to get my pen and paper out, so blame or thank her for my random writing.

The ‘Victor Meldrew’ Award goes to another Uefa colleague of mine, AGN. Jimmy is one of the most miserable, bitter, and sulky people you could possibly meet. Not helped by the Redskins spectacularly bad season, nor his own crash and burn fantasy football season, Jim somehow has the ability to make my days shorter and to make me laugh. Thanks Victor and apologies for beating you on Sunday night.

The ‘Pick You Up When You’re Down’ Award goes to Ms Brodeur for her offer of a homemade cake when I had my two laptops stolen. Unquestionably one of the lowest points of my year, the gesture put a huge smile on my face and cheered me no end. I’m still waiting for the cake, but it doesn’t really matter as the warmth of the thought, did just the trick.

The ‘Winter Dream Maker’ Award goes to KK. Already having an amazing time in Vancouver, Kristina came up with tickets for Canada v Russia, possibly my best sporting event of the year, and up there with my all-time best that I’ll remember on my death bed. It was that special, and it would not have happened without Ms KK. Thank you K!

The ‘How to Do It In Genuine Style’ Award goes to a certain somebody in my immediate family who decided to crash into the Chief Exec’s car. Not only was it a Bentley, a £150k Bentley, he had only just got it back from the garage to repair damage the previous week after somebody else had crashed into him. This one is going down in history.

That concludes this year’s awards. I have surely missed one or two people that I would like to recognise, for which I apologise, but thanks to anybody and everybody who played a small, medium or large part of my 2010.