Christmas should be a time to relax, to spend and enjoy with your family or friends, and the hustle and bustle of working life is forgotten for a short while. Go to any airport in the UK, and in fact, most across Europe right now, and that seems like a million miles away. On Saturday we flew from Geneva to Leeds, on Tuesday we fly from Heathrow to Halifax. It was not easy, five hour delay, but at the end of the day, we got there in one piece. Tuesday may not be so easy but we’ll give it our best shot and hope for the best.
There was a point in the airport on Saturday when they announced over the system – ‘We would like to announce that all flights to London are now cancelled’. If we were flying to London, I would have been gutted. It was tough to see so many disheartened faces who may not get home, or get to see loved ones. Pretty tough though it will be far worst later in the week, when there may not be alternative flights to jump on.
Even this morning, there are some 70% of flights cancelled from Heathrow…thankfully the flight to Halifax is scheduled to leave on time today so hopefully that will be the same tomorrow. There may be live updates on my FB and Twitter pages tomorrow, though I’ll keep the language fit for children even if the worst happens. I feel sorry for the airport staff – no win situation for them and some seriously unhappy faces to deal with. My vow for the next couple of travels is to be chirpy and smiley to all airport staff.
This Christmas, HJ and I are heading to Freeport, Nova Scotia to spend the holidays with HJ’s mum. Over the last five years, we have alternated between England and Canada for Christmas, and this time, we head to Freeport – the perfect location for a wind down and to spend good quality time with family and a few animals. We are both hugely looking forward to this one as always, and it will surely be another memorable one.
All we can do is hope that the snow comes back on Christmas Day. Everybody loves a white Christmas, but not while one has to travel or work. I am not quite sure still why the UK struggles so much to deal with a touch of snowfall although Greg Dyke made some very valid points on television. It is amazing how the snow and bad weather only ever hits the press when London is bombarded with snow. I find that particularly hilarious. The main point though was that it is virtually impossible to invest in ploughs and other major snow-shifting equipment when we have not had a great deal of snow in the last twenty years, and there are no guarantees it will continue. If we are going to have this every year, then fair enough, let’s do it, but tough to justify the costs for something so sporadic despite the disruption and chaos. I guess the question is, does the disruption cost more than the price of the equipment? That should be the determining factor.
Good luck to any folks travelling this Christmas!
Monday, December 20, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, December 13, 2010
The Same But Different
Amid all the random travel here and there in the last couple of months, it has meant that I have reached two New Bobby World Records of watching movies and listening to music. I am far from being a big movie fan, and my motto has always been ‘Why spend ninety minutes watching a movie when there is a footy match to watch?’ That still applies, but there are limitations on aeroplanes.
I am currently on another long haul flight and I have just seen The Expendables. I think I realised I was different to most kids when I was young as I was never one for Predator or The Terminator. I would take a comedy or revert to football every day of the week. I just kind of felt that this was something I had to do and would make up for my lack of watching all those other classics which I’ve heard so much about but never seen.
It was reasonably entertaining, and thankfully there was some good humour mixed in with the action scenes. I would even go as far to say that I enjoyed it for a mindless ninety minutes.
This time, I feel like blogging and sending emails but on one other flight recently, I watched five films back to back. Granted, my travel buddy was sleeping like a baby so that made a difference, but still, it was another Bobby World record. From Salt, to Karate Kid, to The Other Guys….I have seen them all. I may have turned the corner and become slightly more normal. Heck, I even have a shortlist of movies I would love to see – Due Date, the little Focker one, and then the one with Tony Soprano called something with the Rileys. I am on movie fire right now.
Music-wise also. Now I get hammered from pillar to post about my music taste. Firstly, I don’t care and secondly, this blog probably won’t help. I am thrilled about the concert prospects for 2011, and I am raring to go. Similarly to the movie situation, maybe this was because I went to something like one concert in the first 22 years of my life. A deprived child one may say, but I never had an interest. In 2011, I have tickets lined up for Bon Jovi, and good old Barry Manilow already and I am not finished! Kings of Leon are on the hit list and I read that The Killers will reunite in April for a new album. Coldplay are planning a new album early in 2011 also, and that is a pretty special list of all my favourites touring or hitting the charts once again.
I did promise my street cred would plummet further.
These days, I have been listening to two new albums – James Blunt and Kings of Leon. Both of which nail it for me. Blunt has always been ok for me and I’ve enjoyed some of his tunes but never in large quantities. This album however is pretty upbeat and I am enjoying it thus far. The Kings of Leon album is another classic from them.
Maybe I haven’t quite turned the corner musically, but I’ll keep plugging away while staying loyal to my favourites regardless of the large number of people it upsets. In fact, one of my missions for 2011, will be to impose my music on certain people and drag them to the Esteva way of thinking. It may not work, but I’m sticking to my guns.
I am currently on another long haul flight and I have just seen The Expendables. I think I realised I was different to most kids when I was young as I was never one for Predator or The Terminator. I would take a comedy or revert to football every day of the week. I just kind of felt that this was something I had to do and would make up for my lack of watching all those other classics which I’ve heard so much about but never seen.
It was reasonably entertaining, and thankfully there was some good humour mixed in with the action scenes. I would even go as far to say that I enjoyed it for a mindless ninety minutes.
This time, I feel like blogging and sending emails but on one other flight recently, I watched five films back to back. Granted, my travel buddy was sleeping like a baby so that made a difference, but still, it was another Bobby World record. From Salt, to Karate Kid, to The Other Guys….I have seen them all. I may have turned the corner and become slightly more normal. Heck, I even have a shortlist of movies I would love to see – Due Date, the little Focker one, and then the one with Tony Soprano called something with the Rileys. I am on movie fire right now.
Music-wise also. Now I get hammered from pillar to post about my music taste. Firstly, I don’t care and secondly, this blog probably won’t help. I am thrilled about the concert prospects for 2011, and I am raring to go. Similarly to the movie situation, maybe this was because I went to something like one concert in the first 22 years of my life. A deprived child one may say, but I never had an interest. In 2011, I have tickets lined up for Bon Jovi, and good old Barry Manilow already and I am not finished! Kings of Leon are on the hit list and I read that The Killers will reunite in April for a new album. Coldplay are planning a new album early in 2011 also, and that is a pretty special list of all my favourites touring or hitting the charts once again.
I did promise my street cred would plummet further.
These days, I have been listening to two new albums – James Blunt and Kings of Leon. Both of which nail it for me. Blunt has always been ok for me and I’ve enjoyed some of his tunes but never in large quantities. This album however is pretty upbeat and I am enjoying it thus far. The Kings of Leon album is another classic from them.
Maybe I haven’t quite turned the corner musically, but I’ll keep plugging away while staying loyal to my favourites regardless of the large number of people it upsets. In fact, one of my missions for 2011, will be to impose my music on certain people and drag them to the Esteva way of thinking. It may not work, but I’m sticking to my guns.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
You're Fired!
Aside from financial matters, the biggest decision of any board of a football club is the selection of their manager/coach. In fact, the coach is more important than finances in many respects because if you have the right coach and get the right results, the finances often fall in line with success on the pitch. That is of course unless you are a kamikaze club and try to spend your way to the top with disregard for money/debt.
During my time with Brentford, the decisions regarding the coach – who to fire, who to hire – were easily the biggest decisions I faced as a board member in my three years at the club. I joined just after they had appointed Leroy Rosenior, and it was less than six months later when we fired him. We then gave the role to Scott Fitzgerald – the youth team coach who picked up some positive results while being caretaker and we decided to give him the position….only for him to leave shortly before the end of the season after another disastrous six month spell. I did not get to know Leroy particularly well but I spent more time with Scott and found him to be an absolute gentlemen. After more deliberation, we went for Terry Butcher. English legend and had earned a reputation at Motherwell for bringing on good young talent like James McFadden and Stephen Pearson, while managing the club in administration and with no resources. That move clearly did not work out, and we gave the job to his assistant Andy Scott, for a trial period.
That one paid off well. The first and only one during my three years with the club. As I have mentioned before in my blog, I genuinely feel Andy is destined to be a highly successful coach at a higher level, definitely Championship, and potentially Premiership with a bit of luck. I always asked myself what he did right that the others did wrong. First and foremost, he had the support and respect of the players. Absolutely key in the game today. The club however has been going through a transitional period when I joined….selling some key players to bring money in, and having lost a popular coach. It was only when Andy came in did they start to regain some pride and self belief.
The fact is, for a year or two, it was a job doomed for failure whoever took over. The decisions of who to appoint were tough and there was no specific science behind appointing Andy but he produced the goods. Firing Scott Fitzgerald especially was a painful decision to say the very least though in hindsight, it was the right decision.
I had to admit this week at being truly surprised and appalled at Newcastle’s decision to fire Chris Hughton. In my mind, there must be something behind the scenes that has led to the decision because there is absolutely no logic in it from a footballing perspective. Nothing much that happens at that club is logical I must say, but this one takes the biscuit.
I read an interesting article this week by one of my favoured writers Phil McNulty on BBC. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2010/12/hughton_sacking_shames_newcast.html). I won’t make the same points he does, but it is worth a read.
The easy decisions to make are when the coach has lost the players. Nothing suggests that Hughton did, in fact quite the opposite. Given the arrival of Alan Pardew as coach, I simply cannot understand that decision neither. Had they appointed a big name coach, then that would have been some justification, but it was never going to happen. To give Pardew a five and a half year contract is just as shocking. In fairness, I like Alan Pardew, but I cannot help but feel bitter about how Hughton has been screwed over here.
I have good friends that are Newcastle fans and the reality is that they probably think the same way as me. I hate to say this for them, but I hope Mike Ashley and the club get exactly what they deserve for the treatment of Hughton. It is nothing short of a disgrace and I was pleased to see the League Manager’s Association condemn the club. Bad bad form.
During my time with Brentford, the decisions regarding the coach – who to fire, who to hire – were easily the biggest decisions I faced as a board member in my three years at the club. I joined just after they had appointed Leroy Rosenior, and it was less than six months later when we fired him. We then gave the role to Scott Fitzgerald – the youth team coach who picked up some positive results while being caretaker and we decided to give him the position….only for him to leave shortly before the end of the season after another disastrous six month spell. I did not get to know Leroy particularly well but I spent more time with Scott and found him to be an absolute gentlemen. After more deliberation, we went for Terry Butcher. English legend and had earned a reputation at Motherwell for bringing on good young talent like James McFadden and Stephen Pearson, while managing the club in administration and with no resources. That move clearly did not work out, and we gave the job to his assistant Andy Scott, for a trial period.
That one paid off well. The first and only one during my three years with the club. As I have mentioned before in my blog, I genuinely feel Andy is destined to be a highly successful coach at a higher level, definitely Championship, and potentially Premiership with a bit of luck. I always asked myself what he did right that the others did wrong. First and foremost, he had the support and respect of the players. Absolutely key in the game today. The club however has been going through a transitional period when I joined….selling some key players to bring money in, and having lost a popular coach. It was only when Andy came in did they start to regain some pride and self belief.
The fact is, for a year or two, it was a job doomed for failure whoever took over. The decisions of who to appoint were tough and there was no specific science behind appointing Andy but he produced the goods. Firing Scott Fitzgerald especially was a painful decision to say the very least though in hindsight, it was the right decision.
I had to admit this week at being truly surprised and appalled at Newcastle’s decision to fire Chris Hughton. In my mind, there must be something behind the scenes that has led to the decision because there is absolutely no logic in it from a footballing perspective. Nothing much that happens at that club is logical I must say, but this one takes the biscuit.
I read an interesting article this week by one of my favoured writers Phil McNulty on BBC. (http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/philmcnulty/2010/12/hughton_sacking_shames_newcast.html). I won’t make the same points he does, but it is worth a read.
The easy decisions to make are when the coach has lost the players. Nothing suggests that Hughton did, in fact quite the opposite. Given the arrival of Alan Pardew as coach, I simply cannot understand that decision neither. Had they appointed a big name coach, then that would have been some justification, but it was never going to happen. To give Pardew a five and a half year contract is just as shocking. In fairness, I like Alan Pardew, but I cannot help but feel bitter about how Hughton has been screwed over here.
I have good friends that are Newcastle fans and the reality is that they probably think the same way as me. I hate to say this for them, but I hope Mike Ashley and the club get exactly what they deserve for the treatment of Hughton. It is nothing short of a disgrace and I was pleased to see the League Manager’s Association condemn the club. Bad bad form.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Devil Is In The Detail
I think we all have an optimum way of working. Some folks like to work in complete silence. Some folks like to work on their own. Some folks like to work in an open plan office space. Some folks like to work in the mornings. Some folks like to whistle while they work. That annoys me. Some folks don’t like to work.
Personally, I enjoy working. I made it my mission when I was a fresh faced but spotty boy from Leeds at school to work in something I loved and enjoyed. I saw my parents work so hard, such long hours, doing work that they didn’t particularly enjoy to give me and my sister a good start in life. I don’t like the fact that they had to, but I am eternally grateful. So I made it my mission to do something I enjoy and that something was sport. Football would be the ideal thing, but sport would keep me motivated to work and to work hard for the long forty-plus year slog we all have to make.
When I was young, I pretty much found my optimum way of working. If it was something I was not interested in, I just did enough to reach the next level. My mum showed me my school reports a month or so ago and it was hilarious to read the comments which are as appropriate now as they were twenty years ago. If it was something I was interested in or could tailor to football such as a random poem or story in English, I excelled.
The other thing I noticed when I was young was that I had a tendency to work best under pressure. That usually meant doing work at the very last minute. In some ways I am incredibly organised and meticulous. In other ways, I only produce my best when the pressure is on. During my working life, the same has always applied. I have always sort the high tempo intensity that brings the best out of me and it is what I enjoy.
In terms of working environment, I am not one to particularly revel in working in silence or on my own. Give me an airport, a room full of people, loud noise and music, all kinds of disturbances, and I am able to find my own silence and solitude in my head to work. I am reasonably fortunate to be able to do that. Given the travel and the hectic lifestyle I have often led, it has been the only way to progress.
I was always a nighthawk and still am. I generally produce my best late at night. Maybe it is another case leaving things until the last minute, I am not sure, but it is something I have always enjoyed. Whether I had to write an essay through the night, research and analyse football matches, or general stuff, the night has always been my friend. I sit here right now at 4.30am writing this blog and I am enjoying every moment. If you are reading this any time before 6am, then I apologise and hope you can go back to sleep.
My other place of great thought and contemplation is the loo. I kid you not. Instead of a magazine, try take a problem or issue to the loo next time, and give it some rational thought. It is amazing what you can come up with sometimes on the throne.
Not everything works for all people. HJ is an early bird and gets more done in the first few hours of the day than I get done before 3pm. My way is certainly not the best way, that I am sure. But it works for me. The devil is in the detail and working out our optimum way to work or live is pretty important for me.
Personally, I enjoy working. I made it my mission when I was a fresh faced but spotty boy from Leeds at school to work in something I loved and enjoyed. I saw my parents work so hard, such long hours, doing work that they didn’t particularly enjoy to give me and my sister a good start in life. I don’t like the fact that they had to, but I am eternally grateful. So I made it my mission to do something I enjoy and that something was sport. Football would be the ideal thing, but sport would keep me motivated to work and to work hard for the long forty-plus year slog we all have to make.
When I was young, I pretty much found my optimum way of working. If it was something I was not interested in, I just did enough to reach the next level. My mum showed me my school reports a month or so ago and it was hilarious to read the comments which are as appropriate now as they were twenty years ago. If it was something I was interested in or could tailor to football such as a random poem or story in English, I excelled.
The other thing I noticed when I was young was that I had a tendency to work best under pressure. That usually meant doing work at the very last minute. In some ways I am incredibly organised and meticulous. In other ways, I only produce my best when the pressure is on. During my working life, the same has always applied. I have always sort the high tempo intensity that brings the best out of me and it is what I enjoy.
In terms of working environment, I am not one to particularly revel in working in silence or on my own. Give me an airport, a room full of people, loud noise and music, all kinds of disturbances, and I am able to find my own silence and solitude in my head to work. I am reasonably fortunate to be able to do that. Given the travel and the hectic lifestyle I have often led, it has been the only way to progress.
I was always a nighthawk and still am. I generally produce my best late at night. Maybe it is another case leaving things until the last minute, I am not sure, but it is something I have always enjoyed. Whether I had to write an essay through the night, research and analyse football matches, or general stuff, the night has always been my friend. I sit here right now at 4.30am writing this blog and I am enjoying every moment. If you are reading this any time before 6am, then I apologise and hope you can go back to sleep.
My other place of great thought and contemplation is the loo. I kid you not. Instead of a magazine, try take a problem or issue to the loo next time, and give it some rational thought. It is amazing what you can come up with sometimes on the throne.
Not everything works for all people. HJ is an early bird and gets more done in the first few hours of the day than I get done before 3pm. My way is certainly not the best way, that I am sure. But it works for me. The devil is in the detail and working out our optimum way to work or live is pretty important for me.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
May The Best Man Win
I have mentioned before in previous blogs about a habit of mine calling the next fight – UFC or Boxing – that I am attending or watching as being the best fight of the year. I guess it is a way of justifying it to myself, especially if I am paying to travel and attend. I prefer to think of it more as me being positive and looking forward to the next great fight.
The last fight I went to, that was not the case which is rare for me. David Haye v Audley Harrison turned into something of a farce. You can never predict the outcome of a fight with massive confidence, there are so many factors which can affect the outcome. However, that was one which turned out to be a farce and which it should not have been a surprise, I still expected more from the fight.
The most surprising thing that night however was not the fight itself. It was the show and the hugely poor quality of it. I have been to quite a number of fights in recent years and this not only had an embarrassingly poor undercard, but the production and show itself was awful. Not only were there no big screens in the arena, but there was no music between fights, no entertainment, no nothing. It smacked of being a cheap production and along with garbage fights, the night was a let down for me. You can never be sure of entertaining fights, but the least a promoter can do is put on a show and entertain fans.
The other downside that night was being sat around a bunch of muppets. I joke around as much as the next person, but these kids were really out of order with poor tasting jokes and various racist comments. I was embarrassed to be there with HJ and my parents.
So off the back of that pretty poor experience, tonight is the night of redemption. Tonight is Juan Manuel Marquez against Michael Katsidis. The only downside tonight is not being able to watch Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch, but I can deal with that. This fight has all the makings of a fight of the year – in fact I will go on record now and claim that this will be one of the top three fights this year. The styles are fabulous and this will be a brawl. I am supporting Katsidis tonight for two reasons. Firstly, as there are so many Mexican fans around and attending, that the Aussies will be outnumbered. Even during the Ashes, I can be impartial enough to cheer an Aussie on. And secondly, after the sad death of his brother recently, this fight easily could have been postponed, but he decided to fight. Credit to the guy. I like Marquez too however so I cannot really lose tonight, all I ask for is a cracking fight, and I am 99% sure they will deliver. And even if it does not, we’ll get some music, glitz and glamour just to entertain us a fraction if all else fails. Marquez to win in the 9th round for me.
The last fight I went to, that was not the case which is rare for me. David Haye v Audley Harrison turned into something of a farce. You can never predict the outcome of a fight with massive confidence, there are so many factors which can affect the outcome. However, that was one which turned out to be a farce and which it should not have been a surprise, I still expected more from the fight.
The most surprising thing that night however was not the fight itself. It was the show and the hugely poor quality of it. I have been to quite a number of fights in recent years and this not only had an embarrassingly poor undercard, but the production and show itself was awful. Not only were there no big screens in the arena, but there was no music between fights, no entertainment, no nothing. It smacked of being a cheap production and along with garbage fights, the night was a let down for me. You can never be sure of entertaining fights, but the least a promoter can do is put on a show and entertain fans.
The other downside that night was being sat around a bunch of muppets. I joke around as much as the next person, but these kids were really out of order with poor tasting jokes and various racist comments. I was embarrassed to be there with HJ and my parents.
So off the back of that pretty poor experience, tonight is the night of redemption. Tonight is Juan Manuel Marquez against Michael Katsidis. The only downside tonight is not being able to watch Arthur Abraham and Carl Froch, but I can deal with that. This fight has all the makings of a fight of the year – in fact I will go on record now and claim that this will be one of the top three fights this year. The styles are fabulous and this will be a brawl. I am supporting Katsidis tonight for two reasons. Firstly, as there are so many Mexican fans around and attending, that the Aussies will be outnumbered. Even during the Ashes, I can be impartial enough to cheer an Aussie on. And secondly, after the sad death of his brother recently, this fight easily could have been postponed, but he decided to fight. Credit to the guy. I like Marquez too however so I cannot really lose tonight, all I ask for is a cracking fight, and I am 99% sure they will deliver. And even if it does not, we’ll get some music, glitz and glamour just to entertain us a fraction if all else fails. Marquez to win in the 9th round for me.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Men, Women and Other Drugs
I suspect curious creatures exist on all planets. I hazard a guess at other planets, but I know for a fact that there is many a curious creature on planet earth. There have been plenty of random curiosities in recent weeks and I want to share them with other folks to see whether it is just me or others think the same.
I will start with trousers. Trousers or pants, depending on where you come from. Why do some guys feel the need to wear them around their thighs and fully displaying their boxer shorts? I can understand some fashion though I am far from being a fashion king I have to confess. This one however is too far. I do not want to see other guys’ butts. In fact, I don’t think anybody does. It cannot be comfortable and I just don’t think it looks good. All I see is guys constantly pulling them up to the preferred level and genuinely becoming a distraction. Slightly upsetting but curious.
I shall move on to the fairer sex for my next curious observation. I always enjoy people watching and I have noticed one curious feature this week. I have noticed before but none more so than New York this week. Women rarely look at men in the streets. Nope, instead, they spend their time by glancing and analysing other women. They are checking out what they are wearing and what bag they are carrying. I find it funny but very random. There are not many men who look at other men, and certainly not many who analyse and check out what they are wearing. In New York, every woman is checking what designer somebody is wearing and where they have been shopping. Curious and interesting.
Another curiosity I picked up on this week was wifi on aeroplanes. What an ingenious idea. Unfortunately, it is not available on the plane I am currently sitting on, but it does exist on many internal flights within North America. What does exist on this plane is live television. Granted, it costs $6 but on a six hour flight, it is totally worth the money. I am watching my second Champions League game, and I am happy. Curious but happy.
One of my favourite North American establishments to wine, dine and watch sport is ESPN Zone. They have them scattered around the US, and I have been to the ones in NYC and Las Vegas on several occasions. They have great food, good beers, and millions of television screens showing all kinds of sports. It has always been one of the things I have loved about Vegas. I was gutted to discover in Times Square this week that they have closed down – all bar two in LA and Anaheim. They have closed due to the economic downturn apparently. Now, I am not there every week, but when I am there, they are absolutely rammed full of people, and with a $10 per hour spending requirement, folks spent good money. I am stunned that they have closed down. Stunned, and curious.
I will start with trousers. Trousers or pants, depending on where you come from. Why do some guys feel the need to wear them around their thighs and fully displaying their boxer shorts? I can understand some fashion though I am far from being a fashion king I have to confess. This one however is too far. I do not want to see other guys’ butts. In fact, I don’t think anybody does. It cannot be comfortable and I just don’t think it looks good. All I see is guys constantly pulling them up to the preferred level and genuinely becoming a distraction. Slightly upsetting but curious.
I shall move on to the fairer sex for my next curious observation. I always enjoy people watching and I have noticed one curious feature this week. I have noticed before but none more so than New York this week. Women rarely look at men in the streets. Nope, instead, they spend their time by glancing and analysing other women. They are checking out what they are wearing and what bag they are carrying. I find it funny but very random. There are not many men who look at other men, and certainly not many who analyse and check out what they are wearing. In New York, every woman is checking what designer somebody is wearing and where they have been shopping. Curious and interesting.
Another curiosity I picked up on this week was wifi on aeroplanes. What an ingenious idea. Unfortunately, it is not available on the plane I am currently sitting on, but it does exist on many internal flights within North America. What does exist on this plane is live television. Granted, it costs $6 but on a six hour flight, it is totally worth the money. I am watching my second Champions League game, and I am happy. Curious but happy.
One of my favourite North American establishments to wine, dine and watch sport is ESPN Zone. They have them scattered around the US, and I have been to the ones in NYC and Las Vegas on several occasions. They have great food, good beers, and millions of television screens showing all kinds of sports. It has always been one of the things I have loved about Vegas. I was gutted to discover in Times Square this week that they have closed down – all bar two in LA and Anaheim. They have closed due to the economic downturn apparently. Now, I am not there every week, but when I am there, they are absolutely rammed full of people, and with a $10 per hour spending requirement, folks spent good money. I am stunned that they have closed down. Stunned, and curious.
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Incredible Sulk
I always look forward to the weekends but I was looking forward to this one more than most. The arrival of the weekend meant the end of a pretty tough week at Chez Esteva/Burns. The highlight of the week was losing two laptops last Saturday night. My work laptop and a personal one. I left them accidentally in the cinema on Saturday night like the true muppet I am, and they were gone when I went back to get them.
Police reports, watching CCTV footage, posting ads on local websites, contacting lost and found, the cinema – you name it, I did the lot last week and whoever has my laptops does not wish to return them. I have reluctantly accepted it now and I am resigned to the fact that they are gone. I genuinely do not care in the slightest about the cost, but the documents and photos are the most valuable loss. Website work, book work, wedding work, real work, photos, personal stuff.....all gone. I am not one to flaunt my emotions too easily, but I have been well and truly gutted with this one.
So to put it mildly, I have been experiencing one major sulk this last week. I am known to sulk every so often, but it doesn’t get me down for too long and I am able to display my bouncebackability. This one however has been one major sulk, an incredible one. The truth is, my emotions have been mixed. From denial, to disbelief to anger. Fortunately for the little hooded punk at the supermarket who pushed in front of me in the queue last Sunday, I was not quite at the anger stage.
To make matters worse, virtually everything else has gone wrong this week. Friday night gone, we arrived in Liverpool after a two hour flight delay only to find I had left my paper part of my driving license in Switzerland. No hire car for you sir. On the other hand, here’s a £150 taxi bill back to Leeds sir, and sleep well.
Bets have gone against me, my team has been going against me, work has been going against me, and the number of times I have found myself caught in torrential rain this week is beyond a joke. I dropped a yogurt at the checkout in the supermarket which splattered everywhere. What can you do other than suck it up and plug on.
I think I am just about over wanting to beat people up now. Having gotten some good exercise over the week and watched some boxing, my pent up anger has been released somewhat. Having spent the weekend with loved ones, and a pretty cool trip coming up this next ten days, this is just what the doctor ordered to remedy the incredible sulk. Reasonable Rob is returning.
Police reports, watching CCTV footage, posting ads on local websites, contacting lost and found, the cinema – you name it, I did the lot last week and whoever has my laptops does not wish to return them. I have reluctantly accepted it now and I am resigned to the fact that they are gone. I genuinely do not care in the slightest about the cost, but the documents and photos are the most valuable loss. Website work, book work, wedding work, real work, photos, personal stuff.....all gone. I am not one to flaunt my emotions too easily, but I have been well and truly gutted with this one.
So to put it mildly, I have been experiencing one major sulk this last week. I am known to sulk every so often, but it doesn’t get me down for too long and I am able to display my bouncebackability. This one however has been one major sulk, an incredible one. The truth is, my emotions have been mixed. From denial, to disbelief to anger. Fortunately for the little hooded punk at the supermarket who pushed in front of me in the queue last Sunday, I was not quite at the anger stage.
To make matters worse, virtually everything else has gone wrong this week. Friday night gone, we arrived in Liverpool after a two hour flight delay only to find I had left my paper part of my driving license in Switzerland. No hire car for you sir. On the other hand, here’s a £150 taxi bill back to Leeds sir, and sleep well.
Bets have gone against me, my team has been going against me, work has been going against me, and the number of times I have found myself caught in torrential rain this week is beyond a joke. I dropped a yogurt at the checkout in the supermarket which splattered everywhere. What can you do other than suck it up and plug on.
I think I am just about over wanting to beat people up now. Having gotten some good exercise over the week and watched some boxing, my pent up anger has been released somewhat. Having spent the weekend with loved ones, and a pretty cool trip coming up this next ten days, this is just what the doctor ordered to remedy the incredible sulk. Reasonable Rob is returning.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Blessing in Disguise
I have written one or two blog posts previously discussing the life of an athlete and how it is so easy to forget the hardships they go through and the short careers they have. This hit home more than ever this week when Real Madrid midfielder Ruben de la Red was forced to retire due to his heart condition.
25-years-old and on the fringes of a fantastic career. I have always had a soft spot for him as player – great technique and rather than suffering when leaving Real Madrid and seeing his career plummet like it does to so many kids when they leave Real, he fought his way back to the top with Getafe and returned to Real and the first team squad. I genuinely think he could have pushed to reach the Spain squad in the coming years.
Two years ago almost to the very day, he collapsed on the pitch in a cup match – similar to what we have seen to other players who have passed away. Thankfully, he recovered, but after two years of tests, doctors have told him it is not safe for him to return to the game.
Absolutely brutal in so many ways but no question that it is for the best. It seems to be a growing trend of heart issues being the cause of serious health issues or death among athletes – De la Red is one of the lucky ones who has survived it and can live a good life. Real have offered him a job at the club, and he will likely go on and become a coach.
It reminds me of Brentford manager Andy Scott. He had to quite the game in his late twenties due to a heart problem. I was fortunate enough to spend quite a lot of time with Andy during my time at Brentford, and I could not fail to be impressed by him. He had a decent career stolen from him overnight, and he responded by preparing meticulously and becoming an excellent manager. I have no doubt in my mind that Andy will eventually manage at a higher level – either with Brentford or elsewhere. I hope and pray De la Red can find something similar.
25-years-old and on the fringes of a fantastic career. I have always had a soft spot for him as player – great technique and rather than suffering when leaving Real Madrid and seeing his career plummet like it does to so many kids when they leave Real, he fought his way back to the top with Getafe and returned to Real and the first team squad. I genuinely think he could have pushed to reach the Spain squad in the coming years.
Two years ago almost to the very day, he collapsed on the pitch in a cup match – similar to what we have seen to other players who have passed away. Thankfully, he recovered, but after two years of tests, doctors have told him it is not safe for him to return to the game.
Absolutely brutal in so many ways but no question that it is for the best. It seems to be a growing trend of heart issues being the cause of serious health issues or death among athletes – De la Red is one of the lucky ones who has survived it and can live a good life. Real have offered him a job at the club, and he will likely go on and become a coach.
It reminds me of Brentford manager Andy Scott. He had to quite the game in his late twenties due to a heart problem. I was fortunate enough to spend quite a lot of time with Andy during my time at Brentford, and I could not fail to be impressed by him. He had a decent career stolen from him overnight, and he responded by preparing meticulously and becoming an excellent manager. I have no doubt in my mind that Andy will eventually manage at a higher level – either with Brentford or elsewhere. I hope and pray De la Red can find something similar.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
The $64 Million Dollar Question
A friend of mine put me in an awful quandary this weekend just gone. He asked me a question – the kind of question no man should be subjected to. It is Bon Jovi’s last concert ever….in New Jersey. It just so happens that on the same night, it is the last UFC ever also, the Brock Lesnar v Cain Velasquez rematch fight. Neither will happen ever again. No more Bon Jovi, no more UFC. There are millions of Bon Jovi fans out there, most of which deny or refuse to admit it. You know who you are. As one of the fast growing sports in the world, the UFC is becoming a hugely successful sport. They do not really combine however, I am possibly the only person on the planet to love both of them. They both start at the same time, and they are held in different continents. It wasn’t mentioned, but I suppose the UFC were banned from showing that last one on PPV also. Which do I decide?
I go for the UFC. I have seen plenty of both of them, but I have all the Bon Jovi CD’s just as I have most of the UFC fights on DVD also. The one difference is that you never know what is going to happen in a UFC fight. I know how a Bon Jovi concert is going to go and that is part of the reason why I enjoy them so much. There are other bands I enjoy, while the UFC would leave a fairly major gap for me. It is a tough call but I edge UFC in this instance.
Awful question, but it got me randomly thinking. I think one of the things I enjoy most about the UFC is the unpredictability of the outcome. It is far more unpredictable than Boxing for example. We have a running joke in our household as I describe every fight that is coming up as the best fight in years somehow ignoring the fact that I said it last month, or last week in some instances. I consider myself to be a half full kind of guy rather than half empty, but this is a different concept.
One of the things which I constantly search for in life is potential. In so many different aspects of everyday life, I am analysing things and trying to work out the potential of something. Potential is different to the half full principle – I am not hoping something may work out, I am weighing everything up and deciding whether something is worth pursuing and putting effort into to reach the end goal.
My approach to so many UFC events is excitement. I am excited for the unpredictability and the potential of some great fights – entertainment-wise and technically. The UFC ten days ago fulfilled all of that and more, and while my analysis of the fights was grossly incorrect, I was right in my feel that the potential of this event was huge.
Work and business is a prime example. I am always thinking of ways to develop myself. Ideas that may just work and require time and effort to develop. Some do, and some do not. I am fortunate enough to have a talented partner in crime who I can bounce ideas off and help me further understand the potential of an idea or thought. I can have all the thoughts in the world, but similar to betting, absorb different opinions and views, and then make the decisions. Potential is exciting. Just like a bet though, just because there is potential in something, it may not always be the right decision to go for it. I have millions of ideas coming into my head all the time, not all of them turn out to be worth pursuing or of any value, but I give them all consideration, analyse the potential and pursue or discard as appropriate.
Potential can manifest itself in many different ways. I saw potential in my cousin’s son being an Evertonian despite pretending to support Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo. One trip to Wembley and a Marouane Fellaini wig later, and he was converted to a blue. Perhaps that one is somewhat tenuous but I’m grabbing on to it.
Football and sport is one area which I keenly follow potential. I love nothing more than to follow young talented players and see their development. It is certainly an area which I plan to become more involved with in the future, as well as coaching. I have a good relationship with Ray Hall at the Everton Academy – I know just how proud he is when one of his Academy players makes the breakthrough to the first team. It must be a huge buzz to see a Wayne Rooney or Jack Rodwell come through the ranks and become a major star.
I guess a key element in all things potential is the ability to envision the future and forward think. Unquestionably there will always be factors along the way which can affect the development of some potential, but if harnessed in the right way and with a large spoonful of hard work, passion and dedication, that potential has every chance of succeeding. Some ideas are just not meant to happen, some players just do not get the lucky breaks they deserve, and some cousins may not have an Uncle Rob to take them to Everton games, but giving potential a shot can do no harm.
I have taken a couple of risks/chances in recent years by leaving excellent jobs. Following which, I have had a number of ideas and projects which I have worked on. I am not the only one. There seem to be a number of people I know who have done something similar and decided to take the plunge. It may seem ridiculous to some in this economy, but I think it is all about realising the potential of one’s ideas and abilities. Now, if you do not have the ideas and abilities, then you’re in a tricky situation. However, I genuinely believe that so many people I know have the potential to be successful and to make their own way through life. Inevitably there is a degree of risk in anything like this that the potential will not grow into existence, but one thing is for sure – it won’t if you leave it sat on the shelf.
I go for the UFC. I have seen plenty of both of them, but I have all the Bon Jovi CD’s just as I have most of the UFC fights on DVD also. The one difference is that you never know what is going to happen in a UFC fight. I know how a Bon Jovi concert is going to go and that is part of the reason why I enjoy them so much. There are other bands I enjoy, while the UFC would leave a fairly major gap for me. It is a tough call but I edge UFC in this instance.
Awful question, but it got me randomly thinking. I think one of the things I enjoy most about the UFC is the unpredictability of the outcome. It is far more unpredictable than Boxing for example. We have a running joke in our household as I describe every fight that is coming up as the best fight in years somehow ignoring the fact that I said it last month, or last week in some instances. I consider myself to be a half full kind of guy rather than half empty, but this is a different concept.
One of the things which I constantly search for in life is potential. In so many different aspects of everyday life, I am analysing things and trying to work out the potential of something. Potential is different to the half full principle – I am not hoping something may work out, I am weighing everything up and deciding whether something is worth pursuing and putting effort into to reach the end goal.
My approach to so many UFC events is excitement. I am excited for the unpredictability and the potential of some great fights – entertainment-wise and technically. The UFC ten days ago fulfilled all of that and more, and while my analysis of the fights was grossly incorrect, I was right in my feel that the potential of this event was huge.
Work and business is a prime example. I am always thinking of ways to develop myself. Ideas that may just work and require time and effort to develop. Some do, and some do not. I am fortunate enough to have a talented partner in crime who I can bounce ideas off and help me further understand the potential of an idea or thought. I can have all the thoughts in the world, but similar to betting, absorb different opinions and views, and then make the decisions. Potential is exciting. Just like a bet though, just because there is potential in something, it may not always be the right decision to go for it. I have millions of ideas coming into my head all the time, not all of them turn out to be worth pursuing or of any value, but I give them all consideration, analyse the potential and pursue or discard as appropriate.
Potential can manifest itself in many different ways. I saw potential in my cousin’s son being an Evertonian despite pretending to support Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo. One trip to Wembley and a Marouane Fellaini wig later, and he was converted to a blue. Perhaps that one is somewhat tenuous but I’m grabbing on to it.
Football and sport is one area which I keenly follow potential. I love nothing more than to follow young talented players and see their development. It is certainly an area which I plan to become more involved with in the future, as well as coaching. I have a good relationship with Ray Hall at the Everton Academy – I know just how proud he is when one of his Academy players makes the breakthrough to the first team. It must be a huge buzz to see a Wayne Rooney or Jack Rodwell come through the ranks and become a major star.
I guess a key element in all things potential is the ability to envision the future and forward think. Unquestionably there will always be factors along the way which can affect the development of some potential, but if harnessed in the right way and with a large spoonful of hard work, passion and dedication, that potential has every chance of succeeding. Some ideas are just not meant to happen, some players just do not get the lucky breaks they deserve, and some cousins may not have an Uncle Rob to take them to Everton games, but giving potential a shot can do no harm.
I have taken a couple of risks/chances in recent years by leaving excellent jobs. Following which, I have had a number of ideas and projects which I have worked on. I am not the only one. There seem to be a number of people I know who have done something similar and decided to take the plunge. It may seem ridiculous to some in this economy, but I think it is all about realising the potential of one’s ideas and abilities. Now, if you do not have the ideas and abilities, then you’re in a tricky situation. However, I genuinely believe that so many people I know have the potential to be successful and to make their own way through life. Inevitably there is a degree of risk in anything like this that the potential will not grow into existence, but one thing is for sure – it won’t if you leave it sat on the shelf.
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