A Jealous Thank You Letter

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Green-Eyed Monster.”

“Write an anonymous letter to someone you’re jealous of.”

Dear …..

First of all, its not the money. What you do comes with that,  but its not about the lifestyle. You are the best there is, potentially the best there has ever been.

Every week, sometimes twice, you step out in front of tens of thousands of people, and are showcased to tens of millions. They chant your name, wear it on their backs. They come to one of the worlds most best known venues, and create its wonderful atmosphere. They come for many reasons, the experience, your team, the opposition. But if you eliminate all of these different reasons to find one area of common ground. One thing they have all come to see with equal excitement, expecting thrills, something they will never see anywhere else. This one thing they want to say ” I have seen”  That something, is you.

They expect from you. They believe in you. What you have different from all others is that you can deliver. When everyone else turns to you, you find a way.

My respect for you is a shared respect, with my own father, and my Grandfather. We talk at lengths about the feats you have achieved, the near miracles you have performed. Watching you is one of the only things we always make time to do together.  I thank you for that. We came to see you,  live and in person and like the others I described above, we expected from you, and believed in you. You gave us everything we could have hope for.

To see what a game is like through your eyes, with the speed of your thoughts and the technique you display. You can find others from in near impossible angles, and that feeling of knowing that you, unlike most others, can do it must be something.  To be surrounded by opposition, with almost no way out, and then calmly work your way through. To score the goal that changes games, seasons, history,  when none else could find a way. To do it almost every game.

I am jealous that no matter how good my very best is, or was, I will never experience one hour with the gift that you have. I assume it cannot be easy. There must be immense pressure at times and times where you loose faith that you can do it all again. But I thank you, for giving me that feeling. That little urge of excitement I get, each and every time you receive a ball at your feet. That I get to turn to my father, my grandfather, and watch their mouths wide, in amazement at what you have just performed, and then share a moment of celebration together.

You, Lionel Messi, do so much more than just kick a ball.

Blo88er

Surfing Wood

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Whoa!.”

What’s the most surreal experience you’ve ever had?

This post is one that some will not agree with. Some will not condone the circumstances in which this story came about. I ask anyone reading to do so with an open mind, and remember that everyone is free to learn and live as they please.

The location was the scene of a boys holiday to the white isle. Ibiza, peak weather, prime time for headliners and the best bunch of mates a guy could ask for. One week. We had one week away fro reality and one week to make the most of it.

Tuesdays brought a unique all day experience. Pucka up boat cruises ran from the marina in San Antonio for 3-4 hours. Lots of great music, great people and alcohol. Oh yea, there was also water and waves. This is a key thing to remember.

We stood at the back of the boat, onto of what I think was two very large fridges. We were in line with the DJ, dancing over the packed crowd. The same crowd that after sun down would all descend on one of the biggest nights in Ibiza.

I don’t know what time we arrived at Space. Dubfire were playing, i remember that much. We had plenty of pre drinks on the boat party for the last four hours, and the atmosphere and general mood was one of the best I can remember. We were buzzing, the holidays was approaching its very peak.

We like 90% of the club, couldn’t accept the €15 per Budweiser, or €20 per vodka priceless. Not when something stronger was gong for €10. Bottles of water were €10 as well.

Dubfire were approaching the end of their set, “Emissions” was playing. Most of the our group were already €10 lighter, as was their legs and levels of consciousness. Emissions was bang in the middle, that really good bit that makes your feet go.

I looked up to admire the DJ, but all I seen was the floor, a wooden floor, roaring towards me like a wave. So I jumped, turned side on, put my hands to either side, and began to surf. I genuinely rode those waves like a pro. Then they seemed to settle and the volume of the crowd shot up, as if the DJ controlled them with his set of Pioneers.

Carl Cox began his set. It was a thing of beauty.

We all danced, two stepped, moved forward moved back. One of the boys was being held up by two girls we had met a few nights before, and they were found it as hilarious as he did. One of the boys came right up into my face, he looked straight at me, he appeared totally sober. Then he touched my side and said “Tig”. He ran off.. into the crowd. I didn’t chase after him.

Instead I fixated on another of our group, through the crowd, looking like he had gotten lucky. He was chatting someone up.I moved to see who, but still couldn’t see her. I moved round the group. There is a few columns in the lower part of the club, one of which was blocking my view of my mates apparent pull.

I walked up subtly, and I began to laugh. I mean laugh, like never before. There was no girl. There was no-one. At least to me.

To him there was someone. I don’t know who, but someone. He was in deep conversation with this person, someone I clearly couldn’t see. I moved back into he crowd. I looked up to the centre of the balcony. It was busy, a tight squeeze at the front. I seen a few people looking down at their sides and moving out of the way. Then a head popped through, about waste height. It was my other mate, the one caught up in a game of Tig/Hide and Seek.

Then, suddenly i felt tired, my legs slowed and everything slowed down. Its like that moment in a club where time reaches just before closing, and you can see those who have sobered up and are ready for home. One of the lads came over to me and advised it was time to go. I asked why “were only here and hour or two”. He looked at me and dropped a smile. Make that six, nearly seven.

Nearly Seven hours had passed since we walked into space that night. I swear seven hours were eaten into two. I couldn’t believe it. We headed for the bus back into San Antonio.

We were back, lying on the beach near “the egg”. One of the boys popped up, “look ! over there .. The Smurfs ! ”

I turned slowly clearly assuming another joke or at most a hallucination. But there they were. five or six blue Smurfs walking along the waterside. Hold on.. they were real. Just a few lads dressed up. That sobered us completely. We headed home.

Thats only a small version of the story of that night. But talk about a surreal experience, however artificial, that was one I will always remember.

Whether you agree with our choices that night ( and many after ), I cannot regret the wonderful memories that resulted. Thats what life is all about.

Blo88er

Six hours had past

A list of Maybe. A list of Maybe Not

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Third From the Top.”

Head to “Blogs I Follow” in the Reader. Scroll down to the third post in the list. Take the third sentence in the post, and work it into your own.

The sentence I landed on came from –  https://teenontheinternet.wordpress.com

“I’m not sure if this will happen.”.

This one got me thinking.. about all the things I would like to see in my future, however realistic, however silly, all possibilities.

I get married next year, and following that I like most would love to have kids. I like most would also like that promotion at work, which would see m and my family comfortable and financially stable. But I am to thinking about those type of possibilities, I wont want to be that serious. What are the little things that would just provide little moments of delight.

1. I would love to see Celtic football club win a European trophy again. I remember the UEFA cup final, I hear all about the Lisbon Lions, but I would love to watch my team lift a european trophy once again.

2. Perform in front of a crowd. I am a keen guitar player, and I also sing from time to time. I am likely nothing more than average, but to perform in front of a crowd, and have them enjoy it, would be a wonderful buzz for me. Im not sure I will ever be ready for this however.

3. Travel. I want my soon to be wife and I to travel a little. We have been on holidays together, and I have been on boys holidays before that, but I mean proper travel. Tic of the top places on our list that we would love to see. I picture visiting Rome and seeing the coliseum, picturing it at the time of the roman empire. I picture Greece, in the time of those ancient philosophers I read everyday.

I think of dining in Paris under the fireworks, and looking down agin only to be in New York for new year or St Patricks day.

4. I long for the day I get to wait for my dad outside his work, leaving for the last time, off to a life of retirement.

5. I long to play Football ( Soccer) in front of a stadium of people again. ( this one is already scheduled )

6. I tend to keep a journal. I write an everyday account of my life, but I also write down my thoughts on current affairs and philosophical ideas that I have. I find the ideas help me approach life the right way. I  picture someone finding my journal, many years after my death, and finding it insightful. I want the reader to pass it on to another, and hope that this opens their minds to my way of approaching life and can in any small way effect their life.

7. At the end. I want people to have enjoyed my company, having felt that I was always trustworthy and a person to rely on. I would like people to think I lived my life in the right way.

These are all just thought, maybe one day realities. These are just some of the things, that if lived, would be little extra memories or legacies that I hope in some way would have made my life matter, even if just to me and those I hold close.

Blo88er

Ideal

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Study Abroad.”

If you were asked to spend a year living in a different location, where would you choose and why?

I have recently gained an interest philosophy and have since started reading a few of the many original philosophical works. I ideally like to read these when as alone as possible, to dedicate it full attention and to allow my thoughts to wander uninterrupted.

I genuinely believe I have already gained from this, and my stressful days appear less stressful when ended, tucking into a good few pages of philosophical thought and allowing this to develop thoughts of my own. It has changed my usual daily approach in which I was always thinking ahead, worrying about what is to come, and to so easily forget why it is so important to live in now.

Therfore if I could choose somewhere to go away and spend my time studying, I know where I would choose …

Somewhere like Bora Bora (above), St Lucia or Tonga. I can imagine sitting on that rock, with a refreshing drink, reading Descartes or Aurelius, contemplating their conclusions, studying the depths of my inner thought  and exploring and forming my own opinions on the world and of life. Yes, this is a different type of study, a different type of learning, but doesn’t it just sound like an ideal life?

I will remember that the past is gone, and is no longer a reality, that the closest we will ever get to what is yet to come, is this moment we are in jut now. The future doesn’t exist until it becomes present, meaning that it is no longer future. I would remember that I control the present, therefore am controlling what I otherwise thought of as my future, and how my past so heavily relies on how I choose to live just now.

I would keep this thought in mind, and as night falls I would go here …

I would drink ( why not ), I would laugh, I would converse. I would become merry, I would slowly think ahead to the relaxation of tomorrow and then quickly remember that I was missing out on the present, and therefore effecting the fun I will have in future, remembering the past ,of the previous night. Doesn’t it seem that time is always overlapping and the past , present and future are all so heavily reliant on the others. I would remember this, and because of that I would remember that there is only one of these three that I can control right now. The present.  So I would converse some more and have another drink.. until the future became present and my thoughts were those of the past, and the sun began to rise.

Some mornings I would wake early, maybe take a swim. Then I would walk out onto the lower platform below..

I would sit with my feet tangling over the side, hopefully with my fiancé by my side and laugh about the night before. Then I would remember that it was in the past , but allow more time for laughter, as why enjoy the present if you can’t allow it to positively effect your future.

Then I would swim out to my rock once more, and move onto the next chapter…

Don’t worry about tomorrow. It isn’t here yet.

Blo88er

Three doors – Suggestions?

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Just a Dream.”

“You’re having a nightmare, and have to choose between three doors. Pick one, and tell us about what you find on the other side.”..

For this one I don’t want to suggest the three doors and what lies behind them. I would like others to suggest what may lie behind the three doors I have to choose from. So please, make a suggestion and I will answer as open and truthfully as I can.

Blo88er

Time Capsule

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Time Capsule.”

Tonight I got some exciting news. My uncle attended a big business dinner at the home ground of our favourite football (soccer) club. A business dinner, involving all the players and managers past and present. He went to network for his business, and create new opportunities as they continue to grow. He’s a greatly sociable man, a characteristic which I much respect and have learned from him.

As part of the night the club put on a bid, auction and other usual charity orientated giveaways. One of which was a bid, for the chance to walk out and play a game in the home stadium, wearing the teams colours with your name on the back and play in front of a crowd of supporters, amongst some legends. He quickly accepted that he was too old for this and that his knees wouldn’t last but quickly his thoughts turned to me, still playing the game, still young enough to participate.

He visited me tonight, and confirmed thatI will be lining up in this years fixture, walking out in our beautiful stadium, with its wonderful history. Its truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. It something I will no doubt talk about into my dying days.

Therefore, I would like to hold off in planting my time capsule. Until this day has gone, and the photos and videos have been taken. Until I can write and share stories about the time I walked out and lived this dream, shared by so many.

Thats something I would like the generations in our family yet to come, to hear about, read about and imagine.

I simply cannot wait.

Blo88er

Undo

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Undo.”

If I could take a trip back in time, straight to the moment something was invented, and stop the person who was creating it, and ensure that it was never completed, I know what I would choose.

It makes me feel ill, even when I look at it. Some enjoy it, and will not understand the reasons I have for totally and utterly detesting it.

Its smell makes my stomach turn, and I get that feeling in my through and gut, that If I don’t take a step way, I may just vomit.

I don’t know who invented it, or what they were thinking. But coleslaw is the thing i would choose.

What a horrific invention indeed.

Blo88er

Cash Control

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Think Global, Act Local.”

One thing that has always fascinated me is that the whole world is controlled by money. They estimate there is around $60 Trillion in the world, which is as we all know, not split anywhere near fairly across the globe.

Many countries struggle through poverty, unable to feed its people, never mind provide them with homes and health care. Even in some of the worlds wealthier countries there are still people who live in a level of poverty, unable to keep up with the rest of societies income, meaning they struggle to have any standard of life or support their families.

There does have to be a hierarchy, that I can understand. In order for currency to work, not everyone can have an even share, or there would be no point in it. However, what I can’t comprehend is how this hierarchy is structured.

I work with extremely hard working people everyday. People that the our business relies on. I see the stress of their day to day roles, all to pay a few bills and afford to eat. They basically break even every month.

Then you have sports stars, whom I have no doubt train hard, and many of which are wonderfully talented. However, some of the people I work with also play those sports, and after a long shift in work spend hours training hard. But we pay these stars, small fortunes, every week. The average Barclays Premier League footballer earns £30,000. Thats per week.

On average an NBA player makes $5.15million per year.

The part of this I cannot understand is that in the modern day world, we have new medications, we have an almost unlimited source of food, yet there are people in some developed countries who still struggle to afford these most basic of resources.

As many of us are aware that there are about 1 billion children in the world living in poverty.

If you walked down your local high street today, and you seen a young child lying on the side of the road, cold and hungry, to the extent that they were clinging on to life, would you just walk past and leave them sitting, even though you are in a perfect position to help them ?.

I don’t think many people would.

Let change the scenario. A friend has just arrived at your house and tells you, “apparently there is a young child out there, cold, hungry and in a very bad way”. Would you just close the door behind them and forget about this.

I don’t think many people would.

But we do. We all do. Every single day. We all know the kid exists. The only difference is that they are not sitting on a street near our homes.

The world has food, it has medication, but it refuses to provide this because of money, because of worth. We have replaced the worth of human life, with our own place in the hierarchy. We have the medication to help so many of these people, but we don’t. We have put ourselves in this position, one which is so very difficult to get out of.

im not going to tell you to go and give lots of money to charity. I’m as guilty as anyone for buying something I don’t really need instead of giving that money to make a real difference. But think about this. We simply refuse to help. That tells us something very important about our society.

Blo88er

Burning Down the House

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Burning Down the House.”

You are house is burning down, but you have time to save five items, which five items do you choose ..

I think the first item I would grab would be my phone. I like the majority of people fortunate enough to live in a place where we can so easily access technology, rely very much on my phone. I have an iPhone, its with me every single moment of every single day, besides when playing sport etc. It my main method of communication with the world. It is a worrying thought how quickly I react when I feel a weightless pocket, where my phone should be, and how quickly my heart begins to beat in the worry that my phone may be lost. Its sad .. I can admit that.. its more than that.. its kind of pathetic.

Secondly, sticking to the theme of technology, I would grab my MacBook. I often refer to it as “the best thing I have ever Purchased”, which may be a bit dramatic, but its a luxury that i have come to enjoy.

I would also grab my acoustic Guitar. Again, another Luxury, but one of the things that gives me the most joy. Playing music, whether it be to myself or to friends and family, its something I love.

It is likely this next item would already be on my person but if not, I would ensure to take my favourite watch. The watch was a gift from someone very special. Not only is it a cool ass watch, but there is a lot of meaning behind it and its one of the symbols of that relationship.

Lastly I think I would grab my car keys. Mostly because it would allow me to get to my parents or a friends.

All of the things I have picked are replaceable to an extent. You can get a new phone, or Laptop. You can buy a new guitar, maybe even one with a better sound. The next watch I buy will tell the time the same way that my old one had. However, each and every item (maybe except the car keys), has a personal meaning to it.

The phone because there are so many memories stored on it. Pictures and videos from time with friends and family, pictures that may not be recoverable if not on the phone ( I’m not a frequent user of I Cloud). The laptop, because it was the first expensive purchase I made entirely on my own, without any support, and now on a full earning wage. I was something I had always wanted. The guitar because it was my first “Real Guitar”. The first guitar I really made music on, and the first guitar that my family finally believed that our family wasn’t cursed when it comes to musical instruments. The watch speaks for itself.. it has great sentimental value.

There are probably far more efficient or exciting things I could have chosen.. but these are the items that come to mind ..

What would you choose ? …

Blo88er

Mystery Box

You wake up one morning to find a beautifully wrapped package next to your bed. Attached to it is a note: “Open me, if you dare.” What’s inside the mystery box? Do you open it?

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Mystery Box.”

(Set sometime in my childhood)

Light shines in through my bedroom window, my eyes flicker open, I am surprised I had been asleep, the excitement that had built in me throughout christmas eve kept me awake thinking of all of the wonders christmas day would hold. I sit up and move my feet towards the floor, but they brush of something on the way down. I look down, there is a box sitting at the side of my bed. Its wrapped !

Santa always left gifts downstairs in our living room, and often left my stocking on the door handle of my bedroom, but a gift in my room was never something I had received before. The excitement built within me, I couldn’t wait to go and get my parents before I opened it. I lifted it onto my bed, analysing the size and shape, what could it be. It felt light, limiting the possibilities.

I ripped the wrapping paper, without any care, the box was red. I couldn’t think what the contents could be, the box was so light. I lifted the lid and looked inside…

I was disappointed, I felt someone had tricked me. The box was empty. Perhaps my sister had been playing a prank, and it had worked. My disappointment was soon forgotten, as we went downstairs to find wonderful gifts left by the tree.

After I had opened everything, I felt truly blessed, I had everything I could have possibly have wanted. Following tradition it was time to give my own gifts to my parents and sister. Being so young, my mum always picked something up for my dad and sister, I just handed it over. My gran would usually help pick something for my mum. This year I had saved some pocket money, and with some help from my gran I had managed to save up enough to get my mum the purse that she had desperately wanted. It was going to be perfect. I went upstairs to get it, from its hiding place in my cupboard, with a fresh burst of excitement. I couldn’t wait to see her face as she unwrapped it. I pulled it from inside the cupboard and disaster struck.. the paper ripped, and the purse fell out.

I was devastated, there would be no surprise, it looked as if I hadn’t went to the efforts that I had. She would love it still I’m sure, but it wouldn’t be as perfect as I imagined. I sat on my bed with the red purse in hand, my head fell slightly… and there it was. It was perfect.

I handed over the red box, my mum looked excited. As she opened it her eyes lit up, her face spoke a thousand words. She hugged me and thanked me, and in that moment not only had I forgotten about all the wonderful gifts I had received, but I realised that the suspicious little box at the side of my bed hadn’t been empty at all. It contained a lesson.. a reminder.

Christmas is not about receiving all these wonderful presents. The true wonder of christmas is about giving. No matter what you spend, no matter how rare the gift, the act of giving and the effort it takes, mixed with genuinely making someone so very happy.. that is christmas, and I could see it in my mums eyes.

I turned to my sister, she looked on in disbelief, and I could tell… she had seen that box before.

A very late merry christmas, and a happy new year.

Blo88er