It's not been the best start to a year.
Let me explain.
First up, on the afternoon that I finished up at work I bumped into one of my co-workers. We exchanged pleasantries and bade each other a Merry Christmas and a see you in 2 weeks. That was the last I ever saw of him. I got an e-mail a few days later to say that he had died. Literally, just like that. By all accounts, he finished the working week on the Thursday as normal. The next day he had a high fever and was rushed to hospital. The following day he was unconscious and on a life support machine. By the time the next working week had began he had passed away. He had some kind of blood infection which resulted in 'multiple organ failure'. I was shocked. Given that I was away from the department and everyone I didn't really know the full extent of 'things'. I get the impression that members of the department were left devastated. I can't really begin to comprehend that. A few days afterwards, he was 'ready' to be flown home to Sri Lanka, his home country. He flew on the Emirates flight back within his coffin in the hold. As a mark of respect, the entire flight was handled by members of our department /members of our department actually train the 'real' staff to do such a job on a 'normal' flight. Not only that, but there was an unprecedented number of staff next to the plane to pay their respects and to see the plane off. Even now, a few weeks later, it perhaps still hasn't sunk in that he is no longer around.
In the next office is one chap from India. He does shift's so I don't see him more than once a week. We get on well and he has never caused a problem or difficulty for me. He is tall but certainly could do with cutting down, weight wise. He had gone back to India on holiday, but he is no longer on holiday. By all accounts he has now been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer of the neck which has spread to his nose. Stage 3 is definitely not good. It's serious. He now needs chemo and radiation doses. 40 in total. That is scary beyond words. I had heard that should he pull through, he may have to have a whole in his neck to help him breathe and possible a tube directly in to his stomach to allow him to feed. It's astonishing to think that something like that has happened. I wish him all the luck in the world, and hope he gets better. It's just unbelievable.
Is there a 3rd thing? Not so far, but all things considered the year could have been better. Can everyone please not get sick or injured or anything. Please.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Bounced
Oh, this football malarky doesn't get any easier. Today was the 7 a side competition on grass. Yes, real grass. That green stuff that we don't have much of here. It wasn't good quality grass but there you go.
I arrived at the prescribed time. 8.30am on a Saturday. I should have still been in bed. I was under the impression that we would be playing early. How wrong was I? It was a full 2 hours before we played our first game. I could have stayed in bed for some time longer after all. Not good.
But, this time we had 3 games to play. The first against the Skywards department, the 2nd against the Accounting and Finance team then the Technical Services team. Seemingly people in our team fancied our chances. Given our past history their positive words seemed misplaced. We weren't too great on grass in last years competition in which we draw 1 and lost 2.
The first game was relatively close. They did score half way through but we were causing them problems after they took the lead. They had this one guy who was doing my head in. Whenever we got a free kick he could stand right infront of the ball so as to slow everything down. It's not extra cheating but it's not in the spirit of the game. He did it a couple of times and when it happened for a 3rd time, I had to get involved. He was standing there, so I went up to him and placed my hands on his chest and pushed him back 10 yards from the ball. He was impressed. Tough. He was interfering. He started moaning to the referee but for what? He was in the wrong. As I trotted away feeling quite good about myself, he turned to me and said 'Don't touch me'. So, being the man that I am, I went up to him and touched him on the chest once again. And left. Idiot. The same idiot essentially cost his team victory as well. He was timewasting and the referee added a minute or 2 more because of it. In the dying moments, a diagonal ball was made into the corner. Their defending for some reason let it sail over his head. I ran onto the ball. It was to the left of the goal and to be honest, the angle to goal was quite tight. But, I hit it with my left foot and it went in at the near post and beat the goal keeper. 1-1. Not long after, the final whistle went. Cue arguments between their team. So what, we didn't care, we had drawn which was a good start.
The second game was less eventful. It was fairly even for the most part. I blasted a shot of the post early on much to my displeasure. Again, the angle was quite tight but I really should have scored. Thankfully though, we did score from a deflected shot. 1-0. And that is how it remained.
The 3rd game was the important one. The team we were to play had beaten us at 5 a sides. Not just beaten us but stuffed us. They were one of the favourites actually. We did what we could but in the end, they won 2-0. The first goal was quite soft, the second, was a last second penalty. Not too great. We had hoped that we had come 2nd in the group and that would have taken us through. Alas, it wasn't to be. I think goals against meant that we didn't go through. Disappointing but definitely an improvement. One 1, drew 1, lost 1.
And now, as I write this, my legs hurt and so does my head. All this football is good but not really good for the bones. I'll be fine though. Get that deep heat out. I'll stink but there you.
I arrived at the prescribed time. 8.30am on a Saturday. I should have still been in bed. I was under the impression that we would be playing early. How wrong was I? It was a full 2 hours before we played our first game. I could have stayed in bed for some time longer after all. Not good.
But, this time we had 3 games to play. The first against the Skywards department, the 2nd against the Accounting and Finance team then the Technical Services team. Seemingly people in our team fancied our chances. Given our past history their positive words seemed misplaced. We weren't too great on grass in last years competition in which we draw 1 and lost 2.
The first game was relatively close. They did score half way through but we were causing them problems after they took the lead. They had this one guy who was doing my head in. Whenever we got a free kick he could stand right infront of the ball so as to slow everything down. It's not extra cheating but it's not in the spirit of the game. He did it a couple of times and when it happened for a 3rd time, I had to get involved. He was standing there, so I went up to him and placed my hands on his chest and pushed him back 10 yards from the ball. He was impressed. Tough. He was interfering. He started moaning to the referee but for what? He was in the wrong. As I trotted away feeling quite good about myself, he turned to me and said 'Don't touch me'. So, being the man that I am, I went up to him and touched him on the chest once again. And left. Idiot. The same idiot essentially cost his team victory as well. He was timewasting and the referee added a minute or 2 more because of it. In the dying moments, a diagonal ball was made into the corner. Their defending for some reason let it sail over his head. I ran onto the ball. It was to the left of the goal and to be honest, the angle to goal was quite tight. But, I hit it with my left foot and it went in at the near post and beat the goal keeper. 1-1. Not long after, the final whistle went. Cue arguments between their team. So what, we didn't care, we had drawn which was a good start.
The second game was less eventful. It was fairly even for the most part. I blasted a shot of the post early on much to my displeasure. Again, the angle was quite tight but I really should have scored. Thankfully though, we did score from a deflected shot. 1-0. And that is how it remained.
The 3rd game was the important one. The team we were to play had beaten us at 5 a sides. Not just beaten us but stuffed us. They were one of the favourites actually. We did what we could but in the end, they won 2-0. The first goal was quite soft, the second, was a last second penalty. Not too great. We had hoped that we had come 2nd in the group and that would have taken us through. Alas, it wasn't to be. I think goals against meant that we didn't go through. Disappointing but definitely an improvement. One 1, drew 1, lost 1.
And now, as I write this, my legs hurt and so does my head. All this football is good but not really good for the bones. I'll be fine though. Get that deep heat out. I'll stink but there you.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
blade
We have the annual 7-a-side football competition coming up. I had been trying to get fit for it. I had been up at the gym running and cycling in a last ditch attempt to do so. Two weeks of doing that certainly wasn't the best way to prepare, particularly given that it was the first 2 weeks of fitness work in months and months and only a couple of weeks after Christmas. I did though have to go to football and try to play over in Sharjah even if it was only the once.
And that I did.
I was nice to get out and run around. I did have some nice touches and a couple of shots at goal but no goals, sadly. I did manage to beat 2 players with a shimmy, I them played the ball past the 3 defender. I put the ball past him on the right hand side, but knew that I couldn't follow the ball. So, I had thought I would confuse him by running to the left and around him in order to collect the ball. No such luck though. He body checked me. Big time. My one moment of glory, gone in a single second. But, it was all about the fitness.
As I write this, the day after it, my legs are hurting. A good, positive sign. I think. I hope the soreness goes away before the competition on Saturday. I need to be fit and healthy for it. Like that'll happen.
And that I did.
I was nice to get out and run around. I did have some nice touches and a couple of shots at goal but no goals, sadly. I did manage to beat 2 players with a shimmy, I them played the ball past the 3 defender. I put the ball past him on the right hand side, but knew that I couldn't follow the ball. So, I had thought I would confuse him by running to the left and around him in order to collect the ball. No such luck though. He body checked me. Big time. My one moment of glory, gone in a single second. But, it was all about the fitness.
As I write this, the day after it, my legs are hurting. A good, positive sign. I think. I hope the soreness goes away before the competition on Saturday. I need to be fit and healthy for it. Like that'll happen.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Dipstick
Doesn't it just frustrate you that people in 'power', can be totally stupid and ignorant in the area in which you are the 'expert'? Not only that, but they think that they know better and can do a better job.
Well, I'm here to say that that isn't the case. I have this bloke who seems to 'know' English teaching and English as a Second language like the back of his hand. Not only that, but it appears that his department lackey's know as much. It's funny how everybody seems to think that they know best despite all the evidence to the contrary.
Take English tests. There is no, one ideal test. That's clear. I know that and I account for that. I do though have to maintain the level as it should be. For that, materials are available. Yet, the 'lackey's feel that they can go online, nick some English questions and stick them in a test in which all the questions are at a consistent level of difficulty. Yet, this is without knowing what the level actually is. It's amazing how everyone is an expert. Totally amazing. The best bit is telling them so. They don't like it and get all defensive. And don't speak to you. Oh the joys of office life.
Well, I'm here to say that that isn't the case. I have this bloke who seems to 'know' English teaching and English as a Second language like the back of his hand. Not only that, but it appears that his department lackey's know as much. It's funny how everybody seems to think that they know best despite all the evidence to the contrary.
Take English tests. There is no, one ideal test. That's clear. I know that and I account for that. I do though have to maintain the level as it should be. For that, materials are available. Yet, the 'lackey's feel that they can go online, nick some English questions and stick them in a test in which all the questions are at a consistent level of difficulty. Yet, this is without knowing what the level actually is. It's amazing how everyone is an expert. Totally amazing. The best bit is telling them so. They don't like it and get all defensive. And don't speak to you. Oh the joys of office life.
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Endless
I am trying to update this as much as I can. It's not always easy and often I have nothing of interest to say. In fact, that is most of the time. That said, I will continue to wax lyrically. Or not depending on your point of view.
I'm aiming for 10 posts a month. That should be doable, even if it means waffling like a wafflier. Which is often.
I'm aiming for 10 posts a month. That should be doable, even if it means waffling like a wafflier. Which is often.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Thoughts.
What would I like to happen this year?
I would like to become more involved and perhaps even more motivated at work. I would say I am 'stuck' in something or a rut. That's not a clever thing to say. I do what I do, and I'm good at it. I get the job done and my manager's appear happy with me. In that respect, everything 'looks' ok. But I find myself not really enjoying it. Perhaps it is a motivation thing. Perhaps if I was more 'pushed' I'd get the finger out. Up the game somewhat. It's interesting that this is the longest full time job I've ever had. Almost 3 years. The other teaching jobs I've had, have lasted perhaps 2 year a piece. That suited me though as I wasn't entirely content and I knew that I could move jobs and do well in that new position. I wonder though if I know now that 'responsibilities' are coming my way and it might be best not to rock the boat and just continue what I'm doing. Certainly that is the sensible option and needs must. I need to consider that my CV doesn't necessarily come first now.
A wedding is coming my way also. I some ways, it's particularly scary yet in other ways, it isn't at all. It's the most remarkable thing ever. I didn't really ever think that something like that would happen to me but now that it does, it is an amazing thing. No doubt more will be said about that in the coming months. It may be '2nd' on the list here but it is not the 2nd most important thing. Far from it. It's the only thing that is on my mind most of the time. I guess it just seems so far away. It probably isn't though!
Health and fitness. To remain healthy and improve my fitness. Every year this comes up. It's important however.
The rest will happen as and when. 360 odd days of it. Let's see.
I would like to become more involved and perhaps even more motivated at work. I would say I am 'stuck' in something or a rut. That's not a clever thing to say. I do what I do, and I'm good at it. I get the job done and my manager's appear happy with me. In that respect, everything 'looks' ok. But I find myself not really enjoying it. Perhaps it is a motivation thing. Perhaps if I was more 'pushed' I'd get the finger out. Up the game somewhat. It's interesting that this is the longest full time job I've ever had. Almost 3 years. The other teaching jobs I've had, have lasted perhaps 2 year a piece. That suited me though as I wasn't entirely content and I knew that I could move jobs and do well in that new position. I wonder though if I know now that 'responsibilities' are coming my way and it might be best not to rock the boat and just continue what I'm doing. Certainly that is the sensible option and needs must. I need to consider that my CV doesn't necessarily come first now.
A wedding is coming my way also. I some ways, it's particularly scary yet in other ways, it isn't at all. It's the most remarkable thing ever. I didn't really ever think that something like that would happen to me but now that it does, it is an amazing thing. No doubt more will be said about that in the coming months. It may be '2nd' on the list here but it is not the 2nd most important thing. Far from it. It's the only thing that is on my mind most of the time. I guess it just seems so far away. It probably isn't though!
Health and fitness. To remain healthy and improve my fitness. Every year this comes up. It's important however.
The rest will happen as and when. 360 odd days of it. Let's see.
Saturday, January 01, 2011
1st.
Yes, the first of the year. Though, it's no longer the 1st day of the year. In fact, being the lazing ass I am, it is almost mid-January already. Terrible but true. A belated Happy New Year for 2011. Another year leaves us and another one appears. Of course, mixed feelings on that particular front. Perhaps that is par for the course when you get to the age I am at. Let's just say, I'm no spring chicken any more. I might be 'half-way' if you catch my drift and quite frankly, I don't like that at all.
I digress though.
New Year was totally fine. A BBQ on the balcony. Well, kind of. The BBQ was set up and everything was ready to go but the charcoal would not stay lit much to my annoyance. All in all, it was a let down but at midnight the fireworks went off across the road. Not great but not bad, then we danced the night away with Dance Central on the X-box. Or tried to. Dancing isn't my 'area'. I need to sort that out given that I have a first dance to master in August.
New Years resolutions. Be more active would be the biggest. I am by no means 'fat' but I feel that I need to be more active whether that means doing more walking or jogging or something similiar. I don't think that would be a bad thing. I am ready to do it. I have the 'hunger' for it once again. Last year, I wasn't particularly excited about the thought of doing all that. I am now. I'm not sure what else I should add to the list. I need to 'tweek' things - work wise for instance, and reply more readily to friends. That though will happen, I'm sure. All the other resolutions remain, though they are more lifestyle choices more than anything. Save more money, eat less chocolate blah, blah. It's mostly common sense I would have thought.
In terms of the year ahead, well, I've leave that for another day. Happy New Year.
I digress though.
New Year was totally fine. A BBQ on the balcony. Well, kind of. The BBQ was set up and everything was ready to go but the charcoal would not stay lit much to my annoyance. All in all, it was a let down but at midnight the fireworks went off across the road. Not great but not bad, then we danced the night away with Dance Central on the X-box. Or tried to. Dancing isn't my 'area'. I need to sort that out given that I have a first dance to master in August.
New Years resolutions. Be more active would be the biggest. I am by no means 'fat' but I feel that I need to be more active whether that means doing more walking or jogging or something similiar. I don't think that would be a bad thing. I am ready to do it. I have the 'hunger' for it once again. Last year, I wasn't particularly excited about the thought of doing all that. I am now. I'm not sure what else I should add to the list. I need to 'tweek' things - work wise for instance, and reply more readily to friends. That though will happen, I'm sure. All the other resolutions remain, though they are more lifestyle choices more than anything. Save more money, eat less chocolate blah, blah. It's mostly common sense I would have thought.
In terms of the year ahead, well, I've leave that for another day. Happy New Year.
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