Happy New Year

It’s late morning here in Orlando and ahead of a big night, which is all relative these days, I find myself yawning like a lion. Life would not be the same unless I wasn’t tired, although one horrible habit I’ve picked up as I’ve reached half a century is that of waking up in the middle of night, and not always to pee. Then the old noggin bursts into life and that’s that.

We celebrated our 10th year in Bermuda this past summer, which scares me more than anything, but there are still plenty of things to keep us here. Some more appreciated than others. Possibly the realization of how idyllic and halcyon this island is only hits home when I’m sat watching the world news which follows on from our own unremarkable village-type chronicles and see what kind of crazy shit happens elsewhere in the world.

Work has been good, but is more demanding and busy than always. I console myself with my 20 minute commute, which is long by Bermuda standards, and some of the cool people I’m lucky to surround myself with.

It’s true to say that almost certainly we wouldn’t still be in Bermuda if it wasn’t for our daughter. Bermuda is a delightful place to bring up young kids. Inversely she will I suspect become the major reason we leave here as well, which is predominantly an education decision.

Our daughter is at the age (9) where she thinks she is the expert on everything, and she can be very believable with cheek and a wry humour. Wonder where she gets that from? She is also beautiful and the most determined and competitive 9-year old I’ve ever met, which is not me at all. She is a swimmer and exceptionally dedicated and fair to say pretty good. More importantly she loves it, and long may that continue.

Meanwhile my son, who is almost 19 which blows my mind, has had an incredible few months ticking off at great velocity a few of life’s most memorable moments. He passed his A Levels with flying colours in the early summer, but had been consistently persistent on wanting to join the workforce and not go to University.

‘What’s the point, I don’t know what I want to study or why I’d even go,’ he would say. He steadfastly applied for jobs and got a good one in which he seems to be excelling. He likes it and is learning too. On top of that a few weeks ago he passed his driving test first time. Above all he is great lad, and a delight to be around.

I started this Blog over 14 years ago when I was in Chicago and it has always been a whiteboard for my thoughts, some deep, some more carefree and a plotted diary of my life. Mostly it’s about those damn Addicks, but they came back to me in 2018 and I credit Lee Bowyer for that. He alongside Jacko has brought together and coached a group of players that we can once again get behind, a Charlton Athletic that we recognize, can relate too, and cheer on.

Never far away though is the old bastard that unbelievably still owns our club, and Bowyer’s current decimated squad a millionth example of how he has suffocated and sterilized it’s future growth.

Nonetheless on the pitch us Addicks do go into the New Year with something to cling onto. Last season Bowyer in his first months of management somehow got us into the play-off’s, but we clearly weren’t good enough. This season I think we are.

Finally I want to thank you all for continuing to make my ramblings part of your busy lives. I very much appreciate it, especially those that take the time to comment. I’d like to wish you, your families and loved ones a happy, healthy and prosperous 2019.

Chicago Addick