Happy New Year

As I sit here drinking coffee at my kitchen counter in Sarasota tired from overdoing it on New Year’s Eve Eve, I am pretty pleased to put 2022 in the books.

Normality returned to life as we knew it in 2022 after two pandemic impacted years allowing us to remember again how to do the simple things we took for granted.

I often had to remind those around me, and myself that in times of hassle and intensity, that it was these moments that we’d missed. I love being busy and slightly living on the edge of unorganized and spontaneous, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Work is called work for a reason, and this past year was no different to others in recent times, and I’ve reaped the benefits that go along with sleepless nights and long hours.

Yet, it was non-work work that got me down. Outside contributors, noise and scrutiny. All job related, and for probably the first time in my working life there were morning’s when I didn’t jump out of bed looking forward to what the day brought.

Bermuda can be insular at times, and I probably have not lived by my rule of getting off the island regularly since the pandemic ended. Seeking oxygen and anonymity in different places are a key to survival to living on an island in the ocean.

This is all coming to a head, and 2023 will bring exciting and refreshing changes for me and my family.

Charlton Athletic sadly has not been the pleasurable distraction it should be. Whilst older age has meant my weeks are not ruined by a dreadful Saturday result…. I am normally over it by the time Scotty, Curbs and Brownie sign-off…. the future of something I have loved since 1975 is once again in jeopardy. I don’t know how many black cats between us we must have run over, but surely we deserve a break.

Once again The Addicks and it’s fatigued band of dwindling supporters enter a new year with serious reservations of chancers and nobodies trying to take advantage of our famous football club.

All this while the football on the pitch is dreadful. Eight games without a win for the second time this season…. in League One! January has to bring change otherwise I seriously worry that history of the most alarming type may be made.

My family remain my shoulder to lean on and laugh with. My daughter, who is the busiest person I know, is doing great at school, and twice last year gave me moments that I won’t ever forget.

We were in Barbados twice to watch her represent Bermuda swimming firstly for the Caribbean Games in April then the larger Central American and Caribbean championships in July.

Seeing her stand on the podium with a smile as wide as the pool to receive a gold medal with the National Anthem playing had me in a bit of an emotional mess. Then a month or so back she won a prize at the national debate championships as she put arguments forth and tore apart ripostes at confident ease. I would be a bag of nerves playing a tree at the school play when I was her age, but she smashed it.

My son, ten years older, is smashing it too, at work. He is results driven, ambitious and astute. Just before Christmas he got himself onto the property ladder and bought his own flat in Larkfield. Just this morning he sent me his latest ‘video of the flat’ installment. He’s obviously still bloody untidy though.

Tonight I expect to be in bed well before the turn of midnight, but before that we have dinner booked in downtown Sarasota and prior we will explore the ‘Pineapple Drop’ Carnival on Main Street and later the fireworks at UTC before getting into the bed and pulling the sheets over 2022.

Finally, thank you for coming back to read my musings on all things Charlton and anything else that comes to mind. I really appreciate it, and especially those that give it a community feel by commenting.

Whatever simple pleasure you are doing tonight, enjoy it, and I wish you and your families a happy and healthy 2023.