For Pete’s Sake

So after 3 weeks off I’m back to work. It’s a shame but strangely I’m quite happy to be back. First off it’s a fun place to work but also I kind off missed the structure. Don’t get me wrong though as I’d quite happily take another 3 off.

I’ll post again soon with links to picture but in summary we: saw a whale, went zip-lining, ice skated on a pond, went up a mountain, drove a mustang, went to a college football game and an NHL game plus visiting the first ever Starbucks. It was fun and a new experience and look forward to more like it.

So yesterday I turned 25, a poigniant age I’m told, another year for me. It passed in a rather understated manner especially compared to the party Cati arranged last year. Even so it was spent in good company with good food.

A few friends and I went to a pub in nearby Tockington. Cati intoduced/ found it and the atmosphere is nice food is good and relatively cheap. I ordered bangers & mash and for the 4th time running it came a little different. It seems each time I order it it comes with or without something. First time it was just as on the menu, second time it came with peas, then with peas and onions and last night no peas just onions. Least to say it’s interesting to see what I get each time!

Last night also saw United beat Celtic 3-0 which is good though a shame I didn’t see anything of the game. Keeping on sport I’m off to Wembley this weekend to see the 2nd ever NFL game to be played outside the US (I was at the inaugural one too). Should be good as both teams lost last week so should be a game with two teams giving everything to win.

So there we go, got some lovely birthday wishes and gifts. An enjoyable evening celebrating it and things to look forward to; onward!

Well if there was a result that I was very happy in predicting then it was New York’s win over New England last night in the Superbowl. For the last couple weeks some of my friends who knew I had an interest in NFL had been asking me on my thoughts. So naturally I said chances are New England will win it but that I had a feeling New York, if they turned up on the night like they have been the last few games, could win. As the Superbowl came closer I was more confident in the prediction so much so I had a bet on that they’d win it. So to see that drive in the 4th Quarter, that pass from Eli Manning to David Tyree for a big gain and finally Plaxico Buress’s catch in the end-zone to give New York it’s most famous 17-14 victory.

It was the best game I’ve ever watched, regular or post-season, even surpassing the first Superbowl I watched between my Pittsburgh Steelers and the Seattle Seahawks (well maybe not) but still it was a fantastic game. Unlike last year the two teams were evenly matched trading blow for blow. New York’s defence were massive last night giving up hardly anything and making Brady look surprisingly average. Eli showed that he could do what his brother did and in my opinion did it better. Last year Peyton and the Colts had it fairly easy against Chicago, Eli had to work hard and give it everything for this one. Don’t get wrong it takes a lot to win a Superbowl and Peyton should get all the plaudits I just think that now if anything people should break Eli away from his brothers shadow.

It was one hell of a game and one hell of a victory for New York. I’m sure it’ll be a lovely notch for New York over their Boston rivals and certainly add some spice when the BoSox visit Yankee Stadium during the baseball stadium. However whatever comes of Eli and his Giants next season, no-one can take away their perfect game against their nearly perfect opponents.

So there we go my time at my place of last employment is over. In some ways I’m sad to leave, I got to know quite a few people well and will miss their banter. However in a lot more ways I won’t miss it. I’m not going to spend to majority of this post bitching and whining and picking apart things. It’s behind me know, forgotten and forgiven and I’m looking forward to the new adventure which is my next post which starts Tuesday.

My last day was ok as far as days go, quiet but that’s not unusual for a Friday. Got some lovely e-mails wishing me good luck and that jazz and a small congregation was had at the pub for lunch. I did have a leaving meal which, since it was short notice was just four of us. It was lovely and good company as well as good food. The think that’ll made me chuckle a little and shouldn’t in many ways was the fact that the person brought in as my replacement left before I did!

Other than that yesterday was spent watching Westbury lose 2-1 in the dying minutes thanks to “el flappo” who is their goalkeeper. Both goals were conceded when in my opinion he came for the ball and missed. I don’t know whether its a lack of confidence on his part in himself or his defence or he plain just can’t make the right decision on balls put into the box. Either way it cost Westbury a win and sometimes it’s harder to take. If it was two corkers from 25yrds that no goalkeeper could save you can live with that. However, when both goals come from errors it makes the pill hard to swallow. However I didn’t go away too down hearted thanks to a linesman who whenever the ball was played forward seemed to constantly give the opposition offside.

To today then and that’ll be spent in Slough watching a hockey game that formed a present for my birthday last year. It’ll then be a quick drive back to meet a friend here at home to watch the Superbowl between the NY Giants and the NE Patriots. The Pats are odds on favourites simply because they’ve won every game however, for sheer fun of it I’m putting a punt on the Giants.. you never know! Thankfully I have tomorrow off and then it’ll be “back to school” so to speak in my new job. See you on the flipside!