Resolutions

If there's one thing I’m disappointed about in 2006 it's the fact that I’ve let the blog go to waste, that’s why in 2007 I fully intend on getting back on blogging track.

I wasn't too keen on going out tonight as I was fully expecting it to be ridiculously busy everywhere, however I put my doubts to one side and decided to risk it. I invited some friends over for 6pm, and we had a few drinks until about 9pm by which time we were tipsy enough to consider going out for the mad rush to get served in any pub we came across. When we got into town though it wasn't half as busy as we'd expected it to be, in all honesty it was only as busy as most of the Friday nights in town we have.

It might not have been as busy as expected but if anything that helped it make a great night! I've been giving some consideration to what my new year resolutions should be but at the minute I’m happy enough with my life and don't feel the need to change anything. For Christmas I received a punch bag so I foresee an improvement in my fitness in 2007, but apart from that as long as I stay healthy 2007 should be a good year for me.

For now, I'll say goodbye and wish everyone a very happy new year! Hope 2007 brings everything that you wished for.

One of the best nights of my life..

I ended the last post by saying not to expect an update too soon because I would probably be hung over after the VIP night. Well, I was right! Got up at 5am the next morning to travel to work, and I felt so bad but it was all totally worth it as I had the time of my life on Wednesday night.

The VIP experience began at 5pm with a tour around Anfield. Only Ste and me turned up for the tour but it was well worth going. We got to walk up the entrance and got to touch the ‘This is Anfield’ sign – that in itself is one thing I can now tick off the ‘must do before I die’ list. We also visited the Museum (Free of charge, obviously) and I got my picture taken with a couple of European cups.



After the tour we headed off back to the Legends lounge. We started off with a few canapés, and a glass (or four) of champagne. At 6 we were ready to sit down for our meal. There were three tables – MBNA, Orange and Lucozade – and there were 10 to each table so there was plenty of good banter. Everyone on our table were great fun, especially the two women from the North East we were sitting with the whole night. After the starter I decided I needed the bathroom (Too much champagne) and as soon as I walked out of the legends lounge the first person I see is Peter Crouch, and behind him was Robbie Fowler, I was in total awe. When I got back to my table to tell them I’d seen them, suddenly everyone felt the urge to go to the bathroom.

The food was very nice. Started off with Pate, then had the Soup then had Fish and then I finished off with the Fruit salad. All very nice and filling! The free bar was also great even though the only cider they had was Magners. I could hardly complain seeing as I didn’t have to pay for a single drink. I was already tipsy before the meal even began – champagne goes straight to my head!

Seeing as the lounge is called the ‘Legends Lounge’ you’d expect to see a legend there. I hadn’t seen anyone for a while then all of a sudden I realise Tommy Smith was sitting at the Orange table – So of course I just had to get a picture!



He was a great sport! Everyone wanted a word with him, everyone wanted a picture taken and he didn’t turn down anyone - A true Liverpool legend.

At 8pm we had to wave goodbye to the free bar for a while as the game was starting! Our group were all sitting together so that was great, and the game itself was pretty damn exciting. Fowler scored late in the first half with a beautiful finish to give us the lead and just before the break, John Arne Riise put us 2-0 up. Unfortunately though I missed that goal as the champagne had travelled south from my head and forced me to make a visit to the bathroom. The first time I’ve ever left my seat while the match is still on and I miss a goal – bloody typical.

We headed off back to the lounge for half-time. After we had our drink, we headed back to the match but before we got there the ladies wanted to make a quick visit to the bathroom and while I was hanging around I met a few present and future stars. Gave Adam Hamill a thumbs up, and I also shook hands with Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia, Dennis Wise, Gus Poyet and Steve McManaman! I was amazed; they were all just walking past probably thinking who the hell I was going up to them shaking their hands. Fair play to them all, they were all very courteous and willing to say hi.

The second half started and we soon made the most of our chances! Gabriel Paletta scored his first goal for us to put us 3-0 up and into cruise control. Reading pulled one back but Peter Crouch coolly rounded the keeper to give us back the three goal advantage. At that point we took our foot off the gas and let Reading back into the match. Two late goals from them made for a very nervy last few minutes but we held on and got a deserved victory. The defending was still very shaky but it was pleasing to see us making the most of our chances at the other end. Robbie Fowler rolled back the years during the game and hopefully that’ll kick start his season.

After the match we headed, unsurprisingly, back to the free bar for a couple more drinks before they shut. We were all just standing around, having a chat with each other, exchanging e-mail address etc and it was all very nice - A perfect way to finish the night. Before we left at 10:15pm, we did get a picture taken of the people on our table (And Tommy Smith). They were all great people and I hope I bump into them again someday.


Click on the image for a bigger version

It really was a fantastic night! Even better than I thought it would be. It’ll live long in the memory and I just wish I get the opportunity to experience it again one day as it really was that great.

Very Important Person

I normally wouldn’t class myself extremely important, but Today will be an exception. As usual, I will be attending the Liverpool match (V’s Reading, Carling Cup) but instead of sitting there in the kop wearing my Liverpool shirt I’ll be sitting in the hospitality seats in the main stand wearing my suit.

Last week I received an e-mail from Lucozade to tell me I had won a competition on the official Liverpool website. That’s all it said, so off I toddled to the website to make sure and what do you know. It was true!



I enter numerous competitions a day and rarely win so it was a nice surprise to actually win a prize that I actually wanted. I’d already bought my own tickets for the match but managed to get my money back on them so it’s all good. After a quick phone call to Lucozade to confirm my address, I sat back and waited for the mail. Saturday morning a pack came through the post, which included, match tickets, a badge, a legends lounge VIP pass and the itinerary for the night.

It sounds like it’s going to be a good night!

5:00pm – VIP tour of Liverpool FC Visitor Centre
5:45pm – Meet the host
6:00pm – Three-Course meal is served
8:00pm – Kick Off
8:45pm – Half Time – Tea and Coffee served
9:45pm – Lunch and Full time drinks served
10:00pm – Bar closes
10:15pm – Guests leave

The only downside of the night is that I have to wear a suit, but it’s a small sacrifice to make, as I will be able to indulge myself in free food and drinks pre and after the match – fantastic! Let’s just hope they serve Strongbow..

I was looking forward to this game anyway, but with a guest (Ste) and me now having the VIP treatment it’ll be even better. Hopefully Ste will take a few photos on his mobile so that I can post a few up here. Don’t expect any straight away though as I intend on being very hung over on Thursday morning.

Working 9 till 5...(Occasionally)

Last week I did something I haven’t done for a very long time – Work an 8-hour shift! Finding work has been harder than I thought it would be after leaving University. Companies want people with experience but it’s hard to get that experience as no one’s willing to employ you.

Whilst I still don’t have anything permanent and full-time, I am currently doing a few hours a week of Admin work at Bangor University. So far I’ve only done a couple of days but I’m really enjoying it. The department I’m working in doesn’t have that many people around but those that are have been so friendly and helpful and it’s a very relaxed working atmosphere as well. It also pays decently, but that’s beside the point to be honest as I’m just happy for the opportunity to work. As well as that, it’ll also be something to add to my CV, so I’m very grateful for that.

I was knackered after my first day (Although the couple of pints after work contributed to that) but I am starting to get used to the long days. Next week I’m only working Thursday and Friday, so it’ll be strange getting up in the morning tomorrow with no work to go to. As I said though, I’m grateful for the opportunity to do some work and who knows, it might lead to more!

Still Alive, Still Kicking.

Over the last month or so I’ve been inundated with e-mails from fans asking ‘when’s the next post going to be’ or ‘Ian, where are you? We miss you?’ so here I am. Nearly a whole month without a blog entry, I must have been a busy lad? Well yes, but nothing too blogworthy I’m afraid.

Since the scramble up Snowdon, we haven’t been again. This is mainly down to the fact that Liverpool are always playing on Saturday afternoons but also due to the fact that we regularly go out on Fridays now and the hangovers aren’t getting any better. I am looking forward to doing it again though, and next time I’ll be more prepared – Currently on the look out for some good quality, inexpensive walking boots!

The regular 5-a-Side football has made a welcome return these last couple of weeks. Last week we had a terrible turn out as only 5 turned up which meant we challenged a bunch of lads (They were only about 12 years old) and we understandably won extremely comfortably. This week was much better, 10 showed up and we had a very good game. I personally felt in pretty decent shape and managed to score a few nice goals so all in all I was happy.

There was a chance I might have missed the game due to the fact that earlier that day I had an interview. That interview resulted in me getting a temporary part-time job in admin at Bangor University, which will suit me just fine for the time being. I will still be on the lookout for a permanent full time job, but it will give me something extra to put on my CV and give me some worthwhile experience.

While the job will give me experience, it will also give me some money, which will come in very handy, come the end of the month. I’ll be going to Anfield for 3 games in 8 days at the end of the month and in the middle of that period my mates will be coming up to Liverpool with me for a night out. Who knows, if they’re lucky enough, I might take them to Barracuda.

That’s just a short summary of what I’ve been up to! I was going to talk about Wales performance in the last couple of football internationals, but I don’t think there’s enough hours in the day for me to describe the emotions of watching us get humiliated by Slovakia one day then see us play decently against Cyprus a few days later. Tonight, as it’s Friday, I will be keeping to tradition and going out for a ‘few’ drinks! Tune in tomorrow as drunken photos may appear.

Snowdon aint no match for us...

Last weekend I turned down an invitation by my friends to go up Snowdon with them, instead I stayed at home and watched us get beat by Everton in the football. This weekend I wasn’t going to make the same mistake. On Saturday I joined my mates in going up the Watkin Path to the summit. It was a beautiful day, which meant great views were to be seen but with the sun beaming down on me it did turn out to be hard work.



It may have been hard work going up (Only in some parts) but it was certainly enjoyable and it was a lot of fun. The views at the top were spectacular and it was definitely worth all the effort.




We managed to get lost on the way down, although not for long but it was still a nice adventure. My friends are going again on Saturday on the easier path (Avoiding the difficult paths due to the fact that many of us will be hung over from the night before) but I’m afraid I’ll have to give it a miss again due to a Liverpool match. At least this couple of weeks break will give me a chance to buy some proper walking boots! I went up Snowdon wearing my trainers and while they provided me with decent enough grip, they were by no means comfortable.

We started the walk about 11:30am and we were finished by about 4:00pm so it was a good days work. After a quick bath and change of clothes I then went out for a pint to celebrate the fact that I’d gone to the top of Snowdon for the first time (Which is quite shocking seeing as I live on its doorstep). That first pint tasted so good; as did the second, and the third and the…well you get the drift. Unfortunately I wasn’t suffering from a hangover on Sunday morning therefore I got up well in time to watch us lose to Chelsea – Bugger! What a way to ruin a perfectly good weekend.

If anyone wants to view some more pictures from the trek (Don’t worry they’re not all of me) then head off to my mates Moblog.

Golf swing

I'm off to play golf in a few minutes and my aim for today is to improve my swing! During the last game a friend took a video of my swing on his phone and having looked at it a few times since there is a lot I need to improve on..