About

CLEAN SLATE:

What would you do if at the end of the barrel you were staring down was joblessness, homelessness and possibly being penniless...with a CV that hadn't been active since the year 2000? I didn't know too, for a while at least. I have to do something, so why not everything! Having reached a point in life that has given me a do-over...like graduating from High School, or University...with zero responsibilities other than to get out there and live life, I've decided to combine all my passions in to one, not so neat, bundle and hit the road.

WHY?:

I couldn't have done half the things that I have (from making Transmission 6-10, to 15 years of landscaping, deepening my knowledge of Training & Transformations, and all their Tech facilitators etc) if it hadn't been for the advice and information uploaded by passionate Netizens. This project really is just a massive giving back to that growing population - returning the favour. Every time that I've hit a stumbling block I have Googled a solution (like us all) and quickly found a way to get over it - vowing to go back to that forum, blog or site to relay my experience and give thanks, which I never did! So now I shall...and then some. In fact, I've just had my first experience of this, having respondended to a filmmaker reaching out for advice and support for his project (The Uniformed States of America). I nervously checked his reply (you never know with the Internet...I've had some off-putting responses to posts about serious subjects by many a mindless moron) as the remoteness and isolation of sitting at a keyboard, not knowing the human being you are engaging with, leads some people to disregard all sense of intelligence and empathy. Phew...my comments were taken exactly as intended - an encouragement for him to strive forwards, a few bits of advice and a smattering of personal experience.

[This image will be part of the opening sequence for vlogs]


NO PLAN B:

Plan A for me was to become a professional goalkeeper for Arsenal; be made captain, play for England, then manage both Arsenal and internationally...write a book and retire! I stopped growing when I reached 5'8". That didn't stop me taking myself to Highbury (yep...it was that long ago, they have moved stadium since) and asking for a trial on my summer holiday of '93. The Head Scout met with me in his impressive office and point blank dashed the dreams of a teenager. "You are too short I am afraid. We already have two goalies your age. One is 6'4" and the other is 6'2"."

Bugger! I didn't say that out loud but I was screaming it inside. The gentleman very kindly showed me around the ground. Arsenal had recently completed a unique double victory of the FA Cup and League Cup, and I was shown both trophies (still in their carrying cases at the time) the Home dressing room and finally we went pitch side. I vowed then to become so good that Arsenal would have to buy me!!

[Lightning years before the human lightning Bolt, Usain, pose...could I get royalties?]

I did get blooting good in goal, but still, never grew. In fact, a children's book I have in mind is called The Goalie that didn't Grow! Ha ha

Looking back, I should have taken myself to Mexico or Japan where I might still be taller than at least some of the outfield players. It never crossed my mind and no one suggested it...so life went on, with no Plan B.


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