The Olympic Dream Gets Nearer!

As my regular readers will be aware I have applied to be a volunteer at both the Olympics and Paralympics next year and am being considered to be part of the Anti-Doping Team. I have blogged about this previously and if you wish to see how this has progressed or is progressing you might like to take a look at my previous dribblings at:

http://steveodare.blogspot.com/2011/01/me-at-2012-london-olympics-i-hope-so.html

http://steveodare.blogspot.com/2011/02/me-at-2012-london-olympics-big.html

Back to the present. Things are, rather excitingly, moving on. I have been invited to take part in a Test Event in August that will take place at the Basketball Arena on the Olympic Park itself.

The event itself is the  London International Basketball Invitational which is a truly international sporting event with not only the GB Team taking part but the national sides of Australia, China, Croatia, France and Serbia also.
More details of the event can be found here:
http://www.hoopsfix.com/2011/05/london-international-basketball-invitational-announced/

To say that I am excited about this prospect would truly be an under-statement. What will I be like if I actually do get selected as a true Olympic volunteer? Doesn't bear thinking about to be honest!

Prior to the event I have to attend some training which will take place at the Hackney Community College in London. Starts at 9.00 am. Looks like a very early start for me travelling from Skegness! The things I do for Queen and country!

I am hoping to learn an awful lot more about how an Anti-Doping team works and to gain experience of working behind the scenes at a large international sporting event as well as proving my mettle to those who will be making the final selection for the volunteering roles.

I will update again once it has all taken place. Wish me luck!!!

Why Are England So Poor?

Just what is it about the England footballers that makes them such failures on the international stage? The rolling over of the Under 21 side last night just goes to highlight the point.

These guys, the full squad and the Under 21s are supposed to be playing, or so we are told, in the "best league in the world" i.e. the Premiership. They certainly get enough money to believe that is where they are playing anyway. Does that make them the best players we have in this country? Logic would tell us so. Why then, when they come up against the best players from other countries on the international stage can they not compete? Why can they not win something?

Every now and then we are told that "This is the golden generation" and that this is it, we have a world-beating team. What happens? Instead of having a world-beating team we have a team that is beaten by the world.

It is an awful long time since some of us had the privilege of watching the World Cup in 1966, an awful long time. 45 years to be exact. How many of you do not believe that in 5 years time we will be seeing the 50th anniversary of the last time the England football team actually won something? Not many would be my guess. There is a whole generation that has never seen success on the international stage. How can that be?

I don't know what is wrong with our football, or maybe our footballers, that creates this failure time and time again. I know one thing for sure though and that is there really must be something wrong with it.

It really is about time that the Football Association looked seriously at this issue and did something about it. Ah, but then we look at the F.A. .............. well that is a whole blog issue on it's own.

2016. Raise a glass to those of the ilk of Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton, Nobby Stiles and Martin Peters et al. Happy 50th anniversary boys. The last team to give this country any pride in the National Team representing the National Sport of the "Country that gave football to the world".

A sad state of affairs.

Drought - Not Here!

Given the fact that we are now officially in a drought area, although as usual as soon as they call this it starts to rain, I thought I would post this up to remind us all of what we are missing.

This blog is now a drought free zone!!

WATER LIFE

Glugging, sloshing ever changing,

Galloping, trickling, quick or slow,

Dark and deep, shiney, shallow.

Cooling, pooling, hot or cold,

Dangerous, drowning,

Panning gold.

Rushing, gushing,

On the Move,

Filling crack, overflowing groove.

Wearing, washing,

Powerful surge,

Hot day, swimming, got the urge.

Flooding outwards,

Damn, not free,

Hydro power, electricity.

Soothes like salve,

Cuts like a knife,

Water, water, giver of life.

Perhaps a little arty-farty for me that one, but one of my personal favourites.

COPYRIGHT: STEVE O'DARE 2011

A Useless Product - Been Taken In Yet?

There is an old saying that you can only sell something if there is a need for it. If there isn't a need for it then you need to create a need. This is where the advertising industry comes in. Now there has been some clever advertising in the past that have convinced the world that they need a product and so off we go, like lemmings leaping over a cliff, to buy it. Whatever it is.

Now, in my opinion, the advertising world has surpassed itself. They have come up with a product that virtually nobody in the western world needs but it has become a best-seller. What is that product?

48 hour deoderant or even worse 72 hour deoderant. So we spray ourselves with this wonderful product and it is going to last us for 2 or evern 3 days. Wonderful right? Wrong.

Let me ask you. How many of you don't shower or bath every day? If so, why do you put something on that will last you 2 or 3 days only to wash it off in 1?

Great bit of need creation eh? As I asked. Been taken in yet?

Gratified.

Just a big thank you to all who have viewed my recent poetic posts. They have proven very popular. Be warned, there may be some more!!

I normally get plenty of views in the first few days after uploading a post but I am always very surprised to see posts still being viewed a couple of months after they have been published.

My most popular post by a long way has been "The Monty Python Football" post and that is followed by the "Hullness of Hull" article. I try to keep the blog as eclectic as possible and there couldn't be two more different posts proving the most popular.

Again, thanks to all those that view my bleatings. It is pleasing that there are so many of you.

Footballers Pay.

This is a poem I wrote a couple of years ago. Sadly, but not surprisingly, it is even more relevant and true now than it was then.

Footballers Pay

I dont understand it,

And I guess I never will,

How those that kick a football,

Are worth more than those that care for the ill.

I don't understand it,

I think they have a cheek,

To get more than a doctor gets each year,

In their pay cheques every week.

I don't understand it,

What about the teacher that inspires,

Ambulance crews that save our lives,

And the brigade that puts out fires.

I don't understand it,

It really is too much for me,

Footballers earn millions,

Whilst the Lifeboats do it for free.

I don't understand it,

They get millions just to sign,

What about the brave military,

That are serving on the line.

I don't understand it,

But it really makes me sad,

When footballers are worth millions,

The world it has gone mad.

Yellow Boxes.

I am really glad to see the yellow boxes back on the road at the junction of Scarborough Avenue and Roman Bank. They have been sorely missed after the re-surfacing work and have added to the traffic problems in the town. I just wish that, now that they are back, the drivers going south into town along Roman Bank would use them. Not a lot of good having them if they are ignored is it?

This is an imagined conversation between one of the drivers and his wife as they head towards town along that route.

Wife: "Ooh that's pretty"
Husband: "What is"
"The pretty pattern on the road"
"Doesn't look very pretty to me"
"Well I like it. What's it for?"
"Dunno"
"I reckon it is put there for the SO Festival thing that is going on soon"
"Don't be daft"
"Yes it is I bet. Last year they painted the pavement and this year they are painting the roads. Culture like"
"Well I think it is bloody daft. It'll get worn away by the cars driving over it"
"Yes but it is pretty"
"Bloody waste of time. Councils always wasting bloody money!!"

Think on drivers. A little bit more consideration eh?

Skegness For Your Holiday - Prose.

I penned this one some year ago. Hope you enjoy it.

SKEGNESS FOR YOUR HOLIDAY.

The sun beats down, creates a glare,

People milling everywhere,

Summer is here in all it's glory,

This is the real Skegness story.

East Midlands, that is where we are,

Accessible by train, bus, coach and car,

Just bring your cash and your appetite,

Just for a day-trip or you can stay the night.

Agriculture it does surround,

This somewhat garish, seaside town,

The land is flat, except the wolds,

Where hills and glorious sights unfold.

But for us folk upon the coast,

To the tourist we raise a toast,

So keep putting that money away,

For your two weeks of holiday.

You see it really should be said,

That tourism is our daily bread,

Without it we would not survive,

Skegness would not stay alive.

Resist the sun of France and Spain,

Florida, it has more rain,

West Indies can't be reached by train,

So come to Skegness,

Use you brain.

COPYRIGHT: STEVE O'DARE 2006

The New Boy At School - No Longer!!

Well it has been just over a month since I was elected to both East Lindsey District Council and Skegness Town Council. How time flies! In a past blog I likened the experience as being "The New Boy At School", which I do believe it was. I have to report that is no longer the case.

I would describe the whole experience as very busy and exciting. Not that I am complaining as that is what I volunteered for. For the record these are the committees that I attend, as well as attending Full Councils.

East Lindsey District Council.

• Scrutiny "A" Committee.
• Audit Committee.
• Planning Committee.
• Skegness Area Committee (Chairman).

Skegness Town Council.

• Direction and Strategy Committee.
• East Lindsey District Council/Skegness Town Council Liaison Committee.
• Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve Joint Advisory Committee. (Skegness Town Council Representative)

In addition to all of that I am also the Chief Whip for the Conservative Group at ELDC. That is not quite as exciting as it sounds but the interaction that I have with the members has certainly let me get to know them and for them to get to know me also.

So as you can see there is plenty to do. I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of help that I have received from both the officers of both councils, those that are employed by the council, and also from my fellow councillors who have far more experience than I.

As well as all of the committee work there is also the personal issues that come your way from the residents. I have already been involved in a couple of things and I still have a couple of irons in fires for issues that I am still awaiting outcomes for. If anybody reading this has any issues that they think I can help with, then please do not hesitate to contact me and I will do whatever I can to help.

So that is it. I am in and learning by the day. This is going to be my life for at least the next 4 years. Am I looking forward to it? You bet I am. Bring it on as they say. Plenty to be done. Lot's of positives to be gained for the town of Skegness and despite what you may hear from the knockers and those with negative outlooks, there is every opportunity for the gains to be obtained.

Cucumbers And Other Plant Ramblings.

Cucumbers have been very much in the news over the past week or two, having been falsely, it would appear, blamed for the deaths of many people in Germany. For the first time this year I am growing cucumbers in my front conservatory. I have to say they are fascinating plants. How sad is that? Answers on the back of a ten pound note to the author please!!

No honestly, they are fantastic plants. They are truly enthusiastic and powerful. If they were to be likened to a sportsman it would have to be a rugby player. Robust, strong and takes no prisoners.

I have two plants growing in the same large pot and they appear to be competing with one another to see who can reach the top of the 10 foot support canes first. They throw out tendrils that wrap themselves around the supports, almost as if they are pulling themselves upwards. The really clever thing is that they then strengthen their grip by turning the excess length of the tendril into a spring-like shape to reduce the length of it. Really fascinating as I say.

Another plant I find very interesting is the leek. This is a fantastic plant that is probably the most architecturally perfect vegetable that you can grow. When you look at the weedy little thing that you start of with it is amazing what it actually becomes as there is no hint in the beginning. Apart from looking so good they also taste wonderful. I always steam mine with cabbage for Sunday lunch.

A strange ramble this one and one that I am not sure where it came from. Still it is there and now in the world-wide domain. Not sure what it says about me and probably best if I actually don't know!!!

What Can We Do About Cats?

Now, I have never been a cat lover. Some people are and some people aren't, all a matter of opinion. Cats have never really bothered me before but lately they are playing a bigger part in my life. Why you may ask? Well simply because over the last few months we seem to be having many visitations to our garden by them. They are digging in the soil and messing all over the place. This is definitely not nice. I have had to chase several off when they have been hunting the birds in the garden and so far have stopped them in their murderous intent. So what can I do about them?

As I say I am not a cat lover but I do not want to do them any harm, so how can I rid myself of this problem? I have tried some of the stuff that you buy in the shops to keep them away but it doesn't seem to work. I don't suppose that approaching the "owners" is going to do any good as there is not much they can do to stop them entering other peoples property and they have no control over them.

Any ideas anybody may have would be gratefully received. Starting to get towards the end of my tether!!!

Skegness - Two Great Accolades - Have You Heard?

I have always taken the stance that my home town of Skegness is a great place to live and a great place to visit for either a day or a longer holiday break. Despite the efforts of many doubters and knockers I still do.

As most of you will know there was recently an entry in the Lonely Planet that described Skegness as "Tacky". This got a huge response and front-page coverage in local newspapers. Why, I can't imagine. Let's face it this was the view of a single journalist that writes for this publication, one persons view.

Now we have two excellent accolades coming our way from the august bodies that are Visit England, the premier tourist organisation in the country, and the very well respected Marine Conservation Society, and we get a bit of inside page news in the local press and nothing much anywhere else. Why?

Visit England have appointed Skegness with its "Attract Brand" status which reflects the town as being one of the top English holiday destinations based on visitor numbers and consumer perceptions. That means hundreds of thousands visit us every year and guess what? They love it here. Not just one persons view but the view of the most important people, those that actually come and visit us.

The Marine Conversation Society has run a study that identifies the bathing water off our beaches as being "excellent" and has recommended Skegness beach in its Good Beach Guide. Tie this in with the "Blue Flag" status we achieved recently and we have one hell of a good attraction there and it is all free to the visitor!!!!

So come on people, let's be proud of our town and the facilities that it offers. Shout it from the rooftops. Skegness is a great place for a holiday and accolades such as these should be given as much; no in fact more publicity than the negative comments that we sometimes hear. That is what this town deserves as do those that live and work in it.