2013, you kicked my ass.

Inspired by something I read a few nights ago, I've decided to write of brief post on what 2013 has shown me.

I started the year in the same way that many other people do. I made a bucketload of resolutions that I was going to try and accomplish, and like most other people, through being stuck in the Bermuda Triangle of a lack of time, patience and willpower, I didn't accomplish any of them. 

My main goal was to try and finish the novel that I'm working on. By my standards I've actually been relatively successful, as in I've actually managed to write more than half the book.

On the love side of things, 2013 has totally sucked. For those of you who don't know me, my last relationship ended 18 months ago, when my then girlfriend informed that one reason that she didn't love me anymore is because I was too overweight. The comment cut deep. Very deep. To feel that kind of emotional hurt is not something I'd bestow on my worst enemy. As you can imagine, things like that play in my mind, even now when we've both moved on with our respective lives. More than once this year, I've thought about taking the ultimate way out. I'm ok admitting that, especially as I didn't act on it. Anyway back to relationship issues in 2013. The one date I've been on this year, taught me that when it comes to dating, I should take my rightful place as mayor of the friendzone. I met a woman who I seemed to get along with well. We go out for dinner, seemingly have a nice time. After that evening, heard nothing for nearly a week. Finally when I hear from her again, she informs me that she only views me as a friend. You could see how things like that could give a guy a complex. Even two days I'm writing this, I've been turned down for another date. I suspect a fair few people feel the same, where the feeling of rejection is like a sucker punch to the gut. It will always scare the life out of me to think that, even though everyone is supposed to have that one certain someone who is destined to be with them, that I will never find that person. I guess that's the fun of the chase.

 The main thing I'm grateful for this year, is the outstanding group of friends that I've amassed, and the fact they've probably collectively saved me. If they're reading this, and they think they're one of the people in question, they probably are, and for that I will be eternally grateful.

So onto the New Year. Vacation to New York in March to celebrate my birthday to look forward to. As for resolutions, I've learned my lesson. My main goal is to finish my novel. Anything good that happens outside of that will be a delightful bonus. As for love, who knows.

To great times and big dreams

2014 be warned. I'm coming for you

Why I love New York City

12 years ago today, September 11th 2001, a city, a country, and let's face it, the world were changed to a degree that nobody could ever have foreseen.I don't want to dwell on the event itself but more the aftermath.

First some background. Approximately a month before 9/11 I was in New York on vacation. I'd previously visited the city once, and since the event I've returned twice. When I visited in 2001, I took a trip to the observation deck in the World Trade Center. The views were extraordinary.

I was at work when I heard about the attack. I finished my shift, went home and became transfixed with the news coverage. CNN, BBC News. I was watching both at times, trying to get my head around how and why an event like that could occur. Of course, in the days to come, the world would learn who caused the tragedy.

The other thing that occurred to me, was how resilient the people of New York are. I'm on Twitter and I'd say probably 80-90% of my 700+ followers are American and more specifically from the Tri-State area. It probably has a lot to do with my avid interest in American sports. Today I found myself thinking of how New York used sports as a method way of trying to resume some form of normal routine, and two sports events sprang to mind, both of which are featured in videos below.

New York Mets after 9/11 http://youtu.be/XCWlPDlOQ9k


New York Yankees after 9/11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8WhoiuU3Og

It doesn't matter which team you follow. Either of those videos are enough to give anybody goosebumps. When I watched them today, I got chills and my eyes welled up. No matter what happens, togetherness and normality will always triumph over evil.

To summarise. I LOVE NEW YORK, and I always will I envy the people who call it home and one day, I hope to call it home for myself. To be surrounded by the magnificence of Times Square. To stroll down Broadway. To stand on the Empire State Building observation deck and watch the city streets below.

I, like many other people, will never forget 9/11 and nor do I think I ever will forget it.

Well I'll also always remember is New York, its inhabitants and their fantastic attitude in the face of such tragedy.


New York, you have a large place in my heart and you always will.

Cannot wait to visit the city again next year

NEVER FORGET

Giving stand up a go

So last night (Wednesday) I had a go at doing some stand up comedy. I was performing at the Frog and Bucket comedy club in Preston. They hold open mic contests under the title of Beat The Frog. I'd not previously visited the club, but I had visited the parent club in Manchester, where I'd also taken part in the same contest about 4 or 5 years ago.  I walked in an hour before the show started and shown a waiting area, which was another, albeit smaller performing area to the room I'd be performing in. I was given some drinks tokens and told I could redeem them at the bar in the main performance room. As I got to the bar, I looked around, and the first thing that occurred to me was how small and low to the ceiling was (I'm 6'4, so a low ceiling poses numerous potential problems) I got a bottle of water and went back to the waiting area.

The way the contest works is this: an MC  comedian does a small stint on stage. Then two previous winners do about 8 minutes each. Then there's a 15 minute break. Then 8 acts go on stage ( 4 acts then a break, then the other 4 acts) All acts have to try and survive for 5 minutes. If they do that, then they 'Beat The Frog' While the acts are on stage, 3 audience members are given a large card with a frog animation on it. If they don't like what they're ham eating they raise the card. If all 3 cards go up before the 5 minutes is up, the act is off accompanied by a recorded Ribbit sound and Loser by Beck. 

So that's the gist of things and away we go. The MC comedian comes on and starts doing a routine. Some things get a laugh and some things don't. He carries on unaffected by the non-laughs. The two previous winners come on and do their acts and then it's break time. Now then nerves are beginning to kick in the hardest they've been all night.

So the break ends and the first contest act is introduced onto the stage. She's very dry witted and as with the MC, some stuff works and some doesn't. She's frogged off at about 2 minutes 45 seconds. Next up is me. Nerves have been replaced by fear. I'd been carrying notes around on my routine all evening and I'd read and re-read them about 10 times since I got to the club. 

So I'm introduced onto the stage and overcome the first couple of obstacles. Firstly I got on the stage without falling flat on my face. Secondly the MC pronounced my surname correctly. It's L-I-V-I-C-K but I can't begin the different ways I've heard it pronounced. 

So I get to the mic, take it off the mic stand and look round at the audience. First  thought; holy crap, the stage lights are just a little bright. Actually not little. VERY bright. So bright I can barely make out the bar 20 feet away. I can see a few people at tables closer to the stage which is good. I begin my act by asking if everyone's having a good time. As a whole the audience replies yes. I inform them that I'll soon change that, which gets a laugh, and I'm ecstatic inside. So carrying on my routine, I talk about my pet peeves with drivers such as people who steer their car like they've watched the Karate Kid movies too many times. (Hand flat on the wheel, doing the 'wax on, wax off' motion when steering) This gets a few laughs. Now we're talking. Then I go onto talk about how the attitudes to how men and women like to try and improve relationships. This also gets some laughs, but alas not enough and although I can't see all the cards, soon enough I hear Loser blasting out the speakers and my time is done. A respectable 2 minutes 7 seconds. The nerves and fear have gone and I retake my seat and breathe a huge sigh of relief. Now I can enjoy the rest of the show. The next two acts go on and they both last the five minutes. Break time. 

Time seems to fly now I've done my stint and soon enough were underway again. The second set of acts start to come on. The first only  lasts 4 minutes 16. five minutes but the next two do. Now we're down to the final act. I'm currently last in the contest.  A guy from Hull who acted like a cross between Russell Brand and Gok Wan. He bursts onto stage full of vigour and starts his routine. He talks about how he thinks good looking women don't always make the most of what they've got. Then he picks out a woman sat near the stage and tells her that he'd like to create what he defined as a 'sperm genocide' on her face. To her credit, she took it well, as did her boyfriend who she was with. Alas, that was the final straw for his act and he was frogged off at 1 minute 20 seconds. Secretly I was pleased I hadn't finished last in the contest, bit more pleased by the fact I'd made some people laugh. That's all I'd set out to do, so mission accomplished. 

It's something that I'll definitely be looking to have a go at again. A whole lotta fun.

Sometimes it's good to do things that take you out of your comfort zone. When was the last time you did something like that?

Life rules

Some things to remember about life:

• Every time you care what others think of you, a little part of you dies inside

• The path to success is rarely easy.

• Never be afraid to ask for help

• The only one who can stop you succeeding is you

• A majority decision is not always the right decision

• Laziness rarely wins over hard work

• Not all success is measurable

• Happiness should never come from hurting others

• The quiet people are usually the ones with all the answers.

• If it feels right, go with it

• You only get one chance to make a first impression. Make sure it's the right one

• Fools are never right, no matter how much they try to convince you otherwise

• Take time to appreciate the simple things

• The loudest people are the ones with the least to say

• Wounds heal. Words stay in the memory

• Leave popularity competitions to the politicians. Live your own life

No-one's perfect, and that suits me just fine