Well well! Time for a blog....

So then, how are you?

Don't feel obliged to answer, unfortunately I don't have the priviledge of hearing you reply right now!

However, if it was me, I'd respond with what have become a low number of automatic response's, each one of which have a varying level of wanting to say how I feel, to returning a standard diplomatic response that fits all conversations! It's amazing, I mean this is mostly in a work situation, you know, talking on the phone to a colleague who you're not actually sure you've met in person, replying nicely to a question of 'How's it going?' (How Generic is that now?!) to.. 'Yea not bad! Not Bad!' to a 'Err, yea, I'm ok, been a long day!' That goes out to those on the other end of the phone that I genuinely feel like I've started to get to know and have a good banter with!

You can always judge how chatty/friendly the other person feels with you as well as to how they've responded! Think about it next time this situation arises, you'll be surprised I'm sure!

So anyway, that got abit random! Would you expect anything else?

I do hope this finds you all well! This is my second big blog in my new blog home! More of you need to figure this out and click follow by the way!

I guess you're all wondering whats going on then? Well right now, I'm enjoying the wonder of spotify and the amazing classic band Starship! Given how much I love journey, you only need to hear one starship song to understand why I'm enjoying this so much!

Right now, I'm in an incredibly amazing situation. I'm now full of nerves with it only being a week to this day until I have the big shoulder operation! To say I thought I had so much riding on this would be a massive understatement! I know you all know the story now, weak shoulder = things where they shouldn't be.

I'm no mathematical genius, but any equasion that only has one operational symbol in it is usually fairly easy to understand!

So I guess it's not going to offer the quick fix I'd hoped. Unfortunately since first causing the injury, physio's and doctors alike have established I'm slack jointed. So It was kinda written that doing what I was doing in Net was going to lead to this! The op is pretty mega for me, they're repairing some damage to the 'labrum' (look it up! along with dislocated shoulder!) and also tightening the ligaments and tissue that have been stretched. I've also chipped the bone on the tip of my shoulder and the ball on the end of my arm! My surgeon sounds pretty confident however he's admitted it will only be as strong as it was before the initial dislocation!

What does this mean? Well, I'd be taking the same risk I wasn't aware I was taking being awsome in net at 5-a-side unfortunately! So, I've taken the decision to leave that behind now. I may still play outfield, but doing something you know your not good at for the sake of it, well, it never offers the same appeal! I hope to get fit afterwards and train towards playing in net at 11-a-side. This is the one area I've never achieved what I thought my potential offered, and also the one area I would be willing to take the risk to try raise my game to! It's going to take some work to rediscover any form I may have had but hell, it if get's me fit it's worth it! And should I pull a Shay Given while trying to satisfy my natural instinct of something to prove, well then I Know I've tried and my shoulder can relax knowing it may be slack, but it's put in a good shift!

I HAVE MASSIVE NEWS! I thought I'd leave this to the end, but TOUCAN RIOT, yep a band that I AM IN actually finally played a gig last week!!!!! First of all, THANK SO MUCH to any one reading this that came along! It meant to the world to me, the buzz was amazing! I achieved something I never set out to achieve! We've put in so much time and effort into practicing and keeping our heads down, we've all got our own lives outside of this band so it's meant alot of will power. But I can say, hand on heart, it was the most amazing experience! The nerves before hand we're something I'd never even imagined, i thought'd I'd be relaxed but my god was I wrong! I was hitting highs and lows I've never thought possible for those 3 hours between setting up and sound checking to actually playing! Amazing!

Fortunately for us, we pulled a crowd thanks to all you amazing people! We've had such good feedback and offers of regular spots, so for those who missed out, keep your ears to the group for september! We're planning ahead, unfortunately I'm out for this month due to my op, but I will return in august, at which point we will expand our set and arrange dates for Sept!

Honestly, thank you thank you thank you thank you so so so so much! It was amazing!

So I'm drying up, well, I am but my shout out's are definately not!

How can I fail to mention this? I would like to send a massive congratulations out to Jane and Chris who became engaged this year! Two of the nicest people you will ever meet! I wish you both a life time of happiness and Janey, might want to stay away from those cocktails on your wedding day ;) Chris will remember all about that night! haha! Love you guys!

Ofcourse, I'm not going to forget Ian and Jade! Jade bless you, I hope you read this because oh my god, I've never and will probably never hear a guy talking about his intensions so much and with so much intent as he has! He's a dissapointment to man-kind! haha! You both are immense, all I can say Jade is we'll try keep him honest on the stag do! All the best and be it sling or not I'll be there a pint on the engagement! :) Claret and Amber! (Ian would have shot me had I not Pushed that button! ;))!

Epic epic epic epic epic year!

My new 'Final Thoughts' section is something hope to carry on, so I'll finish with this.....

This has so far been another amazing year, my life seems to keep telling my something, of which what I'd try put in summary is......Make the most of the opportunities you're given, don't be afraid to work bloody hard and step out of your comfort zone for something you think's worth keeping, and finally....For god sake make try make the most of every minute you're given! I don't always do this and I should!

You all fucking rock! Thanks a million for every minute of you're time i've ever spent!