2012 In pictures and profanities!

Here we are again!

Still loving the exclamation mark, sorry about that, it's a habbit that won't die easily. I often re-read my messages to other people without exclamation marks, and I sometimes think they look dry or emotionless? Perhaps I've conditioned myself in such a way, that I can't live without exclamation marks?!

I guess the most disappointing aspect of my annoying habbit, is that I disappoint myself with my appauling grasp of the English language and also general grammatical skills these days. Pretty sure saying 'and' after a comma was frowned upon at some point too. Let's not even get start with there, they're and their!

I've drawn you in with the promise of pictures and profanities. This still might happen, let's not run away and get bored just yet. These things are always a hoot, afterall! (This one's intended!) F**L.

Bet you're really disappointed now that you assumed seeing two **'s meant a sware word. Ha!

It's another end of year post, pretty sure it was only 4 days ago I was writing a similar post for the end of last year.

I really don't know where this last year has gone. I mean, it could quite easily still be January of 2012 and I wouldn't question it for a second. If it is, then I must have stumbled on the toilet in some elaborate accident and invented time travel. Don't be disappointed that it's in the form of a fiesta instead of a Delorean, I can only work with the tools I have to hand. Equally, you will now know why I may be wearing a plaster on my forehead next time you see me.

So, 2012, well, I started this a few days ago and saved it, mostly because I genuinely couldn't remember much from the year apart from everything that's happened since August.

It's been a very emotional Christmas, and to have tears from all on Christmas day was a different experience, it was always going to be difficult this year, but it made me appreciate what I have and the family I have around me, both still present, whilst also remembering the past.

R.I.P Gran x

As for me then, I guess, I've really had to think about what I personally did this year. In reality, actually quite a lot. I set out this year with my initial goal to 'get fit' again, as most people do, but for me I'd signed up with work to do the Yorkshire 3 peaks challenge. For those unfamiliar, this is the Dales peaks, Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, all in 12 hours.

Oh. My. God. I think that's three words used in suitable order to explain how I felt when I finished. Admittedly, I had endeavored to train much more than I did, but I did prepare and think, albeit much less than I wanted, the preparation I did do made just enough difference to get through it.

Although unable to walk properly for nearly two days afterwards, it was a thoroughly amazing experience, as was the general experience of becoming better acquainted with the Peak District. Such a beautiful place, really took me back to my childhood spending hours up on the moors. 

Generally though, it really did get me back on the active band wagon. The following month, I finally took the plunge on something I'd mulled over for a while and bought a bike. Having had many a failed attempt at finding some physical activity I'd enjoy outside of football, I decided to give it a shot.

My idea was mostly to go out road/path riding, I always loved cycling when I was younger, and I figured it was a great way to start a more active/fitter lifestyle. 

If I only knew what I'd started! It was around the same time, that a couple of friends and a new friend, had started to do the odd forest route. So having learnt how to ride a bike again (Seriously, I swore blind I was going to fall off going round corners when I first got back on the bike after years!) I was eventually talked into going along and trying a red route (kinda medium/hard level) course in Nottingham.

It turned out to be an amazingly fun day, although very tough. As my confidence gained, I was soon gathering pace on down hill sections and absolutely loving it. I was sold!

This eventually lead to what was one of my favourite weekends of the year, heading up to the lakes with the lads for a mountain biking weekend! Having never been to the lakes before, I jumped at the opportunity, and I always love camping. What a fantastic weekend, the course was difficult but so rewarding. Although I did have my first high speed off, but thankfully, I threw myself down and landed softly! To finish, we we're gifted with a beautiful clear night and the opportunity to do some star gazing. I even saw my first ever shooting star!

This much physical activity for me these days, usually means an injury is just around the corner. While taking up cycling, I'd also been enjoying playing football as a kick about again. Unfortunately, I also started to play in net again. In the end, the inevitable happened again, and I dislocated my shoulder for the 3rd time! Surprise, surprise eh! 

In all honesty, I was enjoying playing again and was picking up on form, I think everyone that knows me, knows how much I'd missed it, so to have one last shot and to be able to play well, including a brief competitive appearance in a league, meant enough to me to at least be able to personally justify my decision. That will be that now though. Although I'm still enjoying the kick about, just outfield!

Of course, there's been a couple of  'Daves' thrown in for good cause, aside from the shoulder again, I managed to pick myself up two damn speeding tickets! Given my tag as the 'captain slow' of our group, it was quite an achievement. Specially given that my second was behind a caravan on the way to the lakes! Although a bottle of lemonaid had just exploded in my boot, so we we're at least experiencing a pleasant, although rather strong, smell of lemon during the incident.

In general, it's been quite a year. Certainly one I will remember for many reasons, fortunately the majority of them are good. There's been many reasons to come out of this year optimistic, I feel I've grown personally, developed hugely professionally and there's many reasons to be excited about the prospects for 2013!

What does 2013 have in store? Well, another one of my best friends weddings for a start, whilst also our bassist Andy and Jo's wedding coming up quite soon! I've also now signed up to do the national 3 peaks having been spurred on by the yorkshire ones! There's also a chance I'll be doing the 170 mile way of the roses cycle too, but we will see how training goes!

So, I think an exciting 2013 lies in store, I'm optimistic and excited by all the opportunities and potential the new year is to bring, personally and professionally, and hopefully it will bring a bit of luck with it! I hope you can wish me all the best and I'd equally like to say to all of you, that I hope 2013 brings you every success and happiness! Here's to a prosperous new year!

Thanks for reading!