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Saturday 29 June 2013

'Oh Nostalgia - I don't need you anymore...'

...as Patrick Stump so aptly put it - I have decided I don't want to experience nostalgia anymore. 

I work at a school and at this school there are some kids. Lots of kids in fact. Now most are bland and boorish, a few are infuriating but now and then you meet some that are special.

As a teacher you occasionally get a group of kids that get you and work well with you and when it happens...you feel like Charlie with his golden ticket. 

The problem is - they grow up. Over the last year I have spent almost 12 hours every week with the same group of Year 11 kids, helping them to grow and improve. Some I have had no impact on but one or two I would like to think would remember me for at least 6 months. 

Due to school being boring and me being fairly young, we have grown quite close and I used to like the fact that they couldn't wait to see me. Finally a group that will listen to me. And they did. We had a fantastic year and yesterday they enjoy their final assembly and prom. 

Now it is time for the world to take them and look after them and I highly doubt if I will ever see them again. I only wish them well and have high hopes that they will all succeed in whatever they chose to pursue. But what about me?

As self-centred and conceited as that sounds - what about me? I get left behind and the carousel starts up again. This, I am learning, is the life of a teacher. I have not developed the skill of staying detached and wouldn't want to but for now it means every year I get left behind by people I am used to having in my life.

I don't want to look back on the times we had with nostalgia. I want them to leave and have great lives and God knows it would be weird if they wanted to still see me but I hate change and have ended up in a career with bags of the stuff. 

I don't like it. 

Wednesday 26 June 2013

The draw that opened up

OK so I should write for BBC Sport now. This is another Wimbledon blog - deal with it. It will last for two weeks ...unless Murray wins - it which case I will NEVER stop! 

With freak loses for Federer, Nadal and Tsonga I cannot see anyone who could stop the rampaging Murray making the final in double-quick time. 

Next for Murray is the rejuvenated Robredo but surely he cannot give Murray anything but a feeble challenge. In fact, in his half the highest ranked player left is Nicholas Almagro, the 15th seed. A decent player but nowhere near Murray's ability. 

In short, unless a ridiculous freak performance from one of the lesser players occurs, injuries are the only thing that could stop him!

In the final, he is most likely to meet the imperious Djokovic, but if he can save his energy and be fully fit he will fancy his chances. Could we have a British Wimbledon Champion in 11 days? Only time will tell but more than blind optimism leads to the answer yes at the moment. Good luck Andy!


Follow me on twitter: @chrisdohertywriter


Monday 24 June 2013

The thing about Andy...


I am slightly worried that this will come across worse than I want it to. After watching the documentary on Andy Murray and am developing what can only be described as a non-sexual man crush on the man. 

This crush is not without justification either. I am not jumping on the trendy bandwagon now he has won a major and the British people actually love him. I have been obsessively following him since he won the US open juniors. As an ex-tennis coach I have 1% of an idea of how hard he has worked. 

Physically he is a beast!



The Dream Gold and silver medal Sunday win happened to fall on my birthday and what a gift that was. 




And of course his heroics in New York last year to end our wait for a grand slam winner was a moment I will remember forever. 


Now he just needs to win Wimbledon this year and I can build a shrine/10-foot statue of the man. 

What a legend!

There may be a theme growing here...

I have no intention of turning this into a sports blog. Furthermore, I have no intention of becoming a sports writer. However this blog is going to follow on from yesterday's and I have no doubt for the next 2 weeks that they may often follow a similar theme. Because this is a special fortnight!

It's Wimbledon time and I for one am buzzing about it. After one day we have already seen enough drama to satisfy an eastenders fan. Nadal out, Murray through and Hewitt forgetting he is no longer number 1. 

Whilst the other Britons struggled and fell at the wayside, Murray looked as confident as he did a week ago at Queens. With Nadal gone who can stop him? Fed? Maybe but I doubt it. Djok? Possibly but to do that he would have to make the final.

Although it can all change, as of 21:58 on the first Monday of Wimbledon things are looking good for Andy. Long may that last. 

Check out my twitter page @chrisdohertywriter for more of my nonsense! 

Sunday 23 June 2013

Now I'm not usually a fan of...

...reality TV, with the exception of Strictly Come Dancing (yeah I know...just deal with it!) but I would openly admit enjoy series 2 of the Voice Uk. 

What is more surprising to me is the fact that I managed to enjoy it despite the obvious flaws in the show. Not only do the contestants have to jump through such ludicrous hoops but the way the show is set up means one from each judge goes through - not the best 4 singers. When did it become a competition between the judges and not the singers. Chasing ratings officially sucks! 

However the best thing about the show is the talent it attracts. Any act that makes it through to the first round would destroy 99% of the 'talent' found on BGT or the X-Factor. So many singers were incredible ...Joseph, Matt, Mike, Ash, Leah, Sean ...the list goes on. And of course a huge well done to Andrea - a worthy winner. 

So despite the problems, well done for an enjoyable series...let's just hope that the winner gets a career or at least a top 100 album this time! Otherwise who would go on the voice series 3? 

Saturday 22 June 2013

It's been a while...

It seems a long time since I wrote one of these...probably because it was. Apologies for that - I have been busy (honestly). 

But here's the thing:

I hope to put the debut novel on the kindle store next week! Except the name I had for it has been taken (twice) and it has left me stuck. 

As of 23:54 on the 22nd of June I am leaning towards 'the pursuit of answers' but that could definitely change. It's probably will! 

Ill keep you posted!