Bad Luck Comes In Threes - right? Right?
I seem to have hit the Jackpot!
Bad luck comes in 3’s – or does it?
I have never given much truck to superstition, I feel that I’m a very pragmatic person and that throwing salt over my shoulder or avoiding walking under ladders (which is just plain sensible really) is not going to alter my life that drastically. But, they say bad luck comes in threes, and I sure seem to have hit the jackpot recently.
I have had an ongoing Achilles Tendonitis injury for the last few months that’s stubbornly refusing to heal. Then the car decided that under no circumstances should the cooling fan turn off. Even after the engine was switched off and the car locked. One dead battery and £250 in repairs later the car is grumpily drivable again. Then we got scammed and the thieves got away with a sum of money from the company that thankfully, the bank says they will replace. Then one of the dogs started limping. I gave her a stern talking to and miraculously she seems fine and to top it all off the brand new shower that we had installed in April has decided that instead of just spraying water out of the showerhead, the showerhead can start to disintegrate and it will spray water all over the bathroom instead. It’s enough to make me reach for the salt! Of course, my bad luck is trivial compared to what some people are going through - but, am I the only one or does this happen to any of you lovely readers too?
Podcasting – not for beginners
The podcasting adventure continues. On the face of it, podcasting seems simple. Find a microphone, plug it into your computer and babble away. Then you just upload it and people can listen to your crazed chatter. There are endless videos from people telling you how simple it really is. Bunkum. Yes, you need a microphone, but not just any old microphone, apparently a ‘studio’ style microphone is the way forward. Using a smartphone is just not going to cut it. Then there is the streaming platform you choose, the audio interfaces that you need, the audio editor, the cover artwork, the sound effects and royalty-free music. Never mind the content, you need to have intros and outros as well as thinking about videoing the audio podcast so you can use it for trailers and ads. While I may have a face for radio, I don’t have the patience of a saint. Still, another month and I may have managed to cobble something together. You may be asking what it’s all going to be about. I’m glad you asked. I’m not sure myself - but what it won’t be, is any sport, teaching, preaching or politics. Plenty of other people have that covered already.
The Euros 2024. Football – who cares?
Will England Ever Get it Right?
I wrote this little article before the first England game, so I won’t be surprised if they won their first match.
As the summer (not in England, summer has been cancelled) of 2024 dawns, football fans across Europe are once again caught up in the excitement of the UEFA European Championship. Streets are festooned with flags, (not in the UK, that’s against the law) there are impassioned debates in pubs, and the endless speculation about who will lift the coveted trophy have become the order of the day. But for us in England, there's a perennial question that lingers like a stubborn London drizzle: Could this be our year?
But, let's face it: when it comes to the Euros, England has had a less than stellar track record. It's a story of near-misses, heartache and bad luck. (see above)
A Brief Stroll Down Memory Lane
The history of England in the European Championships is like a tragicomedy, filled with moments of brilliance overshadowed by episodes of despair. We’ve had our heroes, like Shearer in '96, whose goal-scoring almost propelled us to glory on home soil. But then, there was the penalty shootout against Germany in the semi-final, which ended in the most English of ways: agonizing defeat.
What about Euro 2004? The golden generation, featuring the likes of Beckham, Gerrard, and Rooney, seemed poised for greatness. Yet, the quarter-final exit, courtesy of another penalty shootout debacle, left us once more contemplating what might have been.
Then there was Euro 2016? Who can forget that? England can't. Iceland, with a population the size of Leicester, kicked us out in Round 16. The collective gasp that reverberated through the nation was only matched by the collective disbelief that followed.
So, will 2024 Be Different?
Here we are, on the cusp of another European adventure, and the question arises: Why should this year be any different? Gareth Southgate's squad is brimming with youthful talent and seasoned professionals. Harry Kane is in the form of his life, Phil Foden's artistry in midfield is dazzling, and the defence, marshalled by the ever-reliable Harry Maguire, looks solid on paper.
Yet history has taught us, paper doesn’t win football matches. There’s a certain alchemy required—a blend of skill, luck, and mental fortitude—that England finds difficult to conjure up. The spectre of past failures may well be their undoing.
The Eternal Optimism of the English Fan
Despite the odds though, there's something charming about the eternal optimism of the English football fan. Each tournament begins with a sense of hopeful naiveté, a belief that this time, it will be different. It’s the same spirit that has us singing "Football's Coming Home" with unwavering enthusiasm, even when logic suggests otherwise.
Perhaps it’s this undying hope that makes the journey worthwhile. The camaraderie, the collective highs and lows, and the shared dreams of triumph create a sense of unity that transcends the game itself. We are England.
The Lighter Side of English Football Fandom
Of course, it's not all doom and gloom. English football fandom is rich with humour and a self-deprecating charm. They don’t call themselves the Barmy Army for nothing. They laugh at their misfortunes, knowing full well that football, like life, is unpredictable. There's a peculiar joy in supporting England—a mix of exasperation and exhilaration that only true fans understand.
So, as the Euros 2024 kicks off, let's embrace the beautiful chaos that is English football. Let’s cheer for the lads with all the gusto we can muster, and realise that whether we exit in a blaze of glory or it’s another familiar heartbreak, one thing is certain: we'll be back again, singing our hearts out, and daring to dream once more.
After all, as any true English fan knows, hopes may be dashed—but hope is what keeps you coming back for more. More than 150 million people watched it minute by minute last year across 200 countries amd 450 million people for the final. I guess some people do care.
Mortality and growing old
Finally, a thought for the day/evening.
We recently had a young 16 year old come for an interview for a summer job working with us and our kids holiday club. We knew the young woman because she used to be one of the little kids who came to our holiday club in the past. I last saw her when she was 8 or 9 years old. The funny thing is that I feel like I’ve stood still as time has rushed past. The young woman even said that she thought I looked exactly the same as she remembered, meanwhile I sometimes forget why I walked into a room. This speeding toward old age sucks. Well, I can’t always be young, but I can be immature forever!
Until next time, remember, inside every old person is a young person wondering what the hell happened!
Cheers
Simon JJ Green