Learning to Walk

frozen

Game is off; frozen pitch - looks like I've got at least 1 more week to get myself fitter!

prediction

Well, it is the first prediction that I have made in a while.  And I think that really the only one that I am happy to make is that if/when I make it onto the pitch I will come off (perhaps not too long after) absolutely knackered!

In terms of making a prediction for the result I think I would rather not.  Hawks are in trouble, 7 points from the second relegation spot with 5 (tough) games left.  Heriots aren't going to win the title and aren't going to get relegated.  That should mean that we have more to play for.  However, when we take into consideration the fact that Hawks are the only triple champions since the game went professional (although we are strictly amateur,) and the fact that some of the more traditional clubs do not entirely approve of the amalgamation of clubs that was involved in the creation of Hawks, I don't expect that there will be many sides hoping that we stay up.  The opportunity to put a nail in the Hawks coffin will be a big carrot for every side that we play against; it will be a tough day at the coal face.

the 3 p's

It is a busy weekend coming up.  I am back in the 1st team squad tomorrow - my first serious game since the cup final last May.  Then, in the evening, we are off to a concert with some friends.  I'm not sure who it is that we're going to see but it's in a small place in town where, according to YKW, Oasis were 'discovered.'  On Sunday I am going to watch Rangers play - my first pro game in Scotland, and then in the evening I am preaching.

I have been trying to find ways of making my preaching more memorable - not so that people remember me but to help them find ways in which they will more easily be able to remember the points of the sermon and how to apply them in their lives.  This Sunday is the first time that I will have really employed this method, but I hope that it will have some success...

If it doesn't, at least you will be able to remember what I am up to this weekend - the 3 p's; playing, partying and preaching!

still raining

It is still raining.

Whilst I don't wish to suggest that there has never been rain like it (something about some bloke and an ark) it does seem to have been pretty consistent over the past few days and the pitches that were waterlogged on Tuesday (20 of us were still allowed to train on them) will surely be un-passable tonight.

The problem is that for probably the first time ever and despite the conditions (and my previous blog) I actually turned up at training on Tuesday - and will again tonight - hoping that we will get the all clear to train.  "Why?" you may ask.  "Good question" me thinks, as I sit at my desk in the warm flat.  But there is just something about getting out there and 'hitting' someone that would make all the mud in the world appear quite inviting.

i remember

Now I remember what it was like.  That sick feeling in the pit of your stomach; the praying as you drive along Crow Road up towards Anniesland; that first glimpse of the training pitches.  Are the bags out?  Are the lights on?  If the answer to these questions is "yes" your mood sinks another couple of inches as you prepare for a night of wet and cold and mud and (if you're really lucky) snow and ice and blood.

Of course, if the answer is "no" then it's a night of relative warmth in the gym hall or (at the very least) the ankle-deep-mud-free astro pitch.

But something inside me says that we haven't had quite enough rain and that, following a dismal performance on Saturday, it might be a full on smash each other up session.  Still, that means a chance for me to get in the mixer; I'm really keen to play on Saturday and think, especially given our somewhat precarious position, that I have something to offer - but we'll see.

It's good to be back.  (I think.)

500 not out

This is the 500th post that I have put on my blog!  It seems crazy, something that I started up two years ago following a random suggestion from a friend and it is still going on...

Today is officially the first day of my block placement.  In short, a block placement is what you do if you want a term out of college doing something more practically minded - which I do.  My placement is based at St Silas and will enable me to dedicate some (much needed) extra time to my current work with small groups.  As well as that I will also spend time 'shadowing' the Rector on some of his visits and doing some one on one mentoring work.  On top of this I am spending two afternoons a week at Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow where I will be working alongside the chaplain.

This afternoon was my first afternoon at Stobhill and after a quick tour I was straight into spending time with some of the patients while my supervisor spent time with others.  I think that this is going to be an incredibly challenging area of my placement as I will be spending time with people who are being treated in areas that I have only ever seen in TV dramas, but I know that it will be such a beneficial experience for future life and ministry.  I hope also to spend a short amount of time with a local parish minister observing him as he conducts funerals.

So that is about all I will be doing and, after some nerves and concerns last week, I am really glad that it has started and pray that it will be a great opportunity.  If nothing else, it will surely provide me with a few more posts to add to my 500 not out!

going back

Since the beginning of December I have been training pretty hard with a view to going back to rugby for the second half of the season.  Tonight is my first night back at training.

I am excited about going back and it will be great to hang out with some old friends and to meet some of the new lads.  The club has undergone a lot of changes in the past couple of seasons and have been struggling a bit this season.  But last season was not much better and we still managed to put a run together that resulted in us becoming the Scottish Cup champions.  I have similar hopes for this year - if I can get back in the team...

happy new year

It's my birthday.  26.  Another step closer to adulthood.  Nearer to 30 than 20.  More than halfway to 50.  Mental.

Happy New Year, by the way.