5 years ago today I started this blog and have met some truly great bloggers that have stayed and quite a few that have moved on OR is it that I moved on?
I think that I moved on and stopped reading and getting so involved with blogging, WHY? I hear you cry, well time to be honest. I don’t get enough time to blog all the time (5 posts in a year is not good), I am hitting twitter a lot more now @simmo1972 is where you can catch me and my life has moved on from being a Palace Fan thats a new dad. I haven’t stopped being a huge Palace fan but I have given my season ticket to my brother to get it out of my system and I’m a still a dad to two brilliant and amazing kids.
The reason for giving up my season ticket was to ensure that I wouldn’t get too hung up about Palace when we made up our minds to move to Australia from England and to give my time to my family.
Palace have had a shit time of it recently and it still does not look good for my team. This though will not be a post of who is to blame and what went wrong (SJ not getting the ground and playing a silly game with city investors (Agilo)).
I have grown up with Palace with my granddad taking me along with my dad, my whole childhood revolved around Palace matches with my dad and granddad. My granddad needed a reason to stop going so that he could get his time with his wife, my nan, back and he used the sale of Jerry Murphy to do it. He never went to another game after that.
I have had so many up's and down's being a Palace fan that I would never change that for any other team. It’s in my blood and it it will always be and whilst I feel sorry that I will not be taking my boy to a Palace game, just yet, I feel as though I saved him from many “wasted” weekends of not doing things as footy is on. In the last year I have spent so many weekends with my family that it has been really good and positive for us all. Whilst I have made a few games this year and I have missed the time with my dad, the group around us and with Palace. I still feel as though it was something I needed to do after 30 years of going, the last 20 years as a season ticket holder, and it was good.
The last year has had many highs with the top being that I have got a visa to live in Australia and quite a few lows including redundancy, tough first contact and struggling to get my foot back in the door working.
So what next? Well we have moved from Berkhamsted and I am moving the family to Brisbane and looking forward.The house has still not actually exchanged but our possessions are heading off to Brisbane. I will be starting a new blog about how I made it there and what is happening with the great move. I am still yet to sort out the domain and get writing but I will. As soon as I have a new link I will post it here.
Thanks for everything and this is the end of this blog on the 5 year anniversary........but the start of a new chapter in the life of a Palace Fan thats a new dad.
James
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Busy busy busy
Well I am now really busy with looking for work on the other side of the world. Our plans to move to Brisbane are steaming forward.
House is sold and going through.
Kids are really happy, not that a 4 and 2 year old really know what is happening!
I have also stared another website http://monopods.org.uk, I'm getting quite into the websites and online marketing etc. something I am enjoying learning about. No money in it for me but it is just a bit of "fun" and learning for me at the moment.
Spending lots of time running down the dump and researching places to live in Brisbane. Started saying goodbye to friends and will start saying goodbye to family shortly wont be easy.
Spent last weekend saying goodbye to my football buddies and Palace left me with a loss to QPR to remember them although I may go to West Brom but then again I might go to the pub!
Laters,
James
House is sold and going through.
Kids are really happy, not that a 4 and 2 year old really know what is happening!
I have also stared another website http://monopods.org.uk, I'm getting quite into the websites and online marketing etc. something I am enjoying learning about. No money in it for me but it is just a bit of "fun" and learning for me at the moment.
Spending lots of time running down the dump and researching places to live in Brisbane. Started saying goodbye to friends and will start saying goodbye to family shortly wont be easy.
Spent last weekend saying goodbye to my football buddies and Palace left me with a loss to QPR to remember them although I may go to West Brom but then again I might go to the pub!
Laters,
James
Friday, January 29, 2010
Administration for Palace
Gutted.
Not sure how this has happened, well I think I do.
All I know is the timing is terrible and shocking that a company that is owed just over 10% of the total debt has managed to get us in administration.
Agilo are the company that forced us in administration over a loan by Simon Jordan that they are worried will not be paid. They are owed about 5 million from what I have been reading. Jordan is "owed" 20 million and the other 5 million is owed to tax man and other clubs I believe.
What is heart breaking is that Palace never called in the administrators so in a way should we have 10 points deducted before even agreeing a way out, the 10 points is to stop clubs wiping the debt clear and starting again so if we paid everyone back in full except Jordan would we get out points back?
There is a rumour that an invester would be willing to do just that and pay the debts except Jordan.
I expect Moses to go on the cheap now and I dont think he even wants to go ! It's terrible that Agilo have done it and just as bad that Jordan has given them the power to do it.
We had a real chance of making the play offs and the lottery of getting promoted.
Hopefully something can be sorted asap.
It's all part of the fun of being a Palace fan, something that I would never change.
Good luck Palace.
Sure Man United have just released debts of 600 million, doesn't seem right.
Not sure how this has happened, well I think I do.
All I know is the timing is terrible and shocking that a company that is owed just over 10% of the total debt has managed to get us in administration.
Agilo are the company that forced us in administration over a loan by Simon Jordan that they are worried will not be paid. They are owed about 5 million from what I have been reading. Jordan is "owed" 20 million and the other 5 million is owed to tax man and other clubs I believe.
What is heart breaking is that Palace never called in the administrators so in a way should we have 10 points deducted before even agreeing a way out, the 10 points is to stop clubs wiping the debt clear and starting again so if we paid everyone back in full except Jordan would we get out points back?
There is a rumour that an invester would be willing to do just that and pay the debts except Jordan.
I expect Moses to go on the cheap now and I dont think he even wants to go ! It's terrible that Agilo have done it and just as bad that Jordan has given them the power to do it.
We had a real chance of making the play offs and the lottery of getting promoted.
Hopefully something can be sorted asap.
It's all part of the fun of being a Palace fan, something that I would never change.
Good luck Palace.
Sure Man United have just released debts of 600 million, doesn't seem right.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Update
Well I had a great Xmas and been good to get away from work. I am on my last days of the contract now so best start looking for my next role. Only got this week to go.
The USB memory is selling well and I have now sold out of 4GB Lego bricks, I have some 2GB left and have the England ones still. The England ones have not sold as quick as I had hoped. Will be able to spend some time marketing them next week. Might take new shots of them in a computer port.
Have a look at SkyeMax2002 and let me know what you think of the site.
If you like something use the code iknowsimmo for 10% off. I really recommend the England ones.
Will optimise the site next week to get the images loading quicker and have a general freshen up of it.
Trying to persuade Mrs Palace Fan that we need a digital SLR, quite like the look of the Nikon D3000.
Best get back to eating.....
The USB memory is selling well and I have now sold out of 4GB Lego bricks, I have some 2GB left and have the England ones still. The England ones have not sold as quick as I had hoped. Will be able to spend some time marketing them next week. Might take new shots of them in a computer port.
Have a look at SkyeMax2002 and let me know what you think of the site.
If you like something use the code iknowsimmo for 10% off. I really recommend the England ones.
Will optimise the site next week to get the images loading quicker and have a general freshen up of it.
Trying to persuade Mrs Palace Fan that we need a digital SLR, quite like the look of the Nikon D3000.
Best get back to eating.....
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Getting tougher to update
Really must start to allow more time for my personal blog.
Well I'm still working hard but have also started to work on a new venture that I hope pays off. I am working on my "first" proper website. The site will sell USB Memory sticks, One I have designed as well, and have created a site for it. I will also go through eBay. Not happy with the charges on eBay hence why I want to direct traffic through to my website SkyeMax2002. It is not live yet but as soon as it is I will let you know. I will also give you a discount code.
It is going to take some time to get the site up and running. Lots of testing to be done with the PayPal element, lots of writing to get content on the site and I am waiting for my order to come through.
Will be great to get your feedback on the site so I will "beta" it with you prior to going full on live and submitting it to search engines and promoting it more.
Looking forward to seeing how it goes and have spent time reading up on ways to promote the site etc.
You can also follow the site on twitter
Home alone for a few days so going to crack on with the site in the evenings.
Only got another 9-10 weeks left at work now before my contract runs out and the project is finished. Been fun but would also be good to spend time working on the site and some plans that I have for it.
I hope you are all well and I will let you know when the site is open.
Well I'm still working hard but have also started to work on a new venture that I hope pays off. I am working on my "first" proper website. The site will sell USB Memory sticks, One I have designed as well, and have created a site for it. I will also go through eBay. Not happy with the charges on eBay hence why I want to direct traffic through to my website SkyeMax2002. It is not live yet but as soon as it is I will let you know. I will also give you a discount code.
It is going to take some time to get the site up and running. Lots of testing to be done with the PayPal element, lots of writing to get content on the site and I am waiting for my order to come through.
Will be great to get your feedback on the site so I will "beta" it with you prior to going full on live and submitting it to search engines and promoting it more.
Looking forward to seeing how it goes and have spent time reading up on ways to promote the site etc.
You can also follow the site on twitter
Home alone for a few days so going to crack on with the site in the evenings.
Only got another 9-10 weeks left at work now before my contract runs out and the project is finished. Been fun but would also be good to spend time working on the site and some plans that I have for it.
I hope you are all well and I will let you know when the site is open.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Hello Strangers
Well it has been a really long time. Sorry all (as if people actually read this :-)).
I am working again. It took about 3 months and only got 3 interviews but was lucky enough to get offered 2 of those. One perm in Docklands but it never quite worked out as I had to wait for a deal to be done before getting the contract and whilst waiting for it I saw a temp role that really interested me and I managed to get it. I took the temp role and pulled out of the other. I am working as a Project Manager for an eCommerce department rather than an IT department, still for a large retailer to Xmas. My first time out of "IT" for many many years but I am really enjoying the fact that I am managing rather than doing the project. Quite funny though as I have gone in with a "Prince2" hat on so have shed loads of risks and paperwork such as action and decision logs, status reports, schedule plans, resource plans etc. and all my boss wants to know are we on target :-). I have a good team of 12 reporting into me and we have the rather daunting task of getting 21000 products online and checking a further 15000 that are currently online are listed corrected. Are we on target? Not quite but it is going well and we will pull the lost time back. Hard work but but I am only working 9-5 and no stress. Unlike before where I was working long hours and stressed, maybe thats the difference when you are not actually employed and doing everything. I feel a strong connection to get a job done and to the company I am working at but not to be an actual martyr.
I'm over at Milton Keynes now and enjoying the shops ;-) shame I can only look and not buy though.
Seems strange not having a season ticket but I am actually going to the match tomorrow so will sit in "my" seat and as it happens have only missed one home game :-) Do feel guilty as I am now working so will miss my kids but we are going to have a good time on Sunday and hopefully will go and have a picnic while Faye has bit of a break.
Did you see the goal that wasnt given? Disgrace really.
Other news is that I have finally got a decent phone, HTC Magic and I love it. It is great and helps the train journey go quickly and keeps in touch with email, twitter, browsing and many many other things. Best toy of the year so far.
Take it easy and dont forget to follow me on twitter.
I am working again. It took about 3 months and only got 3 interviews but was lucky enough to get offered 2 of those. One perm in Docklands but it never quite worked out as I had to wait for a deal to be done before getting the contract and whilst waiting for it I saw a temp role that really interested me and I managed to get it. I took the temp role and pulled out of the other. I am working as a Project Manager for an eCommerce department rather than an IT department, still for a large retailer to Xmas. My first time out of "IT" for many many years but I am really enjoying the fact that I am managing rather than doing the project. Quite funny though as I have gone in with a "Prince2" hat on so have shed loads of risks and paperwork such as action and decision logs, status reports, schedule plans, resource plans etc. and all my boss wants to know are we on target :-). I have a good team of 12 reporting into me and we have the rather daunting task of getting 21000 products online and checking a further 15000 that are currently online are listed corrected. Are we on target? Not quite but it is going well and we will pull the lost time back. Hard work but but I am only working 9-5 and no stress. Unlike before where I was working long hours and stressed, maybe thats the difference when you are not actually employed and doing everything. I feel a strong connection to get a job done and to the company I am working at but not to be an actual martyr.
I'm over at Milton Keynes now and enjoying the shops ;-) shame I can only look and not buy though.
Seems strange not having a season ticket but I am actually going to the match tomorrow so will sit in "my" seat and as it happens have only missed one home game :-) Do feel guilty as I am now working so will miss my kids but we are going to have a good time on Sunday and hopefully will go and have a picnic while Faye has bit of a break.
Did you see the goal that wasnt given? Disgrace really.
Other news is that I have finally got a decent phone, HTC Magic and I love it. It is great and helps the train journey go quickly and keeps in touch with email, twitter, browsing and many many other things. Best toy of the year so far.
Take it easy and dont forget to follow me on twitter.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Happy Birthday Blog
4 years old today.
Sorry I have been as slack as always but with the Oz computer application and looking for work I have not had much time.
The Oz application has been sent to Sydney and I am waiting for my assessment number and then the wait for 10 to 12 weeks for my result.
Job hunting is starting to pick up and I am looking and chasing now. Not had an interview yet but fingers crossed that will change soon.
So since I started this blog I have moved from North London to Berkhamsted, Had 2 children one of each, lost my job and looking for a new one, changed my car and grown some grey hair as well as lose some.
Another big thing though is that I have handed my season ticket to my brother for next season ! Yes I am taking at least a year off to get it out of my system prior to hopefully getting to Australia. I'm quite looking forward to the break as my "passion" was starting to go and I want to spend more time with my family. I will still make an effort and get to some away games as well as home but away games are much better and I am normally home the same time !
Right I'm heading to the garden in a moment.
Good luck Jane, not long now :-0
James
Sorry I have been as slack as always but with the Oz computer application and looking for work I have not had much time.
The Oz application has been sent to Sydney and I am waiting for my assessment number and then the wait for 10 to 12 weeks for my result.
Job hunting is starting to pick up and I am looking and chasing now. Not had an interview yet but fingers crossed that will change soon.
So since I started this blog I have moved from North London to Berkhamsted, Had 2 children one of each, lost my job and looking for a new one, changed my car and grown some grey hair as well as lose some.
Another big thing though is that I have handed my season ticket to my brother for next season ! Yes I am taking at least a year off to get it out of my system prior to hopefully getting to Australia. I'm quite looking forward to the break as my "passion" was starting to go and I want to spend more time with my family. I will still make an effort and get to some away games as well as home but away games are much better and I am normally home the same time !
Right I'm heading to the garden in a moment.
Good luck Jane, not long now :-0
James
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