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In the pursuit of
Happiness!
It’s based on a true story about a Salesman who works through misery, where he lives with his wife and son. Initially everything looks rosy. He invests in equipment he intends to sell and suddenly realises that these goods are heavy, almost like a ball and chain around his neck. He loses the loyalty of his wife. He brings up his son on his own. He loses his house, money and livelihood. He educates himself to reach for the stars. Nobody gives him a chance, everything is against him, yet he pursues his dream. The chance comes and he takes it. It’s hard to carry on, yet he does! He fights for his belief and for the love of his son.
Does he make it? You will have to see the film.
But there is a moral about this story and for me it comes in a line mentioned.
“Life is like a road trip, you simply don’t know what you will come across whilst you are on it!”
For me, I see people who when dejected, take the easy route and call it a day.
Wouldn’t it be nice to struggle through the barrier, climb the wall, and see what’s on the other side?
Maybe Norris can do this, but we need everybody to do this and turn up every week. Even when it rains and your full of cheap beer (Tesco Blue Stripe or White Lightning).
Who knows we may even win something again. I and a few others are used to it, but it doesn’t come easy. That’s why we have been at the club for fortfifthsixthty or something years…!
Rain or Shine!
Sportsman’s
Dinner:
I start this post not sure on what I am about to write…
I begin to think about what has been brought to my attention and ponder..?
I then realise we have the annual Sportsman Dinner which is organised in the main by Graham Hadfield, Terry Poole, Dave Jennings & Walt Barrett.
Every year I attend and I can honestly say it is a great event.
Guest speakers being the likes of Jack Charlton, Jimmy Greaves, etc and now we have Alex Stepney, who I hasten to say I beat at Pool some years back when he was the landlord of the Navigation. (If I remember back then I think I 7 balled him)…I don’t think he could hold a pint pot since; we’ll see on the day.
We have Bobby Bender the comedian, who I am looking forward to seeing; his name alone makes me wonder if he’s any relation to the bar staff who presently works at a certain public house in Heaton Norris! But that could be anybody and any pub..!
Then sometimes we are obliged to listen to the perennial gratuitous speech from our loyal sponsor Mr David Wolf, whilst his colleagues and his brother’s height begin to diminish when sliding down their seats.
We then have the ‘Master of Ceremonies’ who is a comedian himself and with his integral organisation and witty comments, allow the night to run smoothly.
The venue itself is Top Draw, the layout of the tables, the stage and top table, the staff and management, the food, etc are all part of the perfect event.
All these people mentioned are true to the club and as mentioned in many discussions and posts before, without these guys and their continued support, we would just be a team and not the club we are.
A late mention to the ‘WAGS’ for if it wasn’t for their passes, we all wouldn’t be allowed out to play out.
So be merry and attend the dinner, you never know, you might just enjoy yourself like the 98% of them that turn up every year.
If you can contribute in any way to the success of the club, whether by helping out, sponsoring, etc, we would be extremely welcoming to listen to what you have to offer. Contact: Terry Poole 0898…I can’t remember the rest… Oh! Just leave a message on the message board.
Finally, it takes a lot of effort to run a club but as the old saying goes, “Many hands make light work”.
5 Star Service for a 1 Star price
I attended a seminar where the emphasis was on ‘What can you offer for your service
and spend little to apply it’. Well it was certainly different. It opened my eyes to
what you can do for very little. I now compare it to many situations in life. My position
as a Customer Service manager will no doubt take advantage of what I’ve learnt. I
even sent a card to my wife, saying how much that I appreciate her. It cost me 2 minutes
of my time, a simple plain card and a stamp. The effect it got when she received it was
immeasurable.
I now look at Norris Villa and think, what could I offer Norris that costs me very little.
I thought a little and then it is obvious, ‘Respect’. I say respect, for I see
the likes of Terry Poole carrying in the kit, making telephone calls every week, attending
league meetings, and much more. I look at Mickey Bowen taking abuse from his arguing
players whilst he is there every week working hard and sometimes not being able to please
everybody.
I play the game I love, I am old and overweight, but each week I will get to the game and
give it all I can do. All I say is that if everybody can give the club, the management,
your fellow players and the common courtesy the club expects, then respect is a very
little amount of anything we all have to offer.
I look at the meaning of satisfying something, then I consider why satisfy when you could
be exceeding satisfaction and becoming brilliant!
Simply be the best you can be and do not be content with being satisfied. If this club
wants to be the best, then be brilliant not just good, or great.
Be brilliant!.
The Legend. 23.11.06
Here we are again!
Here we are again in a comfortable position of having two excellent sides both with chances of doing well in their respective divisions. The first team nesting comfortably behind the leading teams, just waiting to pounce and the second string just tightening their bows ready to fire.
What can I say about the first team? On paper they look like they should tear apart the league, especially with the foundation they have and the new emergence of fresh players like Paul Mather and Stevie Owen. With Mickey ‘The Cat’ Bowen walking the lines like a Second World War prisoner of war camp security guard! Shouting like a Sergeant Major at his troops. Luckily for the likes of young Skinney, we are not in the army! It’s just a matter of time before the first team shock the league with a string of results culminating in turning the top team over. We’ll have to wait and see!
Then we have the second team, who have nothing but harmony and devotion to their task master, Mr Terence the ‘Firing Squad Flying Winger’ (Who I hasten to mention was a better player than both his sons). Probably the happiest team in the league..! Did I mention I scored last week?
Anyway I leave you with a thought “All those young players who think they are men! When the money had gone, they are just boys again” Spend wisely and listen to your elders, otherwise a ‘Book of Dreams’ will just be memory for others flowing in the wind!......
The Legend. 03.11.06