2018 – I’m Coming For You!

I’m just about to begin a 12 hour night-shift in my job with the Ambulance Service and it’s probably going to be one of the busiest nights ever for the service as a whole. It is the first time in my life that I have missed out on the fun that Hogmanay entails, so it better go well! Having also missed out on Christmas Day and Boxing day through the joys of shift work, it would be nice for it to go smoothly as possible and allow me to enter the new year doing good.

*UPDATE* – Shift is over and from 12am until 4am, it was a total blur. So, so busy but good to be a part of something meaningful and providing assistance to those who need it most. Quite shocking at just some of the calls that come in though! Just because you’ve had too much to drink doesn’t mean an ambulance is going to take you home…

I shouldn’t moan. In August this year, I started my new role as an ‘Emergency Medical Dispatcher’ within Ambulance Control, dealing primarily with 999 calls as well as related enquiries from doctors, NHS staff and other emergency services. It’s a tough job but one that is very rewarding as in effect, I am helping to save lives until medical/emergency service professionals arrive on scene.  Whilst the shifts are challenging at times, they do offer a lot of time off (probably to catch up on sleep) but once that’s been recouped, I find myself with a lot more free time. Hence why I have been posting more on my Blog!

Given that I have more time on my own, I’ve been thinking more about what I want from life. I will be 26 years old in six months time and know that I am not getting any younger. Gone are those child-like years when nothing was an issue and you felt like you had all the time in the world to get things done. It’s different now and I’m just glad I realise that.

I’ve compiled a list of things that I would like to see accomplished in 2018 – one that I can reflect on and look at in moments of need and inspiration.

Let’s get cracking…

• Hoping for some positive news to kickstart the year, I have re-applied for the role of a Firefighter, having narrowly missed out during the selection process last year. At that point, I was really stuck in a rut with my old job, working as a sales and customer service advisor for a decorative surfacing supplier – it really began to wear me down after 4 years of essentially, no progress in a career sense. So, I applied for the 2016 intake which through hard work, got me through to the final assessment day at a local Fire Station. Unfortunately though, and despite feeling prepared for it, I didn’t manage to complete a ‘manual dexterity test’ which consisted of building a certain object within a specific timeframe. This meant that I didn’t manage to get to the interview stage and that was me knocked back till the next attempt. Knowing how demoralising that day was and the effect it had on me, it did give me the kick up the arse I needed to push myself into a career I can see myself enjoying and progressing in. Hence why I took the job in the Ambulance Control centre, but I truly believe I owe it to myself to keep trying with the Fire Service as ultimately, it’s the main goal. We shall see!
• Secondly, I have perhaps the most important two weeks of my life coming up as I seek to pass out as a Royal Naval Reservist and continue my part-time career with them. A thoroughly enjoyable experience so far, from when I first joined in May 2016. I have made many friends, done and seen a lot of things that most people wouldn’t normally get the chance to in a normal working life. Long may it continue and let’s hope I progress onto the next level! This will require grit, steeliness and a sense of pride in order to pass out, but I’m hopeful I can throw the cap so to speak!
• Since moving out of the parent’s home for the first time earlier this year, myself and the girlfriend have gone from strength to strength and look to take our relationship to the next stage by hopefully, getting a mortgage and our own house. Location as yet unknown, but if I’ve learned anything in these last few months of living on our own, it’s taught me to appreciate the little things more and is truthfully, making me more domesticated. I know this because I get house-proud when the place is tidy and going to IKEA is classed as a day out. Plus, I love getting new things for the home & building furniture.
• Depending on the above, getting a dog would be a brilliant addition and one that would definitely bring joy into our lives and encourage more walks etc. Not only that, it would give us more responsibilities and be a welcomed addition by both families.
• Taking part in a marathon. Now, if you’ve read previous blog posts from me you will know that I do take fitness and running very seriously. Whether or not I’m at marathon level I don’t know, but it is something I’d love to do. Either that or a half marathon, in which there are openings for in Alloa in March. One week after my Confirmation Course though. Hmm, tough decision!
• Staying on the theme of fitness, and one that might surprise you based on where I live, I would love to go hiking or climbing some of the famous mountains across Scotland. Schiehallion in Perthshire, is one I’ve had my eye on for a while. As well as Ben Nevis. Whatever. I just want to get a few under my belt!
• It would be nice to lose a little weight. I’m not fat by any means, but I definitely feel like I’ve got a belly coming on. Especially after this festive period.  It also doesn’t help when you are in a sedentary position for hours on end in a control centre, with sweets and food surrounding you. Perhaps more willpower is required too!
• 2015 was the last time that I went out on an endurance cycle, as I embarked from Crystal Palace to Blois in France, via Dover-Calais. Come to think of it, that was three years ago. Wow. I need an achievement like that again and whilst cycling through rural France in hot sunshine was utterly bliss, it would probably be more manageable doing a UK based route this time. I’ve got the gear for it, just need to set a date and hopefully some cycling buddies too!
• Spend more time with the girlfriend. It’s been hard these past few months with me going on to working shifts for the first time in my life, and Claire reverting to the standard 8-hour shifts from 0800 till 1600 for the first time in hers. We constantly seem to be in the passing and although the time off is good for me, it is only good for me, not us. Therefore, more holiday considerations have to be made with city breaks, days out and possible holidays abroad. At the end of the day, if a relationship is going to work then it’s only going to be built on shared experiences.
• Not really a resolution as such, but keeping the alcohol intake down is something I’ve been really good at. Firstly, it’s costly. Secondly, it can completely ruin the next day as you can’t drive, your brain can’t function in it’s normal manner and you cannot drive till later on. I have easily gone a month or two without drinking in 2017, perhaps I can keep it going for longer. Ultimately, it affects my mood and happiness and whilst the occasional drink with friends for special occasions is acceptable, it’s not essential.

So, there you have it. There is probably going to be a lot of changes this year and a lot to look forward to. Already I have a busy start to the new year with a lot going on. I hope I can update this quite soon with some good news relating to my first two resolutions, but I will also get round to doing a 2017 recap post with things I’ve done over the years.

Peace and Love,

Vino

 

 

2015

Well, it’s been a year since I last used my blog productively and quite frankly,  I think now is a good time to give this page a breath of fresh air!

In my last update, I listed quite a few resolutions that I hoped I would tackle or at least try to take on. So, the purpose of this post is to let you know how I got on with those goals. As a side-note, I don’t know if anyone reads this with interest or that but, for me it’s a chance to motivate myself and come back to a list of goals/achievements I hope/have managed to achieve. What I say in these posts is a 100% honest and personal reflection of my thoughts and daily take on things. Everyone has their own way of expressing themselves and I feel I express myself best via writing.

1. Get fit and healthy – (Result?) = I definitely made some ‘visual’ progress in terms of overall fitness and size last year…attracting many compliments from colleagues, friends and even random people in bars and clubs. My shoulders are well defined, arms fairly big, legs are strong and in good shape but there remained that stubborn belly fat that just wouldn’t shift unfortunately. Harsh reality, I wasn’t committed enough. (In 2015…) this will change. Entering into the new year, I felt I really wanted to get things off to a good start and so I signed up to the ‘Dryathalon’ – a charity led event that encourages it’s participants to stop drinking alcohol for 30 days whilst raising funds for Cancer research. I managed this with relative ease, which included the enjoying the Edinburgh derby ‘sober’ which as a Hearts fan, was pretty tough! I have also been through to Glasgow for a club night to celebrate a friend’s birthday (again sober) which was even tougher. I’ve even been on a date sober!.  Truth be told, I felt great knowing that I was doing myself a favour health-wise, whilst knowing that I was raising a bit of money for charity.

2. Maintain a healthy lifestyle/eat healthily – (Result?)  = I have definitely improved in this aspect. My daily diet at work seems to consist of the same old thing day in, day out. Whether it be: tuna salad, chicken salad, chicken and rice or some other source of protein, all washed down with a protein shake. This year I will be putting more effort into preparing meals for the week ahead 1) to save cash 2) so much healthier! Dinner time consists of lean meats normally, with either brown rice or sweet potato, mixing it up with some spicy dishes etc…Sunday evening meals with the family is the only cheat meal I will allow myself!

3. Attend a fitness class regularly – (Result?) = I got in touch with an old friend of mine who I know attends a boxing class in the local area and mma classes in a neighbouring town. He is so focused on healthy eating and fitness it puts me to shame but hey, it’s inspiration! He invited me along to a boxing class which, truth be told, was excellent for fitness but, just not right for me. I simply wasn’t mentally prepared for the sparring to be honest! Taking hard blows in the ribs (I was brand new to this game) and sometimes the head…I thought to myself, ‘not for me unfortunately’. Who knows, maybe I will return to the boxing in the near future as I do miss it which is odd! In saying that though, I haven’t totally given up on this resolution as I have been attending CPT (Commando park training) which is exactly as it sounds, an intense cardio workout ran by two ex-commandos which is not only extremely difficult, it is fun. I still attend this weekly!

4. Pass my open water diving course – (Result?) = This attempt is err, laughable to be honest. I’m certainly not happy with my progress on this one as I simply haven’t been committed enough or put the effort into studying the course material. I say this will change, I would hope so! I have been given diving gear from my uncle and so unless I really get my rear end into gear, I can’t see this one getting completed anytime soon. Hey, prove yourself wrong Blair!

5. Do things that make me happy – (Result?) = Hmm, another one where I can’t say I put much effort into! Saying that, we did go on a ‘lads’ holiday to Zante in Greece, which, despite a rather unforeseen holiday romance, was actually quite a good break away with some good friends! They even treated me to a boat party for my 22nd birthday (cheers guys). Apart from that, I didn’t manage to get away to Hamburg for any St Pauli games either which is unlike me, so hoping to get to at least x1 home and x1 away game before the end of the season this year – Union Berlin (away) and possibly FSV Frankfurt at home. There was talk of going to Darmstadt on the football special train in May too – something I did when we played Hansa Rostock away a few years ago! That was certainly an experience worth sharing. I also made it three trips to Amsterdam in three years last October, as  I went with a small group of friends and taking part in a stadium tour of Ajax, as well as embracing the culture.

 6. Begin to look at career options – (Result?) = I’m still in the same job albeit with a new and improved salary. Looking back on 2014, I should be proud of myself knowing that I had actually achieved three separate pay rises, some better than others which takes me onto a relatively decent wage but still, nothing that isn’t achievable elsewhere with a bit of hard work. In the role I am in (working in sales for a construction firm) the only progression I see is down the route of field sales – travelling the country to gain new business and rekindle old. It comes with an attractive salary (circa £25k) but the person I know is university educated which is something I am not and don’t intend to be. Therefore, my only way into this will be long, hard years of doing the same mind numbing stuff as I am doing now. If I was being honest with myself, I don’t want to see myself in the same role this time next year because by then I will have been there for 3 years (which is a long time for something you don’t enjoy). I heard a quote earlier, based on a man who believed his father could go onto become a comedian. The story was that he never became what his son thought he could because he didn’t believe it was possible himself. Instead, he made the conservative choice to take on what he perceived to be a ‘safe job’ to provide for his family. Such was life, the man lost his job (presumably being made redundant) and his family had to do whatever they could to survive. The moral of the story was that ‘You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance at doing what you love’. Scary thought because it’s where I’m at right now.

7. Meet new people, new friends – (Result?) = A strange one. The ‘gap’ that I was beginning to notice with some people last year is definitely still there, perhaps more-so. However, I have been reaching out to old friends and made more of an effort to socialise (that doesn’t involve drinking) and have been lucky enough to meet a girl who is caring, thoughtful, fun-loving and who has similar interests which is certainly a bonus. Sadly, football isn’t one of them but I am sure things can change!

8. Learn German – (Result?) = Heh, a stalwart post whenever I write my my new year’s resolutions. I hate to admit it but, in similar vein to number 4, I quite simply haven’t put enough effort into learning. To be fair though, I had intended to join an evening class based on the subject but it was cancelled due to lack of numbers and there doesn’t seem to be similar courses available locally. Upon looking recently, there is plenty of private tuition but at a rather high-end price. Therefore, this resolution shall remain until I get annoyed with myself that I have to keep referring to my failures with it!

9. Help out round the house – (Result?) = Finally, we have some progress with this one! I have been helping out more mainly because, my hand has been forced so to speak. It’s at this point I should mention that my mum had turned to alcohol to fend off her problems (primarily stemming from poor shift patterns at her previous job) and without going too much into it, has let the alcohol take over her life, resulting in poor health to an extent. I won’t delve too much into it, perhaps saving it for another post but certainly, there is still room for improvement in both contexts here.

10. Well, what do you think, Blair? What have you accomplished? Taking your job into consideration, think of the pay-rises, the external/internal courses that you are being sent on to gain further knowledge in different aspects, further visits to customers in the not too distant future etc… You are doing well for yourself in the role you are currently in. However, I know myself it’s not what I want to be doing for the rest of my life and so my three reasons for still being in the job I am are because – 1, Saving money. 2, Gaining life experience and work skills. 3, It keeps me occupied so that I can really thing about what I want to do. Deep down, I have always fancied a career in the navy. As stated in earlier posts, I would love the responsibility of helping other people as that is one of my qualities (as everybody seems to think) and to meet new people, learn new skills. I’m 22 now, soon to be 23 and would really love the experience of a ‘life without limits’ as the adverts state.

By the way, the quote I was referring to came from this video:

Give it a watch, it’ pretty enlightening and hard-hitting.

Come on Blair, let’s see some changes in 2015!