Rain, Rain, Go Away! Once Again It's Vettel's Day!

It's England. It's raining. Should we be surprised? Actually, yes we should but not the fact that it's raining, rather the sheer volume of water falling from the sky. The ground is saturated and every shower brings the chance of flooding ever closer. It's funny how the phrase "Global Warming" has been altered to "Climate Change" because any theory that we may actually get "warmer" weather on a regular basis in the British Isles has been blown out of the water. No pun intended. When I was young it always used to be that we had hot sunny days in summer, ice and snow in winter. These days we seem to get year-round rain with occasional short spells of sunshine. Every few months there seems to be somewhere else with flood damage.

Mill On The Exe, Exeter with
Press and TV coverage

As someone who predominantly plays summer sports I was excited by the prospect of England being a hot country! For the last 5 years our summers have been wet and miserable, not conducive to cricket in any way. Really it's no wonder so many of us go over to Australia in search of better weather and therefore more cricket, however to say it doesn't rain over there either wouldn't be accurate. It does, and a lot of the time heavier and more dramatic than the current deluge the South West of England finds itself under. Nevertheless, the resulting floods that have struck the Westcountry after this rain are still terrible, especially around the River Exe in Exeter. Cowley Bridge looked awful from the aerial shots, even the railway was under water. Today I went to look for myself and thankfully the water has receded for now.

Sky News featured a short video from Bovey Tracey, my hometown. I had to drive through it and I also took a video although I didn't think to send it to a news agency. I have only ever once known the water get that high in Bovey, I remember going on my paper round as a 13 year old and almost getting my pushbike stuck in the "puddle" opposite Station Road car park which was up to the handlebars. Now I'm old enough to drive, going through it this time left me considerably drier but the difference this time is that it continued raining and getting higher as the evening wore on! I haven't seen that amount of water in Bovey, ever. It literally made every road into a river, and it got to the stage where I had to say "no more deliveries" while working at Pizza Box on Saturday night. It took a little over an hour for the water on Station Road to go from a bit of a puddle to a full-blown flood.

Vettel winning in Melbourne 2011

Thank you and goodbye,
Michael Schumacher

Rain isn't exclusive to England, of course. Yesterday in Sao Paulo, Brazil the Formula 1 World Championship decider was settled in favour of that man again, Sebastian Vettel. Rain played it's part and allowed Vettel to recover after a first lap spin and to be fair to him, he scored more points over the season and therefore deserves to be the youngest Triple World Champion in F1 history. Red Bull have done a fantastic job and I only wish now that Adrian Newey would move on to a different mid-field team and take them to the top the way he has done before with Red Bull, McLaren and Williams. It won't happen anytime soon though. Also we have seen the last of Michael Schumacher in a Formula 1 car and I find that pretty sad. I was a massive Schumacher fan in his Ferrari years but the comeback with Mercedes hasn't gone to plan for him, and I am just glad I was able to see the great man race in Melbourne 2011, even if it didn't last long and wasn't at the front. Love him or hate him, he is a 7 times World Champion and a true legend of the sport. He statistically is the greatest ever, however I'm not the only one to feel that Ayrton Senna is the only one who can be considered the greatest of all time, something that Schumacher himself says.

A rainbow in Bovey, but don't
expect a pot of gold(!)

Back to the weather, this last week has been atrocious. Of course that has a bearing on my mood and I'm fast coming close to having a Sense Of Humour Failure after the week that was. In recent years I've actually been fairly lacklustre about keeping time, and usually turn up on time or a minute or two late. I never used to do that, I always used to be the one there on time or extra early. I've made a conscious effort since getting home from Australia last month to be early for most things I do, and when I make an extra effort to be early for things there is nothing more frustrating than something or someone making me late. I have my reasons for going to places early, because I know that if I don't I will end up cutting it fine to get to my other responsibilities and if I'm late to that, other people are affected and suddenly it's me that's forcing something or someone to be late. Obviously weather related delays can't be helped. I can't do anything about the road accidents causing delays, but when other people make me late it's infuriating because I know that'll I'll be causing other people to be infuriated by MY lateness.

The rain is falling once again and I wouldn't be surprised if the water rises in Bovey again and reaches similar levels, although as time passes thankfully that seems less and less likely. Yesterday morning I took a walk down to the scene to try and get some photographs in daylight but the water had gone and there was nothing to take a photo of. Perhaps I should be thankful I'm not working in it today. If the forecasts are to be believed then after the rain disappears there will be ice, snow and general freezing temperatures around. Just what is required, freezing temperatures and wet ground(!) Mind you, the Met Office also told us to expect a hot summer. How did that turn out? At the moment it's very much a case of wait and see, whatever it may be. With the visa application, seeing Jess, and other delays at the moment, it seems that all I ever do is wait. Just quietly, I'm tired of waiting and growing ever more impatient for the next 137 days to pass.

Racism: Staying United By Being Divided?

Me with Faisal Iqbal,
Pakistani International Cricketer

This week, I shall be mostly going on a rant. Especially about a lot of things in the news at present. Given that I have just had the misfortune of watching my team get embarrassed AGAIN by our most hated rivals, let's start with football. I'll leave my growing dislike of Andre Villas-Boas' transformation of Tottenham from Champions League contenders to mediocre minors out for a moment. The big subject in football at the moment is Racism; Be it a former England Captain, a referee, or a foreigner misusing his own language, racism has come to the fore again. I don't know with absolute certainty what happened in any of those instances but what has me riled is the presence of a Society Of Black Lawyers and the potential formation of a Professional Black Footballer's Association.

Jess and I with Glenn and Satchi (Japan)

Campaigns to get rid of racism, such as Kick It Out in football, will be undermined as long as these organisations exist. Why is there a Society of Black Lawyers? Is there a Society of White Lawyers? No, there is not. Why isn't a Society of Lawyers sufficient enough to represent everyone in the modern day world? Racial sensitivity has gone into overdrive and I personally think it is ridiculous. I cannot see how we can live as one human race if we keep creating these divisions, and separating the supposed "minority" into their own groups! Imagine the outcry if for example, black lawyers were excluded from being part of a society. Hang on, though... there's a Society of Black Lawyers... presumably this means white lawyers are excluded? Outcry? Of course not!

Me with Chris Gayle
(West Indies International cricketer)

I'd like to point out that I am absolutely against racism, and ironically I was recently accused of racism by a former cricket team-mate of mine from Australia. He is of Indian descent, and he was running his mouth on Facebook with his friends about how great India was and how rubbish England, Australia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan were. There's more irony there, because he lives in Australia and has done for most of, if not all of his life. I defended my country and my future country of residence, and noted that he has adopted Australia as his home so if he and his friends hate it there so much, "why don't you leave and go somewhere else? I hope none of you pricks poison my country with your presence" Suddenly, I'm a racist...  He later explained to me that because I called them "pricks" that he thought I was being racist towards India, being that they happened to all be Indians. I probably should have used a less abrasive word, such as "idiot" and apologised for that part at least, but I stand by the principle of what I said. "Poison" probably wasn't a good word either, but I intended the "poison" to refer to people clearly having negative feelings towards England.

Me and Ali Imran Pasha (Pakistan)

He pointed out to me that he had friends from Pakistan and Sri Lanka and he respected them and vice-versa. I pointed out that I have friends from USA, Canada, Italy, Germany, France, Norway, Hong Kong, China and Japan and at I've played cricket alongside Aussie's, Kiwi's, South Africans, Zimbabweans, Pakistani's, Indians, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshi's, some of whom were internationals, and I also netted with the West Indians in Sydney. I showed respect to each and every one, they showed respect to me. At no point did I single out any nations, or even insinuate that Indian's were inferior in any way. I told him categorically that I wasn't racist, if he looked carefully again I just said "pricks." At the end of the day, a prick is a prick, whether he is Indian, Black, White, Asian, or Latino. I make no distinction between people in that way, and see no reason why anyone else should. Equality works both ways, positively and negatively. Absolutely, people shouldn't be thought of as being any less worthy because of their race, equally people shouldn't be thought of as better or more entitled either. Anyway, he accepted that I wasn't being racist and I accepted I should perhaps have used better words.

Me and Kumraj Milon
(Bangladesh)

On the subject of entitlement and equality I turn to cricket because a few years ago there were a few racial issues too, coincidentally involving India and Australia. Currently England are being outplayed in India in the First Test, but a recent development in International Cricket is the use of DRS (Decision Review System), designed to back up umpires or overturn mistakes. Every country has accepted it's use and clear benefits, except India. And so we find ourselves with cricket in India developing in a different way to the rest of the World. There are different rules in play for Test Matches involving India, and this is wrong! I'm not suggesting it's a racial thing, but if we are going to seriously have a world without racism then we have to have equality in all things, including sport! It's like saying that one football club should be able to defend a goal that is half the size of a normal goal, but still get to shoot at a full sized one. It should be the same set of rules across the whole sport, not one set of rules for a club/country that don't like part of it. We keep creating divisions and ultimately that is not conducive to equality.

Me and Prashant (India)

I realise that this article may be viewed as anti-Indian, and that is far from the point of the piece. As mentioned before, I have many friends from India or of Indian descent. Indian food is among my favourite food, and India is definitely a country I would love to visit. I get on very well with my Indian friends, I am interested in their culture and I wish to experience it for myself one day, and they share my passion for cricket! I am merely using India as an example in this piece. We could talk about the racial quota system in place in South African cricket, that says their side must have two non-white players in the side. In my opinion you should pick the 11 best players regardless of race. Ultimately that's why Kevin Pietersen is now playing for England. I can't imagine the West Indies having a rule that says they must include at least 2 non-black players, can you?

Hari, myself and Jairam (Indians)

Then there's the controversy over the Tottenham fans chanting at the moment. For years, Spurs fans have been referred to as "Yids", a result of the Jewish community in that part of North London. The interesting bit is that the word is apparently considered offensive depending on how it is pronounced. If it is pronounced "Yeed" then no problem. If pronounced "Yid"  then apparently it's racist. Now, pardon my ignorance but isn't being Jewish a religion, not a race? Anyway, it was first used by other team's fans as a derogatory chant towards Spurs fans, who then turned it around and use it as a word of pride, now Spurs fans call themselves the Yid Army.

Rod Hokin (Australia) and I

Now the other clubs are trying to get chants involving the word "Yid" banned, which is pure hypocrisy! They had what they thought was an insult, and now the subjects of the insult are using the word with pride! Surely that is reducing the offensiveness of the word and de-sensitising people to it? It seems a word is deemed offensive depending on who uses it. If I were to use the "N" word, I would be guilty of racism. If a black person uses the same word, it's not racism. If Spurs fans are prosecuted for using the word "Yid" then black people must be prosecuted for using the "N" word. For the record, I don't think either party should be guilty of racism for their respective words, but it all goes back to what I was saying about equality. One rule for one group of people, another rule for others. But that's just the point. There shouldn't BE groups of people. We are all human, after all.

Me and Pranish (India)

Perhaps the problem is lack of respect for other people's cultures. People are no longer isolated in the world and broadening one's horizons is always going to happen. Taking England as an example, there are so many different cultures in London it is unbelieveable. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it seems that a lot of the people that come to England have no desire to take in British culture or to even respect it. Why would you move to a country if you have no interest in it? I welcome people in to England who are going to be positive, but if you have no desire to even learn the language what are you doing here? I have no problem with other cultures being here, but it disappoints me to see parts of Britain becoming foreign. I caught the train home from London a few weeks ago and more than one station along the way has signs completely in Arabic. I understand catering for foreign languages, Jess and I would have been lost in Paris without some of the English translations, but these weren't translations! They were out and out foreign with an English translation!

Me with Matt (Australia)
and Clare (France)

Now, I like to joke about the French, those of you who know me will know that, but that's all it is. Anglo-French humour. I do have French friends and they are delightful. I have massive respect for the French taking such a bold decision as banning the Bhurka. This was very controversial when it happened, but they are standing up for their French principles and I respect that very highly. How many Middle-Eastern countries are there where women MUST cover up, regardless of where they are from? It is illegal to chew on chewing gum in Singapore, how many other countries around the world chew gum? Regardless where you are from, you will get a fine if you chew gum in Singapore, it's their rules. So tell me why Britain is rapidly fading? Why is British rule slowly disappearing?

My adopted South African/Australian
family.

When I move to Australia in 2013 I fully expect to adhere to their rules and laws. I fully expect to embrace Australian culture. When Jess and I went to Ireland, we took in the Irish culture. When we went to France, we took in French culture. Wherever you visit, surely an attraction is to take in the culture. What's the point of going somewhere that's exactly the same as home? Australian culture is similar to British culture and perhaps that's an attraction, but there's enough of a difference there. I really want to experience Indian culture first hand and taste their food, see their sights and see their way of life. Same for South Africa, USA, Caribbean and others. Although in reality, all I need to do is travel 3 hours to London and that's sad. But on the plus side, 2012 has shown us that even with so many cultures in one place our Capital city can still be overtly British and something for Brits to be proud of.

London, England. Still British enough?

I resent being called a racist when I have always respected everyone's cultures and beliefs. Take a look at every single photograph on this blog entry, I am the only English person included. I resent the notion that I pick my friends based on their nationality or race. Martin Luther King's dream was that one day his children would be judged not by the colour of their skin, by the content of their character. I believe I do just that and whether I like a person or not isn't affected by the colour of their skin. I may not agree with all of their beliefs, and they may not agree with mine but as long as there is some kind of respect shown then that's all I ask. Ultimately, it's a lack of respect that creates these tensions and until people can show respect to each other we are destined to be divided in everything we do and ideals will never be realised. There's nothing that can't be done if we raise our voice as ONE.

Bad Dreams: The Countdown Begins

So here we are, Saturday 10th November 2012. A day off both of my jobs at last! Even if I do say so myself, I have worked bloody hard since I got back from Australia two weeks ago and I think I've earnt this rest. Except, I've not really been resting, I've been heavily editing my video diary from Australia, and I've been packing. This is all far too early, surely? The conversation I had with my Migration Officer when I last spoke to them was to confirm that my visa will not be granted until 9 months from the date of application have passed, and so my target date is 12th April 2013. Coincidentally, my mother's birthday. When I received this news, I was a mixture of disappointed and relieved. Extremely disappointed that my life with Jess cannot be expedited at all, but relieved at the news that they have everything they require in order to grant me an Australian Visa. I hadn't heard the result of my medical until this point but I am told there are no problems there, so even more reason for relief!

Jess and I before she left England

So why am I packing already? To tell you the truth, I don't really know myself. Perhaps it's a result of being around Jess, who is so organised with things like this that an administrative job would suit her enormously. Jess had her bags packed for going home to Australia about 2 weeks before she flew! It was quite amusing to see her perpetually having to retrieve things from the bags to use in her final days in England. On the other hand I am usually so disorganised that I leave things until the last possible moment. I didn't pack for my trips to Australia in 2009 and 2011 until the night before (and sometimes the day of!) my flights. Not this time. Last month I had one bag fully loaded 2 weeks before, and the other bag half loaded! I put my clothes in the night before my flight after they had been freshly washed. I have even been going into work early, loading the van early, getting away early and consequently, getting home early.

This still doesn't answer why I am packing up my things already. To be honest, so far I've only packed 2 boxes of DVD's and half a box of books but already my bookcase looks considerably emptier. Perhaps it's to make this place seem less like home, and in turn that'll make it easier to leave? Perhaps it's because subconciously I just don't want to be here? I don't think so. The fact is that in an ideal world, Jess and I could spend every year in both countries... September to April in Australia, April to September in England. Continuous summer! Money of course prevents that, and practically it just couldn't work. I do want to be in England, but I want to be with Jess more and therefore I want to be in Australia. So to keep myself busy in the lead-up to leaving I am preparing to move as if it were a few weeks away, rather than a few months. Making the time go faster is something we all wish we could do from time to time, but in reality I should just slow down and enjoy these last few months in my homeland. I am English, I'll always be English, I'll always be proud to be English. I'd happily have the 3 lions tattoo'd on my arm if I saw fit to. But my future is Australian.

My sister and I with Dad

A terrible dream I had earlier this week made me realise just how much I need to make the most of being here. Bad dreams, nightmares, whatever you want to call them... This one was awful. The scenario was that my sister was on her way to see Jess and I (England or Australia I'm not sure, my dreams are fairly vague), my parents were there, Jess's parents were there, Martin was there, Evie was there. The phone rang, it was Emily. She said she'd just been hit by a car and she didn't think she would make it. The phone rang again. The hospital confirmed she'd gone, no longer with us. My sister had gone. I cannot describe the gutting feeling I had, even just in a dream! I woke up in floods of tears because I thought it was real! I thought about how Evie wouldn't have a mother, I didn't have a chance to say goodbye to my sister. It took a good five minutes to realise it wasn't real and my God, the relief was incredible. I text my sister soon afterwards to tell her that I love her and I need to spend more time with them before I leave. Amazingly though, I didn't have the shiver. It wasn't real, but it made me think.

Unfortunately out of focus, my sister and I
at Mum and Dad's 25th Wedding Anniversary

My sister and I have always got on well, but like most siblings we have also had a fair few arguments along the way! We're both stubborn, we both have to get the last word in, but we also stand up for each other if the situation requires it and she has given me a lot of support. The fact that she gets on so well with Jess is brilliant for me too, and I know how much Emily will love Australia when she finally makes it out there for our wedding. My grandmother went out to Australia in 1998 to visit her siblings that left when they were kids, and she saw her brothers for the first time in 40 years during that trip. I hope I can see my sister and niece at least every 2 years. Of course, I will want to see my parents just as often. I see them daily at the moment and I take that for granted, but I know I will miss them as much as I will enjoy the freedom of being away.

The problem is still that although I know the date a decision for my visa can be made, I don't know when it will be made and so that makes planning a touch difficult. When it comes, I would imagine that it would take a couple of weeks to sell off the final few posessions and book the flights, but in the meantime there is plenty to look forward to. Tonight is my last ever Bovey Tracey Cricket Club Dinner & Dance, there's my Dad's birthday, my last English (and therefore last cold) Christmas for a while, New Year's Eve (Could it be London again?), and in March I am going to see The Darkness again, this time in Hammersmith with Matt, my Brother-From-Another-Mother. Who knows? He may even join me out in Australia shortly after that? In the meantime I have about 22 weeks left in Devon. Time for a few pints, some goodbyes, and some Rock-based music of exceptional quality. Perhaps even a little pilgrimage to my birthplace? Seems fitting when not long ago I showed Jess where I grew up. There is so much to do that I'm left with a massive paradox; I need the time to fly, but 153 days isn't enough to fit it all in! Or is it...?