An easy one to start...

When I started with this venture, energised and enthusiastic, I didn’t expect something to come along that halted my project and, well, everything else in its tracks.

To cut a long story short, my nearest and dearest dude had to endure an unexpected trip to hospital, unpleasant tests, raised stress levels (understatement) until, eventually, there was a sigh of relief and some enforced rest. My own blood pressure went a bit off the rails too, and there were some issues with overactive tear ducts *cough*, but all is now well for the dude, so all is well for me.

Me being the kind and thoughtful soul that I am, I decided to take advantage of the fact he was supine (Hey! That’s not a euphemism!) to use him as a font of knowledge for my first trip into something new. That something: American football.

Now, before anyone comments, I am well aware that I have neither the physique nor the fitness level required to play. And I’m not even going to get started talking about my low tolerance for pain. And, yes, I am also aware that I’ve had a little bit of a head start here, attending home games for the amateur team he plays for, the West Coast Trojans, this year. I haven’t ever really tried to fully engage with the sport though, and with the NFL season only in its second week, I thought it might be the perfect time to give it a bash.

It’s been a very interesting week so far (this one will span out to close to a fortnight if I’m honest), with some history, biographies, NFL and college football on TV, devouring American punditry, learning about the UK sport and its governing body BAFA, computer games, playbooks, and much more. I’ve barely even touched on the wealth of books and films based on the sport, trading cards, health benefits and safety in the sport, learning to throw, and the upcoming Britbowl  - including the National Division 2 final which the dude just happens to be playing in (Mon’ the Trojans!)

So, to avoid wrist cramp and reader fatigue for anyone unfortunate enough to stumble on this page, I’ll be adding some updates daily until I’ve covered everything from the1994 Miami Dolphins season, to Tony Romo’s recent injury, and as much as I can in between (and before).

Choosing adventure as progress

Transition can prompt all kinds of thinking.


Some changes are imposed on you, but can lead to a completely altered life. Some changes are prompted by a desire to escape the negative; a failing relationship or a terrible job. I've been thinking a lot about positive change, and the conscious desire to take control of ones own destiny.


While fate, luck, and other creatures with free will that have influence in your life can all play a part, there is always something in your life that you can control, and use it to make positive changes.


I've had a big transition year. All of which will become clear in later posts. But I am still in the transition phase, and nowhere near being the final article. I don't really know what the final article looks like, but I'm realising that the only way to find out is to try on some hats, go on some adventures, and see where life takes me.


There's a phrase I picked up in my last (awful) job: small tests of change. If I can resolve to testing some changes, trying new things, and pushing myself towards the scary and the unknown, I might just find what I'm looking for. And if I don't, then I at least have a story to tell.


So, here's the plan:

1. I will commit to trying something outside of my "norms" for one week. 
2. I will choose at least two new adventures every month.
3. I will accept that this has to be something I can fit around work and other commitments.
4. I will COMMIT to each task. If' I'm jogging, then I'm out there at 5am in the rain; if I'm knitting, then the needles and wool are coming out in public; if I'm in a murder mystery club, I'm dusting off a fedora and diving in. No half-arsedness. 
5. If I discover that I like it, it's okay to continue, as long as it doesn't interfere with new adventures. 
6. I will try to involve one friend or family member in each adventure.

Why one week? Well, my natural propensity to constantly change my mind about things would interfere if it was any longer, and there's no point in only committing to something for one day. You can't really immerse yourself in it.

The only challenge is trying to work out what to choose first... And yes, I already know that blogging doesn't count.

Em