I have discovered two things about football so far in this what the people are calling “ridiculous experiment”. Yesterday I said that the biggest thing I’d learnt so far in not watching football is just how hard is to avoid any mention of it. To be clear this isn’t a year long version of that tremendous episode of Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads where they tried to not spoil the highlights of the England game on television later by deliberately not finding out the score. I haven’t got a Brian Glover type chasing me trying to tell me what’s happening.
Football seems to be omnipresent – to me anyhow who as always looked out for scores, kept abreast of transfer deadline days (I know by the way that is today) and to be truthful have had a lifetime with one eye on variously through the ages ceefax, the internet, newspapers or one ear open in the pub eavesdropping on the conversation of strangers.
The other startling thing that’s become obvious is just how much time I have devoted to football. Even a home game at Old Trafford is at least a four hour jaunt, despite living 6 miles from the ground (yes get that six miles, and you thought every United fan lived south of Watford) and being able to get a train direct to the ground that takes about 20 minutes, it’s still a full afternoon gone. Away matches obviously (when I could go I would) take up far more time. I’ve not done the European away trips – I don’t know why, but some people go on ALL these. Surely they can’t have time to go on a real holiday? Add in the hours watching the games live on the television, highlights, inane Sunday morning babble dissecting the previous day, the odd La Liga match, oh look the Academy are playing and it’s on MUTV etc. and thats a huge chunk of my life gone.
One of the aims of this what other people are a calling “a mid life crisis” is to try and broaden my mind, embrace culture and the arts and generally try to be a bit more rounded as a human being. It’d be nice to think not of football when I hear Pavarotti sing. (Italia ’90 – Nessun Dorma, obviously).
So I need your help. Are you a non-football fan? Do you do something that’s fun and interesting a little bit cultured perhaps? Can I please come with you when you do it? Would you mind showing me what you do when football is on?
I need somethings to do about tea time on the 10th September when Bolton entertain United. The following Wednesday the 14th in the evening, when I’m not watching the Champions League game against Benfica and then early evening of the 24th United are playing Stoke on TV – I need something then. So to clarify
Saturday 10th September – early evening
Wednesday 14th September – evening
Saturday 24th September – early evening
It could be great, you get the chance to spend time showing someone your passions and I get to fill the hours in what some people are calling “a futile attempt to get an Edinburgh show/book deal à la Danny Wallace or Dave Gorman but without necessarily their talent”
Ignore those people. They’re probably stinky football fans.
Best way to get in touch is via email info@justinmoorhouse.com
Let’s make the world a better place, I mean Join Me…….Get in touch.
What about rambling with the dog,and no – thats not a euphamism.
Weds the 14th you can come and co-host my drivetime radio show with me, if you want?
Ha – think I might be busy doing my own show! x
We’re having a house party for my sister’s 40th. It will be fantastic (garage full of booze, room full of food – what’s not to like?). You’re more than welcome to come (and if you do, you can be my present to her, so I save a few quid too – result!)