Happy Birthday to me

Birthdays, we love the celebrations but most are never really comfortable with the rising number of our age. I'll admit I never wanted to get old when I was younger, who does? I'm happy to say that on Monday I turned 34. I'm not ashamed of it, yeah my number is getting higher but oh well. Life is all about what you make of it. So on Monday, I chose to take my son down to Movieworld, catch up with my best friend and make a fun day of it. It's no secret I love motor racing, motor bikes, motogp, F1, anything that goes fast. I'm an adrenalin junkie. I love my Holden's with a passion, I'd only ever own a Ford if it's a mustang. Nothing against Ford, I was raised to follow the Lions den. I'm a huge supporter of V8 drivers such as Craig Lowndes, Russell Ingall & Mark Skaife. But one of my most favourites is Warren Luff.

Yes ladies, we all know Waz is lovely on the eyes, and when he flashes those pearly whites, even the coldest hearts would melt. Putting all that aside, Waz is a fantastic and successful driver. When Wazza told me he was driving in the stunt show on Monday, the pit pass was a possibility. What a dream, to be a passenger to Warren Luff! Definitely not something I thought I would actually ever do. Since I had my son, I've tried not to be so addicted to being a daredevil but sometimes you just can't ignore it. My best friend, Cas said to me as soon we walked into Movieworld, that I had to do the pit pass experience. Of course I replied "Only if I get Luffy as the driver." In the end after watching the first show, we strolled up to a lovely man named Troy and booked it in. It was set, all ready to go. We went in, watched the second show and had an absolute blast. Troy took us downstairs, while telling us more than once that he would be keeping a close eye on me as I'm likely to be a distraction to poor Wazza. Funny man he is! Of course I wasn't, was I Waz? 

After getting kitted out in my onesie, had a few snapshots done, I went down and met Wazza. Suddenly he stopped being Warren Luff, the professional V8 driver & Carrera Cup driver, he was just Waz. The devilishly handsome Waz, but more like my mate Waz. The few butterflies I had just disappeared and the blood started pumping. I couldn't wait to get my butt into that car. I was planning to go last but decided to go first. I got harnessed in and off we went. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. Definitely the best thing I've done on any birthday yet. During it, I had a lovely chat with Waz as if we were doing nothing more than having a coffee break. I can honestly say, if you go to MovieWorld, be sure to include a pit pass in your itinerary. It is a must have on the day. I will be doing it again. I'm even going to step up and do the V8 hot lap experience. 

For all my friends in Sydney or those travelling to Sydney and want a great driving experience, check out www.ianluff.com.au or look Ian Luff up on adrenalin.com.au If you are going to learn anything new or refine your motoring skills, you are wise to do it with the best. (Yes that was a self included plug.) 

Thank you to my lovely Cas, who really is more like my little sister than a friend. I am so glad I got to share my day with you. Thank you for encouraging me to take the plunge and just do it. And Waz, I can not thank you enough for the awesome experience you gave me, thank you for also being a part of my day. I hope to catch up with you again someday. To everyone else, forget biding your time, just do it. You will never know what you're missing if you don't. 

An Open View in a Closed Dimension

Was I disappointed last night? Of course I was, we didn't deserve to win after the amount of missed opportunities from our boys. We could've, should've, would've won. But we didn't. I was just as disappointed in the booing of Jobe Watson. I know what I may say will not go down well amongst some, but for this blog I am taking off my Carlton cap and plainly wearing my AFL cap. If I, like many others didn't love the game of AFL I certainly wouldn't have my own set team that I follow. I was raised a Carlton supporter, even though my household is greatly divided. My father is Carlton through and through, my mother is just as loyal to her beloved Swans. A brother for Carlton and my oldest brother has been Essendon for roughly 27 years. And not one of us are from Melbourne nor do we live in Victoria. 

Yes it has been very hard to see him go through this saga with the amount of passion he has for his club. Hell I would've have been just as emotional and disappointed but yet still loyal if it was my club. I have spoken many times with my bro about this ongoing issue and no result of any particular match or the possible outcome of any sanctions handed to Essendon has influenced me all season. I believe that any club if found in breach of the code rules and regulations should justifiably pay the penalties given to them, I do not believe that any matter should be handled like a witch hunt. 

There has been much speculation of Essendon losing points, draft priorities, fines and suspensions. Say they do lose points and Carlton make the 8, it would be a very hard pill to swallow for me. I don't feel we have done enough to warrant a spot in the 8 this season. Looking at the result from a purely AFL fan's perspective, the AFL need to hand down whatever it feels necessary to be seen as being proactive against code breaches and to save the integrity of our great game. Regardless of which team is sitting 9th, because honestly I don't care which of the 17 clubs that is, if the AFL feel that a spot in the 8 could of been held by a team without the speculated assistance that has been reported that the Bombers have had then they need to do what they see fit. 

Of course I'd be happy to see my beloved team in the finals, that's what every supporter of their club wants to see. But that still doesn't take away the fact that many of us feel we don't deserve that, but as I said, if the AFL and possibly the other 17 clubs feel that they could've made the 8 previously and fairly then that's what will happen.

I'll admit, I feel for the whole Essendon community. This is something that is bigger than just the game. There are mothers, fathers, siblings, sons & daughters, wives & girlfriends, extended family and friends that this all affects. Would I stand by and watch my brothers be called a drug cheat? Hell no, would you? As far as I've heard, the only substances that have been given a name to the public, were not deemed banned at the time. This information is easily found, I found that myself 4 months ago and informed my brother of that before either one of us had heard it mentioned to the wider public. Now I'm not claiming to know all the details, anyone would be stupid to do so outside of those involved. But I'm not looking at this as a one-eyed bias supporter of any one particular club either. For the love of the game, look at what is the big picture. If by chance, Carlton are slotted in the 8, for each and every finals win we may have, and if we dare to dream, a 17th premiership comes our way, a part of me will always dedicate it to our brothers and sisters of the AFL community from another club. We are all united by our love of footy regardless of the teams we choose to follow. 

The role of any official, therapist, medical professional in a club no matter the sport, is to provide the best possible service to their club and their athletes. There will always be people and great new technology, newer therapies and aids that will test and push the boundaries. We all only ever want the best for our sporting hero's. While there is a lot going on within this saga, sometimes we all need to take a step back, forget our bias and look at every aspect of the situation. Just remember, through the actions of others this is could just as easily be any one of our clubs that this happens to. 

To my Blues family, I love our club and I know that we all have different views and opinions, many of you will not agree with mine. That is ok, but I will not apologise for putting my love of our game before the passion of my club. Without the game, there is no team. 

To all those in the Essendon community, I hope this is resolved swiftly but smartly and that the penalties handed down are justifiable and not over the top. I hope, that if there are suspensions, that those affected are back in due course. On a personal note to Jobe, I admire you, always have. You are a champion and from what I see, a top bloke. Hold your head high Jobe, you have every right to do so. To Jimmy, you were a player we hated to oppose. You grew into a champion of our game and have developed into a great coach and clubman for Essendon. No one is naive enough to think that this saga will not tarnish the club or anyone from there. But that's the beauty of mistakes. Wrongs can be righted and attitudes changed. I personally, will always have great respect for you, yes right now I am disappointed. But you will be there, you will grow and learn from this and I have no doubt at all, that you will be an even stronger force to be reckoned with when the right time comes. 

This has been one of the longest blogs I have done in sometime, but looking from the outside, there is just too much stupidity being thrown around and neglecting the truths. Please refrain from being abusive or nasty if leaving comments. This is only my opinion, I respect those of everyone else's but I will not have my thoughts influenced by those that are different to my own. I don't tell you what to think so please be respectful of what others think. I myself, see fit to be able to voice my own opinion as should everyone without being disrespectful and nasty to others. As a mother to a young son who wants to grow up to be in the AFL, I hope that our game's image recovers and come backs even better than it has been. To those who have taken the time to read this, thank you. 

I thought I had lost my blog, for the life of me I couldn't remember my log in for it. It's been so long since I've written anything, but yet so much has happened. Not all of it good, some of it bloody brilliant and some, down right heartbreaking.

 I lost one of our most beautiful friends, our dearest Bethan. We are all still going through the grieving process. It has been very very hard on all of us, but we are currently working together on a very special project. Once I can give you all more information, I promise I will. I have also lost my wonderful step-mum due to totally unexpected circumstances. Yes its hard, and it's been very rough. I've got some of the most wonderful people around me that I just couldn't live without. They know who they are so I'm not going to go into that right now. 

Some good news is, some of my closest friends have all welcomed new babies into their families and its been such a blessing to be a part of it with them all and share in their happiness. I love all my little darlings. Of course, my little fella isn't so little anymore and is growing up so very fast. He's totally into Batman of course, why wouldn't he be with me as his mum.. haha 

Over the last couple of years, there have been tears and heartache, many laughs and smiles. All the bad things that make us stronger, yet found great things that have managed to become weaknesses because of how much I love them. I will divulge more along the way. For now, I am back and happy. It's good to have found my blog again. Hopefully this time, I won't ignore it and actually write more consistently. I've been writing poetry again so I may share some of those too. I hope everyone is well and things have been good for you all. 

Sending you all lots of love and smiles, xx

My Tribute To B

Our Dearest Beanie,

I have so much I want to say and so much I never got to say. Its so hard to find the right words to do you justice but nothing is coming up trumps for me. You my girl, are such a bright and shining star that when we lost you the whole sky went black and no star ever shone bright again. I remember all those nights where, thanks to the time gap, I lived on about 4 hours sleep a day. Not easy when my son was just a toddler at the time, haha, but it worked and we wouldn't have had it any other way. I was always so proud and pleased for you whenever you told me something had happened in your favour. You deserved all the beauty in the world. You always left your smiling face with us, and in turn always made me smile. Sure we had our crying moments when things got rough, but there was always so much more laughter than tears. And vodka! I'll never forget the first time you told me about Tom and how happy you are that you found him. I don't believe you could've have found someone any better. I thank Tom with all my heart for coming into B's life and opening her up to such a happy and love filled life. Oh B, I just don't know what to do without you. There is such an empty void there that we are all feeling and know it will never be filled without you. Thankfully, we were blessed enough to have such an angel in our lives and leave us with such fond, fun-filled and loving memories. I know people say that we are all here for a designated time until our duty calls us somewhere else. I know that wherever you are, you will be doing even greater good for those that need you now. As I always say, we are here for a good time, not a long time. B, you definitely provided everyone around you with a good time. I just wish that we could've just erased some of the bad that surrounded you. I wish I could've taken away your pain. Beanie Bear, I thank you for all the lessons you taught me, all the smiles you shared with me and all the laughter we had. I will always miss you babes, and love you for eternity. Our sisters are all taking care of each other, we will always take care of and be there for Tom. Please don't ever forget that if you see me mess up or that your little nephew has, to come down and give me a good shake up. Thank you my little sister for being the absolutely, wonderful and beautiful person that is you.

Our tears may fade, but our love will always stay.

Love you always B,

 Peta