It's Not Done.

After 22 long painful years, Arsenal are premier league champions. We are the best of the best in England and nobody can take that away from us, as much as many seem intent on trying to do, we are the champions of England. It has been 22 years, I was 10 years old when Arsenal last won a league title and since then have been subjected to the horrors this agonisingly beautiful game can create. I saw Arsenal beaten in a champions league final under suspect circumstances, I worked at the BBC for Match of the Day when Arsenal lost 8-2 to Man United, I cried when Birmingham beat us to the league cup and I stared helplessly at the screen as Aaron Ramsey and Eduardo suffered bone breaking horror injuries from tackles intended to physically harm them. I lived through years of ridicule from other fans, decades of agony as we became nearly men and finally.....finally.....after 22 years, I will see my team lift the trophy they so rightfully deserve. 

I cried when the final whistle blew at Bournemouth and confirmed that Manchester (115 charges) City could no longer mathematically catch Arsenal to the title. Football is one of those things that I cant explain to non-fans, I love the game and everything this club has become, but I still suffer weekly through 90 minutes of nerves and nail-biting anxiety. Nothing in the world gives you the extreme sensations in fandom as football, more-so supporting a club with such devoted and expecting fans as the Arsenal. I wont gush over them much longer, but today I went for a walk and saw a young lad walking with his Dad. The young boy was wearing an Arsenal top and smiling like the world was bright and glorious, I felt such a deep happiness at what this club has done for those fans and this young man. Declan Rice told us all that "It's not done" when we capitulated to Manchester (115 charges) City weeks ago, and yesterday night he was proven right. Nothing is over until its over. 

I love this football club and after 22 years, I can attend the parade to celebrate with my fellow fans that achievement. We are champions of England - and might very well become champions of Europe before the months over. 

Non-Football Ramble

On the notion of things not being done, I am feeling a deep sense of growing energy building around the rescue again. People are joining and bringing fresh eyes and fresh excitement that we needed to get through this final chapter, dogs are meeting new people and while some are struggling with the nerves that brings - others are finding a new bounce in bravery and exposure to the world waiting for them.

We have puppies being lined up for homes, a long term stayer being finally homed after years and rehabilitation being prioritised over running out the clock. Change is often upsetting, but it should never be fought, once again, this job is not done yet.

Writing

I haven't been writing. That was a quick catch up. I have been editing and posting chapters for Organ onto the website for free reading, the numbers have been great and I hope everyone reading it has enjoyed what they have found so far. It is a great horror story and I am really proud of it, being my first novel that I published - having people experience it for free feels more rewarding than letting Amazon sit on it and take all the profits from sales. Fuck Amazon, read it for free here on my site.

While I am tucking into another new book I bought, The Body by Stephen King, I am getting ideas for restructuring the Bulldog series for easier consumption on the site. Maybe I will post them all in one go but I need Amazon to release it from their oily destroying grip first. Lesson learnt, never get into bed with a monopoly if you can help it. 

Anything Else 

I took a walk with a new staff member at the rescue the other day, we had a dog with us and explored the area a bit for him to familiarise himself with both the dog and the area. He isn't from the UK and we chatted about some cultural elements of life in the UK and life in his home country, I love travel and hearing of peoples own ventures abroad so it was a great forty minutes. However I was ashamed, and that shame came from walking amongst endless articles of litter in the green spaces around our rescue - which is located in my hometown. 

And I am tired of just being tired of it. So tomorrow, when I go into work, when I take dogs for walks. I am taking a bin bag with me and will start tackling the problem myself, be the change you want to be right. Nothing weaker than a man that complains but doesn't stand up to change the situation if he is able. I am able to clean up this mess, whoever made it will get their judgement through a life lacking in pride or happiness. The work is not done until someone does it, the council do not seem interested in cleaning up the mess from bad people (and if you litter, you are a bad person), the locals immediately next to the area don't seem to care and after seeing it through the eyes of a visitor - I care all the more. 

Right, I don't want to keep you. Enjoy the coming heat wave, drink lots of water and wear sunscreen. Stay lubricated, you intoxicated little pill bugs.