Had training last night but it wasnt a usual training session… we had 2 extra coaches with us this week.

 One is an ex-Army boxer who used to be with our club before he joined the Army, the 2nd is the Southern Counties ABA coach and selector.

 It was great to get some tips off 2 very experienced people.

 Both told me to relax my shoulders more which will give me quicker hands as I box more powerful than fast which isnt always best in amatuer boxing.
The ABA coach said I shouldn’t be so square in the shoulders, I moved more sideways on which I found really hard at first as it gave me more reach - affecting my distance and balance.

I felt it was like my first time again, after a while I managed to get accustomed to this new positioning. Hopefully it will be more natural on wednesday when we are sparring.

 At the end of the night I received some good news.

The RAF Boxing Team are bringing down a squad for an open night of boxing on 25th April - 3 days before my move and my coach has got the potentially lined up for my first fight! :):)

Its on their website under events and its

25 Apr - RAF Vs Plymouth Select

Devonport ABC

Its a scary thought but happy days!

Just to keep you all update about our move…

 Two things have happened this week which are making it all become that bit more real.

 We have handed in our notice to the letting agency - which was a hard thing to do because we have a really nice flat which i’m gonna add some picture below.

 

The 2nd is we have arranged our shipping - we are receiving some boxes in the post tomorrow from PODS and then all we need to do is let them know 24hrs before what day we would like them collected.

Nice and Easy.

Hopefully the next steps will be just as easy but after reading Shanes experience at the tax office and bank I dont think so!

As I dragged myself in to my flat from boxing I catched the end of an advert on TV… I wouldnt have taken any notice if it were a normal advert I would have just ignored it and carried on crawling along the floor looking for comfort from Ami, but it wasn’t a normal advert - it was a documentary about Kizzy: Mum at 14!

 How could this be? 14! MUM?

I was well and truely shocked… 16 is young enough let alone 14! This had caught my eye and I was interested in watching the rest of it, which I did and it was interesting, disturbing, brave and shocking all at once.

It was all part of Channel 4’s Born Survivor series.

Kizzy, the young girl in the documentary had sex at the age of 13 and claims she got pregnant after a ”one night stand” with a boy named Louie - she also says it was her first time.
She gave birth when she was 14 to a baby boy named Kaylib but Louie who is in denial has ran away to his nan’s in Essex by this time.

She lives in Torbay which is about 40 miles from Plymouth and something I never knew is that the area of Torbay (Torquay/Paignton) has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies in the UK and 12 other girls in her school year also became pregnant that year!

You see how she loses so many friends as they found out she was pregnant which must have been quite hard, as if it wasnt hard enough dealing with the pregnancy!
Her brothers talk about how they have been abused verbally and on several occasions had been physically beaten.

At the end of show Kizzy, her mum, brothers and her new boyfriend Michael (who is a nice guy) travelled up to Essex to see Louie.
Louie wouldnt allow Michael or Kizzys brother at the meeting or any cameras as he is just a little boy and cant live up to his responsabilities. This is also the first time he meet his son.

Before she gives birth it made me feel physically sick to see someone so young whos body hadnt developed properly yet to be carrying a baby, her stretch marks were rediculously large - her body wasnt ready for a baby!

Her labour lasted 19 hours and she had to be cut 3 times with 80 stitches needed afterwards…

However I was amazed how much she grew up throughout the whole transition and that she decided against an abortion (for better or worse)

It puts that little bit of fun kids like to have into perspective!

Her rather than me I say

As Ive just blogged about one uncanny incident that happened to me whilst in Stockholm (Gangsters) I thought I’d blog over others and there’s a long list of thing that have happened to me which is just typical!

 This time is was when James, Pondy and I went to Stockholm for a week before Christmas… we spent the whole week hitting the bars and clubs of stureplan…

On one of the nights we had been out and were about to return to our hotel a couple of guys walked past us, intentionally knocking into us - why?

They turned around and said - ‘are you English football hooligans’?

We tried to make a joke out of it and let it go.

This didnt work as one of them started to push me and say ‘we are the Black Army’ (AIK’s hooligan element)

James started to get a bit irrate as we had been having a really good night before these 2 massive blokes decided to try and start some trouble.
Those of you who know me I am one of the most relaxed people you know - and definately would never start a fight!

We started to walk away then it all happened…

One of the guys decided to throw a punch at me and missed, Pondy jumped in a hit him SO hard I couldnt believe he was still standing, then James caught his as well…

His friend had now changed his mind after seeing his friend hit and started to pace away, dragging his wobbly legged friend with him!

That was the end of the matter but it was rediculous - we were singled out because we were English and automatically suspected as football hooligans!

Its a shame, but was a great night out!

Gangsters, guns and women All of which you would never expect to find in Sweden… apart from women obviously, although these were no ordinary women.

It all happened last October when James and I went over to Stockholm for a quiet few days, but ended up having the most eventful time you can imagine!

The first night we spent hours looking for our hotel/hostel which was meant to be in Solna but was more like Ulriksdal. So after getting off the train at Solna and walking around cluelessly for hours someone helped us and told us which bus to get there… We saw a few signposts to our Hostel so we started to follow them up through the woods before arrive at a 60s style holiday camp!

The next night we went out and managed to get a little bit too drunk, James went home early and back at the hotel where he started talking to someone who he thought was security.

Like hell it was.

This man started offering him women for 200 Euro.. after he declined the bloke asked if he could drive to which he replied… ‘yeah but I’m too drunk’

The ‘pimp’ thought otherwise and pulled his jacket back to reveal he was ‘packing heat’.

My friend obviously shit himself, got in the car and started it up, but he then said he couldn’t as he would kill both of them because he was too drunk etc… he took my friends number and let him go…

When my friend told me the next day I thought he was joking until our last night.
Walking through the woods to the train this pimped out BMW screeched up beside us and its the Israeli pimp and his massive tattooed Mafia friend…

’I called you, why haven’t you answered your phone… get in the car’ they said in a very short tone

After shitting ourselves we managed to lie about the number again and our room number and get away…
We finally made it into Stockholm, after all this excitement all we wanted was a quick strong drink or 2.

We decided to explore Slussen and Soder, after walking around for a while we saw a small ‘hip’ looking bar called Violet.

As we were ordering our beers a guy started chatting to us at the bar, we thought he was just being socialble – even when he touched my arm (although this made me raise an eyebrow).

When we ordered our next drinks the barman gave us a free beer each… that was nice of him I thought…I sat there thinking to myself… this bar was a really cool place, nicely decorated and good music – I like it…

At this point my friend turned to me and said ‘look at the walls’ I thought,,, yeah they’re purple and quite funky…

Then he said ‘no, no – look at the name of the bar’ - Violet, again quite funky and modern, matches the walls kinda…

Getting quite short with me by now he said ‘look at all the couples’…

I did, then it finally sunk in – we were in a gay bar!

To just confirm our thoughts we leant over to the table next to us full of beautiful woman and asked bluntly ‘is this a gay bar’?

‘yes, of course’ was the reply we recieved!

My 1st and last experience of a gay bar I must say!

What a weekend in Stockholm!

Well we’ve booked our flights out to Sweden now - all confirmed for the 28th of April 2008 - a week and a bit after my 21st birthday.

You would have thought that it being the flight we never come back on we would have gone for a bit more ease and comfort with BA or SAS but no - we’re going with Ryanair for the UMPTEENTH time this year.

I think we should have shares by now… and although I am looking forward to moving. Im not looking forward to Stansted Airport and Ryanair!

Geeze I am sooo tired right now, so many things have been going on… this weekend!

Starting on friday I did my usual thing of going boxing after work and flogging myself like a dead horse.
I did some light streching and loosening moves to start off with and then some skipping and shadow boxing before being asked by my coach to jump in the ring with 2 others.

We were going to be doing some sparring (I was happy with this as no one had a gum shield on wednesday so I couldnt do it then) my only issue was that the 2 other guys were both more experienced and taller than me!

I started off with one guy, both of us just using our jab trying to suss each other out, which he managed to do quicker than me… As I blocked his jab, he counter punched with a straight right which landed a peach on my nose - instantly making my eyes water and nose run… this was not fun!

I carried on trying to find my rythem which eventually I managed to find and boxed pretty well for the remainder of the round, landing a few solid jabs on his chin.

The coach then stopped us to have a word and let us know what he thought and how we could improve. I was shocked when he said he didnt have much to say to me apart from stay on my toe a bit more!

AWESOME

The next guy was a little bit easier to fight, although taller than the last, he didnt have as much confidence and I was already warmed up. We had a good little session both with high work rate and this time I landed a few straight rights as well before I made a huge mistake and got caught.

Earlier that day I had been reading some article about boxing and playing with a poker face - so I thought Id try my luck.

Trying to fein a jab to his face I then went down stairs and jabbed him in his stomach, as I came back up he caught me with a perfect hook to the side of my head..

 SHIT THAT HURT.

I felt all funny after that and had to take a quick breather before continuing - its the last time I try to boxing above my skill level.

We then carried on with the usual pad and bag work, skipping and then finishing with circuit training.

I slowly made my way home and into a nice hot shower before relaxing infront of the TV… unfortunately I had work saturday

I managed to drag myself out of bed and to work which was ok but its saturday and Plymouth Argyle were playing Burnley at home - we won 3-1 - HAVE THAT. 

After work I came home and decided not to eat anything as the lads were going around Pondy’s for a curry and some beers.
Ami had a house warming party to go to, so her and the girls from work spent the day clothes shopping before heading home. When I arrived home the lady in my life was getting ready and begging me for a lift to Union Rooms (Whetherspoons) as all the girls were meeting their first before going to the party!

I dropped her in on the way to Pondys.

On the way I had a change of mind about eating Indian as I had been putting the hours in at boxing, I would feel like Im letting myself down.
But in my typical way I then changed my mind again and stopped of for some fish and chips (whoops)

To cut it short we watched a few films and I went home tired and ready for bed.

After getting home and watching Match of the Day and seeing Eduardo’s horrific break I knew it was time for bed.

Thanks Ami - I was rudely awaken as usual as Ami came battering in through the front door at 5am and wanting to keep me up telling me about her night.

I suddenly woke up at 7am on a sunday :O
The thing to make it even stranger I got out of bed and put my running stuff on and went for a run. It was nice and quiet outside (no one would be that crazy to be awake yet) and the air was fresh.
I managed an hour before coming home and showering and getting ready for the day.

Im now at my mums as its Andy (her partners) birthday and washing my dirty clothes

Ready for bed again already - work tomorrow. Lucky me!

Not boxing… but with regards to the great quote race between my girlfriend and I!

 As you may remember from my last post we had been trying to find the cheapest quote for moving our stuff to Stockholm from Plymouth.
But little did my girlfriend know I had some inside knowledge of a particular company, a recommendation, a tip… I had to win with this…

 The results - Ami - £825 before VAT
                        Jamie - £702 before VAT

 The company is called PODS and I can now recommend their prices and hopefully soon their service!

Just the flights to book now!

I couldnt believe my ears this morning whilst listening to the Chris Moyles show on Radio 1 on my way to work…

There’s a new trend around, thanks to David Beckham and its called the ‘Boyzilian‘!

A brazilian waxing for guys! Who on earth would do that?
Ive been waxed, more than once and strangely enough I did actually enjoy it haha

Each pull of the strip making my eyes water, begging for mercy off my girlfriend whos laughing demonically like a woman possessed, enjoying my pain!
I’ve had my back, sack and crack down aswell as my shoulders and neck!

mmmm! smooth

Apart from the boyzilian there is also somthing called the speedo which is the male equivilant of having your bikini line done…

I knew there was a term called metrosexual but I think this takes it one step further!

I wouldnt be suprised if this has been happening for years in Stockholm thanks to the likes of Freddie Ljungberg and all the pretty boys in Stockholm with their waxed chests and slick back hair!

Boyzilian or Speedo?… maybe one day

What is it with our fascination with fast food?

I know I used to love! - Mcdonalds, KFC, Kebabs, Fish and Chips… and I still do like it but I dont eat it as much as I used to.

 Its lunch time in the office and I’ve been asked if I wouldnt mind going to Mcdonalds to get everyone some food. I wont be getting myself any as I’ve already had a banana, white crusty baguette with Egg, bacon and mayonnaise and my daily dose of vitamins and cod liver oil. Gotta keep healthy!

The problem is - once I step foot into Mcdonalds I know my senses will start running wild and my body will be begging me to fill in to a large McChicken Sandwich meal, with large fries and a large coke - just thinking about it is making my mouth water!

WHY oh WHY?

Its a feeling I’ve had everytime I smell mcdonalds since they age of about 15 and it wont go away - its like an wee addiction that luckily enough I can control.
Ive seen the program Super Size Me and it puts it down to the whole experience of Mcdonalds and eating it whilst calling it physiologically addictive, but it doesnt get to the route reason!

After looking around the internet I came up with something on the bbc website from 2003 that compares the addictiveness of fast food to heroin and some reasons why people get addicted!

 Well Im off to Mcdonalds now… so wish me luck that I dont buy any for myself!