So how was 2022 for you Tony?
Hi Vinni,
The short answer is that, in many ways, it was one of the best years of my life as I got all sorts of self-inflicted problems sorted out, & it felt great. Beating adversity, even when it's self-inflicted, is the best feeling ever.
If you want a longer answer, just say, & I'll bore you all to bits. Don't blame me if it's a yawn-fest though.
And how about you, & the family? You still with Team Galfond?
I almost wish I’d not said anything now, as it’s kind of hard to explain without sounding all pretentious, but I’m committed now, so I’ll try.
As I said, I got all sorts of personal stuff sorted out. I’m terrible with doing paperwork, domestic husbandry & stuff, I sort of let problems develop. In late 2021 I had moved back to Derbyshire, well overdue for all sorts of reasons, & the next job was to get the house sorted, which I did, & then I got stuck into getting my personal affairs in order. I had all manner of things I needed to sort, & I attacked them all & cleared everything. Did it all myself, too. Boy, that felt so good. And suddenly, I was in good shape, no worries, everything was cool. It felt very odd, bit it was - & is - glorious.
And then I woke up one morning & had one of those epiphany things. I mean, it was staring me in the face, but life races past & you don’t realise. All of life’s great challenges – school, getting an enjoyable job/career that pays enough to live comfortably, buying my first car, buying a house, paying - & paying off – the mortgage, etc etc, are all in the rear-view mirror. Every box ticked. And with that came the realisation that I no longer have any worries or stresses, my health is OK, & I have enough money to get by comfortably. I’ve arrived in Easy Street!
But I’m in my mid 70’s, & we only live so long, so it’s time to chill, no worries, no stresses, & just enjoy every day. I mean literally. Enjoy every day. I’m a born whittler, if there’s nothing to worry about I find something. And since then, I really have enjoyed every day. I get up at 7am, go to bed at 2am & enjoy every minute in between. If there’s Live sport on telly, mainly football, golf, horse racing, I watch it, & have a little “interest” bet. Dooobsy, our resident actuary, said to Tom a few weeks ago that the average lifespan these days is around 85 years. Deduct a few years for 50 years of smoking & a dodgy lifestyle, & I might well still have a good few years yet. So I decided I’d make a conscious effort to enjoy them. And woe betide anyone who tries to stop me. Time to be selfish, do what I want, when I want.
I did have a few worries, but I’m jumping ahead now. Gill was unwell for much of last year, but she’s fine now. And my Contract at Sky was up in January of this year. Why would they still want to employ someone of my vintage? I did not need the job financially, but I wanted it. Badly. I love working, always have done. But they did, a new Contract was offered (& accepted with indecent haste, in case they changed their mind) from 1st February this year for 12 months, so that’s me sorted until early 2024, health permitting. (I began 2022 with COVID, & ended it with a dreadful bout of bronchitis, but in between no other issues at all). A few weeks ago they told me I’ve got the Vegas gig again too. BOOM. I’m in my 17th year with Sky now, it’s a miracle really. I’d retired from proper working in 2004, & suddenly it’s 2023. And what a 19 years they were.
Anyway, back to last Spring/Summer. Now my idle mind started wandering.
TBC…
Gd to hear you're in fine fettle and have squared everything away. In that process of squaring stuff away, I assume you put together a staking proposal for Vegas and have simply forgotten to post it?
Carl.
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