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Eyes Down!


It's been a while since I wrote one of these and this is quite a short one. 

*Revised note: it's longer than I thought it would be (no that's not what she said).

Anyone who knows me knows that I spent around 15 years bouncing between jobs. I was like a frog on a lilypad trying to leave the pond but always finding themselves back to the safety of their lilypad. Gala Bingo Aylesbury was mine.

I wasn't even meant to stay for too long, about a month as I recall, helping Essie on the bar. However they noticed I was pretty good on the mic so kept me on as a nember of the team and over the course of those years I went from Bar Assistant, to Team Member, Fruit Machine Engineer, Mainstage Caller and Assistant Manager - and in the dark times - with the fall of Palpatine (if you know, you know) - I shared an unofficial role as General Manager with my brother -  my number 2 - Ryan Adams.  (yeah I'm never going to let that joke die).

It was a strange place to have as my spiritual home - a bingo hall. It must have been all those years of history that made it feel so special to me. 

I can honestly say it was the first place I ever felt I truly belonged! I'll also admit that I do find myself missing it from time to time. Missing my extended family. Both colleagues and customers alike. 

I did my growing up there! I know some of you may not agree that that I ever grew up. And if that keeps me young, I'll take that :-)

I learned about life, death, love, how to treat people, how to win, how to fail, how to deal with disaster and all of the emotions a human can possibly experience in one place. 

I even learned how to be an entertainer and performed my first performance as a musician in that very hall. Ironically I was also the last to perform on that stage on its closing night. A stage I shared with many greats including The Rolling Stones - albeit decades apart!

l gained my humanity from Noreen, my comedy from Sean, my mental toughness from Joy, my passion for life from Essie - the list goes on.

I learned so many things from so many people before me and taught so many of those things to so many after me. Deep down I hope that they passed those things on to the people that came after them. 

That hall, that job, those people, brought out the worst in me, and more importantly the very best in me! I am proud and so very grateful to have been part of its history and it gives me so much to reflect on when I need some reflection. So many lifetimes in one place!

There are far too many people to mention here but know that I appreciate you all. 

Thank you to my Gala family, for everything. I hope you're all well and that life is treating you to all the good things that you deserve.

With freedom day fast approaching, there may even be a reunion on the cards, so to whoever is organising it, count me in!

Eyes Down.



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