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| Me & a few of the "Punters"! |
Shout "Drinks are on me!" in a pub or bar.
Date: 19th May 2012.
Location: Hilversum, Netherlands.
Attendees: Stuart Wilson & the entire contents of the Felix II pub in Hilversum!
In my opinion this has to be an adhoc thing. Something you do on the spare of the moment. A sporadic moment of madness that you can only do when you truly have something to celebrate - Well, that's what I'll say now anyway!
The original plan was to draw it. Me & a few friends would get together, throw a load of pub names & dates into a hat & head off to complete this task on the lucky pub & date. I would just have to hope that I didn't pick the middle of Amsterdam on a Saturday night!
However, I really think the true spirit of this task lies entirely on the very reckless nature of it. Like I said, spare of the moment.
The date in question was a Saturday night. Most of my friends will tell you that calling me a Chelsea fan is an understatement. As far as I was concerned the 19th May was Chelsea's date with destiny. My team, despite a season of disarray that included losing a manager & a run of results that had a lot to be desired, had made it to arguably the pinnacle of all club competitions. The Champions League final. Just One game lie between them & glory. 4 times winners Bayern Munich stood in the way of my boys & a first ever title.
Those who have half an eye on football will know the outcome, as Chelsea over came the Germans in a tense game that ended in a penalty shoot-out, but what they won't know is the shredded emotions I felt by the end of it all. I'm sure that many football fans will agree that on occasion when their team comes that close to ectasy or agony they question why they put themselves through it. This was One of those occasions when I know why I do.
When the final penalty when in & I knew we'd beaten them, I sank to my knees & burst into tears. All those years of hurt were gone. We'd finally done it!
I was in a pub in Amsterdam & I must admit that 6-7 beers does help to lubricate the emotions, but this was huge. I was on a high. Task number 65, it was now or never!
I had left the Amsterdam pub at this point, but on the way home, I stopped outside our local pub back in Hilversum & told my friend what I was going to do. "Are you insane?!". The pub was pretty busy & after checking that they took pin as there was no way I'd have enough cash, I asked the staff if I could get behind the bar & execute my plan. After thoroughly checking my card to make sure it was in good working order & I was absolutely serious, they let me behind the bar. I guess it's not every day that a guy steps into a pub & wants to buy everyone a drink.
I strode up, rang the bell to call for attention & made my announcement. This was going to hurt! Or was it?
I'd like to remind you at this point that every rule of engagement was followed. Packed pub, reason to celebrate & the will do exactly as the task required.
My friend was texting my girlfriend, who was elsewhere to warn her as the beer, wine & spirits kept flowing. I think they were bracing themselves harder than I was. & then it came. The bill.
Just 35 Euros! Everyone in the bar had a drink in their hand & it had cost me 35 Euros to complete task 65 on the list - WHAT A DODGED BULLET!
The original plan was to draw it. Me & a few friends would get together, throw a load of pub names & dates into a hat & head off to complete this task on the lucky pub & date. I would just have to hope that I didn't pick the middle of Amsterdam on a Saturday night!
However, I really think the true spirit of this task lies entirely on the very reckless nature of it. Like I said, spare of the moment.
The date in question was a Saturday night. Most of my friends will tell you that calling me a Chelsea fan is an understatement. As far as I was concerned the 19th May was Chelsea's date with destiny. My team, despite a season of disarray that included losing a manager & a run of results that had a lot to be desired, had made it to arguably the pinnacle of all club competitions. The Champions League final. Just One game lie between them & glory. 4 times winners Bayern Munich stood in the way of my boys & a first ever title.
Those who have half an eye on football will know the outcome, as Chelsea over came the Germans in a tense game that ended in a penalty shoot-out, but what they won't know is the shredded emotions I felt by the end of it all. I'm sure that many football fans will agree that on occasion when their team comes that close to ectasy or agony they question why they put themselves through it. This was One of those occasions when I know why I do.
When the final penalty when in & I knew we'd beaten them, I sank to my knees & burst into tears. All those years of hurt were gone. We'd finally done it!
I was in a pub in Amsterdam & I must admit that 6-7 beers does help to lubricate the emotions, but this was huge. I was on a high. Task number 65, it was now or never!
I had left the Amsterdam pub at this point, but on the way home, I stopped outside our local pub back in Hilversum & told my friend what I was going to do. "Are you insane?!". The pub was pretty busy & after checking that they took pin as there was no way I'd have enough cash, I asked the staff if I could get behind the bar & execute my plan. After thoroughly checking my card to make sure it was in good working order & I was absolutely serious, they let me behind the bar. I guess it's not every day that a guy steps into a pub & wants to buy everyone a drink.
I strode up, rang the bell to call for attention & made my announcement. This was going to hurt! Or was it?
I'd like to remind you at this point that every rule of engagement was followed. Packed pub, reason to celebrate & the will do exactly as the task required.
My friend was texting my girlfriend, who was elsewhere to warn her as the beer, wine & spirits kept flowing. I think they were bracing themselves harder than I was. & then it came. The bill.
Just 35 Euros! Everyone in the bar had a drink in their hand & it had cost me 35 Euros to complete task 65 on the list - WHAT A DODGED BULLET!
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| The infamous reciept. |
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