Save The Best Wine Until Last

What a year it has been .... just when I thought that it couldnt get any better .... Leann & Dom announce their engagement today ..... Im so pleased ... I love you both so much ..... tonight we party !!!!

So close

Bought some Heineken today for the first time in a year ..... I was so happy .... walking around the supermarket smiling to myself ....... beer now safely in the fridge chilling .... ready for new years day .... soon my old friend .... soon

The fight continues

When all of this sobriety lark has been confined to the realms of history & becomes just a story like many other urban myths ..... the serious business of continuing the fight against cancer rages on .... Be My Brother will take up the baton & continue to fight the good fight .... we may lose a little along the way ... but ultimately we can win ..... thanks to everyone who has contributed to the year.... many families dealing with cancer will benefit from the funds raised & many more will never have to face such a crisis due to the awareness raised .... you can not put a price on this success ...... see you all somewhere along the road .... cheers... GT

The Final Countdown

As the clock ticks away & the time for that first pint in a year beckons ..... I am reflecting on the various stages of want that I have experienced during the year ..... Jan saw me like an alco licking the dregs from the barrel as I went into cold turkey from the christmas over indulgence .... feb saw me steady myself as I convinced myself that that this was the right thing to do .... March made me sick ... I wanted a beer so bad ... particularly around Cheltenham ..... April & May ..... brothers wedding celebrations .... dont ask .....felt so bad for not having a drink with Stef to celebrate ( so Irish but so true ) .... June ... having survived wedding festivities .... convinced myself that I would never drink again ..... July ... slapped myself for thinking such thoughts ..... August .... my birthday .... really wanted beer .... Sept .... hate beer never drinking again ..... october .... wanted beer so bad .... felt guilty for threatening to give it up for good ..... Nov ... started to mentally prepare for xmas with no booze .... Dec ... questioned the merit of charity work for personal sacrifice ...... really want beer .........really really want beer ....... I will definitely think differently about drink in the future & know that I dont need it to have a bit of craic .... but there are times when the only thing required is a beer .... I will cherish these times even more in the future .....

The Main Man

Once again in true style the big man did not disappoint ..... he came to the lads last night & delivered some mega gifts ..... Dave the funky shoulder monkey & digital piano's ..... X box Kinnect ..... PSP ...... I-tunes vouchers ..... I-phones ..... you name it Santa delivered ..... I feel that he may have delivered next years presents in advance ..... nobody could be that good ! ..... ah well .... christmas morning was as magic as ever ....  love it ...... fry done & dusted .... off now for some blackcurrant to celebrate ..... happy christmas

Seasons Greetings

Merry christmas & a beer filled new year to all my great friends ...... I cant wait to join you all for a few scoops over the coming months ...... thanks for all of your amazing support this year ..... I could not have stuck it out without you ............ cheers ........ GT

I Love It or Do I

The snow , the snow ,  ...... Oh the snow ...... on the plus side , it makes for some great photo's & everywhere looks stunning ...... however..... on the flip side .... I have nothing bought for christmas !!!!! .......... gonna tackle the on christmas eve in true last minute style !!!!! ....... above pic taken in the local park today ...... the place looked really christmasy in the mist & sun & snow ...... still wish it would piss off though ...... nightmare getting around ...... what to do ....... cheers ... GT

Tom Dunne The Legend

Hope to be on the radio on tuesday with Tom Dunne from newstalk@ around 10am .... Tom has been a great supporter of my campaign from the start & I really appreciate the help that he has given  .... cheers Tom ... keep up the great work ..... great show ....

Its beginning to look alot like Christmas

Tree up .... Cams birthday party ..... carol service ...... chrizzie tunes ...... fire lit ...... snow outside ......  shopping today ...... feeling real happy ...... wont be long now

It's A Small World

Tonight saw my 5,000th visitor to the blog ....... I have had people from 82 different countries check in on me ...... which is absolutely incredible when you think about it ...... I have had emails from far & wide ..... donations from literally all around the world ...... good wishes from more people than I can count ..... I could have in no way predicted this response ..... it's truely heart warming ...... thanks to everyone who has stopped by to keep an eye on my sobriety ...... this is only the beginning of something good ......

A Christmas Appeal

In law, an appeal is a process for requesting a formal change to an official decision. Well Im appealing for a formal change to Belinda's official decision to throw out my good old friend Frosty the wooden christmas decoration snowman ............ every year there is a cull & decos get thrown out that dont quite fit with Belindas given theme that year ........ this year Frosty didnt make the grade ........ normally I wouldnt bat an eyelid ...... but something cut to the core of me when I realised that this little fella would be in a skip for Christmas ...... look at his face ...... how could you abandon him ....... as I write this I have him stashed in my office in the attic for fear of him being discovered by the christmas deco police ........ can someone please give him a good warm home ? ...... he's no trouble ..... eats fuck all & doesnt need to be walked ........ contact me in strict confidence to give this snowman the many more christmases that he deserves .......... cheers .... GT

Hallelujah Concert 2010

Went to see my son singing in the Hallelujah concert last night ...... 3,500 kids singing everything from Michael Jackson & Lady Ga Ga to the Fields of Athenry & christmas medleys ..... they were supported by the High Kings amongst others ...... I have to say it was one of the best concerts that I was ever at ..... a magical evening ........... ( has ice cream instead of beer ! )

The Gym - Xmas Darts Xtravaganza

What a night ( early morning ) ......... 9 participants ...... over 70 games / 9 hours of quality arrows ...... with Tim "the dutchman" Holland emerging victorious ......... Ronan "the barbarian" Teehan graciously handed back his presidency ............ Stefan "double six" Teehan hosting another great tournament ......... spurs ( who won the dartcanter for highest check out ) .... dick .... matt .... J ...... & Hiller made up the other players along with my good self ........... food was super supplied by Matts good lady ............ roll on the next one ........... few sore heads today after the 5am finish ...........

Massive thanks guys

A special & huge thanks to my great friends Dom & maddie in the UK. Both have been fantastic supporters of my year of sobriety giving up chocolate & beer in an effort to raise much needed funds for St. Lukes. Dom loves his pints & Maddie her chocolate , so I know what a sacrafice they made....... Maddie deserves a special mention ..... her incredible efforts saw her raise more than 1,000 euro !!!!  ...... the goodwill shown by people throughout the year has made this one of the best things that I have ever done & I will never really be able to pay back to everyone, the generosity of time & effort that they have shown me ....... thank you all & see you soon ....... xxxx ........... cheers .... GT

Two Dozen

Only 24 days left in my year of sobriety ........ 24 days & I will be tasting a few delicious Heineken somewhere on my own reading the paper ..... retired from Facebook & Twitter ( for a while anyway ) ....... thinking about the year that I was originally convinced would never happen .......... cant wait .......... might even drink two dozen beers in a day to retox .......

Despite it all

Despite the fact that I'm sick of the snow ...... you have to admit that it still looks beautiful around the place ...... it's just a pain in the ass getting around !!!! ......... roll on summer 2011 ( it might be gone by then )

The Thaw

I hope that the bad spell is coming to an end .... we are not cut out for it in Ireland .... the snow grinds the country to a halt ........ looking forward to getting back to noraml ........ if you can even call it that .......... cabin fever is a wonderful thing ..........

The Nativity

Things are bad ...... the recession has hit the nativity market hard ...... I have resorted to making my own this year ...... P.S. i could only afford two wise men ( penguins ) ...... Happy Christmas ........ GT

Weather Watch

I think following a week now of being basically stuck locally due to the bad weather , I've had enough ...... even the kids are sick of it ! .... The novelty of snowmen , hot chocolate & roaring fires is short lived on me I'm afraid .... I miss football most ............ just need to get out & about too  ...... lots of shopping to get stuck into before the big day ....... roll on Christmas ........... cheers ........ GT

Winter Wonderland

Took a walk early on Sunday morning & captured some images of the local park under the grip of the recent bad weather ........... there really is beauty all around you ......... all you have to do is look !

No Football

No footie today due to the weather ........ turned to my other ( newer ) love .. cooking .......... here all morning in the kitchen ........ music on ........ working away ....... loving it ........ managed not to cut the finger off myself like last week ....... bonus !

The Boss

I must admit to having found Bruce later in my life & indeed only recently ...... I had traditionally been a more oldschool hip hop kinda guy ....... any way ....... since discovering "the boss" I must say I have found him very easy on the ear ........ I bought The Promise today from the darkness sessions .... well worth a spin ..... cheers ....... GT

Samsung Galaxy S GT 1900

Got my new phone today ..... The Samsung Galaxy S GT 1900 .... what a mouthfull! ..... great phone ..... a real I-phone competitor .... slightly larger screen & flash player capability ..... all the usual bells & whistles of a smartphone too ........ off now to fiddle around with it ........ cheers ........GT

Im on fire

This whole charity bug thing has me bitten ..... im lovin the year & am already planning next year for BMB..... In a bizarre kind of way , getting cancer is one of the best things to have ever happened to me . It has changed my life for the better ....... it has lit a fire under me & made me a much better person all round

Theblessmess

You want horns & alcohol ... you got horns & alcohol ......... twitter requests rock ..... I fear that this could be me on Jan 1st ........ bring it

Gliding Along

BMB is ramping up .... going to hit a larger .. wider audience next .... move from glide to cruise mode ....

van halen jump

Feb 26th 2011 confirmed as the day for the BMB charity parachute jump ........ anyone fancy joining in ?

Magic

This picture for me captures childrens wonderment at seeing a magician at work .... taken at my brothers wedding .... it just sums up a wonderful mix of joy & disbelief that only a chid can truely experience .... simply wonderful & what life should be about

X Factors Hotting Up

Loving the x factor this year . Rebecca Fergson remains my favourite but Matt is pretty damn good .......

Cafe Solo

My dearest friends, Paul & Elaine, at "Cafe Solo", Killiney shopping centre, are donating 20 cent from every cup of tea / coffee sold in November to my St. Lukes fund. Please join me in supporting this great initiative & have a delicious cuppa into the bargain ...... cheers .... GT

UEFA

Just back from my last module of the "A" licence coaching badge . Great three days with the lads but it never stopped raining .... I don't think I have ever been so wet in my life .... ah well ........ nearly there .... a years worth of work coming to an end ... In some respects I'm delighted ... it has been a hard slog .... on the other hand I will certainly miss the craic with the lads ...... great bunch ..... I hope to work with some of them again in the near future ........

Halloween 2010

Tashes & squaws , mexicans & 70's cops were the order of the day for this years fun & frolics ..... great night had by all at the halloween bash ........ roll on new years !

Leann

Let's start by putting the record straight ..... the greatest day of my life ( apart from getting married to Lyn & Adam & Camryn being born ) was the 23rd August 1984 ......... not because it was my 12th birthday .... more for the fact that I got the best present in the world that day from Holy God ! .... a baby sister .... I had already got two brothers ... big deal ... how different could a sister be .... little did I know that this little person would change my life for the better forever more .... Leann arrived to a fanfare .. only girl amongst three big brothers ... a girl after years of football , hurleys , skateboards , action men & bikes .... a princess amongst rogues .... quickly I realised that I loved her ... despite the fact that she stole my birthday from that day forth ( I enjoyed 11 good years of parties , so cant really complain , I had a good run ) .... and so our unique relationship began ... many years have passed since that day & we have shared many gags over "Gavin's birthdays - the lost years" but one thing hasn't changed .... in fact it's grown .... & that's my love for my baby sister .... I only hope she knows that she will always have a special place in my heart & I will love her forever .... she's probably crying as she reads this & close to getting fired .. & the brothers are probably saying .... never mind Leann , what about us ...... but this is about you Lee & only you .... I love you ... WMF .... Gav

Marie Keating

Spoke to the lovely people at the Marie Keating Foundation today. Hope to do something with them in the near future in terms of raising awareness amongst young men in relation to testicular cancer. Watch this space. Take Care . GT

Milestone

300 days done & dusted .... feeling like a beer to celebrate ... but must hold that thought for another mere 65 days ...... it's a coast to the finish line now .... except for the minor speed  bump that is christmas ....... however ... I never even thought that I would get this far .... so happy days ........ the truth ? ........ the truth is that this has been one of the best things that I have ever done ........

BMB

The year began as I'm sure most of you are aware with the whole "no drink" thing.... what I could not have planned for is what grew organically from this ..... that is of course BMB ..... my new charity for raising funds & awareness for survivors of testicular cancer .... I wanted something to last long after 2010 is done & dusted .... I feel that BMB will be just that thing ..... we have already had the three brilliant performances of "be my love in the rain" to kick things off officially in terms of getting the name out there ..... 2011 will begin with a charity parachute jump ..... all in association with of course BMB ...... watch this space & tell the men in your life about this new venture .... know your facts ..... know you're safe

Twitter

Tweet me tweople ...... @yearwithoutbeer @bemybrother ................. looking for volunteers to do a parachute jump with me in Jan 2011 ......... kick the new year off with an adrenaline injection ...........

Breaking point

I have resorted to ibeer for a fix ........... bank holiday with no beer ..... give me f@cking strenght

Take a parachute and jump

Thanks to the inspiration of Sean lyons .... I am looking to kick off 2011 in fine style ..... a parachute jump for charity .... in aid of my good friends in St. Lukes ..... trying to do it in conjunction with testicular cancer support group .... be my brother .... BMB ........ watch this space ......

Don't Care

Ain't budgin  ...... good food ....... good company ...... great nights ...... love bank holiday weekends relaxing with family & friends at home ( throw in X factor too )  ..... my guilty pleasure .......

The little dudes

Although they are not so little now ........ I love my boys to bits ........ Peace out to munch & the hippy !

YNWA

Poor showing by the reds today ... despite the hype surrounding the new owners ..... staff & players need to step up to the mark .... supporters need to row in too .... Liverpool is more than just a football club  .....YNWA

Poached Eggs

 

First saturday off from football since Jan ...... poached eggs & french toast with Cam ......... lovely

Nearly there mon frere

78 days to go .... I'm getting kinda sad that it's nearly over in a strange way ... it has become a real personal crusade to see this through .... I won't say it's been easy ... It is one of the hardest things that I have ever done ... but I now know that my will power is in good condition & given the right motivation ... I can achieve anything .... I spoke to some people last night at BMB's first ever outing ( well done to cuz Linda for the brilliant show ) .... history ! ... it made me feel like this is definitely the right thing to do & has my head buzzing about where this can expand to in the future ... cheers ... GT

Be My Brother

Don't forget lads to keep an eye on the auld crown jewels ........... know your facts ..... know you're safe ..... a message from BMB ........ supporting testicular cancer awareness ..........

1st October

On 1st October 1908, the Ford Model T automobile is introduced to the American market. Henry Ford and his engineers struggled for five years to produce a reliable, inexpensive car for the mass market. The fledgling automobile company settled on a promising design with their 20th attempt; the car was christened the Model T after the 20th letter in the alphabet. Affectionately known as the Tin Lizzy, the Model T revolutionised the automotive industry by providing a cheap, reliable car for the average American. The Ford Motor Company’s use of revolutionary mass-production methods such as the assembly line eventually enabled it to turn out a Model T every 24 seconds. By the time the Model T was discontinued in 1927, over 16 million of the automobiles had been sold ............... In 91 days I will celebrate this fact !

The Battle Rages

Thanks to everyone who has helped to this point .... lots done ... lots still to do ......... we can not let cancer win ....... please continue to fight the fight .............

Kennedy Cup

The league presented the players with their Kennedy Cup representative cap on Thursday night .... it was the first time I had seen any of the boys since Limerick .... I couldnt get over how much they had all grown up over the summer .... I really miss the craic with them ...... great footballers but even better lads .........

Dartfish

Getting to grips with my new analysis software ...... makes analysing football matches a joy ! .........sad I know ... but I'm off the drink so I need something to keep me happy !

Xtra Stress

Every time I rent a movie , I never seem to get it back on time , it does my head in .... even when I think my a/c is clear i always seem to owe money . Four times in the last week I have been told that I owe a fiver when in fact im in credit by €3 ........... bastards are stressing me out .... it's not the money , it's the principle , is my a/c clear or not !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The birds & the bees

Just spoke to my 12 year old son Adam about sex for the first time .... I think he is way ahead of me at that age .... I'm slightly stunned ........ I need a beer !