Simon Campbell
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Posted at 1526 hours on 31/12/09 | Posted in Life
A funny decade really
Following last years complaints from Buckingham Palace for stealing the Queen’s thunder the day before her ‘Christmas Day’ message, I have decided instead to do a review of our 2009 and a little on the Decade in general – I didn’t fancy having an ‘accident’ in a Parisian tunnel – enjoy…
I have to say I had been struggling for inspiration over the past few weeks, but then I had an elusive ‘moment of clarity’ and decided to create a 2009 review based on my 2009 tweets.
Firstly, let’s take a look at the last decade generally.
In 2000 James was 11 and I never would have dreamt he would be a Royal Marines Commando, fighting a war in Afghanistan, a budding philosopher and musician.
Joe was nine, and again I would never have believed he would be taller, stronger than me and play a very mean game of Rugby; I did always know however he would develop to be a kind, considerate and very fine human being.
I was 42 and Angela was 40 and by then we had already lived two lives. In 2010 we have lived four lives worth of experiences: heartache, stress, desperation, uncontrolled joy and huge success across a variety of endeavours.
Today, Angela and I are happier than we have ever been; she is the only reason I am still sane. Last year my mother called her “the Queen of Women.” If you know my mother, that is praise indeed.
Together, we have created, developed and sold two businesses, moved three times (once into Yorkshire – gasp), bought and sold 11 cars, travelled to 14 different countries, seen sights and met people that have truly inspired, eaten at some of the finest restaurants in the world and more importantly, buckets of curry.
I started an internet business in 2000 to be told that it would fail: “nobody would ever make any money out of the internet.” Yes, someone actually said that to me.
The world has changed so much from the way ideologies wage war, to the way people perceive and engage with each other: I will leave it to you to think about this.
Now onto the 2009 tweets…
Mate
The most popular word I used was ‘mate’. This indicates could indicate two things: I am senile and can’t remember peoples names and/or I consider the whole world to be my mate – the latter is more accurate, even if the rest of the world thinks I am a total asshole.
Of course, this has not changed from 2000 and, to think about it, the decades 1990, 1980, 1970, 1960. I was born in 1958 and as I was only two, I can’t fully recall if or if not, I called people ‘mate’ but my mum probably didn’t think I was an asshole.
Home
As you may or may not know, we moved to the Isle of Man in October 2008. Since then, and due to no fault of ours, we have moved three times.
It’s actually bloody hard work (errr, for Angela that is) as not only are we moving a ‘mature’ household, but an office, a diving company and a music shop…
It’s a great place and we have really settled here: I can’t imagine living in the UK again, it would drive me bananas (or actually, more bananas than I already am).
Thinking back to 2000, we were in an enormous house, in Chatburn, Clitheroe with an awesome view and lovely friends. Now, we are in a smaller place but with an awesome view and lovely friends. We are very, very lucky indeed.
If you need our new address, contact me and I will send it out!
Diving
Well this was bound to be in there wasn’t it! I have done a quite a lot this year: Malta (with the military), Outer Hebrides, the Clyde, West Wales and Plymouth. The best experiences have been here, at home and my expedition to St Kilda. last April. The ‘Kilda’ team was great and Angela came along as the ships cook!
I also put myself forward as a candidate for National Diving Officer which is the British Sub Aqua Club top job; I missed out being elected by five votes – blimey!
A couple of months later I resigned as a Director of the Club principally for political and idealogical reasons. On the positive side, this has allowed me to dedicate my time on my much neglected music and very fast growing business.
It’s a critical time for the Club and I hope the Directors are strong, make decisions based on what is right and not on the opinions and agendas’ of the insular, vociferous and vituperative minority…
In 2000, I had only been diving four years, was a PADI Open Water Diver and had never dived in a dry-suit; scary.
Business & Erskine
Well, what can I say about Erskine Design. I never thought when I met my now business partner, Simon Collison, (aka Colly) that just three years later I would be sat in London on the 29th Floor of Altitude 360 having been one of the three companies short-listed for Design Agency of the Year.
On the recommendation of my very good friend, Craig Walton, I read a book some years ago called ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins.
One thing that really stuck in my mind was he professed that you should only become involved in a business if it could become the “best in the world” – wow, grand aspirations indeed.
Well, it appears that at least some people think we are getting there, but if I am honest, it’s still a mystery to me – we just do what we do!
But, whatever success we achieve, or are recognised for, it’s totally down to our amazingly talented and committed team combined with our very passionate and informed clients.
I am looking forward to 2010; it’s going to be a great year.
Friends
Angela and I have always had great friends; clearly and completely down to my lovely wife of course.
Since moving to the Island and becoming involved in the diving and music scenes, we have a whole host of new and exciting compatriots. These, combined with the host in the UK and indeed all over the world, give us much joy – thank you.
Next year we are taking a tour to the USA to catch up with those itinerant, ex-colonials :-) We will be staying at your homes, so I implore you to lock up your booze cabinets and put the authorities on alert.
Of course, social networking tools such as Facebook and Twitter plus the wonders of Skype and this very blog, has connected us both with friends old and new. I am never ceased to be amazed at their intelligence, humour, eccentricity and eclecticism.
Rock!!!
The end of 2009 has seen a resurgence in my interest in creating music.
I have been threatening to record a new album for 15 years; well it’s started and I am about to book the studio. It will contain tracks that I have written over a number of years, acoustic and electric.
The new band is called ‘The Very Very Bad Men’ and we have some gigs coming up in the Isle of Man to see how the new material works live! If you are interested in knowing what’s happening, follow us on Twitter or take a look at the dedicated Facebook page
I have a few other very diverse musical projects on the go which will emerge as 2010 rolls out!
Airport
This word does feature heavily in my tweets the reason being of course as I live here, I spend an inordinate amount of time in them when dealing with business…
The best experience I have is at London City and our very own Ronaldsway Airport where I receive star treatment in the great little executive lounge.
The best airlines I have used this year are Air Arann and Manx2. The former having by far the best cabin staff in the business and the latter the smallest and most intimate planes where you can talk to the pilot!
Thinking back to 2000, Angela was 40. On her birthday we were on a plane from Marsa Alam (Egypt) to Gatwick (UK) and the Captain invited her into the cockpit. We now live in very sad times…
Drinking
Over the past twelve months the demon drink has caused a number of incidents. From Greg’s broken leg, my son Joe’s broken arm and leg to most of the Erskine Design team (I include here Jason Cale, who is an honorary Erskineite) piling out of the Crow Bar at 0430 in the morning, ‘play’ fighting in the street and nearly being arrested by London’s finest.
I didn’t really want to mention the Erskine Christmas doo where we were attacked by a knickerlees lesbian, were involved in two scuffles and my good lady wife with the deceptively lively Lord Swan of Beeston unsuccessfully attempted to enter a Manchester strip club at 0600.
Naturally the worse incident, involved my very good friend Ian E Kershaw where he, and his long suffering and lovely partner Debs, came to the Isle of Man and destroyed my liver…
Stuff
I seem to mention ‘stuff’ a lot. This can refer to anything from conversations to physical objects; further analysis has proven that most tweets referring to said ‘stuff’ are total bollocks.
London
Again, I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time in London; usually scooting about underground.
I have to say I am getting used to it again: the city has been very good to us over the last three years, with virtually all the Erskine Design clients based there. But, I still love the sight of my new home as I fly back in again – the sea, peace and tranquillity.
Superlatives: Love, loving, fantastic, excellent and nice
I am a very enthusiastic type of guy, and given time, can become intensely excited about virtually anything. I seem to use a great number of ‘superlatives’, but unless there is a ‘hint’ of sarcasm involved, I genuinely mean them. It’s not all cool beans though, there are times when I become VERY pissed off ; just take a look through this site!!!
‘Loving your work’ and ‘love’ in general are all over my tweets. This could mean two things: I am am an insincere bastard or a genuine positive bloke who loves everything – I will leave you to decide which.
And finally…
Finally Angela, myself, James, Joe and Beavis trust you have had a great family Christmas (yes, that’s Christmas, not ‘Seasons Greetings’ or ‘Compliments of the Season’ but CHRISTMAS).
I hope you have been nice to each other (including your family :-); I hope that you have thought of all those who are not as fortunate as you and done something about it (regardless how bad things are there are hundreds of millions of souls on the planet that in really bad shit) and finally I hope you have not made New Years resolutions that you haven’t a hope in hell of sticking too.
We wish you all a successful (and it’s up to you what success means to you), healthy and joyous 2010…
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14 comments
E on 02/01/10 at 1647 hours
Simonski,
I should like to remind you that it was the alcohol over the previous years that destroyed your liver and not me. Please inform Mrs C of this fact!
Great blog - love to you all as always.
E on 02/01/10 at 1650 hours
Merry Christmas to all as I should have said.
Simonski on 03/01/10 at 1025 hours
‘E’, you and I know you are the one that precipitated my downfall…
Tim on 03/01/10 at 1329 hours
Simon,
extremely entertaining as usual, I can’t wait to hear your new stuff this year; VERY VERY BAD MEN!! great name.
The very best to you all for 2010 and don’t forget, I love you more than sausages.
Al Gray on 04/01/10 at 0959 hours
Our best wishes to all the clan. We are on the move ourselves (about 2 miles back to Llanbedrog) on Wednesday. New boat hopefully ready end Feb, hoping to get down to Cornwall in the next couple of weeks. to see it. After that, retiring back to Cyprus (hurt) for a few weeks before coming back for the season.
Hoping to do an Al’s pals trip this time next year to Maldives or somewhere similar - interested??
Al & Susie
Ruth Kirk on 04/01/10 at 1016 hours
Feel I know a lot more about you and Angela now!! You have filled in a lot of history. Have you got a video clip of the band, please? I looked up the website, but didn’t find one - but that might be because I’m not very computer savvy (unlike you)!
All best wishes for a fab 2010 to you both, from Ruth.
xxx
Gregory on 04/01/10 at 1042 hours
I demand the release of the rest of those Crow bar photos! It appears I’m licking Collison’s head, and Cale is doing some sort of effeminate jazz hands.
Happy new year etc x
Trevor on 04/01/10 at 1103 hours
Ahh, my man, you are clearly becoming more insane as the years progress and I feel this should have been more explicitly reflected in your review of the decade even though it will be very clear to all who read it. I can’t begin to imagine what would be going on if it wasn’t for the stabilising effect of the “Queen of Women”!!
All the best for the next decade MATE, and Ang of course.
Trevor and Pat
Simonski on 04/01/10 at 1123 hours
Al: Yes we are interested in a nice warm diving trip!
Trevaro: You are correct on all fronts.
Gregory: I will release pictures, one per week, to a stunning climax!
Ruth: There are no videos or music for The Very Very Bad Men released as yet, but you can check out some my historic stuff at http://www.reverbnation/simoncampbell
Tim: And I am a fried egg…
x
charlotte hartley (nee Horton) ie ex-nanny on 04/01/10 at 1137 hours
Wow, what a decade! Sounds so exciting. I will do you my decade when I have a reminiscent minute. We are off to South Africa on a self drive holiday and safari in March - one of my ambitions so will let you know how we get on.
I didnt hear or see any mention of the starship enterprise jacket (but i suppose that was last decade or was it the one before!)
write soon and take care
charlie
Deano on 04/01/10 at 1138 hours
Good news for 2010…. Some things will never change, and one of them is the irrepressible Simon, aka Simonski, aka The Campbellator, etc, etc.
Love to Ang, Jim & Joe, and wishing Colly and the Erskine Design crew all the best in 2010!”
Deano xx
Ps Ang will probably kick your ass for revealing that she will be 50 in 2010!!
Seamus on 04/01/10 at 1207 hours
Hi Simon, the restaurant from your Christmas Doo looks suspiciously like Bouzouki by Night, don’t you remember what happened the last time you had a Christmas doo there? Very best New Year wishes to you, Angela and the boys. Why don’t you take me out drinking next time you are in London. Seamus
matt on 05/01/10 at 0525 hours
nice post, Mr Simon!
Simonski on 05/01/10 at 1942 hours
Seamus: I remember ” Bouzouki by Night’ very well; a little too well actually, the food fights, the Baptist Ministers ogling as awe all swapped shirts. The incident of nakedness in ladies and gents ‘rest rooms’... Sadly, it was not that place.
Fancy coming to the next one?
x
Simonski