Liam V. Bristol by Liam Roberts

LIAM V. BRISTOL

LIAM ROBERTS

THE UNDERdog story // 5-23 coming out fighting // 25-33 making her cross // 35-43 the spleling bee // 45-63 when seeing red // 65-73 three wise men // 75-93, 145-163, 207-223 brash with brawn // 95-103 isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that rice // 105-119 fancy a ride // 121-125, 247-261 The small lebowski // 127-143 pinch ping pong // 165-181 second shrove tuesday // 183-205 spot the ball // 225-245 the pool party // 263-285 settling the score // 287-295 an early bath // 297-299

THE UNDERDOG STORY Now you are probably thinking, whoever you are, why the hell has someone waged war against a lovely city such as Bristol? Well, I say try living here, No, not really. The truth is, at this stage in my life it could have been Liam Vs Anywhere, Cheltenham (my hometown), Dagenham, (a nice sounding place) or even the world. I am a very competitive person and I want to know if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good attitude for me to carry on the rest of my life with.

01/16

THE UNDERdog story

It’s not just suddenly that I have become competitive either, in fact I’m pretty sure of where this came from in me. My dad was and still is very good at sports. I say “still is” only referring to golf now however, as he is now a very large man. He never used to be however winning trophies in everything from Bowling to Gymnastics.

Stephen Roberts Winner of the 1992 Miln Trophy Paddabourn, Germany Photo taken by Ethal Shaw

Liam Roberts Phillip Roberts Robert Shaw Holiday photograph Ryhll, Wales Photo taken by Carol Shaw

“When you were little, you used to try walking before you could crawl, just because your brothers could.” But now I seem to have hit a wall, well actually the opposite. I have broken through the other side and I don’t know what to do about it.

THE UNDERdog story

I also have two older brothers, quite a lot older in fact. A difference of four and a half years and around about fourteen. This being the case my whole life I seem to have been playing catch up with them, trying to be able to do things well out of my age range. My mum even told me once;

10 Growing up I have seen everything as a competition with my brothers. We arm wrestled, we fought and played games with each other but that stopped when they got too old for it. All they left behind for me to compete with from the past was their educational legacy and around ten years ago I decided I wanted to “beat” it. It seems silly to say but I really don’t think I would have tried as hard at school if I didn’t have the grades that my brothers got, to “beat”. Baring this in mind and going back to the point I made about breaking through the other side. I have now surpassed both brothers in their educational history by going to university. My brother Phil did go a few years before me but then opted out after not enjoying the course, never to return to education. This becoming the case, I don’t know who to compete with or even why I feel an urge to compete at anything anymore. In my head I have won, but there was still a hunger for more. Now it all sounds a bit like I don’t really care about what grade I’m going to get at university, as long as I get a degree and

“beat” my brothers, but this is far from the what I really feel. I care a lot about what I’m doing at university and again, I don’t think I would have even gone if it weren’t for competing with their educational legacy. Before making the move to university I actually took a year out of education after reaching a “draw”, educationally, to revaluate what I wanted to do with my life. I had been heading down the route of Art but wasn’t sure of what path to take. I wanted something, which was expressive but also something I could get a good job out of afterwards. It took me a year but I settled upon Graphic Design and I haven’t looked back since. In fact it was during the application process in which I found a new person who sparked up my competitive side. Not only am I competitive in the traditional sense but I will also almost compete to the death trying to do something, that someone tells me I am unable to do. Some people think this is a flaw, I am as yet, undecided. It stems down from my granddad to my mum and now me. It comes from a saying that has always rung true with me since the first time I heard it.

THE UNDERdog story

Grandad

“Don’t let any body tell you they are better than you or that you can’t do something” And I don’t. I call these people “doubters” and for reasons unknown, they tend to spur me on more than anyone else. Some of the best teachers I have had however I would tarnish with the same brush, and this new person who was bringing out my competitive side was exactly the same. In Early 2009, during the interview process for university, I was doing well. As I already had the qualifications I need to get into university, people were offering me place after place at their universities. Sheffield Hallam, Liverpool and Bath were all first and then it was Bristol UWE’s Turn. On the day of the interview if I’m honest I didn’t have the best nights sleep, having gone out the night before in Bristol for my friends 21st birthday. Though, not so fresh, I still turned up confident after the three places I had been offered elsewhere.

Alan Shaw & Friends The Work Yard. 1967 Sunderland, England Photo taken by Unknown

THE UNDERdog story

14 It was a long day of waiting with hundreds of people in waiting room and so they popped on the film ‘Helvetica’ followed by the film ‘Catch Me If You Can’ I assume, to keep our young minds active. It was a long wait but finally at around 4 o’clock it was my turn. When I eventually entered the interview room it was filled with tables of work and people chatting what seemed nonsense to try and get them a place on the course. But I wasn’t nervous, I wasn’t going to chat nonsense. I already had three places at universities and I was definitely going to get offered a place there to, I thought to myself. But I shouldn’t have been so self-assured. After looking through all of my work the tutor didn’t offer me a place on the course like the other universities had instead he said; “There are a lot of people with this type of work. I think we would be takinga risk with you.”

Poas Volcano National Park Poas, Costa Rica Photo taken by Craig Harley

and left it at that. A RISK! I thought to myself who is this guy telling me I’m a risk? I was furious. So furious in fact when they offered me a place 3 weeks later, the words were still ringing in my ears. I’m a Risk?

I THINK WE WOULD BE TAKING A RISK WITH YOU Gabriel Solomons

THE UNDERdog story

16 This is were the competitiveness kicked in again, I had to prove him wrong, I had to do well, and so I took the offer of a place turning down Liverpool, a place in which I was certain I was going study. And prepared myself for the three years to follow. Now I wish I could say that Graphic design comes natural to me, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m afraid after the first year of study it was evident that it did not. I was terrible. Moving away from home and not being in education for a year before starting the course, all came as a massive shock and I did terribly. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exactly the stick in the face I hoped I would be giving him. In fact when it came to getting the mark for the end of the year, the mark that lets you carry on. It was that same tutor that would be giving me the results and it did not go well. The pass mark was 40 and I got 41.

UNIVERSITY YEAR 1

100

1st 2.1

Fail

WHAT I WANTED TO

WHAT I

3rd

PASS MARK

2.2

THE RESULTS

DO YOU WANT TO DO THIS COURSE? Gabriel Solomons

I was gutted, I felt useless, I had lost my edge, my urge to compete, my drive, what was I going to do? And it was at this point when I reached a level of competitiveness I never thought I could, as the tutor for the second time in my life set off that spark when he said.

THE UNDERdog story

“It doesn’t come across that you’re trying very hard. I have only seen you a handfull of times” The very man that I wanted to prove wrong about being a risk, not only didn’t think I could do it but also didn’t think, anymore, that I wanted to do it. I was furious again, but if I’m honest to myself, his doubt was justified.

Steam Train The Race Couse Cheltenham, England Photo taken by Craig Harley

THE UNDERdog story

Liam Roberts Bristol, England Photo taken by Liam Roberts

I had to turn things around so I looked to what I hope all of you turn to in times of desperation, 80’s montage movies. I needed to see what other underdogs felt like and what they did about it. The film that hit home the most, and you are going to think I’m a loser for saying this, was ‘Top Gun’. A film in which Maverick, a fighter pilot battles against his own personality in order to change and become the best pilot in his class and therefore win the title of “Top Gun.” Watching this film I realised that in order to succeed, just as Maverick did, I had to turn university into a contest, and I had to try and earn the title of “Top Gun”. So on 7th of July 2010, I announced to Facebook and thus everyone I knew at the time...

I WILL NOW BE TREATING UNIVERSITY LIKE TOPGUN Liam Roberts

THE UNDERdog story

Bristol Harbour Bristol, England Photo taken by Liam Roberts

And that is what I did and am still doing as I write this, coming up to 2 years later. It has been my competitiveness that has slowly but surely increased my ability in the course, now nearly reaching the highest mark possible in getting a 1st. A massive difference from a near fail. This is the reason when getting into my 3rd and final year the only thing I could really chose as my topic to do a years study in, was competitiveness. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the thing that drives me. Well, there is the background explanation for why Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m competitive, but you are probably thinking what does this have to do with taking on Bristol? Well, as a study into competitiveness, and whether or not it was good for me, I decide that the best thing to do would be compete. Compete with all kinds of people from all kinds of places, and where better than the cultural hub which is Bristol. In doing the project, I hoped through the meeting of other people, hearing of other tails of competitiveness and competing, I would have a lot to reflect on over the next coming months. I would be able to come to a conclusion, on whether I think this way of thinking is a good or a bad thing for me to be continuing, considering after university I will be at the stage of breaking through the other side again just like three years ago.

SO BRISTOL, IT’S NOTHING PERSONAL. Liam Roberts

Coming out fighting Now in order to take on a whole town on, first you have to let the town know you want to take them on. The way I had decided to do this was by making a blog in which people could contact me over challenges and so people could see what I was upto. This website would also keep the score as Bristol and I entered into battle.

02/16

ROBERTS CHELTONIAN SUPERMAN

BRISTOL coming out fighting

KINGS OF THE WEST COUNTRY

ANY GAME, ANY SPORT, ANY CONTEST

CHALLENGE ME LIAMVSBRISTOL-CO-UK

/LIAMVSBRISTOL

Along with a blog I also made a facebook page and several posters in order to get the ball rolling. Posting them up in sports centres, gyms, community centres and anywhere else I could think of at the time.

PHOTO OF POSTER UP

coming out fighting

Posters all in place, it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t long until I got my first bite on the line, and soon enough I had 62 fans of my facebook page, 62 followers and therefore 62 potential challengers. I could begin. Some people however, didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really understand what the project was about and some people also tried to offer their opinion on why I was doing it.

Ben Archibald Quote in responce to the first Liam Vs Bristol blog post

HOLD UP

COME & CHALLENGE ME BRISTOL Me Pointing

Liam Roberts

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have decided to take on the whole of Bristol, Yes you Bristol at any game, any sport and any contest that you desire. Just put forward your challenge to me and I will arrange a date. To see if I am better at than Bristol, which I am, at everything. I will be keeping a running tally on events and also documenting every event into either a video or poster format for everyone to see. So challenge me if you think youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re good enough, but I doubt you will.â&#x20AC;? The thinking behind this being, that people would much rather see an arrogant person fail that a regular person and that way more people would challenge me. It worked.

Liam Roberts Bristol, England Photo taken by Chris Saltmarsh

Next Page Cumberland Road Bristol, England Photo taken by Liam Roberts

Next Page Bristol Harbour Bristol, England Photo taken by Liam Roberts

coming out fighting

I needed to set a tone, I needed to show people I was serious. I needed to get the ball rolling. I decided that for website and blog I would right all material to make me sound arrogant and here is what I wrote:

coming out fighting

MAKING HER CROSS The first challenge was set to be the classic school playground game of tic tac toe. It was very much a challenge to get the ball rolling. A challenge that would let me know I was doing the right thing and a challenge from someone very important to me.

03/16

making her cross

THE

CONTENDER Alexandra Nicholson

Liam & Ali Tandem Ride Bristol to Bath Photo Taken by AlI Nicholson

The Challenger was Ali Nicholson, the girl I love dearly. Straight from the word go on this project, Ali had been as supportive as always and was backing me to win at everything. She is the most kind and lovely person I know, and she gives me the belief I need to do anything. With Ali Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m invincible. Well, at least she makes me feel this way. But, this was the to be the only occasion she didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want me to win. She had challenged me to a game of Tic Tac Toe and who was I to turn her down. Ali, or to use her full name Alexandra Nicholson is my beloved partner. We met just over a year before the project began. we worked together in a library for sometime before one of us final asked the other out. Since the first date we never looked back. Ali currently lives in Edinburgh doing a work placement, which she got after university and comes to visit every other week. Our weekends together are magical, riding tandems, eating strawberries and dancing the night away. One thing they are not is competitive and I love that, I love her.

making her cross

40 Ali went first and headed straight for a corner with a glint in her eye. I knew she was going to be good at this. Ali is one of the smartest people I know of course she was going to beat me, in a battle of wits she would beat me every time, so I had to just pray I remembered a trick or two. I remembered that there was a strategy to Tic Tac Toe in which you can make sure that you never lose and have a good chance of winning, but for the life of me I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember how to do it. As she had moved for the corner, I thought that best way to deal with her move was to mirror it. It was obvious at first I had overlooked that she would always be one step ahead. My early strategy of minimicing fell through, she had been able to go straight for the win. A few silly move on my part and there was nowhere to go. I tried blocking her attempts to have a quick victory,but failed. The game was over, as quick as it started. She could finish the game in two directions. She had bamboozled me in less than 6 moves. Not having a choice I went for the middle, only praying she failed to notice and it was all just a fluke. This however wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the case. Ali quickly sealed the game. I felt like an idiot.

making me cross

Ali later revealled that the more corners you get, the easier it is to win the game. Taking three corners because of my poor ability to play the game, had allowed her to have the rows she could win with. Only covering one of the three corners, she had two possible rows to complete and I only had one move to block it, A clever strategy. Ali beat me fair and square and without sweating a single bead. She was gracious with her win, saying . “You went easy on me” but I could tell she wanted to jump for joy. After the contest and her comment to make me feel better, all I could think of was my normal attitude to games. I never let people win. “I only play for keeps.” Though this is the case with other people I just couldn’t be like that with her, it wasn’t worth it. And though I had lost my first challenge I didn’t mind so much as it taught me a valuable lesson.

LESSON

01 There is no need to compete with your partner. if it goes too far you will both end up losers.

THE SPLELING BEE The spelling bee was the 3rd challenge and for me it really needed to be a win. After Tic Tac Toe I had played game of Risk with some strangers and lost quickly. I started a project on competitiveness, challenging the city at anything and so far I had lost at everything. I had hoped that the next challenge would be something I was good at, something easy to get me off the starting line but this wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the case.

04/16

the spleling bee

THE

Tom Gallagher

CONTENDER

the spleling bee

When the challenge came in I was nervous. Not only was I rubbish at the proposed activity but also it was against someone who constantly would correct my grammar and spelling or should I say spelling and grammer? Tom is an illustration student and we have known each other from the first few weeks of university, living next door to each other in Nelson House, our halls of residence.

Tom Gallgher Bristol, England Photo taken by Tom Gallagher

Richard Cobley Bristol, England Photo taken by Joe Stanton

I felt like I was surely going to lose but I would learn nothing if I started to turn down challenges. The competition was to take place on his birthday and so I cooked us a birthday chilli to eat before we got on with the challenge. So we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cheat or know the words that we were going to have to spell we decided to get somebody in as a referee. The person we chose was Richard Cobley a friend of us both and also former neighburgh from halls of residence. We decided on someone we both knew well so there wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be any favouritism and it worked. Rich had wrote the words out so that we had 5 rounds of 1 word each, the winner would be the person with the best score at the end, much like penalties, only letters were the football to a mental block of a goalie. The contest began and it was me who was to go first. The first word that iIwas given to spell was patience. After a long pause I began.

the spleling bee

P ie

nce?

54 I had done it, I was in the lead, only in the lead because he hadn’t had his go yet, but in the lead nonetheless. It was now Tom’s turn and I was hoping that me answering correctly was going to have a psychological effect on my skillful opponant. Cobley now faced Tom and gave him his first first word.

the spleling bee

“Tom your first word is…Business” Tom replied incredible quickly and was spot on with his answer. I was in for a very stiff competition if this was going to be how he played every round. Before I had a chance to let his quick answer make me fear him and his spelling a ability, Rich spoke again. “The word I would like you to spell Is deceive” I spelt this one just as quickly and as sharply as Tom did the last and I hoped it would have an effect on his confidents. During my turn Tom had taken a sip of his beer in much like the smug way that countdown contestants do if they get a 9.

Screenshot The IT Crowd BBC Television

56 I haven’t asked Tom what he was thinking at this time in the game but I’m pretty certain that he thought I was going to misspell something. This would give him a chance to take the lead. But little did he know that a very good teacher, Mrs.Morrison taught me.

the spleling bee

“I before E accept after C.” On this occasion it worked but after the game, however, whilst basking in the glory of my answer, I realised that there are acceptations to the rule including words such as Belief. I don’t think I would have been so cock sure had I realised this moments earlier. It was time for the next words. “Tom can you spell the word ukulele?” Tom shouted quickly and as confidently as ever...

U KEL ELE

the spleling bee

Tom Gallagher Bristol, England Photo taken by Mirander Latima

I turned away, frightened that I was going to also do the smug victory sip. It seemed that in his attempt to say the answers quickly and thus put me off, Tom had slipped up, something that he didn’t recover from. My remaining words were; Rhythm, Macabre and Lieutenant. Of which, I managed to spell only one correctly. Tom’s words were; Consommé, Reykjavik, Chrysanthemum which he also spelt only one more correctly. This meant after a hard fought battle I had won my first challenge and it was a great feeling as it was a challenge I wasn’t expecting to win. Tom wasn’t very happy with loss and this was quite visible as his attitude became false on camera. He conceded I was better than him at spelling but in his tone of voice I could tell he didn’t mean any word of it.

I CNOCEDE LAIM IS THE BTETER SPLELER Tom Gallagher

60 After the competition had finished we went out and celebrated Tomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s birthday and all was forgotten until I returned. I was a little drunk and did one of the more dangerous things you can do after having drinks and went on the social networking site facebook. Logging on, I noticed someone had wrote on my wall.

the spleling bee

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve actually changed my mind about losing gracfully, I want a rematch, double or nothing.

Tom Gallagher Bristol, England Photo taken by Tom Gallagher

These sounded like the words of a desperate and bitter loser. I hoped that this wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t how I came across in losing.

I WANT A REMTACH Tom Gallagher

the spleling bee

62 Sat at my computer probably around 4 in the morning, with instantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of me doing the exact same came flooding back to me. Every time I had played fifa only to lose and demand a rematch. I did it with scrabble at Christmas one year and I almost did it after the game Risk, the previous challenge. Seeing how this came across, I realised for the first time that there are negatives to competitiveness, if you let them out. This was something that can be avoided and I vowed to from there on after. Other than realising the embarrasment of asking for rematches, I felt that I really gained from this competetion. The overwelming feeling I got from winning as the underdog. This made me think hard about writing myself off in the future and maybe things donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always happen as you think they might. So that is how I learnt lesson number 3 something I think we can all relate to.

LESSON

02 DON’T EXPECT TO FAIL, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT COULD HAPPEN.

WHEN SEEING RED After the revelation of the spelling bee I decided that this might be a good time to look at some self help books and see what they thought about the whole idea of competitiveness. I was pretty sure that no book was going to tell me it was a bad thing so instead I looked at books for inspiration on how to succeed .

05/16

WHEN SEEING RED

Throughout my life I have also ways relied on one saying that will calm me down and focus me in a time of need. It was said by Michael Owen during his Kids TV show in the early 2000’s called ‘Zero to Hero’. Michael Owen was a poster on a boys wall, that would speak to him in times of need. This saying has stuck with me and I use it with everything from golf to the 6 a side football league I play in.

Michael Owen Liverpool, England Photo taken by LFC.TV

YOU CAN’T READ THE GAME, IF YOU LOSE YOUR TEMPER Michael Owen

NICE GUYS, FINISH 7TH Tim Harris

WHEN SEEING RED

In looking back it hasn’t exactly been the best tactic as I haven’t seemed to be any better from this, only more polite and more of a respectable player. Barely ever fouling and never losing my rag. But this often comes across as “not fighting for it”, when really I like nothing more but to win. Because this hasn’t been the most successful ways of thinking. This why I was intrigued by a Tim Harris quote from the book ‘Everything you ever need to know about sport’ which stated that “You don’t have to live by the rules...”. Reading it again and again I realised that I was going to have to try this method of thought against my previous. It was Tim Harris vs Michael Owen for now and the best test would be the following Thursday in the football match I was scheduled to play.

Tim Harris Wikipedia

WHEN SEEING RED

70 8.20, Thursday came quickly and it was time to kick off game. On the bus journey to the match I would normally be laughing and joking with the rest of the team, but not before this game. Nice guys, finish seventh. I knew I couldn’t finish seventh in a game of only two teams but I could put in a terrible performance and I certainly didn’t want to let that happen. This time on the bus, instead of the laughing and joking I was sitting quietly on my own listen to music that I didn’t like to wind myself up. “...Come play my game...” Silly I know but I had to try it, I wasn’t going to let one of my friends punch me in the face ready for the game, so this seemed like the next best option. My weapon of choice was prodigy something that I would constantly be woken to as a kid by my elder brother and something that triggered anger in me.

Bayern Neverlusen Bristol, England Photo taken by Liam Roberts

WHEN SEEING RED

72 8.22. I had not only fowled but I also swore at an opposing player, this didn’t feel like me at all. Throughout the game I shouted and cursed the whole team and kicked a fair few of them and I wasn’t too proud of myself. We lost the game 6-0. This score far worse than normal, however I will not lie to you, we don’t win very often. In reflection I don’t think I spoke all the way back from the game, I was not happy. It took me a few hours to realise I wasn’t feeling myself. Normally even in defeat, I will come away from the game happy but his time i was sad. I was sad because I had become a person I didn’t like, a person I would complain about, if they were my opposition. I became a complete Arsewhole. Tim Harris may have said. “Nice Guy, Finish Seventh” but I can tell you that “Arseholes Finish Last” and deservedly so. I vowed next time I went on the field, that I would play like I had before having learnt my lesson.

LESSON

03 IT DOESN’T PAY to be the bad guy.

THIS WAY UP

achieved in career aspirations rather than the games I played growing up. What I aimed to find out in this Interview was how being competitive has effected his life, to ultimately find out if I can learn from his mistakes or lack there of.

(My Father)

Stephen Roberts

01/03

Here is an interview with my father, Stephen Roberts on the topic of competitiveness. As a child it was obvious to both him and I that I tried very hard to impress him as well as my brothers. In the passed few years however I find the same thirst for approval can be

06/16

Three Wise Men

STEPHEN ROBERTS

2.So it’s understandable I am getting it from my older brothers and you, but what do you think the reason for your competitiveness is?

I think it’s just because there are too many male figures. There’s you and your brothers and me. I think in your case you’ve been playing catch up since you realised they were more able to do certain things just because they were a little bit older.

1.We are pretty competitive family I think you would agree? Why do you think that it?

INTERVIEW 01/03

I came from a large family of 8 children, with 4 brothers. We even fought over where to sit every evening, never mind about when we played sport, we never liked losing to your siblings. I guess that’s what rubbed off on you, I just didn’t realise it until now. I think it’s healthy. 77

I THINK IT’S A

INTERVIEW 01/03

STEPHEN ROBERTS

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Playing football for the school. When I was 10, I was selected to play for the school. We played against other school teams in the area. It was my first experience playing competitively with other children and I really enjoyed it. Although I was considered small I was very fit and a good dribbler. I was also being taken to Blackpool as an apprentice footballer; I was told I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t good enough at 15 (too small).

3.What was the first competition you ever entered?

INTERVIEW 01/03

STEPHEN ROBERTS

I joined the army when I was 16-17 and they encouraged me to play all sorts of sports because I was fitter than anybody else. I played only sports for the first few years of the army, It was a good experience but I started to pull out when I wanted to pursue my career. I played all types of different sport from Gymnastics to Golf.

4. Even though you were told that you were too small this didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop you entering other competitions in a variety of sports why was this?

That must have been a kick in the teeth, Some of the players that turned out to be the best in the world in there careers were almost all once told, you too small. Zola, Maradona, Messi, Romario, Pele.

I WAS TOLD I WASN’T

INTERVIEW 01/03

STEPHEN ROBERTS

GOOD ENOUGH

83 83

STEPHEN ROBERTS

6.Is there any reason that you stopped entering so many different types of competitions and just stuck to golf?

Football. As I said I tried to play football but was let go as a 15 year old. I joined the army and for the first year, they had me playing combined services and army football. I stopped after a while but I still turned out for each regiment I was with, playing for a couple of German teams and local amateur teams. I won the army cup with three different clubs it was great.

5.What was or is the sport you have considered yourself to be best at through the years?

INTERVIEW 01/03

No. I always enjoyed entering competitions.

7.I understand that it must hard for you, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t I would be best pleased, But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s good that you found Golf to feed the urge to compete. Are there any competitions that you regret entering?

Yes, I had a major car accident, which curtailed my sporting activities, but also stopped me keeping fit enough to play some of them. With golf you do not need to be too fit. I still have a back condition, but I am able to manage it playing golf.

Yes, in my last couple of years in the army, I entered the army golf championships; prior to this I never had the time. I found out, that I was good enough to beat a lot of the players who went every year. I qualified for the last 8 both years, getting beat by the winner the first year and runner up the second and final time. I was also selected to play for the corps team after the singles and won both years. I would like to win that trophy and it is a shame I only started entering so late.

8. Okay, are there any competitions that you regret not entering?

INTERVIEW 01/03

STEPHEN ROBERTS

Milne Trophy, which was my first major trophy at a golf club in my first year.

9. So, which trophy are you most proud of in your collection you have quite a few?

I DON’T NEED TO SEE THEM

INTERVIEW 01/03

STEPHEN ROBERTS

TO KNOW THEY’RE THERE

â&#x20AC;?

STEPHEN ROBERTS

11.I suppose that a good way of looking at it. During your time winning trophies and coming close even, have you ever noticed your competitiveness going too fa?

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to see them to know they are there. Plus I would only get questions if people saw them, and I do not need them to remind myself.

10. I know for a fact that you loved competing and you loved winning trophies after you were beaming when telling me about them. So, why are your trophies kept in the cupboard away from view?

INTERVIEW 01/03

Yes, I would probably race someone even if we both had Zimmer frames.

12. Do you think you will always be competitive?

The doctor said I could have damaged it permanently. I was never considered a dirty player, and never imagined hurting anyone to win.

One time playing football in Colchester, I broke my foot, in the first minute of the game, but carried on playing because I thought it was just sprained. When I finally took off my boots my foot and ankle swelled so much I could not put on my shoes.

After the interview with my father it was very clear that the competitiveness that I have towards almost everything in life, my father also shares. Though he was not one to really chat about the things he had achieved in sport, he had achieved a lot but for him it

wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t about trophies, it was a personal thing and I admire that. From the chat about a car accident it was clear that you never expect bad things to happen, but sometime they do. It made a very clear statement, that I shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take anything for granted.

(My Father)

Stephen Roberts

01/03

Three Wise Men

LESSON

04 DO THINGS WHILST YOU CAN, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

BRASH WITH BRAWN This was the most unexpected challenge of all of the challenges as it happened so quick , I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even have time to prepair. I was asked for an arm wrestle without any warning and with hesitation, I accepted.

07/16

BRASH & BRAWN

THE

Jack Franklin

CONTENDER

BRASH & BRAWN

Liam Roberts Bristol, England Photo taken by Chris Saltmarsh

One Tuesday at university, shortly after a group seminar. I was outside with Jack Franklin, Andy Duncan and CJ Brown, all friends from my university course. They asked me about my project and I tried to keep up the arrogant attitude in which I started the project. I then explained how I was going to make a booth for armwrestling at univeristy. Claiming that I would be able to beat anyone. This seemed to grab their attention as I hoped it would. I wanted them to spread the word.. Though I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to plant the seeds as far away as I had thought.

I CAN BEAT ANYONE IN AN ARM WRESTLE Liam Roberts

100

Jack Franklin, after hearing this statement immediately took the bate himself and before I knew it we were sat opposite each other on a bench and CJ was ready with his iPhone about to film. Franklin, whilst looking me dead in the proceeded to say;

BRASH & BRAWN

“You do realise i’m gonna woop you right?” If i’m honest I believed him to. My aggressive claim was going to backfire as far as I was concerned but I would still try my best.

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LESSON

05 YOU DON’T ALWAYS NEED TO PREPARE, THOUGH SOMETIMES IT DOES HELP.

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ISNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T THAT RICE Over the passed few weeks the slow decent into the cold of winter had really began to take hold of the city of Bristol, so when the next challenge came along I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t so sure if my freezing cold hands could take it. I had been challenged to a game that was dreamed up by a classmate of mine, Alextye or Alex for short. He had decided that our contest would be based around rice and chop sticks.

08/16

ISNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that rice

106

THE

107

CONTENDER Alextye Wen Hong

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THE CHALLENGE EXPLAINED

MOST SINGLE GRAINS OF RICE ON THE CARD IN 1 MINUTE

We each had a full bowl of uncooked rice and during one timed minute we had take pick up single grains from the bowl and place them onto some black card, which was visible to a video camera. The winner would be the person who had placed the highest amount of rice on the card without cheating. Freezing cold and after a long tutorial Alex and I decided the time was right for our challenge and set up all the equipment. Luckily the room was warmer than we had expect however, so the temperature of my hands was not an issue, though I was kind of hoping I had an excuse, if I lost. The reason I say I needed an excuse was because Alex was the clear favourite to win the competition. Not, only had he dreamed it up but he also admitted that he regularly eats rice with chopsticks, whereas I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t eaten with them since I ate a pot noodle in playschool, over 20 years ago.

ISNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T THAT RICE

109

isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that nice

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111

ISNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T THAT RICE

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Previous Page Chris Saltmarsh Bristol, England Photo taken by Liam Roberts

Previous Page Alextye & Liam Bristol, England Photo taken by Chris Saltmarsh

Alextye Bristol, England Photo taken by Liam Roberts

As we were both tired and we wanted the filming of the challenge to go smoothly, we decided that it would be a good idea to have a practice round. It was a very tough game and the final score only proved it. For the practice round the score ended 20-19 to Alex. It was very close considering his higher expertise in the area. This is when I noticed something however, something that changed the competition completely. Alex didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look like he was bothered whether he won of not, he was just happy taking part and it was clear to see. After the first round he said to me;

113

BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME Alextye Wen Hong

ISN’T THAT RICE

114 But not in the sarcastic way you may think. He said in sincerely. Alex had made me lose all sense of why I was competitive. If he could be as happy as he was just taking part why did it matter if I ever won or lost anything? If I’m honest he made me feel like I was a bit of an idiot for being so competitive and that’s why when we got round the actual competition I didn’t feel I could do it. That was until Chris however, my housemate who had beat me previously in the game of Risk a few weeks earler said; “Go on Alex, you can woop him!” This was the moment when looking back, I regret. Chris had doubted me just like my tutor did a few years previous and just like how a lot of people have through the years that has led to me trying harder than ever to achieve something. This challenge had become must win, for little more reason than Chris was cheering someone else. Chris was in charge of the clock and after his encouraging words to Alex, set of the time and shouted,

115 “Go!” Enraged by the comment from Chris, my feeling of weirdness I had felt from Alex’s relaxed attitude to competing had left me. I tried much harder than in the practice. Half way through the challenge around 30 seconds in to the bought, I looked over at Alex to see how he was getting on and I can confidently say I was wooping him, instead of the other way round. I then continued going as quick as possible for another 15 or so before realising that weird feeling had begun to creep back. I was taking this challenge far to seriously and ruining a game invented as a little bit of fun between friends. The buzzer sounded to signal the end of the challenge and the rice was counted.

116

02 05

08 09

117

03 06 10

07 11

118 The results were in and it was a shock , I had Won, though it was a hollow victory. This was something I expressed to the camera immediately afterwards. After the contest was over, to prove even more how much he wasn’t into competing, he turned to me and said,

isn’t that rice

“Practice makes perfect.” No fighting talk, no excuses just a polite well done. The reason it felt like a hollow victory was because unlike Alex, I had forgotten something that is really important something that I realise now was an important lesson.

LESSON

06 DON’T forget to have fun, winning isn’t always important.

121

FANCY A RIDE (1) After the lesson I had learnt from the great rice challenge I decided I needed to bring the fun back into the project. I thought that it would be good to set a challenge for once instead of receiving one. Effectively taking the challenge to the people of Bristol, instead of the other way round. The medium of which I chose to do this was simple.

09/16

122 Bike riding is one of the most popular pass times of Bristolian life and that is why the town has been dubbed; â&#x20AC;&#x153;The bike capital of the UK.â&#x20AC;?

FANCY A RIDE?

This is an part of the Bristol community in which they take great pride in and so I found it as a good area in which to target them and start trying to bring out my fun side.

‘I’M SO FAST I CAN HIT THE LIGHT SWITCH AND BE IN BED BEFORE IT’S DARK’

BIKE RACE

6:48

BRUNEL BRIDGE - HIPPODROME SENSATIONAL

MAIN

LIAMS TIME EVENT

TIME TRIAL STAGE 1

LIAM ROBERTS V BRISTOL AVON

SEND YOUR 2 PHOTOS TO

LIAMVSBRISTOL@GMAIL-COM

LIAMVSBRISTOL-CO-UK

/LIAMVSBRISTOL

YOUR TIME IS TAKEN FROM THE TIME BETWEEN THE TWO PHOTOS CREATION DATES/TIMES. THE LEAGUE TABLE WILL BE POSTED ON THE LIAM VS BRISTOL WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE

124 me on bike photo

125

FANCY A RIDE?

The challenge was to ride from the Brunel suspension bridge to the famous hippodrome. You could do it in your own time and as long as you sent me photo or any other type of legitimate evidence. Your time would be put onto a league table. The time I set for the race was 6:58, a modest time, a time in which I knew could be broken and a time that would seem intriguing to anyone who rides a bike. The challenge all set up it was now time to sit back and wait for people to give it a try.

Liam Roberts On Bike Bristol, England Photo taken by Piers Rossiter

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THE SMALL LEBOWSKI After I had posted the bike race I decided to post up another challenge though this one would have a time and a date. I decided that bowling would be a good option as it is something I enjoy and also the first sport that I would be challenged in.

10/16

THE LANES

THIS MONDAY NIGHT 23rd JAN 5.30 p.m.

BRISTOL

TOP UK & WORLD STAR IN ACTION

THE SAGA CONTINUES

LIAM VS BRISTOL THE BIG NAME CLASH

COME DOWN TO THE LANES AND SEE IF YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES

TRY

BEAT HIM CONFIRMED CONTENDERS HANNAH

PIERS

TRIBE

ROSSITER

SALTMARSH

CLARK

CHRIS

NATHAN

PRICES: £3.00 WITH STUDENT CARD

ONE GAME, ONE WINNER

To make sure I would get enough people involved, I decided to create a poster that challenged anyone to a game of bowling and the first 9 people to respond would be my competitors. Responses came thick and fast. before the poster was up for an hour, all the places were filled. The majority of the people that responded were men but there was one woman, my housemate Hannah Tribe. I knew she wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to be a fierce competitor but as I learnt before itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not all about winning. All of the other men however I did see as a threat. I had played against nearly all of them before, bar Nige and I knew what to expect. Generally everyone was ok but if they were on form they could wipe the floor with me, Luke especially. The line up for the bowl went as follows:

THE SMALL LEBOWSKI

129

130

THE SMALL LEBOWSKI

Hannah Tribe

Chris Saltmarsh

THE Noah Campeau

Luke Stanbury

131

Piers Rossiter

Nige Power

CONTENDERS Tom Henderson Nathan Clark

Iain Allchrch

133

THE SMALL LEBOWSKI

It came to the day of the event and I was confident as usual that I was going to win the competition. I wanted to carry on my winning streak by destroying all the contenders. Though I was taking nine other people, I decided that as it was one challenge and not nine individual it was only worth one point though the odds of winning were low, I thought that this was a fair scoring system. One hour before the competition started, I went to the location to set up camera before everyone arrived. In this time a also managed to haggle a little discount from the alley owner as I was bringing him so much business. All paid for and ready to go I received a phone call from one of the contendors.

The Lanes Bristol, England Photo taken by Liam Roberts

134

THE SMALL LEBOWSKI

WHAT WAS sAID Iain Safe man, I’m not going to be able to make it today too much work on. Me You sure man it’s not going to take long it would be good to see you. Iain No can do man too much, fancy doing something this week though? Me Yeah man give me a bell talaa.

135

WHAT WAS MEANT Iain I’m not coming bowling because I am lazy and could very well have a sleeping disorder. Me It’s fine mate, but why didn’t you tell me earlier so I could get a replacement? Iain Sorry mate only just woke up/thought about it, would be good to see you but not sure when I will be awake next. Me call me when you do.

THE SMALL LEBOWSKI

136

Nathan Clark Bristol, England Photo taken by Yazmin Crouch

And so then there were 9, I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too bothered by this however as it only increased my chances of winning, something you have probably gathered by now, I love doing. With no more cancelations, I sat tight and let the others arrive one by one. In the time it had taken for everyone to arrive and set up the cameras I had now had two pints of cider and was feeling relaxed. This is something that I often find calms my nerves about competing, though it is frowned upon with certain games. I mean you can have a pint playing darts but if you decided to have a gin and tonic whilst playing badminton, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure everyone would look at you funny. This was a just a little bit of Dutch courage and as the competition started I could see it was having a positive effect. After the first set round of bowls between everyone I had started the best, the only person to knock down all ten of my pins, there were a few nines but only one ten. With this the fighting talk had begun to come out and I loved it.

DON’T LET THE PRESSURE GET TO YOU Nathan Clark

THE SMALL LEBOWSKI

140

THE SMALL LEBOWSKI

Everyone was trying to put each other off and the atmosphere was hostile but fun at the same time. Everyone was enjoying himself or herself and after all thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all competition Is about right? Wrong. Competition is also very much about winning and despite all the trash talk and whilst having fun I still had the focus to bring home the win. ands thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exactly what I did.

Previous Page Bowling The Lanes, Bristol Photo taken by Piers Rossiter

Previous Page Bowling 2 The Lanes, Bristol Photo taken by Piers Rossiter

Previous Page Bowling 3 The Lanes, Bristol Photo taken by Piers Rossiter

Scores

108

LUKE

CHRIS

NOAH

TOM

112

NATHAN

NIGE

PIERS

HANNAH

141 141

117

90 88 73

THE SMALL LEBOWSKI

142

Much to the disappointment of all the other contenders I had won my fourth challenge. It was a good victory good it was even greater to spend the afternoon with my friends. Though the victory seemed like a formality in the end I think it was the lack of nerves which made me the victor. Some of the contenders after the initial nervous shot, scored just as well as I did, so I could say I learnt another lesson that day.

LESSON

07 being nervOus doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get you anywhere.

THIS WAY UP

06/16

Here is an interview with Joseph Murréll, Former proffesional skier, turned coach. In this interview we discuss the way in which which sports phychology helps athletes and how it’s techniques can be used for all other walk of life.

(Sport Psychologist)

Joseph Murréll

02/03

Three Wise Men

145

I started writing this a couple of years ago and it was basically because I injured myself. I tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in my knee and I was out for a season. In that time I could not ski so I thought it would be a good opportunity.... I actually started watching loads of ski videos and then, its weird, I used to fall asleep at night and I would be able to dream about it. Then I started to research visualisation.

to a sports you run I wanted to about?

â&#x20AC;?

1. Joe, you sent me a link psychology website that specifically for skiers. know, how did this come

INTERVIEW 02/03

JOSEPH MURRĂ&#x2030;LL

They say that practice is the mother of skill and if you visualise it means you can spend all those hours really effectively by visualising as opposed to going out and trying. So I got really interested in visualisation, and because I could not ski I would just learn a lot of tricks without strapping on a pair of ski’s, its weird. It made me pretty confident that I could do them.

2. I don’t think I’ve heard of that could you explain a little further?

One of the things I talk about in my blogs and it is one of the most powerful things that you can do in terms of preparation.

147

”

I also realised that the years when I was skiing before when I didn’t understand about visualisation, thats exactly what I was doing anyway. I would watch a ski movie and I would watch exactly how someone would move their body. Then I would think about it in my minds eye, I would run through it and slow it down into slow motion, draw on all my senses to see what it would feel like in the movement. It was the equivalent of me being on ski’s and practicing it. I would do that over and over again and I would normally fall asleep at night and dream about it. I would wake up the next day and feel confident that I knew how my body was going to do it. And generally I’ve been pretty good that when I try things first time, I usually get it the first time.

INTERVIEW 02/03

JOSEPH MURRÉLL

Yea, yea and I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand what I was doing at the time but that was because without knowing I was doing this process of visualisation. Then I started reading about it and realising how powerful it is. It can apply to anything, obviously I was doing it with skiing. Its funny, now I do it at uni when I have to give a presentation. And it sounds weird but just visualise yourself giving an amazing pitch and your already training yourself to be in that situation.

3.Thats because you visualised it?

149

150

IT’S THE MOST

INTERVIEW 02/03

JOSEPH MURRÉLL

POWERFUL PREPARATION

151 151

Well, exactly and when you think about anyone who gets nervous about public speaking its because anytime they think about it they imagine themselves getting it wrong and messing it up so thats exactly what they do. So you can use it the other way round. So visualisation is just a massive thing. You can apply it to anything, like public speaking, acting or all you things you are going to be doing, all of your competitions.

4.So, because your saying imagining yourself without the nervousness and without stutter and things like that, so when you come around to doing it your body is ready for it.

INTERVIEW 02/03

JOSEPH MURRĂ&#x2030;LL

Yea and the other thing which we are going to talk about in a minute is drawing from previous experiences.

5.So Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a table tennis competition on Tuesday. So for the next few days building up to that just imagine myself being really good at table tennis?

Use visualisation because that is one of the most powerful things. You talk about training for something you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t done all that much. You can get in all of those hours of practice, not by actually doing it but by visualising for when you actually come to it.

153

JOSEPH MURRĂ&#x2030;LL

Are their any other ways I could improve my chances? you mentioned drawing from past experiences?

So your body is already doing it anyway. I suggest you begin doing it with Table Tennis straight away.

6.I think its something I used to do when I was younger. I used to rollerblade at quite a good level and I used to go to sleep and dream of tricks and then be able to do them.

Another quick thing, visualisation is a skill in itself. Just saying, visualise is fair enough but it actually takes practice. To be able to actually use it as a technique and be good at it, you need to practice.

INTERVIEW 02/03

Well, okay think back to that day. What were you warring? What could you smell? What was the weather like? Try and remember as much as you can, feel it like you did then

Well I remember I was playing for a football team not so long ago and i scored 6 goals in a game, it was probably the best sporting day Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever had.

Well actually yeah there is it called linking. Basically what you have to do, and i want you to try this, is remember a time when you were outstanding at something, a sport of some kind, even if it was only for a split second.

155

THE MIND IS LIKE

INTERVIEW 02/03

JOSEPH MURRÉLL

A COMPUTER

157

WITH ONLY A FEW PAGES

INTERVIEW 02/03

JOSEPH MURRÉLL

MISSING FROM THE MANUAL

159

JOSEPH MURRÉLL

It’s Okay Quick method for getting better at visualisation. You see a jurassic improvement. It sounds pretty weird but you can look at someone and look at just their lips and you close your eyes and try and just imagine those lips.

Wow thank you.

At the moment that you think you are really back in that mood that you once were in, pinch the back of your hand. The reason I say there is that I’m guessing you don’t do that often. What this will do, is now every time you pinch the back of your hand it will take you back into the winning mentality that you had when playing football, I think this could help you.

INTERVIEW 02/03

“Haha” You take small visual thing and you open your eyes and you see and then you close your eyes and you imagine it until you can’t see any difference between seeing and imagining them. When you can do this effectively it allows you visualise any situation, so you can be forever confident you can suceed at anything you wish.

I’m not going to be thinking about your lips

161

With that I decided that I would definitely have to try the pinch technique and definitely run through the game in my head before I attempt to beat someone at their own game. I really underestimated the power of thought in all of this, but I guess thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why sports

162

physiologists exist. You have to have a clear head in order to progress or achieve.

(Sport Psychologist)

Joseph MurrĂŠll

02/03

Three Wise Men

LESSON

08 donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t focus on what might happen. Focus on what will.

165

PINCH PING PONG Two days after the bowling I had received my next challenge, Table Tennis. I have never been good at the sport but accepted the challenge confidently. I had played it a number of times throughout my childhood and a few more times at the student union, never impressing anyone yet never depressing them either. As Simon Cowell would put it, “I’m mediocre”.

11/16

pinch ping pong

166

THE

167

CONTENDER

Tom Bennett

PINCH PING PONG

168 The challenge was with Tom Bennet, a friend from my tutor group, though it has not always been this way. During the first couple of months at university I had met tom and hung out with him quite a lot, even playing on a football team together. This took a sour turn however when drunk one night him and some other friends of his, broke my ceiling in halls of residense, leading to a stand off between me and five others. I think just for the fact I had even confronted that many people at once, the situation didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t esculate.

169

Tom Bennet Bristol, England Photo taken by Unknown

PINCH PING PONG

170

Tom Bennet Bristol, England Photo taken by Tom Bennet

It took a while to forget about this but I can assure anybody itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all forgotten, we all do silly things now and again. We now play football regularly together again and all is well. One thing that has remained however is we are still very competitive towards each other. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure weather itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the fact we are both graphic designers, one day knowing we might competing for the same job or whether we are just to hard faced to admit either of us could beat each other at anything. One thing was clear though, when he did challenge me, I was going to try anything to beat him. Tom days before the challenge had announced to me that not only would he win but also he used to play quite a lot when he was younger. I think he was playing mental games with me.

171

I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO WIN Tom Bennet

PINCH PING PONG

172 This gave him the upper hand so I decided that I would try and use some of the psychological techniques in which Joe had taught me. I was going to try and recall a memory of past sporting greatness and try harness itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power at the time of competition. To try and find one of these of moments of greatness I had to think hard and long about it, eventually settling on a football game I had played about 3 years earlier. I was playing for a team called W.F.E.F.C, I would love to tell you what that meant but for the life of me I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t remember. We played regularly on a Thursday and we were going to play that particular Thursday against a work colleague called Aaron. He had been mouthing off at me a good week before the match even started but it was me who was to have the last laugh. Growing up I had always played striker. I was quick and seemed to always hit the target when i was required to. This team however until that day had played me as right back, a position I hated. This is why at the start of this game when the usual striker was injured, I said that I would give it a go. I proceeded to score a double hat full of 6

173 goals in this game and even better was that the colleague who had been mouthing off at me all week was the goalie in which I put them past. It felt great. Needless to say this was one of my greatest days of sporting memory and the memory in that I would be calling back on to try and give me the boost I needed to beat Tom. I had to remember it in detail and then apply a physical link that would be able to flood me with those same emotions of winning. I had chosen pinching my palm, as this was something I would ever do, thus the effects wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be weakened. 5pm on a Tuesday after university, it was time to play against Tom. We had set up cameras and cleared the student union. I could tell the pressure was getting to him. Graciously in realising this I decided it would be good to have a warm up, not counting scores and it seemed to work as neither of us were nervous when it came to the match, though I did try to syke him out a little. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got a secret weapon. you had better be scared mate.

table tennis

174

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PINCH PING PONG

I pinched my palm again in a desperate effort to get my composure back and it worked for a short while. I brought the score back to a respectable 8-11 before a pounding of a life time came from Tom. He won the next 9 points with ease leaving me with one of the hardest comebacks in Table Tennis history (well in our Table Tennis history) and I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to shy away from it.

Big Pinch Bristol, England Photo taken by Piers Rossiter

PINCH PING PONG

178

I pinched my palm for a third time and then took the serve. I had hit it right in the corner [1] and Tom struggled to hit it back but did, unfortuntely for me[2]. I then hit another hard ball down the line hoping that Tom would be able to return [3] but he did again and it was a powerful one at that [4]. I then darted back across the other side and hit the ball spiralling it upward and just over the net [5]. The pace on the ball was far too slow, I had set him up for a smash. Me knowing the smash was coming and Tom getting ready to smash it, time seemed to slow down for a second.

[1]

[3]

[5]

[4]

[2]

[6]

180

PINCH PING PONG

Milliseconds later with a yelp of disgust and shout of glory Tom had beaten me fair and square, with a giant smash and a huge margin. After the match was over I proceeded to tell Tom about my secret weapon, my weapon that hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worked. Though he admitted that I had siked him out at the start, it was apparent that this technique just didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work for me but it had taught me a valuable lesson.

LESSON

09 Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t assume something is just going to work, test it first.

183

SECOND SHROVE TUESDAY Right in the beginning stages of the project I received a challenge that involved eating. This challenge started off as a eating contest, scoffing down IKEA home brand hotdogs, but over the course of a few months changed competiter and also changed food variety.

12/16

shrove tuesday

184

THE

185

CONTENDER Chris Saltmarsh

Shrove Tuesday

186 The challenge that was set in place months before the actual event was due to take place and the challenger was from Luke, a former housemate from my days living in Hotwells. Luke had decided to challenge me to eating the hotdogs after a visit to replace furniture we had broken in our old residence and I was excited to have him involved. Fast forward only a few months later, to the time the challenges had begun and Luke had seemed to disappear off the face of the earth. Luke completely forgot about the challenge and I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see him for a few months after it was due to take place.

187

Luke Stanbury Bristol, England Photo taken by Liam Roberts

Shrove Tuesday

188 So, this is where Jack Franklin stepped in. Hearing that Luke had dropped out he wanted to be the next person to challenge me at an eating contest. Apparently there was a few waiting in case it failed and he was the first person to contact. Still not pancakes however. what Jack had challenged me to eating was Hooter’s Chicken Wings and basket of over 30 chicken wings that had to be eaten the quickest. Now I would like to say that I thought I could have thrashed him but truthfully I wouldn’t have been able to. The thought of eating 30 chicken wings wasn’t as appealing to me and it was to Jack and I wanted to turn him down. I don’t understand how much fat and grease would be in that much chicken but I think it’s a lot. Stupidly despite me not wanting to do it however, I decided to give it a try. So far I had done all the challenges on what seemed to be my terms and it was time to change that. Flash forward another few months and it wasn’t Jack that had disappeared off the face of the earth, it was Hooter’s. The bar famous for its chicken and scantily clad girls closed down due to its lack of custom and for that I salute you Bristol people.

189

Hooterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bristol, England Photo taken by Unknown

190

LET’S EAT SOME PANCAKES Chris Saltmarsh

191

Shrove Tuesday

The challenge was once again void until in stepped Chris Saltmarsh, my large friend and housemate. The day he had chosen to challenge me was a few days after Pancake Day, a day we had forgotten and what better way to celebrate it than by eating pancakes until one of us throws up. Now that didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t happen but I can assure you one of us was close.

Chris Saltmarsh Bristol, England Photo taken by Alexandra Nicholson

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Pancake Batter Bristol, England Photo taken by Chris Saltmarsh

To start the challenge, we had a load of eggs, water, flour and milk to get things underway. We also had several bowls and whisks and even a designated chef in Hannah Tribe to cook the pancakes on demand. Hannah had started to make the batter for the pancake as me and Chris started giving each other a bit of fighting talk. I was pretty sure I would at least give him a run for his money as long as I made him sweat a little I would be happy. Hannah quickly and precisely cooked the pancakes and placed five on a plate each. We would take it in turns to eat a pancake so the other could watch their opponent either wolf it down or struggle to continue.

Shrove Tuesday

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Shrove Tuesday

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Pancake one was eaten very quickly by Chris and even quicker by me I wasn’t going to let Chris’s size intimidate me out of a victory.

Screen Shot 01 Bristol, England Video Filmed by Hannah Tribe

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Pancake two and Chris wolfed his down again seeming to not even touch the sides. I followed slightly slower than I had the first time but still at a pace.

Shrove Tuesday

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Pancake three and just as easy as the previous two Chris swallowed his pancake down. But I had begun to slow right down. I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what it was about that third pancake but it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go down to well. Screen Shot 02 Bristol, England Video Filmed by Hannah Tribe

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Pancake four and Chris was making this look easy whilst I was beginning to take long pauses between each mouthful. I was beginning to feel the strain and stated it for the first time, much to Chrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enjoyment.

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Pancake five I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t actually remember Chris eating due to the pain I was feeling in my stomach but I assume he ate it with ease. I on the other hand was now eating very slowly. The thought of putting anymore pancake in my mouth had begun to make me heave. I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to be able to last much longer. Screen Shot 03 Bristol, England Video Filmed by Hannah Tribe

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Pancake six and this time he ate even quicker so he could return to watching me struggle. I began to eat my pancake slowly knowing it was only a matter of time before I was going to lose, and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when it struck me. No matter how hard I pushed myself in this competition it was inevitable I was going to lose.

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Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;M OUT Liam Roberts

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Shrove Tuesday

And with those two words the competition was over, and I had lost another point to the Bristolians and another point to Chris. I shook his hand a declared him the victor though didn’t realise until watching the footage back, from the contest, that I actually called him a “bastard” not a very nice thing to say but I guess I just didn’t like, him getting the victory. It wasn’t just a victory either it was a slaughtering. Chris had not only beet me but decided to humiliate me by continuing to eat as many as he possibly could.

Screen Shot 04 Bristol, England Video Filmed by Hannah Tribe

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07 08 09

11 12

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14 15

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We ran out of batter after 18 but it was safe to say he kicked my arse. Even though I had quit quite early on into the competition, it was good to see that if I did continue all my effort and pain would have been in vain. This taught me a valuable lesson.

LESSON

10 KNOW WHEN TO CUT YOUR LOSES.

THIS WAY UP

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about human character and the nature of competitiveness in which he wished to share with me after â&#x20AC;&#x153;kicking my assâ&#x20AC;? at a pancake eating contest.

(Swimming Instructor)

Chris Saltmarsh

03/03

Here is an interview with my friend and housemate Chris Saltmarsh. Chris has been a keen swimmer since an early age and for many years has been teaching aldults, as well as children to Swim. Through his years of teaching Chris has learnt a few things

06/16

Three Wise Men

I’m currently working for Splash Happy Swimschool. They’ve got their swim school set up at two different swimming pools in Bristol; one at Clifton High School, and the other at Badminton School towards Westbury-on-Trym. I’m currently teaching children between the ages of around 3 – 14 years old, with a variety of mixed abilities. The classes are set up according to the children’s abilities, rather than their ages, so there’s an eclectic mix of kids in each class.

1.Could explain what your Job is at the swimming pool? And which swimming pool that you work at?

INTERVIEW 03/03

CHRIS SALTMARSH

When I was younger, yes. I did a very small stint of competitive swimming, but lost interest once I became a teaching assistant. Instead, I became interested in water polo, and was inducted into a team for a short while. It was fun whilst it lasted, but I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see myself as competitive enough to get fully involved in the sport.

2.Have you ever competed in a swimming event of any shape or form? If so could you elaborate?

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I wouldn’t necessarily say that I’m that ‘keen’ on swimming; out of every sport I tried when I was younger, I guess that I found swimming to be the most liberating. I took up swimming outside of regular school hours when I was around 7 or 8 years old, and progressed through the classes until I became a member of the lanes session; swimming for fitness, rather than improving my ability. At about 11 years old I was asked to become an assistant to the teachers at the swim school I was part of, which was a great honour, and I’ve made my progression into teaching from there.

3. Personally, how long have you been keen on swimming? And what got you enthused to work in that environment?

INTERVIEW 03/03

CHRIS SALTMARSH

I enjoy the work that I do because I find that interacting with the children levels me out; I can have the stresses of my studies and other everyday life get on top of me, and then completely forget about them when I’ve got a classes full of happy children ready to have a good time!

I got my first teaching qualification when I was 16, and my second at 18; I’m now pretty much at the top of my game, with around 6 years or teaching experience under my belt; a pretty big achievement in my eyes, as I’m still only 22 years old. There’s always room for improvement, and definitely more to experience. 211

I think that I have a relatively small competitive streak, as I would expect most people do, but I’m not one of those types of people that get completely disheartened when they lose. I think competitiveness is just another standard part of the human nature, and isn’t a bad element if it’s controlled. I wouldn’t isolate my competitiveness to just one group of people like my friends or my family; I’d say that I’ll be competitive wherever necessary.

4.Do you consider yourself to be a competitive person in or outside the pool?

INTERVIEW 03/03

Chris Saltmarsh

When you’re their age, there’s nothing better than racing against people. I can quite easily set the kids off to do their warm up, and you can see them watching one another, trying to see who’ll get to the other side first. Countless times I’ve had to remind them that “it’s called a warm up, not a “knock yourself out”!” I guess that it is ingrained in humans; an instinctive process.

5.Is there a sense of competition within the children that you teach?

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Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing wrong with introducing competitiveness into the learning environment, in my opinion. I have found that introducing a small amount of competitiveness into some of the activities in my lessons brings out the best of their abilities; introducing competitive elements pushes the children into pushing their own limits. I will always encourage and congratulate every child after each competitive element, as I think it is important that they receive this praise in order to recognise that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re able to do well if they put their mind to it.

6.What are you thoughts on competitiveness in a learning environment? Would you encourage it in youngsters if you knew it would help etc. INTERVIEW 03/03

Chris Saltmarsh

Where I used to teach back home in Basingstoke, I was approached by my boss to provide training to a marine. I was completely daunted by the task and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t particularly know what to expect. When I first met the guy, he was probably about a foot taller than me, lean, and covered with tattoos; completely intimidating. It turned out that he was in need of developing his Breast Stroke technique; heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d been heckled by his officers in the military, and found that they were no help at all. Instead he wanted to approach a teacher in order to get some professional advice, as well as not being shouted at constantly whilst doing so!

7.Has here ever been incidences where you have had to teach somebody you wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have normally?

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IT ISN’T A BAD ELEMENT

INTERVIEW 03/03

CHRIS SALTMARSH

IF CONTROLLED

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My own upbringing was based upon Victorian values passed through my dad’s side of the family; I’d remember my manners, I had to ask to get down from the table, I never fought with my brother, things like that. I’m pretty old-school I guess when it comes to the way in which the children behave in my classes; I’m all for having a good laugh with them, but they know the limits.

8.As well as teaching the children skills on swimming are their any other things that you hope they are learning from your lessons? For instance equality and how do you involve this in your teaching?

INTERVIEW 03/03

Chris Saltmarsh

I’ll always tell them what I expect from them, they have one more warning if they’re pushing their luck, and then they’ll be disciplined; I think it’s a pretty fair method of working with them. I’ve watched plenty of other classes turning into wild riots whilst the children under my wing are very well behaved. They’re not going to get very far in life if they can’t deal with an authority figure, so that’s what I hope to bring to the table for them; an ability to follow instructions without issue.

219

It was clear that Chris had a very different outlook on competitiveness than I did but the one thing that stood out for me in this interview was the soldier. Not only had he took it upon himself to better his swimming ability but he did it without embarrassment,

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with embarrassment of his age compared to the instructor. I think this is something we can all learn from, as it is so easy to cower down with embarrassment.

(Swimming Instructor)

Chris Saltmarsh

03/03

Three Wise Men

LESSON

11 DON’T BE AFFRAID TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW No matter your age.

223

SPOT THE BALL During the whole competition I had been waiting for a football challenge to arise, so it was a great feeling when my best friend from childhood picked up his phone and asked if I wanted a penalty shoot out. Of course I did.

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THE

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CONTENDER Chris Smith

spot the ball

226 This friend whom I speak of is Chris Smith, my next door neighbour growing up. We met in year 9 at school, aged between 13-14. I was the new kid on the block moving from Chester and Chris had been in Cheltenham all of his life. One night when I was locked out of my house, forgetting my key, Chris and I spoke for the first time as he asked me if I wanted to play basketball with him and his brother, whilst I waited. I answer was a yes and since then we have been great friends right up until now were I am scheduled to be his best man at marriage, to the love of his life Sophie or â&#x20AC;&#x153;Smophâ&#x20AC;? as he calls her. Ever since the night in which we played basketball Chris and I have had a very competitive friendship. We competed with sports, girls, computer games and even school, believe it or not. Once in fact we even started our own scoreboard in a thing we called Chris vs. Liam in which every competition we did we would keep tally. This all stopped though however when I moved away to university.

227

Chris Smith Bristol, England Photo Taken by Liam Roberts

spot the ball

228 I don’t think me moving away from Chris had too much of an effect on him but he constantly tried to make me feel guilty about it. Truth is Chris has moved on and has plenty of friends in Cheltenham as well as remaining mine. Because I hadn’t got to do challenge in a while when Chris called me to say he wanted to do penalties, I jumped at the chance. If I’m honest I know Chris is better than me at football. We used to play on the same team together but all I was good at was scoring goals, though recently he had been doing that very thing himself. I expected that it would be a close game and was happy to find out it was. Chris had decided to come and see me in a Tuesday but it wasn’t any ordinary Tuesday, it was derby day. Not only are Chris and I fierce rivals but so are the football teams in which we support. Both our families, though living in Cheltenham, now both came from the city of Liverpool originally and different sides of the city for that matter. Chris supports Everton and I support Liverpool so it was a great delight for me that a double victory might be on the cards, in out shoot out and in the football that evening.

229 Chris as always turned up in his Everton attire and I was wearing my Liverpool top. We were to have a true derby experience but one last thing was needed, a goalie. In order for the competition to be fair we didn’t want to get someone who would take sides and we didn’t want anybody who support either Liverpool or Everton to be the goalie, in case subconscious bias crept in. We did eventually find someone who fit both those descriptions in Tom Henderson, a Manchester United fan. The set off to the local park in order to find some goals and we got just that at Dean Lane park, just minutes from my house. I was on home turf and I was going to try and let that feeling take over. We flipped to see who would go first as Tom got ready for the first penalty. It was to be me to go first. I always have seen going first in penalties as advantageous because the added pressure of a “we need to score this or were out” is harder to come by.

spot the ball

230 I took my first penalty striding up to the ball with confidence. My strategy was to hit the ball as hard as possible and not down the middle of the goal. I hoped that Tom didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have very quick reactions, not being a goalie People are generally more reluctant to put their body in front of a really hard shot. I did hit that ball hard but the only thing is, I hit it straight down the middle and straight into the hand of Tom. I missed the first penalty [1]. t penalty. Chris stepped up to take his penalty. He told me after the competition that his strategy was to look one way and place it in the other. This is a common strategy used by professionals. I think it must be hard being a goalie. Chris true to his strategy did exactly that, looking right the whole time and placing hard and left. It hit the post and went crashing in, leaving a stunned Tom only to watch in pure wonderment. It was a perfect penalty [2].

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02 Penalty 1 Liam Roberts Bristol, England Video Filmed by Liam Roberts

Penalty 2 Chris Smith Bristol, England Video Filmed by Liam Roberts

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spot the ball

I soon stepped up to take my second penalty of the five and was ready to try the same technique again, as hard as possible. I ran up to the ball with tremendous pace and blasted the ball. Unfortunately not towards goal however, as it screamed over the bar and over Tom. I had missed the first two penalties something which is remarkably hard to come back from.

Penalty 3 Liam Roberts Bristol, England Video Filmed by Liam Roberts

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WHY THE FUCK DO I KEEP HITTING IT OVER? OVER! Liam Roberts

234 Chris stepped up to take his second penalty confident after waking in the first and seeing me miss again. It seemed Chris had me in a position he wanted me in. He hit the ball with venom yet again but this time, luckily for me it hit the crossbar and went over. He had given me another chance [3].

spot the ball

Third time lucky, I said to myself as I stepped up the ball again. Bang, straight over again and this time my anger at missing came out. Not towards Chris but aimed at myself [4]. I had missed another penalty so Chris was confident as he stepped up to take his third. On this penalty it was clear he thought I was never going to score and he took his eye off the prize. Not faking Tom he hit the ball just hoping it went in, not a good tactic at all. The ball went straight down the middle and hit Toms leg, rebounding out without Tom even knowing he had saved yet another penalty [5]. The score was still only 1-0 despite my poor performance so far and I decided that this was the perfect opportunity to start a new tactic. So I thought back to where Tom had dived previously.

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04 05

Penalty 4 Liam Roberts Bristol, England Video Filmed by Liam Roberts

Penalty 5 Liam Roberts Bristol, England Video Filmed by Liam Roberts

Penalty 6 Chris Smith Bristol, England Video Filmed by Liam Roberts

spot the ball

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238 I realised that tom hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t moved to the left, thinking therefore that this was his weaker side for diving. From then on I thought to myself I should hit the ball with pace into the bottom right of the goal. I stepped up to take number four unsure of whether the new tactic would work but willing to try something at least. I hit the ball hard and low. Low enough and right enough in fact that Tom didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even move as the ball went sailing into the bottom corner. I had scored my first penalty, now it was game on [6]. After seeing my previous goal Chris stepped up nervous claiming that I am always lucky with stuff like this. I think he had lost his winning mentality. I struck the ball hard but in no real direction again, and Tom dived down quickly to save it again. It was honours even going into the final penalty [7].

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Previous Page Tom Henderson Bristol, England Photo Taken by Liam Roberts

Penalty 7 Liam Roberts Bristol, England Video Filmed by Liam Roberts

Penalty 8 Chris Smith Bristol, England Video Filmed by Liam Roberts

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spot the ball

I placed the ball nervously on the spot and took a few step back. This was make or break I had to score this to make sure I went to at least a tie break or maybe even the win. I stuck with the same tactic as the fourth penalty and placed the ball bottom right. Tom knew that time what I was going to do, but was too slow to stop it I was 2-1 up with only the one penalty to take [8]. Chris was no left in the “you have to score this to win” situation in which I expressed a hate for in choosing who went first. It’s a hard situation to deal with, a lot of added pressure. Too much pressure it seemed for Chris. He blasted the ball left of the goal in an attempt to place it, missing by inches [9].

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09 Penalty 9 Liam Roberts Bristol, England Video Filmed by Liam Roberts

Penalty 10 Liam Roberts Bristol, England Video Filmed by Liam Roberts

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spot the ball

With a scream of joy I ran up to Tom and then Chris for the handshake. It felt like a great victory, which always seems the case if you come from behind. I think it was the changing of the tactic, which really taught me something that day. Later that evening, if you wanted to know Liverpool beat Everton in a historic 3-0 victory with Gerrard, our captain, scoring all three. It was a good day for me and a for Liverpool FC.

LESSON

12 IT’S GOOD TO STEP BACK AND EVALUATE THE SITUATION.

245

FANCY A RIDE (2) The challenge hung around for a while on the internet, in bike shops and in gyms across Bristol for weeks before anyone challenged my time, but like all things once one person has tried, more will follow.

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fancy a ride?

Mike Stabley

THE Harry Tomlinson

Christian Smith

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Chris Saltmarsh

CONTENDERS

Steve Jones

fancy a ride?

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Steve Jones Bristol, England Photo Taken by Unkwown

In the end I had five contenders for the race and possibly more though people who wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t admit it. The reason I say this is because of an enlightening conversion with a friend called Steve who had been telling me for ages that he was going to have a go at beating the time. Weeks after he initially told me he wanted to try the challenge I wanted to see how he got on to post the result on my blog. Steve then said he hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tried the challenge yet but seemed to have a lump in his throat when saying it. It seemed as if Steve was lying but I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t understand why? Later that same evening I received a phone call from my friend Nathan.

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NO...ER... I.. HAVEN’T DONE IT Steve Jones

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WHAT WAS sAID Nathan Sup man? you fancy coming for a drink later?

fancy a ride?

Me Maybe is this a result celebration? Is everyone going? Nathan I guess. What did you get? Me Higher than normal I fancy a drink. How about you? Nathan Yeah alright, what I expected. Do you wanna come here? Me Yeah man iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be over soon as possible.

251

WHAT WAS MEANT Nathan How are you and do you fancy coming for a drink later? Me I’m thinking about staying in but might come out if Steve’s there I want to ask him a question. Nathan Yes. What was your result? Me Smashed it for the first time ever i’m exstatic. What mark did you get? Nathan Not as good as I hoped. Do you want to come to my house first? Me Yeah man i’m just going to finish this bit of work and then i’ll be over.

252 Not only would this be a celebration however it would be a chance to once again ask Steve about the bike race and this time he would have had a drink. We got to the bar and sure enough Steve was there and already drunk, so a seized my opportunity after a few pleasantries. “Have you really not done the race?”

Steve Jones & Anita McBride Bristol, England Photo Taken by Unknown

and that was all I need to say after that he spilt his guts about how he had tried twice missing out by seconds, two to be exact near enough both times, making him my first ever entrant. The very next day the real entrants began however. First roll up Harry Tomlinson. Harry is a great friend of mine who I hadn’t seen much of late so it was good to here from him, though the news he delivered was sour. He had kicked my arse and that was a bitter pill to swallow. Though there was another bitter pill to swallow for Harry as he too was beat by a lot. Everybody had expected that if Harry were to take part he would win but there were some other people in Bristol who begged to differ.

253

I WAS TWO SECONDS OFF IT! Steve Jones

254 When posting the challenge for everybody I to see I had posted it on several a professional bikes person page and people started to get in contact with times. First in stepped mike Stanley a professional biker. He contacted me via the blog to ask.

fancy a ride?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where do I send these photos , your in for a shock?â&#x20AC;? I replied swiftly. The email did not only contain his photos and times however, it also included a friend of his named Christian Smith and all of their iPhone data on routes. It was evident immediately that they had beaten Steve, Harry and myself fair and square it was only a matter of time before I would posted the results and let Bristol know they had beaten me again. I decided that I would wait one more week and in that time I received a response from my housemate Chris whom had tried the challenge on his way home from work as a swimming instructor. Chris also beat Steve and myself but fell just short of Harryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time it was time to publish the results.

255 THE TIMES Christian Smith Mike Stanley Harry Tomlinson Chris Saltmarsh

4:57 5:07 5:16 5:43

me steve jones When looking through the data that the pro riders had given me I realised that they hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t gone the same way as I did [1]. They had gone a route I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have originally thought of though seemingly a route that paid off. After realising this I proceeded to ask the other contenders which directions they took and they all described the same as the pro riders route and not mine[2].

6:48 6:50

fancy a ride?

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[1]

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[2]

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Fancy a ride?

This made me think of what time I could have gotten if I was to do the race again, but then that wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been fair, I lost. The reason for the other rider going a different way was because they had all thought about traffic and gone a way to avoid it unlike me. This taught me a valuable lesson.

Previous Pages Bristol Map Screenshot Image Created by Google

LESSON

13 Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always take the most obvious route, it might not always be the best.

261

THE POOL PARTY This was a big challenge as it was to the final of Liam Vs Bristol. I mentioned early on in the book that there was a running total, a score system in which to find out who was the victor. It came down to the last competition and we could both still win it.

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Chris Saltmarsh

THE POOL PARTY

Jack Franklin

THE

Nathan Clark

Tom Bird

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Tom Henderson

CONTENDERS Noah Campeau

Luke Stanbury

THE POOL PARTY

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Phil Roberts Bristol, England Photo Taken by Unknown

Just as the Pancake eating contest wasn’t the original challenge, the finale was planned to be a much more different event to what it actually turned out to be. The original grand finale, due to popular demand was set to be a 100m sprint, something I was rather good at during my years at school. In fact I had never lost a sprint race under 200 metres and was excited to see how I would fair now. However, two days before the race, people were dropping out of the race with an alarming rate. Now I don’t know whether people just couldn’t make it or whether they were afraid to run on camera but out of the possible eight people and two stand-ins I had for the day, only three of us were able to make it with two days to go. So I had to cancel. And So I went back to the drawing board, to all the requests I had been getting along the journey and there was one that really stood out.

DISLOCATED SHOULDER. AWESOME Phil Roberts

266

I’LL BEAT YOU AT POOL John Paul Dowling

267

the pool party

During a tutorial I had been chatting to a tutor named JP, when he offered me a pool competition. At the time and for months after this book was first written, I thought he was making an offer in jest, however, he told me later he was serious. For this I apologies JP. Now I have always fancied myself to be okay at pool, since my family just seem to be naturally good at it and also I spent a lot of time in art foundation playing game, with my friends Sami, Loui and Scottny. I then saw it as a challenge as usual and tried my best to thrash them every time, even entering some small competitions at the University SU bar. But I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only person who had been practicing. After putting at the call to everyone and anybody on Facebook I got some quick responses from some people I know are darn good at pool. It would stand to make the contest more interesting. In total I had twelve replies for the pool comp but decided that I would select the best 8 for the competition of a life time. The contendors set, we decided the best way to select the matches would be pick the players out of a hat. So it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t appear to be bias I let one of the 4 spectators do the honors. Pool Table Bristol, England Photo Taken by Luke Stanbury

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the pool party

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Tom Bird Bristol, England Photo Taken by Noah Campeau

A table was then drawn up to show the matches that would follow the Quarterfinals. Each of the Quarter finals were to be a best of 3 set up and then after that is would be straight knockout. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure how anybody felt about their parings but I can tell you I was quite happy with mine. I had drawn Chris, The swimming instructor that I had interviewed, the housemate in which I had lost to at pancake eating and the same Chris that beet me in the bike competition. Chris had been a big part of this project and also a big part of my life for the past three years, so for his troubles, I wanted to kick his arse more than anybody else there. The games started and it was straight away evident who were the favourites to win. Noah and Tom Bird looked very on the cue whereas Nathan and Tom Henderson seemed like they had left their pool heads at home. Not only was Tom Bird on form either but he was also a champion fighting talker. The quote on the page opposite was said after an amazing snooker from himself for Jack Franklin to deal with.

271

“I’m the favourite and I’m also a prick”

I’M THE FAVOURITE AND I’M ALSO A PRICK Tom Bird

272

the pool party

Tom did win his first match and so did Noah and Luke, with ease, so then it was my turn. I took the break even though Chris won the toss and potted 3 balls of the same colour, making me stripes. Chris was devastated by the break and found it hard all game to pot anything in fact he consentrated more on the fighting talk than actually playing the game saying things like,

Chris Saltmarsh Bristol, England Photo Taken by Noah Campeau

“You tryna touch my balls you gay” Even though there was insults flying all around the table it was my ability to keep my head clear and pot all my balls without retaliating that won the match. In fact I potted all my balls and one of Chris’s during the game, meaning he only potted 1 during the whole match. This was something he was not happy about.

273

“I let him win”

I LET HIM WIN Chris Saltmarsh

274 Round 2 of the quarters began with Nathans announcment,

the pool party

“I’m going to take my coat off ”

Whispering Bristol, England Photo Taken by Noah Campeau

Meaning he meant business from now on. Nath, Tom, Chris and Jack could all go out in their next games so that had to turn on their ‘A’ game. Though this was nowhere near the case for Nathan and Tom who despite remaining confident until the end bowed out without a fight unlike Jack that is. Jack had turned all of his anger from the first game into pure focus and thrashed the favourite Tom. No body expected this to happen and whispers began to go around the room as to if Tom Bird was still the favourite.

275 jack could win this

JACK COULD WIN THIS

276

Liam & Tom Bristol, England Photo Taken by Chris Saltmarsh

277

“NO” The final round of Quarter finals started and un expectadle Franklin almost cleared the table from the break. Tom was quiet after his earlier ravings about his talant. He potted a few back but you could tell that Jack had broken him. He calmly then potted the rest of his balls said nothing to Tom and sat down ready for his Semi final bought against Noah. It was then time for my finale with Chris and I decided to take a leaf out of Jack’s book, to become as calm as possible. It was evident that Chris wasn’t playing so well so I just concentrated really hard on not potting the black and slowly potted all of my balls and reached the other Semi final. I was due to play luke.

the pool party

After those three matches it was me turn and I started just as condiently as the first time I had played Chris, potting 4 of my balls before he had the chance. But then I did something really stupid I had let Chris back in by doing the most stupid thing you can do in pool. I potted the Black. Chris somehow had taken me to a tidebreaker only potting 1 of his own balls I was furious.

the pool party

278 The semi finals began with Jack vs Noah. Jack took the break and potted a few balls which was to be expected due to his form in the last two games. It started to prove that if you stay calm and keep your head in the game you can do well. As for Noah, due to the poor performance from Tom Henderson no one had really seen how good he was and we were all in for a shock. Noah with only two goes on the ball potted all 6 of his balls leaving Jack with a 2 balls and the black to pot. But this is when something terrible happened. Nathan put him off. Now knowing Jack for as long as a have I knew that this would have put him off usually leading to a reaction about it. but this time it didn’t seem to anger him even though it did make it throw the game. Nathan had said “ He’s going for a number 2” I can only think that this instead of angering him made him laugh. Noah took his turn next and he finished what he had started 2 turns ago, he was in the final. The match between me and Luke was a poretty univentful one or it may have been

279 quick because I need a wee really badly, after downing 2 pints. I remember Stephen Fry, presenter of QI saying once that “It is scientifically proven that you make your best decisions when you need the toilet’ So i’m going to put it down to that. I left Luke, remarkably with 6 left on the table. Noah may have been the favourite for it, but I was on form. It was time for the final. After a handshake, I flipped the coin and Noah shouted heads. Head it was. Noah decided to take the break after seeing the luck I had had with the previous few I had taken, potting one at least each time. But on this occasion it was Noah who was to get off the mark with scoring. He potted one from the break making me solids. I had my go and missed everything on the table, fowling for the first time in the contest. Noah then came back to pot 2 more as I had to sit back and watch him take his 2 goes. It was my turn again and for the second time in a row I fowled but luckily for me Noah did again staright away allowing me two shots and boy did I take advantage.

THE pool party

280

Noah Campeau Bristol, England Photo Taken by Liam Roberts

I potted 6 balls in a row and if I’m honest I don’t think I had ever done that before that day. I was confidently striding around the table using pocket after pocket completely blanked from anything else going on around the table, Despite it being full with 11 other guys talking loudly too each other. I was in the zone all until someone shouted before my next shot. I don’t claim to now what they shouted or even if the ball would have gone in if it had not happened, but what I can tell you, is it made me lose my focus. Someone had shouted so loudly it could have burst a childs ear drum. Not only did I miss either but when I walked around the table trying to regain focus and get my head back in the game, I realised that Noah had 2 easy shots left for the win. I stood back in silence as the crowd began to get louder. He got his last colour in and I waited even more intensely for the final shot. It was a sitter, yet he really took his time to aim, blocking out the audience, as I once tried. I couldn’t hold my eyes open any longer so I turned away not wanting to look, But just as I turned I heard a yelp of excitement, not just from Noah but also from everyone in the crowd.

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FUCKING! YES! Noah Campeau

the pool party

282 Noah had won the pool competition on the last ball and I was gobsmacked. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t until the walk home that I started to not mind the loss. It may have been the finale of Liam vs. Bristol and Yes I did lose in the final but the overwhelming feeling from that day wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t one of keeping my head down, it was one of joy. Truthfully doing this 3rd year of graphic design really has taken its toll on me. Where once before I would not hesitate in the slightest in going out for a drink with friends, my evenings had now been taken up with doing university work and I had missed seeing everybody .This event had made me realise above all else that...

LESSON

14 you need to find a balance between work & play.

285

settling the score And so with the loss in the pool tournament Liam vs. Bristol was over. It had been a great experience and I had learnt a great deal about myself along the way and if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m honest I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t glad it finished, but it had to at some point.

15/16

settling the score

286 I would have liked to go out on a win but I think in someway it did me good to leave the project losing at pool. It left me with a chance to reflect on my mistakes. If I had left the Pool competition the victor I just don’t think that I would have thought about it as much as I did, for the few days afterward. I sat in my room alone not listening to music and just writing down everything I learnt along the way realising that some of the time, there wasn’t really much to take from some of challenges, but they still left me with a smile on my face when thinking about them. The challenges I refer to are the several challenges that I have left out of this book. Some I won and some I didn’t. I just don’t think that I put my all into them and that’s what this project was all about. Out of the book, I left Fifa 2012, Othello, Staring Contest, and Risk. I had won Othello and Fifa and Lost Risk and the Staring Contest. Now I’m not sure if anybody has ever played risk but I should tell you don’t play it. The fatal flaw with the game is that you have a winner maybe 20 minutes in yet the game last

287 another 3 hours. It’s not fun and if I could, I would banish it to Room 101. Speaking of Room 101, another thing I would put in there is the scoring that I told you I would be adding up at the end of the book. Truthfully I learnt very early on, an old clichéd term and that was “It’s not the winning, it’s the taking part that counts”. As you may have noticed, and I left it in the book on purpose, I began to forget to write the progression of scores as I went along after drawing level in ‘Brash with Brawn’ chapter. If truth be told I had stopped caring about the score completely. It hadn’t been about that, it had been about learning. Learning about myself and where I will be focusing my attention after university. If you are really desperate to know the final score however it will be very small at the back of the book but for anybody who doesn’t want to know, I urge you don’t read it.

settling the score

288

At the beginning of this journey I had set out to find out what it was to compete with next in my life as I finally reached the goal that I set the achieve almost 10 years before. The goal was to succeed my brothers in their educational legacy. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not really something that matters essentially but something I did to make sure I tried hard and did well in school, college and university. During the process of the project and my 3rd year of university in which I wrote this book, there were a few more changes. You maybe remember the chart from my first year at university in which I scraped a pass mark getting into the 2nd year. Well this chart looked a lot different after my last marking.

289 UNIVERSITY ALL 3 Years

2.1

2.2 41

First Year

Fail

Second YEAR

3rd

THIRD YEAR (time of writing)

1st

THE AVERAGES

settling the score

290 The level of effort I put into finding where to go with my life after university had shone through in my work, and the results were pleasing to see. Being Top Gun wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as far from my reach as it was once before. Not only in my 3rd year of university did start hitting the grades I wished to achieve, but I also finally managed to change the tutors opinion of me. The tutor, which questioned my very place on the course, now had respect for me as a person and a designer saying that one day I might be ask back to help out on the module he teaches. This was a module I had previously skived in my 2nd year. A module I regret skiving in my 2nd year.

291

Bower Ashton Bristol, England Photo Taken by Liam Roberts

Settling the score

292

Liam Roberts Bristol, England Photo Taken by Alexandra Nicholson

As you can probably tell writing this feels great and achieving what I set out to do even better but there is one thing still left unanswered. What next? I knew after this experience that competitiveness does in fact help me through things I want to achieve and that it healthy for me to set goals. But, I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just want to compete with an idea or an achievement that I can do in a year, like this project. I wanted to compete with something huge, something like the 10 year plan to â&#x20AC;&#x153;beatâ&#x20AC;? my brothers and something that would take me years or maybe even the rest of my life to achieve. And so I settled on this statement.

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ONE DAY, I WILL BE AN INTERNATIONALLY RESPECTED DESIGNER & PROUD OWNER OF A WORLDS BEST DAD MUG Liam Roberts

Settling the score

294 That whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next. I hope that in reading this book it may have inspired you to realise that can you can take charge of your own life and turn things around if you need to, or in my case just focus it. In my adventure I have used competitiveness to find out who I am and what I am going to do next, but you can use anything. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just sit and wait for the answers because the people who do that are the people who look back and think what could have been. The people that actively go out find the answers are the people that have.

295

An early bath One thing I never mention is what made be stop doing the competition, why I thought it was time to stop, so hear it goes.

16/16

296

The reason that I stopped was that oneday, maybe a week or so before the last challenge, whilst working at the local ASDA, I was recognised by someone. But I wasn’t recognised for anything else but being...

AN EARLY BATH

“There’s that guy who competes with people.” I did not like it one bit and In that moment some words that Chris Saltmarsh said to me came ringing into my ears. It was a lesson he had said off cuff and a lesson I had not listened to at the time, but it all made sense afterwards. It taught me one last lesson, one that was with me from the start, yet I hadn’t realised.

LESSON

15 ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s okay for you to compete, but donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let competing become who you are.

THE FINAL SCORE WAS 8-7 TO ME

Raised in a predominantly male family, it was inevitable that Liam Roberts would grow to be competitive. From an early age, he considered education to be a competition, however as this chapter drew to a close, what would he be left to compete with? In realisation of this, Liam set out to discover answers, turning to his character trait to point him in the right direction. After several ciders, he created Liam Vs Bristol, a contest in which he would take on challenges set to him, in any sport or game. Through this journey, not only did Liam find the answer to his question but also learnt life altering lessons, which he has shared throughout this book.