Differently Dave

Just had to take a urine sample to my GP and at reception they asked me “does the doctor know about this already”. No, no. I just brought a cup of my wee as a present. Please don’t spoil the surprise.

@jonathangard Thanks mate. Nice to be Bak (if only very briefly). Hope all’s well with you. x

Hey friends. Just letting you know that I’m alright. For various reasons I’m still taking a break from the socials, while I try & sort out other things in my life, but I’m getting by and doing alright. Much love and if you want to chat, drop me a DM and I’ll send you my number. x

@SelwynGreen2 Hope you’re keeping well, Mr. G!

@GoldenVision90 👍

Will properly DM everyone who's replied for a chat when I'm back and hopefully enjoying the improved mental health I had in the earlier part of this year, again. You're all great and I'm sending you all a hug/mug of Bovril/pinch on the bum/delete as applicable. x

Had a pretty horrible mental health week, though I did get to tick off Amsterdamsche FC’s wonderfully-situated Sportpark Goed Genoeg this afternoon. On that note, I’m going to take a break from the socials as I’ve just felt overwhelmed. See you all in August. Much love. x 🤗

@ChipsyYCFC Hugs right back atcha and a picture of Jon Parkin to boot.

@GoldenVision90 Hugs to you for when you get back

@b1ackbird333 I’m glad you can relate but sorry that it feels that way for you too, Wendy!

There’s something that’s been on my mind a lot, so please allow me a serious mini-thread. I think the way that we’re talking to and about people is contributing to a massive mental health epidemic and it’s something I’m realising had had a huge effect on me.

@Iain_6 Oh interesting! Who played? I’ve developed a vague soft spot for Tampines Rovers because I like the badge.

@GoldenVision90 I went to the S-League curtain raiser a few years back... it's perhaps a little bit vulnerable to outside influences to put it mildly (it was as bent as a nine bob note)

Is there a more absolute goalfest top-flight league in the world than the Singapore Premier League? Look at those absolutely bonkers scorelines, including last season’s champions losing 7-1.

@ppe2007a @eshelm Hmm. I think I do say the nice things out loud, but that's definitely the case with some people. You can tell they have good hearts, even if they're not vocal about it.

@GoldenVision90 @eshelm I think we all have it within us to be a little "bitchy". The difference is that you dont have to write down everything that you think. But remember the nice people dont say the nice things out loud either!

Prime example of what I was saying earlier. Fans trying to just watch their team, and someone on Twitter explaining how they're ruining the event because they're not athletic or attractive enough. This constant message that none of us are good enough, that we ought to be ashamed.

@becksie1977 Also that. I essentially feel that trying to improve your health or get a new hobby or find a better job or whatever are all beneficial things, but the whole narrative often tips over into telling people that what they've achieved is somehow insufficient.

@GoldenVision90 and this whole self-'improvement' that we're meant to be doing..give it a rest! What the hell is wrong in being/living?!

I know I'm really stuck on this issue right now, but it's really hit me hard recently realising how damaging the constant drip-drip of this is. Everyone's constantly told they're too ugly, or not smart enough, or defective in some way or another - and I'm so fucking tired of it.

@becksie1977 100% agree. On that note, I need a breather from thinking about serious stuff, so here's a picture of Christian Gross and enjoy your Friday night! 😊

@GoldenVision90 yes! god it would be boring if we were all identikit..we're all human, all different. No one should feel lesser than because someone has a narrow, dull view of what a person should look like/be

@eshelm I hope so too, Enid. But regardless of the motivation, it needs to stop.

@GoldenVision90 I hope you're right.

I don't want to cause a pile-on and I don't expect to, because that's not what the lovely people who follow me are like. But I do want folk - especially those with the reach of Guardian journos - to realise that saying things like this has consequences for people's mental health.

@becksie1977 It really is. I'm short, a bit overweight and have a muscle-wasting disability. I don't think there's much chance of my pro football career taking off (especially as I'm 33 😄) but I - or anyone else - should be allowed to feel fine about whatever our physical attributes are.

@GoldenVision90 I absolutely agree with you. It's sneery, nasty, judgemental rubbish. Oh to be so perfect 😐

@eshelm It's awful, but often I actually don't think the people Tweeting this stuff out are horrible people. They're just affected by this obsession with engagement, with saying something that people will respond to, with trying to have some contrarian or edgy opinion about everything.

@GoldenVision90 Appalling stuff.

Has there ever been a better endorsement for a town than Rod Stewart enjoying their bacon butties?

@kattso_mathias Thanks mate. If I ever have my own microstate and get to appoint a Swedish Ambassador, you're first on the list above Jesper Blomqvist!

@GoldenVision90 We need some good people in charge for a change