Just before Christmas I caught up with an old colleague from Melbourne whom I hadn't seen since leaving there 6 years ago.
We had lunch (well okay it was a piss up) and one of the first things he asked me was, "So, how have you coped in the last 5 or 6 years?"
I knew he wasn't asking how I'd coped with the move to a new city, new job or getting married.
No, I knew exactly what he meant! He wanted to know how I had coped as a Carlton supporter over the last few years.
Being a Swans fan (an old South Melbourne by) I reckoned he had some gloating rights, so I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of letting him know how bad it had been.
Instead I mumbled something about riding out the storm and having no option but to sit back and take all the crap that was dished out to me. Although I added that I drew the line at putting up with a St Kilda work mate who thought she had the art of arrogance down pat! Huh! Bimbo, arrogance is earned and St Kilda are a long way from that.
So, how have I really coped? It hasn't been pretty that's for sure.
There is so much that I can't forgive, or forget.
Never, ever will I forgive all those who danced on our grave, or all of those who actually hoped we would fold. How the hell could anyone, who is a true lover of this game, hope to see a club fold? It beggars belief!
The delight they showed as we went from one horror to another or the sheer spite they spat at us with their hate fuelled vitriol.
No, I will never be able to forgive them, nor will I ever forget it.
I can also never forget my tears of frustration, the hurt and pain of watching this great club being brought to it's knees.
The total despair of thinking we'd finally reached rock bottom only to be mortified that we could drop even lower.
And that God awful gut wrenching feeling that this nightmare would never end.
Some things are so painful that they can never be forgotten.
In the past I have given financially to other clubs in crisis.
Back in the days when Footscray were in dire straits my family dug deep to help them. The last thing we wanted to see was them fold. We all felt the pain of the Doggies supporters.
I've helped North Melbourne, Melbourne and even bloody Richmond!
Everytime a club was in trouble I'd imagine how bad it must feel to think that something you love with your heart and soul could possibly be in danger of no longer being there.
I never wished 'closure' on any club. I still wouldn't.
But this has hardened me. I still reel everytime I think that supporters from those very same clubs I had helped out, and felt for in the past, could have so much hatred for the Carlton Football Club they'd wish us dead!
Not ever again will one cent come from this little black duck.
From now on when they are in trouble they can bloody well get themselves out of it!
It's left me angry, bitter and scarred.
These last 6 years have taken their toll, but through it all my love for the Carlton Football Club has never waived in fact, if possible, it has strengthened and deepened.
When we are back, and we will be back, I can't wait to kick their sorry, pathetic arses until they bleed.
The glory, the strength, the power and the arrogance that is the Carlton Football Club will return and when it does it's pay back time. But I will never ever forgive, nor forget!
So, how have you coped?
We had lunch (well okay it was a piss up) and one of the first things he asked me was, "So, how have you coped in the last 5 or 6 years?"
I knew he wasn't asking how I'd coped with the move to a new city, new job or getting married.
No, I knew exactly what he meant! He wanted to know how I had coped as a Carlton supporter over the last few years.
Being a Swans fan (an old South Melbourne by) I reckoned he had some gloating rights, so I wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of letting him know how bad it had been.
Instead I mumbled something about riding out the storm and having no option but to sit back and take all the crap that was dished out to me. Although I added that I drew the line at putting up with a St Kilda work mate who thought she had the art of arrogance down pat! Huh! Bimbo, arrogance is earned and St Kilda are a long way from that.
So, how have I really coped? It hasn't been pretty that's for sure.
There is so much that I can't forgive, or forget.
Never, ever will I forgive all those who danced on our grave, or all of those who actually hoped we would fold. How the hell could anyone, who is a true lover of this game, hope to see a club fold? It beggars belief!
The delight they showed as we went from one horror to another or the sheer spite they spat at us with their hate fuelled vitriol.
No, I will never be able to forgive them, nor will I ever forget it.
I can also never forget my tears of frustration, the hurt and pain of watching this great club being brought to it's knees.
The total despair of thinking we'd finally reached rock bottom only to be mortified that we could drop even lower.
And that God awful gut wrenching feeling that this nightmare would never end.
Some things are so painful that they can never be forgotten.
In the past I have given financially to other clubs in crisis.
Back in the days when Footscray were in dire straits my family dug deep to help them. The last thing we wanted to see was them fold. We all felt the pain of the Doggies supporters.
I've helped North Melbourne, Melbourne and even bloody Richmond!
Everytime a club was in trouble I'd imagine how bad it must feel to think that something you love with your heart and soul could possibly be in danger of no longer being there.
I never wished 'closure' on any club. I still wouldn't.
But this has hardened me. I still reel everytime I think that supporters from those very same clubs I had helped out, and felt for in the past, could have so much hatred for the Carlton Football Club they'd wish us dead!
Not ever again will one cent come from this little black duck.
From now on when they are in trouble they can bloody well get themselves out of it!
It's left me angry, bitter and scarred.
These last 6 years have taken their toll, but through it all my love for the Carlton Football Club has never waived in fact, if possible, it has strengthened and deepened.
When we are back, and we will be back, I can't wait to kick their sorry, pathetic arses until they bleed.
The glory, the strength, the power and the arrogance that is the Carlton Football Club will return and when it does it's pay back time. But I will never ever forgive, nor forget!
So, how have you coped?
