Hayley Lauder – Skirtingroundmylife

Skirting Round My Life 2021 My Year On The Blog

As I look back on the events of 2021 I have to say that it wasn’t the year I or anyone hoped or expected it would be. These past 12 months have been a difficult year for us all and this continues to be reflected in Skirting Round My Life as it has in every blog, journal , magazine or other news outlets.

On looking at the statistics, this year has seen Skirting Round My Life on a bit of downward trajectory which I think was to be expected given the circumstances. Hopefully this will change in the next 12 months. Though that will, to a certain extent at least, depend on things opening up a bit post Covid and providing me with more opportunities to enjoy myself and post about my exciting experiences.

The first thing to say that Skirtingroundmylife gained 2, 507 views in 2020. This represented an drop of 16% from it’s 2020 total of 3,018. Though disappointed with the drop I am not in the least bit surprised as continued uncertainty from Covid19 played havoc with our lives and restrictions on what we could and couldn’t do meant opportunities for growth were very severely limited.

This lack of opportunity resulted in a very dramatic drop in the number of posts in the last twelve months as they fell by almost half from 98 to 50. It can also be said that the number of both visitors to the site and comments on posts are both down with the later dropping from 28 to 16 and likes falling by more than 60% from 83 to 36

Topics covered in the last twelve months included Acceptance, Age, Bisexuality, Childhood, Christmas, Coming Out, Ceilidhs, Concerts, Covid19, Crossdressers, Dancing , Dating, Death, Discrimination, Equality, Faith, Fashion, Friendship, Grandparents, Holidays, Lockdown, Love, Memories, Mental Health, Poetry, Relationships, Secrets, Sensuality, Sex, Sexism, Sexuality, Stereotypes, Transition, Transphobia, Visibility, Women,

2021 again saw a slight dip in my global reach as visiting nations were slightly down from 31 in 2020 to 27 last year. The top five countries were UK , USA, Ireland, Germany and Finland, with Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Guernsey, and Sweden. making up the top ten. There were also readers from countries including France, Croatia The Philippines, Denmark, Colombia, Peru, Norway, India, and Poland amongst other nations who paid this a visit

As all the statistics have now properly evaluated it is time to bring this review to its conclusion but before I do so I just want thank all my readers. Whether you subscribe to the site or read the posts on social media sites like Facebook or Twitter it doesn’t really matter, the main thing is that you read them and find them entertaining, enjoyable , thought provoking and maybe in some cases challenging. I really hope you’ll continue to do so as that’s what makes blogging so enjoyable for those us who put our opinions out there on the blogosphere for you to read. So all that remains is for me to wish you A Happy, Successful, and Peaceful New Year and I hope you’ll keep skirting round my life throughout 2022 and beyond .

Till next time

Gayle X

Smiling Through The Tears. (A Poem For Glasgow City On Winning Our 14th League Title In A Row)

It’s not that often I get too emotional over football and when I do it usually involves either the Scotland national team or the famous Glasgow Celtic. However since I started following the women’s game just after the 2019 World Cup I have supported Glasgow City and have done so because they stand alone as the only team in Scotland not to be part of a men’s club and focus exclusively on women and girls. Trust me I love this club with a passion just as I love Celtic with a passion and nothing will ever change that. So it is to celebrate the winning of a 14th consecutive league title that I’ve written this poem for my girls. I’ve titled it Smiling Through The Tears I hope you enjoy the read.

Smiling Through The Tears

This was it there was no turning back
death or glory rested on this 90 minutes
there could be no slip ups
as rivals lay waiting to take advantage of any mistakes
claim the title and make history of their own

they started well with two early goals
and trust me the news spread quickly
but we didn’t panic
we just kept calm and got on with the job
in the manner that champions do
though I won’t deny it was bricking it
especially in the early stages

with the game still tied
Lee pulled off the kind of save
that wins titles
it was vital not to lose an early goal
as I screamed beautiful9 expletives
at my TV screen
in poetic sighs of relief

then just like a dream we take the lead
Hayley rifles a shot to the net
suddenly we’re 1-0 in front
I let my emotions rip
yelling ya dancer at the top of my voice
I scream with delight
whilst praying all will be well
who says transwomen can’t multi task.

meanwhile Jo is making sure
we deny our opponents chances
by staying focused in midfield and defence
I am calm yet apprehensive
for those fans lucky enough to be there
I worry it could still go wrong
and others may yet sing a song of victory

we’re controlling the game
but for me there are shades of 98
I know what it’s like
praying for that second goal
to arrive
how my fingernails survived this 90 minutes
I’ll honestly never know

fortunately I didn’t have as long to wait
as I did for Brattbakk’s glory moment
and the second goal settled the nerves
Hayley the architect with a perfect delivery
setting up Niamh to score
I let out a roar when her header hit the net
and I realised that barring miracles fourteen in a row was really going to happen.

we played out the second half
with superb game management
as our injured skipper sat on the bench
kicking every ball in the way a legend does
as full time approached I was buzzing
but as soon as the whistle was blown
the emotions kicked in
as they do on days like this
when dreams come true
and early evening skies show names
of those written in glory

I was just about holding it together
then they interview my shero
who in case you didn’t know
scored the opening goal
and was named as player of the game
that was when the tears came
not in trickles but in torrents
I knew they would if I’m honest
it’s just the way I am
this fan has always worn her heart on her sleeve

then just as I’m drying my eyes
Jo comes up to the mic
as she smiles for the camera
to nobody’s surprise
the rivers run again
and I’m smiling through the tears
at a much deserved success
for our club , our colours. and our girls

Skirting Round My Life 2020 My Year On The Blog

As I look back on the events of 2020 I have to say that it wasn’t the year I or anyone expected it to be. These past 12 months have been like a rollercoaster ride for us all and this has been reflected in Skirting Round My Life as it has in every blog, journal , magazine or other news outlets.

On looking at the statistics it’s been a game of swings and roundabouts as to some extent it always is in the blogging world. While there has been progress with the number of both comments reaching record levels it is offset by the fact that there was a drop in overall page views.

The first thing to say that Skirtingroundmylife gained 3, 018 views in 2020. This represented an drop of 7% from it’s 2019 total of 3,262. Though naturally disappointed with the drop I am not in the least bit surprised as the national lockdown caused by the Covid19 pandemic was bound to have some impact on the blog. Yet despite the challenging circumstances this has been a year of only slight decline with average views down to 7 views per day compared to 8 in the last two years.

This I think was due in no small part to lockdown though the fact I didn’t promote certain poems anywhere near as much as I should also contributed. This is something I will work towards improving in 2021.

That said there is one area where has been noticeable growth is in the number of posts published which rose from 88 to 98 in the last twelve months. It can also be said that the number of both visitors to the site and comments on posts are both up with the later more than doubling from 8 to 28, and likes increasing from 74 to 83

Topics covered in the last twelve months included Age, Birthdays, Bisexuality, Bullying, Childhood, Christmas, Coming Out, Ceilidhs, Concerts, Covid19, Dancing , Dating, Death, Disability, Discrimination, Equality, Family, Faith, Fashion, Gratitude, Kindness, Lockdown, Love, Lingerie, Memories, Mental Health, Poetry, Relationships, Role Models, Secrets, Social Distancing, Stereotypes, The Broga Frois, Transition, Transphobia, Transport, Visibility, and last but not least Football

2020 saw a slight dip in my global reach as visiting nations were slightly down from 34 in 2019 to 31 last year. The top five countries were UK , USA, Ireland, Canada, and Australia, With New Zealand, Spain, Turkey, Iraq, and Germany, making up the top ten. There were also readers from countries including South Africa, The Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Argentina, Norway, and much to my astonishment Guadalupe, Yes readers my words reach glamorous places.

Till next time

Gayle X

Behind The Goals

As the women’s football season kicks off this is my poem for my girls by which I mean Glasgow City. I’ve titled it after the podcast presented by two of our greatest names though one of them now plays her football elsewhere. I refer to the dynamic duo our captain calls the twinnies for those who are not Glasgow City fans thats Leanne Crichton and Rachel Corsie. The title for those who haven’t guessed is Behind The Goals. I hope you enjoy the read.

Behind The Goals

Wrapped in optimism
I remember what my dad always said
a new season brings new hopes
dreams and ambitions have no limits
new names replace old favourites
and there are players with whom
I am unfamiliar
though this will change as the story
unfolds
in a year when games will be played
without supporters to cheer you on
at least at the start

I know you have the heart and the skills
to the be girls who bring the honours
home
and wish I was there to see you play
you found me a place in this game
to which I was a latecomer
some would say a stranger
god knows it should have been Celtic
for the same reason it could never be Rangers
but it wasn’t it was you
and Hayley saw to that.

her defiance captured my heart
then Claire and Jo saw it would never go back
and Leanne who can talk for Scotland
in the studio and on the park
grounded me in the ways of the club
and what it really means
what makes you different from other teams
the vision, the values, the dreams you hold
and in doing so she cemented
my place behind the goals

now all I can do is give you my support
my loyalty and my heart
till the day I’m watching games
with my dad
sometime in the far distant future
so as the new season starts
I am aware that over time
the new names in the squad will becomes familiar faces
stars will shine in our colours
and this emotional bond will grow
stronger
and one day I’ll stand behind the goals
to cheer you on win lose or draw

From Forfar To Wolfsburg (For Glasgow City)

On the day of the most important game in their history I’ve written this poem for Glasgow City to wish the girls luck in tonight’s Champions League game against Wolfsburg. Well I couldn’t let this one pass without doing something for them so I decided to do what I’m best at and use my creative skills for the club I’ve grown to love. I’ve titled it From Forfar To Wolfsburg I hope you enjoy the read.

From Forfar To Wolfsburg (For Glasgow City FC)

The excitement
the drama
that tingling sensation
our girls will carry the hopes of a nation
as they tackle a club
who’ve been there before
in a game with no fans
no Petershill roar
but results can be gained
with grit and resilience
or maybe just maybe
just one flash of brilliance
from the magic of Hayley
to the genius of Claire
we’ve got the substance
as well as the flair
this team has the character we’ll need in this test
We’ve a leader and legend
up there with the best
you all know her name
she will give all she’s got
she’s the iconic star
she’s our own Leanne Ross
if you think she’s amazing
then I’ll stake a claim
for a goalie who steps up
no matter the game
from Forfar to Wolfsburg
when Lee gets the gloves
you know she’ll stand proud
when the going gets tough
from Celtic to Brondby
from Zurich to Rangers
our Jo is the player
who can sniff out the dangers
with Leanne, Sam , and Kirsty
we’ve a team filled with class
and young Lauren is destined to shine a like a star
with Rachel so calm and assured
in defence
and the signings we’ve made to add extra strengh
we are for ready this
we will play as a team
with the pride in our colours
and belief in our dreams

A Tale Of Two Teams (For Scott Booth)

If anyone had told me a year ago that I would call the manager of any other team than Celtic by the prefix our when talking about them I would have said they were mad. However as I hope this poem will show, history has a habit of making us look at things from a slightly different angle and the fact I have recently referred to Glasgow City Manager Scott Booth in this way shows the genuine affection in which I hold this club I’ve got to know only in the last year or so. Trust me City and Celtic are very similar in the way they were founded and that really resonated with me. Now since geography made it easier to get to City games than Celtic ones and the emotional demands of the women’s game are slightly different to that of the men’s I decided there was room in my heart for both these great clubs and it’s a decision I haven’t regretted. It is for this reason I have titled it A Tale Of Two Teams and before you ask, yes I am a massive Charles Dickens fan. I dedicate the poem to City manager Scott Booth. I hope you enjoy the read.

A Tale Of Two Teams (For Scott Booth)

If anyone had told me
that I would address a former opponent
who never wore the green and white hoops of Celtic
as one of our own
the boss or our Scott
I would have told them politely of course
that they may be ever so slightly mad
dismissed it and said it would never happen
yet now it actually has
though the man who sits in the Glasgow City manager’s seat
may never know the magnitude of this achievement his team claimed
by making my life
a tale of two teams
to be honest I never believed this day would ever dawn
but as we moved on from the buzz of the world cup
and back to the domestic campaign
I am proud that I gave
a different team my heart
in the women’s game
yet in many ways the stories
while not exactly the same
have striking similarities in formation
to give inspiration to distinct demographics
both disadvantaged in terms of access to opportunities
two strong diverse communities
who wanted to play the game their way
that’s why when I say our Scott
I don’t just mean Scott Brown
I say it with feeling for a man who I saw play
for Aberdeen and the national side
who never once let his team down
and now manages
the best women’s team in the land
you have to understand
this team is packed with inspirational players
like Hayley and Claire
young Hayley, Jo Love,
and our captain the mighty Leanne Ross
a leader both on and off the park
now all those mentioned and many more
have had the prefix our added to their names
in a way I thought could only be applied to Celtic greats
but now having taken the step
I have no regrets
in making the choice
I will raise my voice to cheer them on
and be faithful through and through to both my teams
and hold them closer to my heart
than you can ever imagine

Shero (For Hayley Lauder)

In this poem I look at a player who always puts in a shift whether it be for Glasgow City or indeed for Scotland for whom she has more than 100 caps. The player concerned is one who though she may not grab the headlines is the one who always turns up, the one you don’t notice till she’s not playing. She is in case you haven’t guessed the one and only Hayley Lauder. I’ve given it the title Shero I hope you enjoy the read.

Shero (For Hayley Lauder)

Blame Hayley
It’s her fault
I adopted this club
I love the fact she never gives up
and like the tenacious terror
she is and always will be
she’s straight on the case
as soon as she loses the ball
it’s this never say die spirit
that’s made her my player of the team
not just the undoubted skills
possessed by a dynamo
who crafts her game to perfection
and in doing so shows the way
for younger girls who want to get to the top
she never stops from first minute to last
her attitude shows a real team player
yes she has the flair for the flicks and tricks
and a natural nose for goal
brilliant close control and passing ability
yet despite all of this
for her it’s all about the girls
she always puts the team first
she knows that’s how games are won
in sunshine and in rain
she tackles the job in hand
without fuss or drama
you have to understand
this has always been the kind of player
I’ve enjoyed watching
first for Celtic and Scotland
and now also for City
the one their teammates miss
whenever they’re not playing
I think what I’m really saying is
that this shero is the reason
a diehard Celtic fan
had a colour change for the women’s game
and didn’t feel conflicted by my choice
so if you want to blame anyone
for the fact that your games
are now crafted with couplets
and recorded in both rhyme and free verse
give your feisty forward the credit she deserves
blame Hayley it was and remains
her fault
that I’ve taken this club to my heart
and have no plans to leave you
not even for the ghirls from paradise

Number 6 (For Jo Love)

As I’m sure we’re all aware during this lockdown Thursday evenings have become synonymous with clapping for our NHS and key workers. One such key worker is Glasgow City and Scotland midfield star Jo Love whose current job is assisting in the production of hand sanitiser which is so crucial to us in these important times. In this poem I pay tribute to a team player and a star both on the park and off. I would like to thank Jo’s team mate and friend Hayley Lauder who provided a perfect summary of what Jo brings to the team in her best ever starting eleven video which I watched last night after watching our under 19’s beat Hearts in the chosen game on City TV As for the title I’ve went for only possible choice that would do Jo justice and that’s Number 6 as that’s the number she wears on her jersey. I hope you enjoy the read .

Number 6 (For Jo Love)

Dear Friends

If you value key workers
I’ve a story I want you to know
and then I’ve a favour to ask of you all
will you please show some love for our Jo

Her name may not be known to you
she doesn’t seek glory or fame
but when it comes to football
she plays an intelligent game

You see Jo does the simple things
and always does them right
she just steps up and gets on with her job

in football and in life

A team player on and off the park
our coolest penelty taker
is helping us now to beat the threat
of a very different danger

This threat it plays a dirty game
in ways that can’t be seen
In case you haven’t sussed it yet
I’m talking of Covid19

You see Jo works in a lab by day
and she’s helping to produce
the hand sanitiser that everyone needs
but you’ll never see her on the news

Yet still she just gets on with things
the way she’s always done
our number 6 will never give up
until this fight is won

She keeps her head in the difficult times
ask Brondby fans they’ll know
she’s a key player for City who always steps up
so please show some love for our Jo

Sanhaim Star (For Lee Alexander And Glasgow City FC)

In honour of their qualification fot the Quarter Final of the UFEA Women’s Champions League, I’ve written this poem for Glasgow City who despite losing on the night made it through to the last eight of the tournament for the second time in their history. For the record it should be said this is twice more than any Scottish men’s team have ever managed. I had hoped to go the game but ended up having to watch it on BBC Alba as not having a rich boyfriend I had to prioritise the mortgage over the game. . I hope It captures the emotion of a truly wonderful not to mention dramatic night in which my nerves were jangled more than shopping tills on Christmas Eve. I’ve given it the title Sanhaim Star as I believe one player stood out with a brilliant and in my opinion match winning performance and that player was our goalkeeper Lee Alexander. I hope you enjoy the read.

Sanhaim Star (For Lee Alexander And Glasgow City FC)

With the mortgage just paid
money was tighter than I’d like
so I watched the girls
not from the stand where I had hoped to be
to cheer them to glory
but the comfort of my living room
on this Halloween night
as I prayed to whoever was listening
I asked for the mission to be accomplished without fuss
and victory delivered with maximum ease
but then I remembered that on Sanhaim
things just might get spooky
and sure enough it started like
the script from a horror movie
as Brondy scored early
at times it seemed like 100 yellow jerseys
were pressing down on our goal
rather than just 10
but we had Lee between the posts
and on this night when ghosts
rise from the grave
she was making save after save
to keep us in the game
and even though the Danish champions scored again
to level the tie at 2-2
she was determined to do
what she had to do
to limit the damage
and trust me half time couldn’t come quick enough
we needed the break we just weren’t slick enough
our confidence needed lifting
during the interval I somehow convinced myself
we would control the second half
and turn the game around
It’s a good job I never made it to the ground
I would have been having palpitations
you never get on Football manager
or anything else on play station
I prayed again for inspiration
as the second half started
all hallows eve is not a night
for the broken hearted
and faint hearts never won
a place in the quarter finals
of the champions league
after a slow start
we finally got up to speed
starting to dominate and play the way we can
though our opponents posed a threat on the counter attack
our girls stuck to the manager’s plan
coming close to getting the goal
we needed for qualification
we should have got a penelty
when their player had her arm up
to stop a goal bound shot
though whether we liked it or not
it wasn’t given
this time I asked Jesus Queen Of Heaven The Blessed Virgin Mary
and the spirit of Laura Inglis Wilder
from little house on the prairie
to intercede on our behalf
I was on the verge of driving myself daft
as I stood in front of the telly giving it welly
arms folded like a manager
roaring encouragement to the players
knowing full well they couldn’t hear
my rants and screams
well they didn’t have a satellite to my TV screen
which is probably just as well
I was going through hell
every time Brondy got in to our half
I pushed the panic button a good few times
though we were keeping our line tighter
and playing further up the park
most of the time we were in their half
yet still the goal wouldn’t come
so we headed for extra time
and Brondby got their second wind
I was beginning to have a halloween nightmare
honestly this game was giving me the frightners
in a way that Dracula or Freddy Kruger could never quite manage
so when extra time finished
I knew the drama would be ramped up
for the death or glory penelty kicks
which would decide our fate
this was the spirits lending a hand
and when Lee saved three penelties in a row
it was up to Jo Love seal the victory
she did it by striking as cool a penelty
as you could ever wish to see
we had qualified for the last eight
of the champions league
and in a team packed with heroes
the night belonged to Lee
for the saves she made from first minute to last
saves that made her the Sanhaim star
as she proved to the world
that even some scary movies can and do
have very happy endings