BadlandsVikings
05-11-2008, 01:09 AM
PP.O name:
Anglo Vike
Real name: Peter
Age: 45
Current City: Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK
Hometown: Northolt, Middlesex
Occupation: Telecoms Support enginer
1) How did you choose your screen name?
When I first went online I found a Vikings email list to subscribe to. There was already a UK Vike and Limey Vike on there I looked for an alternative. Anglo Vike was my next choice and I've stuck with it ever since on the various sites I'd signed up to over the years. So if you see it elsewhere then it should be me - if not then its an imposter and I will be after them. I haven't done like the Pats and registered the trademark yet but I'll consider it Grin
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/shom00/Phillygame027.jpg
2) Anglo, could you tell us a little about where you grew up and about your family?
I was born and bred in Northolt which is a suburb on the fringes of West London and comes under the London Borough of Ealing, which extends from Shepherds Bush on the east side out to Northolt on the west. From Northolt we always used to think that 10 minutes by car and you were in a less built up areas which were more like the country to us at the time. Of course as the suburbs have grown it is more built up and not as nice as it was, glad that I don't live there now as it is not a place to raise a family.
I'm the youngest of four with 14 years between myself and the youngest sister - always said that Dad got very lucky one night !
;) though would have loved to see my grandparents faces when told I was on the way. After that I have a brother and another sister and, as a result, have 5 nephews and a niece and a few great nieces/nephews as well.
My father served in WWII and once out joined the Post Office until his retirement. He then worked for 5 years for the Heinz company in the postal room there before finishing altogether - thankfully it didn't encourage me to become a Steelers fan ! Mum was a stay at home housewife who kept us all in check despite the generation gap, she is still alive today and in good health thankfully. Dad passed on in 2000 at the grand old age of 88 - which seems to run in the family, so gives me a few years to look out for many Vikings SB wins.
I'm celebrating 10 years of marriage this year (second time around) to the wonderful Sharon - or Mrs AngloVike as some refer to her as- who shares my football interests and takes some losses very hard. She's still learning what it means to be a Vikes fan..lol. I have a daughter from my first marriage who is not that interested in football or sport in general - like her mother
;D but she'll come over one day for a game and see how embarassing Dad is at a game.
3) What type of student where you in High School? Did you play in any sports or where you involved with any school clubs and such?
I
was the sort who kept his head down and got on with his work without getting into trouble or drawing too much attention from the teachers. Having said that I wasn't outstanding in school and only got average marks and exam passes but did enough to get me into a decent job. Sports I was bloody awful at due to being of a 'non athletic build' and consequently I hated most of them due to being the wrong shape for running, gym work etc. The only thing I was ok at was cricket, though not enough to consider playing outside of school, and also badminton. That I was ok at but the only club I tried to join was snobbish and I didn't get a fair chance to try out, so I dropped that.
It was only later when I played american football that I ever played a sport at a competitive level out of choice rather than being forced to. Unfortunately I had to cut it short due to injury after only three years but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Those years were in the early years of organised leagues in the UK and it was something that I was proud to have been involved in. It is still a minority sport in this country but teams are far more established now and will not be going away anytime in the future.
4) What did you do after High School?
I didn't want to stay on at school and University wasn't appealing either and so it was time to leave and move into the big wide world and start earning a living. At that time most boys, if you wanted a non-office job, would then be looking to the various manufacturing industries or utilities for an apprenticeship . I managed to get two job offers, one with the Post Office Telecommunications branch and one with Her Majesty's Customs & Excise Department
5)What was your first job?
From above my first job was the Post Office Telecoms job. I started as a Trainee Technician Apprentice a week before my 16th birthday for the grand sum of £30 per week - about $57 at the current exchange rate. Three years later I was still there made up to a Technician 2A on exchange switch maintenance.
6) When did you decide to be such a dedicated fan of the Minnesota Vikings?
1983 when the Vikes played at Wembley in the Global Cup against the St Louis Cardinals in the first game outside of North America with NFL teams. A new TV station ( Channel 4 ) had started showing the NFL the year before and the League was keen to promote the sport more in the UK. I watched and enjoyed it but never favoured any one team until the Wembley game. I went with Minnesote due to the Vikings name being used for a local football club, pub and also the local telephone exchange had been designated as Viking - so seemed a logical step to make. The rest as they say is history.
7) Could you tell us one of your favorite memories that has to do with the Vikings or one of its past or present players, coaches, etc.
I would have to say it is attending the Dome for the first time and something that I won't forget - 2000 and a 31-27 win against Buffalo. It's hard for fans that live in Minnesota or able to get regularly to home games to appreciate what coming to a game at the Dome means. We walked from the Hotel and as we got nearer to the Dome it just seemed to be a sea or purple everywhere you looked. Once inside it was a blur of vision and noise and passed all to quickly. The one thing, that day and subsequent games I've attended, guaranteed to get the hairs up on the back on my neck is the pre-introduction video with the Viking longboat coming in over the the TC - love it everytime, even when Webby has it on the homepage on gamedays.
8)How did you come to find PP.O and what attracted you most to the site?
I used to frequent another fansite that I found after my first trip out in 2000. That closed down and a couple of the mods from that site put me onto this site that they had found. I came over and when Webby found out that we used to write at the previous site asked if I'd do the same here. I started doing that and have been here ever since - guess it was 2001 when I first came here. So whilst not the highest poster I'm one of the older ones to be hanging around here.
:)
9) What other sports teams do you follow?
I'll watch most sports but not with the same zeal as the NFL but I'll keep an eye out for the following teams and their fortunes
Football ( soccer to my north american cousins ) - Brentford FC, Division 2 of the English Football League
Cricket - Middlesex - my home county and the home of the game in England
Baseball - Atlanta Braves, managed to see a game at the old Fulton County stadium in '96 when I was in the US for the very first time
NHL - Minnesota Wild - never seen a game yet but will manage it one day
10) When you’re not on PPO what could you likely be found doing with your spare time?
I enjoy reading and currently have about 5 books still to work my way through. A couple of Vikes books that I picked up last fall and others that I received at Christmas. I also enjoy photography and try to get out when I can with the camera, love landscapes, scenery and abstract shots - plus Vikes games of course.
11) Do you say a special prayer before Vikings games?
No, but I have been known to utter the Lord's name at times during the game based on coaching calls, officiating etc
12)Where do you watch away Vikings games?
Where possible via online feeds, unless the NFL games shown on the SKY satellite sports channel has the Vikes games. Last resort is then Field Pass (audio) or game centre on the NFL site.
13)What is your worst fear?
Wondering what the future holds for my daughter as she gets older - its a Dad thing
;D
14) What type of hobbies do you enjoy?
Mainly my reading and photography - which also allows for me playing about with pictures using Photoshop as well.
15) What’s your favorite food?
Hmmm.. not so easy ..... either fish and chips with mushy peas... or pease pudding with faggotts - thats the food variety and not the type most people reading this might think of.
16) Where are some of the places you’ve been, and where are some of your favorites.
Tokyo, Japan
Toronto, Alberta, BC, Vancouver
Sth Carolina, Atlanta, Minneapolis
Milan, Italy
Montenegro, Yugoslavia
have to say for relaxation and easy going then Hilton Head Islan in Sth Carolina would be my favourite. Long beaches and a place to simply chill. Would love to go back to Tokyo and take my wife this time - first time was with work. Lovely place and so much to see and enjoy.
17) What is one thing you've always wanted to do, but haven't done yet in your lifetime?
Go on a snowmobile for a day - love the snow and they look sooo much fun
18)If you could live anywhere where would it be?
Either somewhere with spectacular views - such as near the Canadian Rockies or overlooking a lake... Minnesota's got 10,000 so plenty to choose from. On a practical basis if I won the Lotto then I'd find a piece of land down in Devon with a sea view one way and hills and fields in the opposite direction and have a house built.
19) Do you believe the Vikings will have their big day someday? When they do win the Super Bowl, what will be the first thing you think you will do?
Without a doubt just a question when, though once we have one under the belt then I believe that we will be a dominant team for a period of time. Much like the Patriots but without the question marks. The first thing I will do is shed a tear as, unlike many in the UK, I know what it will mean for the Purple Faithful for that first win to come along. After that I'll raise a glass to all fans and those who have gone before and toast that much wanted win.
20) Up to this date, what is one of your favorite PPO memories?
There are so many to choose from and PPO reminds so much of the office I work in. There is so much banter and chat bouncing back and forth in the Beserker Yell and forums that it seems like a large room or office, so you can be crying with laughter at some of the comments and posts. Like Marrdro I sometimes get looks from people who wonder what I'm sniggering at or muttering about to myself. Its been great the last three years meeting PPO members at games and putting the faces to the on screen names.
However it all boils down to the people who come to visit, post and even stay on the site - when you can get a Packer fan willing to put their hand in their pocket and donate to the site upkeep then you have a very special site indeed. Credit to Webby and the Mods for keeping us all in line and most of all to the posters here that make it what it is
Anglo Vike
Real name: Peter
Age: 45
Current City: Sandhurst, Berkshire, UK
Hometown: Northolt, Middlesex
Occupation: Telecoms Support enginer
1) How did you choose your screen name?
When I first went online I found a Vikings email list to subscribe to. There was already a UK Vike and Limey Vike on there I looked for an alternative. Anglo Vike was my next choice and I've stuck with it ever since on the various sites I'd signed up to over the years. So if you see it elsewhere then it should be me - if not then its an imposter and I will be after them. I haven't done like the Pats and registered the trademark yet but I'll consider it Grin
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/shom00/Phillygame027.jpg
2) Anglo, could you tell us a little about where you grew up and about your family?
I was born and bred in Northolt which is a suburb on the fringes of West London and comes under the London Borough of Ealing, which extends from Shepherds Bush on the east side out to Northolt on the west. From Northolt we always used to think that 10 minutes by car and you were in a less built up areas which were more like the country to us at the time. Of course as the suburbs have grown it is more built up and not as nice as it was, glad that I don't live there now as it is not a place to raise a family.
I'm the youngest of four with 14 years between myself and the youngest sister - always said that Dad got very lucky one night !
;) though would have loved to see my grandparents faces when told I was on the way. After that I have a brother and another sister and, as a result, have 5 nephews and a niece and a few great nieces/nephews as well.
My father served in WWII and once out joined the Post Office until his retirement. He then worked for 5 years for the Heinz company in the postal room there before finishing altogether - thankfully it didn't encourage me to become a Steelers fan ! Mum was a stay at home housewife who kept us all in check despite the generation gap, she is still alive today and in good health thankfully. Dad passed on in 2000 at the grand old age of 88 - which seems to run in the family, so gives me a few years to look out for many Vikings SB wins.
I'm celebrating 10 years of marriage this year (second time around) to the wonderful Sharon - or Mrs AngloVike as some refer to her as- who shares my football interests and takes some losses very hard. She's still learning what it means to be a Vikes fan..lol. I have a daughter from my first marriage who is not that interested in football or sport in general - like her mother
;D but she'll come over one day for a game and see how embarassing Dad is at a game.
3) What type of student where you in High School? Did you play in any sports or where you involved with any school clubs and such?
I
was the sort who kept his head down and got on with his work without getting into trouble or drawing too much attention from the teachers. Having said that I wasn't outstanding in school and only got average marks and exam passes but did enough to get me into a decent job. Sports I was bloody awful at due to being of a 'non athletic build' and consequently I hated most of them due to being the wrong shape for running, gym work etc. The only thing I was ok at was cricket, though not enough to consider playing outside of school, and also badminton. That I was ok at but the only club I tried to join was snobbish and I didn't get a fair chance to try out, so I dropped that.
It was only later when I played american football that I ever played a sport at a competitive level out of choice rather than being forced to. Unfortunately I had to cut it short due to injury after only three years but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Those years were in the early years of organised leagues in the UK and it was something that I was proud to have been involved in. It is still a minority sport in this country but teams are far more established now and will not be going away anytime in the future.
4) What did you do after High School?
I didn't want to stay on at school and University wasn't appealing either and so it was time to leave and move into the big wide world and start earning a living. At that time most boys, if you wanted a non-office job, would then be looking to the various manufacturing industries or utilities for an apprenticeship . I managed to get two job offers, one with the Post Office Telecommunications branch and one with Her Majesty's Customs & Excise Department
5)What was your first job?
From above my first job was the Post Office Telecoms job. I started as a Trainee Technician Apprentice a week before my 16th birthday for the grand sum of £30 per week - about $57 at the current exchange rate. Three years later I was still there made up to a Technician 2A on exchange switch maintenance.
6) When did you decide to be such a dedicated fan of the Minnesota Vikings?
1983 when the Vikes played at Wembley in the Global Cup against the St Louis Cardinals in the first game outside of North America with NFL teams. A new TV station ( Channel 4 ) had started showing the NFL the year before and the League was keen to promote the sport more in the UK. I watched and enjoyed it but never favoured any one team until the Wembley game. I went with Minnesote due to the Vikings name being used for a local football club, pub and also the local telephone exchange had been designated as Viking - so seemed a logical step to make. The rest as they say is history.
7) Could you tell us one of your favorite memories that has to do with the Vikings or one of its past or present players, coaches, etc.
I would have to say it is attending the Dome for the first time and something that I won't forget - 2000 and a 31-27 win against Buffalo. It's hard for fans that live in Minnesota or able to get regularly to home games to appreciate what coming to a game at the Dome means. We walked from the Hotel and as we got nearer to the Dome it just seemed to be a sea or purple everywhere you looked. Once inside it was a blur of vision and noise and passed all to quickly. The one thing, that day and subsequent games I've attended, guaranteed to get the hairs up on the back on my neck is the pre-introduction video with the Viking longboat coming in over the the TC - love it everytime, even when Webby has it on the homepage on gamedays.
8)How did you come to find PP.O and what attracted you most to the site?
I used to frequent another fansite that I found after my first trip out in 2000. That closed down and a couple of the mods from that site put me onto this site that they had found. I came over and when Webby found out that we used to write at the previous site asked if I'd do the same here. I started doing that and have been here ever since - guess it was 2001 when I first came here. So whilst not the highest poster I'm one of the older ones to be hanging around here.
:)
9) What other sports teams do you follow?
I'll watch most sports but not with the same zeal as the NFL but I'll keep an eye out for the following teams and their fortunes
Football ( soccer to my north american cousins ) - Brentford FC, Division 2 of the English Football League
Cricket - Middlesex - my home county and the home of the game in England
Baseball - Atlanta Braves, managed to see a game at the old Fulton County stadium in '96 when I was in the US for the very first time
NHL - Minnesota Wild - never seen a game yet but will manage it one day
10) When you’re not on PPO what could you likely be found doing with your spare time?
I enjoy reading and currently have about 5 books still to work my way through. A couple of Vikes books that I picked up last fall and others that I received at Christmas. I also enjoy photography and try to get out when I can with the camera, love landscapes, scenery and abstract shots - plus Vikes games of course.
11) Do you say a special prayer before Vikings games?
No, but I have been known to utter the Lord's name at times during the game based on coaching calls, officiating etc
12)Where do you watch away Vikings games?
Where possible via online feeds, unless the NFL games shown on the SKY satellite sports channel has the Vikes games. Last resort is then Field Pass (audio) or game centre on the NFL site.
13)What is your worst fear?
Wondering what the future holds for my daughter as she gets older - its a Dad thing
;D
14) What type of hobbies do you enjoy?
Mainly my reading and photography - which also allows for me playing about with pictures using Photoshop as well.
15) What’s your favorite food?
Hmmm.. not so easy ..... either fish and chips with mushy peas... or pease pudding with faggotts - thats the food variety and not the type most people reading this might think of.
16) Where are some of the places you’ve been, and where are some of your favorites.
Tokyo, Japan
Toronto, Alberta, BC, Vancouver
Sth Carolina, Atlanta, Minneapolis
Milan, Italy
Montenegro, Yugoslavia
have to say for relaxation and easy going then Hilton Head Islan in Sth Carolina would be my favourite. Long beaches and a place to simply chill. Would love to go back to Tokyo and take my wife this time - first time was with work. Lovely place and so much to see and enjoy.
17) What is one thing you've always wanted to do, but haven't done yet in your lifetime?
Go on a snowmobile for a day - love the snow and they look sooo much fun
18)If you could live anywhere where would it be?
Either somewhere with spectacular views - such as near the Canadian Rockies or overlooking a lake... Minnesota's got 10,000 so plenty to choose from. On a practical basis if I won the Lotto then I'd find a piece of land down in Devon with a sea view one way and hills and fields in the opposite direction and have a house built.
19) Do you believe the Vikings will have their big day someday? When they do win the Super Bowl, what will be the first thing you think you will do?
Without a doubt just a question when, though once we have one under the belt then I believe that we will be a dominant team for a period of time. Much like the Patriots but without the question marks. The first thing I will do is shed a tear as, unlike many in the UK, I know what it will mean for the Purple Faithful for that first win to come along. After that I'll raise a glass to all fans and those who have gone before and toast that much wanted win.
20) Up to this date, what is one of your favorite PPO memories?
There are so many to choose from and PPO reminds so much of the office I work in. There is so much banter and chat bouncing back and forth in the Beserker Yell and forums that it seems like a large room or office, so you can be crying with laughter at some of the comments and posts. Like Marrdro I sometimes get looks from people who wonder what I'm sniggering at or muttering about to myself. Its been great the last three years meeting PPO members at games and putting the faces to the on screen names.
However it all boils down to the people who come to visit, post and even stay on the site - when you can get a Packer fan willing to put their hand in their pocket and donate to the site upkeep then you have a very special site indeed. Credit to Webby and the Mods for keeping us all in line and most of all to the posters here that make it what it is