Parminder Patil (hinglish) wrote in vrrpg, @ 2017-07-05 20:18:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !witch weekly, char: oliver wood, char: parminder patil, location: network, time: 2009 07 |
Witch Weekly: July 5, 2009
Who: Parminder, Oliver, open
When: July 5, 2009
What: Exclusive interview with Oliver Wood
Warnings: None
Public/Private: Public
If someone told you that Oliver Wood's first word was "Quaffle", it wouldn't take much to believe it.
The Puddlemere United captain, 33, is the son of Angus Wood, famed the famed Pride of Portree Beater, and according to any of his Hogwarts contemporaries he has lived and breathed the sport from the very beginning. He was the Gryffindor captain who led his house to victory after almost a decade of Slytherin domination; it came as no surprise when he was snapped up by United right after graduation.
Wood's dogged determination led Puddlemere United to claim the league's crown this year after a dramatic final that saw the team's Seeker — and Wood's long-time friend — Terence Higgs hospitalised for several weeks.
It could be said that glory and pain are bosom buddies for Wood. As his career has soared to new heights, his personal life has reached unprecedented lows in 2009. Already possessing a love life more dramatic than anything seen on the WWN, his Quidditch joy has been marred by reports of cheating on his then-girlfriend and a physical altercation with his Quidditch player-turned-actor brother, Logan Wood.
Parminder Patil talked to Wood about what comes next.
Congratulations on winning the league this year, Oliver. How's Higgs doing?
Hey, cheers. Without our team and the exceptional competition we'd have not won the cup. Ter is doing much better! Finally released from the hospital and enjoying his freedom.
How do you approach your preparation for the new season now that you have the pressure of defending your title sitting on your shoulders?
Practice. (Laughs) I know it sounds dull but it really is the truth. July we will go back into practice, generally focusing on better cohesion between the players, training our new players, analysis of other team's playing style and adapting our own. The unpredictably of the off-season is honestly, in my opinion, the hardest part of the year. We're going to participate in lots of friendlies and international matches.
The final was obviously very close, ultimately decided by who caught the Snitch. What do you think that says about the quality of the teams at the top of the league right now?
I think it means we have the absolute best of the best. The British and Irish League is in the top of the world League for a reason. We train hard and it shows. Even the lowest ranking teams are still incredible.
So far this summer, you've been seen soaking up some sun in a few different countries. Most recently in Spain. Are any other teams trying to lure you away?
You'd think, and I've definitely had some offers, but Puddlemere is my home. I don't think there is anything beyond dissolving my team to drive me away. Spain was mostly a visit to my sister and to see my nephews and niece... And to enjoy the last bit of my holiday.
Puddlemere's fans will be glad they're not losing their captain to the Barcelona Eagles. That said, you appeared to be enjoying the company of some of the local witches. Have been enjoying your time off the pitch?
I'm not sure playing on the same team as MatÃas Magarino is a good idea considering he's married to my sister; conflict of interest and all that.
Ah (smiles a bit sheepishly), word really travels fast. Yeah... Like I said, enjoying holiday and all.
You're 33 now and critics say you're playing better than ever, but does this time off give you ideas for what you might do when retirement finally beckons?
Retirement? I'm not really sure I'm going to do such a thing. The idea of sitting at home or not being involved is honestly terrifying. I think, if I stop playing professionally, I'll still be involved in some way. Right now I'm involved in the Little Quidditch League that Krum set up and it's been brilliant. I love working with kids, they have such enthusiasm and it's inspiring to see them play with such unabashed passion for the game.
I'm not going to retire; I'm going to work right up to the lunch break before my funeral.
A few of your notable contemporaries have already retired [Vipond, Flint, etc.], so old age isn't necessarily a factor. But whenever the time comes, do you think you'll be teaching your future children the finer points of the game?
If I'm lucky enough to have them, yes. Otherwise I'll just dote too much on my sister's children.
Your desire to have children pretty well-known these days so there could be another generation of the Wood Quidditch legacy one day. You and your brother Logan handled having a Quidditch player for a parent very differently. Did his change of career have anything to do with your public fight?
Logan and I... Well, we've always been a bit hot tempered, especially when it comes to each other. We've not always handled our disagreements the way we probably should, and I can definitely remember more than a few occasions our rows turned nasty. Thing is, he's my little brother, I'll always love and support him no matter what. And have you seen the show? He's deed brilliant.
The incident at the bar was not his fault. I goaded him on by not respecting his wish to be left alone. I grabbed him, I shouted, in the end it was all me. I wish in had an excuse for it but, well, I simply don't. Pressure to win can cause people to behave strangely. We've talked since.
Does that mean you've reconciled or are you keeping your distance?
A bit of both. We both need time to let our lives go back to normal.
Judging by the column inches you've generated over the past few months, things don't seem all that normal for you right now. Or are we just seeing a side of you that's normally hidden?
For the first time, an answer doesn't come easily to Oliver. He pauses so long that it almost seems that he's not going to answer.
I'm human, Parminder, there are many aspects of me. I'm not some character in a book. Sometimes I act in a way that doesn't make sense, but made sense to me at the time. To err is to human, after all.
Obviously you're not a character, but do you think that you've reached a level of fame where the public feel like they own you and your image?
I can't really say. Obviously the media is going to twist my actions and intentions in a way that will suit them, I just don't think about it. I have a fantastic team around me to help navigate the mine field of the public eye.
Your team is legendary in Quidditch circles. Most players don't have a team like yours, so how did that come about? What makes you so special?
Us. What makes us so special is the cohesion between every member on the team. We all fit and work together. Everyone is accountable for their success and the success of their teammates. We have three new additions to the reserve team and they will be treated and trained like a member of the starting team, not to mention they will practice with them.
I think the tight bond and willingness to work through the difficult moments really make us unique. Of course every team stresses to be a team but we take it to another level.
Higgs's injuries in the final certainly attest to that. Your team are willing to face career-ending injuries in order to win - how did you feel when he crashed?
Like my world ended. He hit the ground so hard I thought... I know I'm known for pushing my team but I don't want them risking their lives. Terence and I had a disagreement before the match and I didn't want to lose my best friend over some win or us disagreeing. In a way I feel responsible for that risky act as one of the things we had discussed was his diving.
Terence is incredible. He's lucky there was no lasting damage.
And no lasting damage to your friendship either?
Why would there be?
Between an argument and being pushed so far physically, it would be understandable if there were still hurt feelings. In the past, your determination to be the winner has had you riding roughshod over other people's needs. It's actually a bit surprising that you've taken so long to sit down and do an interview with anyone after your relationship with Romilda went south. And Daphne. And Genevieve.
That man is my absolute best mate, nothing will change that, especially some stupid argument over diving.
I'm not callous or selfish. I'm just... Driven. I have a very clear goal in mind and I have to achieve it, not I'm still considerate, especially of my team. Unfortunately that doesn't always mean my partner will be compatible with it.
As for interviews, well, I've been busy enjoying my time on holiday. And Romilda seemed to do plenty of talking from what I read, though her version of events and mine aren't entirely the same. And Gen... Well, it wasn't anything serious. No reason to comment.
A Keeper dating the Chaser from a rival team isn't a serious matter?
Gen and I weren't serious. Plus the season was over. It wasn't so much of dating as just... It wasn't serious. A strong attraction that burned out quickly.
It came on the heels of you being unfaithful to your girlfriend at the time. How much time do you actually have to devote to relationships?
I really regret how things ended with Romilda. I don't have an excuse for it. That being said she stopped talking to me. At times complete radio silence, most of the time vague quick answers. I tried, I really tried, for months. There is only so much one can do before having to make a decision. So, I decided to pursue someone who seemed to make me a priority instead of an option.
As for time: I have all the time in the world for the right person. My career takes up a lot of my time but I definitely will spend as much of my free time that I can with the person most important to me.
Who is the right person for you? Who's Oliver Wood's ideal woman?
I haven't met her yet. I think she would have the same goals, you know? Family. Someone who is into the idea of having a large family. Someone who is enthusiastic about life and love and wants to be wanted. I want someone could who, in twenty years I'm still as wild about her as she with me. Supportive, caring, I don't know... Just, I'll know it when I find it.
It seems like I'm always on the run, and my life rushes by me so fast. I want someone who can make me want to stand still.
Sounds like a fairytale. Do you think a woman like that really exists?
My parents are that way, so yes, I think there is someone like that.
Finally, do you have any advice for our readers who like to dream big like you?
Just don't stop pursuing what you want. No matter what just keep going even if it seems like you're kicked back to square one every time. Achieving your goal takes a lot of time, effort and sacrifice. But, it is obtainable.