I sometimes get the urge to write about things, whether they're major Earth-shaking events, my personal trials and tribulations, or just weird and/or obscure things that interest me for no particular reason.
13 May, 2012
Euro 2012 - What's the Fuss?
Against all logic, there seem to be quite a lot of people who suddenly fancy England's chances in this year's European Championships. The appointment of "nice guy" Roy Hodgson, to the post of England manager, doesn't exactly fill you with hope, despite the fact he has a more than decent CV, both at club and international level. Truth be told, its not so much the manager, as the players that contribute to my lack of expectation. Great though they may be playing for their clubs, they have failed repeatedly to reproduce their club form, when pulling on an England shirt. We will likely head into the tournament with a mix of older players who have tried and failed, plus some new untried youngsters.
Add to that the fact England have been grouped with France, Sweden and co-hosts Ukraine and we'll be doing well just to qualify from our group. I genuinely won't be shocked if we fail to do even that. I think we'll have done well to make it to the knockout stages, but failing all else, I hope the manager at least manages to assemble a squad capable of putting on decent performances, regardless of what system they are required to play. If worst comes to worst, at least we can look at this as the beginnings of our preparation for the 2014 World Cup.
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12 May, 2012
I am an idiot magnet!
Well, its been a while since I wrote anything here...nearly 3 years as it happens. Anyway, how's this for a return? Last week I nearly got knocked off my bike while cycling to work and run off the road by some knobsack in a BMW in the space of 5 days.
Monday, the weather was nice so I decided to cycle the 2 miles to work as I have done many times before. I was just a few hundred yards from the turning to my workplace, when some dozy old biddy in a people carrier, who had no business being on the road, failed to stop at a junction (almost) and came within 1 INCH (I exaggerate not) of sending me flying. Seriously, if she can't see a cyclist from 10 feet away and stop in time, she should have her licence revoked.
Thursday, I was driving home after spending the day working at another office and came to one of several roundabouts along the route. Wanting to go straight across, I kept to the left-hand lane. A large silver BMW pulled alongside in the right-hand lane and didn't give it a second thought, assuming the driver was going to turn right. I pulled out and went across, after waiting for a gap in traffic. Passing the first exit, I indicated to turn and exited into the road opposite the one I had entered from...only to find the BMW driver was trying to occupy the same piece of tarmac I was on (the entrance / turn in is wide enough for 2 cars but rapidly narrows to a single lane). As if that weren't bad enough, the arsehole expected ME to give way to HIM! So I promptly accelerated and cut him off, forcing him to drop behind me, leaning on the horn as I did so. As a testament to the man's stupidity, he had the temerity to hoot back at me.
It worries me there are so many drivers around who shouldn't be allowed behind the wheel of a motor vehicle of ANY description.
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09 August, 2009
England vs Australia - 4th Ashes Test
Oh, the joys of supporting England...or, more accurately, the lack thereof...
I really should know better by now...as should many others, but as ever, England flatter to deceive.
First Test, on an unfamiliar pitch in Cardiff, England get themselves into trouble and end up fighting a heroic rearguard action to draw the game.
Second Test on the hallowed turf of Lords, England take inspiration from having saved the previous game and record an impressive win.
Third Test at Edgbaston and England should have used the momentum gained from the first two matches to pile more misery on the Aussies. Fair play to the Baggy Greens though and they just manage to hold out for another draw, much as England did in the first match.
This week saw the Fourth Test at Headingley. Perhaps beginning to feel the strain of the series, missing two key players in Pietersen and Flintoff and maybe sensing the Aussies are, at last, gaining some momentum of their own, England capitulate shockingly in the first innings and allow the Aussies to build a lead of nearly 350. You would think a fightback might be on the cards to try and salvage yet another draw, but after a decent start, the wickets tumbled once again, until Broad and Swann decided to make a fight of it, scoring more between them than the entire team got in the first innings. Sadly this only delayed the inevitable and Australia duly wrapped up a win to level the series in two and a half days. Shocking!
Of course this leaves the series neatly poised at 1-1 for the final test at the Oval, but right now I doubt many England supporters hold out much hope of getting the win they need to win back the Ashes. Australia, though only needing a draw to retain them, will undoubtedly go all-out for victory.
Aussies Win to Level Ashes Series
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08 August, 2009
Let there be Rock (Part II)
Bit of a mixed bag this one, as with Download. At Donington, hayfever pretty much cancelled day 2. This time a mixture of poor marshalling and signposting, as well as my own stupidity, combined to ensure I missed the entire first day! Rather miffed at missing some of the big name acts such as Linkin Park, Anthrax and Heaven & Hell.
At least I made it for the second day and got to see bands including Feeder, Alice In Chains, Machine Head and the mighty Metallica.
Weather was good (mostly) and the scheduling of the 2 main stages meant you didn't miss any of the acts...good thinking there! Another plus was that they didn't have a ban on cameras or camcorders like Download did.
Sonisphere 2009
Jackson "Riff and Destroy" Competition
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30 June, 2009
The King is dead...long live the King
A colleague mentioned it at work this morning, after I'd seen it on yesterday's evening news, that he'd been taken into hospital.
Not sure how to feel about this one. Until the last few years, Jackson (along with his siblings) has been an almost permanent fixture and a major cultural reference point, whether through his music or the latest press stories.
Although I've never been a huge fan of his music, I did like a lot of his songs. As kids, me and my peers thought he was just about the coolest man on the planet (image-wise) and we all wanted to be like him. I can still remember us all trying (and mostly failing) to copy his moonwalk.
After his recent re-emergence into public life, following the child abuse scandals, the financial problems and his fathering of three kids (by means, as yet unconfirmed) it seemed fairly obvious that the guy had serious problems.
I think the controversy, massive debts and his attempts to pay them off by organising major tours, finally took their toll.
All in all, I wouldn't say its a major loss musically, as his best days were far behind him. However, it is sad that he passed on, while he seemed to be in the process of getting his life sorted out.
I'm also not sure how to feel about his kids. On the one hand, they've lost their father, but on the other hand, they may benefit from a more "normal" upbringing (as normal as any kids get in Beverly Hills anyway).
I'm sad...but not as sad as I would've been, say 10-15 years ago.
Singer Michael Jackson Dies at 50
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15 June, 2009
Let there be Rock!
Went to Download 2009 at Castle Donington and immersed myself in two-and-a-half days of classic rock and metal at the UK's premier music festival. It would have been 3 days, but as luck would have it, I came down with a bad case of hayfever on the second day and decided to go home early.
Expensive and tiring...and I even managed to get a mild case of sunburn...but well worth it, with all the amazing bands on the bill. Sadly, I didn't get to see all the ones I wanted to, as the various stage schedules often clashed, but I made sure I saw the ones that made me fork out £130 for a ticket in the first place. Check out my report on the BBCS message board:
Download 2009
Lucky me...I'll be getting to do it all over again for another weekend at the beginning of August, with the arrival of the Sonisphere festival.
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07 June, 2009
...and on... (England 6 - 0 Andorra)
Well, it was always something of a mismatch...and another example of why the smallest nations should play pre-qualifying matches to sort out who gets to mix it with the big boys. These one-sided thrashings don't really do much for either side.
The rout began on 4 minutes when Rooney latched onto a pinpoint cross from Johnson and buried the ball in the back of the Andorra net. This came after 2 earlier near misses from Rooney and Walcott.
It was a bit of a surprise therefore that it took until the half hour mark before some good build-up play put Lampard through on goal, drilling a low shot into the corner of the net to make it 2 - 0. Five minutes before the interval, speedy full-back Glen Johnson is again the provider, putting in a cross that Rooney volleys past the stranded Andorra keeper...3 - 0 to England.
The second half is much the same as the first, with England enjoying the lion's share of possession and creating havoc in and around the Andorra goal. To the visitors' credit though, they keep the home side at bay for nearly half an hour, until the 73rd minute, when Johnson sends yet another cross over, this time Jermaine Defore reaches it, to head it in for England's fourth. Just 2 minutes later, Andorra concede a free kick in a dangerous position. Despite Beckham's less-than-sterling effort, the keeper spills the catch and Defoe is first to the ball, to scramble it into the net.
With 10 minutes still left, Peter Crouch finds himself through on goal with only the keeper to beat. He pokes the ball between the onrushing goalie's legs, where it bobbles into the net, wrapping up an emphatic win for the home side.
Still have my doubts about how we'll fare against the top sides in South Africa.
England 6 - 0 Andorra
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06 June, 2009
England march on (Kazakhstan 0 - 4 England)
Well, so much for it being a tight game. Well, actually, it was for the first 40 minutes or so. Kazakhstan even came close to opening the scoring inside the first minute when they caught the England defence cold.
That was until Gareth Barry and Emile Heskey of all people, scored in the last 5 minutes of the first half to put England comfortably ahead at the interval.
The second half saw further England dominance, with the pressure paying off in the final 20 minutes, when Wayne Rooney took advantage of some poor Kazakh defending, scoring an amazing goal from an acute angle inside the penalty area that flew across the keeper, into the far corner. Five minutes later, more bad defending saw the referee award England a penalty, which Lampard stepped up to take, slamming the ball into the roof of the net, giving the keeper no chance and wrapping up an emphatic victory.
With our next game at home to the "mighty" Andorra, qualification for South Africa 2010 looks all but assured. Still, I do worry how England will fare against the better sides. With only Croatia and Ukraine in our qualifying group to really test us, I can't help feeling we will be found wanting, when the tournament starts.
Kazakhstan 0 - 4 England
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05 June, 2009
More Humiliation for the Government
Not that it was in the least bit unexpected. Given the recent expenses debacle and the flurry of resignations, it was pretty obvious that the people were going to express their displeasure at the polls.
Out of the 34 councils that took part in the local elections, the Conservatives gained 7, taking their total to 30, the Lib Dems lost one, leaving them in control of just 1 and Labour lost the 4 they held previously, leaving them with a big fat 0. The remaining 3 are under no overall control.
In the European elections there was more misery in store for Gordon Brown. Although Labour only lost 5 MEPs, the Conservatives took a commanding lead, with 25 MEPs, compared to the government's 13. Overall, the EU council took a much more centre-right stance. Just to hammer the point home, Labour were beaten into 3rd place by the UK Independence Party (also with 13 MEPs) on vote percentage.
Rather worrying was the fact the BNP (or British Nazi Party as I like to call them) gained 2 seats in the EU council. I sincerely hope their rise in popularity was purely down to protest votes and that the majority of people who put an X against their name, don't actually agree with their policies.
UK & Euro Elections 2009
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23 May, 2009
Dishonourable Members...
Well, well...So it turns out MPs of every ilk are as bad as each other. After ex-SAS officer John Wick let this particular cat out of the bag, my opinion of the officials we elect to serve us has sunk to an all-time low.
If it were just one or two that had been caught with their noses in the trough, it wouldn't be so surprising, but the sheer number of MPs that are coming out, apologising and promising to repay their unjustly claimed expenses, is quite shocking. Even more so, the arrogant, unapologetic ones, who are evidently too stupid to realise what they've done wrong.
Still, at least this is leading to a review of MPs expenses, which will hopefully close a lot of the loopholes that have allowed them to buy second homes and furnish them, or at least pay greatly reduced rents on their properties, at the taxpayers' expense.
MPs Expenses
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24 April, 2009
A Pigging Nuisance
All this fuss about Swine Flu! Looks like once again the government is doing its best to create a panic over a relatively minor problem. Why? Am I missing something? Okay, we've had a number of cases over here but it doesn't look even remotely close to turning into an epidemic. For the record I came down with what I assume was normal flu and had to take a couple of days off work. Felt pretty rough for a few days, but regular doses of Lemsip and plenty of rest did the trick.
Swine Flu
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17 March, 2009
Freedom of Expression - a double-edged sword
It really infuriates me, the way some people abuse the freedoms they enjoy in this country. I'm referring to the Muslim fundaMENTALISTS who held a protest and hurled abuse at the Royal Anglian Regiment troops parading through Luton, celebrating the completion of 2 tours of duty in Iraq.
I wouldn't have minded if it had been a peaceful, dignified protest, but no. They had to scream vile slanderous crap about our troops raping and killing women and children, waving placards bearing slogans like "Burn in Hell!"
They would do well to remember the only reason they are able to do that is because our armed forces fought for and won this country's freedom over 60 years ago and that our troops today are trying to do the same for Iraq. They should also remember its the government that sent the troops out there in the first place. If they have a problem, they should protest outside Downing Street. Better still, they should sod off to Iran...I'm sure they'd prefer life there.
Personally, I'd have been happy if the police had not intervened when some of the local townsfolk took exception to their protest. People like that don't deserve the kind of freedoms we have here. Its a shame President Obama decided to close Guantanamo Bay...those idiots could do with a few years in there.
Muslims protest in Luton
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16 February, 2009
To Quote Slipknot, People = Shit!
Once again, I'm left wondering how I manage to attract so many idiots! At the weekend I was returning home and happened to be cycling on the pavement, as I sometimes do (its not like its illegal or anything!) when I come across a car parked mostly on the pavement, the doors were open and I couldn't get past. I said "excuse me, please" to the elderly gent standing in my way and the old git starts chuntering away in broken, heavily accented English (he sounded French) about how I shouldn't be on the pavement. So I think to myself "to hell with this" and I push the car door shut, pushing him aside in the process and continue on my merry way. The old French git hurls more abuse after me...like I care.
Similar incident happened today while I was cycling to work...on the road this time. I reach an old narrow Roman bridge that spans the river between the village where I live and the town I work in, when some prat in a car behind me starts honking at me. Without looking round I slow down as much as I can, without falling off and give the driver the bird. The driver continues leaning on the horn and revving the engine...again, like I care. I pull onto the pavement once across the bridge (by choice) and the idiot races past, still hooting at me.
Its enough to make you believe in Karma. If its real, I must've done some pretty bad stuff in a previous life to get this kind of grief!
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12 February, 2009
Reality Check for England (Spain 2 - 0 England)
Tonight's friendly against Spain (current European champions and ranked No.1 in the world) was something of a reality check, after all the hype surrounding England's much-improved performances under Fabio Capello. Despite fielding a weakened team, we weren't actually that bad...it was just that Spain were SO good. Particularly galling as about half the Spanish team currently play for Liverpool.
Capello upbeat after England loss
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8 February, 2009
Wanker Bankers
I was reminded of how little justice there is in the world, after watching the evening news and hearing that the bosses of HBOS and Lloyds received annual salaries, ranging from £750,000 to £1.5m. As usual, when the crap hits the fan, its always the ordinary people that end up paying the price.
As if that weren't bad enough, the incompetent moron responsible for ruining RBS (one Sir Fred Goodwin) is determined to hang on to his £700k a year pension, while avoiding admitting any personal responsibility!
Brown "very angry" about bonuses
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