Monday, March 31, 2003
Not long after Terry Venables walks away from Leeds, the chairman follows. Its a dangerous game that some Premiership clubs are playing. Spending millions on players in an attempt to reach the holy grail of the Champion's League.
For the succesful ones there's glory and megabucks. For the one's that don't quite get there...well look at Leeds. Man City might be in the same position in a couple of seasons the way things are going.
Let's hope not eh ??
CNN/Reuters: News reports have filtered out early this morning that US
forces have swooped on an Iraqi Primary School and detained teacher Mohammed
Al-Hazar. Sources indicate that, when arrested, Al-Hazar was in possession
of a ruler, a protractor, a set square and a calculator.
US President George W Bush argued that this was clear and overwhelming
evidence that Iraq indeed possessed weapons of maths instruction.
Sunday, March 30, 2003
"We should not believe the observations of armchair generals, commentators, who were suggesting that this was a short campaign "
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon 30th March 2003
Yes Geoff, because those observations came from the Anti-War brigade didn't they ? I mean, God knows, you were never off the TV a couple of weeks ago. Telling us that this would be a long, protracted, drawn out, messy, buggeration of a war weren't you ? You and your mates, Bush, Blair, Rumsfield, Cheney and the rest. Well you couldn't get 'em off the TV and Radio could you ? "It's not going to be a short campaign !" they shouted. "It won't all be over in a couple of weeks !" they reasoned. "It will be messy", they said. "It will be body-count heavy" and, "we will lose a lot of 'our boys' as we struggle, manfully, to bring democracy back to Eyerack".
Do these people actually believe the shite they come out with. I mean, pro or anti, let's not start trying to re-invent the past -especially when it's only a week ago.
Was it George Orwell who said "he who controls the past, controls the present. He who controls the present, controls the future".
Big Wheels Turning.
Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon 30th March 2003
Yes Geoff, because those observations came from the Anti-War brigade didn't they ? I mean, God knows, you were never off the TV a couple of weeks ago. Telling us that this would be a long, protracted, drawn out, messy, buggeration of a war weren't you ? You and your mates, Bush, Blair, Rumsfield, Cheney and the rest. Well you couldn't get 'em off the TV and Radio could you ? "It's not going to be a short campaign !" they shouted. "It won't all be over in a couple of weeks !" they reasoned. "It will be messy", they said. "It will be body-count heavy" and, "we will lose a lot of 'our boys' as we struggle, manfully, to bring democracy back to Eyerack".
Do these people actually believe the shite they come out with. I mean, pro or anti, let's not start trying to re-invent the past -especially when it's only a week ago.
Was it George Orwell who said "he who controls the past, controls the present. He who controls the present, controls the future".
Big Wheels Turning.
Sport (The Odd Boy)
Go on – look the title up !
3rd form at the local grammar school, around 1967-68. Picture the scene: It’s just after ‘games’ – football if I remember correctly. Around 40 to 50 13 and 14 year old boys are milling about the changing rooms in various states of undress. Some are in the showers that are, strangely, situated in the centre of the changing rooms with 2 open ends. You just walked in and out. I think there were 3 or 4 shower heads on either side.
Because of the design of the showers one of the best ‘games’ we used to play was a kind of ice hockey using a bar of soap as the ‘puck’. 2 teams of 2 or 3 bollock naked kids would slide around on their bare arses whacking the soap with their hands. What made this possible was the fact that all the showers would be on at the same time - creating enough water to aquaplane on. The object, of course, was to get the soap through the open ends.
This activity however was severely frowned on by the PT masters. To be caught in the act brought severe (and extremely corporal) punishment down on the heads of the perpetrators.
As a recipient of punishments diverse and varied over the entire period of my attendance at this place I had decided that, henceforth, my behaviour would be as pure as the driven snow. On this particular windy March afternoon it wasn’t a hard decision not to get involved. It was bloody freezing !
I still needed a shower though as I was covered from head to foot in mud. Normally – being a 13 year old –you just knew that you didn’t need a shower at all. If there was no crap on your face you’d simply whip off the footy kit and whip on the uniform and no one would be the wiser. Underneath the clothing you could be almost baking in solidified clay, Thing-like. But, as I said, no one would have the faintest idea. (At least until they spotted the sediment dusting the floor where you stood as the clay dried.) But today I needed a shower. I did. Unfortunately I was covered from head to foot in a combination of God’s own earth and whatever fertiliser the caretaker had been spreading on it !
So I kept out of the way till the others grew bored of aquaplaning and decided to start kicking a football about instead.
This was my cue to get in the shower and NOT get involved in the ball kicking.
So there I am washing the effluent out of my hair, nostrils and armpits, when the ball bounces into the shower through one of the open ends. Tantalisingly, it hung at about knee height - right in front of me. I defy anyone who has ever kicked a ball in anger to be able to resist the opportunity of volleying it as far and as hard as you possibly can - in that situation.
And I did. Christ I DID !! Sweet as a nut. I connected with my unshod foot and cracked that ball better than any Pele, Charlton or Ronaldo..
The next 3 seconds or so took around 5 minutes to evolve. I watched open-mouthed as the ball bent perfectly round the open shower-end. I bent the bastard like Beckham. My chin dropped to the floor as that ball inexorably motored towards the windows that ran the full length of the wall at around 8 feet off the ground.
“Oh for f*ck’s sake !!!” It almost went straight through the window. But, content just to smash it, the ball fell back to the floor. A second of shocked silence, then the entire place erupted into a crescendo of spotty adolescents pointing, jeering and laughing. “Bugger ! I’ll not get away with this.” Too many witnesses you see. Too many to keep ‘em all quiet. Too many that weren’t exactly members of my fan club anyhow. Not that I was unpopular, far from it. I made and kept some good mates at school. But the dynamics of school life ensured that, eventually, someone would ‘sing like a bird’.
Desperate times demand desperate measures and my solution was desperate indeed.
I would own up. I would tell them it was me. I did it ! That smashed window was my fault. Bravely I would go to the gym teacher and admit all !
I just wouldn’t tell them I did it kicking a ball that’s all ! I mean, sod that !
Remember, these were the days when punishment WAS punishment. They used to hit us with canes. Sticks. Hands, shoes, huge, weighty tomes.....anything they could get their hands on. You know - ‘Spare the Rod’ !!
As my plan developed, I became increasingly confident. This was copper-bottomed, gold-plated genius. Leftfield, blue sky thinking ! I was so proud !
My idea was to tell them I was closing the window on account of the freezing cold weather. As I was engaged in this activity, the high winds, (no lies there, it WAS extremely windy), blew the window shut......and the force smashed it as it closed.
Heh Heh.......beautiful.
So, off I went in search of authority – someone I could spill the beans to. It took me at least quarter of an hour before I chanced upon the Deputy Headmaster. Harry Travis was a strange amalgam of a human. Upright – as you’d expect, deputy head of a grammar after all – but somehow vulnerable. We always knew it, even as 1st formers. We could sense that he didn’t have the absolute authority of the Head and, moreover, some of the bog-standard teaching staff were more Gestapo-like than Harry.
His nickname, for some reason that I don’t think any of us knew, was Harry Bogg. Strangely it was always spelt Bogg, not Bog. I suspect it was handed down from some earlier 4B, 3C or 2A. As far as I recall he wasn’t christened by any of my contemporaries. No doubt if I posted a request for info on friendsreunited I might find the answer. But I digress.
I confessed to Harry. He was delighted. I – being an uncharitable oik from 3c – immediately reasoned he was just happy because he had a child to beat. But I was wrong. Harry Bogg was so impressed that I’d had the courage, the nerve, the honesty to come forward and admit to my accident that he took me to see the Headmaster.
Skinhead (aka The Headmaster) was also suitably impressed. The pair of them stood there in the Head’s study praising me like they were the media in general and I was David Beckham. Phrases were bandied about: “proud of you”, “this shows character”, “backbone”, “Empire” and Christ knows what else.
After a suitable amount of time - and praise, it was decided I would take Harry to the scene of the crime. I can remember that walk. “Thank God for that. They fell for it. Whoa am I good ? Or am I good ? Phew! “
I can remember actually walking into the changing rooms.
I can remember looking up at the broken window before Harry could’ve done. After all, he didn’t know where it was, did he ?
I can remember the cold horror of realising that not all the windows opened.
I can remember zooming in on ‘my window’. It didn’t open. The wind couldn’t have blown this shut – it was fixed, and had been since the jolly glazier chap first fixed it.
Alibi blown out of the water. Newly acquired reputation shot to buggery. Life = ‘hell from now on !’
Is there a moral here you ask ? Yes there is.
Next time you find yourself in a position where you have to lie through your hind teeth. Do some basic research BEFORE you open your mouth. ESPECIALLY in times of warfare.
Go on – look the title up !
3rd form at the local grammar school, around 1967-68. Picture the scene: It’s just after ‘games’ – football if I remember correctly. Around 40 to 50 13 and 14 year old boys are milling about the changing rooms in various states of undress. Some are in the showers that are, strangely, situated in the centre of the changing rooms with 2 open ends. You just walked in and out. I think there were 3 or 4 shower heads on either side.
Because of the design of the showers one of the best ‘games’ we used to play was a kind of ice hockey using a bar of soap as the ‘puck’. 2 teams of 2 or 3 bollock naked kids would slide around on their bare arses whacking the soap with their hands. What made this possible was the fact that all the showers would be on at the same time - creating enough water to aquaplane on. The object, of course, was to get the soap through the open ends.
This activity however was severely frowned on by the PT masters. To be caught in the act brought severe (and extremely corporal) punishment down on the heads of the perpetrators.
As a recipient of punishments diverse and varied over the entire period of my attendance at this place I had decided that, henceforth, my behaviour would be as pure as the driven snow. On this particular windy March afternoon it wasn’t a hard decision not to get involved. It was bloody freezing !
I still needed a shower though as I was covered from head to foot in mud. Normally – being a 13 year old –you just knew that you didn’t need a shower at all. If there was no crap on your face you’d simply whip off the footy kit and whip on the uniform and no one would be the wiser. Underneath the clothing you could be almost baking in solidified clay, Thing-like. But, as I said, no one would have the faintest idea. (At least until they spotted the sediment dusting the floor where you stood as the clay dried.) But today I needed a shower. I did. Unfortunately I was covered from head to foot in a combination of God’s own earth and whatever fertiliser the caretaker had been spreading on it !
So I kept out of the way till the others grew bored of aquaplaning and decided to start kicking a football about instead.
This was my cue to get in the shower and NOT get involved in the ball kicking.
So there I am washing the effluent out of my hair, nostrils and armpits, when the ball bounces into the shower through one of the open ends. Tantalisingly, it hung at about knee height - right in front of me. I defy anyone who has ever kicked a ball in anger to be able to resist the opportunity of volleying it as far and as hard as you possibly can - in that situation.
And I did. Christ I DID !! Sweet as a nut. I connected with my unshod foot and cracked that ball better than any Pele, Charlton or Ronaldo..
The next 3 seconds or so took around 5 minutes to evolve. I watched open-mouthed as the ball bent perfectly round the open shower-end. I bent the bastard like Beckham. My chin dropped to the floor as that ball inexorably motored towards the windows that ran the full length of the wall at around 8 feet off the ground.
“Oh for f*ck’s sake !!!” It almost went straight through the window. But, content just to smash it, the ball fell back to the floor. A second of shocked silence, then the entire place erupted into a crescendo of spotty adolescents pointing, jeering and laughing. “Bugger ! I’ll not get away with this.” Too many witnesses you see. Too many to keep ‘em all quiet. Too many that weren’t exactly members of my fan club anyhow. Not that I was unpopular, far from it. I made and kept some good mates at school. But the dynamics of school life ensured that, eventually, someone would ‘sing like a bird’.
Desperate times demand desperate measures and my solution was desperate indeed.
I would own up. I would tell them it was me. I did it ! That smashed window was my fault. Bravely I would go to the gym teacher and admit all !
I just wouldn’t tell them I did it kicking a ball that’s all ! I mean, sod that !
Remember, these were the days when punishment WAS punishment. They used to hit us with canes. Sticks. Hands, shoes, huge, weighty tomes.....anything they could get their hands on. You know - ‘Spare the Rod’ !!
As my plan developed, I became increasingly confident. This was copper-bottomed, gold-plated genius. Leftfield, blue sky thinking ! I was so proud !
My idea was to tell them I was closing the window on account of the freezing cold weather. As I was engaged in this activity, the high winds, (no lies there, it WAS extremely windy), blew the window shut......and the force smashed it as it closed.
Heh Heh.......beautiful.
So, off I went in search of authority – someone I could spill the beans to. It took me at least quarter of an hour before I chanced upon the Deputy Headmaster. Harry Travis was a strange amalgam of a human. Upright – as you’d expect, deputy head of a grammar after all – but somehow vulnerable. We always knew it, even as 1st formers. We could sense that he didn’t have the absolute authority of the Head and, moreover, some of the bog-standard teaching staff were more Gestapo-like than Harry.
His nickname, for some reason that I don’t think any of us knew, was Harry Bogg. Strangely it was always spelt Bogg, not Bog. I suspect it was handed down from some earlier 4B, 3C or 2A. As far as I recall he wasn’t christened by any of my contemporaries. No doubt if I posted a request for info on friendsreunited I might find the answer. But I digress.
I confessed to Harry. He was delighted. I – being an uncharitable oik from 3c – immediately reasoned he was just happy because he had a child to beat. But I was wrong. Harry Bogg was so impressed that I’d had the courage, the nerve, the honesty to come forward and admit to my accident that he took me to see the Headmaster.
Skinhead (aka The Headmaster) was also suitably impressed. The pair of them stood there in the Head’s study praising me like they were the media in general and I was David Beckham. Phrases were bandied about: “proud of you”, “this shows character”, “backbone”, “Empire” and Christ knows what else.
After a suitable amount of time - and praise, it was decided I would take Harry to the scene of the crime. I can remember that walk. “Thank God for that. They fell for it. Whoa am I good ? Or am I good ? Phew! “
I can remember actually walking into the changing rooms.
I can remember looking up at the broken window before Harry could’ve done. After all, he didn’t know where it was, did he ?
I can remember the cold horror of realising that not all the windows opened.
I can remember zooming in on ‘my window’. It didn’t open. The wind couldn’t have blown this shut – it was fixed, and had been since the jolly glazier chap first fixed it.
Alibi blown out of the water. Newly acquired reputation shot to buggery. Life = ‘hell from now on !’
Is there a moral here you ask ? Yes there is.
Next time you find yourself in a position where you have to lie through your hind teeth. Do some basic research BEFORE you open your mouth. ESPECIALLY in times of warfare.
I was just reading my blog about the Peter Green concert and noticed I'd mentioned "Little Willie John". Bluesman from the early 50s - I think. This got me to thinking: "Little Willie John" ? Was he just short, or did he indeed have a little willy ? A willy that was actually that small, it necessitated a soubriquet that drew attention to the fact ! Possibly in order to warn women (or men) that: he may have fired you up with 'The Devil's Music', but, by God you're gonna be mightily disappointed later.
I think if anyone knows the answer to this it would be Paul Gambacini or, at a pinch, John Peel.
Or even. perhaps, Mrs Little Willie John !
I think if anyone knows the answer to this it would be Paul Gambacini or, at a pinch, John Peel.
Or even. perhaps, Mrs Little Willie John !
Well – here’s a turn up for the books. The Kabul-liberating, burqua-clad John Simpson has admitted that he got it seriously wrong about how long the current hostilities would drag on. Speaking on BBC 5Live this morning he confessed that he thought it would be over by now.
He reasoned that the superior weaponry of the ‘coalition’, allied to the low morale and absolute hatred of all things Saddam on the part of the Iraqi population would have finished off the regime by now.
Well done that man ! Occupied Country, at least, salutes you. Does anyone know of any other journalist, politician, commentator or even colleague who would so readily admit to.....errr.....lack of judgement....over confidence......I don’t really know what phrase best sums up Mr Simpson’s candour.
Nonetheless, congratulations John – I’ve always liked you even though I think your books are a bit turgid.
Looks like the blogger site’s been down. I’ve actually typed this up in Word which gives me the option of spell-checking so this entry, at least, should be error free. Strange the way the brain overtakes the fingers and you end up thinking words but not actually typing them. To compound this, when you read back what you’ve written, your brain confuses you into thinking the words are actually there. Well sometimes it does.......or is it just me ???
Joy of joys !!! A comment has appeared from the Frozen North. I must admit to once being extremely upset at being called a Southerner in a bar in Nairn. But I guess that being referred to as a ‘Northern Monkey’ by anyone who lives south of Watford has made it hard for me to accept that – according to some – I too am Southern !!! Anyway thanks for your kind words Peter. Yours was the first Blog that ever caught my attention. Supremely readable, humorous and honest. I know that sometimes you get a little pissed off, but please keep it up.
I sometimes use this PC to record music on using a fabulously cheap piece of software called ntrack. If anyone redaing this is remotely interested in using the PC for this type of activity then this is the program for you. If anyone would like to listen, I've added a link at the side. (Eeeee am gerring gud at this html mallarkey am't a ?)
He reasoned that the superior weaponry of the ‘coalition’, allied to the low morale and absolute hatred of all things Saddam on the part of the Iraqi population would have finished off the regime by now.
Well done that man ! Occupied Country, at least, salutes you. Does anyone know of any other journalist, politician, commentator or even colleague who would so readily admit to.....errr.....lack of judgement....over confidence......I don’t really know what phrase best sums up Mr Simpson’s candour.
Nonetheless, congratulations John – I’ve always liked you even though I think your books are a bit turgid.
Looks like the blogger site’s been down. I’ve actually typed this up in Word which gives me the option of spell-checking so this entry, at least, should be error free. Strange the way the brain overtakes the fingers and you end up thinking words but not actually typing them. To compound this, when you read back what you’ve written, your brain confuses you into thinking the words are actually there. Well sometimes it does.......or is it just me ???
Joy of joys !!! A comment has appeared from the Frozen North. I must admit to once being extremely upset at being called a Southerner in a bar in Nairn. But I guess that being referred to as a ‘Northern Monkey’ by anyone who lives south of Watford has made it hard for me to accept that – according to some – I too am Southern !!! Anyway thanks for your kind words Peter. Yours was the first Blog that ever caught my attention. Supremely readable, humorous and honest. I know that sometimes you get a little pissed off, but please keep it up.
I sometimes use this PC to record music on using a fabulously cheap piece of software called ntrack. If anyone redaing this is remotely interested in using the PC for this type of activity then this is the program for you. If anyone would like to listen, I've added a link at the side. (Eeeee am gerring gud at this html mallarkey am't a ?)
Saturday, March 29, 2003
Oh no...things might go a little quiet on here. I've just got a copy of Championship Manager 4 - hot off the press. This is, without a doubt, the greatest football amangement game EVER invented. Can't wait - C'mon City !!!! Bye for now !
Went to see Peter Green last night - a great night with 3 of mates from way back. There's snapgallery here. Neil, Dave and Ronnie were good company all evening. Beer flowed, jokes were told and the music was, at times, sublime.
A friend of the kids who works as a reporter on a local rag had acquired a couple of complimentary tickets for me as long as I wrote a review of the concert. We were able to blag some decent seats as a result of this. The only down side was some drunken pillock who 'had a band to promote' boring the pants off me for 10 minutes or so.
Biggest laugh of the night had to be the appearance of 3 of the oldest hippies you're ever likely to see. (Certainly in Manchester anyway - they were all put down or run out of town during The Pistol's legendary gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall back in '76). No sooner had the music started than they were up 'idiot dancing' at the front of the stage. Took us back did that I'll tell yer !
First draft of the review follows:-
Green Plays the Blues !
Men and women of a certain age flocked to The Civic Centre on Friday evening as one of the world’s greatest blues musicians took to the stage. The good old days of the 60s were recaptured and, for a few hours at least, the cares and woes of the present could be forgotten. You almost smell the Patchouli and Incense !
The Peter Green Splinter Group played a masterful set that was an impressive collection of blues standards, self-penned material and some of Green’s early Fleetwood Mac classics. Opening with the Elmore James standard “Believe my Time Ain’t Long”, the band interspersed the evening with tracks from their latest album “Reaching the Cold 100”.
Nigel Watson must take a lot of credit for enticing Peter back to performing live, and it is evident that he provides a great deal of support when on stage. He takes a number of solos and allows Peter to jump from slide guitar to standard guitar and also throw in some divine harmonica playing. The rest of the band: Roger Cotton – keyboards and rhythm guitar, Pete Stroud – bass and Larry Tolfree – drums, provide a solid rhythm section.
The highlights of the evening, though, were undoubtedly the 60s classics. Green admitted to me later that he finds playing these old tunes a little boring but wryly added that the rest of the band think they’re great – so that’s why they play them.
An instrumental version of “Man of the World”, Little Willie John’s immaculate “Need Your Love So Bad”, “Black Magic Woman” and a masterful performance of “The Green Manaleshi” sent the crowd home happy.
The band were available for chatting, autographs and purchasing CDs later and it was evident that Mr Green is relaxed, full of humour and is obviously enjoying life. He’s still full of the blues though.
Well it might get edited a bit. we'll see. I think I'll see if they're interested in any of my photographs as well. Who knows ?
A friend of the kids who works as a reporter on a local rag had acquired a couple of complimentary tickets for me as long as I wrote a review of the concert. We were able to blag some decent seats as a result of this. The only down side was some drunken pillock who 'had a band to promote' boring the pants off me for 10 minutes or so.
Biggest laugh of the night had to be the appearance of 3 of the oldest hippies you're ever likely to see. (Certainly in Manchester anyway - they were all put down or run out of town during The Pistol's legendary gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall back in '76). No sooner had the music started than they were up 'idiot dancing' at the front of the stage. Took us back did that I'll tell yer !
First draft of the review follows:-
Green Plays the Blues !
Men and women of a certain age flocked to The Civic Centre on Friday evening as one of the world’s greatest blues musicians took to the stage. The good old days of the 60s were recaptured and, for a few hours at least, the cares and woes of the present could be forgotten. You almost smell the Patchouli and Incense !
The Peter Green Splinter Group played a masterful set that was an impressive collection of blues standards, self-penned material and some of Green’s early Fleetwood Mac classics. Opening with the Elmore James standard “Believe my Time Ain’t Long”, the band interspersed the evening with tracks from their latest album “Reaching the Cold 100”.
Nigel Watson must take a lot of credit for enticing Peter back to performing live, and it is evident that he provides a great deal of support when on stage. He takes a number of solos and allows Peter to jump from slide guitar to standard guitar and also throw in some divine harmonica playing. The rest of the band: Roger Cotton – keyboards and rhythm guitar, Pete Stroud – bass and Larry Tolfree – drums, provide a solid rhythm section.
The highlights of the evening, though, were undoubtedly the 60s classics. Green admitted to me later that he finds playing these old tunes a little boring but wryly added that the rest of the band think they’re great – so that’s why they play them.
An instrumental version of “Man of the World”, Little Willie John’s immaculate “Need Your Love So Bad”, “Black Magic Woman” and a masterful performance of “The Green Manaleshi” sent the crowd home happy.
The band were available for chatting, autographs and purchasing CDs later and it was evident that Mr Green is relaxed, full of humour and is obviously enjoying life. He’s still full of the blues though.
Well it might get edited a bit. we'll see. I think I'll see if they're interested in any of my photographs as well. Who knows ?
Friday, March 28, 2003
Will this blog still be here - in its entireity - 20, 30......40 years from now ? I very much doubt it. If it was on paper there would be no problem. But this new technogy...........
Which brings me to my question: "can these Blogs be backed up somewhere ?" I mean onto CD or something. Or do we enter the virtual universe that is Occupied Country and find it all gone ?
We need to be told !
Well this is Thursday so we've been to the quiz night in the local pub (T'Willow). Quite a few of us turn up these days so we have started to opt for 2 teams as opposed to the bloody humungeous one we used to have ! Mouse 1 and Mouse 2 we are now christened. My two lads pretty much always appear with assorted mates. Tonight we had Jon (eldest - 29), Ellis (youngest - 27), Captain Couch (Scottish, ex Navy, mate of the kids), McJanet (also Scottish, girlfriend of the captain). Later Big Brian the United supporting, Stella drinking, larger than life 'loveable rogue' appeared with Jenny his girlfriend. Thus was comprised "Mouse 2". Mouse 1 consists of myself, Dearest, George, Janet his wife, les and, occasionally G & J's son and daughter-in-law, Ian and Hannah.
Later, back home with Jon and Ellis. Dearest was asleep on the settee with the remnants of a fine Lambrusco settled in a wine glass by her side. A discussion regarding the current altercation occurring not far from Cyprus ensued. Jon and myself think Bush is in it for Oil contracts after the Yanks have won. Ellis disagreed. Pointless arguing I find, absolutely pointless.
Am I the only one, apart from BBC Five Live, who can remember Rumsfield talking about '6 days' to finish off Saddam ??? Can't find a referenece on the web.
PS George Bush sounded well out of his depth at today's joint (Blair, Bush) press shindig.
PPS Who's trying to knock out the only alternative take on the proceedings ?
The first casualty of war is truth they say. Remember the 'Kuwaiti Babies thrown out of incubater story of the last Gulf War ? Will the insinuation that the missiles in the shopping district the other day may have come from someone other than the marines be up there (with a bullet so to speak), jostling for number one who knows ? Like The Kuwait Baby nonsense we might have to wait a minimumof 20 years.
Later, back home with Jon and Ellis. Dearest was asleep on the settee with the remnants of a fine Lambrusco settled in a wine glass by her side. A discussion regarding the current altercation occurring not far from Cyprus ensued. Jon and myself think Bush is in it for Oil contracts after the Yanks have won. Ellis disagreed. Pointless arguing I find, absolutely pointless.
Am I the only one, apart from BBC Five Live, who can remember Rumsfield talking about '6 days' to finish off Saddam ??? Can't find a referenece on the web.
PS George Bush sounded well out of his depth at today's joint (Blair, Bush) press shindig.
PPS Who's trying to knock out the only alternative take on the proceedings ?
The first casualty of war is truth they say. Remember the 'Kuwaiti Babies thrown out of incubater story of the last Gulf War ? Will the insinuation that the missiles in the shopping district the other day may have come from someone other than the marines be up there (with a bullet so to speak), jostling for number one who knows ? Like The Kuwait Baby nonsense we might have to wait a minimumof 20 years.
Wednesday, March 26, 2003
Woah ! I've been looking around various Blogs and trying to figure out how they get all the fancy stuff (links, images etc), that make their pages so....welcoming ? readable ? Oh....what's the word ?? Alluring that's it. So then, I decided to start looking at what was on offer from various sites. Finally figured that Grey Matter could be the way to go. It looks stylish (well Noah's Page does), open and...free !! But Jesus its complicated. I never could get my head round html etc.
Good job I don't work in the computer industry...ho ho ho.
I'm off to see Peter Green on Friday evening. He's playing the Middleton Civic Centre between Rochdale and Manchester. I've seen him before supporting BB King at the MEN Arena. There I thought he and the band were a little overwhelmed by the size of the place, but the Civic should be nice and cosy. I'm writing a review for it for the Middleton Guardian and I'm hoping to get an interview with the great man as well.
More hypocrisy in the middle East today. More 'friendly fire' killings and, inevitably, innocent civilians blasted back into the ether as they went about their everyday business. Shame on ALL the politicians who wouldn't exhaust ALL political avenues before resorting to the bombs and the blood and the entrails of modern warfare.
Good job I don't work in the computer industry...ho ho ho.
I'm off to see Peter Green on Friday evening. He's playing the Middleton Civic Centre between Rochdale and Manchester. I've seen him before supporting BB King at the MEN Arena. There I thought he and the band were a little overwhelmed by the size of the place, but the Civic should be nice and cosy. I'm writing a review for it for the Middleton Guardian and I'm hoping to get an interview with the great man as well.
More hypocrisy in the middle East today. More 'friendly fire' killings and, inevitably, innocent civilians blasted back into the ether as they went about their everyday business. Shame on ALL the politicians who wouldn't exhaust ALL political avenues before resorting to the bombs and the blood and the entrails of modern warfare.
I'm so sick of hearing and seeing the blanket coverage of George's War, that I decided to post some photos on the web. Photos that I've been meaning to put somewhere for a while now. So here you will find a photographic record of the madness that was Amsterdam 2002, and my Mam and Dad's 50th wedding anniversary in March 2003.
Thinking of upgrading this blog to Blog Spot Plus. I think I'll probably give it a week or two though. see if I keep it up. I must admit it's good to get things off your chest and out of your head sometimes.
With refernce to the City thing yesterday, I've scanned the programme from my first ever game. I'll stick on the web in the next few days.
Sleep beginning to clutch at my eyes and brain. Time for bed sleepy head. The Sandman's on his way.
Thinking of upgrading this blog to Blog Spot Plus. I think I'll probably give it a week or two though. see if I keep it up. I must admit it's good to get things off your chest and out of your head sometimes.
With refernce to the City thing yesterday, I've scanned the programme from my first ever game. I'll stick on the web in the next few days.
Sleep beginning to clutch at my eyes and brain. Time for bed sleepy head. The Sandman's on his way.
Monday, March 24, 2003
After having to watch City play like little boys on Saturday, I am now confronted with the awful news that Maine Rd is to be demolished afetr w e move out at the end of this season !
On the 4th February 1967 I went there for the first time. The Monkees were riding high with "I'm a Believer", the first summer of love was a few month's off and City were back in the First Division playing Blackpool. Blackpool, incidently, were still a team to be reckoned with. If I remeber rightly Jimmy Armield was still playing for them and they also boasted a young Emlyn Hughes. They were not the glory team they had been but were still First Division material nonetheless. I was 14 and, fortunately, City were about to embark on the most successful period in their history. Over the next few years We would win the First Division Championship, FA Cup, European Cup Winner's Cup and League Cup.
So now, after May 11th, I guess it won't be long before its just a housing estate or something :-(
On the 4th February 1967 I went there for the first time. The Monkees were riding high with "I'm a Believer", the first summer of love was a few month's off and City were back in the First Division playing Blackpool. Blackpool, incidently, were still a team to be reckoned with. If I remeber rightly Jimmy Armield was still playing for them and they also boasted a young Emlyn Hughes. They were not the glory team they had been but were still First Division material nonetheless. I was 14 and, fortunately, City were about to embark on the most successful period in their history. Over the next few years We would win the First Division Championship, FA Cup, European Cup Winner's Cup and League Cup.
So now, after May 11th, I guess it won't be long before its just a housing estate or something :-(
Ah well....back from ‘The Smoke’ with a broken heart. An abject display from the boys in laser blue as Chewsea tore us apart.A great day out though. We set off at 8:30ish from Manchester and arrived at the Travelodge Battersea around 11:45. A quick shower and change of clothing and we decide to walk to Stamford Bridge as a) it’s a lovely, sunny, spring day and b) the geographically-challenged receptionist told us it was only a mile. Just short of an hour later we arrive – late - at The East Stand where our hosts for the day (SCC) meet us and take us up to the DiMatteo suite.
An excellent 3 course meal, as much free alcohol as you want, and a great game of football to look forward to. Doh – well two out of three ain’t bad !
Our seats were in the Director’s area. Stuart Pierce sat in front of us, Glenn Hoddle, Manu Petit, DiMatteo himself and Frank Lampard Snr could all be seen behind us. The sun shone down on an impressive Stamford Bridge and, for 35 minutes, I thought “we could get something here”. Then Zola wove his magic and started a goal fest and, 5-0 later we are all back in the DiMatteo suite drowning our sorrows in yet more free loony-juice.
Our little party finally left at around 8:00pm with Chewsea goodie-bags and bottles of Chewsea wine. A few drinks in pubs round the ground and on the King’s road before catching a Taxi back to the hotel. Sad to say he tried ripping us off by taking us all over the place. When we pointed out that we weren’t too happy, the £9.00 fare became £5.00 remarkably easily.
Full of the ‘good ideas’ that only excessive drinking can produce, we decided that a quick shower and change of clothes was in order before we went out for the evening. 30 minutes later we are walking towards Battersea Bridge Road stinking of freshly applied aftershave. We come across a pub called The Asparagus and venture inside. A truly soulless place; devoid of atmosphere. It was like drinking in an upmarket Doctor’s waiting room. I guess that kind of killed our enthusiasm and, within 15 minutes, we were walking back to the hotel. Bed followed at 11:00-ish.
To make things worse Man United had gone back to top of the League after beating Fulham 3-0 !
Still at least I’m not in Iraq being killed by my fellow coalitionists.
An excellent 3 course meal, as much free alcohol as you want, and a great game of football to look forward to. Doh – well two out of three ain’t bad !
Our seats were in the Director’s area. Stuart Pierce sat in front of us, Glenn Hoddle, Manu Petit, DiMatteo himself and Frank Lampard Snr could all be seen behind us. The sun shone down on an impressive Stamford Bridge and, for 35 minutes, I thought “we could get something here”. Then Zola wove his magic and started a goal fest and, 5-0 later we are all back in the DiMatteo suite drowning our sorrows in yet more free loony-juice.
Our little party finally left at around 8:00pm with Chewsea goodie-bags and bottles of Chewsea wine. A few drinks in pubs round the ground and on the King’s road before catching a Taxi back to the hotel. Sad to say he tried ripping us off by taking us all over the place. When we pointed out that we weren’t too happy, the £9.00 fare became £5.00 remarkably easily.
Full of the ‘good ideas’ that only excessive drinking can produce, we decided that a quick shower and change of clothes was in order before we went out for the evening. 30 minutes later we are walking towards Battersea Bridge Road stinking of freshly applied aftershave. We come across a pub called The Asparagus and venture inside. A truly soulless place; devoid of atmosphere. It was like drinking in an upmarket Doctor’s waiting room. I guess that kind of killed our enthusiasm and, within 15 minutes, we were walking back to the hotel. Bed followed at 11:00-ish.
To make things worse Man United had gone back to top of the League after beating Fulham 3-0 !
Still at least I’m not in Iraq being killed by my fellow coalitionists.
Friday, March 21, 2003
Finished at 1-0-clock today. Elaine met me in the car and then off to Cheshire Oaks Outlet Village for Trainers (Reebock £24) and a few polo tops. I can take this manic shopping experience about once a year. Its still mucho difficult though.
News this morning is that a helicopter full of marines has crashed killing 12. Strangely - it seems to me anyway - the respective powers-that-be are falling over themselves to say that this was just an accident and not, repeat not, as a result of enemy action. Personally I think it wuld be better if we thought it was a result of enemy action rather that mere carelessness or, heaven forbid, faulty equipment.
Anyway its Friday so its off to the pub in a mo.
And I'm off to see Man City at Chelsea tomorrow. Picked up at 8, driven down, dinner and then the match in a box at Stamford Bridge (never been there before), and a night out in the smoke. Just hope that Kevin's Boys win the day. Can't stand Ken Bates. Might take the digicam and stick some links to pics on here.
Leeds have parted company with Terry Venables after a torrid few months as manager. While he was there Risdale (The Leeds chairman) has sold Rio Ferdinand, Jonathon Woodgate, Robbie Fowler and Oliver Dacourt to raise cash. Looks like Peter Reid ex Sunderland and Man City manager is taking over.
Its been a lovely spring day today. With more good weather promised for the weekend.
As I type it looks the "shock and awe" part of the Iraq situation is just beginning. The poor sods under that lot will be lucky to come out the other side with a breath left in their bodies.
News this morning is that a helicopter full of marines has crashed killing 12. Strangely - it seems to me anyway - the respective powers-that-be are falling over themselves to say that this was just an accident and not, repeat not, as a result of enemy action. Personally I think it wuld be better if we thought it was a result of enemy action rather that mere carelessness or, heaven forbid, faulty equipment.
Anyway its Friday so its off to the pub in a mo.
And I'm off to see Man City at Chelsea tomorrow. Picked up at 8, driven down, dinner and then the match in a box at Stamford Bridge (never been there before), and a night out in the smoke. Just hope that Kevin's Boys win the day. Can't stand Ken Bates. Might take the digicam and stick some links to pics on here.
Leeds have parted company with Terry Venables after a torrid few months as manager. While he was there Risdale (The Leeds chairman) has sold Rio Ferdinand, Jonathon Woodgate, Robbie Fowler and Oliver Dacourt to raise cash. Looks like Peter Reid ex Sunderland and Man City manager is taking over.
Its been a lovely spring day today. With more good weather promised for the weekend.
As I type it looks the "shock and awe" part of the Iraq situation is just beginning. The poor sods under that lot will be lucky to come out the other side with a breath left in their bodies.
Tony Blair - IF (and it's a big IF) you are privy to knowledge about Saddam that the rest of us poor underlings know nothing of.......such as "Hussein has weopons of mass destruction pointing at us all", then how dare you risk him using them like a cornered rat. I voted for you and you betrayed me and everyone else who voted for you and your jokes of cabinet ministers.
Did I vote for this ???? No I bloody didn't ! Did I vote for Prescott's Law ??? No, No, No and again, NO !!!!
I, personally can't wait for the next election. As was reported yesterday - you've alienated your next set of voters. If you add this to the many, many ex-labour voters you and Prescott have just created, you're gonna struggle Tony.
The BBC come good again though with this "WarLog"
Did I vote for this ???? No I bloody didn't ! Did I vote for Prescott's Law ??? No, No, No and again, NO !!!!
I, personally can't wait for the next election. As was reported yesterday - you've alienated your next set of voters. If you add this to the many, many ex-labour voters you and Prescott have just created, you're gonna struggle Tony.
The BBC come good again though with this "WarLog"
Thursday, March 20, 2003
Well it's all kicking off in Iraq and the various news media are absolutely delighted. Its just one long round of journalist interviewing journalist. Or dragging some fossil out of retirement to conjecturize (is that a word ?) on what may - or may not happen.
Wouldn't have happened back in the 60s. Hell no - the journalists would have just followed the military into the Vietnamese theatre of war, filmed what they saw and then had the resulting footage played out on the 6-0-clock news every evening as the West settled down for dinner.
Bizarre report of the day on BBC Radio 2: during an interview with a journalist regarding Saddam's video appearance after the attempt on his life, we were informed that he was wearing unfashionable glasses !!! Get a grip.
Wouldn't have happened back in the 60s. Hell no - the journalists would have just followed the military into the Vietnamese theatre of war, filmed what they saw and then had the resulting footage played out on the 6-0-clock news every evening as the West settled down for dinner.
Bizarre report of the day on BBC Radio 2: during an interview with a journalist regarding Saddam's video appearance after the attempt on his life, we were informed that he was wearing unfashionable glasses !!! Get a grip.
Thursday, March 20, 2003
Been off to the local. Quiet inside - met up with John and Richard (father and son) of "higher than a Ten" quiz team fame. 4 and half pints of Carlsberg later I'm back here. As we came out of the pub at around.....12:00 ish we were greeted by thick fog !
I have to say NOBODY discussed the imending hostilities tonight. All talk was aimed at football, golf and even tennis. Bet they're not discussing those subjects in Basra and Bagdhad.
Richard dropped £25 on the one-armed-bandit.
Are the "kids" getting Bolshie again ??? After years of Thatcherite smugness, are school and college kids getting their revolutionary agendas back ? Occupied Country hopes they are because - like Dads have to be Dads - "its their job !!!"
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Well first its war to depress me and now Arsenal are getting beat in the Champions league and it looks like they're going out. Not that I'm a Gooner mind: no its Man City for me. I'm just scared to death that the dreaded Man United might end up winning the bloody thing if Arsenal go out. Newcastle look like they're struggling as well.
Ah well time to nip to the pub I reckon.
Bush wraps himself in the flag and the glory of God as he prepares his (holy ?) war against the hordes of Islam. Sad thing about Blair's support, is that Tony's belief may not be that of George's 'Born Again', 'Glory Be' vintage, but it too has the the unmistakable whiff of The Crusades about it. Both Bush and Blair wouldn't see the funny side of The Bible Story in Lego, a brilliant - if odd - re-telling of the many Bible stories from Genesis to Revelation. The guy responsible has apparently racked up a bill of over £2,000 at his local toy shop on Lego sets - class. Sadly George and Tony would probably be more attracted to the bigoted trash of this site. Only in America ???
Never trust anyone who starts to talk of the 'pressures of leadership', rather than provide the world with coherent arguments.
Ah well Adam Faith's gone to meet his maker along with Thora Hird and quite a few innocent Iraqis over the next few days I'll wager.
Strange how a man who's position as the most powerful being on the planet can attain that position by virtue of his brother and a few "hanging Chads". Robin Cook alluded to this fact in his resignation speech to the House of Commons yesterday.
It looks like the bombing will begin some time in the next 4 - 5 hours.
posted by steve at 8:44 PM
The window cleaner just called. £3.30 for a 3 bed Semi Detached in North Manchester UK - not bad. posted by steve at 7:08 PM
Been off to the local. Quiet inside - met up with John and Richard (father and son) of "higher than a Ten" quiz team fame. 4 and half pints of Carlsberg later I'm back here. As we came out of the pub at around.....12:00 ish we were greeted by thick fog !
I have to say NOBODY discussed the imending hostilities tonight. All talk was aimed at football, golf and even tennis. Bet they're not discussing those subjects in Basra and Bagdhad.
Richard dropped £25 on the one-armed-bandit.
Are the "kids" getting Bolshie again ??? After years of Thatcherite smugness, are school and college kids getting their revolutionary agendas back ? Occupied Country hopes they are because - like Dads have to be Dads - "its their job !!!"
Wednesday, March 19, 2003
Well first its war to depress me and now Arsenal are getting beat in the Champions league and it looks like they're going out. Not that I'm a Gooner mind: no its Man City for me. I'm just scared to death that the dreaded Man United might end up winning the bloody thing if Arsenal go out. Newcastle look like they're struggling as well.
Ah well time to nip to the pub I reckon.
Bush wraps himself in the flag and the glory of God as he prepares his (holy ?) war against the hordes of Islam. Sad thing about Blair's support, is that Tony's belief may not be that of George's 'Born Again', 'Glory Be' vintage, but it too has the the unmistakable whiff of The Crusades about it. Both Bush and Blair wouldn't see the funny side of The Bible Story in Lego, a brilliant - if odd - re-telling of the many Bible stories from Genesis to Revelation. The guy responsible has apparently racked up a bill of over £2,000 at his local toy shop on Lego sets - class. Sadly George and Tony would probably be more attracted to the bigoted trash of this site. Only in America ???
Never trust anyone who starts to talk of the 'pressures of leadership', rather than provide the world with coherent arguments.
Ah well Adam Faith's gone to meet his maker along with Thora Hird and quite a few innocent Iraqis over the next few days I'll wager.
Strange how a man who's position as the most powerful being on the planet can attain that position by virtue of his brother and a few "hanging Chads". Robin Cook alluded to this fact in his resignation speech to the House of Commons yesterday.
It looks like the bombing will begin some time in the next 4 - 5 hours.
posted by steve at 8:44 PM
The window cleaner just called. £3.30 for a 3 bed Semi Detached in North Manchester UK - not bad. posted by steve at 7:08 PM
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