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Second Choice Steve is Gone

Posted November 24, 2007 * Comments(14)

And quite rightly too, although why he was appointed in the first place still baffles me. I am of course talking about Steve McClaren the manager of England up until the astonishing 3-2 loss to Croatia at Wembley which ended England’s Euro 2008 qualifying hopes, and ensured that we would sit out a major competition for the first time since 1994.

So see ya Steve and thanks for nothing. However, the English FA, and in particular the Chief Executive Brian Barwick, have to take a large slice of responsibility for the nations utter failure on the pitch. After all they were the guys who appointed McClaren after their publicly announced first choice candidate turned the job down. All of which was rather embarrassing and unprofessional and meant McClaren took the job from day one knowing he wasn’t the first choice but was rather the best of the rest. Oh dear.

As the media and the fans desperately search for answers as to why the England football team have (again) failed so miserably on the biggest stage, you have to wonder if it’s got something to do with the fact that the players are a bunch of over-rated, over-paid, ego maniacs whose pain at losing is quickly diluted once they jump back in their Ferrari’s and drive back to their multi-million pound mansions, and super-model girlfriends. These guys are so disconnected from the real world it’s a joke. Read more »

Popularity: 24%

A Safer Society

Posted November 15, 2007 * Comments(9)

Today Britain announced an increase in security at train stations, airports and ports to tackle the threat of terrorism. Security barriers, exclusion zones, blast resistant buildings, more baggage screening, passenger searching, CCTV installation and a doubling in the number of security service staff will be employed to keep Britain safer as the threat from young people being “radicalised by extremists” trends upwards. Or so the government would have you believe. What a load of crap.

Clearly the streets of Britain have never been more dangerous, and with additional guidance being sent to thousands of cinema’s, restaurants, hotels, commercial centres, sporting venues, hospitals, schools, places of worship … the list continues … basically anywhere where there’s a crowd of 3 or more people - soon house parties will be banned along with mothers coffee morning gatherings just incase they’ve “gone radical” on us. Am I the only one who thinks this is somewhat farcical?

May I remind everyone that this is coming at a cost of an extra £1 billion of spending on the security budget which will increase from £2.5 billion to £3.5 billion annually. Tax payers rejoice. The mind boggles. So this is the price of freedom and peace of mind in a modern country? Or should I ask if this is the price of living in a police state? The kind of country where ministers discuss the idea of introducing new laws such as being able to hold people without charge for 58 days? Read more »

Popularity: 23%

Beating the Odds

Posted November 8, 2007 * Comments(8)

Melbourne is currently in the midst of Spring Carnival fever which has peaked this week with the arrival of the Melbourne Cup - a horse race so important over here in Oz that the good people of Melbourne get the day off as a public holiday just so they can fully concentrate on the event. Nice.

Given the massive prize money and the millions of dollars that gets bet on the race itself it was a little surprising to see the win taken out by the long shot Efficient, a horse who has last led the field home in a race 53 weeks ago, and whose odds going into the race were 13-1.

Now is it me but with all the furore around the world currently over the legitimacy of sports results, betting and general doping scandals I find the result somewhat amazing. Almost too amazing infact. I mean lets face it, if this kind of result had happened in the final of the Olympic 100m event surely questions would be asked?? Read more »

Popularity: 23%

Left Reeling

Posted October 29, 2007 * Comments(13)

I’ve always been a fan of strange trivia and now thanks to the Internet the sky is the limit on this topic.

Any kind of urban legend you ever heard as a kid can be solved for definite with a quick trip to Google. As great as this is from a knowledge point of view, it’s a little bit sad from the nostalgic side.

I mean let’s face it, men around the world now struggle to impress women with outrageous facts that bemused girls can now look up and find to be completely untrue within only hours.

Recently I heard something that at first I discounted out of hand. So outrageous it must be untrue. Now after a quick search on the web I’m left in shock as it turns out to be true! Outrageous!

What was this most shocking of revelations - Britney Spears is an alien? Behind closed doors John Howard is actually a Ben Cousins inspired party animal type? No - far worse I’m afraid. Read more »

Popularity: 32%

The Plague, The Plague

Posted October 28, 2007 * Comments(7)


Yes I’m still alive!

It’s been mad busy lately but I’ve just got back into Melbourne from Sydney where I’ve been staying recently.

While I was there I found this sign awaiting me on check in to my hotel - not something you expect to see as you’re preparing to kick back and relax after a long day:

Moth Plague

So they hunt in packs eh?

Fortunately I didn’t get attacked by any of the beasties while I was there - largely as a result of bolting my windows and cowering under the couch like the real man I am.

I’m happy to report that apart from the odd few flying around lamps, Melbourne is currently plague free … at least for the time being anyway …


Popularity: 22%

In The Country

Posted October 14, 2007 * Comments(9)


Despite living in isolated rural communities it’s good to know the locals are keeping up with the times and not clinging to past glories or thinking of the “good old days”.

1985 was a great year

Hmmm … it’s rather like the England football team really … but not as bad.


Popularity: 32%

Arise Sir Spamalot

Posted October 10, 2007 * Comments(12)


There’s two types of SPAM in the world. Firstly, there’s the loveable slab of pinkish substance that comes in a tin, is probably still bought by your Gran and was last consumed by most people on a dodgy camping trip.

For anybody not sure what I am referring to you can see for yourself by clicking onto the official Spam website (complete with cheesy music!). For anyone who’s forgotten what the tin looks like - here’s a golden picture to stir those memories …. ahhh.

SPAM

Unfortunately the second type of SPAM is perhaps more globally recognised and infinitely more irritating. I have a spam filter on this website and generally it works pretty well, however for whatever reason I have been finding that recently more and more spam is getting through and making its way onto the site. Read more »

Popularity: 25%

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