Why is it that when I come under pressure at work, as I have in recent weeks, the first things I sacrifice are the things that help me let off steam (RSS, blogging, Twitter etc) ?
It just means I end up abusing my only remaining outlet - alcohol - which just leads to an ever decreasing spiral of depression.
Going to make a conscious effort to rectify this starting now. It's either that or I'm going to start punching people in the pub.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Wild Card I
Watched both NFL play-offs last night - okay, so I watched the second half of the second this morning, same difference.
I'm not sure whether the Bengals and Eagles were dire, or whether two very good defences just made them look that way, but Cincinnati and Philadelphia fans are going to be awful depressed this morning.
The Jets looked solid without being spectacular. They have a tough road trip to either Indianapolis or San Diego next week, and it'll be a lot harder for them to deal with those more multi-faceted offences. I'm hoping that they do us a favour and beat Indianapolis, so if we manage to pull off an upset in California, the AFC Championship game will be at Foxborough. Probably too much to ask for, and I'm not counting my chickens about the Ravens tonight - I think that's going to be very close.
Dallas look like they're on the verge of something special. Solid defence, options in the backfield, maturing quaterback, good receiving corps - potentially they've got the lot. This year may be one too early for them, but they're becoming one hell of a unit.
I'm not sure whether the Bengals and Eagles were dire, or whether two very good defences just made them look that way, but Cincinnati and Philadelphia fans are going to be awful depressed this morning.
The Jets looked solid without being spectacular. They have a tough road trip to either Indianapolis or San Diego next week, and it'll be a lot harder for them to deal with those more multi-faceted offences. I'm hoping that they do us a favour and beat Indianapolis, so if we manage to pull off an upset in California, the AFC Championship game will be at Foxborough. Probably too much to ask for, and I'm not counting my chickens about the Ravens tonight - I think that's going to be very close.
Dallas look like they're on the verge of something special. Solid defence, options in the backfield, maturing quaterback, good receiving corps - potentially they've got the lot. This year may be one too early for them, but they're becoming one hell of a unit.
Snow Business
Yuck. What a week. Didn't make it to work after Tuesday, as my rear-wheel drive car is for motorway cruising, not skidding around in the snow.
Roads around here are slowly improving as it melts, which at least meant I could get to the shops yesterday (albeit using my wife's front wheel drive), but another hefty snowfall and it's back to square one.
I hate working from home. It's so restrictive. Audio conferences are hopelessly inferior to real meetings, and I can't really talk to my team without micro-managing them.
This week's going to be an interesting one. Lots of big decisions to be made.
Roads around here are slowly improving as it melts, which at least meant I could get to the shops yesterday (albeit using my wife's front wheel drive), but another hefty snowfall and it's back to square one.
I hate working from home. It's so restrictive. Audio conferences are hopelessly inferior to real meetings, and I can't really talk to my team without micro-managing them.
This week's going to be an interesting one. Lots of big decisions to be made.
Monday, January 04, 2010
Man Down
Just heard that Wes Welker has torn both knee ligaments and is out for months.
What a disaster for him and the Patriots. He has been the most consistent receiver in the league for the last three years.
Why oh why oh why did we play any of our starters today in a game that meant basically nothing. What an expensive lesson to learn.
Our chances of making the AFC championship game are now basically zero. Any win next weekend will be a good win. Chances of a an upset the week after are now very small.
Having lost Brady to the same injury for the whole of last year, we're not exactly doing well for luck atm...
What a disaster for him and the Patriots. He has been the most consistent receiver in the league for the last three years.
Why oh why oh why did we play any of our starters today in a game that meant basically nothing. What an expensive lesson to learn.
Our chances of making the AFC championship game are now basically zero. Any win next weekend will be a good win. Chances of a an upset the week after are now very small.
Having lost Brady to the same injury for the whole of last year, we're not exactly doing well for luck atm...
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Today in Sport
So England surprised me by winning the toss and choosing to field. That may have been partly due to the local weather conditions. Great start, but only one wicket in the final session means honours even on day one. How England bowl with that nearly new ball tomorrow morning will have a big say in this match.
Manchester United. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ! Gotta love that. Ages since a proper giant-killing, but that definitely qualifies.
Villa have another home draw, against Brighton. We'll take that.
Patriots lost, but there was very little on that game. Watching the Cowboys beat the Eagles right now - that's a surprise, I fancied Philadelphia for at least the NFC championship game. They may yet get there...
Darts final was awesome - 7-3 Taylor does not tell the story, Whitlock pushed him all the way in almost every set. 15 titles in 21 years - has any sportsman ever dominated so much ?
Manchester United. Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ! Gotta love that. Ages since a proper giant-killing, but that definitely qualifies.
Villa have another home draw, against Brighton. We'll take that.
Patriots lost, but there was very little on that game. Watching the Cowboys beat the Eagles right now - that's a surprise, I fancied Philadelphia for at least the NFC championship game. They may yet get there...
Darts final was awesome - 7-3 Taylor does not tell the story, Whitlock pushed him all the way in almost every set. 15 titles in 21 years - has any sportsman ever dominated so much ?
Saturday, January 02, 2010
General Election 2010
So, there's going to be a General Election this year, probably in May.
I think Armando Iannucci summed it up best, when he likened the prospect of a Tory government to a knee-operation.
“You know it’s going to happen, it’ll get done and you’ll probably walk a little bit better as a result, but you’re not really looking forward to it.”
Truth is, all of the three main parties are left of me and far more authoritarian. I despair of Cameron - unless he's playing a very clever game and is planning to lurch back to traditional Conservative principles after securing the election, I see him nothing more than a slightly less spiteful and more woolly version of Brown/Blair.
However, mainstream thinking goes that UKIP and (even more so) the Libertarian Party don't yet have the following that means they would be anything other than a wasted, or worse, a split vote that lets in the socialists. Given they don't so much count the Tory vote in my constituency, as weigh it, that argument cuts no ice with me. Truth is, I've never lived in a marginal constituency, so my vote has never counted for anything.
So I guess I'll see who's standing in my area and will have the luxury of voting with my heart rather than my head.
I think Armando Iannucci summed it up best, when he likened the prospect of a Tory government to a knee-operation.
“You know it’s going to happen, it’ll get done and you’ll probably walk a little bit better as a result, but you’re not really looking forward to it.”
Truth is, all of the three main parties are left of me and far more authoritarian. I despair of Cameron - unless he's playing a very clever game and is planning to lurch back to traditional Conservative principles after securing the election, I see him nothing more than a slightly less spiteful and more woolly version of Brown/Blair.
However, mainstream thinking goes that UKIP and (even more so) the Libertarian Party don't yet have the following that means they would be anything other than a wasted, or worse, a split vote that lets in the socialists. Given they don't so much count the Tory vote in my constituency, as weigh it, that argument cuts no ice with me. Truth is, I've never lived in a marginal constituency, so my vote has never counted for anything.
So I guess I'll see who's standing in my area and will have the luxury of voting with my heart rather than my head.
Sporting Predictions 2010
Random prediction time.
The team that win the toss tomorrow morning in Cape Town will bat and win the match, and the series.
Villa to narrowly miss out on the top 4, but we'll be in at least one cup final.
Patriots to win at home next weekend, but lose away in the next round. Hard to call a Superbowl winner, five very good teams this year, but I reckon the Chargers have the momentum and the best balance and will sneak it.
England to finish fourth in the 6 Nations, beating only Scotland and Italy.
England to lose a key starter to injury before the World Cup finals, but make the semis anyway.
And believe it or not, its another Ashes year ! Australia to win in Brisbane, England in Perth, a draw in Adelaide, Aussies to win in Melbourne, and Swanny to spin us to an Ashes retaining victory at Sydney.
Disclaimer : I am not responsible for any betting losses incurred. However, commission for winnings will be gratefully accepted !
The team that win the toss tomorrow morning in Cape Town will bat and win the match, and the series.
Villa to narrowly miss out on the top 4, but we'll be in at least one cup final.
Patriots to win at home next weekend, but lose away in the next round. Hard to call a Superbowl winner, five very good teams this year, but I reckon the Chargers have the momentum and the best balance and will sneak it.
England to finish fourth in the 6 Nations, beating only Scotland and Italy.
England to lose a key starter to injury before the World Cup finals, but make the semis anyway.
And believe it or not, its another Ashes year ! Australia to win in Brisbane, England in Perth, a draw in Adelaide, Aussies to win in Melbourne, and Swanny to spin us to an Ashes retaining victory at Sydney.
Disclaimer : I am not responsible for any betting losses incurred. However, commission for winnings will be gratefully accepted !
A New Decade
Let's be honest. 2009 sucked big time.
Professionally, very frustrating. Trying to stop people making bad decisions all day, every day, gets exhausting after a while.
Financially, well not as bad as it could have been, but the house move we thought would see our boys through until they were ready to leave home, fell through and we're just not getting a sniff for ours at the moment. See what happens in the next few months, but son number one's secondary school allocation may bring this back to the top of the agenda. If that goes wrong and he ends up destined for the local sink school, desperate times may lead to desperate measures.
Personally, it was a new low. My father passing away very suddenly and unexpectedly in May rocked the whole family for the rest of the year. When you see a man who has worked hard all his life enjoy less than two years of his retirement, it makes you question both your own mortality, and your life goals. Thankfully, my wife has been an absolute rock, so even when I felt like I was cracking up, which was probably more often than I let on, I could always come home to her.
So what's going to be different about 2010 ?
Well, as with every year, I need to cut down on the drink and up the exercise. I think the events of last year might actually make me do a little better this year. I'm not going to become a saint overnight, but if I can average one less night of hedonism per week, and one more session at the gym, then that will go a long way.
I tweeted three actual resolutions too. I haven't made any for many, many years, so this is a change.
Resolution 1 : Tweet more often. #nyr 2:40 PM Jan 1st from dabr
Resolution 2 : Resume blogging. Find a theme, build an audience. #nyr 2:42 PM Jan 1st from dabr
Resolution 3 : Meet up in the flesh with the people I only talk to online these days. #nyr 2:44 PM Jan 1st from dabr
Well, have now made a start on the first two...
Professionally, very frustrating. Trying to stop people making bad decisions all day, every day, gets exhausting after a while.
Financially, well not as bad as it could have been, but the house move we thought would see our boys through until they were ready to leave home, fell through and we're just not getting a sniff for ours at the moment. See what happens in the next few months, but son number one's secondary school allocation may bring this back to the top of the agenda. If that goes wrong and he ends up destined for the local sink school, desperate times may lead to desperate measures.
Personally, it was a new low. My father passing away very suddenly and unexpectedly in May rocked the whole family for the rest of the year. When you see a man who has worked hard all his life enjoy less than two years of his retirement, it makes you question both your own mortality, and your life goals. Thankfully, my wife has been an absolute rock, so even when I felt like I was cracking up, which was probably more often than I let on, I could always come home to her.
So what's going to be different about 2010 ?
Well, as with every year, I need to cut down on the drink and up the exercise. I think the events of last year might actually make me do a little better this year. I'm not going to become a saint overnight, but if I can average one less night of hedonism per week, and one more session at the gym, then that will go a long way.
I tweeted three actual resolutions too. I haven't made any for many, many years, so this is a change.
Resolution 1 : Tweet more often. #nyr 2:40 PM Jan 1st from dabr
Resolution 2 : Resume blogging. Find a theme, build an audience. #nyr 2:42 PM Jan 1st from dabr
Resolution 3 : Meet up in the flesh with the people I only talk to online these days. #nyr 2:44 PM Jan 1st from dabr
Well, have now made a start on the first two...
Friday, February 13, 2009
Predictions
I reckon this weekend's round of 6 nations games is the easiest to call in a long time.
France to whallop Scotland
Wales to easily beat England
Ireland to run up a cricket score against Italy
France to whallop Scotland
Wales to easily beat England
Ireland to run up a cricket score against Italy
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Compare and Contrast
Mon 9th Feb : How dare RBS pay any bonuses to its staff ? They are all lazy, corrupt thieves and should be fired, pay back all past bonuses and be publicly flogged.
Wed 11th Feb : How dare RBS lay off 2,300 of its hard-working staff ? These people are not responsible for the credit crunch and without them the bank would have collapsed. They deserve better treatment.
(c) All media
Wed 11th Feb : How dare RBS lay off 2,300 of its hard-working staff ? These people are not responsible for the credit crunch and without them the bank would have collapsed. They deserve better treatment.
(c) All media
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Public Transport
Bus fucked due to Brazil v Italy @ Emiratesn had to walk with dodgy ankle.
Tube fucked., took 25 minutes for what should take 12. Kicked us off the train at Seven Sisters, had to change platforms.
Train fucked. No mention of Tottenham Hale being fucked when we were at Seven Sisters and could have changed, so back we all go. Half-expected no trains from there either, but instead just missed one by seconds, probably half an hour to the next one.
Now I am going to have to call my missus to come and give me a lift from wherever I end up to my normal station in order to pick up my car.
I am officially fucked off.
Tube fucked., took 25 minutes for what should take 12. Kicked us off the train at Seven Sisters, had to change platforms.
Train fucked. No mention of Tottenham Hale being fucked when we were at Seven Sisters and could have changed, so back we all go. Half-expected no trains from there either, but instead just missed one by seconds, probably half an hour to the next one.
Now I am going to have to call my missus to come and give me a lift from wherever I end up to my normal station in order to pick up my car.
I am officially fucked off.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Changing of the Seasons
Having live tweeted the Superbowl, I can't be bothered to re-hash it all - besides, I had a fair bit of beer and wine, so I don't exactly have crystal clear quality of recall. Great game though - I think that Larry Fitzgerald catch and run was the most excited I've ever been in a Superbowl not featuring the Patriots.
And so the American football season ends. Unless you count the Pro Bowl, which I don't as it's played in Hawaii and is on at too ridiculous a time even for me. Apparently they're moving it back to a rotation on the mainland next year AND moving it two weeks earlier, so it falls in the off week between the conference championships and the Superbowl. Drawback of that is, it reduces the chance of Superbowl-bound players taking part from slim to none. But generally that's only about 2/3 per side max anyway. So next year, I may tune in.
Sweeping in to take its place in my sporting consciousness is the Six Nations. My wife always complains that I'm following something intently at any given moment, and in this case she's right. Will do a longer preview later, but IMHO Wales find themselves in the unfamiliar territory of being strong favourites, largely because England and France are currently trying to identify which players from the new crop are Test standard, which seems to be harder now than ever, and finding a cohesive pattern for them to follow.
And so the American football season ends. Unless you count the Pro Bowl, which I don't as it's played in Hawaii and is on at too ridiculous a time even for me. Apparently they're moving it back to a rotation on the mainland next year AND moving it two weeks earlier, so it falls in the off week between the conference championships and the Superbowl. Drawback of that is, it reduces the chance of Superbowl-bound players taking part from slim to none. But generally that's only about 2/3 per side max anyway. So next year, I may tune in.
Sweeping in to take its place in my sporting consciousness is the Six Nations. My wife always complains that I'm following something intently at any given moment, and in this case she's right. Will do a longer preview later, but IMHO Wales find themselves in the unfamiliar territory of being strong favourites, largely because England and France are currently trying to identify which players from the new crop are Test standard, which seems to be harder now than ever, and finding a cohesive pattern for them to follow.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Could be worse
So Villa's run of good form and fortune stutters at home again. It could be worse - we didn't lose, Ashely Young's suspension is now over, and Carew came off the bench to feature for the first time in months.
Most importantly, neither Arsenal nor Everton won to close the gap. All right, United won again, but they're likely to go on a ridiculous winning streak to the end of the season anyway and I never saw us staying with them.
Liverpool play Chelsea today, and like Arsenal v Everton in mid-week, there's no such thing as a bad result - we will be level on points with the loser, and a draw will see us breathing down the necks of both.
I still see us ending the season in a dogfight with Arsenal or Everton, depending on how badly our form falls away. The trouble with raised expectations is, anything lowere than fourth will now be seen as a disappointment.
Most importantly, neither Arsenal nor Everton won to close the gap. All right, United won again, but they're likely to go on a ridiculous winning streak to the end of the season anyway and I never saw us staying with them.
Liverpool play Chelsea today, and like Arsenal v Everton in mid-week, there's no such thing as a bad result - we will be level on points with the loser, and a draw will see us breathing down the necks of both.
I still see us ending the season in a dogfight with Arsenal or Everton, depending on how badly our form falls away. The trouble with raised expectations is, anything lowere than fourth will now be seen as a disappointment.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
This Twitter lark
So I've been checking out Twitter, and have started out by following Stephen Fry and Iain Dale.
Fry has been tweeting a bloody darts commentary tonight. Stephen Fry. Watches darts.I kid you not. Tomorrow, the Queen will probably send me an email saying how much she likes TV Burp.
I swear I've gone fucking mad. If Sid Waddell pops up on Dave presenting QI, I'll know for sure.
Fry has been tweeting a bloody darts commentary tonight. Stephen Fry. Watches darts.I kid you not. Tomorrow, the Queen will probably send me an email saying how much she likes TV Burp.
I swear I've gone fucking mad. If Sid Waddell pops up on Dave presenting QI, I'll know for sure.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Superbowl Preview
As I always do at this time of year, I've booked Monday off so I can stay up all night to watch the Superbowl. This year's extravaganza is in Tampa Bay, featuring Bruce Springsteen as the half-time entertainment.
In the red corner, representing the NFC, are, amazingly, the Arizona Cardinals. The perennial losers of the NFL limped into the playoffs at 9-7 after clinching an appallingly weak division with 4 weeks to go. Nobody gave them a prayer - me included - but deserved wins over Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia means they are there on merit. They have a very well-balanced offence, with two quality and diverse running backs, a former MVP and superbowl winning QB, and arguably the best receiver in the game, Larry Fitzgerald. However it is the defence that has been responsible for the turnaround in form, forcing an incredible number of interceptions, particularly from Jake Delhomme.
The AFC champions, who will be wearing white, are the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have a functional rather than exciting offence, but an incredibly mean and aggressive defence, and they'll be hoping to become the first franchise to win six superbowls.
The key to the game, as it so often is in Superbowls, will be at the line. If Arizona can protect Warner and punch enough holes to allow James and/or Hightower to keep the linebackers honest, then they have the weapons to damage Pittsburgh. If the Steelers can shut down the running game and force Warner to throw under pressure into that magnificent secondary, it'll be Pick City.
So for me, the game could go one of two ways. It'll either be a low scoring nail-biter like last year, or a complete blowout in favour of Pittsburgh. I'll be rooting for Arizona, but having tipped Pittsburgh at the start of the play-offs, I see no reason to change that now, and I think it'll be one game too far for the Cardinals.
Pittsburgh by at least two touchdowns.
In the red corner, representing the NFC, are, amazingly, the Arizona Cardinals. The perennial losers of the NFL limped into the playoffs at 9-7 after clinching an appallingly weak division with 4 weeks to go. Nobody gave them a prayer - me included - but deserved wins over Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia means they are there on merit. They have a very well-balanced offence, with two quality and diverse running backs, a former MVP and superbowl winning QB, and arguably the best receiver in the game, Larry Fitzgerald. However it is the defence that has been responsible for the turnaround in form, forcing an incredible number of interceptions, particularly from Jake Delhomme.
The AFC champions, who will be wearing white, are the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have a functional rather than exciting offence, but an incredibly mean and aggressive defence, and they'll be hoping to become the first franchise to win six superbowls.
The key to the game, as it so often is in Superbowls, will be at the line. If Arizona can protect Warner and punch enough holes to allow James and/or Hightower to keep the linebackers honest, then they have the weapons to damage Pittsburgh. If the Steelers can shut down the running game and force Warner to throw under pressure into that magnificent secondary, it'll be Pick City.
So for me, the game could go one of two ways. It'll either be a low scoring nail-biter like last year, or a complete blowout in favour of Pittsburgh. I'll be rooting for Arizona, but having tipped Pittsburgh at the start of the play-offs, I see no reason to change that now, and I think it'll be one game too far for the Cardinals.
Pittsburgh by at least two touchdowns.
One two, one two
Ok, let's see if the Blackberry is up to it.
So I've decided to start writing again. Got to find something to do during all these train delays
Grrr, trains. Don't get me started. How can a service that supposedly runs every 15 minutes possibly be 20 minutes late ?
So I've decided to start writing again. Got to find something to do during all these train delays
Grrr, trains. Don't get me started. How can a service that supposedly runs every 15 minutes possibly be 20 minutes late ?
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Sony need to get their arse in gear
Sony's latest PS3 firmware upgrade (2.52) has resulted in a small but significant minority of machines (including mine) suddenly being unable to play discs. At all. That's right, no games, no DVDs, no Blu-Ray. Can still play anything on the hard drive, but that's a very small proportion of what we use it for.
Looking at the forums, Sony are being completely unsympathetic about it. I will be expecting a lot better when I call tomorrow.
Thankfully, my machine is still in warranty (just), but it does seem a bit much that if Sony break it after the warranty elapses, they are somehow not liable. And yet you can't choose not to upgrade (well you can, but then you can't do anything online).
Looking at the forums, Sony are being completely unsympathetic about it. I will be expecting a lot better when I call tomorrow.
Thankfully, my machine is still in warranty (just), but it does seem a bit much that if Sony break it after the warranty elapses, they are somehow not liable. And yet you can't choose not to upgrade (well you can, but then you can't do anything online).
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Random Musings
A setback for the Villa at Newcastle last night. Watched in the not-exactly-salubrious surroundings of the Nag's Head on Upper Street. Thought we dominated the game and should have been 2 or 3 to the good before they scored - once they got in front they grew in confidence and we could have lost by 3 or 4. Think some of the squad maybe had one eye on Thursday's UEFA cup game against Slavia in Prague. Ridiculous that for the second time this season we have to play Monday-Thursday-Sunday - you don't see the so called Big 4 having to do that.
Got home uneventfully, moderately the worse for wear, but acceptably so considering 6 hours in the pub. Watched the Colts v Patriots game I'd taped from the previous night. A not entirely unexpected close defeat, but Jabar Gaffney dropped an absolute stone blind TD in the 3rd quarter from Cassell's only decent throw of more than 10 yards all night. More frustration. Game against the Bills this weekend is now crucial - winners will be set fair for the division, losers struggling for a wild-card. Only consolation is that other than the Titans, everyone is beating everyone in the AFC this year, so 9-7 could conceivably get you into the play-offs.
Woke to an extremely sore throat, cough and temperature. Followed my own rules (must go to office after night in pub, even if genuinely sick), and it was miraculously gone after a shower. Very odd...
M25 utterly shagged this morning, with the usual effects on the local roads. Mrs I tried to give me a lift further down the line, but the road south was even worse and we had to turn back. Took 45 minutes to crawl the 2 miles to the local station, not the best way to start the day.
Off to Arsenal v Man U this weekend, courtesy of those terribly nice chaps at McGregor Boyall. Bacon sandwiches and beer from 10:45 in the hospitality area - shall be pleasantly sloshed by mid-afternoon. Would like to see England v Pacific Islands if possible, but will play it by ear.
Have turned into a Facebook whore - gone from 12 to 30 odd friends in the last week. Starting to see the attraction at long last - seems there's a critical mass at which point reward outstrips effort.
Got home uneventfully, moderately the worse for wear, but acceptably so considering 6 hours in the pub. Watched the Colts v Patriots game I'd taped from the previous night. A not entirely unexpected close defeat, but Jabar Gaffney dropped an absolute stone blind TD in the 3rd quarter from Cassell's only decent throw of more than 10 yards all night. More frustration. Game against the Bills this weekend is now crucial - winners will be set fair for the division, losers struggling for a wild-card. Only consolation is that other than the Titans, everyone is beating everyone in the AFC this year, so 9-7 could conceivably get you into the play-offs.
Woke to an extremely sore throat, cough and temperature. Followed my own rules (must go to office after night in pub, even if genuinely sick), and it was miraculously gone after a shower. Very odd...
M25 utterly shagged this morning, with the usual effects on the local roads. Mrs I tried to give me a lift further down the line, but the road south was even worse and we had to turn back. Took 45 minutes to crawl the 2 miles to the local station, not the best way to start the day.
Off to Arsenal v Man U this weekend, courtesy of those terribly nice chaps at McGregor Boyall. Bacon sandwiches and beer from 10:45 in the hospitality area - shall be pleasantly sloshed by mid-afternoon. Would like to see England v Pacific Islands if possible, but will play it by ear.
Have turned into a Facebook whore - gone from 12 to 30 odd friends in the last week. Starting to see the attraction at long last - seems there's a critical mass at which point reward outstrips effort.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Hamilton.....WINS !
Well, that was triumph to disaster and back again in a matter of minutes, wasn't it ?
The new wooden floors meant that when I jumped up and punched the air in my socks, I nearly went flat on my arse. Got me to thinking - what other top sporting conclusions have had me pacing around this living room and punching the air, and where does this rank ?
5...Germany 1 England 5, 2001
Sven takes over with England struggling to qualify after Keegan's disastrous reign, and this is the penultimate scene in the play. Owen hat-trick supported by Gerrard and Heskey. We didn't even play that well, we just took every chance. Meh...who cares ? Dancing around the room with son number one (then aged two).
4...Rugby World Cup Final 2003 - England v Australia
Astonishing that this is fourth, but I suppose the long period of English dominance made this seem almost expected, and we'd already won the game twice and had it pulled away by the referee. And then Saint Johnny, on his wrong foot. Tears in eyes, lump in throat. Marvellous.
3...Superbowl XXXVI - New England Patriots v St Louis Rams, 2002
17 years of following the perennially awful Patriots finally paid off in this upset over the "Greatest Show on Turf", who has been champions two years earlier and were expected to win easily again. The Patriots got well ahead but were pegged back by the experienced Rams. A superbowl had never been won by a field goal as time ran out before - it has now ! It may have been 3am, but I still jumped up, punched the air, and smashed my hand on a light fitting.
2...Brazilian Grand Prix 2008
Cruising to the finish with 6 laps left and the heavens open. Hamilton finds himself in exactly the spot he needs after the pit-stops, but disaster strikes with two laps to go when Vettel (surely a world champion in waiting himself) overtakes and looks good to hold it to the finish. Massa crosses the line for the win, but with two corners to go, Hamilton overtakes a limping Glock, who'd not changed his dry tyres for a memorable finish. Felt genuinely sorry for the Ferrari team, who thought they'd won when Vettel crossed first.
1...2nd Ashes Test, Edgbaston, 2005
Big crowd in expectation of an England victory, with the Aussies still a hundred away with only two wickets remaining. The defecit is reduced and reduced and reduced, for the loss of just one. Big Harmy rouses himself for one last effort, and sends a bouncer down the leg side to Kasper. A slightly thicker glance and it's four and the Ashes virtually secured for Australia, but Geraint Jones clings on. Technically it's not out, as the batsmen's glove was not on the bat at point of contact, but nobody cares. I wore a groove in the carpet for this one, and its top of the list because it was slow agony for two hours, and despair flipped to ecstacy with one ball. Amazing.
Anyone else want to submit their top 5 armchair moments ?
I will follow this up with the top 5 "I was there" and top 5 "I was in a pub" shortly...
The new wooden floors meant that when I jumped up and punched the air in my socks, I nearly went flat on my arse. Got me to thinking - what other top sporting conclusions have had me pacing around this living room and punching the air, and where does this rank ?
5...Germany 1 England 5, 2001
Sven takes over with England struggling to qualify after Keegan's disastrous reign, and this is the penultimate scene in the play. Owen hat-trick supported by Gerrard and Heskey. We didn't even play that well, we just took every chance. Meh...who cares ? Dancing around the room with son number one (then aged two).
4...Rugby World Cup Final 2003 - England v Australia
Astonishing that this is fourth, but I suppose the long period of English dominance made this seem almost expected, and we'd already won the game twice and had it pulled away by the referee. And then Saint Johnny, on his wrong foot. Tears in eyes, lump in throat. Marvellous.
3...Superbowl XXXVI - New England Patriots v St Louis Rams, 2002
17 years of following the perennially awful Patriots finally paid off in this upset over the "Greatest Show on Turf", who has been champions two years earlier and were expected to win easily again. The Patriots got well ahead but were pegged back by the experienced Rams. A superbowl had never been won by a field goal as time ran out before - it has now ! It may have been 3am, but I still jumped up, punched the air, and smashed my hand on a light fitting.
2...Brazilian Grand Prix 2008
Cruising to the finish with 6 laps left and the heavens open. Hamilton finds himself in exactly the spot he needs after the pit-stops, but disaster strikes with two laps to go when Vettel (surely a world champion in waiting himself) overtakes and looks good to hold it to the finish. Massa crosses the line for the win, but with two corners to go, Hamilton overtakes a limping Glock, who'd not changed his dry tyres for a memorable finish. Felt genuinely sorry for the Ferrari team, who thought they'd won when Vettel crossed first.
1...2nd Ashes Test, Edgbaston, 2005
Big crowd in expectation of an England victory, with the Aussies still a hundred away with only two wickets remaining. The defecit is reduced and reduced and reduced, for the loss of just one. Big Harmy rouses himself for one last effort, and sends a bouncer down the leg side to Kasper. A slightly thicker glance and it's four and the Ashes virtually secured for Australia, but Geraint Jones clings on. Technically it's not out, as the batsmen's glove was not on the bat at point of contact, but nobody cares. I wore a groove in the carpet for this one, and its top of the list because it was slow agony for two hours, and despair flipped to ecstacy with one ball. Amazing.
Anyone else want to submit their top 5 armchair moments ?
I will follow this up with the top 5 "I was there" and top 5 "I was in a pub" shortly...
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