Now I love baseball. I know it comes in for a lot of stick on both sides of the pond, but i do genuinely love it.
My team is the New York Yankees. Like Manchester United, most people seem to hate them. They've started badly this season, not like most years, and are some way behind the Boston Red Sox in the American League East.
However, the revalation has been Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod). He has produced average numbers during his first 3 seasons in New York, but this April, he's numbers have been awesome. In a season, a good player hits 40 - 50 home runs. A-Rod has hit 14 in April and the season lasts until October. I know he can't continue to perform at this level, but with a little luck, the Yankees will start to pick up.
With a little more luck, Roger Clemens will sign back with the Yankees in May. Even at 44, he would be a hell of an addition to the bullpen.
Take me out to the ballgame.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Friday, April 27, 2007
I'm seriously thinking about taking up smoking.
Why?
Because it's being recommended that smokers get paid leave to let them attend therapy to help them quit. So this will get paid for by the NHS, and I will also support them through my NI payments. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a card-carrying member of the Labour Party and a Socialist, but this seems more than a little wrong. Smokers have exercised their freewill to smoke. I fully support any smoker who wants to quit, but there are better, and more deserving causes than people who toke on Cancersticks everyday.
In the same vein, who are Alcohol Concern to tell us that no child under the age of 15 should be allowed to drink alcohol? Granted, they shouldn't be drinking much, but a little wine / beer with a meal now and again shouldn't be a problem, and certainly shouldn't be made illegal. The French let their kids drink and it doesn't cause a problem. Alcohol was available to me and all my siblings, and never caused a problem for any of us.
This is just another example of the PC Brigade sticking it's nose in where it isn't needed and finding something else to bleat about. Enough is enough.
Why?
Because it's being recommended that smokers get paid leave to let them attend therapy to help them quit. So this will get paid for by the NHS, and I will also support them through my NI payments. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a card-carrying member of the Labour Party and a Socialist, but this seems more than a little wrong. Smokers have exercised their freewill to smoke. I fully support any smoker who wants to quit, but there are better, and more deserving causes than people who toke on Cancersticks everyday.
In the same vein, who are Alcohol Concern to tell us that no child under the age of 15 should be allowed to drink alcohol? Granted, they shouldn't be drinking much, but a little wine / beer with a meal now and again shouldn't be a problem, and certainly shouldn't be made illegal. The French let their kids drink and it doesn't cause a problem. Alcohol was available to me and all my siblings, and never caused a problem for any of us.
This is just another example of the PC Brigade sticking it's nose in where it isn't needed and finding something else to bleat about. Enough is enough.
I can't let the passing of Alan Ball go without comment.
Granted, he was a World Cup winner before I was born, but I remember his later playing days from when I first got interested in football.
Here was a guy who wore his heart on his sleeve and played the game with dignity. His bearing on the pitch was something that a lot of today's self-absorbed players could learn from. You didn't see Alan Ball go down under the slightest challenge or dive over an opponent's leg to win a penalty in the box.
It's a shame that his managerial career never reached the heights of his playing career, but Alan Ball always displayed his passion for the game, and I hope that this weekend sees people paying tribute to the man in a proper way.
Alan Ball 1945 - 2007. RIP.
Granted, he was a World Cup winner before I was born, but I remember his later playing days from when I first got interested in football.
Here was a guy who wore his heart on his sleeve and played the game with dignity. His bearing on the pitch was something that a lot of today's self-absorbed players could learn from. You didn't see Alan Ball go down under the slightest challenge or dive over an opponent's leg to win a penalty in the box.
It's a shame that his managerial career never reached the heights of his playing career, but Alan Ball always displayed his passion for the game, and I hope that this weekend sees people paying tribute to the man in a proper way.
Alan Ball 1945 - 2007. RIP.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
So there'll be a new holiday destination soon?
I love the fact that we are always exploring beyond the realms of what we know. The discovery of a new planet, Gliese 581c in the Beta Librae system, gives hope to those that believe we are not alone in the Universe. This makes 231 extra-solar planets that have been 'discovered'.
I have to laugh though when it's so casual presented by newsreaders. It's a bit like "Monday - Pick up Dry Cleaning, Tuesday - Discover new planet that might support life."
Hang on a second. These discoveries are potentially enourmous. Here we have planets that might support life, and more importantly, might support human life. As Stephen Hawking has put it recently, the only future for the human race is if it can break out beyond the bounds of this planet.
Let's face it, we have managed to bugger up the environment with potentially catastrophic results. Nuclear proliferation is on the rise. This is the dawning of the age of not-giving-a-fuck, and we have politicians paying lip service to Climate Change and Third World Aid.
This discovery, for me, is major news. As a planet, we need to be looking at ways to get into space. Not in some Star Trek/Warp Speed way, but in terms of getting permanent dwellings on the Moon and beyond.
Hopefully, even in my lifetime, we will see manned missions to Mars, and possibly even further. This is an exciting time for mankind. There should be a spirit of discovery in the same way that there was when the New World was discovered by Vespucci, Columbus, Magellan et al. We should be striving to push forward the realms of our knowledge, rather than trying to impose our own ideals, customs and mores on others. This is a chance for mankind to do what it does best. I only hope that we don't fall short.
I love the fact that we are always exploring beyond the realms of what we know. The discovery of a new planet, Gliese 581c in the Beta Librae system, gives hope to those that believe we are not alone in the Universe. This makes 231 extra-solar planets that have been 'discovered'.
I have to laugh though when it's so casual presented by newsreaders. It's a bit like "Monday - Pick up Dry Cleaning, Tuesday - Discover new planet that might support life."
Hang on a second. These discoveries are potentially enourmous. Here we have planets that might support life, and more importantly, might support human life. As Stephen Hawking has put it recently, the only future for the human race is if it can break out beyond the bounds of this planet.
Let's face it, we have managed to bugger up the environment with potentially catastrophic results. Nuclear proliferation is on the rise. This is the dawning of the age of not-giving-a-fuck, and we have politicians paying lip service to Climate Change and Third World Aid.
This discovery, for me, is major news. As a planet, we need to be looking at ways to get into space. Not in some Star Trek/Warp Speed way, but in terms of getting permanent dwellings on the Moon and beyond.
Hopefully, even in my lifetime, we will see manned missions to Mars, and possibly even further. This is an exciting time for mankind. There should be a spirit of discovery in the same way that there was when the New World was discovered by Vespucci, Columbus, Magellan et al. We should be striving to push forward the realms of our knowledge, rather than trying to impose our own ideals, customs and mores on others. This is a chance for mankind to do what it does best. I only hope that we don't fall short.
What is it with some people? Sarah, my other half, was driving to the Bransholme Centre in Hull this afternoon to return a pair of trousers which she'd bought for George, my step-son. As she got towards the centre, she heard an almighty crash behind her, and discovered that the off-side rear window of the car had been put through. This resulted in a detour to get the window fixed, rather than getting the trousers returned. The original cost of the trousers was only £4, but the new window cost £50. £54 is certainly the most expensive pair of school trousers I've ever heard of.
Looking at the resulting damage to the car, the most likely cause for this seems to have been something fired at the car, such as a stone or an air-rifle pellet. Surely the idiots that do this kind of thing realise the consequences of their actions. If they had hit the front window, then Sarah would have been covered in glass at the very least and more importantly could have been seriously injured. If George had been in the back, the same result might have happened.
If it was an adult, then they need locking up, but what bother's me more is the thought that it's a teenager. Have they been so badly brought up by their parents that they don't appreciate what happens when they do something as stupid as this? I don't want to start on a "Kids Today" rant, but sometimes I really do despair. I only hope George doesn't grow up like this.
Some of the kids that I see around and about these days really don't seem to give a shit. Should we, as right thinking adults be prepared to accept behaviour from today's young people? We would have been disciplined and made to behave. Have we gone too far as a PC society? Answers on a postcard.
Looking at the resulting damage to the car, the most likely cause for this seems to have been something fired at the car, such as a stone or an air-rifle pellet. Surely the idiots that do this kind of thing realise the consequences of their actions. If they had hit the front window, then Sarah would have been covered in glass at the very least and more importantly could have been seriously injured. If George had been in the back, the same result might have happened.
If it was an adult, then they need locking up, but what bother's me more is the thought that it's a teenager. Have they been so badly brought up by their parents that they don't appreciate what happens when they do something as stupid as this? I don't want to start on a "Kids Today" rant, but sometimes I really do despair. I only hope George doesn't grow up like this.
Some of the kids that I see around and about these days really don't seem to give a shit. Should we, as right thinking adults be prepared to accept behaviour from today's young people? We would have been disciplined and made to behave. Have we gone too far as a PC society? Answers on a postcard.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
What a game. With a patched up defence, I never thought we would keep a clean sheet. Brown was superb, playing in the middle alongside Heinze. He's had his critics this season, but he has proved in the last couple of weeks that he deserves to be in the squad. He's not as good as Ferdinand or Vidic, but he's a United player for sure.
Scholes' flick for Rooney's first goal was sublime. You just know that if he was still playing for England, they'd be no look-in for Frank Lampard. I saw some rubbish recently that Scholes retired because he was scared of Lampard. Lampard isn't half the player the Paul Scholes is.
Rooney's second goal was sheer class in it's own way too. I was sure that Giggs was going to take the ball into the corner, but he took the defenders away instead and then when Rooney hit it first time, I flew off the bed and nearly took myself out on the radiator! Still, no-one ever said being a football supporter was easy.
Kaka was outstanding for Milan. It's just a pity that we saw some more cynical challeges later in the game from players like Bonera.
I'm sure we will go to Milan and score, and hopefully we will be in Athens in 4 weeks (and hopefully playing the Scousers).
Anyway, roll on next Wednesday.
Scholes' flick for Rooney's first goal was sublime. You just know that if he was still playing for England, they'd be no look-in for Frank Lampard. I saw some rubbish recently that Scholes retired because he was scared of Lampard. Lampard isn't half the player the Paul Scholes is.
Rooney's second goal was sheer class in it's own way too. I was sure that Giggs was going to take the ball into the corner, but he took the defenders away instead and then when Rooney hit it first time, I flew off the bed and nearly took myself out on the radiator! Still, no-one ever said being a football supporter was easy.
Kaka was outstanding for Milan. It's just a pity that we saw some more cynical challeges later in the game from players like Bonera.
I'm sure we will go to Milan and score, and hopefully we will be in Athens in 4 weeks (and hopefully playing the Scousers).
Anyway, roll on next Wednesday.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Boris Yeltsin
I can't let the passing of Boris Yeltsin go un-noticed on this blog. I was listening to various politicians wax lyrical about President Yeltsin on the radio last night. Douglas Hurd described him as "not having a great intellect.". Hmm, way to go Douglas, you certainly picked your words well. Isn't there something about not speaking ill of the dead?
I'll always remember Yeltsin. I studied East European Studies while he was in the Kremlin. In fact, his stand against the Soviet authorities in 1991 was one of the influences on my decision to go to SSEES in the first place.
Don't get me wrong, I admire the decision that Gorbachev took to modernise the Soviet Union and break with years of hardline dogma, but Yeltsin made Sovio-Russian history interesting again. Standing on the tank facing down the military during the attempted coup of 1991 will be one of the enduring memories on the 20th Century for me.For me, during the course of my studies, Yeltsin was a larger-than-life figure who dragged a country to the edge of the 21st Century with some radical reforms which didn't always work, and faced down a second coup when Congress tried to impeach him. It's a pity we don't have many politicians with his passion and drive in power now.
Boris Yeltsin 1931 - 2007
I can't let the passing of Boris Yeltsin go un-noticed on this blog. I was listening to various politicians wax lyrical about President Yeltsin on the radio last night. Douglas Hurd described him as "not having a great intellect.". Hmm, way to go Douglas, you certainly picked your words well. Isn't there something about not speaking ill of the dead?
I'll always remember Yeltsin. I studied East European Studies while he was in the Kremlin. In fact, his stand against the Soviet authorities in 1991 was one of the influences on my decision to go to SSEES in the first place.
Don't get me wrong, I admire the decision that Gorbachev took to modernise the Soviet Union and break with years of hardline dogma, but Yeltsin made Sovio-Russian history interesting again. Standing on the tank facing down the military during the attempted coup of 1991 will be one of the enduring memories on the 20th Century for me.For me, during the course of my studies, Yeltsin was a larger-than-life figure who dragged a country to the edge of the 21st Century with some radical reforms which didn't always work, and faced down a second coup when Congress tried to impeach him. It's a pity we don't have many politicians with his passion and drive in power now.
Boris Yeltsin 1931 - 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Well, another 3 points towards (hopefully) another title.
That said, I thought the referee, Rob Stiles, had a poor game. He missed a dodgy challenge from Colin Kazim-Richards on Patrice Evra which left Evra on the ground, some challenges from Chris Morgan on United players which were rough to say the least, and a very late challenge from Heinze on Shelton which should have seen United reduced to 10 men. It was the kind of match which made me question why this guy is a FIFA-listed ref. He wasn't consistent in how he controlled the game.
Sheffield United are a physical team, but they seemed to go over the top in terms of agression. There was no attempt by Kazim-Richards to play the ball. He went over the top of the ball and into Evra's knee. Surely this should have been a yellow card at the very least? Chris Morgan led with his elbow more often than not and seemed desperate to take Ronaldo's shirt from him before the end of the game.
Don't get me wrong, gentle reader, I still hope Sheffield United beat the drop, I just think that they were too aggresive against United. Aggression born of desperation? Almost certainly, but that was too much and a better referee would have been using the red card.
Personally, I'd like Fulham, Charlton and West Ham to go. I have a soft spot for Watford. However, I think they are doomed to the Championship. I think Fulham will join them, and (hopefully) West Ham, but only because I'd like to sign Carlos Tevez in the summer.
It's certainly going to be an exciting few weeks.
That said, I thought the referee, Rob Stiles, had a poor game. He missed a dodgy challenge from Colin Kazim-Richards on Patrice Evra which left Evra on the ground, some challenges from Chris Morgan on United players which were rough to say the least, and a very late challenge from Heinze on Shelton which should have seen United reduced to 10 men. It was the kind of match which made me question why this guy is a FIFA-listed ref. He wasn't consistent in how he controlled the game.
Sheffield United are a physical team, but they seemed to go over the top in terms of agression. There was no attempt by Kazim-Richards to play the ball. He went over the top of the ball and into Evra's knee. Surely this should have been a yellow card at the very least? Chris Morgan led with his elbow more often than not and seemed desperate to take Ronaldo's shirt from him before the end of the game.
Don't get me wrong, gentle reader, I still hope Sheffield United beat the drop, I just think that they were too aggresive against United. Aggression born of desperation? Almost certainly, but that was too much and a better referee would have been using the red card.
Personally, I'd like Fulham, Charlton and West Ham to go. I have a soft spot for Watford. However, I think they are doomed to the Championship. I think Fulham will join them, and (hopefully) West Ham, but only because I'd like to sign Carlos Tevez in the summer.
It's certainly going to be an exciting few weeks.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
What is going on? I've never been so embarrassed by the England cricket team. The performance against South Africa was shocking. Vaughan should stand down as captain. Whether he survives in the team or not would then be up to the selection committee. Personally speaking, I'd appoint Strauss as the new ODI captain. I think he has earned the right. I'm not sure who would be a good vice-captain. Pietersen maybe?
There haven't been too many England players at the WCC who can hold their heads up and say they've played well. Collingwood, Pietersen, Nixon and Bopara with the bat and Flintoff with the ball. I think Mahmood and Anderson did OK, and Panesar showed potential but they weren't at the races at this WC.
As for the rest, Strauss has started to show some form again (in the SA game at least). Bell and Joyce were disjointed and Vaughan would be shot if he was a racehorse.
As I said in an earlier blog, the team that lines up against the Windies in the summer should be
Trescothick
Bell / Joyce
Strauss
Pietersen
Flintoff
Collingwood
Bopara
Nixon
Mahmood / Anderson
Jones
Panesar
Oh well, at least with Ireland an official ODI side now, maybe we could start our own version of the Tri-Nations with Scotland and Ireland. Maybe we'd even win something then!
There haven't been too many England players at the WCC who can hold their heads up and say they've played well. Collingwood, Pietersen, Nixon and Bopara with the bat and Flintoff with the ball. I think Mahmood and Anderson did OK, and Panesar showed potential but they weren't at the races at this WC.
As for the rest, Strauss has started to show some form again (in the SA game at least). Bell and Joyce were disjointed and Vaughan would be shot if he was a racehorse.
As I said in an earlier blog, the team that lines up against the Windies in the summer should be
Trescothick
Bell / Joyce
Strauss
Pietersen
Flintoff
Collingwood
Bopara
Nixon
Mahmood / Anderson
Jones
Panesar
Oh well, at least with Ireland an official ODI side now, maybe we could start our own version of the Tri-Nations with Scotland and Ireland. Maybe we'd even win something then!
OK, so I'm not a food critic, but I can really recomend you never, ever, visit this place.
When I visit a Tapas Bar (or any kind of restaurant), the music that is played should definitely be in the background. Sadly, this wasn't the case here. The music was so loud that even on a table of 4, we had to shout to be heard.
On top of that, we sat next to the DJ booth. Not a problem normally, but the jerk in the booth insisted on smoking throughout our meal, so everything came with that nicotine after-taste. In the end, I had to ask him to stop smoking around us.
Now, on to the food. We ordered 6 dishes and a side order of bread. The bread was massively over-priced. Five pieces of sandwich baguette cost £2. In the same vein, the meatballs were also over-priced. Three meatballs cost £5, and they weren't large. The garlic prawns were tasteless. The chorizo weren't chorizo but chipolattas. The seafood paella was made with a cheap version of Batchelor's Savoury Rice. The potato wedges were a cheap product that was under-cooked and the creamy, spicy dip which it came with was mayonaise with a hint of jalapeno pepper stuffed in to try and give it some kick! Finally, we got a chicken and ham salad, which I can't say I have ever seen on a tapas menu before and certainly didn't fit with the idea of small dishes. The main feature of the salad was lettuce, with some reformed chicken and ham thrown in.
Considering these 6 dishes cost us £30, I really was seriously underwhelmed with the whole experience. I've written to Fusion to complain, and I'll update you when I've had a reply.
When I visit a Tapas Bar (or any kind of restaurant), the music that is played should definitely be in the background. Sadly, this wasn't the case here. The music was so loud that even on a table of 4, we had to shout to be heard.
On top of that, we sat next to the DJ booth. Not a problem normally, but the jerk in the booth insisted on smoking throughout our meal, so everything came with that nicotine after-taste. In the end, I had to ask him to stop smoking around us.
Now, on to the food. We ordered 6 dishes and a side order of bread. The bread was massively over-priced. Five pieces of sandwich baguette cost £2. In the same vein, the meatballs were also over-priced. Three meatballs cost £5, and they weren't large. The garlic prawns were tasteless. The chorizo weren't chorizo but chipolattas. The seafood paella was made with a cheap version of Batchelor's Savoury Rice. The potato wedges were a cheap product that was under-cooked and the creamy, spicy dip which it came with was mayonaise with a hint of jalapeno pepper stuffed in to try and give it some kick! Finally, we got a chicken and ham salad, which I can't say I have ever seen on a tapas menu before and certainly didn't fit with the idea of small dishes. The main feature of the salad was lettuce, with some reformed chicken and ham thrown in.
Considering these 6 dishes cost us £30, I really was seriously underwhelmed with the whole experience. I've written to Fusion to complain, and I'll update you when I've had a reply.