things that make you feel old - part 245

Sinead O'Connor nowadays, plus the fact that Jet Black from the Stranglers is now 71. Punks not dead (yet!)

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danny rose goal - fight the power

This is a view of the Danny Rose goal from the stands (if it stays up) from the Arsenal v Spurs game. The clip has been on youtube from other cameras but has been taken down due to a copyright claim by Netresult, whoever they are.

What a bunch of bastards, if they are preventing someone putting up their own film, after they have already paid outrageous prices for the privilege of watching the game live, and then being fleeced for the three p's (a pie, a pint and a piss). I know that technically the piss is free, but you get my point.

The goal is on TV and shown round the world, with clips being franchised everywhere, money being made and profits maximised, so let the poor old fan have a bit of enjoyment with his camera and allow him to share it.

Normally, I would not have put this clip up, but fight the power I say. Great shot though.

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Eyjafjallajokul

Here's a great picture of the volcano in Iceland (Eyjafjallajokul - try saying that after a few pints) by Marco Fulle. Impressive.

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new york police

Who says the police over-react to any threat of terrorism in the States? They should have tried living through the Blitz etc......

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living in the middle of nowhere

When I was trying to avoid the football scores at work yesterday, I decided to get out and have a short drive. That is when I thought it was like living in an episode of Wallander, it's pretty quiet and bleak around these parts, and the view when at home is about the same (top photo).

Thing is, it is also very close to the A1 and right in the middle of Newcastle, Leeds, Middlesbrough and York, so it's handy for mingling with the outside world whenever I want (only now and again).

Right, back to the sheep shagging.

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rocks off

Love the song but it's the first time I have seen this video tonight. Marvellous end to the day!

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the seasons back on!

Hurrah!! Spurs have beaten The Rent Boys and Terry has been sent off for further humiliation. There is only one point in it now with three games left to play. Sadly though, United play Spurs next. It's squeaky bum time and I have already pooped myself four times today.

I can't stand this excitement - I'm off for a bath

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my little ginger prince

It's all gone blurry through the tears. I have just finished watching United Beat City with a late Scholes goal (15 seconds from time), and Spurs are beating Chelsea 2-0 at half time. Come on!!!
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election debate cock up

Classic stuff. Look at what the online comment about Cameron is. Fantastic!

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madison square gardens

Thinking of Mad Men (see earlier post) got me to thinking about Madison Square Gardens in New York. During the series, they were discussing the contract for demolishing Penn Station (the above ground part in the photos above), to build a sporting and office complex (which turned out to be Madison Square Gardens). I do like the gardens (and certain stores and pubs opposite), but do think that they should have kept the old building and done something with that instead. The upper station was demolished in 1963 and the Gardens were completed in 1968. The outcry regarding the demolition led to the formation of the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission, which prevented Grand Central Station going the same way. Love your history I say.

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babettes feast and the end of mad men

So, the end of Mad Men was tonight (or at least we watched it tonight). Don Draper and some of the other people from the agency are breaking away and forming their own company, as they were about to be sold off. Don (who you actually feel sorry for, even though he has been cheating throughout the series) is getting a divorce from Becks, but now has a new family of sorts with his fellow workers. It has been a really well put together series with a great cast and development, keeping you guessing what is going to happen, but also blind-siding the viewer with unexpected developments, such as the sacking of Sal. Can't wait for the next series, but I hope they don't drag it out for too long, they should quit before any shark jumping takes place.

After the FPO had gone to bed, I watched Babettes Feast (1987), a Danish subtitled film that was pretty bleak for most of it, but got more colourful as Babette prepared the feast (wow! symbolism!). Basically, villagers, especially the two daughters that Babette worked for, had been living a pious life in the middle of nowhere (Jutland). Praising the Lord for every morsel they got, they are suspicious when Babette (after she wins the French lottery), wants to prepare a large French meal for the sisters and the villagers, who have been squabbling and moving away from the 'Love thy Neighbour' teachings. They are overcome with joy and unbridled emotion when eating the meal, as they have never experienced anything equivalent to it before. They then find renewed love and faith and Babette is happy as she has created something beautiful ' As an artist'. The sisters think Babette will now return back to Paris (as they discover she used to be a head chef in an exclusive restaurant), but she explains she has spent all of her winnings on the meal. They then say to her that she will get her rewards in Heaven. End of film. A very slow paced two hours, but I enjoyed it.

Now it's looking at crap on the computer for an hour or so before beddie byes

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bloody germans

Who says the Germans haven't got a sense of humour (or is that supposed to be the Americans?).

This is a Lego re-enactment of Bayerns goals at Old Trafford. Still sickening.

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notorious, agnes of god and blackball

Another finish at 7.30am today, so I have had the place to myself and did my usual crap (literally), reading, listening to music and podcasts, and watching films. Once again, the films were of varying quality and all were completely different from one another.

I will get Blackball (2003) out of the way first. It stars Paul Kaye and Johnny Vegas (who I usually really like, even in the Sex Lives of the Potato Men), as a couple of scumbags taking on the establishment (maaannnn). The reason for this is Paul Kaye plays someone who is in love with, and brilliant at, bowls. Therefore lots of stuck up blazer wearing stereotypes being offended by the young upstart, who of course, manages to also fall in love with the chairmans daughter (no one saw that bit coming). I managed about 40 minutes before I got really tired of it and switched off, crap dialogue, bad acting and no laughs. Who decides this rubbish should be made? Sadly, I would not be surprised if a lot of people like it, although I would despair if that was the case.

Agnes of God (1985) has Meg Tilly playing Agnes, a nun who supposedly has a miracle birth and then kills her baby. It is from the play by John Pielmeir and also stars Jane Fonda and Anne Bancroft. There was a similar case in real life which is where John Pielmeir probably got his inspiration from, where a nun gave birth and killed her baby (in 1977?), and said she could not remember giving birth. Police however, found that she had been out of the convent on a trip approx nine months before, but in the film, a secret tunnel is discovered. It was pretty dated in its look (and clothes!), but well worth watching. Lots of questions about faith and miracles, although I am probably bigging it up too much now.

Notorious (1946) I didn't enjoy that much. Considering it is an Alfred Hitchcock film, the main bit of suspense was whether Cary Grant would end up with Ingrid Bergman, instead of Claude Rains (of course he did). There was a plot involving Nazis and a key to the wine cellar, but nothing as good as Dial M for Murder. The Grant/Bergman love story was like an episode of Friends, where Ross and Rachel keep prating about and not expressing how they really feel for each other, creating problems and misunderstandings. Bah! Still a pleasant enough morning/afternoon, followed by a long bath and a read of my Manchester United fanzine (United We Stand - highly recommended).

Now if I could just stop pooing and collapsing..............my poor arse and head.

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freddie starr and ali

Great story from Freddie Starr and just as good a reaction from Ali (Parky 1981)

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Javi Martínez goal for Athletic Bilbao against Almería

It's like someone filmed me years ago

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garage, the class and the boat that rocked

In a desperate bid to forget about football and Chelsea beating Bolton tonight, I have been watching films during the day, with varying results.

Garage(2007) is set in Ireland and has Pat Shortt playing a man with learning difficulties. He is a bit of a loner, but comes out of his shell with the help of a young lad of 15, but then gets in trouble with the law for showing the lad some porn and giving him beer (not in a perv way, just being friendly).

The end of the film is a bit ambiguous, but my reading of it was that he feels such shame about what he has done, he sets free a horse he has been feeding and then drowns himself. It was really slow paced, but had some great acting by Pat Shortt, and it was the sort of quiet and slow film I like.

Another one was The Class (2008), a French film with subtitles, about a teacher (Francois Begaudeau) and his relationship with his other members of staff, the Parisian inner city pupils, having to deal with their problems and issues of racism. Once again, it was pretty slowly paced, but another film I enjoyed.

Last and definitely least was The Boat That Rocked (2009), a so called comedy from the mighty pen of Richard Curtis. I got through about 50 minutes of it, didn't find any of it funny, and thought it was all too clichéd and one dimensional. The music was great but the storyline, dialogue and acting just annoyed me. The Spice Girls movie (Spice World - 1997) was about the same level of entertainment, and I never managed to sit through all of that (nor have I seen much of Four Weddings and a Funeral). What do they all have in common? Written by Richard Curtis and staring the so called cream of British comedy (God help us). Someone at work said they liked The Boat That Rocked and thought I should as well. They are going to get such a slap when I next see them.

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tommy cooper dying

Never seen this footage before and I never saw it when it was out live (1984) as I was playing tennis. It's really strange how you can just die like that - poof! Obviously the audience had no idea he was in trouble and thought it was just part of his act, fooling around as usual. I suppose he went out on stage with people laughing, which is one way he might have wanted to go, but life can be so fragile and fickle (I should know, with my collapsing. Good job I am indestructible)

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the baghdad blog - salam pax

I have just finished reading this in the bath, as I was back home this morning for 7.45am and the FPO is out till about 9pm tonight, therefore plenty of time to read and catch up with stuff. It is a book by an Iraqi calling himself Salam Pax (Salam being a play on the word for peace), which was put out by Guardian books. It is a gathering of all his bogs before and after the bombing and invasion of Iraq and Baghdad (where he lives). It was pretty interesting as you were reading the thoughts of an Iraqi which were not just concerned with the war. He was also posting about the mundane consequences of war such as internet connections going down and the price of food and drink going up, as well as looking foreword to the new Massive Attack album. When writing about the Musaharati walking around banging his drum at night during Ramadan (to wake up people for their last meal before dawn - Suhur), it took me back to a holiday in Turkey a couple of years or so ago. We arrived at our villa (posh eh!) at night, got settled in and then got awakened by the Musaharati in the early hours, as it was the first day of Ramadan. This was unbeknown to us, so we thought the locals might be about to start some kind of Straw Dogs attack. Slept with one eye open that night, that's for sure.

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a cat that stands up

Jacksie is getting taught later on today

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nicky campbell slip up - twice!

He messes up this pretty badly, then does it again later. Silly boy

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/mediamonkeyblog/audio/2010/apr/01/nicky-campbell-fox-hunting?popup=true

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the season has blown up

Manchester United's season is just getting worse game by game. Obviously a lot of people will be very chuffed by that fact but it's doing my head in. Finished work today and rushed back to watch the United v Blackburn game. I shouldn't have bothered (0 - 0). It is now going to take some kind of divine intervention for United to win the league, and I hold out no hope of that happening. it's even more galling watching Match of the Day 2 later on and seeing Tevez scoring another couple of goals, we really need someone to harry defenders and cause mischief in the opposition box. Sadly Rooney is injured and I have dodgy knees, so I don't know who is going to step up to that roll. Berbatov gets some stick, but he was probably our best player today, he is just not a man to lead the attack, he is better playing behind it. At the moment, there is no way I can see us overtaking Chelsea, who now look as though they will do the League and Cup double. I would try to live in hope, but I have non left.

On a related note, I have just watched Barcelona v Real Madrid (2 - 0 to Barcelona). Once again, Messi produced the goods and scored the first goal. There was a lot of hype beforehand that it would all be about Messi and Ronaldo, but to me, there is no contest. Messi has been the best player in the world for a while, but he plays more for the team. Much as I admire all Ronaldo did for United when he was there, he still came across as though he was playing for himself and for his own glory, rather than the teams. Messi is different. He goes on long dribbles and shoots when he gets the chance, but is always willing to pick out a team-mate if it is a better option. He is still only 22 (I think), and I hate to think how good he would be if he was taller and stronger. Probably a lot like me when I was younger. Ah, those where the days...

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dazzer's birthday

A splendid time guaranteed for all. We all went out for Dazzer's birthday tonight at the Indian at White shops, which was OK, pretty quiet, and the food was not that spectacular (should have gone to Shute road). By we, I mean Dazzer and Louise, me, Mandy, Ruck, Debbie, Maria and John. We all ate loads and got pretty drunk, apart from Louise, who is with child and had the scan to prove it. Who's it is is anyones guess but at least she's happy (only joking!). Couldn't make head or tail of the scan though, just a smudge to me, but I do think I saw a snout there somewhere. Anyway, off to J.T's afterwards for more drinkiepoos, leaving about 1pm I guess, can't really remember. On the good side, I didn't collapse again so I managed to retain a little bit of dignity (what little I still possess), although I did manage to scratch my nose, which I did not realise until it was pointed out to me and the blood started running down it. Damn! What can I say? I have issues. Argued playfully with a conductor guy at the bar in J.T's about music not having to be perfect, which was a bit of a laugh (I was right, he was wrong). Walked home with Ruck and Debbie as the rest of them buggered off back to Stockton in the car (Louise driving). Same time again next year!(at Shute road).

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old photos 1924

To carry on from the last post showing the old film, these are photos taken in 1924 of Fleet street in London and the Thames. The one from the Tower of London is from 1913. Once again, where the hell is everybody?

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the great north road 1939

This film is from August 1939, showing a car journey from London to Grantham, up the A1 (Great North road). It is remarkable for the lack of people about. Most places look deserted, and this is in the middle of summertime. The Second World War started a month after this film was shot (there are black and white markings on the pavements in London, for better visibility during the expected blackouts). If the country looks empty in this film, it was emptier a short while later, when lots of people were killed during the war.It really was a different country then.
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mad men dolls and the beatles waxworks

Mad Men Dolls

Having a quiet night in with the FPO tonight and catching up on the TV. Nearly finished the new series of Mad Men, which has been really good so far, but I don't fancy spending any money on the Mad Men dolls above. Let's face it, they are crap. Not as crap as the Beatles in the Great Yarmouth waxworks museum though. I think they just got any waxworks they had and then clothed them in Beatles jackets. It doesn't work.

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the match facts

Man Utd 3-2 Bayern Munich FT
(HT 3-1)
(agg 4-4)

Gibson 3
Nani 7
Nani 41
Olic 43
Robben 74


Man Utd
01 Van der Sar
03 Evra
05 Ferdinand
15 Vidic
21 Rafael Da Silva yellow card, red card
16 Carrick (Berbatov 80)
17 Nani
24 Fletcher
25 Valencia
28 Gibson (Giggs 80)
10 Rooney (O'Shea 55)

Substitutes
29 Kuszczak, 22 O'Shea, 23 Evans, 11 Giggs, 18 Scholes, 09 Berbatov, 27 Macheda


Bayern Munich
22 Butt
05 Van Buyten
06 Demichelis
21 Lahm
28 Holger Badstuber yellow card
07 Ribery
17 Van Bommel yellow card
31 Schweinsteiger
10 Robben (Altintop 76)
11 Olic (Pranjic 84)
25 Muller (Gomez 46)

Substitutes
01 Rensing, 26 Contento, 08 Altintop, 23 Pranjic, 44 Tymoschuk, 18 Klose, 33 Gomez


Ref: Rizzoli

Att: 74,482

bloody football (again)

I am still trying to get over the elimination last night against Bayern. I was not expecting a lot from the game, as I actually thought United would draw and be knocked out that way. After the start they had (3-0 up, then 3-1 at half time), I had changed my mind and believed they could do it (with some trepidation). Unfortunately, the goal just before half time for Bayern gave them hope, and Rafael getting sent off destroyed Uniteds hopes of punishing the Germans further. It is a real shame, as Rafael had been playing great, containing Ribery, and the Bayern players definitely influenced the referee to get him sent off for his second bookable offence. A really soft and stupid sending off, coupled with Rooney still not being fit, left United exposed to attacks, which eventually paid of for Bayern. It was a great strike by Robben, but with 11 men, I think he would have been picked up at the corner and United would have got another goal or two in the second half. Still, life goes on I suppose, but I can't see United winning all their remaining games in the League (with Chelsea dropping points), so the season is very nearly over. It reminds me of so many times in the 1970's and 1980's when United played really well and looked like they might win something, only to fuck it up at the end (usually with Liverpool winning the trophy). I thought those days had long gone. Damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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niagara falls power station

Behind Niagara falls, there is a power station built in 1906 that is no longer in use and closed off. Some guys have broken into it, had a good look round, and taken a load of pictures, including directly behind the waterfall. What a great experience that must have been.

The whole story and more pictures are here :

file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Jamie.HOMEPC-96FE574C/My%20Documents/Downloads/DIY_Supervillain_Hideout.htm

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foghorn leghorn

brian cox

messi does it again

I have been saying for a while that Messi is the best player in the world, and he has just turned on the magic again tonight, with Barcelona beating Arsenal 4-1 and Messi scoring all the goals. Barcelona didn't play as well as they did in the first leg, but contained Arsenal better and Messi (who had a quiet game in the first leg), was clinical in his finishing, especially in the first half, when he scored his first three goals.

Manchester United play their second leg tomorrow (2-1 down v Bayern), but I have a bad feeling about it and think it may well be a draw, meaning United are knocked out. Let's hope I am wrong.

At least I have no work untill Friday afternoon, so I can doss about before the game and prepare myself for it (lucky socks etc).

If only I believed in that or thought it could make a difference. Rather sadly, I will be reading and keeping myself busy, just to try and take my mind off it.

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cute animals

I am a busy lad today, so here's some cute animals, just so I can keep up with posting daily

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friday in the boro

Easter Friday report coming up!

Left Catterick at about 3pm and met Robbo and Kerry at their place for a few drinks and a chat before heading into town by taxi. Stopped at the Camels Hump first, meeting Danny and Gill there, before going to the House for a game of pool and to meet the others. Mandy had a bottle of vodka on her to add to the drinks of coke/apple juice the girls were having (which quickly went). Emma and her sister Tina (first base only) turned up, plus Mat and Nat, Chris and Hill. Taxis to the old Purple Onion followed after lots of ale had been consumed. The upstairs of the Purple Onion (now known as the Medicine bar) was small but pretty good, old Northern Soul music and a pretty English backdrop (Union jacks), but no threat of any violence about to kick off, like would have happened in the old days (maaaan). I was impressed with the toilets, which changed colour as you were weeing - trippy! Went downstairs to the indie disco whatever time that opened, with Rick Whitter from Shed Seven spinning the wheels of steel (not that we saw him or paid any attention). Got pissed, danced, pratted about and headed back to Nunthorpe for drinks and a burger. Splendid night and no collapsing. It's a shame I then had to head home in the morning so I could watch the footie before moseying off to work. What a waste of time that was. Anyway, clothes got soaked and dirty, I didn't collapse, and everyone got on after they had felt the dents in my skull. Amazing. Same again, same time next year.

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chris kamara - genius

Chris Kamara misses the sending off - what a character and how much is he being paid?
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bloody football

Damn - I really think Manchester United have blown the chance of winning the Premier League this year after the defeat to Chelsea today (2-1 at home). I do think more points will be dropped, but I don't think United will make up the points they are now behind, especially with Rooney out. It's not looking too good for the return game against Bayern Munich this week either, as apart from Berbatov, we have no real tried and tested strikers (Kiko Macheda is still too young), and Berbatov is not suited to playing upfront by himself. I am also aware that football is a funny old game and things don't always go right for you, but the amount of easy passes going astray against Chelsea and Bayern was ridiculous, just like the final against Barcelona last year, even when no pressure is being applied. It makes you harp back to the days of Cantona, Hughes, Robson etc, they would have put up a lot more of a fight. I am not looking foreword to the Bayern game on Wednesday, I have a really bad feeling about it.
In other news, Barcelona were fucking fantastic for the first half an hour against Arsenal. I am so glad they were not playing United.
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ok go

Very very clever - now I definitely have to go and get ready
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off to the boro

Just off to go and get myself ready for the big push in the Boro this afternoon/evening. Time of departure is 3pm so I am going to go and have a shave. The picture above is what I look like at at the moment. Let's hope there is an Easter miracle and I don't collapse again, I can only rise from the dead so many times.

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cool keith

Finished reading this magazine this morning. Once again, Keith is a star.

new labour poster

This is a spoof poster, but I wish it was really used by them.

nozzer's return and back to work

I am glad to say little Nozzer has come back from the vets and he has survived another operation on his cheek. He is still a bit subdued, but a lot better than yesterday, and as is plainly visible from the before and after pictures above, looking a lot worse for wear. He has to go back on Wednesday, and at the moment he has a pellet in his cheek, plus he has to have antibiotics until his return to the vets. At least he is back home, I was a bit worried something might go wrong this time, and let's face it, like his daddy, he is no longer a spring chicken (think he is about seven years old). It did say however (in the Observer giveaway about small animals), that rabbits can live to about twelve years old. Let's hope so.

In other news, I returned to work yesterday and finished at 2.30pm today. Oh it was great too be back, back amongst the thick of it and keeping myself out of mischief. At least I could sit around watching the first leg of Arsenal v Barcelona while getting paid for doing so (Barcelona relaxed too much and should have hammered Arsenal). I had to get a 'OK to return to work' note from the doctor, and was praying he would say he couldn't give me one (that's another story), but unfortunately, the note was no problem. I never bothered getting a sick note for Tuesday either, so I used one days holiday when I could have got it back. Never mind, it was still marvellous to be off again last week. It was no trouble cycling to work, but coming back I had the bloody wind blowing directly at me and it is nearly all uphill. Christ my legs were aching by the time I managed to drag myself off the bike. I was cursing all the way home, but it's character building I suppose. Legs like tree trunks for the summer.

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handsome men's club

My t-shirt is in the post
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