Been a pretty good tournament up to now. I like the way these events whip up national pride to a frenzy, however it really disappoints me how some country's react to losing. Seems to be a culture of alchol related violence that the English invented and have exported to some of continental Europe, though most of the Euro zone seem to have a more civilised relationship with drink.
After watching some poor French guy get his head kicked in, in the central London pub I was in, after only France's first goal. The so called Eng-er-land fans were so busy pumelling the guy for cheering his team's goal they missed the second and the rest of the match once, bouncers and bar staff managed to get to the scene. Of course some idiots started chucking their plastic beer glasses at the large screen from the balcony, which wasn't much fun for those stood below, including us...
Anyway as I pointed out to Robin, every cloud has a silver lining, and in my case I had Zidane in my Fantasy football team! I'm backing the Czechs to win, I've got Barros, Kholer and Nedved and 2 transfers left to make post the semis. They're are the best team I've seen in the tournament, may not have the best individuals but overall link up and attacking creativity and directness they're the best. I predict a Portugal 1 v Czec 3 final.
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Friday, June 04, 2004
AirBus
Booked our first trip abroad (excluding EuroDisney) entirely via the internet. I arranged the flights, apartment-hotel, car hire and travel insurance: who needs to talk to people?. I reckon I saved between £300 and £1000 compared to booking through a package travel company.
We flew out of Gatwick at 11am, which I'd thought was a reasonable hour, considering many flights depart before 9am. However, working back, to check in 2 hours prior to flying, parking and car journey from Harrow during rush hour, we had to leave home at 7.30am, which with two toddlers (30 month old twin girls) in tow is no mean feat. R, bless her, managed it while she wasn't feeling the best herself. Check in was smooth and organised considering the number of people queuing. We had to check in H&Z's double-buggy, which I'd trussed up in one of Rob G's 'Japanese Mail' sacks for protection, seperately as oversized luggage. The sight of their familiar mode of transport dissapearring down a conveyor belt triggered off H&Z. We had to whisk them through passport control and into duty free. H&Z and I sat at a cafe and ate some bagguettes, whilst R did a quick shop. Then it was off to the departure gate, sat on our suitcases aboard the luggage trolley H&Z did their best cute look.
Now although Z knew we were in an airport, she had started telling us a few days earlier that she didn't want to go in a plane because ''it's too high" which I can fully understand. So we had to convince her we were getting on a bus. Arriving at the departure gate, we handed over the boarding cards and the friendly hostess chirped in a squeaky voice "so are you going on a plane?" to H&Z, we mutterred to her that we were actually going on a bus. We had felt bad for lying to Z just to save us the hassle, when suddenly the thought occurred that we were on an 'Air bus' which was true! So after that it was an airbus we were on not a plane, which seemed to comfort Z. Even when we were cruising at 40000 feet and Z was looking out of the window at the wings and the clouds below, she for reassurance said "Daddy I can see a plane (pointing at at the wing), but we're not on a plane, we're on an air bus". "That's right Darling" I smiled. In fact Z was so relaxed she was asleep during the descent and landing. The landing even caught me a little by surprise, as its the approach is over the sea until the final seconds, when we hit the tarmac. We waited for the majority of passengers to disembark, before attempting to grab our luggage and twin toddlers. As we walked down the steps of the plane Z kept saying "there's a plane Daddy"
We flew out of Gatwick at 11am, which I'd thought was a reasonable hour, considering many flights depart before 9am. However, working back, to check in 2 hours prior to flying, parking and car journey from Harrow during rush hour, we had to leave home at 7.30am, which with two toddlers (30 month old twin girls) in tow is no mean feat. R, bless her, managed it while she wasn't feeling the best herself. Check in was smooth and organised considering the number of people queuing. We had to check in H&Z's double-buggy, which I'd trussed up in one of Rob G's 'Japanese Mail' sacks for protection, seperately as oversized luggage. The sight of their familiar mode of transport dissapearring down a conveyor belt triggered off H&Z. We had to whisk them through passport control and into duty free. H&Z and I sat at a cafe and ate some bagguettes, whilst R did a quick shop. Then it was off to the departure gate, sat on our suitcases aboard the luggage trolley H&Z did their best cute look.
Now although Z knew we were in an airport, she had started telling us a few days earlier that she didn't want to go in a plane because ''it's too high" which I can fully understand. So we had to convince her we were getting on a bus. Arriving at the departure gate, we handed over the boarding cards and the friendly hostess chirped in a squeaky voice "so are you going on a plane?" to H&Z, we mutterred to her that we were actually going on a bus. We had felt bad for lying to Z just to save us the hassle, when suddenly the thought occurred that we were on an 'Air bus' which was true! So after that it was an airbus we were on not a plane, which seemed to comfort Z. Even when we were cruising at 40000 feet and Z was looking out of the window at the wings and the clouds below, she for reassurance said "Daddy I can see a plane (pointing at at the wing), but we're not on a plane, we're on an air bus". "That's right Darling" I smiled. In fact Z was so relaxed she was asleep during the descent and landing. The landing even caught me a little by surprise, as its the approach is over the sea until the final seconds, when we hit the tarmac. We waited for the majority of passengers to disembark, before attempting to grab our luggage and twin toddlers. As we walked down the steps of the plane Z kept saying "there's a plane Daddy"
Big Brother
My wife and I are avid fans, given as after we've put our 2 young kids to bed, there's not much else on. Last year was so bland and everyone was sooo 'nice' that the producers appear to redeemed themselves this year by including a load of outspoken, self obsessed, strong minded people which makes it just that much more interesting.
The two distinct camps (pun intended) that have broken out are quite good to watch. Marko's (mincing queen) 'Harem' (infiltrated by Stuart), includes the delectable Michelle (who fancies the aloof poser that is Stuart something rotten) and Nadia the HeShe portugese thing.
The other bunch 'The Boys' led by vanity Jason, include Dan the big gay guy who just wants to rub J's bottom, Ahmed the outsider (early evictee) and intense Victor (black guy) who's more than averagely scary. Jason is vain but self confident and has winning potential.
The others include Kitten a law unto herself, making enemies by whinning on and on like a spoilt socialist worker seller, trying to get the better of Big Brother. Though I must commend her 'Big Sister' invention.
Then theres a gormless girl Emma, I think she claims to be bisexual just to sound interesting. She reminds me of a gormless brunette I used to know called Sarah.
Tasty blondes include fit Vanessa South African archery champ,and Shell one time still life model, upper class but not up herself, who I think is the sweetest personality in the place.
The two distinct camps (pun intended) that have broken out are quite good to watch. Marko's (mincing queen) 'Harem' (infiltrated by Stuart), includes the delectable Michelle (who fancies the aloof poser that is Stuart something rotten) and Nadia the HeShe portugese thing.
The other bunch 'The Boys' led by vanity Jason, include Dan the big gay guy who just wants to rub J's bottom, Ahmed the outsider (early evictee) and intense Victor (black guy) who's more than averagely scary. Jason is vain but self confident and has winning potential.
The others include Kitten a law unto herself, making enemies by whinning on and on like a spoilt socialist worker seller, trying to get the better of Big Brother. Though I must commend her 'Big Sister' invention.
Then theres a gormless girl Emma, I think she claims to be bisexual just to sound interesting. She reminds me of a gormless brunette I used to know called Sarah.
Tasty blondes include fit Vanessa South African archery champ,and Shell one time still life model, upper class but not up herself, who I think is the sweetest personality in the place.
Right foot update
Foot much better after several RICE treatments. Played 8-aside on grass on Sunday without a hitch, although I didn't (couldn't) run much, but that was all to do with fitness, or lack of, rather than injury. I ended up playing in goal in the second half and we won 5-1, it was 2-1 when I went in goal. Looking forward to playing on astro turf next Thursday as its played at a more comfortable pace.
Need to get fit, but can't be arsed with gyms anymore, and can't motivate myself to go running, so need to find a Tuesday evening sport to get my 3x a week aerobic fix.
Need to get fit, but can't be arsed with gyms anymore, and can't motivate myself to go running, so need to find a Tuesday evening sport to get my 3x a week aerobic fix.
Ricky Gervais - Politics
Went to see Ricky at the Palace Theatre on Tuesday 3rd. Wasn't expecting it to be brilliant and it lived up to my expectations. He was funny, his stage presence and delivery were good, even though we were at the very top of the balcony seats, he was pretty engaging. However, he was David Brent on stage, telling cringe worthy un-pc joke, not worth the £20 ticket, overrated: 6 out of 10. I'd swap it for a Mark Thomas gig any day.
Derren Brown
Had a go at Derren's seance, which we sussed was fixed when everyone picked the same girl from the photos. However it is interesting how people can be manipulated to the point of being scared out of their wits just by using words and environment to feed their imagination.
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