100 things from 2004

Saw this from the BBC. Nice article.

As for last weeks lyrics they were Marys boy child. Try this weeks.

Quiz Answers

The answers to the quiz are

Sport
1. 3rd test in Sri Lanka December 2003 –lost by an innings
2. Leslie Law ( though awarded several weeks later)
3. San Fransisco
4. Stephen Maguire
5. Best mate

Entertainment
1. Ricky Gervais
2. 11
3. The Super Bowl
4. Her friend Jason Alexander in January then Kevin Federline in September
5. Alistair Cooke

News
1. Dasani
2. To create the Uks first artificial reef
3. Ban on smoking in pubs, restaurants and work places
4. Massachusetts
5. Head of the CIA

Misc
1. Madonna
2. David Beckham
3. Venus
4. Fourth Plinth in Trafalger Square
5. eta

A final question ....
Who was the biggest slapper of the year?
- Britney Spears
- Rebecca Loos
- Faria Alam
- Kimberly Quinn

Open Golf

This year the open golf is in St andrews the home of golf. Just booked my tickets for the Staurday and Sunday. A bit pricey at £45, but I guess that this is the first open I would have been to.

Took me a time to find the correct website try the r&a
or open golf , obvious really, but when you check google you get lots of tour companies.

Resolutions

I was going to publish my resolutions after new year, but let me know if you can suggest any others.

1. Finish a cryptic crossword in the metro.
2. Lose one stone (in weight) by end of next year.
3. Learn how to punctuate properly.
4. Find a group of people to play the clarinet with
5. Visit 5 new countries.

Will update you with progress at the end of each month

Lions trip

Well booked my trip. Tried several booking agents and only expedia could get access to Emirates which flies from Glasgow direct and so easier and often cheaper. Altogther flights and taxes are a whopping £900. Flight centre could only do £1000, and others no better.

So will fly out on Saturday 25th June and arrive on 27th June, which gives me 4 or so days to get down to Wellington and get a ticket, i'll be lucky. Match on 2nd July. Then work my way back to Auckland and spend a week there till game on 9th July and fly back next evening.

Not sure where to go. But as been to Rotorus may try to get down to Wellington some other way and may spend time in Bay of Islands. All suggestions welcomed.

Only things left is to keep an eye out on ebay for tickets, sort out some accommodation around match day incase, can leave rest to later, and but a lions rugby top.

Unfortunately after the far east, ascot and the test match have little holiday left. Never mind. The sporting summer is shaping up nicely
- Royal Ascot
- Lions tour
- Open golf
- Ashes test
World athletics is in finland???

Christmas presents

So far these are my Christmas pressies. (UPDATED!)

- A book of 1000 places to visit before you die (which I already have!)
- A hamper of home made jams etc
- A sort of key lock thing to store my keys ( related to me locking myself out all the time)
- Sunglasses
- some coasters with scottish women on underside
- a jumbo quiz book
- a puzzle with ballbearings ( time to complete 10 mins)

um think thats it.

Penguins game

You have to try this. My best is 319. Very addictive

Merry Christmas

Merry christmas everybody, well Santa has arrived at this house. Must have been a bad boy this year as no presents from Santa.

We had decided to turn all the clocks back an hour upstairs so that the kids here didnt think it was so late and we could get some more time in bed. Some success heard them saying it was 430 when we all knew it was an hour later.

They all seem to have some good presents.

Last weeks lyrics were from Matinee by Franz Ferdinand, yeah very easy. Try this weeks.

Seinfeld episode

Was watching Seinfeld on dvd last night and theres this classic scene.

Basically George has gone out with someone, and they driven back to her place and she says "do you want coffee?"
and George says something like "Well coffee, nah, can't take coffee this late at night, would be up all night", she looks at him and then after a pause says " well ok, good night I guess then". Then about 30 seconds later sitting in the car George realise and says to himself, "coffee, coffee isnt coffee, coffee is sex".

Anyway a day or so later he phone and gets the answer machine
" Hi its um George, remember me. The guy who didn't come up for coffee," nervous laughter after realising what hes just said " you see, you see, I didn't realise that coffee didn't really mean ......" trying to think of the right word " ... whatever"
" Anyway it was fun, it was ... fun. So you call me back .... err if you want to, upto you, you know, whatever you want to, everyway, the balls in your court .. so er take it easy"
Puts phone down slowly.

Classic!

The episode continues with George confessing what he said to Jerry and Elaine, and Elaine tells of someone who switched a mesage tape ... leading to the inevitable plan to tryand swap the tape.

2004 Quiz

Sport
1. Cricket: Who was the last team to beat England in a test match?
2. Olympics: Who won Britains first gold medal at this Olympic games?
3. In which city were the robo-olympics held?
4. Who won Snooker UK championship in York?
5. Who won their 3rd Gold Cup at Cheltenham?

Entertainment
1. Which UK comedy actor won a golden globe?
2. How many Oscars did LOTR3 win?
3. Where did Janet Jackson expose herself?
4. Who did Britney marry this year?
5. Which veteran broadcaster retired from the world's longest-running speech radio programme after 58 years, and then died shortly afterwards?

News
1. What was the name of Coca-Colas bottled “pure” water?
2. Why was the frigate HMS Scylla sunk in Whitsand Bay near Portsmouth?
3. Which ban came into effect in the Irish Republic at midnight on March 29?
4. Which state in the U.S. became the first to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples?
5. George Tenet announced his resignation as head of which organisation unexpectedly?

Misc
1. Who said that George Bush and Saddam Hussein were 'alike' in a US television interview?
2. A Swiss newspaper published a picture of which Englishman, encouraging their readers to stick pins in it?
3. Which planet moved in front of the Sun for the first time since 1882?
4. What location were the sculptures Alison Lapper Pregnant by Marc Quinn and Hotel For The Birds by Thomas Schutte chosen to occupy, each sharing 18 months there starting in Spring 2005?
5. When you expect a letter from Greece to arrive (cryptic 3)


Have fun - answers in the new year

Lions Tour ???

Been looking at how to get to the Lions tour. To guarantee tickets you need to go through an agent at around £3500-£5000 depending on what you go for. Or you can get one through a friend in NZ if they are lucky

So been thinking about going over and at least enjoy the atmosphere and new zealand.

The itinery is
2 July 2nd Test in Wellington
6 July v Auckland
9 July 3rd test in Auckland

So can currently get flight tickets for something like £900, the accommodation is cheap as the hostels are good, and travel cant be too bad. So provided book up early shouldn't be too bad. Thinking flying out 28/29 June and back 10-12 July.

Anyone interested????
see www.lions-tour.com

Franz Ferdinand

Sunday night went to see FF. Really good. The atmosphere was great and they played all the songs I'd heard before, plus a few new ones. The lights and presentation was fairly slick. Did feel they could have comunicated with the audience a bit better.

But overall well worth seeing. If I was doing stupid scores the ARSE score is 2.5.

Latest news

Had an eventful couple of days. On friday was due to go to Lonodn and needed to get a 7am flight. I worked out i should get up at 5. This meant that, as usual, I woke up hours earlier than this and then couldnt sleep. this always happens when I have to get up early. Anyway went to get in the car and had a flat. Fantastic. So had to get a taxi. Never mind

Then on friday flew to London and back. Christmas party on Friday night at Tiger Tiger. Good night although I got a teeny bit tipsy,not as bad as some people. Had real problems getting taxi home but got in in the very early hours. Saturday I stayed in bed till midday - get my 8 hours sleep and catch up on previous nights. Cant take it too much now.

So off i went to sort out the flat tyre, making sure I had all my house keys ( see previous blog!). Again I couldnt get the spare off. Really need to sort this. So drove round on flat to tyre place about 300 yards. The tyre wasnt looking to good at this stage. Had it all tested but could find nothing wrong with it. Some little git had let it down, I had suspected so as on Saturday morning didnt look much worse than Friday. So all sorted and cost £2. Nice. Went and bought a tyre pump in case, and always useful for the mg.

Last weeks scroll was from Norwich's most famous son ... Alan Partridge. Not festive becauseof a partridge in a pear tree, but cos I went to Norwich, and I wasnt sure many of you would have got Beth Ortons lyrics, fab albums but not any fantastically well known tunes.

So try this weeks. Will be changing on 24th.

flat warming 3

So onto accommodation.

There is room on my floor if anyone wants to bring sleeping bags, also a pull out sofa bed. (priority to girls - sorry chaps!).

If wanting something else here are some suggestions

try out hotels.com
or expedia

The jurys hotel is usually not too bad value and nice, 1 devonshire gardens is very trendy
For b&b's my guide suggests
£36-45
The bellhaven hotel
the townhouse
wickets hotel

£25-£35
jurys hotel
hillhead hotel
kelvin hotel and lomond hotel
lochgilvie house

£16-25
hillview guest house 0141 3345585
georgian town house

sure theres plenty more

flatwarming2

I have been asked about london flights

options are
EasyJet

Outbound
Luton depart 20.55 14/01 arrive 22.10 £32.99 +tax
Luton depart 8.50 15/01 arrive 10.10 £12.99 +tax
Luton depart 13.30 15/01 arrive 14.45 £12.99 +tax
Stansted depart 18.00 14/01 arrive 19.25 £32.99 +tax
Stansted depart 21.00 14/01 arrive 22.00 £22.99+tax
Stansted depart 8.40 15/01 arrive 10.05 £12.99 +tax

Return
to Luton depart 13.45 arrive 15.00 £22.99 +tax
to Luton depart 16.10 arrive 17.25 £22.99 +tax
to Luton depart 19.15 arrive 20.35 £32.99 +tax
to Stansted depart 13.30 arrive 14.50 £22.99 +tax
to Stansted depart 16.40 arrive 18.15 £27.99 +tax
to Stansted depart 19.30 arrive 20.50 £22.99 +tax

Or try expedia
They have
Leave heathrow 21.40 14/01 arrive 22.55
Leave glasgow 17.10 16/01 arrive 18.30
with BA cost £71.80 inc tax

or several times on saturday for around £70.

for details on who flys to glasgow see here

Flatwarming - train fares

As highlighted in the sidebar, I am having a flatwarmign. If you know me and not been invited, well I'm bound to miss people out.

For those travelling from York to Glasgow the Apex tickets have now been released.
I would recommend
Friday york 16.46
glasgow 20.16 (no changes)

Sunday glasgow 14.55
york 18.28 (no changes)

Cost £30 return. Bargain!!

there are lots of options coming back some changing in Edinburgh some not.
On the outward trip the other options are
Leave York 17.51 Arive Glasgow 21.50
19.25 23.25

or Saturday
10.03 14.05
(not as much choice)

With the Apex remember you cant change the times, and its first come first served.
see www.gner.co.uk or www.thetrainline.com

More on accommodation later

the fox and bad literature

Last night driving back from the footy, looking for a driving spot, a fox wandered right in front of me. Right in the middle of suburbia. This explains the sign in the little park which say don’t touch local wildlife. Not sure if I should really let me cats out. Probably ok.

On another topic saw the bad sex literature
awards. It was won by Tom Wolfe whose passage was

“Slither slither slither slither went the tongue, but the hand that was what she tried to concentrate on, the hand, since it has the entire terrain of her torso to explore and not just the otorhinolaryngological caverns.
Oh God, it was not just at the border where the flesh of the breast joins the pectoral sheath of the chest no, the hand was cupping her entire right - Now! She must say 'No, Hoyt' and talk to him like a dog... “

That’s exciting !

On another subject. Christmas cards received 6. Other peoples Christmas cards received 2.

Interesting links

Just been checking up those who have viewed my site and saw french whore. Um.

Strangely also had a german looking up Otis Lee Crenshaw and found my site. twice!

Also someone in Japan(?) looking for Bertworld!

Ashes tickets

Well today I sent off for tickets to the Old Trafford test. With luck will get 6 for each of the first 3 days. They are £42.50 each and in the best place in the ground.

Let me know if interested in coming along and see us regain the ashes (can always hope). Will easily be able to sell on if not enough interested.

Lyrics

Well last week was indeed Dignity by Deacon Blue, well done Rich. This week is not a song but is from a TV show. good luck

Latest news

Well havent been posting much recently. Why? well I couldn't be a*sed.

On monday went to see Mark Thomas at Cottiers in Glasgow, which is basically a converted church. He has a show on channel 4 and is best described as the British Michael Moore, except that he is more serious and funnier when he wants to be. Really good. if there is one thing I can pass on DON'T DRINK COKE!!!

Also some good un pc jokes.
Whats the difference between a british soldier and iraqi soldier?
>>Dont Know
Welcome to the US Army.

This week has been busy but the highlight was the good exams results. Glad to see lots of friends passed, and guess i shoudlnt have called them all. Never mind. Well Done, You're going to miss those study days.

On friday went to Norwich and caught up with people on friday and saturday, and then saw Alex and Looby on Sunday good to catch up there too. The flights to Stansted were great but travelling by train was terrible shoudl have got the coach. For some reason the train goes every 15 minutes to London but to get to Cambridge ie if you need to go anywhere else you either have one train an hour or have to go to the other stansted station and wait 30 mins. It took 1 hour to get from Glasgow to Stansted and 3 to then get to Norwich! (1 hour in the car!!). Moan over!

Thankfully flybe is starting to fly Edinburgh and Glasgow to Norwich for around £50 on June 16 next year. This will be great!

Finally my card count is now on 6 (G, JG, BB, CHS, Nan, MF)

first card

Got my first xmas card yesterday. Guinness. Unfortunatley no pressie.

Weekend in York

Well last weekend was fun, the train down t York went well even if it did get a little boring. Cant believe the nunber of people drinking in the afternoon. Got home and had to check out the heatign as not as warm as had been hoping, then a quick coldish shower, and a life to the Gimcrack. This seemed to be less well attended that last few years but was great to catch up with so many people. Was taking it easy early on but did have a little too much wine later. Didn't do too well on the gambling but was more interested in catching up with people than spending all nigth there, so went double or quits until earned lots of dosh or went bust.

next day did very little - aahhhh. Then a meal in the evening and a trip to the Ackhorne for some decent beer. Not used to this closing 11 o'clock lark.

Then Sunday a long and yet another boring trip up north. Just missed catching up with Jaqui in edinburgh, bad timing.

True Scotsman?

Not much news to pass on. need to organise some plans for Saturday night, and looking forward to Fridays gimcrack. The big question is Do I go as a real Scotsman??? Have to see how cold it is, and how drunk I plan to get (just in case I fall over!)

Got the form through for Old Trafford tests - the expensive tickets near the bowlers arms etc and £45 a day the rest £32 (I think). I'm considering going for Thursday and Friday and then staying over in York on Saturday.

So last weeks scroll (changing this today as away)

Otis Lee Crenshaw
from the song The Paino is like a woman. A classic!
The lyrics from the verse are

The Guitar is like a woman
So elegant and tasteful
The way she swerves and her body curves
Her neck is long and graceful
and when you hold her like a lover

Try this weeks.

Australians and sport

Last weekend was not good. We managed to lose to the Australians at rugby twice in a day. Ok we were unlucky in the union and with a fuller strength team would have won that one, and it was an exciting match. But the League game was outrageous, it made us look a joke.

Then in the cricket we still believe that next year we have a chance. Having not won the Ashes for nearly 20 years (yep thats right). I was at the world cup game in PE when we had then beat to end up losing. In the summer we won lots of matches, although narrowly and now the aussies are thrashing the kiwis we narrowly beat in the summer. Hopefully the south africans will prove a good test and toughen us up for the summer.

I'm not even going to start talking about tennis, swimming ......

Anyway worth reading these
little comments from Derek 'Robbo' Robson.