Callum - My wee Cousin

Here he is the little Rascal.







With a cheeky grin on his face to Boot!

Mr & Mrs Hodge

Here is a photo of the happy couple, taken in the University Quad.

Wedding of the Year!

Just got back from an absolutely tremendous weekend up in Scotland, back in the Auld Toon (St Andrews) as my Big Sister Iona got married to Eddie Hodge, Gentleman and St. Johnstone fan, which are not mutually exclusive by the way (Came as a surprise to me!). Unbelievable time, got quite nervous myself, but Mum managed not to cry (too much), saw all the family again, including Granny and wee Callum, plus of course many of the Big Prizes boys. Absolutely faultless day and night, had an incredible time, and couldn't be happier to have such a great new brother-in-law.

£40 Million, and the big time!

Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army
Aidy Boothroyd's Yellow Army

Oh Yeah, you have to love those Hornets, massive 3-0 drubbing of Leeds in the play-off final at Cardiff. Bring on Chelsea, ManUnited, Arsenal and the rest! Then bring on Europe the season after that.

Best FA Cup Final

Today's showpiece final really was thrilling, high drama from start (or at least after a slow opening 20 minutes) to end, with for once the penalty shoot-out actually being quite anticlimactic after what had gone before. Truth be told, you have to feel sorry for the Hammers as they should really have won it, but that man Steven Gerrard really showed how good a player he is with two of the best goals you will see, both volleys, designs of power and technique. His first was a real classic, his second a goal you will struggle to ever see bettered. Congratulations to Liverpool, the sides they have had to put out edged them my support so I was chuffed for them. That and the fact they have a player called Pepe, clearly this was always going to go in their favour.

Scotland Win Silver!

OK only the Kirin Cup, but better than nothing! 0-0 against Japan this morning clinched it.

Recognition

I give you....Me. Sandrige Rovers Managers Player of the year and Players Player of the year. Just so you know, I never win any of this stuff, so to say I am overjoyed is an understatement. Collected my awards from Andy Linnegan, he of last minute FA Cup winning heroics for Arsenal against Sheffield Wednesday in 1993.







Might be a bit worse for wear when this was taken!

MySpace

Well Myspace has apparently taken over the world, so right enough I should set up my own account.

Abbey

First day went OK. It wasn't as well polished an opening day as at PwC but it was interesting enough and the guys all seem like good guys. Think it is going to be a slow and boring week though until real auditing starts next Tuesday.

Stagged Up

Quality weekend up at Crieff Hydro for Eddie Hodge's Stag Do, a mixture of drunken debauchery, quad biking, golf and fives football (Prizes Vs) Had a whale of a time and 7 hours sleep for the weekend so feel a bit tired now. Nothing like a man dressed up as a pig dancing to Dignity by Deacon Blue in a bar in Perth before watching him Klinsman dive into a massive roadside puddle!

New Work

Found myself a new job then, working as an internal auditor for Abbey. Work starts on 10th April!

Holiday Rocks

Just back from an absolute belter of a weeks 'Boarding in Val D'Isere with Dad. Snowed all week the week before we arrived, but during our time there we had pretty much nothing but blue skies. Didn't count a cloud of note during our entire time there. More photos here.

Out!!

So long and farewell to PwC, I am officially out of here. Sorry it didn't work out, but not a lot can really be done anymore. Many interviews in the pipeline, but I think I really need to sit myself down and work out exactly what I want to do in life!

It's been unemotional

Countdown to Iona and Eddie's Wedding

Apprentice rip-off

I'm a big fan of the original apprentice with the King of unintentional humour, Mr Donald Trump. However, the British version is rubbish, doesn't have nearly the same high profile Business celebs (They got the dude who won the superbowl to interview them in the USA's 2nd series) and Alan Sugar is a fanny and a Spurs fan/owner to boot. Enough said!

You just can't beat a bit of conversation with Mr Trump and George for some sure fire good times.

Arsenal do a Bolton on Real

What a result for Arsenal at the Bernabau last night for Arsenal, with Thierry Henry's second half strike giving the North Londoner's a slim 1-0 victory. Arsenal wee fantastic and probably should have had more, Reyes should have scored in the early stages of the first half and Henry at around the 20 minute mark with a header. Arsenal came with a plan, stuck to it and executed it clinically, they basically did a job on Real, similar to the one Bolton, Everton et al. have done on them this season.

Looking forward to the big match tonight, although am sick of hearing about the state of the park. Barca, get over it, Chelsea can do what they like, it's their pitch, look after the Nou Camp, it's the reason the games are played over 2 legs.

Aside from that, Liverpool have it all to do now, and Rangers will need to be on their mettle tonight.

It's a posh sport no?

So we won a silver medal in the skeleton. I'm certain we invented this sport and all the posh folk go to St. Moritz to try and kill themselves on the Cresta Run.

Olympic Action

I have totally been enamoured with the Winter Olympics so far this year, from the classic alpine downhill skiing disciplines to the more energetic and off the wall events such as the speed skating, ice dance, luge and cross country skiing. I've been amazed at the simplicity the athletes have made their task appear, despite the fact they clearly are not easy. I'm still awaiting Dick Cheney to learn how to ski though, with his new found reputation he is more than capable of scaring his contemporaries into handing him a gold medal. Been quite nice that the Danes haven't had to deal with too many countries from the Muslim world too, the global winter games certainly is still missing a large participant contingent from Africa and the middle east. My favourite non-story of the games so far is 'grandma luge' of the British virgin islands who is 50 and was planning on sliding in her 6 games, but she managed to break her wrist during training and won't be riding the icyhighway this time. Top 'shows' so far both American half pipers and the Russian gold winning pair. How this bunch won silver after a horrendous accident I've no idea. There you go though, wouldn't be an Olympics ice skating competition without any controversy.

Fixtures

Provisional Euro 2008 Qualifying

6th September - Scotland v France
7th October - Scotland v Italy
11th October - Lithuania v Scotland
15th November - Scotland v Faroe Islands
28th March - Ukraine v Scotland
22nd August - Scotland v Georgia
8th September - Faroe Islands v Scotland
12th September - Scotland v Ukraine
13th October - France v Scotland
17th October - Georgia v Scotland
17th November - Scotland v Lithuania
21st November - Italy v Scotland

Wow, so quite a tough start where we need to ensure we get either 2 or 4 points I would say i.e. not lose! Hopefully the French and Italians are slow getting out of the blocks after the world cup, but it would be terrible to be sitting on a big fat zero after 2 home games. Also, have to say a tough run-in too aside from Lithuania at home with 3 out of our last 4 games away. Does mean that Paris and Italy are likely trips and may head out to Lithuania or Ukraine as my other trip!

Frozen Flame

Well I’m quite excited about the Winter Olympics that start today in Torino, even if I suspect the British Press manage to turn it into a bit of a circus as they get on at an unsuccessful British team and poke fun at many great athletes. I am looking forward to quite a few events too, obviously the skiing will be great, and it’s hard not to enjoy the luge, Bob and skeleton events. I also want to see the hockey, speed skating and endurance skiing events, those dudes are hard as nails/mental, depending on how you want to look at it. I’m going to go for the first one, although I have the right to change my opinion as and when one of them crosses the line with snot hanging icicle-like frozen from their nose , face redder than Sven Goren Eriksson as he reads the News of the World and lungs busting with frozen air. Please, please, please BBC, don’t subject us to hour after hour after hour of bloody curling. It is the worst excuse for the sport ever, with no tension, hype or excitement whatsoever. No thanks, not for me.

Almost Over it

I am sick and tired of audit now, it is a job where you really get absolutely no fulfilment whatsoever and no matter how good or bad you are, it has no effect whatsoever on when you finis, if you are stressed, pushed for time, as detailed as you should be etc. I am as happy as a pig in the proverbial that I am getting out of it in less than 3 weeks now, although the no job, no flat saga is still a little worrying to say the least. The fact that I am sitting here now is not the problem, but once again you have no expectations of why and until when you are required to stay. I am not overly keen on staying that long obviously, it’s not like I have some one to impress now is it?

Glory, Glory Golden Boys

Look at how my Hornets are flying, or as Tim Lovejoy from Soccer AM would call them, the Glory Hornet Boys, with a magnificent 4-1 away win against 2nd in the League Sheffield Utd. The Golden Boys 5th win on the bounce pushed them above Leeds in the table on goal difference into 3rd place, but still leaves them 11 points adrift of the automatic places. You never know what might happen, but at the very least it seems to be underlying the fact that the play-offs are a probable and perhaps we might put enough pressure on the Blades to catch them.

Anyways, working in a very strange business park at the minute on Vue, the cinema chain. It’s called Chiswick Park out by Gunnersbury and is only half finished at the moment (although the 7th of 12 buildings is in the process of being completed). Its full of people cutting the lawn brushing the paths and so forth, is always spotless and full of futuristic buildings, but it cannot rid two points, firstly it is in Gunnersbury, secondly, the Futuristic roof means that instead of stopping you getting wet when it rains, it means that you alternate between walking through a torrential drips or permanent dryness. Very Strange, if this is the future you better hang on.

Down The Tube

Absolutely sick and tired of the bloody tube now. Definitely one thing I am not going to miss at all about having to change digs for a while and head back to sunny Harpenden. Last night it took 1 hour for the journey from Embankment to Clapham South on the tube and in all I was on no fewer than 4 different tubes. Yet, the unions still hold LU and the customer to ransom as and when they want.





Absolute scandal by the way!

No need to rearrange too much in Summer 2008

I suppose it might have been a bit too optimistic for a Scotland fan to be booking their ticket for the Euro 2008 championships after a change in fortunes in the second half of World Cup 2006 qualifying under the stewardship of Walter Smith, but then the Uefa Bigwigs drop us in this group:

France
Italy
Ukraine
Scotland
Lithuania
Georgia
Faroe Islands

Are you kidding me? That's 3 teams in the World Cup this summer, all of whom won their World Cup qualifying group, all of whom have potent strike forces, and all are more likely to beat us. Even trying to get 3rd and boost our coefficient is going to be an ask, with Lithuania and Georgia no pushovers either. We won't dwell on the Faroes!

At Least there is a couple of good away games in there, I fancy France and the Ukraine and depending on where it is to be played Italy, Genoa hopefully.

We find out the dates w/e of 10-11th February

Boomtown Rats

Saw a really interesting TV programme on Channel 4 last night about Brenda Spencer, the first ever American School Shooter, who Killed two people injured 8 children as she shot at a school across the road from her house. Her explanation at the time as a 16 year old; 'I don't like Mondays' is the basis of the Boomtown Rats (Sir Bob Geldoffs group before he decided to
change the world), song of the same name.

It was a really interesting story, as Brenda after 26 years incarcerated had a parole hearing, where as is usually the case it seems her abusive father screwed with her mind as a child. Sadly Blazing Saddles came on, on the Beeb and as it has the greatest and most funny start to a movie ever, I missed the end. Altough looks like she never got her parole.

Free Wally

Unbelievable, a blooming muckle great whale managed to swim all the way up the Thames to Central London, where on Saturday it died having been rescued and was being returned on a boat back out to see. See the story here. What absolute car crash TV that it should have been the top story on the news on Saturday evening, especially when you consider that the election results in Iraq were just made public, and there have been all kinds of new threats that violence is likely to intensify. It's terrible that one whale could die and it outweigh the fact hundreds of innocent British soldiers who shouldn't be in Iraq and are in theory breaking all kinds of international laws are now having to dodge even more bullets.

Bliar indeed! I was surprised he didn't make an announcement that he was saddened by the news the whale had died!

Where Are You?

I want to see where everyone reads me Blog from, so click on the Frappr link to the right

Nice

Prediction No.2

And This one.

Mind you it didn't take a genius to work out Man U would gub a team of diddies.

Work is boring as sin, the question is, what shall I do with myself come 1st March 2006? The joy of not having to audit is one good thing, for sure!

Prediction in!

Can't say I didn't call this.

LTA must be so happy

Aside from not getting any wild cards for Brits in the Aussie Open as they usually do and with Greg The Brit awaiting his baby back home, It was Tiger Tim and Awesome Andy who were both knocked out with not so much as a whimper. Ahh wee, roll on June/July and the green, green grass of home.

C'mon the non-leaguers today and tomorrow. My tip, Nuneaton or Tamworth to get to extra time, and then probably lose. Tomorrow, Burton will get gubbed at Man U, where all is not well.

Top 100 searches brings up really interesting website

Saw a bit of a television show going through the top 100 MSN searches for the year 2005. I was struck by this one at no 100, the only actual domain name searched. It was started by this alfie fella, (click on his photo for close up), after the London Bombings, who apparently set the domain name up within an hour of the news, and has slowly grown in the six months since to the size it is now. I like lots of the photos; with mixtures of defiance, hope, hatred, humour, compassion and sympathy that gives you a good feeling about the world. The eclectic mix is added to by the vast diversity of locations from where they were all sent.

Top 10 MSN

1. Eastenders
2. Big Brother
3. Barbie
4. Angelina Jolie
5. Britney Spears
6. Star Wars
7. Sudoku
8. Liverpool FC
9. Michael Jackson
10. Cricket

Photo Update

Photos have been updated online now here.

Predictions

Er Yeah so I called 2 out of 4, shooting a casual .500, but managed to lose my two tips (King and Whitlock) for the title. I like the look of this Klaasen kids arrows though, but not good enough to beat the reigning champion, so I now think Barneveld to beat him convincingly in the final.

Too much work for me to do as many prediction posts as hoped.

This article made me chuckle, certainly brings a new meaning to 'Swing' Bowling. Seriously, are journalists struggling so much for a story that they are having to resort to this?

'Ladies and Gentlemen...'

'...Let's! Play! Darts!'

Lakeside action once more and it's been a bit disappointing so far, although obviously not as disappointing as for past Champions Andy Fordham, John Walton or Ted Hankey all off home before even getting a feel for the oche. So far you have to like Merv King and the Australian 'Wizard' Simon Whitlock, especially with Barney not doing too well in his opener.

Certainly the atmosphere seems a little bit less interesting than in years gone by, but with slightly longer Best of 7 setters in the last 16 tonight and tomorrow, this might switch it up.

Games today: (My Picks in Bold)

Jelle Klaasen v Mervyn King (1)
Paul Hogan v Albertino Essers
Shaun Greatbatch v Per Laursen
Paul Hanvidge v Simon Whitlock (4)

'I've come here to win Matches'

Roy Keanes debut in a Celtic Shirt somewhat went against his quote above. Biggest shock of the Weekend as the Bhoys went down 2-1 against Clyde of Div 1.

Great story being Clyde's season, their Pop Idol-esque trials at the start of the season in order to get a squad together. Might well save Mcleish's job too, providing he can finally beat Hibs this season.

Drama of the FA Cup

An absolute classic of an FA Cup weekend, even if Lawrenson who is often prone to the hyperbole, admitted as much. Shocks galore, although actual ‘Giant Killing’ was left to Leyton Orient and to a lesser extent Colchester. I think that in terms of progressing the ‘diddy’ teams will have shot their boat, especially Nuneaton Borough who should have beaten Middlesbrough and Burton who could have beaten Manchester United. Tamworth must be in with a shout of progressing on their own patch against Stoke.

As for the BBC’s Live games, they chose absolute doozies in Luton v Liverpool and Leicester v Spurs, their adage of great drama from a few seasons ago never seemed more apt. Despite being 3-1 down, Liverpool still seemed to be exerting a level of control and looked like scoring. As the Hatters tired, Alonso and Steven Gerrard saw more and more of the ball, and Alonso scored two of the greatest FA Cup goals ever. His half volley was sumptuous, and the goal at the end within 10 yards of his own half showed great skill, on his weaker foot. Alonso, the quiet man was once again overshadowed by his English Midfield accomplish, whose first goal was one few could score, passing a ball into the net at the speed of most other peoples drives and with the accuracy of a snooker player. By not celebrating (Which he later put down to the fact he didn’t think it would be the winning goal), it made this unique goal somewhat dour. Mr Gerrard, even managed to spoil the final minute goal by Alonso with his screaming for a pass before realising the ball was making its way into the net from a country mile away.

Tuning into the Leicester-Tottenham match on Sunday evening had potential for ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ feel to it. Indeed, on paper it was a miss-match, Spurs flying high in the Premiership, defeated only 3 times all season, Leicester having a torrid time and run of results in the Championship. I was interested in seeing how the Scottish contingent (Hughes, Douglas) in the Foxes side and former Ess-Pee-Ell players (Maybury, De Vries) would perform against world class opposition. The first half showed Tottenham’s mettle, with two well taken goals, and they were seemingly coasting. Good management by Craig Levein who wasn’t afraid to switch things around before half-time paid dividends with the substitute, Elvis Hammond pulled one back seconds before the break. The second half was a thrilling end-to-end spectacle, Stephen Hughes equalised, Stephen Kelly missed a sitter for the Londoners, before in injury time with a replay at the Lane beckoning, De Vries the best player on the park latched onto a through ball and remaining just onside settled the tie.

The thrills and spills of the cup showed what a great game football is, and how the Premiership is really not good for the game with it’s predictability. As we enter the second half of the season, we really are just asking, who will get the final Champions League spot (Spurs, Wigan or Arsenal) and who will head to the Championship with Sunderland. The Championship too seems destined to be won by Reading with the Blades moving up with them. Oh for the opportunity of not knowing who could win the title.

Early 2006 Predictions

Premiership: Chelsea
Relegated: Sunderland, West Brom, Pompey
FA Cup: Arsenal
League Cup: Manchester United
Champions League: Barcelona
Championship: Reading (C), Sheff Utd, Leeds.

Groom to be

Knew I'd find a picture of my good friend Will, seen here singing a bit of 'Maggie May' with my goodself in Whistles, Scranton, PA, During a stint at Indian Head Summer Camp (I'm the one on the right)


Cheeky little fact for you, Scranton is the US version of Slough, if you are a follower of Ricky Gervais's The Office comedy (US Version).

Willski

Great News as the big man Will and Amanda (AJ) announced their engagement over the Christmas period. Happy days to the pair of them.

Not all Christmas Heartache

Well, happy dayz as I am not getting the boot on Christmas Eve as already thought. Contract is to be torn up at end of February. Gives me a nice chance to sort out what I actually want to do with myself now. The flavour of this month is Charity Administrator, needs good communication skills, bit of accounting and organization. I give you, er, me!

AKA Bye-Bye

Will no longer be represented by my good self. What can you do?

D-O-L-E

Dole queue for me after a dee-saster in my exams, might see this bad boy get a few more messages on it though, probably all sports related, As Dougie would say, 'I do apologise!'

So it is out with the old and in with the new.

Shouldn't have either

Lost 4-2 to PwC City, fouling, cheating bastards, now can't walk. Armitt with 2!

Happy Birthday to young Katy Robertson.

Winning finally

A good day, a cheeky 3-1 victory over Knebworth in the cup. Sadly I played absolutely dross, but Danny Crower scored a peach of a third, a beautiful half volley that arrowed in the top corner. Good old Rumpy gave it to me on the website, hahahaha. Although some bastard managed to stand on my thigh and can hardly walk, not looking good for tomorrow.

Romance of the accountants cup?

Sunday 9th October

Cup game for PwC against E&Y 1, the side that beat us 2-1 when we had 10 men two weeks ago. Different story this time as they had only 9 and a comprehensive 4-2 victory sees us roll on to Rd2 where we are guaranteed lower division oppo. Goals from Marshall, Alex F, Neil Ackhurst and Adam Cunningham won it. Played pretty well, considering I was still drunk, but could have been there all night and not got a shot on target, let alone scored. A bit worried about injuries from the lack of referees though. Some nasty stud marks on the knees and my shin pads were weeping in pain at the end.

Who needs Dailly's like these?

A long, long day which was superb until 3.06pm when it all went terribly wrong. Got home from Jo’s birthday party in London at about 2am, then 6.30 am was up for flight to Glas(Vegas)gow and the World Cup Qualifier v Belarus. Bar Buddha the pre-match venue and a nice place too by the way, arrived at 11.15am just after opening time and it was a good start to the day, a positive vibe from the TA and eventually got drunk. It all looked good on the way to the match, lucky sausage supper and everything, and the sing song good, although changing the verses of Flower of Scotland Obviously affected our boys, as 6 minutes in Belarus scored. Absolutely Diabolical performance from Scotland, see Email to the Footsoldiers;

‘The fact is, Scotland didn't do what they have been doing recently, where everyone worked hard, knew their individual and collective jobs and could then play it short and simple.
I would put the blame 50:50 on Smith:Players. I think Smith probably naively (Rangers in Europe) tried to ensure we were in with a shout until the second half where the 12th man could come into play, and try and nick it 1-0 or 2-0 against a technically sound team. The players notably Pressley and Dailly failed to keep it tight for more than 3 minutes and blew this plan out of the water. Then there was no plan B, everyone started looking at each other and no one really grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck. I think Fletch had a go, (but had a crap game, his miscontrol in the second half summing his display up) as did Miller and Ferguson, although they both were trying a bit too hard either trying to beat one too many defenders or overdoing the 50 yard knocks. Honestly, it is a sad state of affairs when Alexander is the obvious Scotland man of the match.

Whilst Smith can't be blamed for the players continuous inability to maintain pressure or possession, his decision not to introduce new faces at any stage in the second half and play a crazy 4-3-3 with square pegs in round holes (Miller Left wing and Maloney on the right) towards the end with Hartley, Fletcher and Ferguson tripping over each other, is
inexcusable and oozed desperation. Also, Belarus were really strong up the middle, so we needed to get some width in order to stretch there defence, a ploy we used effectively against Italy and Norway, but we had no natural left-footer on the pitch at the end (except for Gordon) and were trying to give Maloney the ball at head height wide right. I can only assume that Quashie wasn't fit or no one could hear big Walter above the sound of
hailstones crashing on the roof.
I'm just sad, that Scotland were made to look like they didn't know what they were doing, McCulloch getting in the way on the line of Maloney’s shot in the second half , a metaphor for the game. Mind, Belarus could/should have had more, Hleb looked a bargain at £10 million, although Dailly would enhance my value too.

God bless Spanish Referees and cheap booze at Prestwick Airport!

Robbo’

A cheeky couple at Pandora’s, long and busy train ride to Prestwick and a flight back to Stanstead. Home at midnight a great 20 hrs awake during the day.

WE WON THE ASHES

Unbelievable, albeit with the helping hand of a South African, we have managed to hang on for the Draw and wrap up the series 2-1, for the first time in 20 odd years. Arise Sir Freddie! Bet Fletcher won't get a passport though!

Playing Again

Made my debut for the PwC Buccaneers today, and after only 9 of us got up for it am very tired. Played against PwC TS who had a full complement of 11, and were 1-0 up for about 60 minutes with a right backs to the wall performance. Played quite well, set up the winner with a Tugay volley from the corner that Matt Armitt managed to tuck away. Sadly defeated 3-1 in the end though as them dimwits worked out they could pass straight through us.

Ashes nicely set up for tomorrow after Freddie and Hoggy managed to undo all of the Aussies good work in a morning session straight from the gods. Bloody Warnie managed to remove Strauss, and despite the Aussies best good Humour, light (or lack of it prevailed) and England held steady for the rest of the day.

Sandridge Never Change

Headed along to Sandridge to watch the reserves play and my goodness was I pleased not to be involved in that mess. It was a terribly poor performance against a distinctly average side, relegation was meant to give us a bunch of easy games. Only highlight was Chris Wilding putting the Baldy defender on his backside. But as Chris W beat me to Player of the Year last year, I
have no time for him. Need to try to get to Thursday training though in order to get a game next weekend. I shouldn’t struggle to get a half I shouldn’t think. The first team won in the cup, 4-0, Chris Wickens bagging a hat-trick.

April

Long time without anything here, I do apologise. But what can you do. Working like a dog at the minute and still hating the long commute in. Half baked efforts to do some flat-hunting, a case of believing the mountain might come to Mohammad? Arsenal - Chelsea tonight, fancy Chelsea to accept the trophy on the Weekend as they will probably win tonight and again on weekend against Fulham.

Happy days though, birthday on Saturday, but need to get the old dear something for hers on Monday, buggar.