Lost for Words

Ah, drat. Just posted a huge entry about the ATP World Tour FInals and lost it all because I hadn't enabled Java in NoScript.
Oh well. Here I go again. Sorry I haven't posted in so long, I seem to spend so little time on the computer these days. I doubt anybody missed me!

But, yeah, anyway, I couldn't miss posting about the ATP World Tour Finals and my one and a half days of action.
After buying my tickets in March my gamble paid off as I had no idea who would play when but I was very fortunate to see Federer and Rafa, so hurray. As well as Bhuphati/Knowles, who I saw at Wimbledon this year and the Bryan brothers...didn't stay for Djokovic V Davydenko last night as would most likely have been very late or stuck in London and was also very tired from the journey back on Sunday which was far from direct due to engineering works and Rail Replacement shenanigans.

Anyway, on to the action. Sunday night was good, I thought Federer played very poorly at the start and Verdasco was whacking the ball back very, very hard. Yes, on the TV you can tell when the ball is being pounded, but this was just anothwer level, you could hear it so clearly. But Federer really did raise his game towards the end, although sadly we had to leave early because of the aformentioned travel chaos.

On to Rafa. I was so excited to be there and to see him, felt like I'd been waiting since the 2005 Roland Garros to see him, and I'm very lucky and grateful that the Finals are at the 02 and that it's not too far away. But, on the flipside, when it was announced that Soderling was going to play because of Roddick's withdrawal, I just KNEW that I would end up seeing Rafa vs the Sod and that it might just end up as it did. It was so exciting all the build up, all the people scrambling to take photos, the roar of delight and pulsing of all the flashlights as Rafa came in. Lots of Spanish flags and fun messages.

The game itself was reasonably close I felt, it was such a shame that Rafa didn't seem to play well on the big points, which is something he normally does so well. Bless him for staying on and signing autographs win or loss as ever. Which just goes to show once again he is a champ on and off the court and that I was blessed to see him, even if he did lose. It was a shame, but onwards and upwards and ¡Vamos! as ever.

I'm not a great photographer and my camera is so small compared to all those people with SLRs...but with some help from the magic tulip I did manage to get some reasonable shots, behind the cut. :)

( Pics from the O2 )

¡Feliz cumpleaños Rafa!

I've had a bit of an up-and-down day today, some little irritations at work earlier were really getting to me but I feel a lot better now. Mostly thanks to natbat3 's great email about the Boyzone concert and our amusing abuse of Ronan earlier. Which has now led me to my iTunes and What Can You Do For Me. I then decided to browse their Last.fm page to see what was on there. It starts as you'd expect, with No Matter What and Love You Anyway. And then there were these gems:

Nothing at All (As much as Ronan thinks it is, the bench song is NOT a Boyzone song)
Shooting Star feat. Boyzone (Explain how that one works, please....)
I Swear (I know most people think I Swear is Boyz II Men, but really...)
Sorry (I'd be sorry if I didn't know that the song is actually called Baby Can I Hold You)
Pictures of You (Who let Mary-Ann Hobbs in?)
Lab (Your guess is as good as mine...)
The Connells 74-75 (Oh dear.)
Oh Caron (So near, yet so far...)
Father and on (Hehehehehehehehe)
KEY LIFE (Succinct, I suppose.)

But the best one of all...

Good Conservation!  (Oh, that made me laugh like a drain....)

*runs away to make sure she has all the ld B-sides in iTunes*

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Now playing: Boyzone - I'll Be There
via FoxyTunes   

I still can't believe Rafa lost today. I thought I wasn't going to dwell on it too much but it seems I can't help myself now. Credit to Soderling who played some excellent shots and never cracked when people expected him to, but Rafa was not at the races at all today. Just hitting it far too short too often. Such a surprise after the way he demolished Hewitt and hit some bullets. Oh well, bring on Queen's, here's hoping Britain will be good to Rafa again. I'm not sure if this is worse than losing 3-1 at the Emirates to Man U, certainly is up there with the sporting heartbreaks of 2009.

Oh well, a disappointing end to a great week off with plenty of time to indulge myself in films, tidying and the ER S14 DVDs. And, yes, I did enjoy watching those episodes again. Oh and there are a couple of interesting deleted scenes from the DVDs that I can post or write about if anyone out there still cares? I must get to the end of 15 now, have seen up to Carter's return so far so must fit that in somewhere.

I watched the Korean film Oldboy this week. Thought it was superb, quite bleak and violent but a killer twist that just blew me away, even if a tiny part of me could sense it...

Feeling sad and angry now. I think this is an ample mood for me to finish the fanfic that has been sitting on my laptop forever and then perhaps the new episode of Family Guy will cheer me up. Then back to work tomorrow..

Well, sorry I haven't blogged in a while. Work has been a bit manic. I worked late tonight and I had such a crazy day, I haven't had one of those in a while. So now I feel wound up and annoyed. Something always seems to go wrong, sometimes it's my fault, sometimes it's not, I'm just tired and a bit down. I hate to make mistakes. I hate it. Still, holiday coming up so time for a rest and to reevaluate everything. Easter is almost here, hurray. And also thanks tonatbat3  for the lunchtime brioche/slash/generally merry emails, they keep me going through the tough days. 

So, well, I suppose plenty has gone on since my last blog. It was my birthday not long after my last post, which was nice, went for a curry and had a lovely time. Apart from the waiter who ruined my birthday surprise, but that was fun and will live long in the memory. On 24th Feb Tash and I went to Arsenal v Roma which was great. I remember years and years ago at school in the sixth form one of the guys in my form was an Arsenal fan. I will never forget standing in the corridor when he showed me the metallic-grey ticket with hologram and the logo, I think he was going to see Arsenal v Leverkusen at Highbury. And I remember thinking I would never have the chance to see a Champions League game. I am pleased to say I was wrong and that we're also off to the 2nd leg next Wednesday. I'm very excited at the prospect of such an all-or-nothing game. It's gonna be exciting.

Well, what to say about F1. An exciting start to the season and pleased that Button finally has a good car after wondering for so many seasons if he would have been better off in a Ford Cortina! It would be a shame if all this diffuser stuff will get in the way, so much red tape these days. Very disappointed in McLaren and Hamilton and all their excuses and lies. I'd be very surprised if they got thrown out, but you never know. It's not a witch hunt this time, they were in the wrong and they have been punished. So sad that now they're all talking about him quitting for Ferrari, that would be such a shame after the team had shown him such loyalty. Anyway.

I got tickets for the first two days of the ATP World Tour finals in Novermber, so very much looking forward to that and hoping, hoping, hoping to see Rafa. I'm not going to the Sunday afternoon session, knowing my luck he'll probably play then. Oh well, it will still be a day and a half of tennis, looking forward to it. Roland Garros is not too far away now either...I must put in holiday in case the final overruns.


Right, it's almost half time. I must wash my hair. I'll try to update more often.

Happy Birthday Claire! Have a great time in the Baltics.

As of now, AFP reports that Arshavin has signed for £12m. Here's hoping, all the news seems to be like a pendulum today.

Ah, the Australian Open. Friday's semi was pretty unbearable, seeing as I was at my desk at work. So I was restricted to just flicking back and forth at the BBC Sport website and bashing F5 every so often. At one point I was muttering and cursing and my colleague enquired what I was up to. Keen not to draw too much attention to my attention being well, slightly elsewhere, I scribbled TENNIS on a Post-It and showed her. I got back a knowing "Oh..." Heh. They know I'm a real sport fanatic at work. Thankfully lunch was set number 5 and I was able to give the score my full attention. Oh, the last game and watching Verdasco claw back the break points, i practically put my fist through the desk...But then he couldn't get back the last one and I punched the air and got my head back down. When I got home my Dad handed me a piece of paper where he had detailed for me the most unbelievable shots Rafa had played during the match, which I then enjoyed on the BBCi rerun.

As the final began on 8:30am on Sunday I set two alarms (coincidentally, much like I did to get up at 3am to go to Wimbledon) to make sure I didn't sleep in. Soon enough, everybody was downstairs wrapped in duvets with their eyes on the match. The start was a bit of a scrappy one, I thought, and as ever, I was as nervous as heck. It's weird, though, I sort of enjoy the feeling, it's both exciting and terrifying at the same time. Another colleague of mine just can't bear to watch. I thought the first set was gone until those two amazing shots...and i was relieved. But then desperately worried when it went to 5 sets. And even loving and knowing the dynamo superman that is Rafa Nadal, I just thought, he must be too tired. But oddly, as the commentator put it, in the fifth it was like someone had just "switched off Federer's gas." There was just nothing left, and the serve went. And towards the end although I was doing cartwheels thinking my God, Rafa is so close to winning, I was also begging Federer not to lose it on a double fault because he's too good to lose like that. I was so thrilled at the end, not quite as flooded with relief and tears as after Wimbledon, but still thrilled. And as much as I love Rafa and I never ever want him to lose, Federer's reaction really touched me and I did feel a bit teary. But Rafa's reaction consoling him like that, well, it was a joy to see it. Sportsmanship, respect, talent, these guys have it all. God bless them both. 

Many thanks to natbat3 and feebomon for a lovely Saturday filled with Torchwood, D&P and Boyzone. Lord knows why I ever liked Ellie woman, her acting is as flat as a pancake. I was young and foolish. It was so good to see it again then, such a brilliantly plotted and amusing crime drama. There's nothing like it any more.

Anyway, the whole of Britain seems to be at a standstill thanks to the snow. We're so pathetic. I did walk to work today, hopefully tomorrow it won't be too icy as it could get dangerous. Off to catch up on my EastEnders before bed, I think.

As I finish typing it seems that the Arshavin deal has to be confirmed by the Premier League and so we have to wait til the morning. So be it.

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Now playing: Boyzone - When Will You Understand
via FoxyTunes    

Work is running me ragged at the moment, everybody is so busy. But hey, in this economic climate, it's quite comforting to be busy. It's the longest week I've had for a bit, and one of the most challenging, but it was good on Friday night to get a thanks and a well done from the boss. It keeps me motivated, I suppose.

God bless the red button, I just watched the replay of Rafa's 1st Round match. He was awesome. Forehands like bullets, backhands that just gravitated towards the lines like they were magnetic...speed and grace and power and oh, I have missed the tennis. But bring back the sleeveless shirts! And I don't know if you agree,miss_lollo  but he also made a lot less noise? Which I missed too, because there's something comforting and rhythmic about those exulted groans as he hits the ball...Or maybe it's just me. I wonder if the semi-final against Murray will materialise...Early days.

A reasonable win for my lovely Arsenal at the weekend, hanging on in there somehow. When they did get their act together to go 2-1 and 3-1 they looked good. But maybe they just spoiled us back in 2003-4 and we're just too demanding. Not sure when I'll next be getting to a match but no doubt time will tell. Although I'm beginning to wonder if I will actually move this weekend, with no less than 5 football matches plus the tennis to devour. Oh and then there's the possibility of the Arshavin move. Please happen.

Just listening to Radio 1 Live Lounge Vol3. REM's Munich is great but it just isn't the same without Tom Smith's bleak, bleak drawl infusing all the sadness. Pendulum have turned Violet Hill (which I alreay loved) into an ecletic electro mish-mash to adore. Guillemots Black and Gold is nice too. I really should put all the music I got at Christmas into iTunes. And listen to half the CDs I bought last year that I haven't.

God, it's almost Wednesday already. Where do the weeks go?


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Now playing: Guillemots - Falling Out Of Reach
via FoxyTunes    

Well, sitting here in Arsenal shirt, bandana and wristbands (well, what other way does a gal have to show her support for Rafa Nadal, eh?) awaiting the tennis. Apparently it's not on the radio, although I can probably live without our always very biased commentators fawning over Andy Murray as if he's the best tennis player since sliced bread. Fawn over him when he has won a Slam, yes, but not for now. Although I can't have everything, as Arsenal v Plymouth is on at 3pm, and I guess they felt they couldn't fit it all in, although just in case, I might just check the station in a moment. Hoping for some US Open revenge and hopefully a 2 or 3-0 at the Emirates today.

I've probably cursed it all now.

Til later.

¡Vamos Rafa! and go on the Arsenal!



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Now playing: Girls Aloud - See the Day
via FoxyTunes    

Aha, yes, I have crawled out from under my stone.

I hope that everyone had a good holiday season. My Nan's gone home so Christmas is officially now over and I am preparing myself for going back to work tomorrow with a large Martini and attempting to sort the pile of crap that I've been stockpiling at the end of the bed for the last 6 months. Thanks to nofrontiers100  for the nudge, I have an email to you that I started composing a while back while at work that I've been meaning to finish and send - I'll get to it tonight, or tomorrow if work is going slow.

So, the festive period passed with much booze and food as ever, and lots of laughter. The start of December however, was a bit of a donwer. Firstly my colleague who I consider a friend left for another job, it was all quite sad really. We always had such a laugh together and I shall miss her, it was always such a pep to my working day. I'm greatly indebted to natbat3  and the very amusing emails we traded in early December, which kept me tittering at my desk for a good long while. Then there was Arsenal v Wigan and Tash and I had a lovely lunch at the stadium. And Charlie George answered my question! Although I had started to feel unwell and was soon struck down by the awful bug that's going around. So after all the Eboue booing controversy ( I didn't boo but my God I was so glad he got subbed, his performance was just a disgrace...) the next week I was then off work for three days in bed generally coughing and blowing my nose. I missed the work Christmas party and the next week was a struggle, but thankfully I was better for Christmas.

My Nan arrived on the 23rd and then promptly told me that there was nothing on television and that we should just play cards throughout the entire festive season. Alas, we managed one round of Beat Your Neighbours out of Doors and that was it!
We all had a good time though, some nice gifts, lots and lots of chocolate. The Christmas telly was good, I suppose, Wallace and Gromit and The Royle Family being the gems. And despite promising never to watch EastEnders again after the cruel demise of Dennis, I loved Christmas EastEnders. I didn't think anyone else in the house had been watching until I came donwstairs afterwards with my Nan quickly announcing "Jack was in The Bill, you know." I think she sneakily tuned in for the cliffhangers...

The festive football was entertaining, with my lovely Arsenal continuing to be well, Jekyll and Hyde. I couldn't bring myself to watch the highlights of the Villa game. We should be able to defend a 2-0 lead, surely. Although my Dad did cheer me by telling me that of course, his Spurs were still in a relegation battle and that once Arsenal have all their injured players back, they'll be unstoppable. Here's hoping. All the talk about Andrei Arshavin is very exciting (just our sort of skilful and attack-minded player) but we need a defence more than anything.

Right, I'd better finish tidying up. Until 2009!

I hope everybody out there is well and OK :) Although you've all probably given up on reading me, if you hadn't a long time ago! Thanks tomiss_lollo for giving me a nudge.

Well, I haven't blogged in a long time, but I suppose the best way for me to recap is through all the amazing sporting events that I have witnessesd/attended in the last 6 months or so.

I'll start where I left off, just after poor Eduardo got crocked at St Andrews.  I think it was the Tuesday after Mothers' Day when it was the 2nd leg, Arsenal vs Milan at the San Siro. Something like 4th/5th March. I know it wasn't long after Mothers' Day as my Nan was over. All I remember of this match was Cesc's 25-yard screamer, standing up, pumping my fist and screaming out "VAMMOOOOSSS!" (well, he is Spanish...) and then almost sitting back down on my Nan! Then there were the two legs in April  against Liverpool, the penalties that never were. But most of all, Theo's dazzling run all the way from one end to the other, the pass and Ade slotting it home. If the San Siro moment was utter joy, then that was just a complete out-of this-world moment. I think I shouted out "It's up for fucking grabs now!" And then 90 seconds later was holding my head in my hands nearly sobbing. Yet another debatable penalty. So near, and yet so far.

On to late May, early June and Roland Garros. That hard, red Parisian dirt that us Nadal fans have never seen him lose on. Andrew Castle saying that as Rafa was in green he looked like the Incredible Hulk. The general belief that not even Federer would even have the slightest chance of winning did surprise me a bit. So the final everyone was waiting for arrived in due course and my Nan was at my house as the Federer-supporting slice of the household. She learned her lesson from my San Siro silliness, quickly shuffling across the sofa to leave a seat between us and exclaiming: "I'll move over, just in case you go mad!" In fact, it was a sedate affair, with Rafa breezing to victory and a general bafflement from all at Federer's ineffectiveness.

Then came Queen's, and me kicking myself, as a couple of weeks before I had seen there were still tickets available for the final. Albeit, very pricey and right at the back. I weighed up the chances of Rafa being in the final and and thought that he would probably win RG as in 2007, and then thought of the Nicolas Mahut episode in 2007 and decided against it. Stupid me for ever doubting him! Oh well, I suppose the view was better on the TV anyhow. It was a close match, but I was very pleased with the outcome.

After a good few years of considering it, I actually went to Wimbledon this year. After a bit of a last-minute decision, Claire and I went on the first Friday, 27th June. Seeing as it was such a late decision we couldn't really camp, so we left on the 0430 train, the earliest we could possibly manage. I think we got to the end of the queue at about 6:20, which wasn't bad going and there were perhaps two or three lines of the campers ahead of us. It was a glorious morning and by about 7:30 we were slapping on the sun cream. I think at about 8:30 the stewards were dishing out the wristbands and we got on No2 court, guaranteed seats for the whole day, which was pretty good going for our first visit.

We got into the actual complex before the grounds opened and had a wander around before finding out where wthe court was and then going on another wander when everything was open. We saw a bit of a practice match and then began to wonder why there were so many people crowded around another practice court, so we ambled over to have a look. There he was, defending champion, cardigan and all...Roger Federer.  Practicing serves and things. I got told off by a grumpy security man as I stood on a bench to take a photo. It was good to see him in the flesh, one of the true greats, albeit from a distance!

The first match we saw was Kuzntezova, against another Russian, someone with a double-barrelled name. Just our luck, 45minutes in, along came the rain. Well, it wouldn't be Wimbledon without rain. So we sat in our macs while the veterans around us piled into their lovely green Wimbledon all-in-one ponchos. We did have a great view though, as we were at the end rather than in the middle and having to constantly look back and forth. The delay was a couple of hours I think, we got through Kuznetsova's victory, then Fernando Verdasco vamos-ed all over Tomas Berdych, Marcos Baghdatis beat someone who I can't remember and we saw a bit of Liesel Huber playing doubles before we decided to leave just after 8. A fantastic day, perhaps the only negative was having to grab McD's on the way home as all the food and drink at Wimbledon is stupidly expensive. All those £6 glasses of Pimm's and we still can't win any Davis Cup matches!

In no time the final arrived and I was away at my Uncle's, as he and my Dad got tickets for the British GP, so we juggled between the channels, hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of them, until the tennis finally started. I think my jaw dropped even at the first point, boy, they were whacking it right from the outset. I remember Rafa had a good few break points in the first set and knew he would take them eventually. Then he fought back in the second set and I probably thought I was dreaming that he was two sets up and on top. The fourth set was just, well, so tight, and so close. Those match points were just unbearable. By the rain break in the fifth it was dinner time and I just couldn't eat, I was so on edge. I think this was the lowest point of the match for me, as I really thought Fed had the momentum. And I thought there might not be any more play. My uncle gingerly coaxed me back to the TV and they were back. And I couldn't sit still. I kept jigging my legs up and down like a maniac. By now everyone was pretty fixed on an amazing match. My uncle and aunt aren't mad sport fans and I don't think they'd seen anything like it before, especially not me living through every damn point! Then, the break came and even then I just didn't know what might happen. It was so, so dark. miss_lollo , if you're out there, can I ask you your opinion on the 30/30 point in the final game? (I think you know what I'm referring to...) I've watched it again on the DVD a few times. Then it happened. Rafa did what he always does, he makes you play that one more shot you didn't want to, and Fed had put it in the net. And I was so glad everyone was so engrossed that we didn't put the lights on, as I let it all out and just cried with joy. i had said previously that the 2007 final was the best sporting event I'd seen, and this topped it by about five times, it was sensational play from two great champions. And it would have ruined my weekend if Rafa had lost.

Wow, I feel a bit drained after going through all that again!

I didn't really get to see a lot of the Olmypics live, mainly because of the time difference and of course having to work so not being able to stay up. But I did thoroughly enjoy all the highlights and Great Britain's great triumphs. Poor Paula though, I know I started this blog around the time she was running in Athens and uit just wasn't meant to be for her I suppose. Such a shame. Maybe she can win in London, she certainly knows the course. It might just be too much of an ask though. But it was so refreshing to see the Olympians' endeavours in a nation where all our football clubs are being taken over and ludicrous amounts of money are being spent on players and salaries. And of course, we all know who won a gold medal...

I went to my first Arsenal game, the first game of the season against West Brom. I was madly nervous and excited, which was not helped by the walk up about 10 flights of stairs to get to my seat. But it was a win and a great day. Tash and I went to the FC Twente match, which was an entirely different atmosphere being a Europen tie and a night match, Sadly only one of the four goals went in at our end, but we were very near the front, and right in with all the guys singing the songs, which was great. We're off to the Everton game next month. Here's hoping for a win!

The US Open..ha. Loved Rafa's blog in The Times. Somehow had this gut feeling that Murray might win...just because for once, he had the right attitude. And although I'm still not his biggest fan, I credit him for reaching the final. But I watched it on holiday from my hotel room and it was no contest, and Fed wiped the floor with him. I was pleased, because Fed deserved to get something this year, everyone saying he was finished and he proved them all wrong. Part of me did want the dream final again so much, though.

I expected Fed to win, but I did not expect England to win in the Maksimir. No sir. Although no Eduardo and Kranjcar did mean that Croatia were without two of their best players, I was thrilled to see Theo step up and go through them like a hot knife through butter. It was so very, very good to see England play well again. I knew he could do it.

I think that's about it. Work wise things are about the same, although I am writing a lot more now which I am very pleased about.

Til next time...sorry this was such a long, sporty rant!

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Now playing: Justin Nozuka - After Tonight
via FoxyTunes   

What a horrid weekend for the Arsenal. That tackle was just awful and I'm so gutted for Eduardo, not only will he miss the rest of the season in England but of course, Euro 2008. I was so looking forward to seeing him play in the summer. I was just so depressed during Match of the Day, these things trascend the scoreline when someone gets so badly hurt like that. I don't believe that there was any malice involved but thos was a disaster waiting to happen with all those bad tackles that have been blighting the football recently. Some are suggesting that he will be fine, others that he'll never play again, some only one bone was broken, others say both tibia and fibula.  Apparently the club are releasing a statement tomorrow. In the meantime, get well soon Eduardo! Now we have to win the league for him and galvanise and pull together before everything falls apart.

I watched Gladiator earlier on.  Great dialogue, great acting, great swathes of bloodthirsty action. Just as I expected really!  I also watched Good Night And, Good Luck, which I thought was good. Quite amusing in some parts, but I always enjoy things that are based on true stories. I did find it a bit hard to get into at first, but it did pick up after the first half an hour or so.

This week's ER here was Blackout... (My, I had such a cheery TV night last Thursday with cot death in Emmerdale and then ER...). I  thought Maura was very good as always...I just felt quite sad throughout. And couldn't quite stop thinking about how much I wanted Abby's boots and handbag.  Loved the scene where Pratt was trying to get Abby to go home though, very well done. I remembered reading on a board somewhere that the encounter was explicit and by five to eleven was thinking that it wasn't, should have known it would crop up at the end. I don't think it was that bad, I could have done without it but I understand why it was there. Just made me sad. I'm not indifferent about next week, but not excited either, really. Just somewhere in the middle.

I think  I shall read a bit and then go to bed, I'm all filmed out for the moment.

Had a lovely night out last night for Tash's birthday, nice meal, lots of silliness and innuendo.  I never fail to be amazed by all the folk milling about in London, there were so many people going to restaurants and the theatres. Oh, and annoyingly loud teenyboppers coming back from Spice Girls at the 02 making so much noise I wanted to ram their stupid glowing lightsticks where the sun don't shine. That would have given them something to make a noise about.

Work was a bit frustrating today, I think I'm in a bit of a funk with it, but it could be worse and I'm sure things will pick up shortly. I think most people have peaks and dips with their work, so I'm not too worried.

Rafa Nadal going well in the Australian Open, no doubt I shall be sneakily monitoring the score tomorrow at my desk if he has a night match.  Watched the replay of Baghdatis v Safin earlier on, fantastic tennis. BBCi is always good to us with the tennis, nothing like a bit of play during breakfast.

Patiently awaiting ER on MoFo.  I thought The War Comes Home was a decent start. I thought it had a lot of good parallels with the previous premiere, loved Abby refusing to leave Neela, was laughing at Morris hiding from Moretti. I liked Moretti's war monologue a lot, and Abby's response. The end shot was also very good..."We wait..".  Refusing to watch the Channel 4 one as I bet the 8pm - 9pm slot means they've had the scissors at it. Or at least, they will have to at some point.

I think I will have a big spring clean at the weekend and get rid of anything that I really don't need.  I might emerge from a heap of crap some time on Monday!

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Now playing: John Mayer - Only Heart
via FoxyTunes   

A heads-up for miss_lollo  . The BBC's sports correspondent Rob Bonnet interviews Rafael Nadal in Chennai, ahead of the Australian Open.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/sol/newsid_7180000/newsid_7183400/7183420.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&bbcws=1



Enjoy!

My aunt died suddenly on the 27th Dec and we had her funeral yesterday afternoon.  My Mum's been coping alright really, I've tried to encourage her to talk about all the good memories and good times.  When she told me in the week that she had lost another sister I told her to remember all the joy and good times she'd had with them, because there are people like myself who don't know what it's like to have a sibling. 

Anyway, I wore my Arsenal scarf as I couldn't have thought of anything more that she would want to see than the colours of her beloved team.  I remember when I was a kid she always signed my birthday cards with "Up the Gunners!" The service was very nice, with some traditional Welsh songs, so good to hear them being belted out with such emotion. It's sad how, because my Mum's family is so big, that a lot of people we only ever see at funerals, because as one of my relations noted: "There are no bloody weddings any more!"  My aunt's granddaughter, who is only 9, was so devastated. She let off a balloon with "Thinking of You" on it when we were at the cemetery. After all the formalities things were a bit more relaxed back at the house, and in the spirit of my aunt we had a good laugh and a few drinks in her memory. All the best Auntie Gwen, we will miss you.

Was swiftly back at work today, back to churning through articles and shipping off issues. Was rather amused that my colleague had to remind me that ER starts again tonight, although I suppose my mind was rightly elsewhere. Although clearly Channel 4 don't care too much anymore either, after shovelling it away to 10pm on MoFo (More 4) and barely doing any promotion whatsoever. I know that it's not as popular any more, but surely it does pass for entertainment, unlike the newest pathetic installment of Big Brother on E4. Whatever. Hopefully at least the premiere will be a good start.  There's always the S10 box set on the 28th...



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Now playing: Tina Turner - The Best
via FoxyTunes   

I hope that everyone had a good Christmas/holidays, and Happy 2008! 

Seeing as there's bugger all on TV as usual, here are my thoughts about my favourite tracks of 2007. In no particular order, some just from memory and some from my top played this year. Lyrics are not mine, but are used in worship!

1. Maxïmo Park: Parisian Skies

You said we never talked
But there's a lightness that it brought
Refracting all my sins
We never lacked a thing...

Hard really to pick a favourite from the exemplary Our Earthly Pleasures but this final track is just so lyrically brilliant and so full of energy.

2. Guillemots: Made Up Love Song #43

I love you through sparks and shining dragons I do...

Just a little delight of a song.

3.  Gwen Stefani: The Sweet Escape

Yes, my favourite part is Akon going Woohoo, Yeehoo in the background!

4. Editors: An End Has a Start

I won't disappoint you as you fall apart
Some thing should be simple, even an end has a start

There's something about the bleak tone of Tom Smith's voice that even seems to transmit some hope in this track, which just seems to rush along.

5. Ne-Yo: Because of You

And it's all because of you..

Just so very, very catchy and happy and upbeat.

6. Robyn: With Every Heartbeat

Maybe we can make it alright
We could make it better some time...

Even with the pounding dance beat in the background, Robyn's vocals get across the despair and fragility.  Fabulous. The Radio 1 Live Lounge Version is exceptional.

7. Brian McKnight: Unhappy Without You

I hate it when you turn it off and on
When the morning love is right
Then you turn left and the day is gone

I can't say I've loved Ten as much as I thought I would, but this song is the standout for me, catchy chorus, lovely drums, great vocals and ad-libs from Brian as ever.

8. Stevie Wonder: Ribbon in the Sky

From now on, it will be you and I...

Beautiful piano, amazing vocals, I have no idea why I didn't download this years ago, I had always heard how good it was.

9.  The Hoosiers: Worried About Ray

They say the future's out to get you
You know that I won't let you fall..

Quirky and fun and very reminiscent of ELO.  Love it, but the album was disappointing.

10. Maroon 5: Better That We Break

Saw you sitting all alone
You're fragile and you're cold

I just love the ending of this, the slide guitar and Adam's ever more despairing vocals. Again, though, hard to pick a fave from IWBSBL.

11. Damien Rice: Rootless Tree

And it leans on me like a rootless tree



Anguish, love, hate and possibly just the most hurt laden chorus ever? So intense.

12.  Amy Winehouse: Me and Mr Jones

It just bumps along like an old soul classic but still seems fresh and vibrant.  And fuckery is the best word ever.

13. Justin Nozuka: After Tonight

Tell me how you feel
And if I'm getting near

Radio 2 introduced me to this song, and I just love the way he sings he word "darlin'". Very nice.

14. Beverley Knight: After You

No sun ever shines through the shadows of dawn
I wish I could dream but the nightmare goes on

Another fantastic album from Beverley. Why did she release a radio edit though, when the album version was so far superior?

15. Timbaland: The Way I Are

Bad grammar, impeccable beats.

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Now playing: Justin Timberlake Feat. Clipse - Like I Love You
via FoxyTunes   

Work last week was totally manic for me.  I had this book that I just couldn't shift. Things kept going awry and it was frustrating and stressful, but it's all done now so a job well done I hope!  A couple of months and it will be coming back as the finished product, which will be exciting. There is such a good satisfaction, whether you have played just a small part or worked on the whole thing, in seeing these things from beginning to end. 

I must admit, I'm very much an e-mailer and texter these days but I decided to write a few letters to people who I was sending Christmas cards or gifts to and it was so nice to put pen to paper again. Being totally bereft of any creative ideas at the moment (which always start with pen and paper) I forgot how nice it was to just sit and write.

I managed to scramble a few quick Christmas shopping sessions during lumch but all being well I shall be doing some one afternoon this week and getting finished and ready, which will be nice. It will be so good to have some time off too, it's been a long few months since my hols in September.

We had the family Christmas thing last weekend, always nice to see everyone and have a drink and a little dance. When I was writing to an old friend recently I remembered when she came to one of the ones we hosted in 1994. We hired out this hall and the lights kept going out. I remember my Mum tinkering in a fuse box and we were telling her to be careful and she replied: "It's alright, I've got my boots on!" Classic. I can't believe how long ago it was. I remember that night the weather going home was pretty bad and that we were joking because we had this odd pull-out bed that had these long legs and we were calling it a hospital bed.

Speaking of bed...

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Now playing: Amerie - Take Control
via FoxyTunes   

Just to follow on from this week's footballing theme, how damn funny that the guy singing the anthems at Wembley on Wednesday (an Englishman) pronounced part of the Croatian anthem wrong so that he sang: "My penis is the size of a mountain." Brilliant. 

So, after a bit of prodding from natbat3 and red_scully  and despite still not being able to forgive Ronan Keating for covering Iris, I have brushed the dust off my Boyzone singles. My iTunes is a better place with What Can You Do For Me, Close to You and Never Easy. (When Will You Understand was already in there due to my undying love for its insistent beat and strange opening lyric..well, I know he's really singing "Ten on a Wednesday morning", but I like to convince myself it's "Dead on a Wednesday morning."..). How forgettable were some of the later B-sides though?  (Along with the shameful piece of card and polystyrene circle that was the package for Everyday I Love You...) I have no idea what No Matter or Too Late Tonight sound like. I also tracked down the original album version of I Love The Way You Love Me (the one without Stephen and a very different arrangement) from iTunes as I just wanted to hear it again.  Always preferred it somehow. Don't really know why! I can't put my finger on why The Price of Love worked, but it just did. The remixes had the best names, too. Phil Da Costa's Oxygen Edit. Hehe.

Work was mad today, but I got through it and I got my files to print.  I also got my first books printed this week that landed on my desk from China. Although I've done lots of articles and mags before, and a few books, nothing that I'd actually seen through, so it was nice. So glad it's the weekend though. I might try and do some Christmas shopping. Or else brave another weekend of sorting out paperwork and generally tidying up.

In an odd way, I'm glad that England were beaten last night.  So that now, perhaps, we can take a long, hard look at our football team.  Although I feel McLaren was at fault from the offset last night for playing Crouch as the lone striker, as it doesn't work.  Playing anything but 4-4-2 for England rarely works. Not to fault Crouch, because he worked his bum off, even when he was trapped in a system where his play would be ineffectual. The manager complicated things from the outset.  No more of that, as he gets to walk away with £2.5 million in his back pocket. Get fired, get the cash and swan off.  Nothing taken away from Croatia though, as they were undoubtedly the better team. Neat, technical passing and hey - why not have a ping at the goal from 30 yards out with an inexperienced goalie and a muddy, cut up pitch? We gave them far too much space to shoot.  We didn't deserve to qualify. I felt gutted for David Beckham, one of the only English players who consistently worked his bollocks off for the team. Who put in a brilliant cross for the equaliser amd now will probably be unlikely to get his 100th cap.  One of the only players who stayed on the pitch to applaud the fans who paid good money and got soaked. While our now ex-manager cowered under a large England umbrella during most of the first half.

From an Arsenal point of view, surely we need to play Walcott more so he can push for a place, he has the pace, youth and raw talent England needs. Eduardo, what a pass for Olic to score, I feel he also deserves more time in the side. If the rumours are true that Modric is coming to England, then also, yes please on the shopping list.  Despite the lack of England, I feel there will be plenty to enjoy from watching my club's players, which is the only consolation.

Oh and of course, getting Switzerland in the sweepstake again. ;) 

It's almost the weekend, and the Premier League will be back, and all will feel well in the football world again.

So, I was gladly proved wrong. Israel beat Russia and our qualification hopes hang on a draw or victory at Wembley tomorrow. The BBC website is doing this How to Beat Croatia thing, so thought I'd chip in with my own thoughts.

1. Please, I beg you McLaren, don't play Crouch as the lone striker. It doesn't work.
2. Please, I beg you Robinson/Carson, don't spill shots at Eduardo's feet, he will lap up those loose balls and have them in the net.
3.  Appeal to Slaven Bilic's Anglophilia by reminding him how good it was to play for West Ham.  Or steal his cigarettes, as he seems to like chugging on them on the touchline.
4. If all else fails, pick me. I would like nothing more than to chase Niko Krancjar and Vedran Corluka around for 90 minutes. I have no left foot, but that makes me about the same as the rest of the team.
5. Remember that we will be hopelessly lost next summer with no team to support. No going home early from work for early kick offs, or desktop goal alerts, or the office sweepstake where I shall no doubt end up with Switzerland again! It wouldn't be the same.

After all the build-up , I really hope it won't be a bore draw.

I've had a nagging cold for about the past 2-3 weeks now, so I've been in hiding, trying to get better.  I just seem to almost get rid of it and then it comes straight back again.  Plus, everybody at work is also ill, our office is like a viral vicious circle!  I know I haven't already mentioned it, but I got promoted recently.  Sadly, not on merit, just because somebody else left, but onwards and upwards nevertheless. I'm busier, but the better for it I think, in the long run.  It's easy to get stale if you're working on the same thing I feel, so a change is good as a rest, I suppose.  Some of the new things I'm doing are quite interesting, albeit time consuming.

All's going well on the sport front I suppose, Arsenal still on top of the Prem.  Denver and AI getting off to a good start.  The weekend will be crunch time, though, with the internationals coming up.  The horrid possibilty of England not qualifying for Euro 2008 - what will there be to do if they don't make it?  I feel like them not making it seems like a distinct possibility.  Russia will be going all out to beat Israel and I really don't fancy our chances against Croatia.  Even if there's the duo of Wembley and Beckham's right boot ( the saviour on so many occasions) we're a facing a technically-gifted, strong, tall side with Eduardo - someone who just knows how to put the ball in the net. 

I will get around to capping the other deleted scene from the S9 set, as promised, when I've got the energy and feel the need to try and regain some ER enthusiasm again. I'm a Celebrity has started and after weeks of ITV bloody teasing about it every five minutes in every ad break with those stupid idents, I can happily reveal that despite a tabloid's dead certainty, GV is not appearing. (Unless they decide to spring him as a surprise at a later time..) Thank the Lord for that.  I think the only thing worse than some of the writing/spoilers may have been having to watch him eat bugs or kangaroo bollocks.  I must find the video of Paul Burrell doing that though, because it's hilarious.  All for five minutes of fame...

I need to watch some films, I have so many DVDs that are as yet, untouched.  Even unopened.  I've been thinking about joining up with one of those online rental firms, just because I can't keep buying DVDs, I'm seriously starting to run out of room.  Not that I pick bad ones or things that I won't watch again, but there are so many things that I want to see in the future.

Oh well. Bed and Lemsip and Editors - An End Has a Start. Somehow the bleakness of Tom Smith's voice cheers me.

Uploaded for enterainment purposes only, feel free to snag if you want to icon or anything, credit nice but not necessary. :)  I just have subs on by habit, if anyone wants a cap without them then please request and I will happily do it. :) Please don't hotlink, copy to your own PC/Mac.









Luka asks...



But a crazy druggie just threatened you with a gun, Abby. All in a day's work.



Hehe, the amount of lawsuits County would have to face...




Nice plan, Luka.  Very nice plan. Else you could fast-forward in time and borrow your Ames lawyer, who did a good job.  Although, he was against Janice from Friends, so no contest, really.



*Abby laughs.* 


 LOL. 


*grins*




*agrees*

Well, they may not be going to the Virgin islands, but they're sharing a trauma, at least...






Abby continues.



Sorry, subs are missing here.   Abby says: He's not anaemic. That's good, right?"



Luka replies. This one's crappy, sorry, will do it again if anyone wants it.






Dialogue here is: Luka: Get an HIV bioload.   The end.  Next scene tomorrow. Small, but amusing. :)