<-Notes From an Angry Island->

Tribute to David Ervine

2007-01-12T22:40:00.000Z

Today Northern Ireland buried David Ervine, a man who has made this place better for all of us and hopefully generations to come.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6252921.stm

It was heart warming to see Gerry Adams attend his funeral, a gesture that demonstrates how far we (as a population) have come.

It is a shame that the significance of David Ervine's legacy is demonstrated so emphatically at a time we morn his passing, but it is a fitting tribute a man that has indisputably made Northern Ireland a better place for all of its inhabitants.

David Ervine, Rest In Peace.

Silly Boy>>

2006-11-13T14:35:00.000Z

Fun should not be a busted lung -
As busted lungs are not that much fun.
Aching chests are not all the best
As Blood pumped with booze may leave you depressed.

Although I'd be lying to say it's not fun
I've put pay to that monkey, now he's on the run.
Although it's unhealthy and bad for my bones
So often you'll find me on my on a booze laden throne.

So fill me up, there is room for one more
I'll know to go home when I'm sick on the floor.
When I cough up a lung, or start pissing blood
Like a pig in shite, not a stick in the mud.

So you may well find me, celebrating the day
Every night till the evening has again passed away.
And though I am human, or at least some may say
I'll smile more when the monkey is sent on his way...

Electric picnic (Music Fesival Ireland)

2006-09-01T16:01:00.000+01:00

I have only arived today (friday 1 sept 2006) at the festival ( http://www.electricpicnic.ie/flash.html ) and after some small wait getting to the camp site, I have discovered the FREE internet access tent. It is brilliant, and free.

So it may well cost 10 Euros to get some food and a drink, 5 Euros to get a glass (or plastic) or beer but you cannot beat the internet for free option. The connection is fast enough and as I said... IT.. Costs .... Nothing to use......

Looking forward to Massive attack this eve and eating also apeals to me....

But I would like to once again state that at Electric Picnic 2006 Internet access was Free....

That is all........

Ineesfree music festival?

2006-07-25T13:03:00.000+01:00

This weekend my Girlfriend and I took a trip away to Ineesfree island to a “music festival?” they had happening there.

I was the first time both of us had gone to a camping festival.

After a long journey we finally go to the quay where the boat departed from, there was at least 20 other people waiting to be picked up and taken across.

Of course that didn’t stop the que jumpers pushing us back a few boats and leaving us in the rain as they sought there own ends. (due to the fact that it took so long to get to the island I missed the one band I had gone to see, which was disappointing)

This was not the greatest of starts…

But once on the Island we felt great, there would have been 100 + people there, all for the festival.
We had the pleasure of chatting to at least 5 or 6 dead on people. Two lovely girls even helped me with my sand castle (I will never be too old to stop building them).

Tickets cost £22 each witch may have kept the crowd confined to the more
affluent kids with spare cash and cars…
After all, it would not do to have too many of the lesser know quantities floating about, would it?

Now to be honest, I half expected it to be a collection of sound people who where all there to have a good time and get along, as opposed to a bunch of spoiled antisocial rich kids… The latter was the case…

If anyone is thinking of going to a festival where other festival goers have no interest in interacting with anyone they had not previously known on arrival then this is the place for you. If not, well I wouldn’t recommend it…

I won’t be back unless I can bring a squad of dead on people with me, pre packed friends…
Even when I said hello to a guy at “his” camp fire he just stared at me and said nothing and stared at me…

I am sure I have learned something from this experience, not sure what it is yet though…

On the up side, the water was lovely and the few dead on people we spoke to were well sound and interesting.

When the rain died off the sun was pumping out the heat, I am now quite red facially and flies seem to have dined on my blood leaving parts of my head looking slightly mountainous not unlike the Donegal scenery we had to pass to get there.

All in all the journey was lovely and was a great experience to share with my girlfriend, especially the fish and chips we gobbled up on the way home,,,,, hmmmm crispy….
But there you go…..

Was a nice weekend all in all. The only thing that let us down was some of the people (I’m not even gonna start on the drivers who seemed to have a death wish on the journey to and from our destination).

Thanks for those few nice people on the island that made it all better… The world needs you more than you’ll ever know……

Bye then... I'm off...

2006-07-25T03:36:00.000+01:00

I’m unaware of what we meant to you
But I’m moving on as I’m sure you have too
We gave it some time and we shared so much
I feel I shared more but it was never enough.

So the word on the street is, you thought I was needy
But have a wee think won’t you please thank you weezie
What did you give me that I didn’t give you?
Did you ever think of me whilst you did what you do?

I put up with too much and you left me alone
Alone with my thoughts floating in the unknown
Occasionally sinking to the depths of despair
As I reached for your hand, it was never there.

All I have is what I am,
I tell the truth, your love’s a sham
A shame, a game that’s run its course
No regrets and no remorse.

I opened up, you took the piss
I tasted pain upon your kiss
There came a point you chose to miss
The things you sold did not exist.

But that’s the way the world goes round
The truth to you a distant sound
Pretend to love for your own ends
Pretentious artist like your friends

To be truthful they need a slap
They know fuck all, their thoughts are crap
Their minds so shallow, self absorbed
A world exists that they ignore.

Well it’s my world they choose to slate
What is it that makes them great?
Is it the fact they know it all?
They act as much but know fuck all…

Pants on fire…

2006-07-25T02:17:00.000+01:00

I met a guy who’s at least three in one
God, Holy Spirit and also the son.

But not all that holy and not always good
With many personas, all misunderstood.

Some of his demons I truly despise
They twisted the truth and thrived upon lies.

I struggled to know if good dwelled at all
Within such a shell that would crack should he fall.

I imagine he worries he’ll trip on his lies
Such a waste of a brain to spin alibis.

About something or nothing, they seem both the same
Can’t imagine the turmoil that breeds in his brain.

If my head he melted, then his must be toast
For the knack of deception would consume its’ host.

I’m glad I’m not him, though I pray for his soul
As the battle inside shall consume him whole.

Maybe late puberty is hitting him hard
Perhaps as he can only ever be a façade
Of who he is, maybe he’ll never know
As the world is a theatre where the truths not on show.

But I caught a glimpse as I stood in the wings
Of a sweet little boy who’s heart never sings
As the world seemed too cruel to come out and play
And he can’t come to terms to be happy and gay.

But if God made us all, God made him that way
No matter what rhetoric raving preachers may claim
- they know very little, in truth they know less
But thanks to such fools this boys head‘s a mess.

He can do as he wants, those scumbags know nothing
Those self deniers are all up to something
They think they’ll see heaven as they’ve paid their deposit
But deep down inside they are all in the closet.

To those who come out, I truly respect you
And hope you enjoy what you choose to get up to
My flavour is different but I still understand
How it feels to have longing alone in this land.

So fuck all the doubters and manic street shouters
They dream of a toilet in the sky with no outer’s
To cottage away through the day and the night
As all that they say quite simply is shite…

Evening Standards...

2006-07-20T16:53:00.000+01:00

The sign in the supermarket says
shoplifters will be prosecuted
That’s the law and crime don’t pay
unless you do it cutely.

Whilst its wrong to take a mars bar
or packs of cheep old noodles
It’s cool to have a sweatshop
making super discount sandals.

Both Bush and Blair they take a stand,
against yer man Sadahm.
He’s oh so bad, and not like us
Falklands Vietnam.

His dangerous ways and cruelty,
were wrong and it’s that simple
You cannot justify murdering,
Unless they’re not your people.

Take some standards, times by two,
and act like you don’t have a clue.
Surely if you lead a nation,
you should know of your intention.

Is it power, is it oil
or just something to pass the time?
Who gives a shit? not you pair
as you plunge the world into despair.

Explain what you are fighting for?
Tell us why you started war?
How do you ever sleep at night?
How do your wrongs end up right?

It seems to me, you’re lying shits
Self serving dirty hypocrites
And Georgie hang your head in shame
That big boy Blair’s been ‘round again.

It’s all Blair’s fault he’s led astray lead astray
My Georgie couldn’t be to Blame
He knows not what he does you see
Yet he runs the bloody cunt-er-e.

I swear it is the strangest thing,
a human puppet with no sting
- that you can see but it’s still there.
To flick the switch of world warfare.

Alternatively Ulster..... I'll drink to your twelfth...

2006-07-14T16:29:00.000+01:00

This year I was yet again unable to get out of northern Ireland for the twelfth.... But I had an amazing time...

I am not a nationalist... But.... I'd be closer to a nationalist than a loyalist and am sick of both sides kicking lumps out of eachother, and so many people getting caught in the cross fire...

It is such a complicated issue in this place (NI). I have now lived here for 12 years and have started to get used to it now.
The way I feel is simple, ...

The problems we have are due to years of misunderstanding and mistrust with a pinch of injustice,,,, the killings and attacks on good and bad people alike that have been a blight on our lives and basically ruined many summers for too long now.

But this year was different, for me anyway...

I went camping just outside Cookstown on the 11th night and had a great time. I awoke on the 12th at about 9.30 am to the sound of a distant marching band....

For the first time in my life I can honestly say, it sounded really nice to hear music in the morning,,,, the band were playing "Waltzing Matilda" which was strange, but very nice... near a mixed of catholic area...
but this was out near a Forrest park and it was great.....

Anyway,,, when I got back from the expedition someone informed me that the 12th had passed of with no trouble (as far as they had heard)......

I was stunned, but very pleased to hear it.....

normal when I hear a marching band it just sounds like angry noise, especial if it is

So I just thought to myself,,,, "maybe, just maybe, there is hope for us yet,,,,, but only maybe".

We will have to wait and see................ Time will tell.......

Ode to Miss Parton...

2006-07-10T11:01:00.000+01:00

You sing and lift me
your voice so sweet and pretty
Each string resonating inside me
like a happy harp hammered softly

I feel light like only you can lift me
So thanks for that, it makes me happy.

At times like these, when I feel so hurt inside
It all gets turned and evens out when I hear nine to five.

It’s all just so relaxing
Like living in a dream
When I hear the words Flow out your mouth
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene.

So cheers for that Dolly
You have such a turn of phrase
And though I'm melancholy
with your words I am raised.

Sven (good competitive record) Erickson

2006-07-03T15:26:00.000+01:00

Well, Sven you did a great job and you will be missed....

I am sure England fans will forgive you for only bringing four strikers to the world cup.
Just because two of them had injury problems and one didn't even get a kick, doesn't mean you were wrong....

It was great watching you send out 11 men and manage to get most of them playing below par.
You are magic.

Just because you kept Beckham as captain instead of giving the honor to Steven Gerrard, we will not hold it against you... After all you had a plan.

I am curious to know, what was your plan?

If it was to play dreary football and get put out on penalties then well done.

However if it was to actually win the tournament, perhaps you were slightly blinkered in your thinking.
After all, I believe that against Portugal in euro 2004 you used the same cautious approach in that game and England ended up going out on penalties...
Well that was just unlucky, so why not try it again?

Perhaps, the reason you should have tried to win the game is that drawing games is not so good in the knockout stages... If you do not loose but fail to win, it will result in a penalty shootout...
Like in Portugal 2004... That we lost... remember that?

Things are gonna change though...

Now England can look forward to a new manager,,, Steve Mclaren....

Who has proven himself at club level?
Well,,, he seems nice...

Who needs Martin O'Neil when you can have Super Steve?
What has O'Neil got that Mclaren lacks anyway?

Just because he has won tittles and got the best out of most of the players he has had playing for him.

Just because he has a great attitude that is so infectious it helps motivate and inspire players where ever he goes.

After all, Mclaren is great...

He has a nice hair cut and everything...

But back to Sven,,,,

All sarcasm aside, Sven is and always will be a massive fuck head.
He is a big bag of steaming shite and will not be missed.
His brand of boring uninspiring gerbil like management has been an embarrassment..

I really feel that I myself having no formal qualifications and the distinct lack of a "good competitive record" would have been able to do a better job... But they never asked me.. What can you do?

It's all over for another few years....

So I'll just have to settle for roaring on Germany and France in the remaining games... So come on Deutschland and viva la France....

That's me done...

2006-07-01T01:06:00.000+01:00

Once again my head is a wreck.
Once again my mind is done.
As logic’s replaced by frustration.
Bound up and drowning in procrastination.

Nothing is a good idea
In a fuzzy frenzy like we have here.
Again the wheels no longer roll
But linger in their gutter hole.

Can’t say I like it, not one bit.
Truth be told I feel like shit.
I don’t want hugs or sympathy,
Some voodoo cat is twisting me.

Round and round and up and down.
I’ll paint a smile but feel a frown.
As all I know comes crashing down.
Behind my back without a sound.

Happiness slid on as I slept
left a lid of the jar were it was kept.
In its place resides a curse.
It’s with me now and getting worse.

It’s my lot to live these days
Happiness comes but seldom stays.
Just floats around and picks it’s time.
Teases and pleases my fragile mind.

What can I say, what can I do?
At times I see others that feel it too.
It’s some release to share this pain
And smile a while ‘till it’s back again.

Big cars and bullshit…

2006-06-26T17:41:00.000+01:00

Discount jeans and money off tooth paste
Food for tomorrow and nuclear waste.
A drink or a few for all that ails you
Glossing over the fact that your government fails you.

Money frittered away by crazy comities
While fools in suits drive gas guzzlers in cities.
No thoughts but there own, just selfish distain
The worlds on the slide, yet they still feel no shame.

Morals like fashion, they come and they go
For guests the best china is always on show.
That’s how it is, superficial and fake
Those cheep sons of money seldom give, always take.

But if money’s your god and possessions define you
You have no defence from the ones who malign you.
All that you own is your own ball and chain
Should you lose it all, maybe then you’ll feel shame.

Crescent Arts, Pat and Nipsey

2006-06-15T11:59:00.000+01:00

Here are some pictures of a Belfast based Band (I say Belfast, but as usual am not sure, But they are definitely from N. Ireland).

This duo go by the name of Pat and Nipsey.

I was walking through the grounds of Belfast City Hall on a sunny Saturday (June 3rd) when I heard music. Two guys had an amp and a guitar each (one of the guitars might have been a base, I cannot remember).

They sounded great, It kind of reminded me of the scene in back to the future when Marty McFly started playing "Johnny Be Good" and the guy on side stage held up the telephone to let his friend hear it (It may well seem like a cheezie reference, I don't care).

Anyway, I went on to visit my mate in his place of work, he shut up shop and came with me to City Hall to hear these two guy I was raving about. Unfortunately they had finished playing by this stage. But they were still knocking about, so we went over and had a wee chat with 'em.

They informed us that they would be playing in the crescent that evening. Funny really, as I was just waiting to find somewhere to go that night and had a feeling that someone would point me in the right direction. So anyway, I had a great night (all in all) and managed to snap a few pics with my camera phone. They are not the best quality but do however capture some of the vibe or the evening.

Pat and Nipsey have a great refreshing sound. I am not too good at categorizing music, but if I were to describe how they sound, I'd say, rock and roll, blues, with a hint of punk (more like the Clash than the sex pistols). They reminded me in some ways of the Libertines.

To be honest though, you have to hear them for yourself to decide who or what they sound like. I can say they sound very good though.

They have a CD out that I believe is doing the rounds, but I have as yet been unable to procure a copy.

Anyway, They have already got a great sound and are sure to write more and more songs as time goes by. They have potential to be as successful as a successful pair of guys, Good Luck to 'em.

The Elliots, MUsic Belfast

2006-06-12T13:26:00.000+01:00

Belfast Music can lead the way...

I went to See some bands In the Crescent Arts Centre on June, 3rd 2006.
I was shocked at how good this band were...
They have the potential to go very far indeed.

The reason I believe this is due to the fact that they are a class act.
The Elliots are as tight as any band I have ever seen, have a great chemistry, beuatiful vocal harmonies and sound instrumentaly inspirational.

I am still buzzin'.

Here Are some Pics of the Belfast Based band (I think they are Belfast Based, they are From N. Ireland anyway).

The Photo's were taken at the Crescent Arts Centre on June, 3rd 2006.

Was dissapointed with the bluryness of this one but wanted to put it up as I didn't have another one of Ronnie (guitar player featured).

Although I tried very hard to get a snap of the drummer, It just wouldn't happen for me. This was due to a lack of light and a poor quality camera phone (still is better than nothing).

You can find a pic of the drummer at http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=77512888 .

You can also find out more about the band.

Note from a slightly less angry island...

2006-06-05T13:36:00.000+01:00

Saturday In Belfast...

Sunny Saturday weather and blue skies with the occasional fluffy friendly cloud hovering like a big goofy smile above our heads (-; "wouldn't it be great if it was like this all the time" ;-).

It was lovely.

I went into town on a whim and everything else just fit nicely from then on in.

I couldn't think of where to go that evening, all I knew was that somewhere there had to be a good vibe and I was going to find it...

Got a lift into town and walked towards my friends place of work to throw him in a CD (was Public Enemy, if you must know). On my way I passed through the grounds of Belfast City hall.
There was the usual selection of young punk/goth/metal kids (for want of a better word) scattered about, some with guitars.
As I stopped to send a text to someone I heard a noise. It was music. Good music. Alive live music.

Two guys had set up amps and had a bass and a electric guitar plugged in flinging out some pretty nice tunes. No one seemed to mind.
They were singing a song "I'm In trouble, I'm in trouble, I'm in trouble with the law" .
I was hooked....

I went on to the shop my friend was working in and told him about them. It was five O'clock, time for him to shut up shop. I helped him wheel in a few rails of clothes, he put the shutter down and we left.

Sadly when we got to the city hall the guys had stopped playing. But... They were still there, So we asked them a few questions, (IE. what do you call yourselves? A; We are called "Pat and Nipsy") and low and behold, they were playing a gig that evening....

That was my plans sorted.

They were to play as part of the bill in the crescent arts centre "NEW MOON SHOWCASE" http://www.crescentarts.org/events/ .
So My friend and I then went to see about getting tickets, There was none.
But We were told to Que at the door and perhaps we would get in, so we did, and we did (get in).

But That story will have to wait as I am tellin this one,

So after trying to get tickets we went to have a few cold beers in Botanic Gardens, Was great.
After an hour or so I had to go.
I walked up the road next to the Lagan river towards the Ormeau Road and the bridge that divides the Upper and Lower Ormeau Communities. The boundary that either facilitates of denies the crossing of the parades (especially the July parade) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/829470.stm .

It has so often been a scene of I'll will and confrontation, but today was different, Today was special.

The sun was smiling and warming all bellow, and now it was the turn of the water to contribute to the day.

On the lower Ormeau side of the bridge someone had loosened something and made water burst out from this water main (or whatever you call it).

I was bursting upward, throwing a fountain of water toward the sky of at least twelve foot high.

Some contrast to the usual focus of traffic jams and murals. Frustrated drivers and pedestrians alike crossing the invisible divide of nothing.

On the right are some young guy who were soaked and alive. The "Give way Sign" in the center, unintentional, as far as I know seems to work for the traffic. With the exception of the occasional over eager driver ("doesn't work for people though") ;-)...

On the right you can see some murals in the background. I can't find any photos on the web but I found a site that may explain some things http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/mccormick/album3.htm.

Close up of fountain, washing someones car.

As they say, "Necessity is the mother of all invention".

.........................................................................
After all this I realised a few things.

Today was a good day to be in Belfast.

Also, Camera phones can be a wonderful thing....

So where there is smiles and fun, there is hope... Therefore, there will always be hope...

Thanks to who ever made the water happen, thanks for Mckeiver for selling me his old camera phone, thanks to the sun and the clouds for not getting in the way of it.

I love Belfast Again... x o x

World Cup 2006 (how the Falklands were won and were it got us)

2006-06-02T15:57:00.000+01:00

The time draws nearer, Soon it will all be done and dusted and the cup will be lifted and we will have a new name on the trophy.
It won’t be Brazil… Even though they have The great Ronaldinio.

The first game kicks off on 9th of June.
Germany v Costa Rica
Venue - Munich, 1700 .G.M.T.

I think Germany will win, If I were to predict the score, at a push I’d say 4 -1.
Of course that is just random and who is to say Costa Rica won’t manage a surprise result, after all Germany are playing in front of a nation with great expectations. There will be pressure.

We will see.

Anyway, Moving on…
I am English and want to see Theo Walcott shine (up the gunners) and Ashley Cole too of course, and lets not forget the best defender England will have at the world cup this year “super Sol” Campbell.
Sol will show the world what he is made of (strong stuff).
After all his private issues and personal trials he is a man reborn (mark my words).

The one reservation I have is, that certain small percentage of England supporters, the ones that think England have some divine right to walk away with the trophy.
This is not football. It is bullshit.

I have been thinking about Maradona and “that goal” (you know, the “hand of God”).
I think that If you look at the politics involved.

I.e. Argentina Invading the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) perhaps because they wanted to govern them. It makes sense that they probably have a good claim too, as Argentina is the closest country to them and England is far, far away.

I don’t think the English would be too happy if the Argentines decided to Invade the Isle Of White (like that’d happen).

The British empire is dissolving (good) and not before time. If you are not allowed to steal a mars bar from a shop, how come the Empire was allowed to steal entire countries?
Hypocrisy, Absolute bloody minded nonsense…

So If you asked most people in England this question,

What would you prefer to have, The world cup or the Falkland islands?

What do you think they would say?

Would they say, “Oh, hmmm, I think I want my country to keep possession of some islands that I’ll never visit that are further away from England than Russia”

or

“What the hell do I want with a load of islands of the coast of Argentina, fuck that, I’ll have the world cup if you don’t mind”.

But that ain’t what happened, Thanks to Thatcher (Iron Maggie) the people got what she wanted. Not what they wanted (democracy?).

…………….
I can’t finish this article off as I have lost my train of thought,
The point I wanted to make was that the hand of God incident was the closest example of Two wrongs making a right I have ever seen (but the horror of war and the effect it has on ordinary, good peoples lives can never be quantified and understated).

But at least Maradona (the best footballer I have ever seen in my life, apart from Henry) with his Hand of God goal brought joy to a nation that had been wronged, bullied and cheated by the British Empire.

Justice was not done, but It sort of was…..

Champions league Final (this is it).

2006-05-17T13:51:00.000+01:00

As the excitement builds and the anticipation fills me and many other Arsenal fans with a feeling seldom felt (if ever).
The countdown to the 2006 Champions league final draws ever nearer (it will have kicked off in less than 6 hours from now).
All the hard work and heroics that have led us (Arsenal) to this stage will count for very little if we can't overcome the mighty Barcelona this evening.

I am proud of my team, even if they loose.

Despite many people saying that "Arsenal have no chance of winning the Champions league", they are in the final and have been playing increasingly well in the last few matches of the season. Is this our year?

Well I am gonna go all out and say yes, I see no reason why we should think that Barca's name is already written on the cup.
If Arsenal play as they can play, with all the team spirit and togetherness the have displayed in seeing off Real Madrid and Juventus they will be very hard to beat.

If they play to their potential and it is a fair game (no soft free kicks, penalties of harsh bookings) then whatever the result, I will be proud.

Hopefully the next time I post on this blog, it will be a celebratory article applauding the success of my team, fingers crossed anyway. XXX

Arsene Wengers (bargin) Army (and Jose Antonio Reyes)

2006-05-16T14:29:00.000+01:00

With the Champions league final looming, I just thought I'd look up a few of the players. I was particularly interested in how much Super Defensive duo Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboué cost to sign as they have been outstanding this season.
So, here are a few of Arsene Wengers signings. Some Bargains to say the least (oh and Jose Antonio Reyes, hmmm).

Kolo Toure - ASEC Mimosas - for £150,000
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kolo_Tour%C3%A9 )

Abou Diaby - AJ Auxerre - for around £2m
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abou_Diaby )

Robert Pires - Olympique de Marseille - £6 million
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Pir%C3%A8s )

Fredrik Ljungberg - Halmstads -
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredrik_Ljungberg )

Jose Antonio Reyes - Sevilla - £17.5 million
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Antonio_Reyes )

Jens Lehmann - Borussia Dortmund -
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jens_Lehmann )

Robin van Persie - Feyenoord - £3 million
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_van_Persie )

Laureano Bisan-Etame Mayer (Lauren) - RCD Mallorca -
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lauren_Etame_Mayer )

Aliaksandr Pavlovich Hleb - VfB Stuttgart - £10 million (maximum fee depending on certain conditions) ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliaksandr_Hleb )

Thierry Daniel Henry - Juventus - £10.5 million ( he cost Juventus £14 million)
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thierry_Henry )

Francesc "Cesc" Fabregas Soler - FC Barcelona - £1 million
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cesc_F%C3%A0bregas )

Mathieu Flamini - Olympique de Marseille - £300k
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathieu_Flamini )

Pascal Cygan - Lille FC - £2.1m
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal_Cygan )

Gliberto Silva - Atlético Mineiro - £4.5 million
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilberto_Silva )

Phillippe Sylvain Senderos - Servette - £2.5 million
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Senderos )

Gaël Clichy - AS Cannes - £250,000
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ga%C3%ABl_Clichy )

Sol Campbell - Tottenham Hotspur - Free transfer (ha ha ha)
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol_Campbell )

Emmanuel Eboué - K.S.K. Beveren (Belgian) - £1.54 million
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmanuel_Ebou%C3%A9 )

Theodore "Theo" Walcott - Southampton - initial fee of £5 million, rising to a possible £12m.
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theo_Walcott )

Johan Djourou - Etoile (Switserland) - He might have been free (I can't find a fee for him)
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johan_Djourou )

The Truth about Phillip Schofield!!! (you heard it here first)

2006-05-16T04:19:00.000+01:00

Do I want to watch a program on TV at 3.20 am in which Phillip Schofield comments while a strange, Dorset trophy wife of woman regresses a mixture of "celebrities" (I've heard of some of them anyway).

Why not.

It's really bad, Schofield is such a mnnnuuuu (there is no word for what he is, it's more of a noise). Phillip Schofield is a borderline, bland, nicey nicey , hhhgggg (when I try to think of words, they don't come).

He oozes this friendly patronizing persona, it's like he thinks that if he talks shite you will still believe him. Even though you know better.
It almost works too, but I'm not a kid anymore and this ain't the broom cupboard.

I remember when Schofield stopped doing children's BBC, I was upset, I thought "I'm not watching this any more"..... I was too young to know better.....

But now I know, Schofield is plotting...... His plans are clear to me.....

First, the broom cupboard, getting into the mind of young kids and hypnotising them before they realized "he's fuckin shite".
Then those kids grew up, they would be much harder to convince, so,,,,, Schofield has an idea "I know, I'll be on in the morning, they will be half asleep" (Schofield rubs his hands together and grins and lets out an evil laugh) "nothing can stop me, nothing,,,,,nothing,,, ha ha ha ha ha" .

But that wasn't enough people for him to control, he wanted more.

Now here he is on a show called "Have I Been Here Before?" , this is how ITV describe it...

Have our souls lived before?
Do you believe in live after death?
Where do our dreams come from?
Have you ever met someone and been convinced you have met them in a previous life?

All these questions, and more, will be tackled in this fascinating new daytime series.

..... You have to see it, http://www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=3419

Any program that uses the testimony of Uri Geller.... well... Need i say more....

Is this show actually worse than MOST HAUNTED ( http://www.livingtv.co.uk/mosthauntedlive/ this isn't a good link but most haunted is such an awful show I'm not about to waste my Phillip Schofield rant time).

So back to Schofield... He is now doing a show that appeals to people that are really week minded and will cling on to the most ridiculous notions, as they are "very spiritual people" and suspect they may "have native American blood". In short, really witless folk that may well be "technically stupid". People who get very wound up when you question the validity of an urban myth that some guy who knows their friend's brothers plumber told them indirectly.

Anyway, my point is, if Phillip Schofield is allowed to use his mind control on people this vulnerable, the world may not be safe.

He could have an army of mentally deficient highly dedicated followers who hang on his every word, and we really don't want that, do we.

Do we?

Use the force!!!!

2006-05-12T02:10:00.000+01:00

I spent ages trying to get this to look its best and it still looks like shite.

It ain't easy using a this blogger at times.

But i try and that is the main thing.

It wouldn't let me put in gaps of empty space between the lines so i had to use dots.

On a Tuesday night a long long time ago

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In a place called Leicester Square

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It was the premiere of Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones

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A man named Alan Grisbrook was about to restore the balance of what we call the force

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It is the force that binds us, it exists inside every living thing

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After this night the balance of power and justice in the galaxy would be restored forever

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After this night the world would have hope where there was no hope before

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After this night non believers would proclaim "I was wrong, there is a god"

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One of the lowliest creatures on the planet was to become etched into eternal folklore

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A seldom appreciated predator would for once serve the public

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His actions were to eradicate all prejudice in the world

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Bringing together all the nations world in celebration

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No war, just Peace and harmony

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For everyone, evermore

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The world owes you.

(photo of Jay Kay)

If anyone's expression says "headbutt me" more than this picture,

I haven't seen it.

You're probably wishing you could headbutt him now.

If you are, don't worry, its normal.

If Gandhi was still knocking about he'd have done the same thing.

Arsenal Claim 4th spot

2006-05-10T14:09:00.000+01:00

Not only did Arsenal manage to make it to the final of the champions league, but they also snatched that elusive 4th place from poor Tottenham (my heart bleeds). However at this stage Spurs have written a letter to try and get there final league game at West Ham replayed.
I don't think this will happen, I would hope not.

It wasn't that long ago that Tottenham were scoring a contentious goal against Arsenal. with two Arsenal players on the floor after colliding with each other, Spurs manager Martin Jol saw the incident, Michael Carrick was contemplating putting the ball out of play (as is the standard honorable thing to do) but Mr Jol urged his player to play on and thus spurs scored with two Arsenal players out of position.

The Arsenal players were not badly injured, but Jol didn't know this, he didn't care and so his team got the goal he craved. If either of those two Arsenal players had been crocked would Jol have asked for the goal to be chalked off or the match replayed (as Arsenal themselves had done in the past in the FA cup against Sheffield united), I don't think so.

It was unfortunate that Spurs had ten players infected with food poisoning the night before the game (I wouldn't go back to that hotel in a hurry if I were you Dick Jol, They don't seem to have served you well).

Maybe this is just a case of what goes around comes around.

Who knows,

Bye-bury to Highbury

2006-05-05T15:46:00.000+01:00

On May 7th Arsenal will play there last Game at Highbury,,, ever.

Hopefully Arsenal will beat Wigan and Tottenham will fail to beat West Ham and thus Arsenal will snatch that elusive 4th place and the champions league spot that comes with it. To be honest, even if we (Arsenal) manage to beat Wigan I think that Spurs will probably get a result against the hammers. West Ham have a cup final to prepare for and may well decide to rest key players whilst Spurs will be gunning for glory and hoping to secure that champions league spot. But football is a funny old game and anything can happen (that's why it is the best game on the planet).

Anyway, Arsenal will soon trot out on to the hallowed Highbury turf for the last time. It is sad in a way.
It makes me think of all the times I got the train to London, hopped on the tube (Northern Line) and made the journey to the home of football (as far as I am concerned).

I will never forget the first time I visited Highbury,

As I disembarked from the train onto the platform and proceed to stroll down the tunnel at the end of which I was greeted by the sight of my mecca, Highbury. It wasn't a match day, I was only young (about 14). I walked around the entire stadium, It didn't take long. As I walked down the road with my Arsenal shirt on a white van whizzed past, the driver would down his window and shouted "Arsenal wankers" I presume it was the voice of a Spurs fan. I also remember seeing that tickets were on sale for an upcoming FA cup tie against Leeds United. This was the first of several visits to the hallowed place. I never managed to see a game, until somewhat ironically i had moved from London to Cookstown, county Tyrone, N. Ireland. It cost me over £200 (by the time I had paid for flights and accommodation), but it was worth every penny. Saturday January 31st 1998, Arsenal Vs Southampton (FA Premiership), I was sitting in the North bank.

As I walked up the steps, tingling from head to toe, I found my self on the North bank terrace, I couldn't believe how small it looked, It was like Lego (the only football match I had been to previously was a friendly between England and Norway at Wembley (which was a lot bigger to say the least). I took my seat behind the goals. It was surreal sitting just a few metres away from Alex Manninger in the nets, I can remember shouting "for fucks sake Alex, Get rid of it" (he was a good keeper, but he had his moments of baffling blunderment) No score at half time, the second half would see Arsenal attack the goal closest to me.

On the hour Steve Bould hit a long pass to Bergkamp, he beat the offside trap, the keeper came out, (at this point I was going crazy "come on Dennis, come on, come on") Bergkamp shoots, GOAL!!!!! It was brilliant, such a release as the whole of the North bank went nuts "there's only one Dennis Bergkamp, one Dennis Bergkamp, one Dennis Berg----kamp, one Dennis Berg----kamp" the crowd chanted and then "walking along singing a song, walking in a Bergkamp wonderland".

Then an Arsenal corner, Adams rose to meet it with his head, GOAL!!!!! "one Tony Adams, there's only one Tony Ad---ams, One Tony Adams"

Before I had time to settle myself ,Bergkamp started his run and Overmars flicked it, first time, into his path. Bergkamp took it forward, spotted Anelka in the clear on the far side of goal, gave it to him, GOAL!!!! Only eight minutes after scoring the first goal, we (Arsenal) were 3 - 0 up.

What a match, no goals in the 1st half, then three second half goals right in front of me, I was in heaven.

That year Arsenal went on to claw back a 15 point deficit to pip Manchester United to the tittle and also manage to lift the FA cup, and become only the second team two win the double twice. It was a truly great year.

That was the first and last game I will ever see at Highbury.

Arsenal, Double winners!!!!

2006-05-01T17:39:00.000+01:00

Having already secured their third successive league title with a 2 -0 victory over Charlton Athletic on April 13th, Arsenal Ladies went into today's FA cup final against Leeds United with an impressive double in their sights.

Victory never looked to be in doubt. After just three minutes Julie Fleeting headed Arsenal into a one nil lead. By the time the half time whistle had sounded it was 3 - 0 to the Gunners courtesy of another Fleeting goal and a curled Rachel Yankey a free-kick sailing sublimely into the top corner.

With a three nil lead at half time the contest was as good as over, but they hadn't finished yet. The second half produced two more goals (both falling to Arsenal) with Kelly Smith scoring from the spot with pinpoint precision (It is no exaggeration to say "this was a perfect penalty"). Lianne Sanderson then slotting home to make it five nil to the Arsenal. In truth the match could have run into double figures due to the amount of chances the team created but I'm sure they will have been more than happy to settle for a fantastic five nil final score.

This seasons double triumph leaves Arsenal Ladies with seven FA cups and Eight league tittles in their ever expanding trophy cabinet, there is also eight league cups to add to that. Not bad at all.

Incidentally, the final league table makes for very pleasant reading with Arsenal in pole position and Chelsea propping up the rest at the very bottom. Who knows, maybe next year the Men's table will be as pleasant to look at.

Hopefully this will not be the last silverware lifted by an Arsenal (Senior) team this year with the European champions league tittle up for grabs and only Barcelona standing in the way of glory. But we will just have to wait and see. Till then Congratulations to the Arsenal Ladies and roll on May 17th..... Fingers crossed.

Blind and confused

2006-04-27T00:45:00.000+01:00

I got blocked by a feeling that just wouldn't go away
When it comes it takes over and I'm sure it's here to stay
There's nothing I can do, I don't wanna leave my bed
The only explanation is a demon in my head.

My thoughts can never help me when I'm stranded in the mist
And alcohol just blinds me but the fog it still exists
It hasn't gone away you know, It's always part of me
It's hard to stumble blind towards a light i cannot see.

Arsenal, Champions league finalists!!!!!

2006-04-26T21:11:00.000+01:00

Today is a good day to be an Arsenal supporter, So therefore today is a good day for me.
After years of trying we finally made it to a Champions league final and it hasn't quite sunk in yet.

After a first leg that should have been 2 - 0 and would have been only for a perfectly good goal being chalked off for offside. And then a second leg that ended in the most dramatic manner, with Villarreal being awarded a penalty in the dying moments of the tie. It was never a penalty, but as it happened super Jens "king" of Lehman managed to save it anyway (which was nice).

In the first leg we had the appearance of a squirrel on the pitch (he/she made 3 forays onto the Highbury turf in total, (even squirrels love Arsenal) and then last night a fan (wearing an Argentina top) invaded the pitch and presented Thierry Henry with a Barcelona top with Henry's name printed on the back of it. I suspect he may have been a Villarreal fan trying to unsettle the great man. Despite the fact Henry didn't manage a goal on the night, it didn't seem to phase him at all.

What can i say but, Roll on may 17th (The Final).

No matter who we end up with be it Barca or Milan I see no reason why we should be afraid.
All that's left for me to say is, whatever happens, they've (Arsenal) done us (anyone who supports them) proud.......