Meh

It wasn't so bad.

Dread

I'm not looking forward to tonight. Yet another storm. Snow blizzard this time. As if we've not had enough floods and wind damage here over the last three weeks.

We've had some damage to the roof at the duplex. Insurance should cover it but you never know. And if the storm causes more damage? And delays repairs? More internal damage?

The snow is said to be around 15 inches and the snow I actually have to clear is invariably more than the official measurement. But it's gonna be blowing snow as well and that usually means it blows off the street onto the steps and drive, also making it deeper.

I only hope I can clear some of it when I get up and I can prevent it piling up too much. It did the trick last winter when a biggie was expected and I did it six times in a day to keep it manageable.

SS is at a friend's house. I suggested he bring his friend back for an overnighter so he could help clear some!!

Xmas Eve

Merry Christmas to all my reader

Strange Christmas

It's going to be a strange Christmas. My wife's dad is dying and she's gone to be with him. SD has gone too, leaving me and SS at home. How long is unknown but it'll be at least two weeks.

We expect her mum to come here when it's all done and we'll have xmas then.

We're having a sort of xmas dinner; kind of a compromise.

I've been catching up on some movies.

Where's the snow?

This time last year we had snow on the ground that had been there 3 or 4 weeks. Right now we have a little more than a dusting and I'm relying on overnight rain and more rain tomorrow to get rid of it.

Hopefully this winter will seem less long than the last one as a result.

Eh?

A few on the expats forum commenting about being left broke after xmas. On the incomes they have coming in?

What on earth do they get up to?

Head like a sieve

This morning I realised I'd left the shop and come home without buying some pepsi. Then I realised it was actually a dream.

Later, I went to the shop. Guess what I forgot to buy.

Where did that go?

Last night I was in bed and before I dropped off I thought of something I wanted to say here.

It's gone now.

Same again

More inquests on England's latest dismality...is that a word?

All the criticisms about what's to blame are true. But they have been true for 50 years and there were still sufficient numbers of good players coming through to put up a good showing fairly regularly. At least until a few years ago.

There's clearly something else to it but the trendy, right on types won't see it.

My own Catch 22

A thread on the expats forum reminded me of the farcical targets in my old job and how meeting one automatically meant another was failed.

Meeting your interview targets meant everyone turned up (it was, of course, my fault if they failed to arrive) and because they turned up it meant you were busy interviewing them. That, of course, meant there was no time to focus on the other targets.

Meeting those other targets could only be done with 'bonus' time caused by someone not turning up for their interview. That, of course, meant the interview target wasn't reached.

Time difference

I think we're about to hit the weekend where the UK clocks go back while Canadian clocks don't. Yet.

So for a week (I think) the time difference is only 3 hours. Important to remember that for footie.

Salvation Army

Dropped in at the Sally Store the other day. Bought a nice casual long sleeved shirt. Just what I wanted to help keep warm on cold days.

My computer desk is cold to the touch and long sleeves definitely help. I was looking for an extra top but didn't want to spend too much for something unlikely to be worn that often and didn't need to look that good.

As it happens it looks really nice and seems brand new. $3 was all it cost. They had things for double that weren't as good.

International break

It's been a long fortnight. Footie took a break for International matches, but there weren't enough to make up for it this time.

Winter is certainly on the way. It fell below freezing last night...or was that the night before? One of them anyway.

Yessssss

I love The Ryder Cup. It's just the perfect sport what with there being so much team work involved.

Even losing your particular match can contribute.

It was close. The USA kept chipping away at Europe's lead and then, down to the last match, it was easy to see our guy crumbling with the pressure and losing his lead and, thus, the match.

But he increased his lead, consolidated and that was it. All over. Magic.

What's funny is that generally, Americans find it difficult to grasp the concept of a contest being drawn. Or tied. Like kissing your sister, they say.

The value of individual matches being drawn really stands out in this competition and a last drawn match would have been celebrated. That would have made the overall contest a draw too.

As holders, though, the Americans would have retained the trophy. And that's what counts.

But Europe held on. To win.

Magic.

Not so good this time

The 'other' hospital again.

I was misinformed about something last week, misinformed again this week and they were an hour late.

At the registration point they push the button to bring up a number but call the one before. Eh?

And one of the (only) two clerks kept disappearing from Reception for long periods.

Hopefully just a one off

The 'other' hospital

Had to go to the 'other' hospital on Tuesday. All very efficient again just like the one around the corner. Didn't even have time to sit down before I was called in.

A little disconcerting having people speaking nothing but French among themselves but then it is the 'French' hospital after all. They all spoke English to me and that's what's important.

Forum Cliques

My reasons for being in Canada and my lifestyle here are very different to those of most of the Brits on an ex pats forum I frequent.

Many of them are extremely well off, it being their well paid employment that brought them here. Some of them seem to disbelieve a decent life is possible from or on modest means. Maybe they resent or envy what can be had without that high paid work; who knows? What I do know is that this sometimes brings ridicule for me on some subjects.

The subject of house size came up - relating to a heating costs question from someone considering a move.

In the UK, people speak of a 2 or 3 bedroom house or 3 up/2 down. I've never heard anyone say how many square foot/sq metres/whatever.

I'm aware that the listing sites in Canada show size as x,000 sq foot but they also show room sizes. Clearly people have different needs when house hunting - they may need a large kitchen, formal dining or they do a lot of "entertaining" and want a large room for that. Maybe even the shape of a room would be important - rectangular rather than square for example.

For such requirements, the overall size becomes meaningless.

I commented that I didn't have a clue how many sq foot my house was and that room size and number was more important. In response I had lots of little digs - "you don't know how big your own house is?" and "if a 2 bed house is 2000 sq foot and a 3 bed house is 1000 sq foot which has the roomier rooms?"

I responded "the 2000 sq foot one. But the roomier rooms might not be the ones you want roomy" and I asked which of those two houses had the bigger kitchen. No answer.

Someone even told me I was being obtuse and I was a twat. lol. Another said I must be living in seclusion because "it is the only way I have heard or seen a home described by realtors, home owners, the MLS and Real Estate papers."

I pointed out that our research was based on listings that did show size and number of rooms and the realtors involved were also describing properties similarly. Again I asked if this was the only way they are described and there were two properties of interest, both x,000 sq foot, which would be the one with the kitchen of the size desired?

Then a major player of the forum clique - who I shall call The Briterati - came on and said he actually agreed with me. He had no idea of the square foot (or metric measure) for his house, knowing only that it was good enough when they moved in and it still was now.

Miraculously all the antagonism towards me stopped dead.

It's funny. But also quite pathetic.

Anniversaries all over

Yesterday was the sixth anniversary of my last day at work.
Today is the ninth anniversary of the ninth of Novevember. Or maybe that's the other way around.
Tomorrow will be the sixth anniversary of the day I left England/came to Canada.

Is that it?

Hurricane Earl was to descend upon us today. 200+Km winds blowing through Moncton with lashings of rain for about 12 hours.

As the last couple of days passed it gradually lost intensity - though could pick up again - and changed direction. Last night estimates dropped to gusts of about 90km but loads of rain.

This morning - by which time the local radio station had decided to stay on air to cover events instead of broadcasting the usual reruns - it seems clear it's in Nova Scotia instead but they were still talking excessive weather for us.

We had some drizzle, a breeze and a short spell of rain blowing against windows and then the wind got up for about 20-30 mins.

Now it's pretty much quiet less than three hours after the first breeze.

Dinner and weird thoughts

For Dinner tonight we had Roast Pork with lots of garlic.

I thrust a knife into the joint at various places, pushed little pieces of garlic in and found the flesh sort of closing to seal the garlic inside.

It was very reminiscent of suppositories.

Doesn't this defeat the object?

I discovered something on Firefox called Private Browsing.

Apparently it enables the user to do whatever they want to do without leaving an obvious trace in 'history' for someone to find (accidentally or by searching) which sounds handy for someone doing personal stuff like banking (no, I said banking) on a shared computer.

Obviously it helps if people would prefer others not to see what they've been up to for a variety of reasons.

Now although no trace of the sites visited is listed in History, apparently the switch to Private Browsing is recorded there.

Doesn't this actually draw attention to the fact that someone might want to keep what they were doing to themselves?

A few days off

So Spurs make up the full complement of four in the Champions League Group Stage and Liverpool comes through a tough Europa tie without their most important players. Excellent.

SS and W are discussing some Laurel K Hamilton book. Bloody Vampires are everywhere. lol.

Blog Anniversary

Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear my world and welcome to it
Happy birthday to you

One year old today

1975

It's almost 35 years to the day when I came to Canada for the first time.

Although I've often commented on the coincidence that it was New Brunswick we came to and that's where I now live, we also visited Montreal and that's where my wife is from.

Great service at the hospital again

Registered at blood clinic, sample taken. Off to X-Ray department. Took number, registered, waited, had X-Ray. Back home less than an hour after leaving home.

The Bilingual Commandments

I made this up

Phew!

Spurs nearly blew it.

Another hot stuffy day today. Aircon back on.

Confused by chocolate

I can't vouch for the accuracy of this; it's that confusing.

In the UK we had Marathons, Milky Ways and Mars Bars. Marathons became Snickers. Dunno why. To fall in line with America?

The US Mars Bar is supposedly the same as the Brit Milky Way, or so I have read, but the Canadian Mars Bar is the same - except peanut free. Not that I've noticed the difference.

But I've had something in Canada that was a Brit Milky Way with a different name again.

Snickers appears to have been renamed as Believe in Canada but today I saw it repackaged as Snickers again.

I've just read that back in 2006 the Brit Mars Bar was renamed Believe for that year's World Cup and it now appears the Believe name was chosen in Canada, similarly for the Olympics.

So we have an American Mars that is equal to the Brit Milky Way while Canada has a different bar equal to the Brit Milky Way. Then the Brit Mars became Believe followed by the Canadian Snickers becoming Believe and all this after the Brit Marathon became Snickers.

Just as well there's no Topic over here.

Jeopardy

Just reading that Zsa Zsa Gabor was given the last rites.

Apparently she had injured herself falling out of bed watching Jeopardy.

Perhaps it's just me but...

A mild irritation

It seems I may have to pay a bit more for the footie after all.

Rogers has created a new sports channel to (fleece) better serve its customers. They do this by providing events already covered but spread over more channels so one needs to subscribe to more channels in order to get what one already gets.

It seems to be a standard con for TV companies.

Friday the 13th

Huh. It's just a day like any other owww!

2+2=5

I picked up a tin of "half the sugar" iced tea.

The label gave the breakdown per 9g and said sugar was 8g.

Sugar is already taking up 88%. There isn't room to double it.

Goal line action

In England's last match a shot was well over the line but the ref didn't award the goal.

The next England game the ref wrongly awards a goal to the opponents when it didn't cross the line.

And these things are supposed to even out?

Future stars

So I was watching the England under 21 game this afternoon from Bristol City's ground and I was reminded I saw England under 17s play Spain there a few years ago. 2001 to be precise.

It set me wondering if I'd seen future World Cup winners in Spain's team, so I tried to find the team lists for the game.

One Wayne Rooney played for England. Spain only had Iniesta and Torres and the following year Silva, who isn't a starter for Spain now.

It's funny, we hear all this stuff about Spain developing all these players and having a natural progression to the first team and while they are plainly producing far better players than England, their future "stars" are no more likley to actually become stars than England's future stars.

Big breaths

Yeth and I'm only thickthteen

Footie

I've been looking at the scheduled games on TV. Looks like there's more than previously without having to pay a cent extra.

A few Championship games too.

Footie's back

It's barely been away what with it being a world cup year, but it's back. Not the Prem, that's next week.

What a way to go

An 86 year old is making porridge on her gas cooker and her sleeve catches fire. She is unable to do anything and she dies from burns.

Some moron comments "Burnt Porridge" in the comments blog of the newspaper site where the article was published.

Now I have a sick sense of humour, but I'd keep that to myself instead of posting it on a news report for all to see.

Getting on

Hey, I'm nearly a year old.

Recipe of the day

Corned beef hash.

Diced spud fried, with onion and then corned beef added. Nice now and again even if it can be a little sickly.

Well I'll go to Putney and have a boat out.

Just saw The Infidel. Another great line.

What’s this, you find out you’re a Jew and there’s a man in uniform taking you away?

A favourite bit of movie dialogue

MICHAEL: Did you find a job?
VICTOR: Yeah, I got something at the striptease. I help the girls dress and undress.
MICHAEL: Nice job.
VICTOR: Twenty francs a week.
MICHAEL: Not very much.
VICTOR: It's all I can afford.

sigh

More problems with diabetic supplies.

The drug plan provider has an estimate from the pharmacy for the cost of, among other things, 100 syringes. They have a letter from the doctor detailing 4 times a day shooting.

So one assumes they would have worked out that 100 syringes last 25 days and that for a 30 day month, 120 would be needed and arrange cover accordingly.

It now appears they do it strictly by calendar month. This raises two questions:

• why no helpful advice right at the beginning about collecting 120 each month and not 100 every 25 days?
• given that we have collected every 25 days, that means every few months there will be two billed payments, so why hasn't it been picked up before?

The pharmacy said I had to get on to the plan provider and the provider said I had to get on to the pharmacy.

To their credit, the provider contacted the pharmacy and agreed a revision to the estimate over the phone. So, as of the following month, the supplies should match 120 and in the meantime the pharmacy could issue an advance.

We got the advance (20) on the 30th.

On the 1st of the new month we collected what ought to have been the balance ie 100.

But it was the packs of 100 minus the 20 advanced.

Meaning the monthly supplies have not been revised as arranged.

*sigh*

Eclair

Just had a very nice eclair. Frozen but half the cost of a fresh one and better than half as good.

Currant Bun

Haven't seen them in Canada, which is a real shame.

A Buttered Bun with a coffee is delicious. Toasted and buttered is delicious too.

Raisin Bread is an acceptable alternative, but it's a wee bit expensive. So I stock up when it's around two-thirds it's normal price.

After all this time, I'm still amazed at the regular mark downs available in Canada. I'm also amazed at those who don't take advantage; it requires so little effort.

comfy win

Decent win for Liverpool. Hopefully a new beginning.

Moron

Nice blog on the Guardian today on Benefits again.

Sadly not very active and that's a pity as some twit said the targeting of claimants was begun by Labour.

So where was (s)he in the 1980s when the Tories (spit) introduced the Specialist Claims Control teams that toured the nation pressuring people to withdraw their claims and then followed this up with the "all work test" to try to end their various 'sickness' benefit claims?

Wasps

I think we may have a wasps nest under the deck. Hard to actually see under but the activity there suggests the top may be visible in the gap.

I might only be able to spray the the top, but it might be enough.

Different pricing

Brits have often commented how, in France, you'd pay different prices for coffee depending on whether seated at the counter or a table.

I've just been reminded that a pint of beer could have two different prices according to whether you drank in the lounge or the bar.

So, not so unusual after all.

Hurricanes

Alex 'Hurricane' Higgins has just died.

The next Hurricane threatening has, coincidenatlly, been named Alex.

lucky lucky

Two bits of good fortune came the way of England under 19s.

A very late goal in another game opened the door and their own late, late goal sent them through.

Mind you, they were sort of robbed a couple of days ago with a good goal wrongly disallowed.

But to have two things going for you so late in two games.....just a fraction of that once would have made an enormous difference to the senior team in the past.

Funny spell

Felt funny this afternoon. Cycled back from shopping...no further than usual, hot but not the hottest it's been.

Sat down while shopping unpacked. I couldn't focus on what was said, felt weak and a little numbness developed in my right arm. That passed quickly.

Speaking wasn't easy but I was aware of everything.

Blood sugar was low but not too low, although maybe it was overestimated. Blood pressure was near perfect.

Recovered fine after about 30 minutes. I'll have to be more careful in future.

Recipe of the day after

Cham Clowder leftovers on baked spud for lunch. lol

Recipe of the day

Alfredo Cham Clowder.

Save some Alfredo sauce from an Alfredo meal made up.

In a pan, sweat some more sliced onions and whatever fish you want. When almost cooked add the remaining sauce and a tin of Clam Chowder.

Serve on rice.

It's different enough from the Alfredo & Pasta to be a different meal.

Interesting charge

An Israeli woman met a man who claimed to be Israeli also. They had sex - seemingly just after meeting and later she discovered he was an Arab. She'd not have had sex had she known and he was charged and convicted of Rape by deception.

I wonder if this will be extended to:

• Of course I'll still respect you
• I love you
• I drive a Rolls
• I own a company
• etc
  

Moncton, Canada

The IAAF junior games kick off in Moncton today.

The local paper has observed that Moncton, NB has become Moncton, Canada.

It is a big event.

I'd have expected many employment opportunities - security, stewards, information points etc but it all seems to be volunteers.

The culture of volunteerism does seem to be big here.

Not to say I told you so but...

I've just been reading about cuts to a vital service for youth in Bristol. Unbelievable.

I was just thinking of all the other agencies that could be cut with no real loss of service and I looked up the name of one I always thought of as "dodgy" to see if I could find the others.

The first search result I found was a news item about a scam they had been pulling.

I feel vindicated.

But I'm still shocked at such stupidity.

Anniversary

Today.

Went for a Chinese 'all you can eat' Buffet tonight.

Not that good. I'd rather have paid a third and been restricted to one plate.

Brilliant hospital...again

8.30 appointment at the hospital for some monitor thingy that my wife has to 'wear' for 24 hours.

Left home 8.15, registered presence at the desk at 8.25. Sticky bits attached for wires for a general reading and then off to another room for more sticky bits and wires for the small device to be attached. Operating and Diary instructions also given then on our way.

Back home 9.15.

Cold calling

I hate cold calling.

We are on the "don't call" list or whatever it is called in Canada and it works quite well.

We still get irritating calls from the phone company and the credit card people about various promotions.

One guy called wanting me to take the insurance coverage on card balances; something I've rejected on the original application as well as since. When I refused he asked why and I told him that was none of his business. He tried to tell me I had to give a reason. Bloody cheek.

I told him that was nonsense and, further, to stop making these calls.

The phone company calls occasionally saying it's a "courtesy call." That's a strange way to describe something that disturbs home life and simply offers a service rejected several times.

A womand died, in a state of excitement, while watching a porn movie. The name of the movie was never revealed.

Could a guy have died watching Die Hard?

Heat

The aircon has been on almost a week now.

My mouse hand is getting almost as cold as it does in winter.

All your eggs in one basket

Great joke from the footie. Three Spanish players from the Basque region were attempting to leave their hotel but they all crammed through the door at the same time, getting stuck.

It just shows you shouldn't have all your Basques in one exit.

Lesser of two 'evils'

Well, Spain won and I suppose that was better than Holland winning. Quite surprising so many people are shocked at Holland committing so many fouls.

It's not like they hadn't been doing that already.

Play off game

Uruguay and Germany play an exciting game, end to end, lots of passing and movement. All done at pace too, proving it needn't be slow and dull like Spain or fast and crap like England. There is middle ground.

I rest my case

More on the Spain thing. Not a single impressive result for a supposedly magnificent team. Someone asks me who are these other great teams with better results sarcastically suggesting some teams - presumably some he didn't rate highly.

Every single one of them had better results in their championship winning campaigns against better teams than Spain has played; one of them even beating the second best team 3-0 in the final. He really should have known that one. It was rather fun pointintg that out...especially as none of them were considered as good as Spain now.

Dullsville

Looks like I'm not the only person who finds Spain's play and tactics somewhat dull.

They were "that close" from failing to qualify from their group due to their inability to step up a gear or take a bit of a risk during a match. People seem to have forgotten that.

They're in the final after a series of games that could not have been closer. I really hope Holland can win it.

Penalty goal

I'm still thinking it's an idea worth looking at but there will always be times when someone screams "penalty goal" when it's not clear cut. But is this any different to know when someone demands a player must have dived if the ref doesn't give a foul?

Why can't players just be more honest?

Sigh.

If I wake up tomorrow with a winners medal and I remember I cheated, I'd take no pleasure in the win.

Although I might try to rationalize it.

The debate rages on

Four days have passed and there is still discussion about the Uruguayan player - Suarez - stopping a certain goal with his hand while the opposition denied the goal had to make do with a penalty; a mere opportunity to recover the goal denied through cheating.

The penalty was missed. There was no time for a restart. The game went to penalty shoot out and Uruguay won.

A penalty goal has been suggested for where it's certain that a goal was prevented.

In Rugby, the officials can award a penalty try (rather than a penalty kick) and this action immediately restores the value of the points lost to the illegal stopping of the try.

Some say Rugby only does that because a penalty would be of less value than a try. But with three different values of points already, depending on the type of score, they could have declared a penalty kick in such situations to have an equal value to the type of score denied by illegal means.

Clearly, by awarding a penalty try, the rule-making authorities ensured the team wronged still received the points they were cheated out of, whereas a penalty kick offered no such guarantee; the kick could have missed.

Someone I was arguing with said

In no other instance of foul play in football is the victim guaranteed full redress - why make an exception for this?

Well, how about because in no other instance of foul play in football is the victim denied a certain goal - so make an exception for it.

Hot and humid

Been a warm couple of days, hitting 35 today. We even kept the aircon on last night for the first time this year. It was very nice under the quilt but it was cool on getting up.

Nearly missed it

No footie today. Semis on Tuesday.

Made it with 10 mins to spare.

Argentina - Ta-ta

Well that's cheered me up a lot.

All that crowing in the media about how well the South American teams had done and how only 6 European teams made it to the round of 16, where three all European ties meant a maximum of 3 in the quarter finals.

The QFs have now been played and all three South American teams playing the Europeans lost to them. The only South American team to have made it to the semis did so against an African team and then only by illegally stoppng a goal with a hand right at the end.

So three Europeans in the last four.

Germany absolutely stuffed Argentina.

Hup Holland

Goodbye Brazil. I won't miss you.

Fireworks tonight

I might get down there one day. See how they look. The Niagara Falls ones were good in 2007 but my favourites remain those in Paris for Bastille Day.

Rest days

Today is a rest day at the world cup. For me too.

Canada is closed tomorrow.

What a let down

I'm really not sure I can be bothered with this anymore.

I'm really pissed off about the football.

By all accounts people are wanting to sack the coach. The same players have now failed with the last three coaches and all three could not be more different in their experience, record and approach.

The one constant is the players. It's the players who need to change. Or be changed.

Graduation Day

SD graduated a year ago. If she'd been a year younger her graduation day would have been yesterday.

The same day as The Big Match.

Yesterday morning I'd have been complaining about the school arranging it the same day of the game.

Now I'm thinking it would have been a relief to have been spared that miserable performance.

The Big One

Less than an hour to go.

I'm off to the bog. Just to make sure. TMI.

* * *

Fucking disgrace. For England that was a new low. Following on from the new low of a week ago.

We want our money back.

Tomorrow

The Big One tomorrow at 11.00 am.

Nerves not kicking in yet.

They will.

Damn

I was quite happy that I'd reach my UK Pension age before they upped it.

Bloody Conservative government has announced the change - or the first part - will be brought forward.

It might only be another year to wait (could be another change too I guess) but the closer you get to something, any delay seems more pronounced.

How the mighty fall

First France - Runners Up last time - go out at the group stage and then World Champs Italy follow.

As with 2002 there will be some new teams succeeding at the later stages and this time without the connivance of the officials.

And we have to play Germany again.

Phew

Talk about squeaky bum time.

Much better but still a long way short of what's required.

Now it's the really tough route.

It's the World Cup not a Holiday

Wonderful quote and a great response from Fabio Capello.

There's been some talk of possible boredom in the England camp. Apparently these well paid footballers, having been served a free breakfast and a free lunch after all of two hours training have a few hours to kill before being served a free dinner and some of them may be at a loss how to fill the time.

Safaris, golf, swimming, Gyms, TV lounge so they can watch the other games and they have the company of mates. Computers, the net, read a book for a bit, newspapers...

What's the problem?

This is the World Cup not a holiday.

Although that's more than I have available when I'm on holiday. And I've paid for my trip not getting paid for it.

I have never been so against many of the players as I am right now.

The silence is deafening

FIFA remains tight lipped.

I looked at their website and there's a post match blog with hundreds of comments - but not one of them about the red card.

Censorship obviously. Or at least this was the situation earlier today.

* * *

I just double checked. There's a new blog on Brazil and still no mention. Nobody sent them a post on the subject? Yeah right.

There's even an article saying he got himself a red card. Yeah, by having someone run into him who then feigns injury.

FIFA is worse than PRAVDA.

The rest of the world saw it and FIFA pretends it didn't happen. Morons.

A travesty

I don't like Kaka. His constant Jesus stuff is really annoying.

Today an opponent runs into him deliberately and then falls clutching his face. The ref dismisses Kaka - strangely for a second yellow card.

If he saw it as an offence, it is supposed to be a straight red, not a yellow.

So an entirely innocent party will be suspended for at least one game while a fucking cheat will escape any sanction.

Sometimes I hate football.

Missed it

I completely forgot about the rugger this morning. I was awake early enough too.

The shock win in Australia would have eased the pain a little.

worst ever

Shocking. Abysmal. Inept. Woeful.

None of these words are adequate to describe England's performance today.

That they get paid so much and 'play' like that is just...well I don't know what.

Bring them home.

No...better still, send them home and let them find their own bloody way. I'm done making excuses.

I made a list of dates, KO times and who is playing, so any appointments needn't clash with England games. I really can't be bothered to fix it that way. That I feel this way would shock anyone who knows me.

I am so glad I don't live in England. I'd hate to be going into work and hearing the opinions of idiots who don't know the game but speak as if they are experts when all they do is watch the odd game once every four years.

Still habloodyha

Anyone know the Spanish for sour grapes?

Africa continues to show the number of places they get is just not justified.

Ha bloody Ha!

So Spain - mighty Spain - lost to Switzerland.

Just like Barcelona and Arsenal they think they're so bloody superior.

They are. They all are. But be a tad more humble about it and people might like you a bit more.

Brazil who?

Well, that performance must have shut a few people up. I wonder if we'll see something similarly disappointing with the other flavour of the month, Spain, tomorrow.

The Naked Footbaler

Wow. Doctor Who nude and then playing football all in the same episode.

And a superstar too. Is he qualified for England?

Nodded off

I fell asleep at some point during all three of today's games.

Sometimes the first group games are hard work. Good job I'm not on the west coast where KO can be 4.30 am.

What a let down

Great start and an absolute howler from Green gifts an equaliser.

No room for mistakes now. At least the next game should be the "easiest" one so we can go into the simultaneous group matches on top.

Vuvubloodyzelas

Irritating buggers.

The first goal of the tournament scored by the home team and there's still that bloody humming sound. No explosion of celebration from the crowd at all.

One of the vuvuzela apologists on the Guardian blogs gave a link to a Paul Breitner goal with a similar sound going on, but all the crowd atmosphere was still there and there was an explosive sound when the goal was scored.

That's the difference; bloody vuvuzela excludes everything else.

#""!! *#&%#

FIFA has issued a list of English language swear words to the officials for the USA v England game on Saturday. 20 of them.

What on earth is on there that there are that many? This is about how people react instantly to pressure or in anger, not a competition to name the words.

There has been no indication so far that the same will be done for other languages so there's a suspicion that English speakers will be penalised for something that others aren't.

Especially as now it's been highlighted, officials will actually feel under pressure to be seen to take action. and please their masters.

Time flies

It's Wednesday again. Garbage day again.

Every time I have to do it I'm thinking another week already.

And now the World Cup is upon us the next month will whiz by. Except for the odd 10 minutes when we're hanging on and waiting for the final whistle.

Wet June

Lots of rain this month. Apparently two-thirds of what normally falls in June fell in a couple of days over the weekend.

No sign of June Bugs yet. We'll probably have to rename them July Bugs.

Chocolate covered cranberries

Never heard of them before. Yum. Delicious.

It seems the ref for the England v USA game this Saturday is a crook or incompetent if allegations are believed. There appears plenty of evidence.

Vincent

Excellent Doctor Who this week. A bit odd having Vincent van Gogh speaking with a Scottish accent but he was a very good likeness.

Richard Curtis (Love Actually, Four Weddings... etc) wrote the episode.

It's an outrage

Talking characters in Tom and Jerry. SS is watching TV and I couldn't believe ny eyes. Ears.

Anniversary

Thirty seven years ago today I started work.

Weekly wage £10.49 less National Insurance of 57p (fixed rate back then) leaving me with £9.92.

I bought a £3 jacket that matched my tie to wear the second week Either from C&A or Austin's.

Only in America - part 3

Following on from the two incidents in China, it's the turn of England with a guy shooting dead a dozen and injuring others. Doesn't fit the usual stereotype either so reports say.

Footnote: For those that missed it before, the only in America reference is because people used to sigh "only in America" at this sort of news story but they happen everywhere.

The Border

I'm used to American TV shows being cancelled and not knowing until it's simply disappeared. It's really not an incentive watch anything new if it's likely to get cancelled.

I did expect differently from Canada but CBC has cancelled The Border. Three months ago and I only just heard.

It ran for three seasons, so obviously people liked it. It ended with a cliffhanger - as they all seem to over here.

Now it's cancelled.

But it's well liked enough for them to be selling it on DVD and I find that odd.

Who wants to buy a DVD of something that ends with a "to be continued" but doesn't continue?

Brilliant hospital again

Today my wife and I had blood tests at the Hospital. It takes about 10 minutes to get there and 15 to get back; I'm slower at pushing the wheelchair home when it's a little uphill.

Registration at the blood clinic took a few minutes longer as the list of repeat tests had to be updated for Mrs Monctonian. We did our tests and then went to another 'walk-in' clinic where an ECG/EKG was needed for her. Registration was quick there and there was a short wait.

We were back home less than an hour after leaving.

Brilliant.

Gotta laugh

For years, the UK Libs held the middle ground but occupied the moral high ground.

Less than a month in to the coalition government and one of them had to resign his post due to an expenses scandal.

He was replaced.

Now the replacement is involved in a similar scandal, claiming one thing with one department and maintaining the opposite with another department.

Ha bloody ha.

Whatever happened to red?

I have always preferred it when England wore red. We always played better than in white.

Then today happened. That was the pits. Two own goals turned a defeat into a 2-1 win. Totally undeserved. Absolute dross.

And we wore red.

Eurovision Song Contest

I was browsing the footie streams and I was astonished to find there was a stream for the song contest. It looks abit different to the last one I saw. Not that I'm staying tuned in for it.

Nor am I watching a review of WC98 on CBC. The narrator is deathly dull.

NewsBiscuit

Discovered a new (to me) site today. NewsBiscuit.

At World Cup time lots of footie fans show their allegiance with flags on their cars. Not just footie of course.

A spoof news story says the reason is people are having to do it to inform other drivers of their stupidity.

A sample:

Stupid drivers forced to display white flags with red cross

Under new proposals to improve road safety during the summer season when traffic levels on Britain’s roads peak, the government has rolled out plans under which the stupidest drivers in England will have to identify themselves by displaying distinctive red and white flags on each side of the car. In extreme cases, more than two flags will need to be carried.

The opposite

After a very hot couple of days (30+) it's been a cold few days. Unbelievable difference. Worth putting the heating back on.

I discovered a decaf coffee that is actually drinkable. That was a shocker.

Lucky escape

Another railway station, another kid in a pram/buggy rolling off the platform onto the tracks as a train pulls in.

Both Melbourne.

Amazing.

World Cup Songs

I've been checking out some WC songs. Pretty dreadful.

New Order's "World In Motion" and The Lightning Seeds "Three Lions" are classics and far and away the best.

I do like the official WC song, though. Waving Flag.

Dread

England playing a friendly at Wembley today. The pitch has been dreadful in games over the last ferw weeks.

I am filled with dread that someone important will pick up another injury so close to the world cup.

* * *

It's been a warm couple of days, but can someone explain why some members of the household are uncomfortably hot when the temperature inside is at the level they complain is too cold in winter?

The Special One rules

As expected, I settled for rooting for José Mourinho's Inter and they did indeed win.

Next stop for José, it seems, is Real Madrid. That will be very interesting given the temperaments of Raúl and Ronaldo.

Poverty or failure to budget?

There was another blog in yesterday's Guardian about poverty and incentives to help people back into work.

There were the usual knee jerk reactions on both sides of the debate and the debate was very much on single people, so remember what follows is only about singles, not families.

I commented that part of the problem was the mindset involved; that people got used to living on their benefits. They would see their Housing Benefit for rent at £115 (in Bristol) plus Job Seekers Allowance @ £65 would give them £180 a week. So when an otherwise suitable job came along that would "only" give them a take home pay of £240 they were negative about it because they would then "only" be working for £60.

I went on to say that was understandable in a way, but many people were actually working and doing fine on that £240 (thinking specifically about me and the many work colleagues I knew who earned less) and they don't even think about that £60 difference.

I was trying to explain that the difference between real or potential benefit levels and take home pay existed for everybody but people in work tended not to focus on that while people out of work did. Some people on JSA aren't interested in that job because it's only worth £60, while nobody in that job gives it up because it's only worth £60.

But, of course, I got jumped on. Someone asked how "fine" and I answered. I said it paid my housing costs (very much in line with rent) and bills, paid for internet, cable package including sport and movies add ons, other essentials and two fortnights holiday in Greece or Spain each year plus other time away and entertainment. That seemed good enough to me and a big enough incentive to get off benefits.

Those who expressed disbelief got "recommendations" by other posters for simply saying so - presumably because that suited their kneejerk reactions. One even analysed my figures in much detail and concluded the £125 left (the £60 gain on top of JSA @ £65) after bills was manageable although a friend of his led a similar lifestyle, was much higher paid than me, but was hugely in debt.

So, while poverty exists and it's relative anyway, not necessarily meaning destitution, for some it appears to be more about money management.

And, maybe, about entertainment habits. A few pints followed by a take-away does make a big hole in finances. So look for an alternative if you can't afford it too often.

Holiday weekend

Victoria Day on Monday. A holiday in Canada. Funny that. The UK is much more into matters royal than Canada.

So it's a holiday weekend.

Champions League final tomorrow and I still don't know 100% who will get my support. Probably Inter rather than Bayern but it could change.

It should have been ManU and Chelsea again but glad it's not. England would have half a team playing. Too much chance of injury with the world cup around the corner.

Justice, fair play reappears

Hooray for the appeal court in overturning the outrageous decision I mentioned the other day - even if it was only two to one.

Olympics logo

I hadn't seen this before today.

It really does look like Lisa Simpson on her knees and.....

Whatever happened to justice and fair play?

Unbelievable.

Thousands take part in a vote with 80% voting one way and less than 20% going the other way.

Eleven votes were spoiled.

Eleven.

And the courts have invalidated the vote because those meaningless eleven spoiled votes were not notified to those voting along with the result.

Of course it was the party on the losing side took it to court even though they were unable to find anyone entitled to receive a notice who didn't know and none of them complained.

And this after a National election where people were actually denied the vote.

Putting the knives in

You can tell the world cup is approaching. The British media is beginning to put the knives in anything England football related.

Wait for the next big "scandal"...this is just small stuff.

TMI

Readers of a sensitive disposition should look away now.

I stood up from my sitting position and looked down into the lavatory pan to see I had produced a question mark.



Not green, obviously.

Christmas Dinner

A couple of months ago we had the best Turkey I ever cooked. It was butter basted and I don't know if that was why it roasted so well but they were less than half price this weekend. So I bought one for Xmas.

This one is stuffed and it says to cook from frozen. Not sure about that.

* * *

It was the cup final today. Quite an entertaining game for the cup final.

Friday

I haven't worked since I took early retirement five and a half years ago. But Friday is still the start of a weekend even if its little different, for me, to the rest of the week.

There's still the full program of footie games (in season) at the weekend compared to during the week and the weekend papers with their supplements.

Speaking of footie, it's almost the end of the season. I remember as a boy thinking it would be so long before it started up again and how would I get through all those 'boring' weeks?

It's not the problem it used to be, of course. As an adult there are other things and time goes by more quickly. But as a boy, there was only the World Cup every four years whereas now there is a European Tournament bigger than even the WC used to be, so there's a filler for every other season break.

Coalition

The UK has its first coalition government in my lifetime. And I don't live there anymore.

I shall follow events with interest, of course. It seems to me that the LibDems are very much taking a back seat. They do have the position of Deputy PM but they only have a fraction of the Cabinet posts.

I expect the problems will begin when the LibDems are seen to be propping up a government dismantling various parts of society that Brits have become accustomed to. Perhaps the word 'collaborator' will come into usage.

You read it here first ;)

Horror

Last month I commented on one of those incidents that could only happen in America and how it happened in China.

Unbelievably they've had another - this time half a dozen kids stabbed to death by an attacker at a nursery.

Last month it was reported as being the second such attack, but now the Guardian says five of them. Attacks, that is, not victims. All in China.

So near yet so far

I have been searching for an online version of BBC's compilation of Italia 90 for ages.

My VHS copy is not compatible with the players here.

Yesterday I thought I'd found it. Well, I did...sort of. Someone had uploaded the first ten minutes on youtube (ITV's version too) but that was all.

Rats.

No news yet

Still no sign of what the new UK government will be. I suspect the LibDems will be bought off with something that falls short of electoral reform.

A sad, sad, state of affairs

Chelsea 8-0 Wigan. Chelsea wins league.
ManU and Arsenal both win 4-0 finishing second and third.
Liverpool finishes their season in seventh, a whole 23 points behind Chelsea and 7 points adrift of the cherished Champions League fourth spot, with a 0-0 against already relegated Hull.

Someone. Make it stop. Make it stop. Please.

Out of a cake

Fantastic opening to Doctor Who today. Not just jumping out of a cake but the suggestion that it wasn't his first time. Brilliant.

My live stream kept breaking up unfortunately so I'll have to catch a rerun later.

The Day After

I saw a little of the BBC's election night program. It reminded me of how irritating politicians can be when spouting about the opposite party behaving exactly as they would.

So it's a hung parliament with several coalitions possible. We'll see.

Meanwhile the BA cabin crew have again voted for action with another very large majority. Remarkable.

"staying up"

I used to stay up late on election night in the UK long enough to get an idea who won.

Four hours behind here, it will simply be evening when it's happening. It might be fun to watch.

"Poverty"

Once again there's something in the paper about poverty and it doesn't really reflect reality.
Obviously poverty is relative and measures change. I remember when my Gran didn't have a fridge. The milk bottle stood in a bowl of cold water. They had an outside toilet too.

My parents had a fridge and even central heating and they were always saying, "tut tut...young people these days...they have to have fitted carpets in their first home while we had to wait a few years."

They didn't think that they had something from an early stage that their parents didn't have.

Anyway, it's not that aspect I'm talking about. It's that the benefit rates for children have seen big increases over the last few years to the point that people already receiving benefits saw increases in their income and more people became entitled to the benefits than previously and their incomes rose too.

So now we have reports that more children of more households than ever before "have to rely" on these benefits but the real effect of this is that the poorest parents of children actually have more money for their kids. That's good isn't it?

The gap between rich and poor may widen but that doesn't mean the poor are poorer.

Star Wars

Happy Star Wars Day

May the 4th be with you.

Bank Holiday

A strange day today. It's a Bank Holiday in England (May Day) but not here. Couple of games of footie at "Saturday" type times and on TV here the times seem odd for a Monday.

Grass cutting

I have heard lawn mowers going twice in nearby gardens today. Our grass doesn't look in need of cutting yet. Maybe it'll shoot up in a day or so.

It's too much for me these days, there's so much, so SS finishes off.

He does most of it, to be fair.

Budgeting

Following on from my comments yesterday, there was research about people running out of money before their next benefit income was due.

It doesn't automatically mean they suffer does it? I quite often run out of money before my next income. It happens when the bills have been paid and I have shopped for groceries. There's more than enough food in the house until the next money. It's no big deal but technically I have run out of money.

It reminds me of my days back in the DSS when people would complain "I haven't had any money money for a month" which sounds quite dramatic until one realises that a month ago they had a month's income, just like everyone who is monthly paid has a month to wait between paydays.

My heart bleeds

An article in The Guardian today about how 'low' benefit rates in the UK are.

Not.

The writer missed the point that the rate mentioned is not intended for those living permanently on it; it's to tide people over between jobs.

There's often little difference between the whole benefits 'package' - including rent allowances, free dental treatment, free prescriptions, no work related expenses etc - and working for minimum wage, while for others rates can actually be generous.

That bloke who's not able to work but is otherwise capable is getting at least £200 a week. Add another £40 for a moderate disability - perhaps he walks with the aid of a stick.

That perfectly healthy person who is 60 and has a decent flat - probably on £240 a week.

That lone parent of one child living in a two bedroom flat - she'll be on £250 rising by almost £60 for each additional child.

And she can get an extra £25 with a p/t job.

These are the people making up the majority of those permanently on benefits and they all get more than someone on Minimum Wage who has expenses they don't.


It's obviously not ideal living on benefits but I hate this comparison to "average" wage levels when the vast majority of people don't even get close to so called average wage levels.

Only in America

Another one of those shocking stories in the paper today about incidents that could only happen in America.

This one was in China.

Perhaps not corrupt, but...

More tales of politicians feathering their beds have hit the news this week.

A few years ago, the Province's MLAs introduced lump sum payments for members not qualifying for pensions because they hadn't 'served' 8 years. It was to tide them over while they looked for alternative employment.

It's not a bad idea, although the idea behind it clearly need not apply where they do get another job or they have planned a change anyway. It's obviously intended for those losing an election and being thrust into a 'job seeking' situation unexpectedly.

But a couple of years ago* they extended it to include those who will get generous pensions. They also increased it and, at the same time, replaced some non pensionable allowances with an increase in salary which is pensionable.

It meant that pensions increased by 85% and they got the lump sum on top.

It reminds me of the UK when incompetent "captains of industry" got massive pay rises and a huge cut in income tax as well from Thatcher.


*The media has reported as if they were being crafty, sneaking it through. But how come the media either didn't see it or said nothing at the time? These things are not done in secret.

Three

A new list comes out of the world's top 50 restaurants and the report says bad news for London as it only has 3 of the 50.

Maybe that's fewer than previously but considering all the big cities in the world, 3 in just one sounds quite good.

One assumes the recession makes a difference...fewer people eating out so restaurants and chefs moving somewhere else etc.

I'm the bloody Queen, mate

It's been a little confusing watching the latest series of Doctor Who.

Space Channel is showing them two weeks after they've been on in England but, big kid that I am, I can't wait and I've been watching on BBC's iPlayer soon after the live broadcast and then watching that episode again with the wife and kids two weeks on.

Saturday night was the episode containing that great line that titles this post and it reminded me of that magnificent line from last week's episode - to be shown here next week - where the Dalek asks "Would you care for some tea?"

I'm probably the only person on Planet Earth that remembers the 'dizzy' Dalek.

* * *

Perhaps not. I found the dizzy, 'disrespectful', Daleks on youtube.

Hahahahahaha

From The Guardian:

The Foreign Office was last night forced to issue a public apology after an official document suggested Britain should mark the Pope's visit this year by asking him to open an abortion clinic, bless a gay marriage and launch a range of Benedict-branded condoms.

Almost too late

Woke early today and went back to sleep. On waking again I just about had enough time to test, shoot, make bacon sarnies and settle down for ManU beating Spurs.

Arsenal looked a spent force. Probably just down in the dumps.

Rumours - not Fleetwood Mac

Rumours flying around of yet another scandal involving a prominent England footballer and legal gagging action.

Is it true?
Yes.
It's really true?
It's true there's a rumour, yes.

Yeah, right.

Back when the BA cabin crew strikes were taking place, The Guardian ran blogs that featured several posts by the same few names that were churning out BA 'propaganda' almost word for word, seemingly as if they were doing it solely for that purpose and in a targeted way.

When challenged they said they were simply concerned with matters of air travel and airlines. Yeah, right.

So, today, there's a blog about problems for airlines caused by the ash cloud following the volcanic eruption in Iceland which has seen airport closures and flight cancellations.

They don't seem interested enough to comment this time. Funny that.

A puzzle

I wrote a few times about the deal that was to 'sell off' parts of NB Power to Quebec that was to freeze electricity rates for five years while no sell off meant rate increases of at least 3% each year.

So the deal collapsed because so many people were in favour of keeping NB Power (not that control was to be lost) and, thus, facing the inevitable annual increases.

So now the first 3% increase is announced and people (step forward the Conservative so prominent in the opposition to the deal) are wondering why the need for it.

Moronic or what?

Hardship?

Many flights are cancelled this week due to the ash cloud floating around following the volcanic eruption in Iceland.

A couple of football teams have to make what has been described as arduous travel.

Barcelona will travel by their luxury coach to France where they will stay overnight before traveling on to Milan, before their game over 24 hours later. Tough eh?

Liverpool will travel to London and then Eurostar to Paris where they will stay overnight. They'll take the train the next day before a short flight to Madrid where they play, also more than 24 hours later.

Of course none of the players have to bother about the travel arrangements or carry baggage etc. It's all done for them.

Now I admit it's not the sort of thing they are used to but it really doesn't compare with a four hour midnight bus ride to the airport arriving hours before you need to but it's the only option and then getting to your apartment 12 hours after the journey began and 30 hours after you got up and still another 10 hours to bedtime

or

The journey to the South of France that begins at 4.00 am and gets you to your mobile home after a 30 hour coach ride including overnight travel in standard seats, arriving early afternoon and 50 hours after your last night's sleep.

Rain

What a miserable day, weather wise.

It would be lovely, normally, just gazing out at it and not having to go to work or anything.

But there are a couple of errands I need to do and I'll put them off for now. Maybe tomorrow. Or Wednesday.

What a comeback

Arsenal, the team I love to hate were 2-0 up in the game I was watching this morning and in control.

SS was at a loose end so I gave up the rest of the game so he could watch the TV.

At my computer I noticed that Wigan scored to make it 1-2 with 10 minutes left.

They scored twice more in the last minute to beat Arsenal 3-2...and I missed it.

Never mind...all the big results over the last week have gone exactly as I wanted them to.

Amazing but true

ManU really needing to win showing little urgency and Rooney playing when clearly he shouldn't. 0-0 and seconds left when up pops Scholes with the winner.

Now it's down to Spurs-Chelsea. Can Spurs follow their great win over Arsenal in midweek?

* * *

Yes they can...and did.

Trials and tribulations

Been advertising and trying to get a replacement tenant this week.

I thought one party was just asking good questions but it became a tactic to get me to offer a reduced rent. And I was already bending over backwards to help the guy out. Bloody cheek.

Had an enquiry from out of town. Last time I tried to accommodate that I had a real stressful time from a professional complainer, so I was reluctant but she talked me into considering her; her dad would give the place the once over just to confirm her impression.

An hour after the appointment was made a potential tenant from the day before who originally wanted to think on it for a day or two decided she wanted it. I wanted to honour the arrangements made based on the original response.

So I did...and the suggested quick decision and deposit is still not forthcoming.

I could lose a definite tenant through wanting to play fair.

Dating sites

I was reading today about some people's experiences with dating sites and it reminded me of my own.

There was one woman who I'd exchanged a few emails with and all seemed quite promising. Then I happened to mention I'd recently got an MBE and she appeared to take that to mean I was some monarchist loving twit and she dismissed me.

Another one seemed to have some pre-arranged "emergency" giving her an escape route if she wanted it when the phone call came. Nothing wrong with that...except by then I realised I would have taken second place to several ferrets that she was very keen to talk about but had not mentioned as an interest previously.

Winston Smith

Reading about a blogger who takes his name from 1984 and what he's written. A really fascinating read about kids in care.

The (mis)behaviours described and the resoponses to them I completely recognise. Many of his 'clients' were also mine.

No personal responsibility and everything about rights and a sense of entitlement.

Cows: A Study

Apparently, the longer a cow has been lying down, the more likely it is to get up.

Conversely, the longer it has been standing is no guide to when it will lie down.

Fascinating.

Not.

Recipe of the day & Murphy's Law

Croissant split into two, lightly toasted, a little Mayo.

Fried egg - yolk broken - over easy. Thin slice of cheese dropped onto the egg when flipped over.

Add egg and cheese to croissant with a slice of ham to form a sandwich.

One isn't enough, two makes you feel a little queasy.


My wife likes several variations on this broken yolk theme. What's funny - or mildly irritating - is that the egg never breaks accidentally when she wants it that way. It only breaks when you want it unbroken.

March winds in April

Windy out today. Well it wouldn't be windy in.

Reminded me of a bike ride where on one particular road I was propelled along without pedalling. Not unusual if downhill or there's a wind, but there was no wind. It's a mystery to this day.

I was reminded because I slowed as I arrived at my stop, but a little too soon. Just as I was about to make another push on the pedal, a gust of wind did it for me.

Ooops

Completely wrong footed today. The absence of the usual early game has thrown me and I forgot to wake SD for work. Luckily she managed to rouse herself; as she should, of course.

Down with colds

And I am down with one. Just as the weather got warmer.

Murphy's Law

Murphy's law struck ManU.

Rooney played but it was so obvious mobility was restricted. It was a gamble and it paid off as he played his part in achieving a 2 goal cushion. But certain challenges on him aggravated matters and everything kept breaking down and needless pressure was faced.

Then the encouraging goal just before half time and still no change.

Half time, still no change. Then came the red card that made the outcome inevitable.

I'm sure Bayern could have nosed in front without the red card anyway, but an eleven man ManU would be more likely to have fought back.

At least there's less chance of injuries for the England players now with no extra games.

Arsenal tanked

Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday to me
Happy Birthday.........

So Arsenal got stuffed by one man team Barcelona.

Hopes rest on ManU now.

Voting

The UK election has been called.

I have lived in Canada for over five years. I am a permanent resident of Canada. I cannot vote.

I have lived permanently outside the UK for over five years. I am still eligible to vote there (in person, proxy or postal) for almost another ten years.

It doesn't seem right for me to vote in a country I no longer live in.
It doesn't seem right for me to be unable to vote in the country I live and pay taxes in - especially as a member of a Canadian family (my wife and kids).

I could go for Citizenship of Canada - not that it implies anything more permanent - but the voting options here hardly make it worth the bother.

Annoyed. Really annoyed

Sometimes I feel I live with idiots.

We are supposed to bag up our garbage as wet and dry. I tell the others to think of it as mucky and not mucky. But they still want to put dry card and plastic in the bin for the wet stuff.

I have a bin for most of the dry sruff and an overflow container. This is for larger things like cereal boxes. They are to be flattened and put in the overflow so as not to fill up the sack in the main (dry) bin.

But somebody insists on putting little bits of cardboard and small bits of plastic in the overflow bin, so when it comes to emptying to put the garbage out, guess who is having to reach right down into the overflow container to pick up all the fucking little pieces.

SS is the worst offender. The number of times I say to remove the lid from the ice cream and marge containers telling him that it's a waste of space to have a two litre container taking up room when there's plenty of rubbish that could actually go inside.

So what do I find there just now? A large biscuit tin from Christmas. You know, one of those nice big ones that will hold documents, trinkets, photos, xmas decorations etc and help to keep things in order.

I can't believe smeone wanted to throw it out. If it really wasn't needed (as if there isn't stuff that could be tidied into it) why not put some other trash into it? Of course it had the fucking lid on didn't it.

Fish fingers and custard

The new Doctor made his debut yesterday. I wasn't able to watch live but I did see it about 4 hours later rather than wait two weeks.

The plot was good and maybe there was a tiny problem with special FX at one point but it was highly enjoyable.

It seems likely we'll be in danger from Daleks and Cybermen but the world is in safe hands.

ManU v Chelsea

Good games lined up today. Just time to make my bacon sarnies and settle.

A repeat

You are reading an "encore presentation" of a previous post.

Sounds daft. But that's what they call it do on the radio. Weekends and holidays consist of reruns of entire 'shows' from the previous week.

At 8.00 this morning they were re-running something from last Friday afternoon.

Technology being what it is these days it really is disappointing they can't do better.

Spoof

One of my favourite days of the year. I always enjoy the spoof news stories.

The ones I especially like are those that are fairly obvious from the headline or opening paragraph but they are so well done they are still funny. Also good are those you're not sure about but then something clicks.

Some are just silly right from the start...but then there are some pretty silly news stories around anyway. If you really can't tell whether it's a spoof or real item I think it lessens the appeal.

blew it

Great start for ManU but they blew it. Such poor performances by so many. Hard to turn it around in the return game.

Arsenal playing the team they look up to today. Barcelona.

Munich-Manchester

Went for a blood test for SD at the hospital today. She hates needles and needed her hand held.

There were the most people there for a long time but we were still in and out in 10 minutes.

* * *

Big week in Champions League this week. Big!!

yummy

Previously boiled spuds diced and fried with onions is always nice. Did it with some bacon, all in the same pan and topped off with fried egg.

Bloody lovely. Not fantastically healthy, granted, but not that bad either ('minimally' fried) and okay once in a while.

A Sunday afternoon at home

Yawn.

Strange day

It's an odd start to the day.

Almost the end of March and it's 13 below with a feels like of -23. Very cold reaching for the paper.

We're still only 3 hours behind the UK until tonight, so kick offs are still an hour later than usual. But there's no top game at lunchtime in England (8.45am for me) either. What would normally be the next game at 11.00 is now not until 12.00.

I could have enjoyed a lie in but I have to get up to test and shoot. Going back to bed isn't really the same as enjoying a lie in.

still not gone

Winter.

Snow again today. Not a lot but a complete covering of everything that was previously clear.

More expected later and minus 12 (real feel -20) overnight.

Just when you think it's safe to ...........

Power deal off

The "sell off" of NB Power to Quebec has been cancelled. Cold feet? Maybe. There have been many protests against the sale but backing out at this stage is hardly likely to make the government more popular.

Quebec has said it's not worth it to them anymore. They wanted it so they could export their spare electricity to the USA. NB isn't in a position to do that.

Now if NB Power is no longer attractive to Quebec when they'd have additional income to pay costs, how the hell is it attractive to NB? We're gonna be paying through the nose for it again. *sigh*

Rain not snow

At least our "storm" was just rain. The Northern half of the province was expecting over 15 cm of snow.

Nice drop of rain though. First in quite a while.

What is a storm?

When in England, I always thought a storm involved something dramatic. Like a Thunderstorm with its noise and lightning. Or a dumping of snow.

In Canada I read of a pending snowstorm and I picture a blizzard but it could be just a couple of inches of snow.

Today there's another storm predicted. I first heard it on the radio and that station often overstates what we really get. But on the weather network there's actually a storm warning. Yet the forecast for each part of the day - afternoon, evening, overnight, morning - just says light rain.

Hard to think of light rain, even if continuous, as a storm.

and it was just a bit

Got up today to a covering of snow on the grass and deck. However, at the front you wouldn't have known it had snowed where it had melted on contact.

It's quite funny in a way. During the winter the snow falls and stays on the road and paths while sometimes not staying on the deck and today it's the other way round.

Windows

Well that was a surprise. We only lost by two points. If I was Welsh I could claim victory because we scored a try and they didn't.

* * *

We actually had some windows open. But we're due a bit of snow tonight. Just a bit.

All late

The UK still hasn't put its clocks forward yet so we're still 3 hours behind instead of 4. Everything is kicking off an hour later (Canada time) than usual. It seems odd.

I have a rare chance to watch the England rugby team live on TV (as opposed to internet stream) in a minute. On TV5, the French channel. A shame we'll likely get stuffed by the champions France.

Normal service resumes...partly

A bit of normality has resumed.

A pity that Chelsea lost their European tie Tuesday, but yesterday Liverpool won theirs and little old Fulham had a frankly astonishing win.

They were already 3-1 down from the first leg and quickly went 3 goals down.

Then they staged one of the all time great comebacks and scored 4 times to win. Against mighty Juventus!!!

It was one of those "where were you" moments. I'm happy to say I was watching.

odd dream

Unusual dream last night.

I was playing rugby - something I've not done since school nearly 40 years ago. We were also using a round ball and not the oval kind.

I scored a try and the ref signalled it would go to video replay to see if my foot was out of play before grounding the ball, thus disallowing the try.

Whe on the ground after 'scoring' I checked my foot and it was certainly close to the line, but hopefully not touching; it was hard to tell from my angle.

When the replay was displayed on the video screem I had apparently taken two steps beyond the line meaning the try would not be allowed. But I knew something was strange about it.

Then I noticed. That player stepping over the line was not me. Someone had substituted different footage of the incident to get the score disallowed.

Thaw

It was nice to go out earlier with summer shoes instead of winter boots and no coat!!

I swear there was less snow on the path when I returned 25 minutes later.

Magical clothes

Back in England I used to have what I called a magic jacket. In the inside pocket I would often find a fiver (£5) in putting it on.

Twice in the last week I have put a jacket on and found $5 in my pocket.

It's a shame $5 isn't worth as much as £5, although the way the £ is going it soon will be.

I just put my hands in my jeans pocket and found $10.

I wonder if there's anything in my boots.

Injuries

Barring some sort of miracle, David Beckham is out of the world cup. It's a huge blow for him but less of a blow for England...not like it was for 2002 and then Rooney in 2006. But it's still a useful option missing now.

It really is about time we had a bit of good luck for these competitions, if only with important players not getting injured. We've lost the use of 6 major players (not including Beckham now!) for the last 4 International tournaments and there are serious doubts about at least two others right now.

Anyone but England

Enjoyable blog in The Guardian today about the attitude of many Scots towards England when it comes to sports, particularly football.

Of course it drew the typical comments from so many of the self loathing hand wringing types, so common among the readership who seem to think that England is the only country in the world whose citizens like to support their teams and that support of the England football team implies support of foreign and economic policy as well as shameful incidents from the dim and distant past.

Balderdash

Unbelievable article in the paper today about how New Brunswick is taking a lead in Canada in doing something about poverty and, by implication, that Federal government as well as the other provinces are doing nothing.

Now, it is true that the present NB government has taken big steps in that respect recently and they are to be congratulated. I'm also not going to be churlish and say it's not enough.

But successive governments in NB have neglected the subject for so long that it's become very very bad. Programs here fall so far short of those throughout the rest of Canada you wouldn't believe it. So it has actually been quite easy to make the improvements recently seen in NB.

Meanwhile, the other provinces already have safety nets and programs far superior to those in NB and, consequently don't really need to make improvements on the scale recently seen in NB.

The mind boggles

Liverpool blew it and I thought Fulham were a little hard done by. Both have second legs to turn things around. Liverpool will, Fulham won't.

* * *

A couple of weeks ago I commented how British Airways was antagonising the cabin crew union and how there had been another large vote for a strike as a result.

Now they have had further negotiations and the union has suggested measures that meet more than 80% of BA's wants....including taking a pay cut that wasn't part of previous talks. And people say the union is being selfish

Sounds like a good compromise but BA has rejected the proposals, seemingly prepared to lose far more in loss of custom. Fools.

easy peasy

Terrific performance from ManU in stuffing once great Milan 4-0. The fire that is Rooney continues to burn.

Just watching Liverpool. Playing really badly again, but still well in the game. Had the best two chances. Fulham v Juventus keenly awaited.

part three

Arsenal more than recovered. I thought they would but I didn't expect 5-0. Porto are Portugal's third best team currently. Burnley - 19th in England - put up a better showing.

ManU's turn today.

Part two

So...Liverpool blew it. Can Arsenal recover?

Two minds

Interesting week of footie lined up.

Liverpool fighting to get back into the Champions League positions, Arsenal and ManU in the CL tomorrow and Wednesday, followed by Liverpool again on Thursday for the other European trophy.

Mixed feelings for Arsenal. Want them to do well but ready to laugh sadistically at some of their fans* if they don't.


*Some of their fans are just so up their own arses.

Spring?

After a false dawn last week when the snow was almost gone and then got replaced by loads more, maybe it's pretty much over for real now.

It's plus 3 degrees out and it feels warmer. Even the railings on the front steps are warm to the touch. I went without gloves for the first time in months.

Anthem row

Big fuss here about proposals to change Canada's National Anthem. Seems a fuss about nothing to me...especially as it's not so much a change as reversing a previous change.

There's a lot spoken about things being "inclusive" like that nonsense about how Happy Holidays is better than Happy Christmas. How actually wishing someone to have a nice time in that season or any other season or festival whether or not they celebrate it is excluding them is beyond me.

But surely, if you're going to have a National Anthem it should include everyone? The use of "sons" without mention of daughters does not do that.

It would just be a small change and by all accounts it's already been changed a couple of times anyway. Is it so different to marriage vows having "obey" removed?

Be thankful it's not that dreadful dirge God Save the Queen.

It's a first

Our Property Taxes haven't gone up for the first time since we moved. The first year saw a crazy increase and not insignificant ones since. They might even have gone down a little.

I know there was talk about some protection being built in to prevent fleecing owners because of valuations going up, but it was suggested taxes would still rise...just not so much.

In the UK there's a relationship between value and rate charged, but the value isn't subject to review. It's in a 'band' and the rate charged changes.

Here they can change the rate but the value also changes. So the authority rakes in cash from increased values without looking the bad guys by upping the rate.

Until now, it seems.

Scum of the earth.

Nice to see another good old fashioned financial and morality scandal involving the UK Conservatives. It's right up there with the ones when Thatcher was running things. She must be so proud.

* * *

Too much bloody snow again. It's March. Just a few days ago everything looked good and it seemed like winter was on the way out, other than a few flurries, but I wouldn't be surprised if we'd had half February's snowfall in these four days.

Just three hours ago I did the drive and steps and the road surface was just wet. Now there's more on the steps than when I did them. Not so much on the driveway but the road is covered so it looks as if the plow will be along soon to put a bloody ridge across the newly cleared drive. Rats.

Lovely curry for lunch.

Two footie games on telly this afternoon...an England under 21s game and then the first team in a friendly. Very nice.

Elephants revisited

There was an elephant in the room last week and again today. Both of them in football articles again.

Carried away

Very exciting Ice Hockey final which Canada won in overtime which was relentless end to end stuff.

A great 'games' for Canada but some seem to be getting carried away with talk of winning the most Golds ever, for example.

As with the Summer (or proper) Olympics there are new events, so there are more opportunities than previously.

Snowboarding is relatively new and the medal events were increased from 4 to 6 a couple of 'games' ago and Women's Ice Hockey has only been included since 98.

Those two sports, alone, gave Canada 3 more golds than would have been the case prior to 94. I imagine other sports have more medals involved too. I wouldn't be surprised if there are more skating medals than earlier years too.

But still an excellent performance, especially when all the talk beforehand was of never having won Gold in Canada before putting so much pressure on the competitors.

And today's heavy snowfall will, unfortunately, have brought people back to reality. Although I'm sure many will, understandably, be beyond giving a damn.

One down another to go

One Cup Final played (in England) and another goal for The Man on Fire.

The Canada - USA Ice Hockey final is due to start shortly. I think.

I shall take a look and see if I can remain interested.

Phantom weather again

Poor weather forecasting continues. A big storm was predicted for yesterday that included freezing rain and snow. The schools were closed in anticipation.

We had a bit of rain and....nothing else.

The odd thing is today's paper reports it as if it actually happened.

Big game?

I might watch my first Ice Hockey for donkeys years on Sunday. Canada got off to a slow start in their games and slipped up, losing to the USA.

They seem to have recovered and got back on track. Assuming there are no more slips, the final could be a rematch with the USA.

The Phantom Storm

'tis a glorious day. Beautifully sunny.

By now we should be well into a major storm. According to the weather forecast.

How irritating

Made a special trip to Walmart for some DVD cases and they didn't have any. At all.

How can that happen? Isn't the point of barcodes and associated 'stock' technology to help prevent that sort of thing happening?

Honestly these places sell spindles of 50 and 100 discs but don't stock a similar number of containers for them. What do people keep them in when they've used them?

You asked for it...you got it

Back on January 19 I blogged about British Airways antagonising their cabin staff ahead of a second vote over action to maintain their working conditions.

The vote is in. 81% in favour of a new strike. Some people never learn.

But then if the company suffers, the bullying managers will still have their personal fortunes.

It's life, jim, but not as we know it

I've heard it said many times that according to the laws of aerodynamics, a bumble bee cannot fly.

Apparently that was a myth. I mean, obviously they can fly, but it's a myth that they shouldn't be able to.

Anyway, I discovered this by accident when I was bemused by a report in today's paper. Someone has called for movies to follow more closely the laws of science.

Perkowitz said he liked Starship Troopers, but criticised its giant insects, saying if you scaled up a real bug to that size it would collapse under its own weight.

An odd thing to say given these were creatures from another planet. There would be any number of factors influencing this. Gravity differences reducing the weight? Maybe the bodies weren't that heavy; a large mass doesn't necessarily mean a heavy weight. Maybe they were not technically bugs?

I was about to use the bumble bee example until I found it was a myth but the expression "not as we know it" still comes to mind.

Blogging

A lively day on the Guardian blogs. Lots of talk about referees again as a couple of them again showed themselves to not be up to the standard required; one in particular being a serial offender.

I'm dreading the coming world cup in that respect.

A tad one sided

Nothing wrong with having a focus on 'home' athletes but Canada's coverage almost excludes non Canadians.

I've seen no interviews with winners, regardless of where they are from and no features on legends unless they were Canadian.

One 'foreigner' they did talk about other than just mentioning him was a Canadian who is now competing for Australia.

BBC has consistently interviewed winners as well as the 'British interest' and also has Foreign (ex) athletes in their analysis/commentary teams.

Now, to be fair, I haven't been glued to TV coverage, but I have seen enough to have noted the difference.

Monctonian not dead

TORONTO - Monctonian's publicist has confirmed that the blogger is very much alive, despite Internet reports that the English icon had died.

The publicist said Monctonian was watching Liverpool FC in his living room on Thursday afternoon when the rumours began to spread.

Canwest posted a report saying he had died and it was quickly picked up all over the Internet.

For real story, go here.

Lucky break

Yesterday's snow was nothing like what was expected. The extra body worked well and we had it done in five minutes. We should invite him over every time a bigger fall is expected.

The only thing was I found myself working quicker watching the speed at which he worked and I came in breathless when it should have been a leisurely clearance.

Snow again

Not likely to be as much as originally predicted but there's going to be quite a bit of snow today. Schools are closed...so there's two noisy teenagers here today, what with the house guest. Was I like that at their age?

Pancake Tuesday

Yum yum.

Gold

I thought we were in for a repeat of the previous night.

Same event, but for men. Canadian takes the lead on the penultimate run, but this time it was a Frenchman who went last.

He got close but not close enough and Canada got its first Olympic Gold on home....soil? Ice? Snow?

Winter Olympics

Good opening ceremony.

These games have been keenly awaited in Canada for months, now. Lots of ads on TV and encouragement to support the Canadian Athletes. Never saw such pride like it in England.

Apparently Canada has never won Gold on home soil and this seems to include the 'main' games of Montreal in 1976 as well as winter games in Calgary. Must admit I was surprised at that.

I still remember Ben Johnson winning gold and announcing that records could be beaten but a Gold Medal couldn't be taken away.

Then he failed the drugs test and they took his medal away.

Anyway, a couple had good chances in one of the skiing competitions last night and one took the lead on the last but one run...only for the American to take it from her on the very last run. Typical.

A Gold so early could have removed so much pressure from the others later.

If nobody else wins, all the pressure is going to come down on the Ice Hockey team.

Elephants

Until a month or so back I had never heard the expression "the elephant in the room" and now I seem to be coming across it almost weekly. The funny thing is it seems to be most prevalent in newspaper articles about football.

Huh?

Quote from a vegetarian on another forum.

Not eating real meat but eating meat substitutes just endorses the idea that eating meat is ok and this seems an odd thing for a vegetarian to do.

Still if people want to do it, it's no skin off my nose. I just find it odd when you can cook burgers, shepherds pie, sausage type things with grains and veggies.

So it's odd to want a meat substitute but it's not odd using veggies and grains to make Burgers and Sausage type things? That's just as much a meat substitute isn't it???

Of course, sausages and burgers don't have to be made of meat but that's only because they are a veggie alternative; a substitute for meat.

About turn

It's not just Canada where party politics can be turned on its head; behaving in a way opposite to what one would expect. Like Conservatives abolishing Ambulance Charges and Liberals re-instating them and then scrapping one of the Conservative schemes for low income people.

In the UK, Labour is reportedly considering financial inducements for reporting people fraudulently claiming benefits.

That's the kind of thing Thatcher would have suggested. Maybe she did?

Idol

Ellen DeGeneres made her debut as a judge on American Idol last night. She was good, including one very funny moment.

Tons better than Paula Abdul. On this showing they might just survive the loss of Simon Cowell after all.

Tax

We did our tax returns yesterday. The free online resource was useful as usual. Free if income doesn't exceed a given amount.

There is one part, though, that seems to behave differently every year. While that might seem like the memory playing tricks, we took a look at last year's and we did indeed have to make entries in a different way this time to achieve the right result.

Fortunately Revenue Canada doesn't see the information input, just the result of the information.

Although there is software, some people actually make the entries by hand. The tax office is effectively receiving the assessment and can follow up later if they wish.

The last tax form I did in the UK was just a case of entering income and allowable expenses and the tax office did the assessment from there.

Look-a-likes

Eh?

A TV show about look-a-likes and none of them looks like anyone. Mind you, some of the 'stars' are unknown to me.

Lost again

Arsenal. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

* * *

Snow again today. Not much - just a couple of inches cleared and more fallen since - but 24 hours ago there was none forecast.

Oh....Arsenal lost again. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

It's a hard life

Looking forward to a good day's footie and rugger today, beginning with the Merseyside derby and bacon sarnies and coffee @ 8.45 am., followed by a choice of Man City or ManU.

After that it's the attractive looking Spurs v Villa game, but I don't know if I'll watch that or the England v Wales rugby international. I'm sure we'll lose that so I don't really want to watch. And it's only on the computer; not so comfy. We'll see.

* * *

Discovered the rugger kicked off earlier than the footie, so watched it and then the second half of the footie.

We won the rugger. We were better than I thought judging by media reports over the last year or two. Always nice to beat the Welsh.

A test

Parked my bike in the racks outside the drugstore yesterday and, as I was walking to the door, suddenly doubted I'd put the lock on. I looked back and saw the lock in place.

As I exited with my shopping I fumbled for the key and it wasn't there. Immediately I decided that had been the reason for the doubt earlier; I had left the key in the lock!!

Of course, the bike was still there. It's not the first time I've done that.

Still amazing

Our hospital opened a new ambulatory unit recently and the blood clinic just relocated there. It's a new procedure and the number of people already there when we arrived was the highest it's been for a long time.

But we were still in an out in around 10 minutes. That place is just so well run.

Yikes

Off to a couple of medical appointments shortly. Minus 25, feels like -34. Not doing the nearest one on foot this time even if the route was clear the whole way for my wife's wheelchair.

Looking forward to getting back.

Scare story in the Guardian today about the cost of UK energy bils going up by "up to 20%" by 2010. I recall reading of big increeases already over the last few years. I was paying £37 a month in 2004 for gas/electricity. No idea what it would be now, but it's about $230 a month here and that's with 5 months of winter and air con in summer.

Groundhog Day

They do that here too.

A little furry animal will decide what the weather will be. Can't be any worse than the forecasts lately.

Again???

I don't believe it.

I complained about what I saw as an unnecessary third plow pass on Friday night.

It has not snowed again since then yet the bloody plow passed sometime this morning. That's more than two whole days of nothing; no plow and no additional snow.

If it was essential, why not again on Saturday or Sunday.

As before, it's not a huge amount - so why the need? - but with the minus 28 temps overnight it will be hard and compacted for the poor bugger who has to bend over hacking away.

Yesssssssssss

Great game of footie as ManU took Arsenal to the cleaners.

Lovely.

A bit of help

By early Friday afternoon the snow was well over a foot deep on the drive, deeper on the ramps sloping to the road and deeper again where the city plow had been. Not the deepest, of course, but given I'd already cleared what had fallen overnight, more than 30 cm is a bit much in four hours when 21 cm was predicted for a 24 hour spell.

It would have been difficult but manageable in two or three shifts, depending how much more fell.

We just made a start on the really deep part when the guy next door carried on pushing his snowblower beyond his path to clear the deeper stuff and our task was done in one go.

Even if I could afford a snowblower, I wouldn't feel comfortable operating it. Too many knobs and levers for my liking.


Unfortunately, that wasn't it. The snow continued into the evening and the bastard plow passed again, depositing its ridge. The blowing snow began to fill the drive and blew up against the ridge instead of out into the streeet and away.

So we were back outside again clearing deep drifts and breaking down the ridge.

Bastard plow went by yet again later. There really is no need for overplowing like this. The road was more than clear enough for the traffic the street sees.

I just cleared the ridge this morning. Not a big one - which shows how little the need actually was to plow again - but it was becoming compacted.

Oh...it was minus 26 when I was out there.

groan....

Yesterday they said there would be 2-4 cm overnight and another 5 today. Last night it was changed. Could be as much as 21 cm in a 24 hour period.

I looked out at 5.30 am to see it had stopped and it didn't seem too bad. I decided to clear it when I got SD up for work.

Which I did. I cleared around 10 cm shortly after 8.00.

When she left an hour later it looked like a third of what fell overnight had already settled.


Funny thing. This is the first 'snow day' of the winter. The schools are closed and SS didn't have to go anyway.

I shall recruit him for a clearance later on.

The Weather Guess

Unusually, the weather forecasts seem to be a bit off this week with predicted weather not happening. We've not had the freezing rain that was suggested and the damaging winds were nothing like as strong as they said, while the hail we did get I don't recall being forecast.

No sign of the icy rain predicted today. So will tonight's expected snow materialise?

bass ackwards

Since I've lived in New Brunswick I have often commented (usually to myself, as now) how the two main political parties here seem to be the complete reverse of what they should be.

There was nothing particularly liberal about The Liberals while the Conservatives had a better way of helping people with their winter heating bills. Then the Liberals scrapped that system and replaced it with something completely inadequate.

More recently the Libs changed and improved the Heating Assistance program and then announced a review of the Province's welfare policies. Astonishingly they seem to have listened to recommendations and have already acted upon some, with changes to come on others.

But just when I thought 'normality' had been resumed, the leader of the Conservatives comes out with an idea to Nationalise the Power company!!