Some fuck called me a 'douche bag' when I was enjoying a drink in a bar in Brooklyn. He was seriously drunk.
As I had never been called a douche bag before by anyone, I laughed in his face and he moved on to annoy another group. He tried to touch someones face and this was the final straw. The group moved around him and started screaming aggressively in his face "Get the fuck out". Eventually, the barman removed him from the bar.
I then shared some small talk with the aggressive shouting group about how the drunken bloke had called me a douche bag. We laughed and drank. They were quite a nice group after all.
urban dictionary definitions here - http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=douchebag
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Chunk Snowball
One of my all time favourite Christmas games. Turn up the sound and try to smash the 'windaes' with your snowballs!
http://www.chunkideas.com/snowball/
The music is so addictive!
http://www.chunkideas.com/snowball/
The music is so addictive!
Monday, 14 December 2009
Vintage Menswear
I hope that you all appreciated the rather tenuous quote relating to the 300th visitor to my blog!
On Saturday, I popped in to see a couple of my friends new venture - we love pumpkin - a vintage menswear emporium - http://vintage.welovepumpkin.com/ - the website is nearing completion and you can follow them on facebook and twitter - http://www.facebook.com/pages/welovepumpkin/182881712550?ref=ts
http://twitter.com/welovepumpkin
If you see something you like then get in touch via the social media or pop into the shop - through the back of Threadbare on Broughton Street - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=66a%20broughton%20street%20edinburgh&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
They have some really cool stuff already and I really liked the tweed jackets that had been 'pimped' with some colourful silk details on lapels, pockets etc.
If you are looking to be a little or a lot different to the rest of your crew then check it out, I'm sure that you will find something that you like.
On Saturday, I popped in to see a couple of my friends new venture - we love pumpkin - a vintage menswear emporium - http://vintage.welovepumpkin.com/ - the website is nearing completion and you can follow them on facebook and twitter - http://www.facebook.com/pages/welovepumpkin/182881712550?ref=ts
http://twitter.com/welovepumpkin
If you see something you like then get in touch via the social media or pop into the shop - through the back of Threadbare on Broughton Street - http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=66a%20broughton%20street%20edinburgh&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
They have some really cool stuff already and I really liked the tweed jackets that had been 'pimped' with some colourful silk details on lapels, pockets etc.
If you are looking to be a little or a lot different to the rest of your crew then check it out, I'm sure that you will find something that you like.
Friday, 11 December 2009
"It's been more than thirty years since the wolf and the winter cold. And now, as then, it is not fear that grips him, only restlessness. A heightened sense of things. The seaborn breeze, coolly, kissing the sweat at his chest and neck. Gulls cawing, complaining, even as they feast on the thousands of floating dead. The steady breathing of the 300 at his back, ready to die for him without a moment's pause. Every one of them ready, to die."
Engaged!
Hello everyone!
I proposed to Jennie at 5.42am on the morning of Friday 20th November 2009 and she accepted! Even though we were both really excited, we had to hot-foot it to Edinburgh Airport as we were flying to Newark and then on to Jacksonville.
At the airport we got stuck into the champagne and contacted family and friends who were all delighted for us also.
We had a great holiday and I have loads of stories, photos, websites and recommendations which will appear here once I have caught up with everything.
I proposed to Jennie at 5.42am on the morning of Friday 20th November 2009 and she accepted! Even though we were both really excited, we had to hot-foot it to Edinburgh Airport as we were flying to Newark and then on to Jacksonville.
At the airport we got stuck into the champagne and contacted family and friends who were all delighted for us also.
We had a great holiday and I have loads of stories, photos, websites and recommendations which will appear here once I have caught up with everything.
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Holiday
This time next week I will be in Jacksonville, North Florida and the week after that I will be in New York.
I can't wait to get to New York especially.
I have been listening to Jay-Z more or less non-stop and his new album is excellent. We're staying in Brooklyn so I might catch up with him in 'our' local boozer.
Here it is;
Yeah I'm out that Brooklyn.Now I'm down in Tribeca.Right next to DeNiroBut I'll be hood foreverI'm the new SinatraAnd since I made it hereI can make it anywhere(Yeah they love me everywhere)I used to cop in HarlemAll of my Dominicanos (Hey yo)Right there off of BroadwayBrought me back to that McDonaldsTook it to my stash spot560 State StreetCatch me in the kitchen like Simmons whipping PastryCruising down 8th streetOff-white LexusDriving so slow (but BK, it's from Texas!!) Me I'm out that BedStuyHome of that boy Biggienow I live on Billboardand I brought my boys with meSay what up to Ta-taStill sipping Mai TaisSitting courtsideKnicks and Nets give me high-5N**ga, I be Spiked outI could trip a referee...tell by my attitude that I'm MOST DEFINITELY FROM...[Alicia Keys]New York!!!!Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,There's nothing you can’t do,Now you're in New York!!!These streets will make you feel brand new,the lights will inspire you,Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York[Jay-Z]I made you hot n-gga,Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game,sh-t I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can,you should know I bleed Blue, but I ain't a crip tho,but I got a gang of n-ggas walking with my clique though,welcome to the melting pot,corners where we selling rocks,Afrika bambaataa sh-t,home of the hip hop,yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back,for foreigners it ain't fitted act like they forgot how to act,8 million stories out there and they're naked,city it's a pity half of y’all won’t make it,me I gotta plug a special and I got it made,If Jeezy's payin LeBron, I’m paying Dwayne Wade,3 dice cee-lo3 card marley,Labor Day parade, rest in peace Bob Marley,Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade,long live the king yo,I’m from the Empire State thats…[Alicia Keys]In New York!!!!Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,There's nothing you can’t do,Now you're in New York!!!These streets will make you feel brand new,the lights will inspire you,Let's hear it for New York, New York, New YorkWelcome to the bright light..[Jay-Z]Lights is blinding,girls need blindersso they can step out of bounds quick,the side lines is blind with casualties,who sip the lite casually, then gradually become worse,don’t bite the apple Eve,caught up in the in crowd,now you're in-style,and in the winter gets cold en vogue with your skin out,the city of sin is a pity on a whim.good girls gone bad, the city's filled with them,Mommy took a bus trip and now she got her bust out,everybody ride her, just like a bus route,Hail Mary to the city your a Virgin,and Jesus can’t save you life starts when the church ends,came here for school, graduated to the high life,ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight,MDMA got you feeling like a champion,the city never sleeps better slip you a Ambien[Alicia Keys]New York!!!!Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,There's nothing you can’t do,Now you're in New York!!!These streets will make you feel brand new,the lights will inspire you,Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York[Alicia Keys]One hand in the air for the big city,Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty,no place in the World that can compare,Put your lighters in the air, everybody say yeaaahhcome on, come,yeah,[Alicia Keys]New York!!!!Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,There's nothing you can’t do,Now you're in New York!!!These streets will make you feel brand new,the lights will inspire you,Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York
Fuck it might as well add this for the cheese factor;
Start spreading the news, I’m leaving todayI want to be a part of it - new york, new yorkThese vagabond shoes, are longing to strayRight through the very heart of it - new york, new yorkI wanna wake up in a city, that doesn’t sleepAnd find I’m king of the hill - top of the heapThese little town blues, are melting awayI’ll make a brand new start of it - in old new yorkIf I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhereIt’s up to you - new york, new yorkNew york, new yorkI want to wake up in a city, that never sleepsAnd find I’m a number one top of the list, king of the hillA number oneThese little town blues, are melting awayI’m gonna make a brand new start of it - in old new yorkAnd if I can make it there, I’m gonna make it anywhereIt up to you - new york new york
tidy
I can't wait to get to New York especially.
I have been listening to Jay-Z more or less non-stop and his new album is excellent. We're staying in Brooklyn so I might catch up with him in 'our' local boozer.
Here it is;
Yeah I'm out that Brooklyn.Now I'm down in Tribeca.Right next to DeNiroBut I'll be hood foreverI'm the new SinatraAnd since I made it hereI can make it anywhere(Yeah they love me everywhere)I used to cop in HarlemAll of my Dominicanos (Hey yo)Right there off of BroadwayBrought me back to that McDonaldsTook it to my stash spot560 State StreetCatch me in the kitchen like Simmons whipping PastryCruising down 8th streetOff-white LexusDriving so slow (but BK, it's from Texas!!) Me I'm out that BedStuyHome of that boy Biggienow I live on Billboardand I brought my boys with meSay what up to Ta-taStill sipping Mai TaisSitting courtsideKnicks and Nets give me high-5N**ga, I be Spiked outI could trip a referee...tell by my attitude that I'm MOST DEFINITELY FROM...[Alicia Keys]New York!!!!Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,There's nothing you can’t do,Now you're in New York!!!These streets will make you feel brand new,the lights will inspire you,Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York[Jay-Z]I made you hot n-gga,Catch me at the X with OG at a Yankee game,sh-t I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can,you should know I bleed Blue, but I ain't a crip tho,but I got a gang of n-ggas walking with my clique though,welcome to the melting pot,corners where we selling rocks,Afrika bambaataa sh-t,home of the hip hop,yellow cab, gypsy cab, dollar cab, holla back,for foreigners it ain't fitted act like they forgot how to act,8 million stories out there and they're naked,city it's a pity half of y’all won’t make it,me I gotta plug a special and I got it made,If Jeezy's payin LeBron, I’m paying Dwayne Wade,3 dice cee-lo3 card marley,Labor Day parade, rest in peace Bob Marley,Statue of Liberty, long live the World Trade,long live the king yo,I’m from the Empire State thats…[Alicia Keys]In New York!!!!Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,There's nothing you can’t do,Now you're in New York!!!These streets will make you feel brand new,the lights will inspire you,Let's hear it for New York, New York, New YorkWelcome to the bright light..[Jay-Z]Lights is blinding,girls need blindersso they can step out of bounds quick,the side lines is blind with casualties,who sip the lite casually, then gradually become worse,don’t bite the apple Eve,caught up in the in crowd,now you're in-style,and in the winter gets cold en vogue with your skin out,the city of sin is a pity on a whim.good girls gone bad, the city's filled with them,Mommy took a bus trip and now she got her bust out,everybody ride her, just like a bus route,Hail Mary to the city your a Virgin,and Jesus can’t save you life starts when the church ends,came here for school, graduated to the high life,ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight,MDMA got you feeling like a champion,the city never sleeps better slip you a Ambien[Alicia Keys]New York!!!!Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,There's nothing you can’t do,Now you're in New York!!!These streets will make you feel brand new,the lights will inspire you,Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York[Alicia Keys]One hand in the air for the big city,Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty,no place in the World that can compare,Put your lighters in the air, everybody say yeaaahhcome on, come,yeah,[Alicia Keys]New York!!!!Concrete jungle where dreams are made of,There's nothing you can’t do,Now you're in New York!!!These streets will make you feel brand new,the lights will inspire you,Let's hear it for New York, New York, New York
Fuck it might as well add this for the cheese factor;
Start spreading the news, I’m leaving todayI want to be a part of it - new york, new yorkThese vagabond shoes, are longing to strayRight through the very heart of it - new york, new yorkI wanna wake up in a city, that doesn’t sleepAnd find I’m king of the hill - top of the heapThese little town blues, are melting awayI’ll make a brand new start of it - in old new yorkIf I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhereIt’s up to you - new york, new yorkNew york, new yorkI want to wake up in a city, that never sleepsAnd find I’m a number one top of the list, king of the hillA number oneThese little town blues, are melting awayI’m gonna make a brand new start of it - in old new yorkAnd if I can make it there, I’m gonna make it anywhereIt up to you - new york new york
tidy
Saturday
Last week saw some sad news - a club stalwart SP had to hang up his boots due to a recurrance of a femur/hip problem and unfortunately his prospective send-off game v Hillhead Jordanhill was postponed, so he didn't have a chance to don the famous blue and white one last time since the news.
I hope that the op goes well and there is no doubt that he will continue his membership of EAFC.
Anyway, we went round to his house armed with loads of beers to watch the Autumn international matches on BBC / Sky Sports etc.
This ended up in a full on rammy taking in Hamiltons, The Baillie, Grand Cru and Bar Napoli.
The next morning I received this text from one of the younger lads, who I saw leaving Grand Cru with two birds in tow - "Woke up to a swampy licking my balls. Finished by jizzing in her mouth. Class nite"
Class night indeed!
I was pretty hung on Sunday but still managed to get some chores done round the house and watch the Ireland v Australia game.
I hope that the op goes well and there is no doubt that he will continue his membership of EAFC.
Anyway, we went round to his house armed with loads of beers to watch the Autumn international matches on BBC / Sky Sports etc.
This ended up in a full on rammy taking in Hamiltons, The Baillie, Grand Cru and Bar Napoli.
The next morning I received this text from one of the younger lads, who I saw leaving Grand Cru with two birds in tow - "Woke up to a swampy licking my balls. Finished by jizzing in her mouth. Class nite"
Class night indeed!
I was pretty hung on Sunday but still managed to get some chores done round the house and watch the Ireland v Australia game.
Rugby
The 1st XV lost to Selkirk last Friday night and the 2nd XV's game against Hillhead Jordanhill was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
I listened to the Selkirk v EAFC match on BBC Radio Scotland and the EAFC coaches comments to the reporter after the game reminded me of a desperate clown who had escaped from the circus.
He blamed the weather, the referee, the crowd, the pitch etc etc. Yawn.
Please have a look at the usual websites for reports / league tables etc;
www.edinburghaccies.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
As I predicted in pre-season - a few losses would lead to more ridiculous coaching, ridiculous decision making, unmotivated players, more losses and another relegation battle. Mystic Meg strikes again.
Players are also leaving the club - SW to Currie and AB to Currie? I have also heard that talent coming through from the Edinburgh Academy are either being told to go to other clubs or have decided to go to other clubs because of our fun filled head coach.
Roll on next season.
Thankfully I'm off to Jacksonville and New York on Friday so I won't be taking part in any misery at Raeburn Place for a while.
Good luck against Stew/Mel lads - it's a must win game now.
I listened to the Selkirk v EAFC match on BBC Radio Scotland and the EAFC coaches comments to the reporter after the game reminded me of a desperate clown who had escaped from the circus.
He blamed the weather, the referee, the crowd, the pitch etc etc. Yawn.
Please have a look at the usual websites for reports / league tables etc;
www.edinburghaccies.com
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
As I predicted in pre-season - a few losses would lead to more ridiculous coaching, ridiculous decision making, unmotivated players, more losses and another relegation battle. Mystic Meg strikes again.
Players are also leaving the club - SW to Currie and AB to Currie? I have also heard that talent coming through from the Edinburgh Academy are either being told to go to other clubs or have decided to go to other clubs because of our fun filled head coach.
Roll on next season.
Thankfully I'm off to Jacksonville and New York on Friday so I won't be taking part in any misery at Raeburn Place for a while.
Good luck against Stew/Mel lads - it's a must win game now.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
Sod
My mate used the word 'sod' the other day - what a great word.
SOD.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sod
SODDING SOD - SOD OFF
SOD.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sod
SODDING SOD - SOD OFF
Movember 2009
I'm doing Movember for the first time.
I'm growing a fucking monster moustache for charity.
I'm growing a fucking patch of fur on my top lip.
It's going well so far and I can't stop touching it.
Please give generously - i have raised £70 to date.
I'm growing a fucking monster moustache for charity.
I'm growing a fucking patch of fur on my top lip.
It's going well so far and I can't stop touching it.
Please give generously - i have raised £70 to date.
Rugby
Both 1sts and 2nds lost at the weekend to Melrose and Stirling County respectively.
Match reports and tables as usual;
www.edinburghaccies.com
http://www.scottishrugby.org/community/component/option,com_joomleague/func,showResultsRank/p,102/Itemid,302/
http://www.scottishrugby.org/community/component/option,com_joomleague/func,showResultsRank/p,68/Itemid,302/
Haye beat Valuev on points.
I got very pissed on Saturday night and didn't get up until 14:30 pm on Sunday afternoon.
Match reports and tables as usual;
www.edinburghaccies.com
http://www.scottishrugby.org/community/component/option,com_joomleague/func,showResultsRank/p,102/Itemid,302/
http://www.scottishrugby.org/community/component/option,com_joomleague/func,showResultsRank/p,68/Itemid,302/
Haye beat Valuev on points.
I got very pissed on Saturday night and didn't get up until 14:30 pm on Sunday afternoon.
Friday, 6 November 2009
Arnie's Fireworks
Arnie's Fireworks last night were awesome!! He was running around lighting fuses and everything went off without a hitch.
The crowd were well behaved and everyone went home entertained and safe thanks to the efforts of the Health and Safety Manager.
Good job all round.
The crowd were well behaved and everyone went home entertained and safe thanks to the efforts of the Health and Safety Manager.
Good job all round.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Barcelona 2010
I have booked my flights to Barcelona in May 2010 for the Barcelona 7's.
I believe that this year we will be going as the Ben Tod Mungdusters.
Watch out.
I believe that this year we will be going as the Ben Tod Mungdusters.
Watch out.
Poke's Firework Display
The display took place at Raeburn Place in Stockbridge.
I had bought rockets, mines, fountains, sparklers, a catherine wheel, a krazy klock and three chinese sky lanterns from - http://www.fireworkfactory.com/
They all went off without drama and I'm sure that the missus was very impressed!
Apparently you aren't supposed to ignite sky lanterns within a 5 mile radius of an airport but we did and as the three lanterns drifted up and away, a plane diverted it's route before rediverting back on course to Edinburgh Airport!
Luckily the lanterns were the last part of the display so we could make a quick getaway before any of the authorities could nab us!
There were no reports in the Evening News about UFO's over North Edinburgh the next day either.
I had bought rockets, mines, fountains, sparklers, a catherine wheel, a krazy klock and three chinese sky lanterns from - http://www.fireworkfactory.com/
They all went off without drama and I'm sure that the missus was very impressed!
Apparently you aren't supposed to ignite sky lanterns within a 5 mile radius of an airport but we did and as the three lanterns drifted up and away, a plane diverted it's route before rediverting back on course to Edinburgh Airport!
Luckily the lanterns were the last part of the display so we could make a quick getaway before any of the authorities could nab us!
There were no reports in the Evening News about UFO's over North Edinburgh the next day either.
Monday
The lass and I were off work on Monday as it was her 30th birthday.
Happy Birthday!!!
We had a sleep in and then headed off to South Queensferry on the train (armed with Starbucks) for a walk around and some lunch.
The weather had improved immensely from the evening before so we decided to let the fireworks loose that night.
South Queensferry is a nice wee place and we went to Orocco Pier for lunch - http://www.oroccopier.co.uk/ - we had smoked bacon and seafood chowder, croque monsieurs, greek salad and a side of puffy fries with aioli. It was great and as we had a window seat we could see right over the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife.
We then walked back along the waterfront and jumped back on the train to Edinburgh to get prepped for the firework display.
Happy Birthday!!!
We had a sleep in and then headed off to South Queensferry on the train (armed with Starbucks) for a walk around and some lunch.
The weather had improved immensely from the evening before so we decided to let the fireworks loose that night.
South Queensferry is a nice wee place and we went to Orocco Pier for lunch - http://www.oroccopier.co.uk/ - we had smoked bacon and seafood chowder, croque monsieurs, greek salad and a side of puffy fries with aioli. It was great and as we had a window seat we could see right over the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife.
We then walked back along the waterfront and jumped back on the train to Edinburgh to get prepped for the firework display.
The rest of the weekend
On Sunday i was tired, sore and hung to the fucking gills. I had to be in action sharpish though as I had the small matter of my Dad's 61st birthday and my girlfriend's 30th birthday parties to contend with.
We had piles of brisket and stew and chocolate mousse and then cheese and biscuits before relaxing on the sofa and taking it easy.
I thought that I might have been stressed to the max but it was really easy going and I just stuffed my face and generally made small talk with the masses.
All the food was fantastic and went some way to helping me ease my hangover.
I bought some fireworks to set off that evening but it was so wet in Edinburgh that day that there was no chance!
That was to be a blessing in disguise however...
We had piles of brisket and stew and chocolate mousse and then cheese and biscuits before relaxing on the sofa and taking it easy.
I thought that I might have been stressed to the max but it was really easy going and I just stuffed my face and generally made small talk with the masses.
All the food was fantastic and went some way to helping me ease my hangover.
I bought some fireworks to set off that evening but it was so wet in Edinburgh that day that there was no chance!
That was to be a blessing in disguise however...
Rugby
Here are the rugby reports from the weekend;
www.edinburghaccies.com
http://www.dundeehsfprugby.org.uk/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.pl?file=News&report=DHSFP_News4_SingleArticle&ArticleID=0860
http://www.dundeehsfprugby.org.uk/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.pl?file=News&report=DHSFP_News4_SingleArticle&ArticleID=0861
Tables;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
http://www.scottishrugby.org/community/component/option,com_joomleague/func,showResultsRank/p,102/Itemid,302/
A massive game for the 2's this weekend v unbeaten Stirling County. The 1sts play Melrose.
Both games are at home.
www.edinburghaccies.com
http://www.dundeehsfprugby.org.uk/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.pl?file=News&report=DHSFP_News4_SingleArticle&ArticleID=0860
http://www.dundeehsfprugby.org.uk/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.pl?file=News&report=DHSFP_News4_SingleArticle&ArticleID=0861
Tables;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
http://www.scottishrugby.org/community/component/option,com_joomleague/func,showResultsRank/p,102/Itemid,302/
A massive game for the 2's this weekend v unbeaten Stirling County. The 1sts play Melrose.
Both games are at home.
Halloween weekend
Both 1sts and 2nds beat their respective Dundee HSFP opposition on Saturday to really get the party started at Mayfield.
As the successful 2nd XV trudged off the pitch towards the clubhouse, we saw the 1st XV raise their arms aloft in victory and the call of 'paaaaaaaaaarty drinks' was bellowed in their general direction.
It was into our Halloween outfits in the changing rooms and then it was off to the clubhouse for some scran and some bevvy.
It was nice to meet my old pal Jimmy Drainpipe aka Eddie the Smoking Cat at the Dundee HSFP clubhouse. He was an integral part of the original Dundee HSFP 'Crazy Gang' before captaining the Edinburgh Accies in the Colin Mackay era.
Then it was onto the Vengabus where some tube decided that we should stop at Aldi to get our booze - I don't think so ya chump! Arnie sorted this out and before long we were marauding round the 24 hour Tesco on the Dundee Kingsway. We were armed with hard cash and we wanted a plethora of paaaaaaaaaaaaaaarty drinks.
With the bus fully stocked we headed back to Edinburgh in fine fettle. Beers, ciders, party drinks and port were all sunk on the bus and then we hit the clubhouse for a frenzy of Morgans Spice, lasagne and party games involving the Gauntlet and bottles of Taboo.
After that it was up to our main sponsor - The Standard. More Morgans and cider and shots followed before charging up to Fingers and Grand Cru. I had a bit of an altercation outside Bar Napoli so I ran off to Madogs and scoffed my two pizzas on my own. I then went back down to Bar Napoli and lingered about for a bit before finally managing to get a cab home at 5am.
A great night!
As the successful 2nd XV trudged off the pitch towards the clubhouse, we saw the 1st XV raise their arms aloft in victory and the call of 'paaaaaaaaaarty drinks' was bellowed in their general direction.
It was into our Halloween outfits in the changing rooms and then it was off to the clubhouse for some scran and some bevvy.
It was nice to meet my old pal Jimmy Drainpipe aka Eddie the Smoking Cat at the Dundee HSFP clubhouse. He was an integral part of the original Dundee HSFP 'Crazy Gang' before captaining the Edinburgh Accies in the Colin Mackay era.
Then it was onto the Vengabus where some tube decided that we should stop at Aldi to get our booze - I don't think so ya chump! Arnie sorted this out and before long we were marauding round the 24 hour Tesco on the Dundee Kingsway. We were armed with hard cash and we wanted a plethora of paaaaaaaaaaaaaaarty drinks.
With the bus fully stocked we headed back to Edinburgh in fine fettle. Beers, ciders, party drinks and port were all sunk on the bus and then we hit the clubhouse for a frenzy of Morgans Spice, lasagne and party games involving the Gauntlet and bottles of Taboo.
After that it was up to our main sponsor - The Standard. More Morgans and cider and shots followed before charging up to Fingers and Grand Cru. I had a bit of an altercation outside Bar Napoli so I ran off to Madogs and scoffed my two pizzas on my own. I then went back down to Bar Napoli and lingered about for a bit before finally managing to get a cab home at 5am.
A great night!
Friday, 30 October 2009
200 up!
A bit late announcing it but I had my 200th hit sometime in the last couple of weeks!
A tremendous achievement I am sure you will all agree.
A tremendous achievement I am sure you will all agree.
Halloween 2009
Happy Halloween everyone!
Who gives a fuck about the rugby tomorrow - it's all about the super Halloween skite on the way back from Dundee.
Itinerary;
Saturday 31st October
Who gives a fuck about the rugby tomorrow - it's all about the super Halloween skite on the way back from Dundee.
Itinerary;
Saturday 31st October
- 4.30pm - storm the Dundee HSFP clubhouse in fancy dress and start chinning pints of snakebite and black.
- 4.45pm - start angrily chanting songs like - "Where's yer paaaarttaaaaaaaay drinks? Where's yer party drinks?"> > "Your costumes are sh*te. Your f**ckin costumes are sh*te"> > "Trash yer club. Trash yer club. We're the mighty Edinburgh Accies and we're going to trash yer club."
- 5.30pm - ejected from the Dundee clubhouse and on to the Vengabus
- 5.35pm - fancy dress extravaganza round a Dundee supermarket getting a massive carryout for the bus - more aggressive chanting and obnoxious behaviour.
- 5.45pm - fancy dress Vengabus Dundee - Edinburgh Express - loaded with lager, party drinks, port and god knows what else. Anyone not in fancy dress gets heavily punished.
- 7.30pm - full on Halloween rammy at Raeburn Place - lasagne bread and salad to soak up the booze - drinks promotions on and party games - more chanting and party drinks.
- TBC - trash the Standard and then get let loose on the city centre of Edinburgh.
Full match report to follow.
Last Week's Update
Sorry to the faithful readers for the lack of Poke blog action recently but I have had a bit on my plate over the last couple of weeks.
Here is a whirlwind catch-up of what has been happening in the life of Poke.
Wednesday - went to watch Couples Retreat at the cinema - Poke's in-depth review = average.
Thursday - 3 year anniversary between me and the lass. She received a champagne breakfast and I got a tidy Key Lime Pie. Rugby training was pretty flat - lots of young lads but no enthusiasm.
Friday - Machine reunion in honour of Joe 'the neck' Edwards. Big Poppa Poke's chilli con carne in the slow cooker - 4.2kg of meat! Niv you eat like a pig!
Saturday - thrashed by Hawks at Raeburn Place. Very disappointing. Went home and watched more or less the entire Entourage back catalogue - brilliant. Went to Hamilton's for a Guinness and a Glenmorangie and then home.
Sunday - chores round the house and went to the gym to try and revive my weary carcass. Went to watch Saw 6 at the cinema - Poke's in-depth review - shite. The trailers for Paranormal Activity and The Fourth Kind looked interesting however.
Monday - back on the bike after my back is better. Storming through the streets of Edinburgh on the Black Knight - tremendous. The mild autumn helps too.
Tuesday - rugby training - the coaches basically admit that they don't have a clue what they are doing and put 30 players on a field with a ref and a ball and tell us to sort it out for ourselves. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO COACH US - NO-ONE KNOWS HOW WE ARE TRYING TO PLAY - WE HAVE THE RAW MATERIALS BUT WE DON'T GET COACHED - HELP US HELP YOU.
http://www.coachingnetwork.org.uk/ResourceCentre/WhatAreCoachingAndMentoring.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaching
Wednesday - i can't remember anything exciting that happened on Wednesday other than getting the rugby club Halloween party organised - well done Arnie for getting loads of goodies.
Thursday - dropped into the 2nd team again - stopped arguing on the phone with the coach when he baffled me with an explanation regarding 'rucks' and 'breakdowns'. Started to get excited about 'Paaaaartaaay drinks and halloween costumes'. Went to training - boring and shite. Shouted 'paaaartaay drinks' at every opportunity. Went to the Standard for food afterwards as they are catering for the rugby club on training nights.
Friday - end of month meeting at work - will probably fall asleep so I had better get a coffee down me before hand. Lots of emails flying around about incompetent coaching, the Halloween party, Barcelona 2010 and you guessed it. 'paaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrty drinks'.
Here is a whirlwind catch-up of what has been happening in the life of Poke.
Wednesday - went to watch Couples Retreat at the cinema - Poke's in-depth review = average.
Thursday - 3 year anniversary between me and the lass. She received a champagne breakfast and I got a tidy Key Lime Pie. Rugby training was pretty flat - lots of young lads but no enthusiasm.
Friday - Machine reunion in honour of Joe 'the neck' Edwards. Big Poppa Poke's chilli con carne in the slow cooker - 4.2kg of meat! Niv you eat like a pig!
Saturday - thrashed by Hawks at Raeburn Place. Very disappointing. Went home and watched more or less the entire Entourage back catalogue - brilliant. Went to Hamilton's for a Guinness and a Glenmorangie and then home.
Sunday - chores round the house and went to the gym to try and revive my weary carcass. Went to watch Saw 6 at the cinema - Poke's in-depth review - shite. The trailers for Paranormal Activity and The Fourth Kind looked interesting however.
Monday - back on the bike after my back is better. Storming through the streets of Edinburgh on the Black Knight - tremendous. The mild autumn helps too.
Tuesday - rugby training - the coaches basically admit that they don't have a clue what they are doing and put 30 players on a field with a ref and a ball and tell us to sort it out for ourselves. YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO COACH US - NO-ONE KNOWS HOW WE ARE TRYING TO PLAY - WE HAVE THE RAW MATERIALS BUT WE DON'T GET COACHED - HELP US HELP YOU.
http://www.coachingnetwork.org.uk/ResourceCentre/WhatAreCoachingAndMentoring.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coaching
Wednesday - i can't remember anything exciting that happened on Wednesday other than getting the rugby club Halloween party organised - well done Arnie for getting loads of goodies.
Thursday - dropped into the 2nd team again - stopped arguing on the phone with the coach when he baffled me with an explanation regarding 'rucks' and 'breakdowns'. Started to get excited about 'Paaaaartaaay drinks and halloween costumes'. Went to training - boring and shite. Shouted 'paaaartaay drinks' at every opportunity. Went to the Standard for food afterwards as they are catering for the rugby club on training nights.
Friday - end of month meeting at work - will probably fall asleep so I had better get a coffee down me before hand. Lots of emails flying around about incompetent coaching, the Halloween party, Barcelona 2010 and you guessed it. 'paaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrty drinks'.
Monday, 19 October 2009
Weekend
After feeling so good, unfortunately we lost on Friday night up at Currie. The final score was 48 - 21 but we were well in the game at 28-21.
A couple of penalties and two converted tries killed us off in the last quarter of the game but we certainly tested them.
The lineout functioned well and was much improved from the last two weeks. The scrum was a bit shaky but we are a bit short of props at the moment.
One thing that we didn't cope well with was the Currie rush defence. Some of the tries that Currie scored were solely down to our mistakes due to the defensive pressure that they put on us. We were often too flat and on realisation of the 'rush' defence, perhaps we could have kept the defenders honest with chips, grubbers or passes back inside to forwards on the charge.
It was good playing on a Friday night, under lights, and there was a decent crowd there to enjoy the game. I would quite happily play on Friday nights more often.
After the game, my good lady and I went to L'Alba D'oro for some fish and chips. We were devastated to find out that recent legislation has meant that they can no longer sell alcohol. It was great to check out the limited edition bottles of spirits and hard to find bottles of wine whilst waiting for your fish to fry. Sadly the shelves look pretty bare now. Another example of legislation gone wrong. The fish and chips were still superb nonetheless.
On Saturday morning I needed further refuelling so we went for breakfast at Loopy Lorna's in Morningside - http://www.loopylornas.com/co/86372 - where we both had a full Scottish breakfast. I could have rifled through the selection of cakes as well! Maybe next time.
After that we had a walk round the shops in Morningside and Bruntsfield before heading down to Stockbridge to watch the mighty Accies 2nd XV get their league campaign back on track v Aberdeen GSFP.
The 2nd XV won 56-0 and it was hilarious to see H-Bomb getting carded and huffing and puffing round the field trying to get a try. I have promised him a bottle of spice if he can score a try before Christmas - I doubt he will be able to do it.
We then drove up to Pitlochry and went for some supper at the Moulin Inn - http://www.moulininn.co.uk/ - whixh was excellent. We then went to the Enchanted Forest - http://www.enchantedforest.org.uk/ - which was a bit of a disappointment to be honest.
Sunday was spent doing chores and watching Heineken Cup rugby and eating and drinking.
Nothing too interesting.
A couple of penalties and two converted tries killed us off in the last quarter of the game but we certainly tested them.
The lineout functioned well and was much improved from the last two weeks. The scrum was a bit shaky but we are a bit short of props at the moment.
One thing that we didn't cope well with was the Currie rush defence. Some of the tries that Currie scored were solely down to our mistakes due to the defensive pressure that they put on us. We were often too flat and on realisation of the 'rush' defence, perhaps we could have kept the defenders honest with chips, grubbers or passes back inside to forwards on the charge.
It was good playing on a Friday night, under lights, and there was a decent crowd there to enjoy the game. I would quite happily play on Friday nights more often.
After the game, my good lady and I went to L'Alba D'oro for some fish and chips. We were devastated to find out that recent legislation has meant that they can no longer sell alcohol. It was great to check out the limited edition bottles of spirits and hard to find bottles of wine whilst waiting for your fish to fry. Sadly the shelves look pretty bare now. Another example of legislation gone wrong. The fish and chips were still superb nonetheless.
On Saturday morning I needed further refuelling so we went for breakfast at Loopy Lorna's in Morningside - http://www.loopylornas.com/co/86372 - where we both had a full Scottish breakfast. I could have rifled through the selection of cakes as well! Maybe next time.
After that we had a walk round the shops in Morningside and Bruntsfield before heading down to Stockbridge to watch the mighty Accies 2nd XV get their league campaign back on track v Aberdeen GSFP.
The 2nd XV won 56-0 and it was hilarious to see H-Bomb getting carded and huffing and puffing round the field trying to get a try. I have promised him a bottle of spice if he can score a try before Christmas - I doubt he will be able to do it.
We then drove up to Pitlochry and went for some supper at the Moulin Inn - http://www.moulininn.co.uk/ - whixh was excellent. We then went to the Enchanted Forest - http://www.enchantedforest.org.uk/ - which was a bit of a disappointment to be honest.
Sunday was spent doing chores and watching Heineken Cup rugby and eating and drinking.
Nothing too interesting.
Friday, 16 October 2009
Friday
I was on top of the world this morning. Last night I had a superb supper of slow cooked pork and I watched Black Hawk Down on the television.
I woke up this morning feeling well rested so I got up and put the Ipod on full blast (fuck the neighbours) in the living room whilst I got ready to go to work.
The first song that came on (as the Ipod was on shuffle) was Boston - More than a feeling - lyrics below - an awesome morning song and soft rock anthem.
I looked out this morning, and the sun was gone Turned on some music to start my day Then lost myself in a familiar song I closed my eyes, and I slipped away CHORUS It's more than a feeling When I hear that old song the used to play And I begin dreamin' Till I see Marianne walk away I see my Marianne walkin' away So many people have come and gone Their faces fade as the years go by Yet I still recall as I wander on As clear as the sun in the summer sky CHORUS When I'm tired and thinkin' cold I hide in my music, forget the day And dream of a girl I used to know I closed my eyes and she slipped away She slipped away CHORUS
I didn't cycle to work this morning as tonight I am playing rugby v Currie and I have to get up to Balerno straight after work.
The game is being broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland and Currie have dropped their admission price to £5 so hopefully there will be a big crowd.
I am also hopeful of a big performance from both the Accies and myself. Victory tonight and we are right back in the mix again.
Anyway, I digress.
So I didn't take the bike this morning, I took the bus. The number 22.
To get to the 22 bus stop I have to walk through the Telfer Subway running from Dalry to Fountainbridge. Walking through the Telfer Subway is fraught with danger due to the amount of dog shit on the pavement. It is literally a minefield to try and avoid getting any toley on your sneakers.
It's so bad that the Telfer Subway is often referred to as 'Dogshit alley'.
However, the size of some of these droppings leads me to believe that they weren't in fact created by dogs, as they are just too big!
I reckon that the larger mounds of crud might have been created by an animal that eats dogs - maybe a bear or perhaps a mammoth. I haven't spotted either species in the Dalry area but maybe they only come out at night.
In any case, something is producing huge piles of dung in the Telfer Subway area.
By this point though the Ipod was churning out some inspired tunes on shuffle. This was my playlist as chosen by the Ipod this morning;
Kings of Leon - Sex on fire
Kasabian - Fire
MIA - Paper Planes
Journey - Don't stop believing (techno remix)
The Killers - On Top
Kasabian - Underdog
Justin Timberlake - What goes around
Absolutely fucking excellent.
When i got into work this was a bacon roll waiting for me on my desk. I spuffed Reggae Reggae ketchup all over it before smashing it down my throat.
This morning has got me well amped for work and well amped for rugby tonight.
Tidy.
I woke up this morning feeling well rested so I got up and put the Ipod on full blast (fuck the neighbours) in the living room whilst I got ready to go to work.
The first song that came on (as the Ipod was on shuffle) was Boston - More than a feeling - lyrics below - an awesome morning song and soft rock anthem.
I looked out this morning, and the sun was gone Turned on some music to start my day Then lost myself in a familiar song I closed my eyes, and I slipped away CHORUS It's more than a feeling When I hear that old song the used to play And I begin dreamin' Till I see Marianne walk away I see my Marianne walkin' away So many people have come and gone Their faces fade as the years go by Yet I still recall as I wander on As clear as the sun in the summer sky CHORUS When I'm tired and thinkin' cold I hide in my music, forget the day And dream of a girl I used to know I closed my eyes and she slipped away She slipped away CHORUS
I didn't cycle to work this morning as tonight I am playing rugby v Currie and I have to get up to Balerno straight after work.
The game is being broadcast live on BBC Radio Scotland and Currie have dropped their admission price to £5 so hopefully there will be a big crowd.
I am also hopeful of a big performance from both the Accies and myself. Victory tonight and we are right back in the mix again.
Anyway, I digress.
So I didn't take the bike this morning, I took the bus. The number 22.
To get to the 22 bus stop I have to walk through the Telfer Subway running from Dalry to Fountainbridge. Walking through the Telfer Subway is fraught with danger due to the amount of dog shit on the pavement. It is literally a minefield to try and avoid getting any toley on your sneakers.
It's so bad that the Telfer Subway is often referred to as 'Dogshit alley'.
However, the size of some of these droppings leads me to believe that they weren't in fact created by dogs, as they are just too big!
I reckon that the larger mounds of crud might have been created by an animal that eats dogs - maybe a bear or perhaps a mammoth. I haven't spotted either species in the Dalry area but maybe they only come out at night.
In any case, something is producing huge piles of dung in the Telfer Subway area.
By this point though the Ipod was churning out some inspired tunes on shuffle. This was my playlist as chosen by the Ipod this morning;
Kings of Leon - Sex on fire
Kasabian - Fire
MIA - Paper Planes
Journey - Don't stop believing (techno remix)
The Killers - On Top
Kasabian - Underdog
Justin Timberlake - What goes around
Absolutely fucking excellent.
When i got into work this was a bacon roll waiting for me on my desk. I spuffed Reggae Reggae ketchup all over it before smashing it down my throat.
This morning has got me well amped for work and well amped for rugby tonight.
Tidy.
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Pork
The brisket was amazing - it just melted in my mouth. My only regret is that I didn't get a bigger piece from the supermarket.
Today I have a boneless pork leg joint slow cooking in honey, soy sauce and chinese 5 spice.
After I get home, I will take it out of the slow cooker and whack it under the grill until I've got some crackling.
To say I'm looking forward to tonight's supper would be an understatement.
Today I have a boneless pork leg joint slow cooking in honey, soy sauce and chinese 5 spice.
After I get home, I will take it out of the slow cooker and whack it under the grill until I've got some crackling.
To say I'm looking forward to tonight's supper would be an understatement.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Brisket
I currently have a 1kg piece of beef brisket in the slow cooker for my return from training tonight.
Last week's chilli con carne was a resounding success.
Last week's chilli con carne was a resounding success.
Monday, 12 October 2009
Weekend
After rugby, I went with some of my team-mates to get some food at Canonmills Tesco and then back to one of the club flats to sit about watching TV, playing PS3 and talking shite.
The living room must have smelt pretty horrendous to anyone coming in as we were all just sitting around farting happily. When I left it was nice to get a breath of fresh air.
We were also gooning around on the internet and started to watch some pretty loose stuff.
If you are interested then try to find the '2 girls 1 cup' video on the internet. I had to turn away as it was so disgusting.
After that we watched the 'jar squatter' video. Again, this video was absolutely repulsive.
I'm not putting the links on here so please google them if you want to watch.
On Sunday morning I went to play some golf and played shite but came second. No points for second best though.
We grabbed some scran afterwards at the Morning Glory in Morningside and then I slept on the sofa til 8pm.
I then watched some TV with the missus and that was the weekend over.
The living room must have smelt pretty horrendous to anyone coming in as we were all just sitting around farting happily. When I left it was nice to get a breath of fresh air.
We were also gooning around on the internet and started to watch some pretty loose stuff.
If you are interested then try to find the '2 girls 1 cup' video on the internet. I had to turn away as it was so disgusting.
After that we watched the 'jar squatter' video. Again, this video was absolutely repulsive.
I'm not putting the links on here so please google them if you want to watch.
On Sunday morning I went to play some golf and played shite but came second. No points for second best though.
We grabbed some scran afterwards at the Morning Glory in Morningside and then I slept on the sofa til 8pm.
I then watched some TV with the missus and that was the weekend over.
Rugby
Well I was back in the 1st XV for Saturday's game away at Boroughmuir and it was nice to get a victory.
We won 34-40 and although we won and scored some good tries, there is still plenty to improve upon, especially the scrum and lineout.
I also scored a cracking try but it was disallowed even though I grounded the ball twice. Big Granite followed up two minutes later though so happy days.
We were all over Boroughmuir in the first half but we let them back in with our own mistakes (mostly in the set-piece) and it was particularly galling to concede a try on the stroke of half time.
The game was put to bed when Moff went over between the sticks in the second half. Muir scored a late consolation try with the last move of the game.
You can read more in-depth reviews of the game here;
http://www.boroughmuirrfc.co.uk/BPages/Reports/1st%20XV/091010AcciesH-L/091010AcciesH-L.htm
The league table is here;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
I still cannot believe that our 2nds lost to Boroughmuir 2nds! Gutted!
The 1st XV now face unbeaten, free scoring Currie at Malleny Park on Friday night. We beat them when we were a division below them a few seasons ago so we can do it again on Friday - it will be tough but I am really keen to hurt some of their arrogant arsehole players and beating them will do just that.
From memory, Accies have a cracking record at Malleny so here's hoping.
The 2nd XV will play Aberdeen GSFP on Saturday at Raeburn Place.
We won 34-40 and although we won and scored some good tries, there is still plenty to improve upon, especially the scrum and lineout.
I also scored a cracking try but it was disallowed even though I grounded the ball twice. Big Granite followed up two minutes later though so happy days.
We were all over Boroughmuir in the first half but we let them back in with our own mistakes (mostly in the set-piece) and it was particularly galling to concede a try on the stroke of half time.
The game was put to bed when Moff went over between the sticks in the second half. Muir scored a late consolation try with the last move of the game.
You can read more in-depth reviews of the game here;
http://www.boroughmuirrfc.co.uk/BPages/Reports/1st%20XV/091010AcciesH-L/091010AcciesH-L.htm
The league table is here;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
I still cannot believe that our 2nds lost to Boroughmuir 2nds! Gutted!
The 1st XV now face unbeaten, free scoring Currie at Malleny Park on Friday night. We beat them when we were a division below them a few seasons ago so we can do it again on Friday - it will be tough but I am really keen to hurt some of their arrogant arsehole players and beating them will do just that.
From memory, Accies have a cracking record at Malleny so here's hoping.
The 2nd XV will play Aberdeen GSFP on Saturday at Raeburn Place.
Recent Cinema Trips
Recent cinema trips have included viewings of The Invention of Lying and Love Happens.
My in-depth reviews of both films follow below.
The Invention of Lying - shite
Love Happens - shite
My in-depth reviews of both films follow below.
The Invention of Lying - shite
Love Happens - shite
Thursday, 8 October 2009
Big Poppa Poke's Chilli Con Carne
I got up early to prepare my first dish in the Crockpot and here it is - enjoy - I know that I am going to when I get home tonight.
Brown lots of beef mince, lots of diced pork shoulder and chunky bits of chopped chorizo sausage in a pan then put in the Crockpot.
Brown two chopped onions and three chopped chillis in the same pan then put in the Crockpot.
Add two tins of chopped tomatoes, two tins of red kidney beans and 400ml of beef stock to the Crockpot.
Chuck in some chilli powder, some oregano, 2 bay leaves and a cinnamon stick, GIVE IT ALL A STIR then whack the Crockpot on all day to cook.
Serve with tortilla wraps, nacho chips and / or rice (AND SALSA SOUR CREAM GUACAMOLE) but I like it just the way it is.
Steer and hog in the same pot - yeeeeeehhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Brown lots of beef mince, lots of diced pork shoulder and chunky bits of chopped chorizo sausage in a pan then put in the Crockpot.
Brown two chopped onions and three chopped chillis in the same pan then put in the Crockpot.
Add two tins of chopped tomatoes, two tins of red kidney beans and 400ml of beef stock to the Crockpot.
Chuck in some chilli powder, some oregano, 2 bay leaves and a cinnamon stick, GIVE IT ALL A STIR then whack the Crockpot on all day to cook.
Serve with tortilla wraps, nacho chips and / or rice (AND SALSA SOUR CREAM GUACAMOLE) but I like it just the way it is.
Steer and hog in the same pot - yeeeeeehhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Rugby
http://cheezburger.com/view.aspx?ciid=5418015 - thanks to GD for this one!
More nonsense at the rugby club this week I'm afraid folks.
The head coach has been telling people to leave the club because they have no friends and that no-one wants to play rugby with them.
This is untrue and other players have voiced their dissatisfaction at these actions, resulting in them being dropped.
So now on Saturday the 1st XV are without two of their most influential and effective players. One of those players is also the 1st XV top try scorer for this season.
Ugly stuff indeed.
More nonsense at the rugby club this week I'm afraid folks.
The head coach has been telling people to leave the club because they have no friends and that no-one wants to play rugby with them.
This is untrue and other players have voiced their dissatisfaction at these actions, resulting in them being dropped.
So now on Saturday the 1st XV are without two of their most influential and effective players. One of those players is also the 1st XV top try scorer for this season.
Ugly stuff indeed.
Monday, 5 October 2009
Weekend
Plenty to report this weekend as usual.
On Friday night the girlfriend and I got an enormous takeaway from the Guru Balti - http://www.gurubaltirestaurant.co.uk/
We ordered poppadoms, pickle tray, chicken pakora, mixed kebab (chilli sauce, SALAD?), chicken jhalfrezie, garlic naan and rice.
It was a muckle feast and we were unable to eat it all so the leftovers went in the fridge.
Over the course of last week, there was a lot of chat about the benefits of slow cookers so on Saturday morning I went to Curry's and bought a 6.5 litre capacity Crockpot - http://www.amazon.com/Crockpot-64451LD-C-Cooker-Little-Dipper/dp/B000AK2LKW
Some of the benefits;
On Friday night the girlfriend and I got an enormous takeaway from the Guru Balti - http://www.gurubaltirestaurant.co.uk/
We ordered poppadoms, pickle tray, chicken pakora, mixed kebab (chilli sauce, SALAD?), chicken jhalfrezie, garlic naan and rice.
It was a muckle feast and we were unable to eat it all so the leftovers went in the fridge.
Over the course of last week, there was a lot of chat about the benefits of slow cookers so on Saturday morning I went to Curry's and bought a 6.5 litre capacity Crockpot - http://www.amazon.com/Crockpot-64451LD-C-Cooker-Little-Dipper/dp/B000AK2LKW
Some of the benefits;
- Slow cookers are economical to operate - they use the same energy as a lightbulb.
- Winter is coming and I can cook hearty, meaty recipes.
- You can leave slow cookers on all day so the food is ready when you get home from work or training.
- You only need to use one pot to cook so less washing up.
I'm looking forward to doing some seriously meaty dishes in it over the coming, colder months.
On Saturday morning I also bought some spray paint to customize my new bike. Photos of my completed project will be up soon.
Saturday afternoon was rugby v Watsonians. It was an extremely windy afternoon - gusts up to 70mph - and Watsonians 2nds were BLOWN away 46 - 7 up at Newfield. I started the demolition with the opening try and it was an absolute beauty.
Unfortunately the 1st XV lost again and it looks like things have gone south after a decent start. This has happened in the last three seasons and in my opinion, the 1st XV league campaign is now as good as dead. It will now be interesting to see if we can salvage mid-table mediocrity or whether it will be another relegation battle.
The pivotal moments for me in the 1st XV fortunes have been as follows; the failure to use the bench v Ayr until it was too late, the idiotic decision to play touch rugby on the Tuesday night training session before the Heriots game and then the verbal dressing down that the players received on the Tuesday night session before the Watsonians game.
Anyway, the 2nd XV are now second in their league and the 3rd XV, I believe, are romping theirs. Is it a coincidence that the teams who don't come into much contact with certain coaches are doing well? Who knows?
Check out the league tables and the match reports here;
http://www.watsoniansrugby.com/
http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Rugby-Aitchison-calls-for-.5703161.jp
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
How to gain the support of the team you coach here;
"You knock your pan in on a Tuesday and a Thursday night and then they don't do what they are told." And he admitted that having faced the wind in the first half, he believed Accies were well placed to win the match. "We were in it at half time and we were in it when we scored that try but the set piece collapsed. We did stupid things and then there was no fight."The front five caved in. That is probably the worst display by a front five in any team I have ever coached."
A few seasons ago with more or less the same players he came out with; "That is without doubt the best pack I have ever coached."
On Saturday night we went for a few beers through Stockbridge - The Tap, Hamilton's, the Baillie and the Standard.
Hamilton's now sponsor Watsonians so we thought that we would reclaim our turf.
In the Baillie, some of the younger lads at the club told me that they were avid followers of the blog - so here is a shout out to the EAFC young massive! Keep truckin' lads.
In the Standard, the duty manager wouldn't give us any more drinks and there was an unfortunate incident (not involving me for a change) which hopefully won't affect their sponsorship of the club.
After one drink in the Grand Cru it was off home and I snaffled the leftover Guru curry.
On Sunday, I was up quite early again to head out to Luffness New for the Autumn meeting of the British Rugby Club of Paris (Scottish Section).
On arrival at Luffness New Golf Club, I was ushered to a table bulging with bottles of spirits, mixers, ice and glasses and told to get stuck in. I fixed myself a tight gin and tonic before settling in to some light hearted banter with the rest of the club.
After a few more drinks, it was time for lunch and what a lunch it was. Cullen Skink, Roast Rib of Beef with all the trimmings and then ice cream with butterscotch sauce, all washed down with a tidy bottle of rioja.
It was then out on to the golf course and although I enjoyed it immensely, I didn't exactly cover myself in glory. I probably lost 4 or 5 balls in the heavy rough but not to worry.
Luffness New is like a nature reserve! On the way round the course, there were geese flying overhead, sparrowhawks diving for prey lurking in the rough, furry things scampering about on the fairways and 5 inch hairy caterpillars crawling about on the greens.
After the presentations back in the clubhouse, I headed home and after a sumptious dinner prepared by the missus, we went to bed early as I was absolutely goosed.
Now it's back to work - joy of joys.
Friday, 2 October 2009
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Wednesday night
I had a good hit at squash last night and then went to the cinema to watch The Soloist.
It was quite a good movie. There were some funny moments in the film but the funniest part of my cinema experience last night was as follows.
There were a group of scantily clad she-neds sitting behind us, scoffing Minstrels, and talking absolute pish during the trailers.
Around a quarter of the way through the movie, the leader of the she-neds announced to her halfwit friends that "This is fuckin gaaash" and they all walked out.
It was quite a good movie. There were some funny moments in the film but the funniest part of my cinema experience last night was as follows.
There were a group of scantily clad she-neds sitting behind us, scoffing Minstrels, and talking absolute pish during the trailers.
Around a quarter of the way through the movie, the leader of the she-neds announced to her halfwit friends that "This is fuckin gaaash" and they all walked out.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Yesterday
Yesterday was fucking rubbish. All day long was fucking absolutely shite.
Cycled to work and it took me longer than usual due to traffic, road works, the sequence of traffic lights etc.
I brought some tasty smoked fish for my breakfast which I microwaved when I got to work. The smell of fish was then throughout the whole office and my colleagues gave me grief about it all morning.
Work wise, it was a shocking morning. Things going wrong all over the place that needed sorted allied to absolute imbeciles phoning me up and wasting my time.
Lunch, one of the only parts of the day that I actually look forward to, was a complete write off. I bought a baked potato with coronation chicken as one of my colleagues recommended the new blend of coronation chicken at the shop.
Feeling hungry and enthused at the thought of tasty coronation chicken on a steaming hot buttery tattie, I opened the box and it looked like someone had vomited on the top of my potato. Really runny paste with funny chunks, raisins and mango in it. It tasted ok but the sight of it almost made me chuck it away instantly.
It wasn't very filling either.
The afternoon was spent fielding more phone calls from muppets and then there was rugby training.
The head coach was back to 100% of his stupid and useless forces and decided to celebrate his return to full strength by shouting a load of absolute nonsense at us. It was so ridiculous, that I was going to start making donkey noises during his rant. Maybe next time.
Then later on in training I staved my thumb particularly badly which was rather sore. It was also particularly sore gripping the handle bars whilst cycling over Edinburgh's cobbled streets on my way home.
On getting home, I had two pieces of mail, a fucking bill and a rejection letter.
What a shit day.
Cycled to work and it took me longer than usual due to traffic, road works, the sequence of traffic lights etc.
I brought some tasty smoked fish for my breakfast which I microwaved when I got to work. The smell of fish was then throughout the whole office and my colleagues gave me grief about it all morning.
Work wise, it was a shocking morning. Things going wrong all over the place that needed sorted allied to absolute imbeciles phoning me up and wasting my time.
Lunch, one of the only parts of the day that I actually look forward to, was a complete write off. I bought a baked potato with coronation chicken as one of my colleagues recommended the new blend of coronation chicken at the shop.
Feeling hungry and enthused at the thought of tasty coronation chicken on a steaming hot buttery tattie, I opened the box and it looked like someone had vomited on the top of my potato. Really runny paste with funny chunks, raisins and mango in it. It tasted ok but the sight of it almost made me chuck it away instantly.
It wasn't very filling either.
The afternoon was spent fielding more phone calls from muppets and then there was rugby training.
The head coach was back to 100% of his stupid and useless forces and decided to celebrate his return to full strength by shouting a load of absolute nonsense at us. It was so ridiculous, that I was going to start making donkey noises during his rant. Maybe next time.
Then later on in training I staved my thumb particularly badly which was rather sore. It was also particularly sore gripping the handle bars whilst cycling over Edinburgh's cobbled streets on my way home.
On getting home, I had two pieces of mail, a fucking bill and a rejection letter.
What a shit day.
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Weekend
Friday night I was straight home on the bike. My new bike is great - thanks for asking! It's a larger frame so it is easier for me to haul my carcass around the streets of Edinburgh.
I watched the film - The Firm - on Friday night. I quite enjoyed it - groups of football hooligans knocking lumps out of each other all the while speaking in unrecognisable east London slang.
I still don't know what the following phrases mean (all of them were used in a derisory manner);
Dry Lunch
Ice Cream
Strawberry Mivvi
Melt
I liked Dom's relationship with his mum and dad too - that was pretty funny.
On Saturday morning, me and wor burd went round some of Edinburgh's buildings on their Doors Open Day. We started at Starbucks (!) and then went to Drumsheugh Baths where I used to go as a kid, Drumsheugh Toll, The French Institute and St Bernard's Well.
All of the places were very interesting.
We then cycled along the Water of Leith Walkway and through Stockbridge and Inverleith to Goldenacre where I was due to take on the filthy Nails.
I had a foul dirt in the Nails bogs and then we went out and put their previously unbeaten 2nd XV to the sword, 16-15.
Unfortunately, our 1st XV got beaten by the dirty filthy nails and it was frustrating to watch at times.
Nonetheless, it was a nice day to watch rugby and shoot the breeze with friends, family, team mates etc.
Me and the lass then cycled home through Inverleith Park and I decided to have some pals round for beers, rum and spaghetti bolognaise before heading to Potterrow.
Potterrow is one of the University of Edinburgh's student unions. I graduated from Edinburgh in 2002 and I am now 30 years old so I felt a bit old but it was good fun.
The funniest thing was seeing a certain young prop forward at the rugby club who was dressed to the nines in his g-star jeans and designer t-shirt, trying to impress the young girls but instead falling down the stairs on his way out.
However, it was revealed that the same young prop forward managed to lure a girl nicknamed the 'Honey Monster' back to his flat. Even funnier though, was the fact that he shagged her bareback in the Dancing Bear's bed!
Good work all round.
I watched the film - The Firm - on Friday night. I quite enjoyed it - groups of football hooligans knocking lumps out of each other all the while speaking in unrecognisable east London slang.
I still don't know what the following phrases mean (all of them were used in a derisory manner);
Dry Lunch
Ice Cream
Strawberry Mivvi
Melt
I liked Dom's relationship with his mum and dad too - that was pretty funny.
On Saturday morning, me and wor burd went round some of Edinburgh's buildings on their Doors Open Day. We started at Starbucks (!) and then went to Drumsheugh Baths where I used to go as a kid, Drumsheugh Toll, The French Institute and St Bernard's Well.
All of the places were very interesting.
We then cycled along the Water of Leith Walkway and through Stockbridge and Inverleith to Goldenacre where I was due to take on the filthy Nails.
I had a foul dirt in the Nails bogs and then we went out and put their previously unbeaten 2nd XV to the sword, 16-15.
Unfortunately, our 1st XV got beaten by the dirty filthy nails and it was frustrating to watch at times.
Nonetheless, it was a nice day to watch rugby and shoot the breeze with friends, family, team mates etc.
Me and the lass then cycled home through Inverleith Park and I decided to have some pals round for beers, rum and spaghetti bolognaise before heading to Potterrow.
Potterrow is one of the University of Edinburgh's student unions. I graduated from Edinburgh in 2002 and I am now 30 years old so I felt a bit old but it was good fun.
The funniest thing was seeing a certain young prop forward at the rugby club who was dressed to the nines in his g-star jeans and designer t-shirt, trying to impress the young girls but instead falling down the stairs on his way out.
However, it was revealed that the same young prop forward managed to lure a girl nicknamed the 'Honey Monster' back to his flat. Even funnier though, was the fact that he shagged her bareback in the Dancing Bear's bed!
Good work all round.
Friday, 25 September 2009
Doors Open Day
This weekend in Edinburgh, the Cockburn Association is running the Doors Open Day.
This is when normally 'closed to the public' buildings open their doors to allow you to have a look around.
I am keen on checking out a number of different buildings in Edinburgh and I look forward to telling you how I get on!
http://www.cockburnassociation.org.uk/default.asp?page=33
This is when normally 'closed to the public' buildings open their doors to allow you to have a look around.
I am keen on checking out a number of different buildings in Edinburgh and I look forward to telling you how I get on!
http://www.cockburnassociation.org.uk/default.asp?page=33
Rugby
This week the top teams at the club are taking on Heriots at their home ground, Goldenacre.
Goldenacre is perhaps a fifteen minute walk from our pitches so between them and Stewarts Melville, they are our closest rivals.
They are certainly our most despised rivals and probably the most despised club in Edinburgh.
They have never been relegated from the top division although they are struggling at the moment.
Heriots are often referred to as the Nails. Depending on who you speak to, this is because Heriots are as hard as nails or the more commonly belief, that Heriots are lower than toe nails.
In rugby matches and in Edinburgh pubs there have been a number of incidents between ourselves and the Nails, so tomorrow will no doubt be particularly interesting.
I have no doubt that the results will go firmly in our favour.
Goldenacre is perhaps a fifteen minute walk from our pitches so between them and Stewarts Melville, they are our closest rivals.
They are certainly our most despised rivals and probably the most despised club in Edinburgh.
They have never been relegated from the top division although they are struggling at the moment.
Heriots are often referred to as the Nails. Depending on who you speak to, this is because Heriots are as hard as nails or the more commonly belief, that Heriots are lower than toe nails.
In rugby matches and in Edinburgh pubs there have been a number of incidents between ourselves and the Nails, so tomorrow will no doubt be particularly interesting.
I have no doubt that the results will go firmly in our favour.
Pink Sock
Another cracker from the Urban Dictionary - http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=pink+sock
I originally went on looking for the definition of a 'wet lunch' but it wasn't the definition I thought it would be.
I originally went on looking for the definition of a 'wet lunch' but it wasn't the definition I thought it would be.
Tuesday, 22 September 2009
Weekend
We lost the big game at the weekend having got ourselves into a position where we could have won.
Winning 18 - 13 with less than a quarter of the game remaining, Ayr then managed to score two tries to win 18 - 25.
The referee for the game was one of those refereees who is consistently awful but somehow his decisions are always inconsistent during the same match, if that makes sense.
There were some excellent performances in our team - numbers 3,4,5 and 6 in the forwards and numbers 13 and 15 in the backs.
Match reports are here;
http://www.edinburghaccies.com/
http://www.ayrrugbyclub.co.uk/
http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Rugby-Barnes-has-words-of.5664205.jp
http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Accies-18--25-Ayr.5663609.jp
Video here;
http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Rugby-video-Edinburgh-Accies-v.5665739.jp
Updated League table here;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
I also got my new bike at the weekend - a Trek 7200 - the only 25" frame left in the country so I'm told.
I gave her the debut ride this morning and she didn't disappoint me. She is a slick black bitch.
I am thinking about customising the paintwork on the frame. Details to follow.
Saturday night - number 13 above hosted a flatwarming - the West Ferryfield Wii Olympics - it was great fun competing in different events on the Wii - an excellent addition to drinking in a flat.
There was a fair amount of rum knocking about and I was quite happy knocking back large Mount Gay and fiery ginger beers all night.
If TD fell into a bucket of nipples though, he would come out sucking his thumb. Hard luck mate.
Winning 18 - 13 with less than a quarter of the game remaining, Ayr then managed to score two tries to win 18 - 25.
The referee for the game was one of those refereees who is consistently awful but somehow his decisions are always inconsistent during the same match, if that makes sense.
There were some excellent performances in our team - numbers 3,4,5 and 6 in the forwards and numbers 13 and 15 in the backs.
Match reports are here;
http://www.edinburghaccies.com/
http://www.ayrrugbyclub.co.uk/
http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Rugby-Barnes-has-words-of.5664205.jp
http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Accies-18--25-Ayr.5663609.jp
Video here;
http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Rugby-video-Edinburgh-Accies-v.5665739.jp
Updated League table here;
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
I also got my new bike at the weekend - a Trek 7200 - the only 25" frame left in the country so I'm told.
I gave her the debut ride this morning and she didn't disappoint me. She is a slick black bitch.
I am thinking about customising the paintwork on the frame. Details to follow.
Saturday night - number 13 above hosted a flatwarming - the West Ferryfield Wii Olympics - it was great fun competing in different events on the Wii - an excellent addition to drinking in a flat.
There was a fair amount of rum knocking about and I was quite happy knocking back large Mount Gay and fiery ginger beers all night.
If TD fell into a bucket of nipples though, he would come out sucking his thumb. Hard luck mate.
Friday, 18 September 2009
Rugby
Big game tomorrow folks.
Edinburgh Academicals v Ayr
Top of the table clash - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
I'm on the bench and I'm nervous and excited already.
Edinburgh Academicals v Ayr
Top of the table clash - http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
I'm on the bench and I'm nervous and excited already.
Thursday, 17 September 2009
World's Tallest Man
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/8259728.stm
Wow.
I want to know his response to people going 'you are so tall'.
Your observation skills are magnificent.
Well done for having a pair of eyes that work.
Wow.
I want to know his response to people going 'you are so tall'.
Your observation skills are magnificent.
Well done for having a pair of eyes that work.
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
Work
I’m getting paid for;
A) doing absolutely no work
B) surfing the net looking for new jobs
C) abusing the company electronic mail policy
D) drinking free tea and coffee
A) doing absolutely no work
B) surfing the net looking for new jobs
C) abusing the company electronic mail policy
D) drinking free tea and coffee
Work
My lychee tree has died / isn't growing and I am totally bored at work. Nothing excites me here anymore apart from lunchtime and 5.30pm every day and the weekend.
I'm getting close to the edge.
I am looking for a new job - let me know if you know of any opportunities.
I'm getting close to the edge.
I am looking for a new job - let me know if you know of any opportunities.
Friday, 11 September 2009
Friday Afternoon Toilet Adventure
This afternoon I had an actual adventure round the office building when I needed my daily dirt.
I always nip down to the downstairs toilet to spend my penny as I feel by doing that, I am being more considerate to my colleagues.
There are two toilets upstairs and two toilets downstairs. I am not actually sure but I don't think that the downstairs toilets are for my use. I think that they are meant to be used solely by the training centre staff.
The training centre's staff diets are horrific. They seem to live on a staple of caramel shortcake, pot noodles and onion bhajis from the corner shop. This often leads to my favourite downstairs toilet being left in a less than hygienic state.
So on entry to my commode of choice this afternoon, I was met with a perfectly formed floating pellet of faeces about the size of a large marble, happily bobbing around in the toilet water. Unperturbed, I downed my slacks and sat myself on the pan.
Luckily, I turned to my left and I saw that there was a distinct lack of toilet roll. Slacks were hauled back up and I decided to chance my arm and pinch some shit tickets from the other downstairs toilet. This is a risky business as the second toilet is in distinct visibility through the glass door of the training centre. Given that I am 6'7' and 18stone, sneaking around buildings probably isn't my forte but I breached the second toilet without raising the alarm.
There was no toilet roll in the second commode either. This meant I would I have to go back upstairs to procure some Charmin from the office store cupboard. This is exactly what I did. My colleagues saw me sheepishly retreating back downstairs clutching said Charmin, knowing 100% that I was going downstairs for a dirt.
All clouds have a silver lining however and I produced a fantastic three part log that required only one wipe.
I am now back in the office, at my desk, typing this out, proud as punch.
I always nip down to the downstairs toilet to spend my penny as I feel by doing that, I am being more considerate to my colleagues.
There are two toilets upstairs and two toilets downstairs. I am not actually sure but I don't think that the downstairs toilets are for my use. I think that they are meant to be used solely by the training centre staff.
The training centre's staff diets are horrific. They seem to live on a staple of caramel shortcake, pot noodles and onion bhajis from the corner shop. This often leads to my favourite downstairs toilet being left in a less than hygienic state.
So on entry to my commode of choice this afternoon, I was met with a perfectly formed floating pellet of faeces about the size of a large marble, happily bobbing around in the toilet water. Unperturbed, I downed my slacks and sat myself on the pan.
Luckily, I turned to my left and I saw that there was a distinct lack of toilet roll. Slacks were hauled back up and I decided to chance my arm and pinch some shit tickets from the other downstairs toilet. This is a risky business as the second toilet is in distinct visibility through the glass door of the training centre. Given that I am 6'7' and 18stone, sneaking around buildings probably isn't my forte but I breached the second toilet without raising the alarm.
There was no toilet roll in the second commode either. This meant I would I have to go back upstairs to procure some Charmin from the office store cupboard. This is exactly what I did. My colleagues saw me sheepishly retreating back downstairs clutching said Charmin, knowing 100% that I was going downstairs for a dirt.
All clouds have a silver lining however and I produced a fantastic three part log that required only one wipe.
I am now back in the office, at my desk, typing this out, proud as punch.
Thursday, 10 September 2009
Talking Shit
Some people talk shit literally - http://www.poopreport.com/Doctor/Knowledgebase/fecal_vomiting.html - one of my friends actually suffered from the condition on his return from an expedition in Nepal. Not nice.
If you are at all interested in faeces then you may want to consider this particular website - http://www.poopreport.com/index.html
One of my favourite stories is 'In some parts of India, courtship begins with a toilet'.
Then there is this - 'the shit of my career' - http://www.poopreport.com/Techniques/Content/Career/career.html
An excellent website I'm sure you will agree.
If you are at all interested in faeces then you may want to consider this particular website - http://www.poopreport.com/index.html
One of my favourite stories is 'In some parts of India, courtship begins with a toilet'.
Then there is this - 'the shit of my career' - http://www.poopreport.com/Techniques/Content/Career/career.html
An excellent website I'm sure you will agree.
Rugby
A good start to the campaign for the lads -
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
Nae luck for the nails though! Era Goldie jungle, pints o dung, aye rare...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/tables/4777199.stm
Nae luck for the nails though! Era Goldie jungle, pints o dung, aye rare...
Cinema
Recent trips to the cinema have included Inglourious Basterds, District 9 and (500) Days of Summer. My in-depth reviews follow below;
Inglourious Basterds - excellent
District 9 - excellent
(500) Days of Summer - shite
Inglourious Basterds - excellent
District 9 - excellent
(500) Days of Summer - shite
Tuesday, 8 September 2009
Friday, 4 September 2009
Chronic
I don't smoke weed. I have tried a few times and all it makes me do is completely lose control of my legs and then vomit on myself.
A few of you may remember the "that's the legs gone" quote circa 2006.
Anyway, I found this and I quite liked it - especially for all you weed smoking IT / pay as you go mobile phone dudes out there -
You are running low on chronic please arrange a top up. To get in contact with your dealer press the hash key.
A few of you may remember the "that's the legs gone" quote circa 2006.
Anyway, I found this and I quite liked it - especially for all you weed smoking IT / pay as you go mobile phone dudes out there -
You are running low on chronic please arrange a top up. To get in contact with your dealer press the hash key.
Psychic Rugby Coaches
I find psychic rugby coaches very amusing.
For example, last night at training there were a number of handling errors due to the inclement weather conditions making the ball as slippery as an eel coated in WD-40.
After the fourth or fifth error, so-called psychic coach announces;
"You had better get used to it lads, this is what it will be like on Saturday."
How the fuck do you know - are you God?
For example, last night at training there were a number of handling errors due to the inclement weather conditions making the ball as slippery as an eel coated in WD-40.
After the fourth or fifth error, so-called psychic coach announces;
"You had better get used to it lads, this is what it will be like on Saturday."
How the fuck do you know - are you God?
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Lunch
What a lunch!
I just popped along to Caffe Latte and fired right in about a pastrami, mozzarella and red onion baguette, some lentil soup, a pear danish and a moccachino.
Every item was absolutely delicious and I have started the clock to see what time the super strong double espresso in the moccachino starts to play havoc on my large intestine.
I just popped along to Caffe Latte and fired right in about a pastrami, mozzarella and red onion baguette, some lentil soup, a pear danish and a moccachino.
Every item was absolutely delicious and I have started the clock to see what time the super strong double espresso in the moccachino starts to play havoc on my large intestine.
Wednesday, 2 September 2009
Rugby
As my back has been better I played rugby last weekend for the 2nd team against our local rivals, Stewarts Melville FP, sometimes referred to as the 'Smellies'.
The 2nd team were hopeless and we lost 37-12.
Our 1st team won 39-21 and after one game, sit proudly in second in the Premier Division 1 league table.
The 3rd team also won 22-19 so overall the club can't complain.
After the matches it was up to the Caledonian Brewery for unlimited pints and a curry buffet - http://www.caledonian-brewery.co.uk/ - it was awesome and I can't remember too much about the evening but more to come on this later.
The 2nd team were hopeless and we lost 37-12.
Our 1st team won 39-21 and after one game, sit proudly in second in the Premier Division 1 league table.
The 3rd team also won 22-19 so overall the club can't complain.
After the matches it was up to the Caledonian Brewery for unlimited pints and a curry buffet - http://www.caledonian-brewery.co.uk/ - it was awesome and I can't remember too much about the evening but more to come on this later.
Back
My back is getting better thanks to;
http://www.spaceclinics.co.uk/index.htm
http://www.wightchiropracticclinic.co.uk/
It's still not 100% right but I have been able to play rugby and participate in training which is better than where I was a couple of weeks ago.
http://www.spaceclinics.co.uk/index.htm
http://www.wightchiropracticclinic.co.uk/
It's still not 100% right but I have been able to play rugby and participate in training which is better than where I was a couple of weeks ago.
America
I have booked a trip to the US of A for me and the lass. We are going to Florida, Pennsylvannia and New York and I must say I am really looking forward to it.
I have bought the guidebooks and the itinerary is getting planned.
I am especially looking forward to NYC so here it is from Brooklyn's Finest - Jay-Z
"Big Pimpin' (Extended)"(feat. U.G.K.)[Jay-Z]Uhh, uh uh uhIt's big pimpin baby..It's big pimpin, spendin G'sFeel me.. uh-huh uhh, uh-huh..Ge-ge-geyeah, geyeahGe-ge-geyeah, geyeah..You know I - thug em, fuck em, love em, leave emCause I don't fuckin need emTake em out the hood, keep em lookin goodBut I don't fuckin feed emFirst time they fuss I'm breezinTalkin bout, "What's the reasons?"I'm a pimp in every sense of the word, bitchBetter trust than believe emIn the cut where I keep emtil I need a nut, til I need to beat the gutsThen it's, beep beep and I'm pickin em upLet em play with the dick in the truckMany chicks wanna put Jigga fist in cuffsDivorce him and split his bucksJust because you got good head, I'ma break breadso you can be livin it up? Shit I..parts with nothin, y'all be frontinMe give my heart to a woman?Not for nothin, never happenI'll be forever mackinHeart cold as assassins, I got no passionI got no patienceAnd I hate waitin..Hoe get yo' ass inAnd let's RI-I-I-I-I-IDE.. check em out nowRI-I-I-I-I-IDE, yeahAnd let's RI-I-I-I-I-IDE.. check em out nowRI-I-I-I-I-IDE, yeah[Chorus One: Jay-Z]We doin.. big pimpin, we spendin cheeseCheck em out nowBig pimpin, on B.L.A.D.'sWe doin.. big pimpin up in N.Y.C.It's just that Jigga Man, Pimp C, and B-U-N BYo yo yo.. big pimpin, spendin cheeseWe doin - big pimpin, on B.L.A.D.'sWe doin.. big pimpin up in N.Y.C.It's just that Jigga Man, Pimp C, and B-U-N B[Bun B]Nigga it's the - big Southern rap impresarioComin straight up out the black bar-rioMakes a mill' up off a sorry hoeThen sit back and peep my sce-nawr-e-ohOops, my bad, that's my scenarioNo I can't fuck a scary hoeNow every time, every place, everywhere we goHoes start pointin - they say, "There he go!"Now these motherfuckers know we carry mo' heat than a little bitWe don't pull it out over little shitAnd if you catch a lick when I spit, then it won't be a little hitGo read a book you illiterate son of a bitch and step up yo' vocabDon't be surprised if yo' hoe stab out with meand you see us comin down on yo' slabLivin ghetto-fabulous, so mad, you just can't take itBut nigga if you hatin Ithen you wait while I get yo' bitch butt-naked, just break itYou gotta pay like you weigh wet wit two pairs of clothes onNow get yo' ass to the back as I'm flyin to the track Timbaland let me spit my pro's onPump it up in the pro-zoneThat's the track that we breakin these hoes onAin't the track that we flow's onBut when shit get hot, then the glock start poppin like ozoneWe keep hoes crunk like Trigger-manFo' real it don't get no bigger manDon't trip, let's flip, gettin throwed on the flipGettin blowed with the motherfuckin Jigga Man, fool[Chorus Two: Bun B]We be.. big pimpin, spendin cheeseWe be.. big pimpin, on B.L.A.D.'sWe be.. big pimpin down in P.A.T.It's just that Jigga Man, Pimp C, and B-U-N BCause we be.. big pimpin, spendin cheeseAnd we be.. big pimpin, on B.L.A.D.'sCause we be.. big pimpin in P.A.T.It's just that Jigga Man, Pimp C, and B-U-N B.. nigga[Pimp C]Uhh.. smokin out, throwin up, keepin lean up in my cupAll my car got leather and wood, in my hood we call it buckEverybody wanna ball, holla at broads at the mallIf he up, watch him fall, nigga I can't fuck witch'allIf I wasn't rappin baby, I would still be ridin MercedesChromin shinin sippin daily, no rest until whitey pay meUhhh, now what y'all know bout them Texas boysComin down in candied toys, smokin weed and talkin noise[Chorus Two][Jay-Z]On a canopy my stamina be enough for Pamela Anderson LeeMTV jam of the week Made my money quick then back to the streets butStill sittin on blades... sippin that ray...Standin on the corner of my block hustlinStill gettin that canehalf what I paid slippin right through customsIt'll sell by night its extra white...I got so many grams if the man find out it will land me in jail for life But im still big pimpin spendin chesse with B.U.N. B, Pimp C, and TimothyWe got bitches in the back of the truck, laughin it upJigga Man that's what's up
I have bought the guidebooks and the itinerary is getting planned.
I am especially looking forward to NYC so here it is from Brooklyn's Finest - Jay-Z
"Big Pimpin' (Extended)"(feat. U.G.K.)[Jay-Z]Uhh, uh uh uhIt's big pimpin baby..It's big pimpin, spendin G'sFeel me.. uh-huh uhh, uh-huh..Ge-ge-geyeah, geyeahGe-ge-geyeah, geyeah..You know I - thug em, fuck em, love em, leave emCause I don't fuckin need emTake em out the hood, keep em lookin goodBut I don't fuckin feed emFirst time they fuss I'm breezinTalkin bout, "What's the reasons?"I'm a pimp in every sense of the word, bitchBetter trust than believe emIn the cut where I keep emtil I need a nut, til I need to beat the gutsThen it's, beep beep and I'm pickin em upLet em play with the dick in the truckMany chicks wanna put Jigga fist in cuffsDivorce him and split his bucksJust because you got good head, I'ma break breadso you can be livin it up? Shit I..parts with nothin, y'all be frontinMe give my heart to a woman?Not for nothin, never happenI'll be forever mackinHeart cold as assassins, I got no passionI got no patienceAnd I hate waitin..Hoe get yo' ass inAnd let's RI-I-I-I-I-IDE.. check em out nowRI-I-I-I-I-IDE, yeahAnd let's RI-I-I-I-I-IDE.. check em out nowRI-I-I-I-I-IDE, yeah[Chorus One: Jay-Z]We doin.. big pimpin, we spendin cheeseCheck em out nowBig pimpin, on B.L.A.D.'sWe doin.. big pimpin up in N.Y.C.It's just that Jigga Man, Pimp C, and B-U-N BYo yo yo.. big pimpin, spendin cheeseWe doin - big pimpin, on B.L.A.D.'sWe doin.. big pimpin up in N.Y.C.It's just that Jigga Man, Pimp C, and B-U-N B[Bun B]Nigga it's the - big Southern rap impresarioComin straight up out the black bar-rioMakes a mill' up off a sorry hoeThen sit back and peep my sce-nawr-e-ohOops, my bad, that's my scenarioNo I can't fuck a scary hoeNow every time, every place, everywhere we goHoes start pointin - they say, "There he go!"Now these motherfuckers know we carry mo' heat than a little bitWe don't pull it out over little shitAnd if you catch a lick when I spit, then it won't be a little hitGo read a book you illiterate son of a bitch and step up yo' vocabDon't be surprised if yo' hoe stab out with meand you see us comin down on yo' slabLivin ghetto-fabulous, so mad, you just can't take itBut nigga if you hatin Ithen you wait while I get yo' bitch butt-naked, just break itYou gotta pay like you weigh wet wit two pairs of clothes onNow get yo' ass to the back as I'm flyin to the track Timbaland let me spit my pro's onPump it up in the pro-zoneThat's the track that we breakin these hoes onAin't the track that we flow's onBut when shit get hot, then the glock start poppin like ozoneWe keep hoes crunk like Trigger-manFo' real it don't get no bigger manDon't trip, let's flip, gettin throwed on the flipGettin blowed with the motherfuckin Jigga Man, fool[Chorus Two: Bun B]We be.. big pimpin, spendin cheeseWe be.. big pimpin, on B.L.A.D.'sWe be.. big pimpin down in P.A.T.It's just that Jigga Man, Pimp C, and B-U-N BCause we be.. big pimpin, spendin cheeseAnd we be.. big pimpin, on B.L.A.D.'sCause we be.. big pimpin in P.A.T.It's just that Jigga Man, Pimp C, and B-U-N B.. nigga[Pimp C]Uhh.. smokin out, throwin up, keepin lean up in my cupAll my car got leather and wood, in my hood we call it buckEverybody wanna ball, holla at broads at the mallIf he up, watch him fall, nigga I can't fuck witch'allIf I wasn't rappin baby, I would still be ridin MercedesChromin shinin sippin daily, no rest until whitey pay meUhhh, now what y'all know bout them Texas boysComin down in candied toys, smokin weed and talkin noise[Chorus Two][Jay-Z]On a canopy my stamina be enough for Pamela Anderson LeeMTV jam of the week Made my money quick then back to the streets butStill sittin on blades... sippin that ray...Standin on the corner of my block hustlinStill gettin that canehalf what I paid slippin right through customsIt'll sell by night its extra white...I got so many grams if the man find out it will land me in jail for life But im still big pimpin spendin chesse with B.U.N. B, Pimp C, and TimothyWe got bitches in the back of the truck, laughin it upJigga Man that's what's up
Blisters
I've got four different blisters on my feet at the moment from different shoes and activities.
They are agony and don't appear to be getting any fucking better. All I am putting on them is Savlon which doesn't seem to be doing anything.
People keep telling me to use Compeed. Shut the fuck up. Compeed are to prevent blisters you arseholes.
I already have blisters - four of the fuckers - and i want them healed now.
They are agony and don't appear to be getting any fucking better. All I am putting on them is Savlon which doesn't seem to be doing anything.
People keep telling me to use Compeed. Shut the fuck up. Compeed are to prevent blisters you arseholes.
I already have blisters - four of the fuckers - and i want them healed now.
Update
Yeah I'm still alive!
Even after an almighty piss up in a brewery last weekend.
Lots of news to come so I will try and catch up best I can.
Stomper has now left - fucking hallelujah. I went to her leaving do and she once again proved what an annoying cunt she was by getting slightly pished and talking absolute shite at an unbearable volume.
FUCK OFF
We went to Bells Diner and then the Baillie for her leaving do - thankfully two of my favourite places in Edinburgh and within a carefully aimed queef of each other.
Even after an almighty piss up in a brewery last weekend.
Lots of news to come so I will try and catch up best I can.
Stomper has now left - fucking hallelujah. I went to her leaving do and she once again proved what an annoying cunt she was by getting slightly pished and talking absolute shite at an unbearable volume.
FUCK OFF
We went to Bells Diner and then the Baillie for her leaving do - thankfully two of my favourite places in Edinburgh and within a carefully aimed queef of each other.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Weekend
Friday night I went to see the Time Traveller's Wife with the girlfriend. I found this film to be boring and confusing. If Eric Bana can go back and forth in time to unscrupulously win the lottery then surely he can save his mother from dying in a car crash. I got lost midway through the film when all of a sudden there were 2 or 3 different Eric Bana's time travelling all over the place.
As always, the book is apparently better than the film.
Saturday I played rugby at North Berwick and I totally fucked my back after it being sore last week. I came off at half time and spent the rest of the weekend like an octogenarian.
Three months of fitness, running and gym work and now i am injured and back to square 1. Not happy.
Being immobile on Sunday meant that I could watch a lot of the World Championship Athletics. Usain Bolt must be from a different planet. He barely looks like he is even sprinting and yet blasted his own WR out of the water.
Jess Ennis was pretty awesome in the heptathlon also and good on her for getting Gold. Her mate Hazel looked pretty annoying on the BBC coverage - jumping on her bandwagon after winning the Gold.
I like the confidence that the 100m sprinters show in the heats and the final - gesticulating to the crowd and the cameras when their name and lane number is announced - along with heavyweight boxers they must be the most confident and arrogant sportsmen going.
Then the cameras panned in to Usain's Puma spikes - he has 'who faster?' embroidered in each heel!
As always, the book is apparently better than the film.
Saturday I played rugby at North Berwick and I totally fucked my back after it being sore last week. I came off at half time and spent the rest of the weekend like an octogenarian.
Three months of fitness, running and gym work and now i am injured and back to square 1. Not happy.
Being immobile on Sunday meant that I could watch a lot of the World Championship Athletics. Usain Bolt must be from a different planet. He barely looks like he is even sprinting and yet blasted his own WR out of the water.
Jess Ennis was pretty awesome in the heptathlon also and good on her for getting Gold. Her mate Hazel looked pretty annoying on the BBC coverage - jumping on her bandwagon after winning the Gold.
I like the confidence that the 100m sprinters show in the heats and the final - gesticulating to the crowd and the cameras when their name and lane number is announced - along with heavyweight boxers they must be the most confident and arrogant sportsmen going.
Then the cameras panned in to Usain's Puma spikes - he has 'who faster?' embroidered in each heel!
Friday, 14 August 2009
Friday
Well it's my favourite day of the working week.
This Friday is even more important as I will be spending the next nine calendar days at my leisure.
That's right - NO WORK UNTIL MONDAY 24TH AUGUST.
I feel magnificent right now.
This Friday is even more important as I will be spending the next nine calendar days at my leisure.
That's right - NO WORK UNTIL MONDAY 24TH AUGUST.
I feel magnificent right now.
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Scotland
Scotland got humped at football last night. The wheels fell off when Gary Caldwell was apparently unjustly red carded and Norway scored from the resulting free kick.
Scotland ended up losing 4-0.
The Tartan Army in Oslo will have been crying into their £5.88 pints after that - http://www.pintprice.com/region.php?/Norway/GBP.htm
I don't know why I'm writing about this in the first place. I despise nedball.
I like Scotland though.
Scotland ended up losing 4-0.
The Tartan Army in Oslo will have been crying into their £5.88 pints after that - http://www.pintprice.com/region.php?/Norway/GBP.htm
I don't know why I'm writing about this in the first place. I despise nedball.
I like Scotland though.
Sore Back
You may have heard of a bear with a sore head well I am a Poke with a sore back.
My lower back has been sore since last Saturday's rugby training and it doesn't seem to be getting much better. I have had problems with it in the past and it just seems to be a reoccurence.
I am struggling to put my underwear on in the morning due to the stiffness and soreness.
At work I have been sitting on golf balls and tennis balls, much to the amusement of my colleagues, to try and ease the tension in my glutes, hamstrings and spinal vertebrae.
I am also doing 'happy cat, angry cat' stretches.
Hopefully the physio will make some progress with it tonight.
My lower back has been sore since last Saturday's rugby training and it doesn't seem to be getting much better. I have had problems with it in the past and it just seems to be a reoccurence.
I am struggling to put my underwear on in the morning due to the stiffness and soreness.
At work I have been sitting on golf balls and tennis balls, much to the amusement of my colleagues, to try and ease the tension in my glutes, hamstrings and spinal vertebrae.
I am also doing 'happy cat, angry cat' stretches.
Hopefully the physio will make some progress with it tonight.
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
Weekend
Another weekend full of activity!
On a glorious Saturday morning we had another long and arduous rugby training session. The pitches are like concrete at the moment because of the recent lack of rain. This is pretty tough on my old joints and I have been experiencing some lower back pain since Saturday's session.
After rugby the missus and I went to Peckhams - http://www.peckhams.co.uk/RP1.html - to get some food and drinks to take to the Botanical Gardens - http://www.rbge.org.uk/ and laze about in the sun.
On Saturday night it was Ralf's 30th birthday and the big oaf couldn't decide whether he was coming or going. Eventually we met up with him in the Pleasance Courtyard and got stuck into a few drinks.
The Pleasance Courtyard and indeed the whole of Edinburgh's city centre is now hoaching because of the Festival - http://www.edfringe.com/ . Edinburgh is certainly a good place to be during the month of August.
After that we went along to check out the Hullaballoo (replacing the Spiegle Tent) and the Udderbelly.
After walking from the Pleasance to George Square, my bladder was fit to burst and what followed was probably one of the most undignified moments of my career to date.
I decided to relieve myself in an Edinburgh University building opposite the entrance to the Hullaballoo. I was just about to release a pent-up jet of steaming piss when my mate shouted on me.
I turned round to see two police officers walking towards me so I pinched the flow without any liquid actually hitting the ground. The police officer told me that I was particularly lucky as if any piss had hit the floor then I would be eligible for a £40 pound fine.
On a glorious Saturday morning we had another long and arduous rugby training session. The pitches are like concrete at the moment because of the recent lack of rain. This is pretty tough on my old joints and I have been experiencing some lower back pain since Saturday's session.
After rugby the missus and I went to Peckhams - http://www.peckhams.co.uk/RP1.html - to get some food and drinks to take to the Botanical Gardens - http://www.rbge.org.uk/ and laze about in the sun.
On Saturday night it was Ralf's 30th birthday and the big oaf couldn't decide whether he was coming or going. Eventually we met up with him in the Pleasance Courtyard and got stuck into a few drinks.
The Pleasance Courtyard and indeed the whole of Edinburgh's city centre is now hoaching because of the Festival - http://www.edfringe.com/ . Edinburgh is certainly a good place to be during the month of August.
After that we went along to check out the Hullaballoo (replacing the Spiegle Tent) and the Udderbelly.
After walking from the Pleasance to George Square, my bladder was fit to burst and what followed was probably one of the most undignified moments of my career to date.
I decided to relieve myself in an Edinburgh University building opposite the entrance to the Hullaballoo. I was just about to release a pent-up jet of steaming piss when my mate shouted on me.
I turned round to see two police officers walking towards me so I pinched the flow without any liquid actually hitting the ground. The police officer told me that I was particularly lucky as if any piss had hit the floor then I would be eligible for a £40 pound fine.
I then removed my hand from my erstwhile chum and aforementioned jet of piss spurted out and soaked my underwear and trousers. The police found this hilarious as did my friends and my girlfriend.
We headed to the Udderbelly after that for a few more drinks. Both the Pleasance and the Udderbelly tick all the boxes for me. Ralfy and co headed to Opal Lounge after that but me and the missus just headed home via the chippy.
Sunday morning I went to collect my bike then read the papers and then went to the cinema to watch The Ugly Truth - predictable but worth watching none the less.
Now it's back to work - boooooooooooooo
Friday, 7 August 2009
Rugby
Most of the players at the rugby club are getting aggravated about the lack of thought, planning and relevance of our rugby training at the moment.
A few more players have come out of the woodwork and made their thoughts quite clear to the Head Coach and he isn't happy.
He is one of the most stubborn and steadfast mofo's i have ever met. The last two seasons we have managed to avoid getting relegated by the skin of our teeth and yet he is still loathe to change his stance. This is despite having one of the best squads in the league.
We are two weeks away from our first fixture. I am going to make no more complaints. If I am asked my opinion it will be given but I am going to play the way that suits the team and me best.
Training will be a barrel of laughs tomorrow no doubt.
It's lunchtime and it's Friday. The clock is ticking until 17.30.
A few more players have come out of the woodwork and made their thoughts quite clear to the Head Coach and he isn't happy.
He is one of the most stubborn and steadfast mofo's i have ever met. The last two seasons we have managed to avoid getting relegated by the skin of our teeth and yet he is still loathe to change his stance. This is despite having one of the best squads in the league.
We are two weeks away from our first fixture. I am going to make no more complaints. If I am asked my opinion it will be given but I am going to play the way that suits the team and me best.
Training will be a barrel of laughs tomorrow no doubt.
It's lunchtime and it's Friday. The clock is ticking until 17.30.
Beetroot
Beetroot at Tescos Canonmills is currently 4 packets for £2 so I bought some to augment my lunchbox.
I have eaten a packet a day with my lunch for the last three days and my bodily functions have changed significantly.
Every morning my jet of piss looks like Darth Maul's light sabre - http://www.starstore.com/acatalog/Darth_Maul-lightsaber.jpg and my jobbies are big hard purple chunks of fury.
However, this is tempered by the fact that beetroot is helping my sport - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8186947.stm
Everyone at the rugby club will be advised to start on the beetroot ASAP!
I have eaten a packet a day with my lunch for the last three days and my bodily functions have changed significantly.
Every morning my jet of piss looks like Darth Maul's light sabre - http://www.starstore.com/acatalog/Darth_Maul-lightsaber.jpg and my jobbies are big hard purple chunks of fury.
However, this is tempered by the fact that beetroot is helping my sport - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8186947.stm
Everyone at the rugby club will be advised to start on the beetroot ASAP!
Crime
More Dalry crime to report I'm afraid.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/Woman-hostage-is-39held-at.5528281.jp
This occured about 2 minutes walk from my flat and I actually witnessed the police cars and ambulances whizzing past as I was cycling home from work.
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/latestnews/Woman-hostage-is-39held-at.5528281.jp
This occured about 2 minutes walk from my flat and I actually witnessed the police cars and ambulances whizzing past as I was cycling home from work.
Work
Back to work on Wednesday and I was delighted to learn that Stomper is leaving on the 28th August. I have been asked for a contribution for her leaving present and I will gladly oblige!
Roll on her last day.
I wonder what excuse that I can dream up to avoid her leaving party...
Roll on her last day.
I wonder what excuse that I can dream up to avoid her leaving party...
Monday & Tuesday off
Monday was a bank holiday so I had the day off work. This was much needed after the brutal double header at the weekend.
It was a laid back affair - G8C came round to shoot the breeze and we just sat and watched the cricket, ate Dominos and slept.
It was good to catch up with him as he is about to head off to Kuala Lumpur for a new job. Good luck and hopefully I'll head out to visit soon!
Tuesday I went to the gym for 'Kite Club' and tidied my flat. In the evening I had rugby training and in the warm up more and more stories were coming out about the weekend nights out.
On Friday night in the Fantasy Palace, I apparently told one of the strippers that she was 'shite' whilst receiving a lesbian show with one of my friends. The poor girl then just concentrated all her efforts on her colleague and my friend muttering how rude I was.
On contemplation, I don't think that I would be best pleased if someone came up to me in my place of work and told me how inadequate I was at my job.
The rugby training was then more of the same dated and boring nonsense that we had come to expect from our larger than life Head Coach. Anticipation was high after a good and varied pre-season but now that he is back in the frame, the players are getting irked again.
It was a laid back affair - G8C came round to shoot the breeze and we just sat and watched the cricket, ate Dominos and slept.
It was good to catch up with him as he is about to head off to Kuala Lumpur for a new job. Good luck and hopefully I'll head out to visit soon!
Tuesday I went to the gym for 'Kite Club' and tidied my flat. In the evening I had rugby training and in the warm up more and more stories were coming out about the weekend nights out.
On Friday night in the Fantasy Palace, I apparently told one of the strippers that she was 'shite' whilst receiving a lesbian show with one of my friends. The poor girl then just concentrated all her efforts on her colleague and my friend muttering how rude I was.
On contemplation, I don't think that I would be best pleased if someone came up to me in my place of work and told me how inadequate I was at my job.
The rugby training was then more of the same dated and boring nonsense that we had come to expect from our larger than life Head Coach. Anticipation was high after a good and varied pre-season but now that he is back in the frame, the players are getting irked again.
The Gimp's Birthday
I picked the girlfriend up and we started walking to Cargo before an entrepreneurial rickshaw cyclist touted us for a ride so we hopped in as he was heading in the same direction.
Once I had cut a swathe through the inevitable small talk, I started on the double Havana Club and ginger beer. My new favourite alcoholic drink.
Cargo was pretty lively with around 20 of us there for the Gimp's birthday. This number was augmented by a clutch of hen nights and the rest of the mob from the rugby club bbq.
It was pretty enjoyable as the music in Cargo was good and everyone seemed hellbent on having a good time.
After Cargo closed there was a bit of a decision to be made about where to head next. The Cavendish, Fingers, home and The Opal Lounge were the main contenders. I went to Grand Cru.
I must just have missed this - http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2568371/Derek-Riordan-arrested-for-a-breach-of-the-peace.html
Dirty little ned.
I didn't miss one of the rugby lads walk straight over the Mercedes belonging to the Head Chef at Bar Napoli however.
I scarpered home after that.
Once I had cut a swathe through the inevitable small talk, I started on the double Havana Club and ginger beer. My new favourite alcoholic drink.
Cargo was pretty lively with around 20 of us there for the Gimp's birthday. This number was augmented by a clutch of hen nights and the rest of the mob from the rugby club bbq.
It was pretty enjoyable as the music in Cargo was good and everyone seemed hellbent on having a good time.
After Cargo closed there was a bit of a decision to be made about where to head next. The Cavendish, Fingers, home and The Opal Lounge were the main contenders. I went to Grand Cru.
I must just have missed this - http://www.thesun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/news/2568371/Derek-Riordan-arrested-for-a-breach-of-the-peace.html
Dirty little ned.
I didn't miss one of the rugby lads walk straight over the Mercedes belonging to the Head Chef at Bar Napoli however.
I scarpered home after that.
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Club BBQ 2
A few more beers were drunk and a few more burgers were eaten and it turned into a very pleasant afternoon.
As is tradition at rugby clubs, the new players were then initiated. New players had to stand on a chair, introduce themselves to us (shagging stories, STD's contracted, nicknames etc). Drinks were lined up on both trylines and the newbies had to down drinks, run to the far tryline and down drinks then run back and down more drinks.
The final drink to down was Buckfast and one poor chap spewed the chunky contents of his stomach all over the in-goal area. The chunky vomit was swiftly set upon by a very hungry seagull. It was probably the best feed it had had in years.
The unfortunate losers of the race then had to chug more peeve.
As I fell out with the Head Coach last season and left the club, I was admonished / welcomed back with a bottle of Buckfast - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckfast_Tonic_Wine . It was the first time I had ever tasted Buckfast and I can safely say it will be the last.
I only managed half the bottle before every smell of the foul substance resulted in an outbreak of dry heaving.
I then cycled back to my flat to get changed for the Gimp's birthday party.
As is tradition at rugby clubs, the new players were then initiated. New players had to stand on a chair, introduce themselves to us (shagging stories, STD's contracted, nicknames etc). Drinks were lined up on both trylines and the newbies had to down drinks, run to the far tryline and down drinks then run back and down more drinks.
The final drink to down was Buckfast and one poor chap spewed the chunky contents of his stomach all over the in-goal area. The chunky vomit was swiftly set upon by a very hungry seagull. It was probably the best feed it had had in years.
The unfortunate losers of the race then had to chug more peeve.
As I fell out with the Head Coach last season and left the club, I was admonished / welcomed back with a bottle of Buckfast - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buckfast_Tonic_Wine . It was the first time I had ever tasted Buckfast and I can safely say it will be the last.
I only managed half the bottle before every smell of the foul substance resulted in an outbreak of dry heaving.
I then cycled back to my flat to get changed for the Gimp's birthday party.
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Club BBQ
Because I was so rough I missed training at the rugby club. I headed down to the club at around 4pm as there was a BBQ on.
It was fortunate that I had missed training as it was all team games where the winners / losers / scorers had to drink cider at the coach's discretion.
Lying on the grass in the sun, supping an ice cold can of Tennents and eating a freshly prepared burger, I was beginning to feel a bit better.
As G8C lives close to the rugby club I gave him a call but he was as rough as hell, tucked up with a chippy and not going anywhere. He said that after Fantasy Palace, they all went to Lulu and it degenerated significantly with Daddi to the fore.
It was fortunate that I had missed training as it was all team games where the winners / losers / scorers had to drink cider at the coach's discretion.
Lying on the grass in the sun, supping an ice cold can of Tennents and eating a freshly prepared burger, I was beginning to feel a bit better.
As G8C lives close to the rugby club I gave him a call but he was as rough as hell, tucked up with a chippy and not going anywhere. He said that after Fantasy Palace, they all went to Lulu and it degenerated significantly with Daddi to the fore.
Friday Night
My memories of last Friday night are a little hazy.
I cycled home, showered, got the glad rags on, bought a bottle of gin and headed round to the V's.
It was good to see G8C, V, Tel, Aldo et al and the drinks were flowing freely. Tel and I polished off the gin before we left to go bowling at 8.15pm. Aldo and I bought some beek and smoked one each as we strode purposefully towards the entertainment mecca that is Megabowl.
It was my first beek for a while so I got a fairly spinny heed.
This helped as I dealt with the vicious she-ned who was manning the shoe exchange.
There were 8 of us in total so we split into 4 teams of 2 and the names that went on the scoreboard were;
Sir Boaby Robson
Michael Jackson
Stephen Hawking
Lady Di
The bowling was pretty amusing; balls sailing over three different lanes to the left and right, balls bouncing once then smashing into the pins and the rack, etc etc. Towards the end, the Polish bouncers were keeping a very close eye on our reckless behaviour.
My personal highlight was getting a strike with a backwards, through the legs POWER bowl.
All the while we were merrily chinning bottles of lager and foul shots and I was pretty drunk when we headed to the Cargo Bar.
The gin had taken it's toll on my memory at this point and I can't remember anything about Cargo Bar.
Next stop was the Fantasy Palace. Again, limited memory of what happened in here but I vaguely remember getting some drinks and then going for a lapdance with one of the other lads. Vague recollections of chatting to Daddi at the bar and I then remember chatting to someone outside for ages before stumbling home via the takeaway for chicken pakora and chips.
My girlfriend's account of the later part of the evening;
"You phoned me on your way home asking if I wanted any food from the takeaway. I said no but then when you got back you asked me if I wanted any of your chicken pakora and chips. Again, my reply was no. After eating some of the food, you got into bed and fell asleep before I heard the sound of dry retching. I woke you up and sent you to the toilet where you covered the floor, bin, sink and toilet with red vomit. After you returned to bed, I cleaned most of the sick off the floor but there was more when I got up in the morning!"
Sorry about that.
I woke up reasonably early on the Saturday morning but I was in a bad, bad place.
I cycled home, showered, got the glad rags on, bought a bottle of gin and headed round to the V's.
It was good to see G8C, V, Tel, Aldo et al and the drinks were flowing freely. Tel and I polished off the gin before we left to go bowling at 8.15pm. Aldo and I bought some beek and smoked one each as we strode purposefully towards the entertainment mecca that is Megabowl.
It was my first beek for a while so I got a fairly spinny heed.
This helped as I dealt with the vicious she-ned who was manning the shoe exchange.
There were 8 of us in total so we split into 4 teams of 2 and the names that went on the scoreboard were;
Sir Boaby Robson
Michael Jackson
Stephen Hawking
Lady Di
The bowling was pretty amusing; balls sailing over three different lanes to the left and right, balls bouncing once then smashing into the pins and the rack, etc etc. Towards the end, the Polish bouncers were keeping a very close eye on our reckless behaviour.
My personal highlight was getting a strike with a backwards, through the legs POWER bowl.
All the while we were merrily chinning bottles of lager and foul shots and I was pretty drunk when we headed to the Cargo Bar.
The gin had taken it's toll on my memory at this point and I can't remember anything about Cargo Bar.
Next stop was the Fantasy Palace. Again, limited memory of what happened in here but I vaguely remember getting some drinks and then going for a lapdance with one of the other lads. Vague recollections of chatting to Daddi at the bar and I then remember chatting to someone outside for ages before stumbling home via the takeaway for chicken pakora and chips.
My girlfriend's account of the later part of the evening;
"You phoned me on your way home asking if I wanted any food from the takeaway. I said no but then when you got back you asked me if I wanted any of your chicken pakora and chips. Again, my reply was no. After eating some of the food, you got into bed and fell asleep before I heard the sound of dry retching. I woke you up and sent you to the toilet where you covered the floor, bin, sink and toilet with red vomit. After you returned to bed, I cleaned most of the sick off the floor but there was more when I got up in the morning!"
Sorry about that.
I woke up reasonably early on the Saturday morning but I was in a bad, bad place.
Friday, 31 July 2009
G8C 30
I have a 30th birthday party tonight that is going to involve a lot of drinking, some ten pin bowling, a pub crawl, a tour of Edinburgh's lap-dancing establishments and probably a nightclub or two.
Some of the attendees are 'larger than life' characters to put it mildly so I am slightly nervous but nevertheless extremely excited about the evening ahead.
I haven't been out on the piss much over the last three months so it's probably best that I start things off relatively slowly tonight.
With that in mind I will be taking a bottle of gin, mixers, ice and limes round to the rendezvous in order to get the paaaaarty started.
We have lanes booked at the local Megabowl and then who knows what will happen after that.
Tomorrow the rugby club are having a BBQ so it will be a case of 'hair of the dog' and then I have another birthday party in the evening. I'm hoping that this party will be slightly more reserved than what is going to happen tonight.
Either way, I have Monday off work so that should be sufficient time to recover.
There will be plenty to report on Tuesday. Enjoy your weekend.
Some of the attendees are 'larger than life' characters to put it mildly so I am slightly nervous but nevertheless extremely excited about the evening ahead.
I haven't been out on the piss much over the last three months so it's probably best that I start things off relatively slowly tonight.
With that in mind I will be taking a bottle of gin, mixers, ice and limes round to the rendezvous in order to get the paaaaarty started.
We have lanes booked at the local Megabowl and then who knows what will happen after that.
Tomorrow the rugby club are having a BBQ so it will be a case of 'hair of the dog' and then I have another birthday party in the evening. I'm hoping that this party will be slightly more reserved than what is going to happen tonight.
Either way, I have Monday off work so that should be sufficient time to recover.
There will be plenty to report on Tuesday. Enjoy your weekend.
Thursday, 30 July 2009
The White Blizzard
I cycled along to Stockbridge today in my lunch break and it was pure pleasure.
I am still using my old bike, the DiamondBack Topanga, aka 'The White Blizzard' as the insurance payout for my stolen Marin has not come through yet.
I was dreading going back to 'the White Blizzard' but in all honesty, she has got better with age.
At lunchtime today, the sun was shining and the roads were quiet.
The birds tweeting and the gentle whirr of my wheels were the sounds I could hear as I sped along Henderson Row.
I had almost entered a trance-like state.
Unfortunately this was soon shattered as I slipped the key into the door of the office once again.
I am still using my old bike, the DiamondBack Topanga, aka 'The White Blizzard' as the insurance payout for my stolen Marin has not come through yet.
I was dreading going back to 'the White Blizzard' but in all honesty, she has got better with age.
At lunchtime today, the sun was shining and the roads were quiet.
The birds tweeting and the gentle whirr of my wheels were the sounds I could hear as I sped along Henderson Row.
I had almost entered a trance-like state.
Unfortunately this was soon shattered as I slipped the key into the door of the office once again.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Sycophant
My last post used the word 'sycophant' and I am going to give it 'word of the week' status. Here is the definition - http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sycophant
It still doesn't quite describe how I feel about some people however.
It still doesn't quite describe how I feel about some people however.
Rugby
I was dreading rugby training last night as I had heard on the grapevine that we were going to be doing the 'coffin'.
This involves sprinting and jogging over 4km around a rugby pitch. It operates on a pyramid system so the hardest part is doing 2 x 80 metre sprints, 4 x 100 metre sprints and then 2 x 80 metre sprints.
I was dreading it as I found it pretty hard going when we did it a few weeks ago but last night it was much easier. I reckon I shaved off around three minutes from my previous time.
After that we played touch rugby and it looked like the Head Coach was up to his old tricks by not including me with the so-called 'Senior Squad'. They played on the lower half of the pitch while I was left with the misfits on the upper half.
The Head Coach doesn't realise that if this discrimination continues to occur then some of his sycophantic brown-nosers are going to get seriously injured when I resort to such tactics as to get my rightful place back in the 1st team.
Full contact starts next week so let the fun and games begin!
This involves sprinting and jogging over 4km around a rugby pitch. It operates on a pyramid system so the hardest part is doing 2 x 80 metre sprints, 4 x 100 metre sprints and then 2 x 80 metre sprints.
I was dreading it as I found it pretty hard going when we did it a few weeks ago but last night it was much easier. I reckon I shaved off around three minutes from my previous time.
After that we played touch rugby and it looked like the Head Coach was up to his old tricks by not including me with the so-called 'Senior Squad'. They played on the lower half of the pitch while I was left with the misfits on the upper half.
The Head Coach doesn't realise that if this discrimination continues to occur then some of his sycophantic brown-nosers are going to get seriously injured when I resort to such tactics as to get my rightful place back in the 1st team.
Full contact starts next week so let the fun and games begin!
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Spiegle Tent
There is to be no Spiegle Tent at the Edinburgh Festival this year due to it being refurbished. This is disappointing as I have been known to dominate said Tent during the month of August.
However, all is not lost as the Spiegle Tent will be replaced by this -
http://www.underbelly.co.uk/webpages/edinburgh/edinburghvenuedetail.php?venuename=underbelly'shullabaloo&id=3
See you there!
However, all is not lost as the Spiegle Tent will be replaced by this -
http://www.underbelly.co.uk/webpages/edinburgh/edinburghvenuedetail.php?venuename=underbelly'shullabaloo&id=3
See you there!
Weekend 2
Sunday was a very enjoyable day. A sleep in and then off to the Gathering 2009 - http://www.clangathering.org/
We got the bus to the Royal Mile and then walked down to Holyrood Park and entered the arena. Firstly, I watched fell runners complete the Nairn's Fell Run - a 7km run up and around Arthur's Seat - all finishers received a years supply of oatcakes from Nairn's!
From there I went to the Talisker Whisky Tasting tent. This was good. I was intoxicated from the whisky fumes before I even had a chance to sample any of the drams on offer.
I tried three different Taliskers - 10 year old, Distillers Edition and the 57 degrees - www.taliskerwhisky.com - they were all particularly good. If I were to choose my favourite then it would certainly have been the Distillers Edition.
I left the Talisker tent feeling slightly pished and we then had a look round the rest of the Gathering. Some venison biltong from the food zone sobered me up a bit!
We watched some of the Highland Dancing and then the Caber Tossing from the World Championship Highland Games. I thought that Sinky might have been competing but I didn't see him.
I was disappointed to see that some chump called Neighbour from Australia won the Highland Games! I wonder if he lived in Ramsey Street...
After the Gathering had ended, we headed back up the Royal Mile, stopping at Canongate Kirk - http://www.canongatekirk.org.uk/ - and for some fudge at one of the fudge kitchens.
It was the first time that I had walked up the Royal Mile for a long time. It would make some pub crawl! Starting at Jenny Ha's and having a pint in every pub until the Ensign Ewart - 20 + pubs maybe?
We then walked down Victoria Street and had a couple of steaks, al fresco, at Petit Paris - http://www.petitparis-restaurant.co.uk/ - in the Grassmarket. The unbearable American tourists sitting next to us almost ruined it but the food was good so big deal.
From there we walked to Cineworld at FountainPark and watched Bruno, easily one of the most offensive films ever made.
Here's a taster if you haven't seen it (Bruno to a mother auditioning her baby for fashion shoots);
Brüno: We have chosen your baby to be dressed as a Nazi Officer, pushing a wheelbarrow, with a Jewish baby, into an oven!
Wow.
We got the bus to the Royal Mile and then walked down to Holyrood Park and entered the arena. Firstly, I watched fell runners complete the Nairn's Fell Run - a 7km run up and around Arthur's Seat - all finishers received a years supply of oatcakes from Nairn's!
From there I went to the Talisker Whisky Tasting tent. This was good. I was intoxicated from the whisky fumes before I even had a chance to sample any of the drams on offer.
I tried three different Taliskers - 10 year old, Distillers Edition and the 57 degrees - www.taliskerwhisky.com - they were all particularly good. If I were to choose my favourite then it would certainly have been the Distillers Edition.
I left the Talisker tent feeling slightly pished and we then had a look round the rest of the Gathering. Some venison biltong from the food zone sobered me up a bit!
We watched some of the Highland Dancing and then the Caber Tossing from the World Championship Highland Games. I thought that Sinky might have been competing but I didn't see him.
I was disappointed to see that some chump called Neighbour from Australia won the Highland Games! I wonder if he lived in Ramsey Street...
After the Gathering had ended, we headed back up the Royal Mile, stopping at Canongate Kirk - http://www.canongatekirk.org.uk/ - and for some fudge at one of the fudge kitchens.
It was the first time that I had walked up the Royal Mile for a long time. It would make some pub crawl! Starting at Jenny Ha's and having a pint in every pub until the Ensign Ewart - 20 + pubs maybe?
We then walked down Victoria Street and had a couple of steaks, al fresco, at Petit Paris - http://www.petitparis-restaurant.co.uk/ - in the Grassmarket. The unbearable American tourists sitting next to us almost ruined it but the food was good so big deal.
From there we walked to Cineworld at FountainPark and watched Bruno, easily one of the most offensive films ever made.
Here's a taster if you haven't seen it (Bruno to a mother auditioning her baby for fashion shoots);
Brüno: We have chosen your baby to be dressed as a Nazi Officer, pushing a wheelbarrow, with a Jewish baby, into an oven!
Wow.
Monday, 27 July 2009
Weekend Part 1
Friday night gym was a bit of a washout. I couldn't do my regular legs session due to the gaggle of fists hogging the squat rack. One pair were using the rack to do bench press; to do so they actually had to climb into the rack between sets so that they could spot their partner.
I enquired as to when they would be finished at the circus and was told that a pathetic pair of cretins had already reserved the rack so I would have to wait even longer.
Infuriated, I consoled myself by doing chest and triceps.
Then it was off to the cinema to watch the Proposal. I went in fearing the worst: a soppy, boring romcom that I would have to endure for the best part of two hours. However I actually really enjoyed it and it's definitely worth seeing.
On Saturday morning I had rugby training again and it was different to what we had done previously, but again, really enjoyable. It involved lifting, wrestling, hitting rucking shields, sprinting and sit ups.
After that my partner and I drove to Falkland Palace in Fife for the Big Tent festival - http://www.bigtentfestival.co.uk/ . My partner had some work to do at this festival and as I had missed out on T in the Park this year, I thought that I would head along too.
Needless to say, it was nothing like T in the Park. The Big Tent is supposed to be an eco-festival so I felt pretty aggrieved to see just about everyone hacking trees up whilst listening to recordings of the sounds of whales mating and making furniture / bird boxes / other odd implements.
Trees are our friends aren't they?
I stuck out like a sore thumb - walking around in jeans, trainers and a bright pink Gant polo shirt, sipping a can of Diet Coke. Everyone else seemed to be wearing hemp sarongs, jesus sandals, eating vegan snacks and drinking fruit wine fermented through crusty dreadlocks.
The weather was good though and I learnt how to grow mushrooms and I tried some Black Isle Brewery Beer - http://www.blackislebrewery.com/ - AND it was nice to get out of Edinburgh so I can't complain.
On the way back to the car we stopped and watched a local cricket match. Basking in the sun was very relaxing after a week of work and training.
We drove back to Edinburgh and went round to BG's for dinner which was great as I was exhausted! I couldn't have been bothered to cook and tidy up etc. It was a good feed and I just spent the rest of the evening sprawled on the sofa only speaking when spoken to.
I enquired as to when they would be finished at the circus and was told that a pathetic pair of cretins had already reserved the rack so I would have to wait even longer.
Infuriated, I consoled myself by doing chest and triceps.
Then it was off to the cinema to watch the Proposal. I went in fearing the worst: a soppy, boring romcom that I would have to endure for the best part of two hours. However I actually really enjoyed it and it's definitely worth seeing.
On Saturday morning I had rugby training again and it was different to what we had done previously, but again, really enjoyable. It involved lifting, wrestling, hitting rucking shields, sprinting and sit ups.
After that my partner and I drove to Falkland Palace in Fife for the Big Tent festival - http://www.bigtentfestival.co.uk/ . My partner had some work to do at this festival and as I had missed out on T in the Park this year, I thought that I would head along too.
Needless to say, it was nothing like T in the Park. The Big Tent is supposed to be an eco-festival so I felt pretty aggrieved to see just about everyone hacking trees up whilst listening to recordings of the sounds of whales mating and making furniture / bird boxes / other odd implements.
Trees are our friends aren't they?
I stuck out like a sore thumb - walking around in jeans, trainers and a bright pink Gant polo shirt, sipping a can of Diet Coke. Everyone else seemed to be wearing hemp sarongs, jesus sandals, eating vegan snacks and drinking fruit wine fermented through crusty dreadlocks.
The weather was good though and I learnt how to grow mushrooms and I tried some Black Isle Brewery Beer - http://www.blackislebrewery.com/ - AND it was nice to get out of Edinburgh so I can't complain.
On the way back to the car we stopped and watched a local cricket match. Basking in the sun was very relaxing after a week of work and training.
We drove back to Edinburgh and went round to BG's for dinner which was great as I was exhausted! I couldn't have been bothered to cook and tidy up etc. It was a good feed and I just spent the rest of the evening sprawled on the sofa only speaking when spoken to.
Friday, 24 July 2009
Friday
It's Friday lunchtime. Motivation to work is low and anticipation for the weekend is high.
I had an interesting lunch to get me through. The office manager fancied some scran from Cafe Latte - http://www.caffe-latte.co.uk/ - so I slipped him a fiver and asked him to get me some too.
He returned with a toasted ciabatta filled with meatballs, jalapenos and mozzarella and a piece of white chocolate caramel shortcake for me.
Both items were very, very tasty and I am now washing them down with a coffee and tapping this out.
I thought that I would mention a top secret project that I am conducting in my work place. I am currently collecting the necessary data and a report will be published on this blog soon.
What are you all doing this weekend?
I had an interesting lunch to get me through. The office manager fancied some scran from Cafe Latte - http://www.caffe-latte.co.uk/ - so I slipped him a fiver and asked him to get me some too.
He returned with a toasted ciabatta filled with meatballs, jalapenos and mozzarella and a piece of white chocolate caramel shortcake for me.
Both items were very, very tasty and I am now washing them down with a coffee and tapping this out.
I thought that I would mention a top secret project that I am conducting in my work place. I am currently collecting the necessary data and a report will be published on this blog soon.
What are you all doing this weekend?
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Nike Chalkbot / Wear Yellow
Too cool - send your message of support to Lance via http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/livestrong/en_US/ and the Nike Chalkbot will write it on the road along the Tour de France route so that Lance can read it in the race.
I recently signed up on Twitter and my mate suggested that I follow Lance Armstrong. I am now addicted to following his updates about the Tour de France, Livestrong and his bikes. Please see the following links -
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/stages/hirst/ - a few nice pushbikes
http://www.livestrong.org/ - livestrong
http://www.store-laf.org/ - i'm going to get a t-shirt
http://www.stages09.com/stages/ - art inspired by Lance and Livestrong
I'm delighted that my mate told me about Lance on Twitter and I found the above.
Cheers C!
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/stages/hirst/ - a few nice pushbikes
http://www.livestrong.org/ - livestrong
http://www.store-laf.org/ - i'm going to get a t-shirt
http://www.stages09.com/stages/ - art inspired by Lance and Livestrong
I'm delighted that my mate told me about Lance on Twitter and I found the above.
Cheers C!
Fire Funeral
An excellent turnout for Ewan Williamson and some emotional comments - http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/scotland/City--comes-to-a.5485856.jp
Nandos
After the gym I had a double protein shot Strawberry shake made with ice and skimmed milk. The Strawberry protein at VirginActive in Fountain Park is the best that I have ever tasted.
I then met the burd who had come straight from work and we went to Nandos - http://www.nandos.co.uk/index.cfm - for supper.
I like Nandos because I like chicken, chicken livers and hot and spicy food. We shared hot and spicy nuts, olives, garlic bread, hot peri-peri chicken livers, an extra hot peri-peri chicken couscous salad and an extra hot peri-peri half chicken.
At the end of the day, and after the gym, that lot went down like a homesick mole.
I then met the burd who had come straight from work and we went to Nandos - http://www.nandos.co.uk/index.cfm - for supper.
I like Nandos because I like chicken, chicken livers and hot and spicy food. We shared hot and spicy nuts, olives, garlic bread, hot peri-peri chicken livers, an extra hot peri-peri chicken couscous salad and an extra hot peri-peri half chicken.
At the end of the day, and after the gym, that lot went down like a homesick mole.
Kite Club
Last night at the gym was 'Kite Club'. I am currently the only member of Kite Club but anyone is free to join.
There are three rules of Kite Club;
1 - You must have a kite.
2 - You must want to get rid of it.
3 - If someone says stop, goes limp, taps out, the fight is over.
For anyone that doesn't know, 'kite' is slang for your stomach or belly. Please see http://www.indigogroup.co.uk/durhamdialect/geordie2003.htm and press CTRL+F and enter kite.
You have a kite unless you have a visibly rippling set of abdominal muscles thus - http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pcimagenetwork.com/muscle/p11.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pcimagenetwork.com/muscle/p11.html&usg=__GB302wy2PxQ1W2sTVh8emHU4eHo=&h=543&w=360&sz=43&hl=en&start=18&um=1&tbnid=UFLWVEN6SQONfM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=88&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dabdominal%2Bmuscles%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
There are a few kites on show here - http://www.ogband.org/Crop/2002/BeerBelly1.jpg
Small kites can look quite sexy on females - no pics I'm afraid - use your imagination...
Kite Club last night consisted of repetitive sets of;
Swiss Ball Caterpillars
Powerplate Plank
Kneeling Balance on Swiss Ball
Russian Twists with 5kg medicine ball
Sit ups with 5kg medicine ball
After that I felt like I had given myself a double hernia but my kite feels ok now.
I think that I am going to set up http://www.kite-club.com/ ...
There are three rules of Kite Club;
1 - You must have a kite.
2 - You must want to get rid of it.
3 - If someone says stop, goes limp, taps out, the fight is over.
For anyone that doesn't know, 'kite' is slang for your stomach or belly. Please see http://www.indigogroup.co.uk/durhamdialect/geordie2003.htm and press CTRL+F and enter kite.
You have a kite unless you have a visibly rippling set of abdominal muscles thus - http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.pcimagenetwork.com/muscle/p11.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.pcimagenetwork.com/muscle/p11.html&usg=__GB302wy2PxQ1W2sTVh8emHU4eHo=&h=543&w=360&sz=43&hl=en&start=18&um=1&tbnid=UFLWVEN6SQONfM:&tbnh=132&tbnw=88&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dabdominal%2Bmuscles%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
There are a few kites on show here - http://www.ogband.org/Crop/2002/BeerBelly1.jpg
Small kites can look quite sexy on females - no pics I'm afraid - use your imagination...
Kite Club last night consisted of repetitive sets of;
Swiss Ball Caterpillars
Powerplate Plank
Kneeling Balance on Swiss Ball
Russian Twists with 5kg medicine ball
Sit ups with 5kg medicine ball
After that I felt like I had given myself a double hernia but my kite feels ok now.
I think that I am going to set up http://www.kite-club.com/ ...
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Rugby
Rugby training is still going well but it isn't getting any easier!! Another marathon session of running and wrestling last night but I'm feeling fresh now after cycling to work. Some of the lads are coming out and moaning about the length of the sessions but that is pretty weak to be honest as it is always this time of the year that we need to 'get the money in the bank'.
One thing that annoys me about preseason fitness training is the amount of players who cheat or cut corners or whine and moan. They tend to be players without much mental strength or discipline and after a few sessions they stick out like sore thumbs. Would you want to go into a physical battle with players like that? Neither would I.
If anyone should be moaning then it should probably be me given how old and how heavy I am!!
A few stories concerning rugby in the sports news;
http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Harrison39s-eightmonth-ban-for-drugs.5476982.jp - There will be more to come from this as three of his team mates (named in the article) refused to take a drugs test.
http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Quins-winger-Williams-banned-for.5477119.jp - I feel sorry for this Williams chap. He was put in a position (in the biggest game of Harlequins recent history) by the management and the medical staff where he didn't have an option. They were acquitted and he was banned for 12 months. Rugby, after becoming professional, is becoming more and more like soccer and I hope that the IRB stamp it out.
One thing that annoys me about preseason fitness training is the amount of players who cheat or cut corners or whine and moan. They tend to be players without much mental strength or discipline and after a few sessions they stick out like sore thumbs. Would you want to go into a physical battle with players like that? Neither would I.
If anyone should be moaning then it should probably be me given how old and how heavy I am!!
A few stories concerning rugby in the sports news;
http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Harrison39s-eightmonth-ban-for-drugs.5476982.jp - There will be more to come from this as three of his team mates (named in the article) refused to take a drugs test.
http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby/Quins-winger-Williams-banned-for.5477119.jp - I feel sorry for this Williams chap. He was put in a position (in the biggest game of Harlequins recent history) by the management and the medical staff where he didn't have an option. They were acquitted and he was banned for 12 months. Rugby, after becoming professional, is becoming more and more like soccer and I hope that the IRB stamp it out.
Crime Magnet
I seem to be in the vicinity / passing by a lot of crime scenes recently. Fires, fatalities, thefts and now murders and suicides.
You will see from a previous post that I walked along the Water of Leith and I walked right past this - http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Gambling-debt-39drove-son-to.5481253.jp
Incidentally, today sees the funeral of the Firefighter who died in the blaze at the Balmoral Pub on Dalry Road. It is absolutely bucketing down with rain at the moment in Edinburgh but it looks like it is brightening up which is good given that his coffin is being carried from Tollcross Fire Station to St. Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile. My mate from the rugby club will be attending and I'm sure there will be a huge turnout regardless of the weather.
You will see from a previous post that I walked along the Water of Leith and I walked right past this - http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Gambling-debt-39drove-son-to.5481253.jp
Incidentally, today sees the funeral of the Firefighter who died in the blaze at the Balmoral Pub on Dalry Road. It is absolutely bucketing down with rain at the moment in Edinburgh but it looks like it is brightening up which is good given that his coffin is being carried from Tollcross Fire Station to St. Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile. My mate from the rugby club will be attending and I'm sure there will be a huge turnout regardless of the weather.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Work
My annoying colleague stomping round the office has just reached epic proportions!
Whilst stomping to the toilet, hoping for as much attention as possible, the vibrations from the stomps knocked the MD's photo of his wife on their wedding day off his desk.
Lucky that he is on holiday this week otherwise Stomper might have been in some hot water.
Whilst stomping to the toilet, hoping for as much attention as possible, the vibrations from the stomps knocked the MD's photo of his wife on their wedding day off his desk.
Lucky that he is on holiday this week otherwise Stomper might have been in some hot water.
Old Bike
I was back on my old bike (a DiamondBack Topanga mountain bike) on my cycle to work this morning.
It's too small for me and the brakes are seriously worn. The chain is rusty so it is difficult to pedal no matter what gear it is in.
Every cyclist that I go past, I can sense myself checking the bike that they are riding to see if it is my stolen Marin. I am still angry and I will continue to be until I have it back or I have a new bike.
I have set my sights on a Trek. Ideally this one - http://www.supertouchart.com/ - scan down until you see the black and yellow Trek 1274 prototype. Unreal.
It was good to be able to cycle to work again though.
It's too small for me and the brakes are seriously worn. The chain is rusty so it is difficult to pedal no matter what gear it is in.
Every cyclist that I go past, I can sense myself checking the bike that they are riding to see if it is my stolen Marin. I am still angry and I will continue to be until I have it back or I have a new bike.
I have set my sights on a Trek. Ideally this one - http://www.supertouchart.com/ - scan down until you see the black and yellow Trek 1274 prototype. Unreal.
It was good to be able to cycle to work again though.
Water of Leith
I walked along the Water of Leith walkway - http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/ - last night after work as I wanted to go and get my old DiamondBack Topanga - from my parent's garage, due to the Marin Novato - http://www.brianrourke.co.uk/images/Novato.jpg - getting stolen last week.
I stuck the Trainspotting soundtrack - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trainspotting_(soundtrack) - on the Ipod and trotted along from Stockbridge to Roseburn.
It's a pleasant walk and often it seems like you are miles from any major city.
There was plenty for the senses to experience;
Sights;
Wildlife (Two wood pigeons, a heron, assorted dogs, a squirrel, swarms of insects, approximately six pairs of Bouncing Tits and plenty of other unidentified birds).
A homosexual ned couple, sitting on a bench, chinning a two litre bottle of Frosty Jacks Cider - http://www.frostyjacks.co.uk/ - and snogging.
A tramp sitting on a bench supping a bottle of White Lightning Cider - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Lightning_(cider) - and smoking a cigarette.
A young couple performing some odd dance/fight - then I realised the girl had a wasp in her hair.
A father teaching his daughter to walk. On a bridge across the river.
A Polish couple chatting and smoking weed.
Various people jogging, cycling, walking etc.
Smells;
The odd Brewery-like smell that you always experience on sections of the Water of Leith.
Wild Garlic.
Weed being smoked.
Dog shit.
Sounds;
The Trainspotting Soundtrack
Tastes;
Nothing.
Feel;
The sun on my face and the breeze in my hair.
Mud under my feet.
It took around 40 minutes to get to my destination.
I stuck the Trainspotting soundtrack - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trainspotting_(soundtrack) - on the Ipod and trotted along from Stockbridge to Roseburn.
It's a pleasant walk and often it seems like you are miles from any major city.
There was plenty for the senses to experience;
Sights;
Wildlife (Two wood pigeons, a heron, assorted dogs, a squirrel, swarms of insects, approximately six pairs of Bouncing Tits and plenty of other unidentified birds).
A homosexual ned couple, sitting on a bench, chinning a two litre bottle of Frosty Jacks Cider - http://www.frostyjacks.co.uk/ - and snogging.
A tramp sitting on a bench supping a bottle of White Lightning Cider - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Lightning_(cider) - and smoking a cigarette.
A young couple performing some odd dance/fight - then I realised the girl had a wasp in her hair.
A father teaching his daughter to walk. On a bridge across the river.
A Polish couple chatting and smoking weed.
Various people jogging, cycling, walking etc.
Smells;
The odd Brewery-like smell that you always experience on sections of the Water of Leith.
Wild Garlic.
Weed being smoked.
Dog shit.
Sounds;
The Trainspotting Soundtrack
Tastes;
Nothing.
Feel;
The sun on my face and the breeze in my hair.
Mud under my feet.
It took around 40 minutes to get to my destination.
Monday, 20 July 2009
Freddie Flintoff
Well Freddie has done the business in the second Ashes test at Lords. His first five wicket haul at Lords helped secure an English victory to give them a 1-0 lead in the series with three tests to play.
Nihilism
Nihilism - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nihilism - is my word du jour.
I have noticed that my, and some of my friends, approach to work and life is bordering on the nihilistic.
I have certainly shown nihilistic tendencies in my life and I find it a fascinating psychological topic.
Why do I do it to myself?
I have noticed that my, and some of my friends, approach to work and life is bordering on the nihilistic.
I have certainly shown nihilistic tendencies in my life and I find it a fascinating psychological topic.
Why do I do it to myself?
Weekend
The weekend began with getting a taxi home from work. I then went to the gym and did some weight training. I have been going on a Friday night after work for the last six weeks and I have found myself getting into a nice little routine. If you train hard then you can lose the stresses of work before entering the important part of the week, the weekend.
I have been focusing on developing my power at the gym on a Friday night. My sessions for the last six weeks have comprised (6 sets including warm ups of 5 reps);
Front Squats
Jump Squats
Clean Pulls from the floor
Clean Grip Shrugs
Hang Cleans
My legs are always like jelly after this session so I often finish with some stretching on the PowerPlate - http://www.powerplate.com/ - some abs / core and some relaxation in the spa / pool area.
The rest of Friday evening was spent watching shite on the TV.
On Saturday morning I watched a bit of the opening Tri-nations rugby game between New Zealand and Australia and then went to preseason training where I learned that New Zealand had won.
After training I wandered along to Costa Coffee in Stockbridge where I was meeting my partner who had been cracking the whip on her underlings at Treefest in Inverleith Park. On entering Costa I met a bloke who I used to play rugby with. He was there with his wife and their two sons, one of which who had been named after me. It was a nice experience meeting someone who had been named after me and I was really chuffed when I learned that he was a little rascal!
The rest of the weekend was a bit of a non-event. Chores round the house, watching the Ashes cricket (well done England, fuck off Australia) and The Open golf (Hard luck Tom!), watching the latest Harry Potter (rubbish), having breakfast outside at Indigo Yard - http://www.indigoyardedinburgh.co.uk/ - and supping frappucinos from Starbucks.
Disturbingly, there has been another major fire in the neighbourhood - http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/scotland/Firefighters-hurt-in-blaze-yards.5474681.jp - and I hope that there isn't an arsonist on the loose.
Now I am back at work on Monday writing this in my lunch break. Roll on next Friday.
I have been focusing on developing my power at the gym on a Friday night. My sessions for the last six weeks have comprised (6 sets including warm ups of 5 reps);
Front Squats
Jump Squats
Clean Pulls from the floor
Clean Grip Shrugs
Hang Cleans
My legs are always like jelly after this session so I often finish with some stretching on the PowerPlate - http://www.powerplate.com/ - some abs / core and some relaxation in the spa / pool area.
The rest of Friday evening was spent watching shite on the TV.
On Saturday morning I watched a bit of the opening Tri-nations rugby game between New Zealand and Australia and then went to preseason training where I learned that New Zealand had won.
After training I wandered along to Costa Coffee in Stockbridge where I was meeting my partner who had been cracking the whip on her underlings at Treefest in Inverleith Park. On entering Costa I met a bloke who I used to play rugby with. He was there with his wife and their two sons, one of which who had been named after me. It was a nice experience meeting someone who had been named after me and I was really chuffed when I learned that he was a little rascal!
The rest of the weekend was a bit of a non-event. Chores round the house, watching the Ashes cricket (well done England, fuck off Australia) and The Open golf (Hard luck Tom!), watching the latest Harry Potter (rubbish), having breakfast outside at Indigo Yard - http://www.indigoyardedinburgh.co.uk/ - and supping frappucinos from Starbucks.
Disturbingly, there has been another major fire in the neighbourhood - http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/scotland/Firefighters-hurt-in-blaze-yards.5474681.jp - and I hope that there isn't an arsonist on the loose.
Now I am back at work on Monday writing this in my lunch break. Roll on next Friday.
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