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.