tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-249699512012-02-16T16:31:50.526+09:00Inconsequential comments relating to DEH FC in the Hiroshima City Sunday League, Golf, the occasional mahjong report & other ramblings...Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.comBlogger571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-18494366348587801072009-11-29T01:32:00.002+09:002009-11-29T01:50:38.459+09:00

Just finished an article from The Times. A "What If..." predicted scenario which involves a minority Tory government falling under a no confidence motion, but through political manoeuvring, the monarch suspends Parliament for a short period. What shocked me the most, was not that this possibility is legal under the current 'constitution', but that people leave comments supporting the suspension

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-45093528386726924792008-09-25T23:05:00.005+09:002008-09-25T23:07:27.180+09:00

Fifa and Uefa both seem to operate under a code that shows no actual attachment to reality. This is nothing new, sporting bodies are nearly always reactive, hardly ever being brave enough to take the lead by instigating reforms in advance of obvious problems. Today Fifa took the low road once more by fining the Croatian FA a meager $28,000 for racist behaviour by their fans towards black English

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-12789967593836482202008-09-07T14:26:00.006+09:002008-09-07T14:54:55.207+09:00

One of the pleasures of any return to England is the opportunity to play some golf, on an eclectic choice of courses, with a mate and crucially, whilst not spending a small fortune for the privilege. The contrast between how golf is played in Japan to England is at its widest when emptying the wallet in the clubhouse before the round. In Japan, it can be an ideal way to lighten to the load in

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-24213412350219445762008-09-05T09:27:00.006+09:002008-09-05T09:59:34.652+09:00

As an exiled (to be fair it is my own choice) Englishman, one has at times bristled and become sensitive about despairing remarks concerning the mother country's summer climate. Often, one has been forced to listen to crude terminology dismissing the English climate (food, sports teams, female attractiveness...) as something to be avoided like a lonely Yorkshire Moor pub on a moonlit night. These

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-62897567842068607372008-09-05T09:13:00.004+09:002008-09-05T09:27:23.472+09:00

The Result: 2-2The Pitch: A dust ballThe Heat: Very uncomfortableThe O.M: He played about 15 minutes.The 2nd O.M: He scored the first equaliser.The Match: Enjoyable, end to end with plenty of chances.The Final Analysis: A draw was a fair an just reflection of the action.The Medical Report: Surprisingly the old body held up rather well, with few next day aches.The Post Match Meal: Excellent,

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-43477728186764704012008-07-20T13:47:00.011+09:002008-07-20T14:19:37.411+09:00

For the first time this season, DEH FC will be playing a night game, which considering the brutality of the summer heat and humidity that has embraced this part of Japan in the last few weeks seems to be a blessing from the schedulers. So as the legs continue to get older , the limbs heavier and the team-mates younger, thoughts do progress to the day when I will be unable to do this, for this

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-74120501112738351402008-06-27T18:48:00.002+09:002008-06-27T18:51:16.860+09:00

In the horror and destruction that has engulfed Zimbabwe and its people over the last few years the condemnation of that country’s leadership has been loud and clear, at least amongst the Western democracies. Political and economic sanctions have been imposed, perhaps justifiably, as its citizens are subjected to a continued onslaught of brutality.As the reports cascade out of Zimbabwe reporting

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-21430415792785498302008-06-25T19:34:00.005+09:002008-12-11T12:05:27.658+09:00

In five seasons of playing for DEH FC never have we started the season as well as this year, played 2 won 2, scored 3 conceded 1, 6pts from 6. Remarkably we are currently only 1pt shy of our total for last season and have already outscored the previous season (our “relegation” one) by 4pts. Things are looking on the up!Our 2nd game was played at the same venue as our 1st, out in the wilds of

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-45298702023153495112008-06-23T17:42:00.000+09:002008-06-23T17:43:17.973+09:00

To revel in someone else’s misfortune does not seem a rather gentlemanly occupation to partake in. And yet, I must admit to a degree of satisfaction whilst watching Italy lose on penalties to Spain in the QF in Euro 2008. I have no real grudge against Italy, indeed I am rather fond of their wine, food and history. However, I do have a personal enmity towards a certain Italian football player who

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-73825178151308993272008-05-26T23:02:00.002+09:002008-12-11T12:05:27.809+09:00

Deh FC May 25th 2008: FC 180 1-2 Deh FCThe Away Shirts are on the ground...

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-72564610611706008472008-05-26T22:55:00.003+09:002008-05-26T23:00:48.606+09:00

FC 180 (0) 1 - 2 (1) Deh FCOut in the wilds of Hiroshima state is the Monomomichi park, a not too enjoyable 2 hour drive just to play a game of football. It wasn't even a grass pitch. My memory is somewhat clouded by age, alcohol and the natural onset of mild dementia, but I am pretty sure this is towards the longer times and miles driven just to get to a football ground. The park itself is

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-26065710923467300922008-04-20T15:07:00.007+09:002008-04-20T15:15:52.240+09:00

Recent season have not been kind to Leeds United, they have almost successfully turned themselves into a footballing equivalent of British Leyland. I suppose I should own up from the beginning and admit that Leeds is not a club for which I have much sympathy with or for. Following the red United from Manchester, having bricks thrown at me whilst trying to gain entry to Elland Road once and having

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-58187297321322501712008-04-12T11:05:00.005+09:002008-04-12T17:33:51.072+09:00

This new modern technology is indeed a mysterious wonder. Our final game of the season has been played...even though the kick of date was scheduled for May 5th, or next month. Apparently a thrilling 0-0 draw did not truly reflect the game that was brimming with off-side goals, red cards, missed penalties, nubile cheerleaders and even a streaker. What a way to sign off the season that ended with

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-78031861218149052462008-04-09T19:54:00.001+09:002008-04-09T20:00:57.032+09:00

Yesterday was the first night of the quarter-finals of the European Cup, or as it is now rebranded the Champions League. Even though, the old name seems to encapsulate the reality of the participants better than the new one. However that is a different path and the purpose of this posting is once more to hammer on the bolted door of the F.A.’s insane reasoning. Last night 3 English teams played,

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-91364364274566459932008-04-07T19:05:00.010+09:002008-12-11T12:05:28.699+09:00

Whilst transferring a few photos from a memory card I stumbled on these photos that were taken at my flat whilst Neil was visiting last summer. If my memory serves me well, we had earlier been gorging ourselves at the Fukuya Beer Garden. To be honest not a lot of the night's activities can be recalled, although how Tim's attire could have been dislodged from one's mind is something that probably

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-40371958306451154872008-04-05T18:00:00.010+09:002008-12-11T12:05:29.669+09:00

It is here folks! After years of tight, minute negotiations next season(s) kit has arrived from the secret underground lair in rural Devon. First impressions are that it is very, very lightweight due to a) the ultra expensive Adidas climate control unicorn skin or b) it being a bit cheap. However, if the shirt holds together those humid Hiroshima summers will be a bit easier for those of us who

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-64665677660635003642008-04-01T14:51:00.008+09:002008-12-11T12:05:29.858+09:00

Football Kit SagaTowards the end of 2006 I started to swirl the idea around that our beloved little football team needed a new kit. It was becoming somewhat embarrassing (not to mention looking like we were auditioning for parts in Oliver Twist) as our band of players were turning up in shirts that were vaguely blue, that we needed to be kitted out anew. So, I decided to check out different

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-4827850243310560512008-03-10T22:17:00.010+09:002008-12-11T12:05:32.591+09:00

For some time now my friend Neil, (translator extraordinaire, MJ player, surfer and travelling Wilbury) has been issuing invitations for visits to his various homes that have been scattered across Japan. With the missus being off for a week and dropping liberal unsubtle hints about “enjoying some downtime” (US TV for you!), I decided that some R&R with a mate down in Kyushu would be very good

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-37299604047502604402008-03-10T16:26:00.016+09:002008-12-11T12:05:33.765+09:00

Before the little happening of my wedding, a welcome return to the golf course was also combined with a visit from a friend from England and the first ever 18 holes for a new member of the golfing fraternity.It was a rather chilly, snow flecked Thursday when the four-ball party started their round, consisting of my friend Tim from Barnsley, David, my 12 year old nephew Flynn and myself. Flynn was

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-15204465621022125442008-03-10T16:18:00.003+09:002008-03-10T16:25:54.396+09:00

Well, there are a number of excuses I could provide for not keeping this blog up-to-date; marriage, writing a book, a computer crash, the depression of watching any English national team….but in truth laziness is the only valid excuse. So, from now on I will attempt to keep this blog looking less like an unwanted bizarre Christmas present and more like a beloved family heirloom. Hopefully.

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-86137082765309617382007-10-06T23:25:00.000+09:002007-10-06T23:38:54.310+09:00

Many well-known beliefs accepted by countless people are of course nothing more than a good story. Up until fairly recently I would have been quite happy to attribute the biggest myths to religion. That was until last night, or maybe it was early this morning as the details are a bit foggy! This was when a view was aired that has taken over as the biggest Great Myth of all!Two weeks ago Kenyon,

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-60096468754848476812007-09-17T15:35:00.001+09:002008-12-11T12:05:38.902+09:00

I was determined to play at least one round of golf during my stay in Oahu - that was the easy decision, the harder one was which course to play. There are some famous and exquisite courses on the island and I was keen to avoid three possibilities;1) Paying even more money for a round than I usually do in Japan2) Not having to travel more than 2 hours to reach the 1st Tee3) A course that wouldn't

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-85290365308966777322007-09-17T08:55:00.000+09:002008-12-11T12:05:40.074+09:00

Ever since I was child I have had a mental list of places, that given the right circumstances, I was determined at some point to experience. This year allowed me to tick 2 places of this list, starting with the Eternal City in March. Rome is hardly an original choice, but that is for very obvious reasons. Any one place that allows a visitor to delve into the Colosseum, The Forum, St. Peter's

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-17381740041788714672007-08-23T12:53:00.000+09:002007-08-23T12:57:19.229+09:00

England football fans have got the national team they deserve. This is 2007, for those of you who are unsure about the fine detail, that means it is the 21st Century. So, why for the love of everything, do English supporters feel the “patriotic” need to boo and jeer other countries national anthems? It is not childish, a bit of a laugh or amusing. It is puerile, disgusting and pre-mediated

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-31992199965822203832007-07-23T20:20:00.000+09:002008-12-11T12:05:40.777+09:00

A classic. 3-2 down and the long second half just about to finally be ended by the whistle perched in the referee's lips. Looking at his watch, counting the reaming seconds between FCディナモ and a moral inspiring first win. The heat and humidity were sapping, the floodlights dimming, the game ending and then....and then little Yasu DEH's midfield maestro hurtled down the left wing outpacing a couple

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-4430274628524197112007-07-19T18:58:00.000+09:002007-07-19T19:14:50.293+09:00

Death: A PoemNor dread nor hope attendA dying animal;A woman awaits her endDreading and hoping all;Many times she died,Many times rose again.A great woman in her prideConfronting murderous menCasts derision uponSuppression of breath;She knows death to the boneWoman has created death. *By William Butler YeatsOn Monday the cock-eyed mahjong players received the very sad news that Eri had succumbed

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-75391764054357171342007-07-19T14:47:00.000+09:002007-07-19T15:03:35.340+09:00

American football is by the large a mystery to me, mostly the team names are what I can remember on a good day, but even then the frequent relocation of teams to different cities can make even that simplistic detail erroneous. So it wouldn't be my favoured topic on Mastermind.Like most British kids who spent their younger school years in the 80’s my first interaction with American football, or

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-19167987397938460432007-07-06T00:37:00.000+09:002007-07-06T00:38:13.266+09:00

There is an old sports saying that is often wheeled out from time to time, "the table never lies". The premise being that at the end of any season, the champions are the best team and the last place is reserved for the worst. Now, of course, in the myopic world of the football fan, the table often lies - quite blatantly especially when through some horrid twist of fate the season ends up

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-12757068263826998972007-06-21T19:26:00.002+09:002008-12-11T12:05:41.207+09:00

I failed GCSE Physics. Well, that is not entirely accurate - I actually managed to gain a Grade 'D', which thanks to the re-branding of English examinations meant that two years of turning up twice weekly, which resulted in a piece of paper congratulating me on my success. To be able to come back in the 6th form and study for 3 'A' Levels I, and every other English & Welsh student, needed to gain

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-66138716880589754732007-05-21T14:23:00.000+09:002008-12-11T12:05:42.235+09:00

If seasons could be books, then last year's was an enactment of Volatire's Candide, despite continued disasters and defeats there was always the optimistic prospect of the next game in which fortunes would be turned for the better. Like Voltaire's protagonist not much did go right for DEH last season, a single point and a quarter-finals appearance were the brief highlights of desperate year. A

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-60861160798505071412007-03-28T18:24:00.000+09:002008-12-11T12:05:44.100+09:00

Date: 27th March 2007Place: Forest Hills Golf & Resort Weather: Heavy Rain / WindConditions: Dry fairways / Wet greensShot of the Day: Jaime's 2nd to the 9th, 8i middle of green with the pressure of clubhouse diners watching on!Our confidence was high after a good practice the night before, Jaime breaking in his new hybrid club (Nike Slingshot, 20 degree 3w) with great success and Dave's swing

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-65590082007456994882007-03-22T15:40:00.000+09:002008-12-11T12:05:45.179+09:00

Date: 21st March, 2007Place: Tokuyama Country Club Yamaguchi, JapanWeather: Cold / SunnyConditions: FirmShot of the Day: Hurley's 7i approcah to the 17th to set up his par.Noda, Hurley and myself had our first hits of the new golfing year at the attractive, if unforgiving Tokuyamma Country Club yesterday. Let us say there were no surprises in the final standings, yet the day's prize went to

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-22406239906144392682007-03-22T14:54:00.000+09:002008-12-11T12:05:45.505+09:00

After a somewhat Grand Tour of Wales*, Mahjong I ended with Noda being installed as Yokozuna and Hurley having his chonmage shorn. Here are some end of the year photos of the prize giving.... Noda: "The Bull"Dave: "The Duck"*Mountains & Valleys = Highs & lows

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-40808335773570040852007-03-22T14:51:00.000+09:002007-03-22T14:53:30.274+09:00

We played 9, lost 9 and got relegated.

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-21237230433052751772007-03-20T16:27:00.000+09:002008-12-11T12:05:48.171+09:00

In 2006 I was fortunate to play golf in several different countries (and yes England is different from Scotland!) and I was just trying to place the courses in some kind of "Jaime Ranking". Before I reveal the results, here are some photos from some of those courses - notice the slight difference in weather conditions! "2 Swedes & Yorkshireman feel the warm coastal breeze, NE England, Winter,

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1166356553545742712006-12-17T20:53:00.000+09:002006-12-17T21:00:18.820+09:00

The Noda WaitWhen I first started playing mahjong in 2000 I cobbled together a strategy of how to simply the winning process. The pretence was that if you were only waiting for 1 tile, then there could be no confusion over what was required. It was also a nice way to confuse the other players and more importantly it seemed to work much more than the percentage would account for.There were also

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1158849225491894972006-09-21T23:27:00.000+09:002006-09-21T23:33:45.543+09:00

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1156734022392023202006-08-28T11:21:00.000+09:002007-03-23T17:47:18.738+09:00

Here are some photos from my round (playing with Dave) at Forest Hills Golf Course on Friday 25th August. A very enjoyable golf course with challenging holes that spiral around a mountain or two. This is Dave doing his Tiger impression and smacking his tee shot (some) yards down the fairway (re: into the deep rough).The beauty of Japanese golf courses - the Beer Drinks Vending Machines! This was

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1154074019938939242006-07-28T16:12:00.000+09:002006-07-29T14:30:32.656+09:00

It is not often that Japan can be mistaken for England, but on Sunday July 23rd as the Old Guard turned up at the wet, grass and foggy football pitch overlooking Hiroshima's International Airport, I was whisked back to my Comprehensive school days. More precisely to my 2nd year, when PE was first double period on Tuesdays. We would change in the freezing changing rooms only to realise that it was

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1152541903158120642006-07-10T23:15:00.000+09:002006-07-11T17:29:20.203+09:00

The World Cup ended on Sunday, this would normally be a time of introspection, blanking out England's latest failures and saluting the victors who through their genius triumphed over lesser souls. I can't do that today. Italy winning the World Cup has left me with a empty feeling thumping against the pit of my stomach. The sport's champions reflect every nasty wrong currently seen in every league

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1152197535286874912006-07-06T23:39:00.000+09:002006-07-06T23:52:15.330+09:00

It was a long night.... Matt never one to miss getting laid next to 5 girls...oh and "Skateboard Guy"It must be an Aussie thing... Stewie!!!!!!!!!!! A chapter meeting of the Hiroshima Methodist ClubAussie Dancing - Marcus Style!!!

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1152196724701000262006-07-06T23:15:00.000+09:002006-07-08T00:37:00.306+09:00

Here are some of the photos from the all night drinking and celebate (well...) boys night in Fukuoka to celebrate Nick's wedding...what number is weight watchers....In the beginning.......and at the end. (Ben, never one to complain you know...) The Hiroshima "Bun in the Oven Club"The Groom.... I'm actually in this one! Although what is Ben doing...?They charge by the hour you know...Matt has seen

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1152066521883371942006-07-05T11:26:00.000+09:002006-07-06T20:15:03.946+09:00

The Boys, Black Mahjong & Missing Barn Doors.[Well the Over 40's, (4), the Over 30's (2) and the Toddler (1)]For more details about the night and debates over the obvious righteousness of World Cup World Qualifying Groups (comments), go to : David's Blog

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1151657572722319382006-06-30T16:43:00.000+09:002006-06-30T17:58:52.283+09:00

Darwin's The Origin Of the Species is the seminal work in natural or scientific history. (Leaving EH Carr rapidly aside that is) It elevated the human race from the dark ages of Christian omnipotence and liberated European humanity from absurd biblical notions of creationism. His development of the theory of Natural Selection concluded that in simplistic terms, the dominant life form in a given

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1151229280836600352006-06-25T18:31:00.000+09:002006-06-25T18:57:32.453+09:00

Whilst trawling through the British Sunday newspapers today, I came across an article proposing that England's World Cup triumph was in the bag because the team was eerily entwined with the number 7. The paper suggested the following reasons:1) England must win 7 games to win the trophy.2) The following words all have 7 letters: winners, England, captain and Beckham. 3) The final's on Sunday, the

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1150852697906566452006-06-21T10:09:00.000+09:002006-06-21T10:18:17.916+09:00

Another World Cup game and another dull performance from England. As SS England continues to leak water at an alarming rate there are some obvious questions to as Capt. Smith, sorry Eriksson;1) Do you have gambling debts to shady men with cockney accents? Otherwise why no Jermain Defoe?2) Are you are a charlatan?3) What is 2+ 2?4) Are you aware how poor Beckham is playing? The odd cross here and

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1150605490037137132006-06-18T13:04:00.000+09:002006-06-20T15:58:55.200+09:00

Ancient Babylon fell more swiftly to the Persian Cyrus, but the fall from expectation has been far more painful for the England team. But which England team? Ahh, that this the nub of the gist because the answer is all of them. This week has been another painful one for "our" sporting heroes. The cricket team got thumped by Sri Lanka. The rugby team got whacked by Australia for the the 2nd time

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1150375693486627662006-06-15T20:07:00.000+09:002006-06-16T16:38:01.776+09:00

During one of my lessons this week a thought struck me about recent topical happenings. Whilst watching Harry Potter discover the power of magic I came to an obvious conclusion about political kidnapping, urgh sorry Extraordinary Rendition. These secret European prisons that are supposed to exist storing countless of dangerous foreign sounding names, well nobody has ever seen them - right? But

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1148704655118332322006-05-27T13:00:00.000+09:002006-05-28T12:21:04.690+09:00

The March Of KenyonFor the first time this year Kenyon like Oswald Mosley moved from the Reds to Blacks. The end of his long march from the Cock-Eyed mahjong wilderness finally concluded with him residing in the motivational glory of the positive. Or to put it another way, he finished the night once more as top dog, with 3 figures in his win column and now is on +1 for the year. As the night

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1146393072350054782006-04-30T18:57:00.000+09:002006-05-06T13:57:12.710+09:00

The dominant theme throughout tonight's five games, was chairs, or to be more exact the connection seats have with luck - good and bad. I admit to having a certain superstition about which chair I should position myself in at the start of a night's play. It has more to do with angles, seating position of other players and where best to avoid any smoke that may drift over my way. I would like to

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1145609937867581832006-04-21T17:37:00.000+09:002006-04-22T12:58:32.120+09:00

The Queen, Elizabeth II is 80 today. Anyone who reaches this milestone age deserves all the birthday salutations they receive. It is a grand achievement, more so given that she has not exactly had the easiest of lives. Yes, being the head of state in a constitutional monarchy is not really as difficult as working down a pit, but all those ribbon cuttings must have led to the odd arthritic twinge.

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1145120780391627522006-04-16T02:06:00.000+09:002006-04-22T13:04:33.620+09:00

England coaches are either completely useless or footballing geniuses. Usually they are both, it depends on the result of any given game. To be coach of England's national team is a study in short attention span syndrome. Grand conclusions and expert analysis revolve around individual results. The current man has be hailed as a maestro after England thrashed Germany 1-5 (I'm sure this must be

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1144159306149653592006-04-04T22:57:00.000+09:002006-04-20T18:34:23.203+09:00

Wallsend Boys 'Brazil' 8North Shields Robbins 1I was really pleased of my performance on Sunday. We won, we played against North Shields Robbins, their second team. The score was 8-1. I scored a wonder goal!!!!!!!!!! Really I did. I scored the goal of the season with my left foot!!! The coach , Bill, said it was the goal of the season and so did Oliver's dad!!!! (Oliver is a teammate) I am still

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1143989085205820142006-04-02T22:34:00.000+09:002006-04-04T23:07:34.583+09:00

We are currently in the Hiroshima City Sunday League off-season, so attempting to replicate professional players as much as possible both David and I are on a 'strict' Spring diet. Those of Christian persuasion will also be fasting because of Lent. Now David being a pseudo Red Sea Pedestrian, tries to follow certain ecclesiastical observances as much as he can. So he is the middle of a 40 day

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1143647067697607662006-03-30T00:27:00.000+09:002006-04-03T00:09:37.393+09:00

David English House 2005-2006The season's nadir in the sweltering August heat hit the team like a rusty hammer to the solar plexus. Leaving DEH perched on the shoulders of dwarf and sliding towards relegation and Division C. Spirits were scraping the dregs at the bottom of an unappealing Floridian red. Yet those eight who played could take heart and to quote George Eliot:"Any coward can fight a

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1143645211989009022006-03-30T00:10:00.000+09:002006-04-04T23:26:59.526+09:00

Now I hope that some latitude is given when reading these brief match reports. Many months have passed since most of them were played and my memory is starting to replicate that of Thatcherite cabinet minister. 22nd May 2005 Chiyoda: Match day 1The season opened at what has become our "home ground", pitch B at the former American religious university nestling in the Chiyodian hills. Whilst lining

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24969951.post-1143626230555187752006-03-29T18:45:00.000+09:002006-03-30T20:15:12.243+09:00

20th November Senogawa: Match day 5Tbc

Blue 13http://www.blogger.com/profile/10495860548953255611noreply@blogger.com0