Found an old Bellatrix song on a compilation...still made me smile. They were a great band. Spiky, punk, sexy, weird & fun....what mroe can you want.
Also on the CD was Santa Poca's Dream by short-lived Kenickie phoenix band Rosita...perhaps the perfect indie-pop song. I think I'll dig out my Kenickie cds.
Those were the days.
Unfortunately for Bellatrix their place in history seems to have been elbowed into the sidelines by a Harry Potter character. Still at least one nostalgic indie fan is walking round Liverpool singing JediWannabe in their honour.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
"We must perform a Quirkafleeg" Wow, at last an explanation
At long last I've found an explanation behind the phrase "We must perform a Quirkafleeg" (and indeed "We must peform a quirkafleeg" too).
Many, many thanks to Russ and Em, the authors of this fine website. A little bit of my childhood now makes a little bit more sense (will kind of).
Many, many thanks to Russ and Em, the authors of this fine website. A little bit of my childhood now makes a little bit more sense (will kind of).
Just out of interest
Why is it that Liverpool and Gareth Barry are demanding Villa "Get real" over them digging their heals in over their £20m valuation of their England international whilst it's okay for his potential new employers to sit back and demand £15m and £18m for two players who aren't even getting near the team.
Is it something to do with Villa not being a Champions League team and therefore almost obliged to meekly stand aside and give away their asset. The grubby arrogance of Barry, Benitez et al is appalling.
When you look at the way the likes of Barry, Bentley etc go around whoring themselves in order to line their own pockets (under the guise of them 'needing' Champions League football) and the way richer clubs just blatantly go around tapping up the best players from any team that gets near them makes you so disillusioned. Modern football really does make you sick sometimes.
Thank God we've got a good, honest footy festival going on in Austria and Switzerland. Last nights game was another enjoyable one...Turkey took Germany to the cleaners. How the Germans got through that game was beyond me (although saying that they really should have had a penalty in the second half). It was all strangely predictable once Rustu had his moment of madness...Even when Semih was shushing the crowd after he'd made it 2-2 you could still see the inevitable happening...this was, after all, the Germans. The main thing to come from the night was how ace the BBC are, the feed went down from the central broadcast point Austria after huge thunderstorm hit Vienna...the BBC managed to keep us in touch and then must have got a feed direct for Switzerland and put the 5live commentary over it. Top stuff
So German v Spain or Russia....very interesting.
Is it something to do with Villa not being a Champions League team and therefore almost obliged to meekly stand aside and give away their asset. The grubby arrogance of Barry, Benitez et al is appalling.
When you look at the way the likes of Barry, Bentley etc go around whoring themselves in order to line their own pockets (under the guise of them 'needing' Champions League football) and the way richer clubs just blatantly go around tapping up the best players from any team that gets near them makes you so disillusioned. Modern football really does make you sick sometimes.
Thank God we've got a good, honest footy festival going on in Austria and Switzerland. Last nights game was another enjoyable one...Turkey took Germany to the cleaners. How the Germans got through that game was beyond me (although saying that they really should have had a penalty in the second half). It was all strangely predictable once Rustu had his moment of madness...Even when Semih was shushing the crowd after he'd made it 2-2 you could still see the inevitable happening...this was, after all, the Germans. The main thing to come from the night was how ace the BBC are, the feed went down from the central broadcast point Austria after huge thunderstorm hit Vienna...the BBC managed to keep us in touch and then must have got a feed direct for Switzerland and put the 5live commentary over it. Top stuff
So German v Spain or Russia....very interesting.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
post Quarter final round-up
I have to say this European Championship has been great fun so far...here we are at the semi-final stage and there has only been a couple of bad games. One of them was Italy V Spain. Italy smothered the Spanish by playing classic catanacio football and unfortunately their only outlet we Toni...who looked like, as my mate Andy Redfern said, "a poor man's Brett Angel". I am chuffed for Fabregas, stepping up to take the deciding penalty when you've never taken a spot-kick before in your life took real guts...I am just a bit gutted every time that vile racist Aragonnes win a game.
The Russians are the team everyone is talking about now...they look a completley different side with Arshavin in it. The Dutch never got going against them. The likes of Kuyt, van der Vaart and Van Nistlerooy looked totally different players. Such a shame 'cause our mate Joost had made the trip to Basle to see the game.
I am hoping Germany win now...puerly 'cause their players have the coolest names. It's a brave man who write off Turkey though.
The Russians are the team everyone is talking about now...they look a completley different side with Arshavin in it. The Dutch never got going against them. The likes of Kuyt, van der Vaart and Van Nistlerooy looked totally different players. Such a shame 'cause our mate Joost had made the trip to Basle to see the game.
I am hoping Germany win now...puerly 'cause their players have the coolest names. It's a brave man who write off Turkey though.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Everton announcement pre-season
My mates Diana and Sarah over in Chicago have been jumping for joy about the Chicago fixture for a couple of weeks now but the rest of Everton's pre-season has been announced and it looks pretty good :
Everton will kick off their pre-season programme with an away game at one of manager David Moyes' old clubs Cambridge United on 19 July.
They will then face another, Preston, at Deepdale on 22 July, and Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on 25 July.
The highlight will be the two games in America against Chicago Fire (30 July) and Colorado Rapids (3 August).
Everton will play their final warm-up match against Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven at Goodison Park on 9 August.
Everton will kick off their pre-season programme with an away game at one of manager David Moyes' old clubs Cambridge United on 19 July.
They will then face another, Preston, at Deepdale on 22 July, and Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on 25 July.
The highlight will be the two games in America against Chicago Fire (30 July) and Colorado Rapids (3 August).
Everton will play their final warm-up match against Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven at Goodison Park on 9 August.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Euro 2008 : Round 2 rankings
Holland - Rode their luck but they were once again awesome.
Portugal - Not been troubled yet but not really firing
Spain - Made to work hard by Sweden...compacent?
Germany - Hit the wall...suddenly looked very frail and average.
Italy - Seriously underperformed and in the end they are lucky to still be in the tournament
Croatia - Superb performance against the Germans. Showed they mean business
Sweden - Looked bright against one of the favourites...they are could well qualify
Turkey - Awkward customers but definitely second best to Portugal
Russia - Again, you can't judge team on their performance against Greece...the last game against Sweden will be very interesting
Czech Republic - Largely matched Portugal but somehow don't look upto it.
Romania - Massive improvement...Classic smash & grab against the Italians
Austria - Naive...should have been out of sight of Poland but once they'd wasted those chances you know what was coming.
France - Nowhere near as bad as the scoreline suggests. Ribery played brilliantly
Poland - Were made to look ordinary by a naive Austria side...can't complain about the penalty.
Greece - 4 years out of date.
Switzerland - Plucky and enthusiastic...still. Not upto it though
Portugal - Not been troubled yet but not really firing
Spain - Made to work hard by Sweden...compacent?
Germany - Hit the wall...suddenly looked very frail and average.
Italy - Seriously underperformed and in the end they are lucky to still be in the tournament
Croatia - Superb performance against the Germans. Showed they mean business
Sweden - Looked bright against one of the favourites...they are could well qualify
Turkey - Awkward customers but definitely second best to Portugal
Russia - Again, you can't judge team on their performance against Greece...the last game against Sweden will be very interesting
Czech Republic - Largely matched Portugal but somehow don't look upto it.
Romania - Massive improvement...Classic smash & grab against the Italians
Austria - Naive...should have been out of sight of Poland but once they'd wasted those chances you know what was coming.
France - Nowhere near as bad as the scoreline suggests. Ribery played brilliantly
Poland - Were made to look ordinary by a naive Austria side...can't complain about the penalty.
Greece - 4 years out of date.
Switzerland - Plucky and enthusiastic...still. Not upto it though
My song of the day
Thing I've done this one before but what the heck.
Here Comes your Man by The Pixes
outside there's a box car waiting
outside the family stew
out by the fire breathing
outside we wait 'til face turns blue
i know the nervous walking
i know the dirty beard hangs
out by the box car waiting
take me away to nowhere plains
there is a wait so long
here comes your man
big shake on the box car moving
big shake to the land that's falling down
is a wind makes a palm stop blowing
a big, big stone fall and break my crown
there is a wait so long
you'll never wait so long
here comes your man
there is a wait so long
you'll never wait so long
here comes your man
Here Comes your Man by The Pixes
outside there's a box car waiting
outside the family stew
out by the fire breathing
outside we wait 'til face turns blue
i know the nervous walking
i know the dirty beard hangs
out by the box car waiting
take me away to nowhere plains
there is a wait so long
here comes your man
big shake on the box car moving
big shake to the land that's falling down
is a wind makes a palm stop blowing
a big, big stone fall and break my crown
there is a wait so long
you'll never wait so long
here comes your man
there is a wait so long
you'll never wait so long
here comes your man
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Where's the catch....surely there must be a catch
Tory becomes my new hero....I feel dirty.
David Davis resigns over the 42 day detention
Shadow home secretary David Davis has resigned as an MP.
He is to force a by-election in his Haltemprice and Howden constituency which he will fight on the issue of the new 42-day terror detention limit.
Mr Davis, 59, told reporters outside the House of Commons he believed his move was a "noble endeavour" to stop the erosion of British civil liberties.
He is one of the best-known opposition MPs and his resignation came as a complete surprise in Westminster.
David Davis resigns over the 42 day detention
Shadow home secretary David Davis has resigned as an MP.
He is to force a by-election in his Haltemprice and Howden constituency which he will fight on the issue of the new 42-day terror detention limit.
Mr Davis, 59, told reporters outside the House of Commons he believed his move was a "noble endeavour" to stop the erosion of British civil liberties.
He is one of the best-known opposition MPs and his resignation came as a complete surprise in Westminster.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Stuey's Euro 2008 rankings
Here is my thinkings after the round of games :
Germany - Looked very comfortable against Poland, and looked like they had a lot more in the locker
Holland - Rode their luck but put in a fantastic shift against Italians
Spain - Dismissed the Russians once they found their feet but in the first half they weren't firing on all cylinders
Portugal - Were easy winners against a limited Turkey side
Italy - Had a nightmare night against the Dtuch but still looked good
Switzerland - Plucky and enthusiastic.
Sweden - Looked lame against a dogged Greece side until they scored an absolute pearler
Turkey - Awkward customers but definitely second best to Portugal
Russia - Difficult to judge...they kept up with Spain for 45 minutes but faded badly
Czech Republic - Difficult to judge...given problems by the lowest ranked team in the tournament
Austria - A lot better than people were giving them credit. Unlucky to lose
Croatia - Were given plenty of problems by Austria. Dissappointing
Poland - Looked very limited it has to be said
Greece - 4 years out of date?
France - Come on, at least give it go
Romania - Not a lot to judge them on. Might well have been batoning down the hatches hoping to hit the Dutch on an off night
Germany - Looked very comfortable against Poland, and looked like they had a lot more in the locker
Holland - Rode their luck but put in a fantastic shift against Italians
Spain - Dismissed the Russians once they found their feet but in the first half they weren't firing on all cylinders
Portugal - Were easy winners against a limited Turkey side
Italy - Had a nightmare night against the Dtuch but still looked good
Switzerland - Plucky and enthusiastic.
Sweden - Looked lame against a dogged Greece side until they scored an absolute pearler
Turkey - Awkward customers but definitely second best to Portugal
Russia - Difficult to judge...they kept up with Spain for 45 minutes but faded badly
Czech Republic - Difficult to judge...given problems by the lowest ranked team in the tournament
Austria - A lot better than people were giving them credit. Unlucky to lose
Croatia - Were given plenty of problems by Austria. Dissappointing
Poland - Looked very limited it has to be said
Greece - 4 years out of date?
France - Come on, at least give it go
Romania - Not a lot to judge them on. Might well have been batoning down the hatches hoping to hit the Dutch on an off night
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Lost property
Love this story from the BBC : War veteran reunited with watch after 67 years
"A former Royal Navy Lieutenant has been reunited with the watch he lost during the Second World War.
Teddy Bacon, 89, of Tarvin, Cheshire, lost his Swiss Bulova watch while throwing a line from HMS Repulse to Gibraltar Harbour in 1941.
He left his name and address with the harbour master but expected to never see it again.
Mr Bacon said he was "amazed" when he received a parcel with a Gibraltar postcode and his watch inside.
"I told my wife, you unpack it, and you will find out it isn't a present for you," he said.
"Then out came my watch complete with everything, exactly as it had been when it disappeared.
"It's exciting to have an old friend, I won't lose it again."
The watch, which he was told had been underwater in mud, is still working and telling the time perfectly.
Mr Bacon added: "Remembering what my father said, nothing is lost until you are certain it's left the planet.
"Well it didn't leave the planet, it's back."
"A former Royal Navy Lieutenant has been reunited with the watch he lost during the Second World War.
Teddy Bacon, 89, of Tarvin, Cheshire, lost his Swiss Bulova watch while throwing a line from HMS Repulse to Gibraltar Harbour in 1941.
He left his name and address with the harbour master but expected to never see it again.
Mr Bacon said he was "amazed" when he received a parcel with a Gibraltar postcode and his watch inside.
"I told my wife, you unpack it, and you will find out it isn't a present for you," he said.
"Then out came my watch complete with everything, exactly as it had been when it disappeared.
"It's exciting to have an old friend, I won't lose it again."
The watch, which he was told had been underwater in mud, is still working and telling the time perfectly.
Mr Bacon added: "Remembering what my father said, nothing is lost until you are certain it's left the planet.
"Well it didn't leave the planet, it's back."
Monday, June 09, 2008
Hup Oranje!
Netherlands 3-0 Italy
That was such a good game...The Dutch were superb and to be honest the Italians looked pretty impressive too. The two Dutch counter-attacks were breathtaking but when you look at it if you take the offside first goal out of the equation all you have is two moments were the Italians came within a whisker of scoring and 20 seconds later they'd conceded. Enjoyed every second of it.
That was such a good game...The Dutch were superb and to be honest the Italians looked pretty impressive too. The two Dutch counter-attacks were breathtaking but when you look at it if you take the offside first goal out of the equation all you have is two moments were the Italians came within a whisker of scoring and 20 seconds later they'd conceded. Enjoyed every second of it.
Euro 2008 Day three
So onto day three of the European Championships....with the home nations not being in it there is defintely less media coverage. This means it's tricker for the early kick-offs 'cause I need to live match updates.
Worry not though 'cause UEFA.org has one :
UEFA.org Euro 2008 live match updates
and it looks like Sky do too :
Sky Sports Live Euro 2008 updates
as do the ever reliable Times
Euro 2008 Match centre - live scores
The beeb are doing live match centres as well as their ever popular virtual replays.
France v Romania is good but Netherlands v Italy is a "cancel everything" sort of fixture can't wait.
"Hup Holland Hup laat de Leeuw niet in zijn hemple steen"
Worry not though 'cause UEFA.org has one :
UEFA.org Euro 2008 live match updates
and it looks like Sky do too :
Sky Sports Live Euro 2008 updates
as do the ever reliable Times
Euro 2008 Match centre - live scores
The beeb are doing live match centres as well as their ever popular virtual replays.
France v Romania is good but Netherlands v Italy is a "cancel everything" sort of fixture can't wait.
"Hup Holland Hup laat de Leeuw niet in zijn hemple steen"
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Saturday amblings
Did some pubbing and ambling about yesterday after missing out on the Klimt Exhibition and the HMS Ark Royal's open day. Both are massive popular and over-subscribed...the queue to go onto the Ark Royal was 3 hours long and on top of that there were 1000s of people milling around just to have a look at it (It was a really impressive site). So after that we looked around St Nicholas' Church opposite the Liver Buildings and then watched the Lord Mayor's parade (complete with an awesome samba band). Also had some nice beer at Ma Boyles & Thomas Rigby's.....then off home to get settled in for the start of the Euros. Decent day all round really. Thought Switzerland were unlucky not to get a draw against the Czechs but it would have been a travesty had Portugal not beaten Turkey.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Giving him the business
Now this is refereeing :
"He was giving him the business"
Noticed in the news this morning that Jagielka's England cap may be taken off him 'cause FIFA are now disavowing all knowledge of the much reported special permission they gave to allow 7 substitutions in the Trinidad game. Ridiculous stuff.
Away from England I see that pictures are out of the new 2009/2008 Everton kit. Not sure about it yet...don't like that thingamy on the back.
"He was giving him the business"
Noticed in the news this morning that Jagielka's England cap may be taken off him 'cause FIFA are now disavowing all knowledge of the much reported special permission they gave to allow 7 substitutions in the Trinidad game. Ridiculous stuff.
Away from England I see that pictures are out of the new 2009/2008 Everton kit. Not sure about it yet...don't like that thingamy on the back.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Everton are the Champions
How great does it feel to type that!
CD Everton, Everton's South American offspring have just won their league. Congratulations Ruleteros!
CD Everton, Everton's South American offspring have just won their league. Congratulations Ruleteros!
Monday, June 02, 2008
Evertonian gets the Anfield rocking
Okey dokey...no sour grapes here, the Paul McCartney gig at Anfield sounded immense. Didn't go due to not getting round to applying for tickets. Hmm, was sitting there on Sunday a bit gutted about it all. Still lots of my mates went and had a good bit of text message banter with Flynny about the relative merits of concrete and wooden stadia.
For us non-gig attenders there was recompense though...Oh yes. Ray Mears interviewed THE Bush Tucker Man. Oh the nostalgia!!!!! (Although his standing was somewhat tainted whilst I was in Oz by a distant relative of ours telling air-conditioned catering vans and the great man himself getting stuck in a ditch. However the nostalgia value alone was worth sitting in for. After all that was done we watched England play a plucky Trinidad & Tobago team who might have done better if they didn't have the worst defenders on God's green earth. It was embarrassing really. It was, however, great to see Phil Jagielka get an England cap. Jags had a ropey start this season but once he found his feet he was immense.
With all that over and done with we settle down to look forward to the big European Championships kick-off on Saturday. Inbetween then and now we have the long awaited (if google analytics is anything to go by) revealing of the next season's Everton shirt and then the attention is solely focused on Austria and Switzerland. This should be a great tournament. One for the real footy fan...not a lame footy themed Argos advert or loud, replica shirt wearing biennial England supporter in site....No hype, no hysteria, no band-wagon....Euro 2008 : if you love the game, get into it and enjoy.
For us non-gig attenders there was recompense though...Oh yes. Ray Mears interviewed THE Bush Tucker Man. Oh the nostalgia!!!!! (Although his standing was somewhat tainted whilst I was in Oz by a distant relative of ours telling air-conditioned catering vans and the great man himself getting stuck in a ditch. However the nostalgia value alone was worth sitting in for. After all that was done we watched England play a plucky Trinidad & Tobago team who might have done better if they didn't have the worst defenders on God's green earth. It was embarrassing really. It was, however, great to see Phil Jagielka get an England cap. Jags had a ropey start this season but once he found his feet he was immense.
With all that over and done with we settle down to look forward to the big European Championships kick-off on Saturday. Inbetween then and now we have the long awaited (if google analytics is anything to go by) revealing of the next season's Everton shirt and then the attention is solely focused on Austria and Switzerland. This should be a great tournament. One for the real footy fan...not a lame footy themed Argos advert or loud, replica shirt wearing biennial England supporter in site....No hype, no hysteria, no band-wagon....Euro 2008 : if you love the game, get into it and enjoy.
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