I am annoyed with myself because I am feeling tired and ready for bed as I come to write when for the past three hours I felt fresh and fritted away time. I was being hard on myself given the physical limitation of an aging body, but also not hard enough because I could achieve more if my body was better and I am not exercising as much control as is possible.
That is one mantra. You judge yourself as to whether to give to your limits and not against the performance of others. It is a feature of both the able bodied and the parallel Olympics that some competitors achieve a personal best time, personal best height or throw or achieve best position in a knockout competition and they should be regarded as worthy of a medal as someone who wins but does not perform at their highest level possible for themselves. In the parallel games some events included competitors of mixed abilities where factoring is introduced, a levelling processes such as in one cycling race where a British competitor did better than ever before, it may even have been a world record for her level of disability, but did not win the race because someone with higher level of disability also progresses more and was awarded a higher lever prize-medal. The latter felt aggrieved but I thought this was a brilliant way of beginning to bring the able bodied and those with physical disabilities together in events.
This could take the sports involved into a different and better dimension and achieve even greater recognition for the achievements of those who conquer disabilities, although I doubt if it will remove the tendency for performance enhancing drugs. I learnt recently that Jamaica has not introduced random testing of its athletes. This was raised in relation to the sprinter Bolt who performed significant better than he had done previously as well as everyone else. I presume the implication/allegation that such a dramatic leap in performance could not have been a natural phenomenon but when it came to testing after an outstanding performance in competition, there was no evidence detected of the use of known substances which aid performance. I was surprised to learn that athletes are allowed to perform in international competitions who live in countries or are registered in countries they represent who do no ensure that the athlete are periodically and randomly tested for the use of performance enhancing substances.
I am also concerned about the use of technical aid such as improvements to bicycles and wheel chairs, rowing boats and other essential devices such as bows in archery. Surely it would be fairer if these were supplied to the athletes by the host nation and they were all of the same specifications? There is one competition involving horses where this is the situation. This should have the consequence of making competitions more about individuals stretching their abilities to their maximum potentialities. It is all part of the drive to move cultures away from being better than others which is one of my two main criticisms about the United States, that they claim that they are better than other nations as well as the definition of being un-American defined by politicians or the media according to the latest fashion or personal whim. It should be defined through the Supreme court in accordance with the constitutional requirements for being a citizen.
This may appear to be too narrow and hypocritical an approach given the way I have criticised the behaviour of Mr Ashley the owner of Newcastle United and will continue to do so until he and his associates relinquish their involvement with the club. I and others have effective charged him with being un-Geordist with un- Geordist being a way of describing a formalised and agreed standard for membership. Traditionally it meant born within a certain distance of the Tyne river and latterly to represent a culture some of whose elements have been rightly criticised. Mr Ashley appeared to believe or had been advised that being accepted in Geordieland by Geordies meant wearing a shirt identifying you with Newcastle Football club and city, drinking yourself silly before, during and after games, although during you must do it out of sight of the cameras. As a sportswear seller his enthusiasm for advertising the shirts is understandable although the every club he owns requires proper dress including wearing a tie and suit or blazer if you are a male in its hospitality and club sponsored areas in the same way this is required at some areas of county cricket clubs.
The majority of thinking and responsible people are opposed to binge drinking in general because of the evidence that it leads to violence, including domestic violence and anti social behaviour and in relation to football has been associated, along with racism and tribalism with the violence associated within and in the vicinity of grounds where football matches are played. The media loves to show North East football supporters with bare chests in the midst of winter although this is only done at away games by fat men, as one aspect of a situation where in Newcastle young men and women wear clothes suitable of a Mediterranean summer's day on the beach throughout the long cold and wet winters.
As with any cultures it has established folk heroes and these are usually associated with sport, not just football, At the present time Peter Beardsley, Kevin Keegan, Alan Shearer and Sir Bobby Robson are folk heroes from football. They are criticised within Geordieland but woe betide anyone from outside Geordieland who speaks or acts against them. Brendan Foster and Steve Cram achieved the same status through athletics but also Ant and ..he now nationally familiar TV presenters, and actors performers such as Jimmy Nail and Robson Green, the latter born in Hexham a town some twenty miles from Newcastle but on the river Tyne, which is itself thirteen miles from the river mouth here in South Shields and across from Tynemouth, the place. The reason why so many people of different backgrounds remain affronted by Kevin Keegan being forced to leave Newcastle United is because he achieved greatness twice, bringing pride to region and city as well as to supporters of the club, first because of his magical playing and then because of the style which eh brought to Newcastle as its Team manager, as well as comparative success. When the fans sang Keegan's wonderland this was no ritual chant aimed at opposing supporters but reflected how they felt, and a feeling which carried through into other parts of their lives.
My criticism of Mr Ashley extends beyond this his treatment of Kevin Keegan and the refusal to find a way of bringing him back. I am very suspicion of anyone who is alleged to have made a vast fortune by being clever with business and business finance, but who initially used over one hundred million pounds of their own money without a thorough check on the investment beforehand including its assets and debts and potential profitability. He claimed he had to put in vast amounts to stop the club becoming another Leeds, a charge vigorously denied by the previously chairman and owners on the basis that what he paid truly reflected the assets, income and brand name of the club. His claims of being physically threatened are also challenged he was not advised by Northumbria police who also praised the fans for their behaviour.
Suspicion are reinforced by the failure to give interviews at any time to the media in what is a high profile activity discussed daily for two hours on one local radio station and fills pages in the regional news papers together with daily features on regional TV and other regional radio. His behaviour contrasts with that of the present owners/chairpersons at the other two big clubs in the region, Sunderland and Middlesborough.
I have become even more suspicious of the man after suddenly arranging a meeting with Kevin Keegan the night before the protests were to take place and then producing an emotional laden statement of 16000 words immediately after the protest and then immediately flying off to Dubai to try and sell the club complete with a written statement of particular alleged asking some 800 million dollars and about twice the amount which local financial analysts of reputation regard as more than reasonable for the club given its assets and alleged debt, and its income stream and income potential. He then fails to attend the meeting arranged for him with one potential purchaser. Nothing he or those advising him say should be accepted as accurate unless independently verified.
I have commenced to comments on three Media Blogs about the situation. On involves the Daily Mail where I was one of a number of entries on the Newcastle Ashley issue, but in relation to a new Blog about a statement from Newcastle newboy and scorer on Saturday Xcisco I was the first and only contributor to-date. I have also made two contributions to a Bl0g on the Newcastle Evening paper, the Newcastle Chronicle. The first concerned the protests and the second the Ashley statement will is the current and on going subject. The third area is the BBC where I am now registered to contribute to any of the forums and Blogs but have so far made one entry on BBC Sport on a Blog about further foreign investment in British Premiership clubs anticipated.
The middle of yesterday was occupied with unpacking and setting up the free lap top which was part of the AOL wireless package and where I had minor palpitations figuratively speaking after trying to set up an AOL and wireless link. The problem is that there was no AOL programme included. I first tried to set up a stage three other computer link using the provided DVD with the original package and then tried to create a connection by pretending to install the modem from scratch. Not only did this not work but I then found that I could not get on line with my desk top and then with my previous lap top. It was time for the Don't Panic hitchhikers guide for internet dummies. I was able to get through to AOL technical help quickly and I was immediately shown how to sort out the modem coding from the desk top with the individual information of what was registered for particular device. As a consequence I was immediately back on line with the desk top and all I had to do was press connectivity on the new lap top and insert the password for the home network and I was on line and then go to AOL as an internet site rather than through a separate programme. I presume I may have been able to do this with desk top and that the inclusion of the AOL VR software may account for the problems that are experienced from time to time.
I did watch one 2005 film from time to time called Mr and Mrs Smith, supposed to be a comedy caper about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie who meet while on the run from Columbian authorities, marry and hen have problems because they are unable share their real day jobs with each other. The reason , well they are both murderous assassin for independent assassin organisations. The film is therefore morally bankrupt in concept because how can anyone care or be entertained by calculating killers. Fortunately, or at least I thought, they were then asked by their respective employers to kill each other. Alas they do not kill each other but a large number of other operatives employed by their respective organisations with the consequence that they return to their marriage counsellor to express their appreciation and announce they are now happily married together. The moral; therefore is that if you are going to have an anti social occupation it is best to find a partner in the same line of work.
I recently saw the film Miss Potter on TV, a glorious film about the Lake District and how this remarkable lady came to become a much loved writer and illustrator of Children's books and patron of preserving farming life in Lakeland. I had previously added the film to my DVD Club list and forgetting to delete it arrived about ten days ago and I was not ready to devote the time to see it again until yesterday, enjoying the documentary about the making of the film and a video of a theme song sung by Katie Melua.
I also half watched Chelsea and Liverpool in the first matches of the Champions League Chelsea were impressive at home thrashing the opposition with four goals while Liverpool had to come from behind to win 2.1 away from home, and where Stephen Gerrard scored what is likely to be the goal of the season. He appeared to approach his stroke facing away from the goal but someone how swung one leg round to ball with such force that it swung widely from the direction he was facing into the top corner of the net with great force leaving the goal keeping and everyone gasping in amazement. It should not have happened and is unlikely to be repeated ever again with no amount of trying. I half watched because I was just recovering from early evening meal accompanied by watching the master chef programme after one of the regional news and sports programmes and the Parallel Olympic reviews. I had the Lidl tinned salmon with salad and a banana for lunch and a trout with vegetables for the evening meal, followed by a pair of pears with a ruddy skin.
Instead of writing or other work I played chess, having commenced level three after making a mistake or after drawing a run of 91 games, and unwilling to recommence the task of attempting another 101 games goal at this level for the time being. My attempt to raise the percentage wins at Hearts continues to rise, but slowly, presently 38% compared to 11% at one point and progress on Hearts is now also taking more time, having reached 85% with presently a run of 28 wins with the highest 33 to date.
Having experienced the financial crisis with the two main mortgage providers in the USA the collapse of Lehman's bank has shocked the world, given that it survive two world wars and the great depression. It filed for bankruptcy and then had its banking and investments side acquired by Barclays bank within a matter of days which suggested inter government and interbank cooperation before the matter became public. There was also concern about the financial difficulties of the largest insurance group in the world. Here is the UK the Prime Minister continues to be under attack with a more senior Government Minister resigning because of the decision of the national executive not to send out nomination papers prior to the forthcoming national conference. At several levels the day ended with the expectation that there was more to come.
That is one mantra. You judge yourself as to whether to give to your limits and not against the performance of others. It is a feature of both the able bodied and the parallel Olympics that some competitors achieve a personal best time, personal best height or throw or achieve best position in a knockout competition and they should be regarded as worthy of a medal as someone who wins but does not perform at their highest level possible for themselves. In the parallel games some events included competitors of mixed abilities where factoring is introduced, a levelling processes such as in one cycling race where a British competitor did better than ever before, it may even have been a world record for her level of disability, but did not win the race because someone with higher level of disability also progresses more and was awarded a higher lever prize-medal. The latter felt aggrieved but I thought this was a brilliant way of beginning to bring the able bodied and those with physical disabilities together in events.
This could take the sports involved into a different and better dimension and achieve even greater recognition for the achievements of those who conquer disabilities, although I doubt if it will remove the tendency for performance enhancing drugs. I learnt recently that Jamaica has not introduced random testing of its athletes. This was raised in relation to the sprinter Bolt who performed significant better than he had done previously as well as everyone else. I presume the implication/allegation that such a dramatic leap in performance could not have been a natural phenomenon but when it came to testing after an outstanding performance in competition, there was no evidence detected of the use of known substances which aid performance. I was surprised to learn that athletes are allowed to perform in international competitions who live in countries or are registered in countries they represent who do no ensure that the athlete are periodically and randomly tested for the use of performance enhancing substances.
I am also concerned about the use of technical aid such as improvements to bicycles and wheel chairs, rowing boats and other essential devices such as bows in archery. Surely it would be fairer if these were supplied to the athletes by the host nation and they were all of the same specifications? There is one competition involving horses where this is the situation. This should have the consequence of making competitions more about individuals stretching their abilities to their maximum potentialities. It is all part of the drive to move cultures away from being better than others which is one of my two main criticisms about the United States, that they claim that they are better than other nations as well as the definition of being un-American defined by politicians or the media according to the latest fashion or personal whim. It should be defined through the Supreme court in accordance with the constitutional requirements for being a citizen.
This may appear to be too narrow and hypocritical an approach given the way I have criticised the behaviour of Mr Ashley the owner of Newcastle United and will continue to do so until he and his associates relinquish their involvement with the club. I and others have effective charged him with being un-Geordist with un- Geordist being a way of describing a formalised and agreed standard for membership. Traditionally it meant born within a certain distance of the Tyne river and latterly to represent a culture some of whose elements have been rightly criticised. Mr Ashley appeared to believe or had been advised that being accepted in Geordieland by Geordies meant wearing a shirt identifying you with Newcastle Football club and city, drinking yourself silly before, during and after games, although during you must do it out of sight of the cameras. As a sportswear seller his enthusiasm for advertising the shirts is understandable although the every club he owns requires proper dress including wearing a tie and suit or blazer if you are a male in its hospitality and club sponsored areas in the same way this is required at some areas of county cricket clubs.
The majority of thinking and responsible people are opposed to binge drinking in general because of the evidence that it leads to violence, including domestic violence and anti social behaviour and in relation to football has been associated, along with racism and tribalism with the violence associated within and in the vicinity of grounds where football matches are played. The media loves to show North East football supporters with bare chests in the midst of winter although this is only done at away games by fat men, as one aspect of a situation where in Newcastle young men and women wear clothes suitable of a Mediterranean summer's day on the beach throughout the long cold and wet winters.
As with any cultures it has established folk heroes and these are usually associated with sport, not just football, At the present time Peter Beardsley, Kevin Keegan, Alan Shearer and Sir Bobby Robson are folk heroes from football. They are criticised within Geordieland but woe betide anyone from outside Geordieland who speaks or acts against them. Brendan Foster and Steve Cram achieved the same status through athletics but also Ant and ..he now nationally familiar TV presenters, and actors performers such as Jimmy Nail and Robson Green, the latter born in Hexham a town some twenty miles from Newcastle but on the river Tyne, which is itself thirteen miles from the river mouth here in South Shields and across from Tynemouth, the place. The reason why so many people of different backgrounds remain affronted by Kevin Keegan being forced to leave Newcastle United is because he achieved greatness twice, bringing pride to region and city as well as to supporters of the club, first because of his magical playing and then because of the style which eh brought to Newcastle as its Team manager, as well as comparative success. When the fans sang Keegan's wonderland this was no ritual chant aimed at opposing supporters but reflected how they felt, and a feeling which carried through into other parts of their lives.
My criticism of Mr Ashley extends beyond this his treatment of Kevin Keegan and the refusal to find a way of bringing him back. I am very suspicion of anyone who is alleged to have made a vast fortune by being clever with business and business finance, but who initially used over one hundred million pounds of their own money without a thorough check on the investment beforehand including its assets and debts and potential profitability. He claimed he had to put in vast amounts to stop the club becoming another Leeds, a charge vigorously denied by the previously chairman and owners on the basis that what he paid truly reflected the assets, income and brand name of the club. His claims of being physically threatened are also challenged he was not advised by Northumbria police who also praised the fans for their behaviour.
Suspicion are reinforced by the failure to give interviews at any time to the media in what is a high profile activity discussed daily for two hours on one local radio station and fills pages in the regional news papers together with daily features on regional TV and other regional radio. His behaviour contrasts with that of the present owners/chairpersons at the other two big clubs in the region, Sunderland and Middlesborough.
I have become even more suspicious of the man after suddenly arranging a meeting with Kevin Keegan the night before the protests were to take place and then producing an emotional laden statement of 16000 words immediately after the protest and then immediately flying off to Dubai to try and sell the club complete with a written statement of particular alleged asking some 800 million dollars and about twice the amount which local financial analysts of reputation regard as more than reasonable for the club given its assets and alleged debt, and its income stream and income potential. He then fails to attend the meeting arranged for him with one potential purchaser. Nothing he or those advising him say should be accepted as accurate unless independently verified.
I have commenced to comments on three Media Blogs about the situation. On involves the Daily Mail where I was one of a number of entries on the Newcastle Ashley issue, but in relation to a new Blog about a statement from Newcastle newboy and scorer on Saturday Xcisco I was the first and only contributor to-date. I have also made two contributions to a Bl0g on the Newcastle Evening paper, the Newcastle Chronicle. The first concerned the protests and the second the Ashley statement will is the current and on going subject. The third area is the BBC where I am now registered to contribute to any of the forums and Blogs but have so far made one entry on BBC Sport on a Blog about further foreign investment in British Premiership clubs anticipated.
The middle of yesterday was occupied with unpacking and setting up the free lap top which was part of the AOL wireless package and where I had minor palpitations figuratively speaking after trying to set up an AOL and wireless link. The problem is that there was no AOL programme included. I first tried to set up a stage three other computer link using the provided DVD with the original package and then tried to create a connection by pretending to install the modem from scratch. Not only did this not work but I then found that I could not get on line with my desk top and then with my previous lap top. It was time for the Don't Panic hitchhikers guide for internet dummies. I was able to get through to AOL technical help quickly and I was immediately shown how to sort out the modem coding from the desk top with the individual information of what was registered for particular device. As a consequence I was immediately back on line with the desk top and all I had to do was press connectivity on the new lap top and insert the password for the home network and I was on line and then go to AOL as an internet site rather than through a separate programme. I presume I may have been able to do this with desk top and that the inclusion of the AOL VR software may account for the problems that are experienced from time to time.
I did watch one 2005 film from time to time called Mr and Mrs Smith, supposed to be a comedy caper about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie who meet while on the run from Columbian authorities, marry and hen have problems because they are unable share their real day jobs with each other. The reason , well they are both murderous assassin for independent assassin organisations. The film is therefore morally bankrupt in concept because how can anyone care or be entertained by calculating killers. Fortunately, or at least I thought, they were then asked by their respective employers to kill each other. Alas they do not kill each other but a large number of other operatives employed by their respective organisations with the consequence that they return to their marriage counsellor to express their appreciation and announce they are now happily married together. The moral; therefore is that if you are going to have an anti social occupation it is best to find a partner in the same line of work.
I recently saw the film Miss Potter on TV, a glorious film about the Lake District and how this remarkable lady came to become a much loved writer and illustrator of Children's books and patron of preserving farming life in Lakeland. I had previously added the film to my DVD Club list and forgetting to delete it arrived about ten days ago and I was not ready to devote the time to see it again until yesterday, enjoying the documentary about the making of the film and a video of a theme song sung by Katie Melua.
I also half watched Chelsea and Liverpool in the first matches of the Champions League Chelsea were impressive at home thrashing the opposition with four goals while Liverpool had to come from behind to win 2.1 away from home, and where Stephen Gerrard scored what is likely to be the goal of the season. He appeared to approach his stroke facing away from the goal but someone how swung one leg round to ball with such force that it swung widely from the direction he was facing into the top corner of the net with great force leaving the goal keeping and everyone gasping in amazement. It should not have happened and is unlikely to be repeated ever again with no amount of trying. I half watched because I was just recovering from early evening meal accompanied by watching the master chef programme after one of the regional news and sports programmes and the Parallel Olympic reviews. I had the Lidl tinned salmon with salad and a banana for lunch and a trout with vegetables for the evening meal, followed by a pair of pears with a ruddy skin.
Instead of writing or other work I played chess, having commenced level three after making a mistake or after drawing a run of 91 games, and unwilling to recommence the task of attempting another 101 games goal at this level for the time being. My attempt to raise the percentage wins at Hearts continues to rise, but slowly, presently 38% compared to 11% at one point and progress on Hearts is now also taking more time, having reached 85% with presently a run of 28 wins with the highest 33 to date.
Having experienced the financial crisis with the two main mortgage providers in the USA the collapse of Lehman's bank has shocked the world, given that it survive two world wars and the great depression. It filed for bankruptcy and then had its banking and investments side acquired by Barclays bank within a matter of days which suggested inter government and interbank cooperation before the matter became public. There was also concern about the financial difficulties of the largest insurance group in the world. Here is the UK the Prime Minister continues to be under attack with a more senior Government Minister resigning because of the decision of the national executive not to send out nomination papers prior to the forthcoming national conference. At several levels the day ended with the expectation that there was more to come.
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