Kitman

meh x 100

That pun is gastly

The UK has a massive problem with debt and can't afford to pay for the big bean feast that's been going on for years with defence, health, education and the welfare system. Something has to give unless the UK's content to go bust like Greece and probably Italy is about to. I think benefit fraud is a disgrace but I suspect the bigger problem are generations where claiming benefit is seen as a legitimate way to "earn" a living. I've no idea what the solution is, and I'm no hard liner, but it seems something needs to be done.

What he said

The inner ear's a touchy thing when it goes wrong. I used to get a blocked eustachian tube when I was in the UK, which meant I'd get an inner ear infection which would fuck my ear (ear ache, swimming noises, you hear yourself eating etc). Only way to clear it was anti-b's. I also ended up with fairly permanent tinnitus too when I came back from holiday and the cabin pressure on the jet also fucked my ear. Happily I haven't had it since I moved to NZ but I put that down to the climate. So I could well believe it's connected to the ear somehow. I think homeopathy's a bit of a swindle btw - faith healing at best.

To be honest, I'd rather take an established foreign player. I trust the scouting system that's brought us Ben Arfa, Cabaye, and Tiote, and I'd rather get a cheaper option with the desire to succeed than someone of the likes of Richard Dunne. And are there even any defenders other than Samba outside the bigger clubs that would be an improvement on Colo and Taylor? (<- this is a serious question, I cant think of any) It's a good point. I'm not that close to British footy any more so was assuming there'd be a decent CB available (like Samba) - the papers are talking about Ridgewell at Brimingham - personally I'd be happy to take Bassong back, I thought he was a good player. I wasn't dissing foreign players btw but it seems to me CB take longer to foreign CBs take longer to settle into the PL even if they're good. And my thinking was we would recruit a decent back up to Taylor/Colo rather than an upgrade, as it's likely at least one of them will get injured or suspended sooner or later. But I wasn't expecting them to be better than those 2 as I doubt many clubs will let their top performers go mid season anyway.

If we do go for a new CB, I'd prefer someone PL ready rather than a foreign prospect or a lower league bargain. Also an out and out CB rather than a utility player. If we go for a striker as is rumoured that suggests to me Ranger or Lovenkrands is out in Jan, or possibly both.

It can't be a coincidence

Fuck knows. Like the cliche, I prefer to take one game at a time atm [/over the moon Brian]

Bloody hell! Glad it went well, better safe than sorry. Of course you now have no official excuse if you do a girlie faint....... Edit: also does this mean you can now avoid the metal detector at airports? maybe consider smuggling some firearms for extra cash?

'Arry would've left long before now for lack of funding. He'd be complaining about being 'down to the bare bones' even if no-one was injured.

Great mood - we beat Stoke away!

Parky's right. Fear of the unknown is the enemy....but if you don't build it up to be a big deal and remain positive about the possibilities, it'll be easier than you think.

I can't wait to watch this. Fucking fantastic result.

A really tought test and a measure of how far we've come. Hoping for a low scoring draw, we could easily lose.

HS I am so so sorry. I feel like a right shit.

Thanks Ant. I know what you mean, going to have a serious break now from road running. My knees are a bit shagged anyway tbh.

Cheers Barney. My second half split time was only 7m slower than my first, so I must have overdone it 20 - 30kms. Beating 3 hours is insanely fast btw.

Thanks mate. I didn't detect a mackem accent...!

Thanks! I am a little stiff today (oo er missus)

Thanks mate, I know what you mean!

Thanks Gem. I never considered knocking it on the head because I was basically only a few kms from the finish when my legs rebelled. So I was determined to make it even if I walked over the line. It's a bastard of a race though, mentally very cruel. The most depressing thing was seeing the number of wrinkled old prunes (we're talking 60-70 year olds) who cruised past me about 8 or 9 kms from home, some of them were even chatting. Fucking modern medicine, I tell you. When I got over the line I poured about 5 cups of water over my head (it's been a hot day here for running) and wobbled my way unsteadily out to attempt some half hearted stretching on my shattered body. Near me was a 20 something guy, wearing a finisher's medal, polishing off a beer and saying to a mate the equivalent of "well I'm quite pleased with 3 hrs 35 considering I've done no training." Fucking bastard looked fresh as a daisy, whereas I'm looking like a minging pile of shite & drawing pitying glances. I'm pleased with my time though.

Happy birthday!

....and unable to construct a simple sentence?

OK so I ran the Auckland Marathon today. Finished in 3 hours 48 mins (by my watch). Ran well up to about 28kms, started to run out of gas and by 36 kms I hit the wall and had to walk a couple of times. I'd have taken the bus if there was one. By 40kms I resembled the old knacker I am and hobbled by cramp, I just about made it over the line at a snail's pace. Not quite the glorious finish I imagined, but hey ho. I'm sitting on my sofa now and basically can't move my legs. I have 3 black toenails, a painfully chafed scrotum, a couple of ugly blisters I'm afraid to look at and I'm basically a broken man. Completely worth it. Edit: and buggered instep and fucked knee