Yes, it's that time of week again. Time to warm up your Ipod or other branded mp3 player for the latest offering of musical delights. With the European Championships underway in Poland and Ukraine, unsurprisingly, I've gone for a football theme...
1) World In Motion - New Order
England's song performed with one of Manchester's finest and written by cheeky Keith Allen!
2) Vindaloo - Fat Les
Unofficial footy song for the 1998 World Cup, featuring Keith Allen (again) and his celeb mates!
3) Three Lions - Baddiel, Skinner and The Lightning Seeds
From when Football came home in 1996!
4) Anfield Rap - Liverpool FC
My first experience of that now long-dead tradition of the 'Cup Final Song'!
5) Ossie's Dream - Chas & Dave
A cockney knees-up for Spurs in 1981!
6) Back Home - England's 1970 Squad
England players form a slightly wooden choir!
7) Fields of Anfield Road - John Power
Famous Liverpool song found during my recent Cast revival!
8) You'll Never Walk Alone - Gerry & The Pacemakers
Chirpy Merseybeat band release song that got adopted as a world-renowned anthem!
9) Catch Us If You Can - Dave Clark Five
More sixties pop used as a run-out by Shrewsbury Town FC!
10) Nessun Dorma - Pavarotti
Slice of opera used as BBC theme for Italia '90!
There you are my faithful followers and readers. Go get them!!
Sunday, 10 June 2012
All-time European Championships Winners Team
As with any major tournament, the build up centres around the big players and how they will affect their teams chances. Also, many people join in the fun and games that is 'Fantasy Football'. Somehow, somebody decides the imaginary value of all the players and then leaves it to people like you and me to pick a team of eleven players whilst keeping below a set spending limit (usually either £50m or £100m).
That's all well and good, but I decided to try and put together an All-time Winners team comprising eleven players and seven substitutes. I fully expect people to disagree with me, and welcome any challenge, but here goes:
1 Peter Schmeichel - Denmark (1992)
The man-monolith that helped the Danes to an unlikely victory
2 Lilian Thuram - France (2000)
Classy right back who could score from time to time
3 Paul Breitner - West Germany (1972)
Legendary left back played key part in rosy period for Germans
4 Ronald Koeman - Holland (1988)
Forget the time he robbed England of World Cup qualification in 1993. He was solid
5 Matthias Sammer - Germany (1996)
Ginger haired defensive stalwart
6 Andres Iniesta - Spain (2008)
Possibly the best Spanish midfielder of a generation
7 Zinedine Zidane - France (2000)
Hard to believe a player of this calibre only won the tournament once. Simply mesmerising
8 Antonin Panenka - Czechoslovakia (1976)
Winning penalty taker for the Czechs, cool player in normal play too.
11 Sandro Mazzola - Italy (1968)
Italian class
9 Marco Van Basten - Holland (1988)
Dutch maestro and scorer of THAT goal in the final
10 Gerd Muller - West Germany (1972)
West German goal machine
Subs:
13 Lev Yashin - USSR (1960)
Iconic Soviet keeper won the very first tournament
12 Franz Beckenbauer - West Germany (1972)
Der Kaiser. Enough said.
14 Michel Platini - France (1984)
Another French icon, famous for his goal in '84 and now big boss man at UEFA.
15 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge - West Germany (1980)
Yet another West German representative, helped his nation to second victory
16 Ruud Gullit - Holland (1988)
Big hair, big man for the Dutch. Scored a not-so-famous goal in the final
17 Patrick Battiston - France (1984)
Part of the French midfield that tasted victory on home soil
18 Patrick Vieira - France (2000)
The steel in French midfield as France added Euro glory to their World crown
Now, how much money would I need for these lot??
That's all well and good, but I decided to try and put together an All-time Winners team comprising eleven players and seven substitutes. I fully expect people to disagree with me, and welcome any challenge, but here goes:
1 Peter Schmeichel - Denmark (1992)
The man-monolith that helped the Danes to an unlikely victory
2 Lilian Thuram - France (2000)
Classy right back who could score from time to time
3 Paul Breitner - West Germany (1972)
Legendary left back played key part in rosy period for Germans
4 Ronald Koeman - Holland (1988)
Forget the time he robbed England of World Cup qualification in 1993. He was solid
5 Matthias Sammer - Germany (1996)
Ginger haired defensive stalwart
6 Andres Iniesta - Spain (2008)
Possibly the best Spanish midfielder of a generation
7 Zinedine Zidane - France (2000)
Hard to believe a player of this calibre only won the tournament once. Simply mesmerising
8 Antonin Panenka - Czechoslovakia (1976)
Winning penalty taker for the Czechs, cool player in normal play too.
11 Sandro Mazzola - Italy (1968)
Italian class
9 Marco Van Basten - Holland (1988)
Dutch maestro and scorer of THAT goal in the final
10 Gerd Muller - West Germany (1972)
West German goal machine
Subs:
13 Lev Yashin - USSR (1960)
Iconic Soviet keeper won the very first tournament
12 Franz Beckenbauer - West Germany (1972)
Der Kaiser. Enough said.
14 Michel Platini - France (1984)
Another French icon, famous for his goal in '84 and now big boss man at UEFA.
15 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge - West Germany (1980)
Yet another West German representative, helped his nation to second victory
16 Ruud Gullit - Holland (1988)
Big hair, big man for the Dutch. Scored a not-so-famous goal in the final
17 Patrick Battiston - France (1984)
Part of the French midfield that tasted victory on home soil
18 Patrick Vieira - France (2000)
The steel in French midfield as France added Euro glory to their World crown
Now, how much money would I need for these lot??
Sunday, 3 June 2012
Monday Mix-Tape - 04.06.2012
It's that time of week again!
As a certain somebody is celebrating a jaw-dropping 60 years on the throne, this week my selections have a 'royal' theme...
1) God Save The Queen - The Sex Pistols
The original anti-anthem!
2) Dancing Queen - Abba
Swedish pop with a royal twist!
3) Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
Freddie et al rock out!
4) Half The World Away - Oasis
Theme tune for the other Royle Family!
5) Jubilee - Blur
The title says it all!
6) Diamonds Are Forever - Shirley Bassey
It's Bond, but it's got Diamonds in it!
7) Prince Charming - Adam And The Ants
A royal stomp!
8) The Queen Is Dead - The Smiths
Oh no she isn't!
9) Elizabeth My Dear - The Stone Roses
Seems they don't like her either!
10) Her Majesty - The Beatles
Short and sweet!
Enjoy these and come back next week for more Monday Mix-Tape!
As a certain somebody is celebrating a jaw-dropping 60 years on the throne, this week my selections have a 'royal' theme...
1) God Save The Queen - The Sex Pistols
The original anti-anthem!
2) Dancing Queen - Abba
Swedish pop with a royal twist!
3) Don't Stop Me Now - Queen
Freddie et al rock out!
4) Half The World Away - Oasis
Theme tune for the other Royle Family!
5) Jubilee - Blur
The title says it all!
6) Diamonds Are Forever - Shirley Bassey
It's Bond, but it's got Diamonds in it!
7) Prince Charming - Adam And The Ants
A royal stomp!
8) The Queen Is Dead - The Smiths
Oh no she isn't!
9) Elizabeth My Dear - The Stone Roses
Seems they don't like her either!
10) Her Majesty - The Beatles
Short and sweet!
Enjoy these and come back next week for more Monday Mix-Tape!
Sunday, 27 May 2012
Monday Mix Tape - 28.05.2012
After a week off, here is the next Monday Mix-tape selection, inspired by my week in Austria:
1) Postman Pat TV Theme
Can't count how many times I heard and sung this over the week just to keep Anthony happy!
2) Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends
Again, just to keep a child happy in times of tears and chocolate grumps!
3) Staying Alive - The Bee Gees
The first Bee Gee song I heard after hearing of the death of Robin Gibb. Oh the irony!
4) Just The Two Of Us - Bill Withers
One of our chosen theme songs for the Graz visit!
5) Singing In The Rain - Gene Kelly
The other Graz theme!
6) Girl Is On My Mind - The Black Keys
It always seemed to come on when I listened to music on my phone!
7) Bad Water - Cast
Another regular player on the music player. Even on random!
8) Steirische Brauch - Traditional
Well, it's only right, innit?!
9) Rotterdam - The Beautiful South
Another regular player, if only because it came after Postman Pat a few times!
10) D.I.V.O.R.C.E - Billy Connolly
It's funny, and it mentions a dog!
Enjoy those ten, and see you next week my friends!
1) Postman Pat TV Theme
Can't count how many times I heard and sung this over the week just to keep Anthony happy!
2) Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends
Again, just to keep a child happy in times of tears and chocolate grumps!
3) Staying Alive - The Bee Gees
The first Bee Gee song I heard after hearing of the death of Robin Gibb. Oh the irony!
4) Just The Two Of Us - Bill Withers
One of our chosen theme songs for the Graz visit!
5) Singing In The Rain - Gene Kelly
The other Graz theme!
6) Girl Is On My Mind - The Black Keys
It always seemed to come on when I listened to music on my phone!
7) Bad Water - Cast
Another regular player on the music player. Even on random!
8) Steirische Brauch - Traditional
Well, it's only right, innit?!
9) Rotterdam - The Beautiful South
Another regular player, if only because it came after Postman Pat a few times!
10) D.I.V.O.R.C.E - Billy Connolly
It's funny, and it mentions a dog!
Enjoy those ten, and see you next week my friends!
Just like school!
Remember the old days, when your first task of the term was to tell everyone what you'd been up to over the school holidays? The pressure was really on... you had the kids who went camping, the kids who went to a fancy holiday cottage, and then the creme de la creme - those lucky kids that went to that mystical place called 'Abroad'. Well, here is my report of the last week:
Day 1: Saturday.
The alarm caused me to peel my eyes open at 3am. After cursing pretty much everything and everyone I got up along with Marisa and the little man and by 4am we were off. It was simple stuff until the GPS proved too technical for me and tempers frayed. Nontheless, we arrived at the Airport parking place and parked and got on the bus. Relief just about covered it.
Once at Birmingham Airport, after Marisa fell over a bit, and I ran over Pingu in the mud we got ourselves orientated. Oh, and then joined the queue for Security.
Happily we got on the flight to Munich and all was good. The Munich stopover was brief enough and before too long we were Graz bound. The little one was overcome by tiredness and slept most of the flight. I watched out of the window as the plane passed over the Alps. Poor Marisa had to listen to some competitive women discuss their travels. I didn't really care once I saw the legs on one of them!!
And then we were there. With our bags we made our way into the arms of the in-laws.
After Marisa picked up the fancy hire car (an Astra estate I'll have you know!) we trundled off towards St Marein bei Graz. The Centre of the Universe.
Once there, more greetings with Marisa's dad, some obligatory food and alcohol, and a play with the neighbours.
Then, in the evening, I watched in horror as Chelsea won the Champions League final.
Day 2: Sunday.
Woken early, well, not really early, just an hour ahead on the clock! Slightly steaming head from the sun and alcohol the previous afternoon. It was a calm day, with another afternoon of family welcomes and drink, and food. I really don't recall much else happening. I tell a lie, we went to the pub to play darts and table football.
Day 3: Monday.
Getting used to the hour difference at last. The morning spent deciding what to do with the afternoon! Finally decisions made, Marisa, her sister, sister's husband, the little man and I set off towards a chocolate factory sort of thing (see Zotter) which had a petting zoo on site... Having been chased out by a school party, we tackled the (free) petting zoo. It has to be said that the weather had been a bit 'British' up to this point. A hair-raising trip down a slide later, we were all sat drinking strong coffee. Except little one, who was devouring chocolate. Day over.
Day 4: Tuesday.
Bloody awful weather. Described by Marisa's dad as 'British'. Enough said. Marisa and I put the little one down for his nap and took off into Graz. A very wet Graz. Still we had a blast being a couple for a change. Dinner in a Chinese Restaurant bedecked with pictures of naked women covered in chocolate followed by a trip up a hill to look over a rainy, horrible Graz. But, it was great. Back home to see a rather excited little man via Toys R Us. Some lego and a jigsaw to soften the blow of having missed his parents.
Day 5: Wednesday.
The usual morning routine of relaxing, little man's nap and lunch was followed by a trip on the Flascherlzug from Stainz. Including special West Styrian wine. And more evidence that the weather really was undecided as to what it wanted to do. Blinding sunshine was chased away by rain and a nice thunderstorm on the way back! There is a link here to the final day, but more of that later! Upon our return the evening fell into it's standard routine of bedtime for the little one, and computer catch up and reading for us grown-ups.
Day 6: Thursday.
After the obligatory early morning coffee, things were a little more structured as we were out of the house by 10.30 to go up a mountain. Teichalm, to be precise. Despite a bit of a diversion, and my eventual acceptance of GPS as a valid tool to find out where the fudge we are, we arrived in time for lunch. This thankfully coincided with a period of wetness, so no harm done. After that, we all went for a wander. By we, I mean Marisa, myself, the little one and Marisa's mum. Round a nice lake, through a forest boardwalk. Taking in awesome scenery. Marisa and myself having a disagreement about the pronounciation of the word 'Piste'. Then it got windy, which made the trip back to the car alot more of a challenge! Still, we made it anyway and found our way back home to the sound of mooing cows and bleating sheep (all from Marisa's mum in the back seat!!)
Day 7: Friday.
The morning was taken up by a bit of domesticity as a-sofa-bed-shopping we did go. This was then followed by a long promised trip for gulasch at Marisa's cousin and parents place. This was goooood. During the after-dinner drink/social, a rather bizarre coincidence was unearthed. Marisa's uncle had been sent some WW2 correspondence from Berlin, itself having been discovered in Shrewsbury of all places, just 6 miles or so from where I live!!
After more drinking, we were off to the last visit of the holiday to see more relatives. And drink more. Then, bed time.
Day 8: Saturday.
Not much to say about this. Packing, sleeping child, more packing. Farewells. Trip to Graz Airport. A chance meeting with the musician from the Flascherlzug at the check-in desk (I told you so). Then goodbyes, plane delays, a world-record rush through Frankfurt airport to get to our connecting flight as boarding commenced. Back on home soil, a razz down the motorway to get home for 8pm. To celebrate, Marisa stuck on the Eurovision Song Contest and ate most of the Haagen Dasz I'd bought from Tesco!!
So ends my holiday report. And not one mention of the dog... Oh F-
Day 1: Saturday.
The alarm caused me to peel my eyes open at 3am. After cursing pretty much everything and everyone I got up along with Marisa and the little man and by 4am we were off. It was simple stuff until the GPS proved too technical for me and tempers frayed. Nontheless, we arrived at the Airport parking place and parked and got on the bus. Relief just about covered it.
Once at Birmingham Airport, after Marisa fell over a bit, and I ran over Pingu in the mud we got ourselves orientated. Oh, and then joined the queue for Security.
Happily we got on the flight to Munich and all was good. The Munich stopover was brief enough and before too long we were Graz bound. The little one was overcome by tiredness and slept most of the flight. I watched out of the window as the plane passed over the Alps. Poor Marisa had to listen to some competitive women discuss their travels. I didn't really care once I saw the legs on one of them!!
And then we were there. With our bags we made our way into the arms of the in-laws.
After Marisa picked up the fancy hire car (an Astra estate I'll have you know!) we trundled off towards St Marein bei Graz. The Centre of the Universe.
Once there, more greetings with Marisa's dad, some obligatory food and alcohol, and a play with the neighbours.
Then, in the evening, I watched in horror as Chelsea won the Champions League final.
Day 2: Sunday.
Woken early, well, not really early, just an hour ahead on the clock! Slightly steaming head from the sun and alcohol the previous afternoon. It was a calm day, with another afternoon of family welcomes and drink, and food. I really don't recall much else happening. I tell a lie, we went to the pub to play darts and table football.
Day 3: Monday.
Getting used to the hour difference at last. The morning spent deciding what to do with the afternoon! Finally decisions made, Marisa, her sister, sister's husband, the little man and I set off towards a chocolate factory sort of thing (see Zotter) which had a petting zoo on site... Having been chased out by a school party, we tackled the (free) petting zoo. It has to be said that the weather had been a bit 'British' up to this point. A hair-raising trip down a slide later, we were all sat drinking strong coffee. Except little one, who was devouring chocolate. Day over.
Day 4: Tuesday.
Bloody awful weather. Described by Marisa's dad as 'British'. Enough said. Marisa and I put the little one down for his nap and took off into Graz. A very wet Graz. Still we had a blast being a couple for a change. Dinner in a Chinese Restaurant bedecked with pictures of naked women covered in chocolate followed by a trip up a hill to look over a rainy, horrible Graz. But, it was great. Back home to see a rather excited little man via Toys R Us. Some lego and a jigsaw to soften the blow of having missed his parents.
Day 5: Wednesday.
The usual morning routine of relaxing, little man's nap and lunch was followed by a trip on the Flascherlzug from Stainz. Including special West Styrian wine. And more evidence that the weather really was undecided as to what it wanted to do. Blinding sunshine was chased away by rain and a nice thunderstorm on the way back! There is a link here to the final day, but more of that later! Upon our return the evening fell into it's standard routine of bedtime for the little one, and computer catch up and reading for us grown-ups.
Day 6: Thursday.
After the obligatory early morning coffee, things were a little more structured as we were out of the house by 10.30 to go up a mountain. Teichalm, to be precise. Despite a bit of a diversion, and my eventual acceptance of GPS as a valid tool to find out where the fudge we are, we arrived in time for lunch. This thankfully coincided with a period of wetness, so no harm done. After that, we all went for a wander. By we, I mean Marisa, myself, the little one and Marisa's mum. Round a nice lake, through a forest boardwalk. Taking in awesome scenery. Marisa and myself having a disagreement about the pronounciation of the word 'Piste'. Then it got windy, which made the trip back to the car alot more of a challenge! Still, we made it anyway and found our way back home to the sound of mooing cows and bleating sheep (all from Marisa's mum in the back seat!!)Day 7: Friday.
The morning was taken up by a bit of domesticity as a-sofa-bed-shopping we did go. This was then followed by a long promised trip for gulasch at Marisa's cousin and parents place. This was goooood. During the after-dinner drink/social, a rather bizarre coincidence was unearthed. Marisa's uncle had been sent some WW2 correspondence from Berlin, itself having been discovered in Shrewsbury of all places, just 6 miles or so from where I live!!After more drinking, we were off to the last visit of the holiday to see more relatives. And drink more. Then, bed time.
Day 8: Saturday.
Not much to say about this. Packing, sleeping child, more packing. Farewells. Trip to Graz Airport. A chance meeting with the musician from the Flascherlzug at the check-in desk (I told you so). Then goodbyes, plane delays, a world-record rush through Frankfurt airport to get to our connecting flight as boarding commenced. Back on home soil, a razz down the motorway to get home for 8pm. To celebrate, Marisa stuck on the Eurovision Song Contest and ate most of the Haagen Dasz I'd bought from Tesco!!
So ends my holiday report. And not one mention of the dog... Oh F-
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