Friday 31 October 2008

The Foreigners 4 The English 4

Well... what a remarkable match. With only two minutes left on the clock, Arsenal were cruising. To be honest, even I thought that there was no way back for Redknapp's Tottenham Hotspur.

Jermaine Jenas' finely placed shot started the comeback. When this goal went in, I thought, well... could this happen. Even though I support Arsenal, due to their exquisite passing and flair they possess, I wanted Spurs to make the comeback. Aaron Lennon remarkably finished the comeback when Modric's shot came back off the post. The funny thing was all of the Arsenal scorers were foreign, whereas the Spurs scorers were English!

To watch highlights from the match, go to this page: http://www.football.virginmedia.com/ then follow the links.

Saturday 25 October 2008

The Electric Laura White

Laura White's performance on the X Factor tonight was absolutely electrifying. The other contestants who performed after her, must have been petrified. How could another act beat that?

Louis Walsh said "...it was world class."

Dannii Minogue said she "...would buy it tomorrow."

Simon Cowell said "...it was incredible", by any standard he heard.

Laura looks confident... she already looks like a star. At the start, when she was laying on the white rug, she looked exceptional... Even though I thought it was special treatment (I mean... on a rug, come on), I still have to praise her for it.

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She may be the one to beat... Now lets see what Ruth Lorenzo can do!

(The photo is from the second live show).

Terrific Trump

Today witnessed an emergence of a 'teenage sensation', a 19 year old snooker player called Judd 'Terrific' Trump.

When I saw this on the headlines for snooker on BBCi, I must admit it left me thinking about other things.

On another note, the match was laughable in one sense. Trump had almost ten chances in the last two frames to win the match. O'Sullivan bizarrely missed easy chances (by his standards). It was one of those which made you think "It's like I'm playing..." Maybe that is over exaggerating it a bit, but still it was shocking. Willie Thorne in the commentary box couldn't believe it...

 

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(This post was written on October 17th).

Friday 17 October 2008

The Snooker Announcer

The current announcer for World Snooker is such a character. He's such a character that he gets me shouting 'SHUT UP' at the screen. When he introduces the players, it's so reminiscent of a boxing match, it's unbelievable. Earlier tonight, Ryan Day actually flexed his neck from side to side before coming out onto the bay, as the announcer calls it.

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I think it's hilarious, the fact that if a person was to turn it on and they have never watched snooker before, they may think it was exciting. Don't get me wrong, it can be exciting at times, and I do regularly watch it (when it's on), but it isn't as thrilling as he introduces it to be.

Like I've said, he's a great character, however I don't know his name, and can't find it out...

QPR v Forest

"If you see Morgan and Chambers in our starting eleven, tell Dexter to fill his boots."

... These are the views of Kevin Finnegan on Forest's chances against QPR tomorrow. I totally, 100 percent agree with this statement because both Chambers and Morgan have made far too many mistakes this season. I personally hope Forest can get a draw, plus it will be good to hear Anderson, Earnshaw, and McGugan playing.

Here's a link to the Kevin Finnegan interview:

http://www.qpr.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=128501

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Saturday 11 October 2008

Lewis Hamilton

I read something in The Sun today, something that I've been thinking for a long time. Lewis Hamilton's driving is too aggressive. Robert Kubica, who is a good friend of Hamilton, called him a 'cocky track bully'.

I totally agree with what Kubica is saying. When watching the race a couple of weeks ago he was far behind after being unlucky with a safety car incident. When Hamilton overtakes his rivals, he always seems to push them into a certain situation where they have to let him past. For example there was an overtaking move on Timo Glock where he almost forced him off the race track. Glock had to give up his position to ensure his safety.

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Hamilton, in my eyes, is also overrated. He seems to constantly get all the attention in the McClaren team, whereas Kovalainen has to settle for second best. Hamilton also began his F1 career at a top team, whereas every other driver I've heard of needed to work their way up, besides probably Alonso. I would love to see what Hamilton would do at a lower team...

Big Sam for Forest?

I've heard rumours, or seen rumours that Sam Allardyce is on the verge of becoming the manager of Nottingham Forest, that's if they sack Calderwood. I understand why Forest would go for this option. He had good success with Bolton, managing them to the top half of the Premier League and the Uefa Cup. He was also, at one point, considered for the England role.

However, he didn't get the England job, instead Steve McClaren got the post. After leaving Bolton, he had a short break from the game, where after he joined Newcastle United. The Newcastle fans are passionate, and enjoy their team playing attacking football. In my time supporting Forest, I've come to realise that we also (me included) like to see Forest attacking, not defending.

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I believe that if Allardyce becomes manager at Forest, the style he would have the players playing will not be sufficient for the Forest fans. We have to respect him for what he did with Bolton, but I would like Colin Calderwood to be given more time to resurrect the situation that Forest are currently in. Give him until maybe December to get the team playing, and if it still isn't happening, think about a replacement...

Shakira is 50!

I switched over to TMF before the re-run of the F1 qualifying. I was startled by the fact that Shakira was on TV. I thought... wow... she's being admired for her 'hip' work!

I then realised that she was in actual fact number 50 out of this countdown of 'ULTIMATE 50 21ST CENTURY NUMBER ONES'. I felt that this was just taking the piss.

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Now I know why I never see her in these countdowns... because I would normally turn over when it's about to hit the top 20... She clearly isn't appreciated enough.

Friday 10 October 2008

Big Cat Live

After watching Eastenders one night, possibly on Tuesday, I decided to continue watching BBC1. Big Cat Live was on, a show where wildlife lovers watch lions/tigers/cheetahs etc. I expected to see them sleeping, but I was so mistaken.

The show was action packed. The way the cheetahs pursued their prey was immense, and the lions were massive. This is the first real time I'd watched a wildlife program, meaning it was interesting to see how these predators lived. It was also a very relaxing show to watch. The apparently traumatic lifestyles of these animals makes you realise that your life isn't so bad. I mean, I'm not having to fend off lions every step that I walk, every day that I live.

There was one moment where a lion was walking around the 4x4, marking it, checking it was ok. I wondered what would happen if the lion was to jump onto the vehicle... What would the guy do?

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A peculiar thing about the show was the fact that one of the cheetahs was called Shakira. I guess the thing that kept me hooked for the first fifteen minutes or so was this. I kept on repeating 'The cheetah's called Shakira!' I couldn't get over it. There was one particular funny moment where one of the wildlife experts said 'Shakira.. she's the girl.. she really is!' I certainly agree with this.

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Now that's the third time I've come across the name Shakira!

Monday 6 October 2008

I had a dream!

I had a dream on Sunday night/Monday morning... It was weird because I was in ICT, when I suddenly asked the teacher (not sure which one) if I could go to the toilet. They said yes. When I got out of the class I suddenly thought I want some chips, so I walked down to my local chippy, which is about a ten minute walk. Firstly I went to my house to get the money to pay for them. My mum gave me a look, as if to say "What are you doing here?"

After finding the money, I rushed out of the house and got the chips.. with a saveloy. I began eating it when I suddenly thought to myself.. SHIT... SCHOOL!

The dream ended with me having this thought. Their was one particular person in my dream that people who go to my school will know... but I won't tell you who it was....

Saturday 4 October 2008

Dangerous Liaisons v Cruel Intentions

On Friday night I thought I'd watch Dangerous Liaisons... as you do. It is a film made in 1988, set in France, and starred the likes of John Malkovich, Michelle Pfeiffer, Uma Thurman and Keanu Reeves. I've been wanting to watch it for quite a while due to the fact that I have watched Cruel Intentions, which is a film based on Dangerous Liaisons. Cruel Intentions, to me, is arguably one of the best films of all time.

The basic plot of the film is as follows. Valmont (John Malkovich) decides he is going to seduce a married woman (Michelle Pfeiffer). Isabelle (Glenn Close) says that if he succeeds, he will have the luxury of exploiting her sexually, to put it one way. What I couldn't help thinking throughout the film was, why would he want to sleep with her... she was ugly.

Glenn Close in Dangerous Liaisons image

She reminded me of many Catherine Tate characters. The 'gay dear, who dear, me dear, no dear' character is a classic example.

Even though she isn't totally my cup of tea, Kathryn (Sarah Michelle Gellar) from Cruel Intentions is far sexier than Isabelle, the seductress she portrayed from Dangerous Liaisons.

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Overall Cruel Intentions appealed to me more so than its predecessor Dangerous Liaisons. The language in Cruel Intentions is easier to understand, and it is set in a modern city and era. Saying this it was amusing to see some of the references made by Cruel Intentions to this film.

Typical Forest

Nottingham Forest played Crystal Palace today. Forest have not had a good start to the season. Five points from their first nine games wasn't something I, or any other Forest fan, was hoping for.

Despite this, today I honestly thought Forest would bounce back today. When walking to the stadium, like usual, there was no optimism from the Forest fans. There was no passionate fan singing tunes walking down to the City Ground.

When we got into the stadium, there was a usual silence surrounding the City Ground, other than the Palace fans who looked buoyant. For sure they (Palace) maintained their high level of support throughout the match, something which the Forest fans couldn't even get out of first gear with. This, throughout the afternoon, was one of the few stats that Palace dominated...

When the Forest players emerged from the tunnel, everyone clapped them onto the pitch, something that as become a necessity at Trent side. I eventually gave in to the pressure and clapped them on myself, but when I do this, in the process I always ask my mate... why are we doing this?

It was a typical Forest performance at home where we dominated but were unable to finish off any of our chances. Within the first couple of minutes we must have had about two corners, and two golden opportunities. Typically Palace at the other end score a scorcher which resulted from their corner to go one nil up within the first five minutes. Palace didn't, in my book, have another shot on target throughout the first half. We dominated but didn't score.

In the second half, things were very much similar, although Palace did get back into it a bit. The referee, who gave almost everything Palace's way in the first half, actually seemed to favour us, even though he turned away two penalty appeals from Forest. Palace's inevitable second came from, prepare yourself.... A DEFENSIVE ERROR/MIS-JUDGEMENT. I only witnessed half of it. Apparently Smith came out for the ball, but one of the defenders decided he'd try and take on the striker, only for Shefki Kuqi to tackle him and chip the ball over Smith. Seconds after this incident Forest fans flooded the exits, clearly unhappy with this.

Towards the end Forest had a host of chances, most notably Wilson who bizarrely shot from around 35 yards. The Palace keeper, who throughout the match was booed by the Forest fans, tipped it over the bar. If only this went in.. it might have shone some sunshine onto a torrid afternoon for Forest...

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My man of the match has to be Garath McCleary. He had the confidence to run at defenders and take chances. There was one particular chance in the second half where he took on a defender and shot wide from outside the box. At least he had the belief in himself to take a pop.

Thursday 2 October 2008

Heroes is back!

It was a jam-packed night of Heroes! The action started at 7pm with a season preview. I started watching it at quarter past due to me watching 'In Bruges - Best Bits' on YouTube... I advise you watch the film.. it's amazing..

Anyway, I liked the way the Heroes season preview was shot. The interviews with the cast were very effective. I enjoyed the way they talked to you, 'breaking the fourth wall' if you like, then directed you to a TV screen, looking as eager to watch it as the viewer did... of course this was probably pre-meditated.. but still effective. The only thing out of place was the fact that the show was building towards an end which would link it to the season premiere.. something which, at the end of the show, viewers on BBC2 would have to wait a further hour!

Heroes Unmasked followed which basically goes behind the scenes after each episode. I remember this being the one that concluded the final series. It described the writer strike that happened towards the end of the second series. Apparently the writers (the ones that remained.. I'm not sure) had to make adjustments to the script on set. This is how they came about the storyline that Nathan Petrelli would be shot at a Press conference. This left viewers asking ..Who shot Nathan?.. Why? This is where the third series began... I advise you watch it.

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Wednesday 1 October 2008

No 100 - Most Annoying Pop Moments

I've just seen something hilarious on BBC3.. Apparently Beyonce and Shakira shaking their 'arses' in Beautiful Liar is annoying!

There was one black guy (didn't get his name) who said that it is annoying because he can't get into the screen and actually touch them! I know how you feel mate! He also said that "they (Beyonce and Shakira) know they are doing it", teasing us. I understand where he's coming from.

Also.. in this short burst of craziness.. the crazy, yet passionate judge from Strictly Come Dancing was also there and said "Many people play it over and over again... especially boys... those naughty boys!".. Well I think this is absolutely hilarious.

If you haven't already done so, I advise you watch the video for yourself and see whether you feel the same way!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih9qWZJi4DM

I was advised to do this!

I've been studying for many years now. To be honest I am getting sick of it. I mean, fair enough, if I was doing a course I wanted to do and enjoying the company of my peers then I guess I wouldn't.

I'm still at school. Maybe I should have gone to a local college where I would have met new people, but to be honest I thought I was safer at my current school Greenwood Dale. I never really had the ambition to find out about local colleges. I didn't look around.. I firmly set my sights on sixth form. I basically set myself for two more years of kids scurrying around me, and (lets face it) pointless conversations in the bistro that led absolutely nowhere. There are only a handful of people that I regularly talk to, and for this reason I can't wait to get to University.

At University I plan on studying Journalism. I was advised to either write a blog or do some work experience at a local newspaper. I've sent an e-mail to the head of sixth form describing how I would like to do some work experience. I did this because my Media teacher said that she (head of sixth form) has contacts at the Evening Post. As of now (1st Oct) she still hasn't forwarded it... So I began this blog....