Yorkshire - Learn the language

To my blog readers :-

One day you may meet a Yorkshireman (hopfully me) and there are a few things you need to learn about the white rose language.
1. A Tyke (Yorkshireman) is always blunt and will say what he thinks don't be offended.
2. A Tyke is Friendly to strangers.
3. A Tyke is stubborn.
4. You don't have to tell a tyke Yorkshire is a nice place he already knows that.
5. Don't tell a Tyke you like or are from Lancashire.
6. Don't wear a red rose.
7.Remember to tell him you love white roses.
8. You need to learn the laguage so I have included some usefull words and sayings with their English definitions read on :-

Yorkshire term - Definition

allus - always
'appen - maybe, possibly e.g. "I'll 'appen that's it" for "that's possibly true"
aye - yes
bad 'un - no good
badly - not in a good state of health, i.e.'How's Martha?', 'She's badly.'
bagsey - childhood term, i.e. 'bagsey my turn!'
bairn - child
bait/ bait box - snack/ packed lunch
bap - bread bun
beck - brook
beefin(g), blubberin(g) - crying
be reight - it'll be alright
best y' do - see that you do
black bright, black as't face o' spades - very dirty
bog - toilet/restroom
bonce - head
bonny - pretty
bray/braying - beating e.g. "you'll get a good braying" or "I'll bray you"
breadcake - bread roll or bap
butty - sandwich
cack-handed - left-handed, clumsy
chelpin' - talking
chippy, chip 'ole - fish and chip shop
chuckin(g) your guts up - being sick
chuddy - chewing gum
chuffed - pleased, excited
clarty - dirty, muddy, sticky
clout - cloth or slap
coal 'ole, coyle oyle - coal cellar
coit - coat
croggy - riding on the cross-bar of a bicycle
daft as a brush - stupid
delve - dig
down't (road) - down the (road)
'ead - head
eeh by gum - oh my God
faffing - messing about
famished - hungry, starving
fast - stuck
fettle - to tidy/mend
flaggin(g) - tired, worn out
flippin 'eck - (flipping heck) exclamation of shock and surprise
flitin' - moving house
flower - term of endearment
flummoxed - confused
fowl - bird
gaffer - the boss
gander - look at
gear - items, things
ginnell - alleyway
gi' over - give over, stop it
giz, gizza, gizzyer - give, give us, give your
goffs - smells horrible
goodies - sweets
good 'un - good one
goosegog - gooseberry
gormless - stupid
gunna, gonna - going to
hell fire! - goodness me!
in a bit - bye
in't - in the
jammy - very lucky
jiggered - very tired
kegs - trousers/underwear
kiddin(g) - telling a fib, joking
lake, laikin(g), larking - play (i.e. "Is your Lesley coming out to lake?"), playing
lass - girl/young woman/wife
lavvy - toilet/restroom
leg - throw
lug, lug'ole - ear
maffin' - hot and clammy weather
(I'm) mafted - (I'm) hot
manky - not nice, unpleasant
mardy - moody, sulky, stroppy
minging - horrible, unpleasant
mithered, mitherin(g) - irritated with something, as in "stop mitherin' me" is "stop bothering/irritating me".
v. (to have a) monk on - to be grumpy, to have a sulky face
missen - My self e.g. "I'll do it missen"
narky - moody, sulky, stroppy, (mardy)
n'ar - now
neb - nose
nithered - very cold
not back'ard at comin' for'ard - (not backward at coming forward) pushy person
nouse - sense
nowt/ nout - nothing
now then - hello
oh aye?! - oh really?!
'ow do - how are you, hello
owt - anything
pack it in - stop it
paggered - knackered e.g. "I'm completely paggered" or "I've just paggered my dad's car"
playin(g) pop - to tell of/ get angry with
pop - fizzy drink
pudgy - fat or chubby person
put wood in'th oyle - shut the door
radged - Angry
ratty - grumpy/gross
(it) reeks - (it) smells horrible
reet - right
Rum'n - Cheeky/bit of a character e.g. "He's a rum'n"
sarnies - sandwiches
scran - food
seethee - do you see? (often used at the end of a sentence)
sh' in't in - she isn't in
siling down - raining heavily
sithee - goodbye (see thee)
(have a) skeg - (have a) look
snap - food
snicket - small alleyway or footpath
spanish - licqourice - apparently because Spanish monks bought a licquorice tree to Rievaulx Abbey
spelk, spell - splinter
spice - sweets
sprog - child
spuggy - sparrow
starved/starves - really cold (not 'hungry' as you might expect) or makes cold eg: "Milk starves my tea"
summat - something
sup - drink
ta - thanks
tarra - bye
tek - take
thee, tha - you
thissen - yourself
Tyke - Yorkshire person
un - one
vexed - angry
waint - won't
watter - water
while - until e.g. "I'm working while seven"
wick - alive or lively
yonder - over there


Yorkshire phrase - Definition

'appy as a pig in muck - very happy, content with oneself
arse over tit - head over tail
couldn't organise a p*** up in a brewery - badly organised, can't do anything right
look frinint ye - look in front of you (i.e. when walking)
more brass na brains - more money than sense
near as makes n'matter - close enough
neither use nor ornament - expression of disapproval; useless
not enough room to swing a cat - very small room, cramped
a Scarborough Warning - bad behaviour that will result in a punishment, i.e. "You better watch it, you're on a Scarborough warning young lady".
s*** with sugar on - over-elaborate, posh food
that ladgin buewer chored me pack up - that unattractive girl I don't like very much has stolen my packed lunch
that's a threp in't steans - that's a blow/ kick in the... (shins?)
well, I'll go to't foot of't stairs/ I'll go to our house - expression of amazement
were ya born in a barn? - you've left the door open: close it!
where's it at? - where is it?

Memphis My Trip (follow up to my last post)

My previous report was the tale of one night in Memphis last September, this is my opinion of the rest of that trip.

I arrived at my Hotel (Comfort Inn, Downtown) about 6pm on the Thursday a little tired and hungry after almost 15hours travelling. The weather was hot and very humid. The hotel and staff were great and I wouldn't hesitate staying there again. Although I was travelling alone I was given a large room with two double beds. Exploring the hotel I found the swimming Pool on the roof with a great view of the Mississippi.

After a shower and change of clothes I asked at the desk if there was anywhere close I could grab a bite to eat. The girl suggested I caught the trolley which stopped close to the hotel down to Beale Street. I decided to walk as I had spent so much time seated on a aircraft. I though the walk was a litlle bit iffy as the only people about where street beggars, I wouldn't fancy this walk late at night.

When I arrived at Beale Street it was a hive of activity with live music everywhere. I was thinking of where to try for food when I walked passed a beer garden where a group was playing some great songs. I thought I would have a beer first listen to the group then go for a meal.
No sooner had I got served a group of people from near New Orleans asked me about my accent. Upon hearing I was English they befriended me and I spent the rest of the evening with them, the funny part was I could hardly understand their southern accent and they struggled with my Yorkshire talk. At an interval the singer with the group called Bill came over and chatted with us, people were friendly.

After 11pm I was very tired and decided to catch the trolly back to my hotel thinking it would be busy. When I got to the stop there was only me and a couple from Kansas they where nice and showed me where to get off for my hotel (I had drunk a fair bit). I then realised I had so much fun that I hadn't eaten so it was chocolate and biscuits from the hotel vending machine (my first Memphis meal).

The following morning I got up refreshed and after my hotel complementry breakfast I went for a walk along the banks of the river. I find walking is the best way to explore a city. It was quite deserted except for the odd jogger. I later that day found out that people don't leave Beale Street until the sun comes up and sleep all morning. In fact a typical Memphis day is sleep until midday, laze around the swimming pool all afternoon, Out all night partying, grap the odd BBQ rips in between these activities. I did my best for the rest of the time I was there to keep up with the locals.

Beale Street was great especially after dark when the police closed the road and you could walk from bar to bar with your beer. Music was everywhere, Blues, Rock, Jazz, Elvis, etc. I liked the idea of paying to get in one club entitled you to go in them all, they stapled a coloured band on your wrist.

Two of the best most entertaining acts I saw in Memphis was a lady Pianist/singer Marcia Ball who played in BBKings club on the Saturday and The Dempseys a rockabilly trio in Blues Cafe.

Check them out -

http://www.marciaball.com/

http://www.thedempseys.net/

While in Memphis I visited the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Hotel where Martin Luthor King was assasinated. It was very interesting.

I also visited the Rock and Soul Museum which told the story of the areas music history it was good.

I also spent one afternoon on Mud island where there is a scale model of the Mississippi that you can walk along, the entrance was close to my hotel.

Conclusion Memphis is a great place to visit for a long weekend if you like having fun, much longer you may get bored as there is not a lot to do or see during the day. I will definately visit again one day just for the music.

Memphis - I should have got her number

Last year while I was in Memphis this happend on the Sunday night.

I made my way to Beale Street about 6pm with the intention of getting a meal while it was quiet, then take in some live music and possibly meet some new people.
When I arrived I didn't feel ready to eat so I made the decision to go in "The Tap Room" which was the only place with no live music, my intention to see if any of the locals would play me at Pool. The place was virtually empty with the exception of two blokes on a Pool table and the pretty young girl serving behind the bar.
I got a beer from the girl, she told me she was bored, she had been working all day and finished soon. I was about to go ask the blokes if I could get a game of Pool when the Girl asked "Do you want to play with me ?". I replied why not assuming she played Pool. She climbed over the bar sat down at side of me and spun a VDU screen around. She wanted to play a computer game, I hate computer games but I obliged.
After a short while I was saved when another customer, a 32year old blond girl who was really attractive came in the bar and sat down at the bar. She looked totally out of place in that bar but we started chatting and I found out she was from Kansas and was in Memphis on business.
I stayed with her untill around 9pm when she said she was going back to her Hotel to catch up on some work ready for a meeting the morning. I wasn't too dissapointed I was starving (I did asked her earlier if she wanted to go for something to eat but she had already done so).
So I went and dined on my own at a restaurant called "Pig" which is actually quite good.
After my meal I thought I'll go into a club "Blues Hall" for some live music. As I went to the bar to get a drink the singer was taking a bucket around the audience for tips. He came up to me and I put a couple of dollars in his bucket and he asked where I was from, I replied Yorkshire, England, he announced this to the audience.
As I got to the bar a lady (40ish) said your from England so am I. We got in conversation, she was from Bournmouth at the opposite end of England to me. She told me she was recently divorced and had treated herself to this vacation. It was on an organised tour and she was moving on to Nashville the following morning.
We talked for ages and had a lot in common, in fact I spent the rest of the night with her, we had a good laugh.

Anyway here is the point, I don't normally swap details with people I meet on vacation.
Confession - The following day when this lady had moved on to Nashville I realised I really liked her a lot and was gutted I hadn't swapped details (I can't even remember her name).
My gut feeling is she was a potential "Perfect Ten" (see my post dated 8th March).
This was a total mistake on my part, I often wonder if she felt the same, I doubt it but will never know for sure.

Goodbye Janneke

Friday night a few of us from work went for a night out to say goodbye to Janneke a 24 year old Dutch girl who as been working on our site as a Microbiologist. She actually leaves next Friday.
About 16 of us met up in a bar called "Harkers" before going for a meal at a nice restaurant called "Ask".
Following the meal we visited a few bars to knock some froth off some beer before 10 of us went on to a club.
The ten who made the Club in no specific order were of course me and
Janneke - she is a attractive with a smashing personality.
my friend Lofty - Daft as a brush but a good mate.
Graham (process engineer) - Young lad likes to mix with the big boys.
Phil (Chemist) - Phil Cool is the nickname
Vicky (accounts) - You need ear plugs if you sit near Vicky, she can talk. Real good fun though.
Abi (microbiologist) - Mexican girl seems nice (really sweet) as only been working on our site two month.
Karla (microbiologist) - New Zealand Girl that turned out to be a real laugh.
Samantha (Sales) - Told us lads she could drink us under the table, read on.
Melanie - Samanthas friend (seems to get on well with Phil).

Well we all were having a laugh a bit of dancing and the club was packed. Abi didn't stay long as she was tired, she had only returned from the states at lunch time and was jet lagged. But she certainly loves dancing there was no stopping her.
Graham fell asleep in a corner so we left him alone for one hour.
We had a game of spin the bottle where everyone had to confess their most embarrasing secrets. We woke Graham up for his go.
Samantha collapsed in some sort of alcoholic coma at 2am (keep up with the boys tut tut). Mel, Phil and Vicky left to take Sam home.
Me, Karla, Janneke and Lofty were sat talking (Graham back asleep) when Karla said her feet ached from all the dancing, I jokingley replied give me them here I will massage them. My mistake as she took her shoes off and planted her feet in my lap, never one to admit defeat I spent the next twenty minutes massaging Karla's feet in a packed night club to the amusement of everyone. Actually I quite enjoyed it, good fun and sexy.
I can't remember much more but I'm sure I'm missing a few stories, I eventually got home a 4am.

Ambitions

Throughout my life I have always had ambitions, things I want to do or achieve. Some things I have done/achieved and I am adding more all the time.

This is my current list : -

Work :-

Retire before I'm 55 years old.

Life :-

Live till I'm 100 years old.
Always enjoy life.
Be happy.

Travel :-

Cities I want to visit (this list is growing all the time) :-
Nashville (soon), New Orleans, Austin, Atlanta, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia, St Louis, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Rio, Buenos Airies, Sydney, Melbourne, Tokyo, Seoul, Singapore, Vienna, Moscow, (I'm sure I've missed one).

Sports Wise -

Soccer - See Leeds United win the European Champions League.
Read my report dated 10th March to understand this one.

Table Tennis - Win all eight events I am eligible to enter at the Annual York championships. This will require playing and winning around 40 matches over two days. At this years championships I won five - Veterans (over 40) singles plus the doubles with Jacko, The division one singles, Mens doubles with Richard and Mixed doubles with Jill. I was also beaten finalist in both the Hard bat Singles and doubles. The eigth event was the mens singles where I lost to my doubles partner in the semi-final, he lost the final to Martin. I have since beaten Martin in the league (his only defeat this season). Roll on next year for my next attempt.
http://www.farmery30.freeserve.co.uk/

Golf - Get my handicap down to single figures. It is currently "15" but I don't get enough time to play. I need to make more effort.

Pool - Win the local Selby singles title. I have never been near but once got to the mixed doubles final with a girl called Sharron.
http://www.selbypoolleague.co.uk

People :-
As I like meeting real people this is a new one I have just come up with.
I want to meet people that write to my blog on a regular basis, I have put two on the list so far and some other potential people are under consideration (all on my blogs to read list).
1. Regina (Friday 28th April).
2. Joel Dcnats.


So basically write comments on my blog then one day !
Don't worry I don't bite and the drinks/meal are on me.

Tonights Pool Match

Tonight we have a Pool match in the local league away to a team from a pub called "The Golden Lion". Locally this Pub is known as The Star Wars Bar due to the characters that drink there.
It is a total dump and will be full of down and outs , Punks, Crack heads, prostitutes, etc. It will be a case of in there play the match and out asap. It will be a very intimidating atmosphere, we don't really mind, we are used this sort of situation. They are not as bad as "The Gypsy Moth" team we played last week.
We haven't got a very good team this season as 3 of our players have stopped playing and have been replaced by people playing their first season in the league. We should get better as the season progresses.

On another note Tomorrow (1st day of spring) is my Birthday and I will be 48 (getting really old but young at heart) and a few of us are off to cheer on Leeds Utd against Crystal Palace. It will be a hard match Leeds are in 3rd place while Palace are 5th. We need to get in the top two for automatic promotion to the premiership or we will be in the play offs, not bad for club that came within 7 days of been bankrupt 15 months ago.

Also well done to Leeds Ladies team who reached the ladies FA Cup final beating Liverpool 2-0 on Sunday.

Maiden in Distress

This happened last Saturday in Blackpool,

As reported on an earlier blog a group of us were in Blackpool last weekend. On saturday night 8 of us went for a meal at a nice Italian restaurant and then went on to a couple of bars then to a club.
I can't remember what the club was called but it was very busy with a packed dance floor. The range of ages in our all male group varied from 19 years old to me at 47. There was the usual banter between blokes about who would pull a girl.
After a while we were stood around talking when a female (est age 40ish) came up to me took my drink off me, put it down and led me to the dance floor. Although I'm a reluctant dancer (with my two left feet) I obliged the girl because I knew the rest of our party would be jealous and I could give them some stick.
After a couple of dances I decided I needed a bathroom break and made my way to the gents. At the same time one of my friends Steve also needed the bathroom.
As we emptied our bladders I sensed somebody stood behind me, looked around to find a young girl (early twenties) crying. I told her that she shouldn't be in the gents and walked her out, she was saying "I'm looking for Mark".
Once I got her outside I tried to calm her down and asked " Who is Mark". She told me it was her boyfriend and they had been arguing, she ws slightly intoxicated. While this was going on Steve walked by laughing at my involvement.
I thought I had calmed her down when she flipped and started picking up empty glasses from a nearby shelf and throwing them against a wall. I decided this was a good time to make my exit before the bouncers arrived and left her to join my mates.
After joining back up with my mates I was just explaining what had happened when the girl walked past. Always the gentleman I asked if she had found Mark, she started crying again and grabbed hold of my arm. In my attempts to calm her I said I would help her find Mark. We set off wandering around the club with her hanging onto my arm.
We did not have any success in finding Mark so eventually give up. She was still upset but started to tell me the story and while doing so wrapped her arms around me. To be honest I think she just saw me as a friendly face.
As she calmed down I gave the girl a little kiss on her head but at this moment who appeared but Mark. I looked around and he was built like Man mountain, I thought shit and here I am with my arms around his girlfriend giving her a kiss, this could take some explaining.
The girl went over to him and had a word, Mark then came over to me and to my amazement thanked me for looking after her.
The girl came back over and to my shock gave me an amazing kiss on the lips, as we parted I just said "look after yourself kid", she smiled and "yes and thanks" and walked off with Mark.
I then went back to where the lady I had earlier danced with was to find her dancing with somebody else (win some lose some ?).

Anyway the following morning I was able to explain to all the younger lads in the party how to get girls to dance or kiss you, they have a lot to learn.

Its amazing what you find in the supermarket

Last night I went to the supermarket to collect the weekly groceries and bumped into a girl I hadn't seen for almost 30 years. Although I used to find her attractive we were never a item, we were just part of a gang that hung about together during our early teenage years.
She had moved from the area with work she was a career girl then got married.
We had a coffee and talked and she told me she got divorced last year and she is living in York with her two kids (age 15 & 18). She was in town visiting her father.
To cut a long story short I have been in York tonight taking her out for a meal and to talk about old times. I dropped her off at home just before 10pm, she has my phone number, I'll wait and see if she phones ?

The Hormone Years - Who was your dream Girl/Boy

As I grew through my teens as we all do I started to notice the opposite sex. Slowly the Football posters that decorated my bedroom wall were replaced by pictures of beutifull girls. I was growing up.
My No1 pin up at this time was Debbie Harry of Blondie fame.

Not only was Debbie a teenagers dream the music the group played was good also with classic hit singles such as Denis, Sunday Girl, Dreaming, Heart of Glass, Picture This, Hanging on the Telephone, Call Me, The Tide is High, etc.

Blondie also produced some great albums with Parallel Lines & Eat to the Beat been amongst my favourites.

Who was your No1 pin up ?

Taste of Chicago 2005 - Motown Tribute

Last year when I was in Chicago the "Taste of Chicago" festival was on. One afternoon they had a Tribute to the Motown greats session on a outdoor stage
The had a number tribute acts performing most of the classic hits.
The weather was sunny and very hot and I had a really enjoyable afternoon watching this show with Food & Beer of course.
These are some of the Photo's I took at the Taste.

My favorite Motown group are "Martha Reeves and the Vandellas" with favorite songs from them been "Dancing in the street", "Nowhere to Run" & "Heatwave".

Who was your favorite ?

Blackpool here we come

Okay I'm off to Blackpool this weekend to play British league Table Tennis. But it is a party town so Saturday Night could be good.
Shit we have got two big relegation battles on Sunday so I will have to take it steady (maybe).

Top Five Lists

Things I've NOT done and NEVER regretted :-
1. Smoked.
2. Had Sex with a Man.
3. Taken illegal Drugs.
4. Been Violent towards a Women.
5. Wanted Man Utd to win a Football match.

Things I HAVE done and regretted :-
1. Been arrested.
2. Ran with a gang.
3. Broke my wrist punching a wall in temper.
4. Drunk too much.
5. Slept with a girl just for sex (young boys have got to learn somewhere).

Things I have NOT done and regretted :-
1. Asked a girl out I really liked.
2. Fulfilled all my ambitions (still time).

Can't think of anymore here but they will come to me.

Things I HAVE Done and NEVER regretted :-
1. Helped a girl been attacked by two men (got beat up for my trouble).
2. Declared loyalty to my football team Leeds Utd win or lose.
3. Split up with a long term girlfriend (we were never meant for each other).
4. Traveled to various places meeting various people.
5. Got revenge on 3 people that bullied me at school.

A lot of these are stories on their own - watch this blog.

The Perfect Ten

What is this ?

It is the method of finding if your partner is right for you, it is simple. All you do is list the ten most important factors you are looking for in a partner.

I will list mine (no joking try it).
You don't after agree with me your list may be completly different.
This is a two way thing and the man also has to match up to the ladies requirements.

1. Looks - I am looking here for a girl that is reasonably attractive. As I find majority of women in my age range attractive this isn't usually a major problem

2. Age Range - 35 to 55

3. Physique - I'm not looking for a super model but a shapely figure is nice (not too slim of too big). A few extra pounds is not a problem. Nice breasts are important (not too big or small). I also prefer the lady to be shorter in height than me (I'm 5ft 9in).

4. Non Smoker - I hate kissing ash trays.

5. Honest/trustworthy - I have no time for people I can't trust, people don't usually get two chances with me. I do promise the same standards in return.

6. Sexual Experience - I would not be looking for someone that has slept with hundreds of men. At my age I can't expect someone with no experience, a few long term lovers and the odd mistake isn't a problem. My theory is if the women is willing to sleep with you early (first few dates) in the relationship she as slept with a lot of men. Some people think my standards are old fashioned here.

7. Intellegent - I like a women you can have decent sensible conversation/debates with. I see women of intellect a challenge and this motivates me.

8. Personality - I like a women with a outgoing personality, plenty of interests, good for a laugh. There interests don't have to be the same as mine. In fact I think if both people have some different interests and do their own thing this helps to relationship. You don't want to be in each others face all the time.

9. Cuddly - I like a girl that likes to be close, when your at home together say watching a film on telly cuddling up to each other is healthy.

10. Chemistry - I believe when two people are suited there is definately a chemical reaction between them. I think you just know this when it happens.

I doubt if my perfect partner exists but if you are out there let me know. That is if your looking a man that is 47 year old, Overweight, Moody, Stupid, Under Sexed, Bald, Useless at Dancing, Sports mad, Drinks too much, etc.

Ok who is now going to put there list on my blog. If you look at your partner afterwards I take no responsibility for any divorces.

Thank You

On my last post Regina & Joel (Dcnats) comment that I write a lot for a reluctant blogger. They are correct in fact it was a chance reading of Regina's blog that got me interested.
Writing was never a strong point of mine and I lacked the confidence to start my own blog. Suggestions by these two people made me change my mind and I am pleased I did.
Ok the written English may contain a few mistakes but at 47 years old (oh shit 48 this month) I have a million stories to tell.
People who read this blog will read nothing but honest stories, honest opinions, some Good, some Bad and some Ugly about me. Like or hate me and my opinions don't be afraid to comment I will respect your opinion (I never said agree).

Regina & Joel have done me a favour, I want to blog in my own way and I am grateful to them both, THANK YOU.

So far these two people are the only ones to reply to my posts but reading some other blogs it sometimes takes months for the readership to grow, I hope mine does.


The picture is of me last June at Stllwell Ave, Subway Station at Coney Island, New York. I just asked the local police officer if I could borrow his batton. He was a real nice bloke and I talked to him for ages, he took this photo. Don't you think I look hard (well slightly tough) ?

Pingpong Night

Tonight I will be playing one of my sports Table Tennis. I play for "Sessions" have a match in the York & district league which is against the team (Groves "B") that are bottom and already relegated. It could be a close match however because we are not at full strength. I expect to win my three games (I shouldn't have said that) but I don't know what my teamates will do. Up to two years ago we won the league 8 seasons in a row but we have lost a couple of key players and are rebuilding.
One of my teamates is Nigel who has played with me for years but he is now 60 years old and past his best, he is the oldest player in the top division. My other teamate is a 17 year old called Nathan who has only just moved up to this level from the 3rd division, he won two games for the first time last week.
I am currently averaging around 75% wins but this is a crap season for me, I usually aim at 90%. I had a poor 1st half losing 9 games but I have only lost 2 since christmas.
One of our other two squad players that are not playing tonight is Richard who is 19 years old but away at University, He is a very strong player and ranked in England. The squad is made up with 15 year old James who represents Yorkshire juniors, he is an excellent prospect and is averaging 50% at senior level.
This match is only a warm up for this weekend when I will be playing British league for Derwent T.T.C. We are at Blackpool and have two matches saturday and another two on sunday.
Both our 1st & 2nd teams are there, the 1st team are in 2nd place in division one north and a good weekend will see them promoted to the national premier division. I will be playing for the 2nd team as the experienced man in a otherwise inexperienced team. We are bottom of Division 3 North and need a good weekend to stay up. The standard is hard but we are confident.

The picture is of James our star junior who is also playing for our British League team.

Living Heroes - My tribute to the Chief

Who is the Chief ? He is a man from South Africa who came to Leeds to play football for the club I support over ten years ago. His name - Lucas Radebe.

Nothing special in that no but you had to meet the man, see the man, hear the man talk to realise he was special. This man is the most famous South African alive today, a man whom Nelson Mandela calls "My Hero".

It could have been so different for Lucas, he was brought up in Soweto, South Africas poorest ghetto in the days of apartheid, a area rife with crime. This man was shot and feared he would not walk never mind become a world class footballer.

Today he returns to his roots on a regular basis to help the young people of Soweto follow his route to succes and away from all the problems of poverty bring. He is mobbed anywhere he goes in South Africa, everyone loves Lucas.

Before coming to Leeds Lucas signed for his local soccer club as a goalkeeper but soon changed his position to central defender because the club had two goalkeepers. That club was called "The Kaiser Chiefs", sounds familiar, well yes it is the famous Leeds Rock Group are named in honour of Lucas, that is how much he is thought of in Leeds.

As a footballer Lucas was always used as a role model for young players, always giving 100%, never cheating, never feigning injury. This is a example that some of the overpaid superstars should follow today.

Lucas career eventually ended when his injuries caught up with him after numerous major operations on his knees. During the last few years of his playing days Lucas would be on crutches all week but would never let his teamates down when saturday came around despite putting himself through agony.

Lucas was loyal when so called bigger clubs tried to sign him offering more money he told them Leeds gave him the chance and he was happy with what they paid.

At his best Lucas was a world class performer that went on to captain his country.

When Leeds gave Lucas a testimal match all the worlds top players wanted to play thats how much they repected Lucas. The match although a friendly saw Leeds biggest crowd of the season.

When two of our supporters were murdered in Istanbul by Turkish thugs prior to UEFA cup semi-final in 2000, Lucas was the first to visit the families.

Lucas was always a family man but always had time to talk to the Leeds fans who adored him. At christmas he was always the first to visit local hospitals taking sick children presents. He was always the one who went straight over to disabled supporters.

Lucas spoke out against racism and people listened, I think even the right wing extremists listened to Lucas.

Lucas never looked at people in terms of Black or White he just looked at a person.

He is a great man.

My Next Adventure is Confirmed

My tickets have arrived for my next America trip.
I will leave home after work on wednesday 26th April and stay over in Manchester.
Thursday 27th at about 11am my flight leaves for the 8.5 hour flight to Chicago where I will stay for 5 nights.
Tuesday 2nd May I go from Chicago to Nashville for 6 nights before returning home on the 8th.

My Hotels :-
Manchester - Bewleys Airport Hotel.
Chicago - Travelodge Downtown, E Harrison Street.
Nashville - Best Western, Music Row.

My Town - Selby

The town in which I was brought up and still live is called Selby in North Yorkshire. Its is 12 miles south of York and 21 miles to the east of Leeds.
The area I was raised and had my first adventures of life was on a tough working class housing estate nicknamed locally as "The Canyon".
The biggest feature in Selby is a 11th century Abbey which dominates the town.

Pictures :-
1. Selby's biggest Hotel The Londsborough (sorry only hotel).
2. The Old Toll Bridge (they used to charge us to cross the river).
3. Selby Park
4. The Museum Hall now home to the Salvation army.
5. Selby Town Hall.
6. Selby Abbey.

Just a Nice Girl

On my visit to New York last June I have commented on it not been a good place to visit on your own. I have mentioned that I only had four real conversations while I was in the City.
I will tell you about one of these.

It was the day before I left New York and I was going to go to the south tip of Manhatten to catch the ferry to the Statue of liberty and Ellis Island immigration museum. Walking in the park prior to my trip I came across the Korean War memorial and decided to take a photo.
While here a pretty young (mid twenties) South Korean girl came up and asked me to take a photo of her with the memorial in the background. I said ok so take her camera and took two or three photos. She thanked me and we both went on our way.

I boarded the ferry and sat down and to my surprise the South Korean girl was on the boat and came over to me. She said you are not American (she could speak good english), I pointed out I was English and we got in a conversation.

We walked around the statue of liberty still talking and the girl told me she was having the same thoughts as me to the people of New York whom all don't seem to have time for visitors.

I was quite pleased a girl in her twenties wanted to spend time with a 47 year old.

We stayed together all afternoon and I bought the girl a cup of coffee at Ellis island. It turned out we had both been in the city the same length of time and seen most of the same sites. She told me she was staying at The Wellington Hotel on 7th ave which was nice. She couldn't believe when I pointed out I was also staying on 7th ave but at the Park Central Hotel which is straight across the street from the Wellington.

So we headed back to our hotels together and I asked the girl where she had been going on a evening. She told me she would have liked to go out but felt unsafe so had dined in her hotel each night. As we got back to our hotels I asked the girl if she would like to come out for a meal with me that night. To my surprise she said yes and I made arrangements to pick her up in her Hotel foyer. I think she felt safe with me with me been a tourist.

We actually went to Little Italy to a nice restaurant and had a very enjoyable evening talking of the sights we had seen. She wanted to pay for the meal (I think she was quite wealthy) but I wouldn't let her and did the gentleman thing.

We got back to her Hotel just before 11pm and she asked me if I would have a drink in the bar which I accepted. We had a couple of drinks chatting until about midnight when we both decided to call it a day. I tried to pay for the drinks but she insisted at put them on her room.

She thanked me for been her escort and said she had really enjoyed herself. Ok she gave me a quick kiss on the cheek then we went our seperate ways.

I thought I had seen the last of this girl but the following morning when I went to book out she was in my Hotel foyer and came and thanked me again for the evening and gave me a present (a framed picture of New Yorks skyline).

I don't really know why I told this story but it was just a nice evening that two adults on vacation found good company. She was Just a Nice Girl.

My Musical Roots - The Glam Years

As I have mentioned on my profile one thing I am interested in is music. Nowadays I find I can listen to allsorts of different styles of music from different eras - Blues, jazz, rock, R & B, etc. As a music fan I have grown up.
However as a teenager it was so different, like most teenagers no way would we listen to adult music.
My introduction to music was in the Glam rock years of the early seventies. This was the time when everyone dressed in bright coloured clothes and sprinkled themselves with glitter. This was our identity, music was meant to be fun.
At the time only two groups mattered, you were either a "T Rex" or a "Slade" fan. One other group was liked by all "Sweet" but they looked gay so nobody admitted liking them. "Sweet" produced some classics including, Blockbuster, Ballroom Blitz, Fox on the run, Wig Wam Bam, Little Willy, etc.
For me however the group I supported was Slade, I hero worshipped the boys from Wolverhampton. Noddy Holder, Dave Hill, Jim Lea and Don Powell were just awesome.
Slade today are heard every year at christmas with their classic No1 "Merry Christmas everbody" getting plenty of air time. Is this the best christmas record ever.
Slade were not just one song wonders they dominated the British charts for 4 years with no fewer than 6 number ones and numerous top ten hits. I remember the days when we used to gather outside Peter Halls music shop awaiting opening time when Slade released a new single.
Most slade records saw the titles spelt wrong much to the disgust of the English education authority.
Their classic songs included such gems as "Mama weer all crazee now", "cum on feel the noize"(covered a few years ago by Oasis), "Coz I luv you", "Gudbuy T'Jane", Skweeze me Pleeze me", Take me Bak ome", "My frend Stan", "Bangin Man", etc.
My personal favourites are "Everyday" and "Far Far away".
Slade records are designed to be played loud and live what entertainment they were. Who can forget Noddy's rasping voice rattling out the Steppenwolf classic "Born to be wild" to end the concerts.
Slade for their legacy made a Movie "Slade in Flame" which tells the story of the rise and fall of a Rock group. It is one of the best music movies ever made, check it out.
The mid seventies say the fading of Glam with the introduction of Punk, did the fun end here ?

Anyway Noddy and the boys - as the song says - Thanks for the Memory.

Anyone reading this please tell me about your first musical interests.

My Photos

As requested on another post, I don't think I've altered much.

Nervous night ahead

Tonight I am attending a retirement function at work. Each year the company puts on these events for any workers that are finishing their working lifes.
One of the electricians who works under me called Fred is retiring and I have to make a speech about him. There is expected to be just under 200 people in attendance and I am really nervous.
One consoling factor is that it is free beer and food all night. The beer may be a good or bad thing if my speech goes on late in the evening.

The Crazy Couples Divorce

Last December I was in Chicago for a few days and this is what happend one night :-

I had been out for a meal in one of the bars just to the North of the river and was feeling a little tired. It was very cold so a lot of places were not that busy so I decided to make my back to my hotel for a early night.
I was staying at the Hotel Allegro which is on the same block as the Palace Theatre on Randolph Street (behind the Thompson centre for anyone that knows it). There is a small bar between the Hotel and theatre called "Encore" and I decided to call in for a last drink.
The bar was quiet and been on my own I sat at the bar, I find this is best for meeting other people.
No sooner had I got my drink the door opened and a bloke aged mid thirties walked in and sat on the stool at side of me. He was ranting and raving about how crap the show was and how he had left his bitch of a wife in there watching the show.
When he heard my Yorkshire accent he started to talk to me about when he visited England. He introduced himself as Trent an historian from pennsylvania, he asked what I did and I showed him my buisness card.
He gave me the impression of a typical rich kid whose millionaire parents pay his keep. Anyway for the next hour he insisted on buying my drinks and bore my silly by telling the history of every war there as ever been. The bar staff saw this and were cracking up laughing at my totally bored face.
By this time the bar had filled up with people and all of a sudden he changed the subject and pointed at a girl across the room stating that she was making eyes at him.
He said something like "I think she fancies me, save my stool I'm off to chat her up"
I said reluctantly "ok , but thinking to myself the chap this girl was with was not going to be impressed".
Within a few seconds of him leaving his stool a absolutly stunning blond girl came and put her handbag on the bar and sat down on Trents stool.
Reluctantly I told her the stool was taken to which she replied "Yes I know I'm with that arsehole". Yes it was the wife.
She introduced herself and I told her my name pointing to my buisness card on the bar. She picked up my card and put it in her handbag.
Trent came back round the bar and they had a short argument before he wandered off again to try chat up every other girl in the building.
I felt sorry for the girl so I bought her a drink and chatted with her. After about five minutes she asked me a stupid question "Do you like dogs ?" to which I replied "I don't mind them but have not got one". This was a mistake as the next hour I spent my time looking at photographs of her dog much to the amusment of the bar staff.
Trent came round again for another argument to which the girl told him what a prat he was put her arms around me and told her husband she loved me. Trent wandered off a little bit grumpy, the bar staff were now in stitches.
She got out her digital camera and got one of the bar staff to take a photo of me and her as she hugged me tight. She then promised to send me the photo and some photos of her dog to my e'mail address on my buisness card. I tried to tell her it was my works e'mail and be careful what she sends as our help desk may block and read it.
Shortly after she went to the rest room to powder her nose and straight away Trent came marching over to me. He said "I've seen you chatting my wife up" I thought shit I don't want trouble. But then he added "I don't mind I'm going to divorce her anyway, you can have her" He then stormed out of the building.
She came back and I had the task of telling her he had gone. She seemed pleased with that and was only concerned about where she would sleep !