Monday 31 January 2011

Music Monday - Physical for Sandii

Last weeks post I used the word game to come up with song titles, I used Clown and got 5 songs which I posted. I challenged anyone to come up with a word and one of mylong time blog friends Sandii took up the challenge.
She came up with the word "Physical" which was a good one and tough.
Anyway to get to the point I've actually got 3 songs this week that have "Physical" in the title :-

1. First up is the 1981 fitness record from Olivia Newton John "Physical", bit of coincidence here cos didn't didn't she play the part of Sandy in grease.



2. Another lady I wouldn't mind getting Physical with, its Madonna with "Physical Attraction" -


3. Got to admit it was hard to find a 3rd (thank you internet) and I eventually got this from Stuart Goddard (ok better known as Adam Ant), "Physical (you're so)" -



So any words for next weeks challenge ?


On another note I've had a hectic weekend, been playing in the York table tennis championships and did quite well. Saturday was the divisional events, ok the top 3 seeds for the mens singles on sunday decided not to play and save themselves for the big one but it was still a tough event. I was in the top division and everyone reckoned it was wide open with 7 0r 8 people in with a real cance so I was delighted to win it. Reckon I should be really pleased cos remember getting to the semi-final and looking at the ages of the other three left in I realised at 52 I was 25 years older than the nearest to me (27, 21 & 17). I actually beat the 17 year old in the semi in straight sets and the 21 year old (top seed) in the final in 4 sets, lost the first but comfortably took the next 3. Not bad for a old fat lad.

Sunday I got to the last 8 of the mens singles before losing to my 25 year old team mate (did take a set off him) who was reigning champion and top seed and went on to win it again. Lost in the semi of the veterans again in 4 sets but was still giving away 10 years to my opponent who was top seed.

Wednesday 26 January 2011

Weigh in Wednesday - Going to plan

11 weeks into my latest weight loss campaign and I'm still keeping on target, actually 2lbs inside target to be exact with 13lbs lost so far.
Another pound and that'll be the first stone lost, reckon this is close to the stage when things start to get difficult so I'll have to keep working at it. Think I've got my food intake about right so probably need to look at the exercise side of things.
Still so far so good so I've reason to be pleased.

Here is the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 227lb
Weight Today - 225lb
Gain/Loss this week - -2lb
Gain/Loss from start - -13lb
Todays Target - 227lb
+/- Target - -2lb

Had a busy week with my sports, played TT for Yorkshire veterans saturday and for York in the county league on sunday. Also had a local league match in York last night and have one in Selby on Thursday. This coming weekend is the York area championships so hopfully I'll get a good run in some of the events I'm entered.
Played Pool in the league on monday but sadly the team lost 5-4 but I did win my games and we play against the same opponents in the cup tonight so hopfully we can reverse the result.

Went to the dentist for a check up yesterday, thought I was ok but he took a x-ray and it shows I need a filling so got to go back next wednesday.

Monday 24 January 2011

Music Monday - almost forgot.

What a clown almost forgot to d my "music monday" post, so it'll be a quickie.

Remember a game we used to play, it involved coming up with a word/name/subject, etc. Then the challene was to name as many songs with it in the title as you can.

So you've guessed it todays word is Clown (managed to get 5) :-

1. The obvious one "Tears of a Clown" Smokey Robinson -


2. Everly Brothers classic "Cathys Clown" -


3. "Send in the Clowns" done be many artists but heres Barbara Streisand -


4. And of course there is the Manfred Mann song "Ha Ha said the clown" -


5. Last and maybe the best is Dave Davies (The Kinks) with "Death of a clown"-


Ok who's coming up with next weeks word, I need a challenge, lol

Wednesday 19 January 2011

Weigh in Wednesday - As I said

At last weeks weigh in hen the harsh facts saw me fall a pound behind my target schedule I made the bold statement that I wouldn't book a holiday until I was back on course.

Well I have been true to my word and I've booked a holiday so that will tell you I've had a good week in the weight loss campaign. I've actually lost 4lbs in the week which as put me 1lb inside my target.

As for the holiday I've booked to go to Majorca at easter, so 9 weeks to get excited for that and should be another 8lbs lighter by then (will need a new wardrobe, lol).

Here is the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 231lb
Weight Today - 227lb
Gain/Loss this week - -4lb
Gain/Loss from start - -11lb
Todays Target - 228lb
+/- Target - -1lb

Of course my weight loss this week was helped by getting back to normal eating habits following christmas, new year and a weekend away. In fact I was going so well I treated myself to a bit of cake a ouple of times with my afternoon coffee plus a ar of chocolate on sunday.

Also got plenty of exercise, did a couple of long walks and table tennis got going again following the mid-season break. Played in a doubles competition last thursday, qualified for the finals which is tomorrow night. Also played British league on sunday, the team lost their two matches and the 2nd one was critical, losing that makes us look almost certain for relegation, I personally did well winning both my games but nobody else won so the team went down 6-2. Also played in York league last night, again won my games but this time got some help and we won 8-2.

Excited about tonight its the FA cup replay between Leeds and Arsenal ok we should get beat they are a divsion higher and have better players but who knows anything could happen. Would love to have been at the match but its a sell out so I'll be glued to the tv screen.

Tuesday 18 January 2011

Only in America ?

Only in America?

Sometimes it DOES take a Rocket Scientist!! (true story)

British scientists at Rolls Royce built a gun specifically to launch dead
chickens at the windshields of airliners and military jets all travelling at maximum velocity.

The idea is to simulate the frequent incidents of collisions with airborne fowl to test the strength of the windshields.

American engineers heard about the gun and were eager to test it on
the Windshields of their new high speed trains.

Arrangements were made, and a gun was sent to the American engineers.

When the gun was fired, the engineers stood shocked as the chicken hurled out of
the barrel, crashed into the shatterproof shield, smashed it to smithereens,
blasted through the control console, snapped the engineer's back-rest in two and
embedded itself in the back wall of the cabin like an arrow shot from a bow..

The horrified Yanks sent Rolls Royce the disastrous results of the experiment, along with the designs of the windshield and begged the British scientists for suggestions.

You're going to love this......

Rolls Royce responded with a one-line memo:



"Defrost chicken."

Monday 17 January 2011

Music Monday - Bands

When it comes to the music industry I'm a little confused at the word "Band" nowadays, when I think of a Band it includes people playing musical instruments. Yet we regularly get the name associated with groups of singers (eg Boy Bands or Girl Bands).
Now I'm not going to get into the argument of whether some of these are good, sure they are but on the other hand I find them quite boring to be honest, just too many of them appearing at present. A lot of the newer ones are glorified karaoke groups n my opinion manufactured through TV programmes like the X Factor.
In fact rather than call them "Bands" surely "Choir" would be a better description.

So what is a "Band" well when it comes to the Rock/Pop industry in my opinion its a group of indiduals that form a group, it should contain a singer, guitarist, bassist and drummer in the least. So in theory what I'm saying is a Band line up would contain a least 4 people to get the right sound.

Of course this could be increased and arguably be improved by adding others, maybe a 2nd guitarist, maybe a keyboard man, a saxophone player, etc.

But when I was thinking about this post I remembered that some very good and succesfull Bands/groups have actually only had three members with somebody doubling up their instrument with lead vocals.

So todays song choice is some of my favorite 3 piece Bands/groups I'm sure you can think of many more :-
The Police (Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland) :-


The Stray Cats (Brian Setzer, Lee Rocker & Slim Jim Phantom) :-


Cream (Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce & Ginger Baker)


The Jam (Paul Weller, Bruce Foxton & Rick Buckler)


Double Trouble (Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Leyton & Tommy Shannon) :-


Ok I usually leave it at 5 songs and all the above acts are well known but when I think of 3 piece bands my mind goes back to 2005 and a local group I saw in Memphis called "The Dempseys", well if you want live entertainment these were well worth a look, I went back to see them again the following night.

Friday 14 January 2011

The Special Relationship "is it over"

Since the 2nd world war American and British leaders have mentioned the special relationship between our countries. Of course its understandable because our countries have stood together on many occasions, we are bonded with a common language, common beliefs, etc.

I personally have never trusted the current American President Barack Obama despite the media euphoria following his election and I really do think he as a hidden agenda and will make America a worse place to live.

However its his lear anti-British attitude that concerns me, first it was the gulf oil spill when he made his nasty little speech slagging British petroleum, stating the term British numerous terms trying to pin point blame without all the facts, creating a anti-british feeling. Actually the company is now called BP, is partly American owned, was working within American safety rules, using American workers, and the alve that failed was built exclussively by an American company.

http://www.politics.co.uk/news/foreign-policy/anger-over-obama-s-anti-british-comments-$21379599.htm

Then lets not forget Mr Obamas snub of our previous Prime Minister Gordon Brown at the G8 summit, wasn't that childish, shouldn't we all be working together if we are serious about wanting a better world.

Ok that as all since been swept under the carpet but Mr Obama as again opened his big mouth this week claiming France not Britain is Americas biggest ally, what a joke. Lets take the current war in Afganistan a mainly American war. Well lets have a guess to which country as the largest number of troops supporting the Americans (3 times + more than France) and suffered the largest number of casulties (7 times more than France). Yes you've guessed it Britain.

http://truthdive.com/2011/01/12/UK-slams-Obama-s-France-is-America-s-biggest-ally-comments.html

Of course lets not leave it there lets compare the support Britain and France gave America in Iraq, oops we can't France didn't turn up did they.

But lets not leave it there since this adminstration took over and despite us British been the biggest supporters in the fight against terrorism we now need security screening (ESTA) before we travel on vacation to the US and pay for the pleasure. Ok don't get me wrong I'm all for security but to be charged is pathetic. Don't worry if you are American you can still visit us without charge.

And I nearly forgot that one of the first things he did when becoming President was to return the bust of Winston Churchill that was in the Oval Office in the White House.

Obama this is for you :-

Wednesday 12 January 2011

Weigh in Wednesday - Disappointed but not surprised

Its now 9 weeks into my latest weight loss campaign and I'm disappointed to say for the first time I'm actually recording a gain, only one pound but a gain. Last week I was bang on my 1lb per week target but with the target coming down 1lb and me gaining 1lb I'm now 2lb's above where I should be.
As the title says I'm not surprised as I was away at the weekend for 3 nights and eating out all the time took me away from my normal food intake. I met up with the lady i got on well with on holiday, we got on well but not sure where it will lead have to wait and see on that one.
As for the food intake it was big cooked breakfasts and restaurant dinners. For the record first night I had Roast Belly Pork with the trimmings folowed by sticky toffee pudding (very nice). 2nd night it was a large mixed grill but no sweet while the 3rd night it was Steak followed by lemon cheesecake, so they you have it I've been a naughty boy.

Also with the christmas/new year period I haven't exercised as much as normal so reckon now ctch up time starts. Actually training at table tennis tonight, got a doubles competition thursday night and am playing national league on sunday, that lot should get me back in the swing of things.

Here is the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 230lb
Weight Today - 231lb
Gain/Loss this week - +1lb
Gain/Loss from start - -7lb
Todays Target - 229lb
+/- Target - +2lb

Been thinking about this years holidays and booking something but to prove to myself I'm serious about the weight loss. I've decided not to book until I'm back on target, hopfully by next week(the target will be 228lb so I need a 3lb loss this week) but if not sooner rather than later. Anyway I'm using holidays as a incentive simple as that.

One good point was I took my black jeans this weekend and they were comfy enough to wear, they were too tight back in November at the start of my weight loss campaign.

Also can't leave todays post without mentioning last weekends football, my team Leeds United had a great result away at Arsenal in the FA Cup. Ok it was a 1-1 draw but there is a full division between the sides and they were expected to hammer us. In fact we were 4 minutes away from winning when they equalised with a penalty.
Massive turnout by our fans travelling to London creating a fantasic atmosphere at a ground normally nicknamed "the library" beause of its lack of noise.
So they've got to come up to ER next wednesday, it'll be tough but backed by a packed stadium the place will be bouncing and the team may just pull it off.

Anyway here is the Leeds goal and celebrations from thousands of Yorkshire folk in London :-

Wednesday 5 January 2011

Weigh in Wednesday - Bang on target

Considering Christmas and New Year are the worst 2 weeks for weight loss I'm pleased to report I'm still on target, only just but I'm where I should be. So now its goodbye, to big meals, christmas cake, pudding, too much beer, chocolate and sweets, etc.

Here is the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 230lb
Weight Today - 230lb
Gain/Loss this week - 0lb
Gain/Loss from start - -8lb
Todays Target - 230lb
+/- Target - level

Monday 3 January 2011

Music Monday - Too Good for Words

Yes music monday is back and we'll start the year with 5 of my favorite guitar tracks all very different but I'm sure you'll find something you like.

So in reverse order at No5 I'm going for Magic Slim & the Teardrops with "Black Tornado" :-



No4 its The Allman Brothers Band with "Jessica" :-



At No3 its The Shadows "Apache" :-



So on to No2 and its the origional Fleetwood Mac line up with the great Peter Green and "Albatross" :-



Well when it comes to guitar playing only one artist was gonna top this chart for me and its Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. Wasn't actually sure which of his instrumentals to pick, could have been "Testify" or "Lenny" but I eventually opted for is this "Rude Mood & Hideaway" two songs for the price of one enjoy my friends :-

Sunday 2 January 2011

New Year, new start

With this been my first post of 2011 I'll start with wishing everyone who reads this "Happy New Year", hope its a great one for all of you.

Of course this is the time of year we all seem to look at our lives, set our targets, aims, resolutions,hopes etc.

Of course many of them are the same as in previous years usually because of past failures but hell a new year gives us new hope.

So here are a few of my hopes for 2001 :-

1-Weight Loss - Ok not a new start because those that read this blog will know I'm a couple of months into my new campaign, just about on target but not overly confident about the next weigh in on wednesday, I've a feeling Christmas and new year may take their toll, we'll know for sure in 3 days (enough time to fight back). Still one week is only a battle not the war.

2-My Sport - Last year I had my targets regards to my table tennis ranking and did well, although I intend to at least maintain my standard I feel I should set targets elsewhere. So I'm going to try get my Golf handicap down to under 10. Currently I'm 16 although to be honest its a bit false as 20 would be more realistic. To achieve this I need to play a lot more, give a big commitment from spring onwards, maybe gat going a bit in winter weather permitting to knock a few cobwebs off, ages since i played.

3- Sport - This is a hope rather than a personal target and as always it involves y favorite football team doing well. 2010 was kind we saw promotion to the Championship and also knockd the scum out the cup (humiliated them actually). Anyway this year I'm hoping for promotion again this time back to the premiership, back to back promotions now that would be a achievement. Long way to go but lying 4th at the moment so in a play off spot, nothing is impossible.

4- Dating - Well who doesn't enjoy some female company but in my case I feel the tim is about right to meet the right person. Its over 16 months since I lost Jane (who I loved and will never forget) but I think its maybe time to move on. I'm actually hooking up next weekend with a lady I met on holiday, early days but we'll see where it leads.

5- Travel - As you all know I'm a bit of a travel addict and last year was a good one considering I was able to add a few new places to my travel map (Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, Budapest, Andulucia and Gibralter). So I reckon 6 more this year would be great.

6-Blogging - I'm actually aiming to blog more this year and hopfully keep in touch with all of you more.