Bragging rights

Last night I was at the local Table Tennis League presentation evening and this season I reckon I've got major bragging rights. So I'm gonna be a bit big headed and tell you I achieved something thats never been achieved in our league and won everything I played in. Ok its only a small league with two divisions, 16 teams and about 60 players but still reckon I've done good.
For the record my results :-
Team - League one champions
Division one individual averages - won with 98% record
other events won - Mens Singles, Veterans singles, Mens doubles, Handicap Singles, Handicap Doubles.

Here is a photo I took this morning of the trophys I picked up :-

On another note I've just joined the local Golf Club and I'm going for my first match down there Saturday afternoon. Apparently I've to play 3 times and hand the scorecards in to get a handicap. Have virtually not played at all for the last couple of years so will struggle I think. However once I get a handicap I'll be trying to get it lower but it'll be a good way to monitor any progress. I'll want improve so it'll encourage me to get out on the course which will be excellent exercise (they say a round of golf is about 6 miles walking). I carry my Golf bag not like these wimps that use a trolley so its quite physical.

shopaholic

Think I'm turning into a shopaholic.

Everytime I go out near some shops I seem to be buying something, Saturday it was a T-shirt and a hat while todat 2 more T-shirts and a pair of shorts. The other week it was two pair of jeans and some trainers in fact the list is endless. Stangely I more often than not go out in my old jeans, t-shirts, shoes etc cos there more comfy rather than wear the new stuff, got to stop doing that.

Trouble is my wardrobe is full, in fact everywhere is full because my other bad habit is I never seem to throw anything out until its dropping to bits.

So I reckon its time I went through all my stuff and get rid of the things I never wear, so next rainy day I'm gonna set my stall out to have a clear out.

What will I ith my cast offs ?

Well luckily around here we are always getting charity bags through the door so I'll be donating to a good cause, maybe split between 2 or 3 different charities.

Not long to go now

Yes less than two weeks to the World Cup and before anyone asks, of course England can win it. Mind you I always think that.

Of course its also not long to my holiday, only 4 weeks in fact and I'm looking forward to it but a little apprehensive, never done a organised singles holiday and just hoping I get on with the others on the trip.

So what else is happening, well not a lot to be honest been spending a bit of time getting the garden in shape, been digging some overgrown areas this morning it was hard goig but the exercise will do me good.
To be honest I needed it because last week I was out 3 nights in succesion due to Pool matches, team on Monday, was in the area doubles semi on tuesday which we sadly watched and Wednesday I went to support my mate who was in the over 40's final but again a defeat. Hope this isn't a sign of things to come because I'm in the Mens last 8 on Wednesday this week, am only player left in from our team.

I'm also busy setting the quiz for the local TT league presentation evening coming up soon, I usually do it for them dnd its proving popular, think they like me to do it because if I not I'd probably win, lol.

Also toying with the idea of starting to play golf again, one of the local courses has a good membership deal at present and some friends have joined. It'll cost about £300 so Iuld need to play a average of once per week to make it really worthwile. I've hardly played over the last couple of years because of other things but sort of reckon I've got time now and should give it a go. It could actually replace a bit of the walking I do and would be exercise.

On a good note following my last post and setting targets at TT I can report I've made slight progress I've gone up 3 places in the over 40's rankings from 149 to 146. Ok still a long way to my target of top 100 but at least its a step in the right direction.

Not Fit Enough

As I've said previousy I've made a decision to play the Veterans Table Tennis Circuit season, its both competitive but social. Over the past few seasons I've played Vetts team competions (national league, county & Yorkshire league).

So last weekend I travelled to Bristol to enter the National Championships and what a impressive event it was, in the region of 300 to 400 competitors playing in five seperate age groups (over 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's & 80's). Yes over 80's although it was mixed (men & women) where other ages had seperate sex vents, they managed to get 14 players, can't really see me performing at that age but who knows, lol.

30 tables were in operation with saturday about qualification, you played a group of four (all play all over 5 sets), the top two going into the main event and the bottom two into the plate (consolation) competition.

I entered two events over 40 & 50 singles, didn't play in the doubles but maybe I'll get a partner fr future tournaments.

Saturday I was really pleased with my performance coming 2nd in my group in both events so qualifying for both main events, the standard was very high so that was good. Over 40's was actually the easiest, the player who won the group was clearly strongest (ranked about 50 nationally) although I was the only one to take a set off him. The player finishing 4th was the weakest by far and not really a problem so it was me and the other player to see who came 2nd and qualified. Luckiy he was a defender and I love playing defensive players so comfortably won in straight sets.

The over 50's looked a bad draw with the England ranked No7 in the group. However the others weren't pushovers either in fact my first match I looked like losing, just couldn't get my good shots working against a awkward player. I trailed 2 sets to 1 and in the 4th my opponent had me on the ropes with 4 match points, I somehow managed to claw them back to steal the set then went on to take the 5th and deciding set. A win against the other player left me and the national number 7 playing for top spot and I managed my best performance of the weekend but eventually lost by the closest of margins at deuce in the 5th set when it was 2 sets apiece.

That performance filled me with confidence for sundays knockout stages but alas I ended up dissapointed although I did reach the last 32 of the over 40's but that was down to a good draw. I never beat anyone I wouldn't be expected to beat and the player I entually succumbed to was very strong (in top 30).
Sadly I went out in the last 64 in the over 50's, although it was to the national no19 I just didn't perform, in fact I came off gutted I feel its a player I feel could beat.

The truth is I just wasn't fit enough for a 2 day tournament, after saturdays efforts my muscles ached and it was tough to get moving. My body wasn't flexible and I was too slow around the court, found myself reaching for shots rather than moving and getting down low.

I also think I've got to set myself targets if I play nationally and the only way to achieve them will be to get fitter, faster, stronger and improve my recovery rate. Losing weight will help as will doing more physical stuff and training hard, this will now be my motivation.

For the record I'm targetting a top 30 ranking in the over 50's (currently not ranked) and top 100 in the over 40's (currently 149).

My next event is a ratings tournament (over 40's only) at Hinkley, leicestershire, in mid July. Basically you play a group of 8 over one day and all the players are of similar standard (ranking) so will be tough. Its only a week after my holiday so will be a hard test physically I'm sure.

On the way back

Today Leeds United were promoted after 10 years that as seen two relegations, administration, two points deductions, two play off defeats, all our stars leaving, etc. We are on the way back to the big time and nothing can stop us.



Let the party begin.
MOT

Time to vote

Well its election time and what a tough choice it is, don't think anyone knows what the make up of our next government will be.

Its an election following a recession which on the face of it is a easy wy to blame the current Labour regime. However I'm not going to blame them, this is a world recession and it wouldn't have made any difference whoever was in power.

However the way we will now deal with our National debt is the major issue I believe should be considered.

The way I see it you have ignore the minor parties and go for one of the main three. I can't see anyway the liberal democrats can actually get into power and I reckon they realise that, their policies seem to promise too much which will gain them a lot of votes. Obviously because they wont be in sole power they wont need to fulfill these policies (like cut tax) but are pushing for votes to create a "hung" parliment. Then they will agree a coalition with either the Tories or Labour.

So that leaves us with the main two and the choice is whether you think we should go with massive public spending cuts and vote Tory or vote or a big tax rise and vote labour.

Personally I would have voted for a party that would have been brave and honest enough to say they woud cut spending and raise taxes, I really believe we should all take a major hit to significantly reduce the National debt. If we don't it will hang over us for years and to me we cant move forward as a country.

I know there are many other things that concern people such as Jobs, immigration, wars, crime, etc. but this election the important thing is the ecomomy.

For the record after much thought I've gone with the current Labour government, my main reason been that I believe a change in policy nw would be dangerous and don't want to take the risk.
Saying that I think a hung parliment is the most lkely outcome, maybe that would be a good thing, get everyone working together for all our good instead of fighting each other.

I fought the Law

Along the side of my garden their are the back of 3 other gardens rom houses in the next street and I have a issue at present with the middle one.

I have a small fence and he has a number of bushes which are a mess and too high seperating us. However between is a tall old fence that doesn't only look crap its totally rotten. Anyway I had a chat with him the other day and he said he was going to cut the bushes back which pleased me.

But he asked what I was going to do about the rotten fence, I said I thought it was his but he said it was mine. I offered to go half for a new fence but he didn't seem interested.

Anyway I wasn't sure because the fence was up before I lived here or him for that matter. I've since checked with my other neighbours at the other side of me (who have both been here 30 years +) and they tell me it was the previous owner of his house that put the fence up.

I've since told him this and still offered to go half but he now seems to be making things look ok at his side but leaving the crap at mine. Ok at present I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt to see if he sorts it, there is a bit of work to do. To me its the obvious and sensible solution to share the costs.

However I'm not holding my breath but am unsure of my rights, trouble is don't really one to get into a legal argument because he's a police officer and reckon I'm on a hiding to nothing.

For Cactus

Following the comments from Cactusfreek following my last post suggesting that the Dragon was tied up due to some Aussie myth trying to put our patron saint down here is the true legend :-

According to the Golden Legend the narrative episode of Saint George and the Dragon took place in a place he called "Silene," in Libya; the Golden Legend is the first to place this legend in Libya as a sufficiently exotic locale, where a dragon might be imagined. In the tenth-century Georgian narrative, the place is the fictional city of Lasia, and it is the godless Emperor who is Selinus.[7]

The town had a pond, as large as a lake, where a plague-bearing dragon dwelled that envenomed all the countryside. To appease the dragon, the people of Silene used to feed it two sheep every day, and when the sheep failed, they fed it their children, chosen by lottery.

It happened that the lot fell on the king's daughter. The king, distraught with grief, told the people they could have all his gold and silver and half of his kingdom if his daughter were spared; the people refused. The daughter was sent out to the lake, decked out as a bride, to be fed to the dragon.

Saint George by chance rode past the lake. The princess, trembling, sought to send him away, but George vowed to remain.

The dragon reared out of the lake while they were conversing. Saint George fortified himself with the Sign of the Cross,[8] charged it on horseback with his lance and gave it a grievous wound. Then he called to the princess to throw him her girdle, and he put it around the dragon's neck. When she did so, the dragon followed the girl like a meek beast on a leash. She and Saint George led the dragon back to the city of Silene, where it terrified the people at its approach. But Saint George called out to them, saying that if they consented to become Christians and be baptised, he would slay the dragon before them.

The king and the people of Silene converted to Christianity, George slew the dragon, and the body was carted out of the city on four ox-carts. "Fifteen thousand men baptized, without women and children." On the site where the dragon died, the king built a church to the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint George, and from its altar a spring arose whose waters cured all disease.[8]

Traditionally, the sword[9] with which St. George slew the dragon was called Ascalon, a name recalling the city of Ashkelon, Israel. From this tradition, the name Ascalon was used by Winston Churchill for his personal aircraft during World War II (records at Bletchley Park), since St. George is the Patron Saint of England.


I'll also point out this happend during the Crusades and as dinasors were extinct something like 30 million years earlier a dragon can't be a dinasor.

Happy St Georges Day

Things are good for you

Interesting List, personally I give Nos 1 & 7 a miss and don't fancy 5, and chance would be a fine thing when it comes to No2. Still thats 6 things I can do to improve my health.

1. Marijuana It's medicinal, we swear! Marijuana, often associated with memory loss, is ironically now being hyped as a way to stave off the ultimate form of memory losseAlzheimer's. Recent studies on mice suggest that anti-inflammatories found in the drug prevent the clumping of brain proteins, one major cause of the disease. So when should you start preventative therapy? We suggest waiting for the human studies to wrap up.

2. Sex Scientists have found that the benefits of sex go beyond immediate, ahem, gratification and satisfying the goal of procreation. Besides the obvious evolutionary purposes, we can all take pleasure in the news that having sex is an easy way to reduce stress, lower cholesterol and improve circulation throughout the body. As if you needed another excuse.

3. Chocolate Chocolate lovers rejoice: study after study lately has touted the magical benefits of the indulgent treat, which is packed with the antioxidant flavonols that prevent certain cancers and keep your arteries from clogging. The most recent news? These powerful chemicals may even increase blood flow to the brain, warding off dementia. Just stick to the highest cocoa content possibleethe bars packed with sugar don't help your health one bit.

4. Red Wine A crucial ingredient in the diets of the world's heart-healthiest populationselike those Bordeaux-guzzling Frenchered wine has long been known to have potent anti-cancer and artery-protecting benefits. The key, some studies indicate, is an antioxidant found specifically in the skin of red wine grapes, called resveratrol. The latest studies even link resveratrol to greater endurance, a reduction in gum disease and Alzheimer's. White wine, which is fermented after the skins are removed, is less beneficial according to some studies.

5. Maggots They're creepy, slimy and altogether ooky, but maggots can save your life. These squirmy larvae are science's newest wonder-cure and were approved in 2003 as the Food & Drug Administration's only live medical device. Placed on serious wounds, maggots mimic their "wild" lifestyle and munch on bacteria and dead tissue, stimulating healing and helping to prevent infection.

6. Sunlight Exposure to the sun's rays is necessary to survive, but can also kill you in gross, cancerous quantities. Asthmatics, at least, could benefit from measured doses of ultraviolet rays, according to scientists. Sunlight suppressed the immune reactions that cause asthma in some lab studies with mice and could be used to treat humans afflicted with the disease in the future. And sunlighteeven if indirect, such as on a shaded porcheis known to boost the mood. Extra sunlight can help office workers avoid afternoon drowsiness, a recent study found. There's still no excuse to head outside and bake, however.

7. LSD We're definitely not in the business of advocating drug use. But check out this interesting science: In heavy drinkers, small doses of LSD have been thought to help bypass the rock-bottom stage of alcoholism and prevent relapses. These studiesesome decades oldewere done in closely monitored, clinical settings; many patients haven't had a drink in the many years since. It's an interesting finding that needs a lot more investigation, and not a remedy that should ever be tried at home. Meantimeeand this may come as no surpriseea recent study of 36 volunteers who took an LSD-like drug in a lab setting had them reporting mystical experiences and behavior changes that lasted for weeks.

8. Coffee Java is one of the most debated substances around. Is it good for you? Is it bad for you? Both? The consensus, now anyways, seems to favor those who enjoy their morning jolteunrelated studies claim coffee is a major source of antioxidants in our diet and can help lower your risk of diabetes. Something in the beans is also thought to ease the onset of cirrhosis of the liver and pancreatitis, good news for those who like to party hard all night before their morning caffeine boost.

9. Anger f you're one of those people who tends to bottle things up, only to explode ... don't hold it in so long. Studies show that bursts of anger here and there are good for the health, and can be an even more effective coping mechanism than becoming afraid, irritated or disgusted. Anger, like the consumables in this list, however, is best in moderation: stay angry for long periods of time and you'll be plagued with a host of health issues, like blood pressure, sleep disorders and lung damage.

10. Beer The newest bad kid on the block, beer has long been overshadowed by its healthier alcoholic cousins. While no one's suggesting you switch that glass of antioxidant-rich Pinot Noir for a tall glass of lagerethere's still that beer gut to worry aboutenew research has suggested that moderate beer intake can actually improve cardiovascular function. Now if only a scientist will discover the health benefits of ballpark franks and chicken wings. Heaven.