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 :-

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 :-

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

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 :-

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.

Weigh in Wednesday - Just about got away with it

Well always knew christmas is a tough time for weight loss and have gained weight. However its only a minimal 1lb gain so I'm actually quite pleased. To be honest expected it to be worse, I have definately eaten and drunk more than I should and was expecting a much bigger gain. The good news is that my weight is still within my targets so back on track this week and I reckon i'm still winning this battle.

Here is the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 229lb
Weight Today - 230lb
Gain/Loss this week - +1lb
Gain/Loss from start - -8lb
Todays Target - 231lb
+/- Target - -1lb

Been thinking about New Year resolusions and reckon I should blog more so expect much more to read in the new year.

Weigh in Wednesday - Good result but now for the difficult week

A good weeke to report as I've managed to lose another 2lb but as the title say's now for the difficult week. Arguably Christmas is the toughest week of the year to lose weight but I'm optimistic I can cosolidate and stay within my targets. I'm actually 3lb within my target weight at present so that could prove useful.

Here is the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 231lb
Weight Today - 229lb
Gain/Loss this week - -2lb
Gain/Loss from start - -9lb
Todays Target - 232lb
+/- Target - -3lb

Before I forget I'd like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a fantastic 2011.

Weigh in Wednesday - We'll call it a draw then

No weight loss this week but no gain either, my weigh in reveals I'm exactly the same as last week. To be honest I'm a little dissapointed thought I'd done ok and was expecting a loss but it wasn't to be.

Here is the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 231lb
Weight Today - 231lb
Gain/Loss this week - 0lb
Gain/Loss from start - -7lb
Todays Target - 233lb
+/- Target - -2lb

I have a bit of news on the dating front, I'll be meeting one of the Ladies I met on holiday, we've chatted quite a bit and have decided to have a weekend together in January (8th/9th) to see how things go. We got on really well in Spain so thought it makes sense to meet, we have a few things in common so I'm looking forward to it. We'll just have to see how it goes and how it works out, I'm just keeping a open mind. Watch this space.

I had a bit of pain this week, had problems with my wrist it really hurt and I couldn't grip anything. Luckily it was my left hand I couldn't use and as I'm a total righty it wasn't that inconvenient. Went to the Doc on Monday and he thinks it may be arthritus and gout and put me on some tablets, must admit its on the mend, much better today.

Weigh in Wednesday - Another week another pound

Got to say I'm quite pleased that I've lost another pound this week, ok not a lot but I actually didn't expect a positive result. Sure my eating as been ok but I ad two pool matches at the Pub Sunday and Monday, had a few beers more than a normal week but looks like I got away with it.
Maybe I've now got my eating about right, one pound a week is what I'm after, just got to maintain it.

Here is the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 232lb
Weight Today - 231lb
Gain/Loss this week - -1lb
Gain/Loss from start - -7lb
Todays Target - 234lb
+/- Target - -3lb

Also can't let todays date go by without mentioning John Lennon, its 30 years ago to the date he was assasinated by Mark Chapman outside his New York department and his talents were lost forever.
So this is for John -



And of course we can't forget this weeks sporting moments, Fifa and their incredable voting system which will see the World Cups go to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022. Both decisions are a joke and it certainly looks like a few blank envelopes have found their way into the pockets of the delegates. Everyone knows Russia is corrupt and run by the Mafia and as for Qatar I can't see how a country with a population of less than one million can run it and thats not even considering their June tempretures reach 50c which is far too hot for footie.
Ok I'm biased but Englands bid for 2018 was far superior to Russia and in my opinion I would have said Austrailia had the best bid for 2022.

Whilst talking of the Aussies and the fac a few of my friends on here are from that side of the world it would be totally unfair not to mention the cricket. Yes its the Ashes series, two tests gone and its one nil to our boys, in fact reckon we are giving Rick Ponting and his merry men a bit of a lesson so far.
So Ricky this is for you :-

Weigh in Wednesday - Its all about the white stuff

It certainly is all about the white stuff, snow that is and we are getting more than our fair share. I live in a low lying flat area and we get very little snow, in fact the local saying goes "If we get snow someone else gets it real bad".
Well this week we seem to have got a full winters worth, we are having record low tempretures, half the county is closed down, roads are inpassable so all you can do is sit it out.


Hell its only just got to december, we don't see snow this early.

Well on to the main subject of weight loss and its another pound lost, ok only a pound but I'm pleased although thought it may be more.

Here are the facts :-

Start Weight (9th Nov) - 238lb
Weight last week - 233lb
Weight Today - 232lb
Gain/Loss this week - -1lb
Gain/Loss from start - -6lb
Todays Target - 235lb
+/- Target - -3lb

Anyway its only just over 6 month to summer so here are some songs to cheer us up -