So I was watching TV last night, surfing for information relating to the recent election of Barack Obama. I'm waiting for Heroes to come on so I go to BBC2 and what do you know, they have a Newsnight special relating to everything that has been going on. At one stage Paxman decides to get the point of view of 2 people that the BBC must have thought correctly reflected the different spectrums of the black community.

So you have former Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Valerie Amos in one corner and Dylan Mills (aka Dizzy Rascal - no...you have not read that incorrectly) in the other!

Valerie Amos gave a clear, thorough and well presented view of where she felt everything was going and what needs to be done next etc. Dizzy Rascal on the other hand did nothing but fulfil what in my view is an extremely negative stereotype. The hand gestures, the obvious lack of understanding relating to some of the questions and his blatant inability to clearly communicate his patterns of thought in a concise manner were an extremely sad sight to see.

Barrack Obamas achievement is a proud moment in humanity and shows that the Human race is moving forward and transcending racial differences and divides. Many of those divides do still exist and I agree with Malcolm X who said that before we as a human race can unify we as black people need to unify. I feel that if we are going to have people that represent our community, the younger black community, it should be someone with a bit more effluence than Dizzy Rascal!

I couldn't even watch the entire thing for fear that he was gonna start shouting "Brap! Brap!" at the camera...idiot!!

Here we have, another point of view.
And another...

Labels: In the news, Moans and Groans, Politics, TV and Movies

OK, so I gotta say there are some people who I just simply do not understand. I meet people like this occasionally, as to where they see your colour 1st and you 2nd. Don't get me wrong, I know a great deal about my ancestry and am proud of both sides of it. My great grand father was Scottish and my great grand mother was Jamaican. My parents were both born in Jamaica and as such I've done research on both sides of the family as well as looking at my ancestry on both sides of the family tree. Regardless of which, I was born here (England), raised here, have lived here all of my life and this is basically everything I know. As far as I am concernced, regardless of my Ancestry, I am for all intents and purposes, English. However every now and then I meet people who feel that the best way to communicate with me is to be on what they must feel is "my level" by constantly bringing up my skin colour and/or heritage.

I don't mind having a conversation with someone as I do "on occasion" with some friends about racial history, but there are points when things seem to just get out of hand in almost a David Brent type fashion. I have friends (not just of West Indian/African origin) who can relate to this type of scenario as to where something is mentioned - such as Marijuana, Hip Hop, Reggae etc and automatically, because of the colour of my skin, I'm meant to know all there is about that subject. Dumb ass comments such as "Don't mess with him, he's bound to know some 'Yardies'", or "Smile, we can't see you" aren't funny and they do nothing but offend the recipient of these so called "Jokes".

All I am saying is this. Yes, I am of West Indian origin, my skin colour is different compared to that of the majority of people in this country. Regardless of which, I laugh, bleed, cry, feel emotion exactly the same way as any other human being on the planet. I am, before all other things, a human being.

Communicate with me in the same way that I communicate with you, as a human being.

Labels: Moans and Groans, Personal

OK 1st things 1st. Came across this video (forgive the pun - totally intended) and laughed my ass off. Very funny stuff!!!

Check out www.diesel.com/xxx/

Also, looks like Kimbo Slice has suffered his 1st defeat to Seth Petruzelli. I gotta say, the entire thing looks like a slip from Kimbo which was then capitalised on by Petruzelli, still counts as a win but if you replayed that 20 times I think Kimbo wins 95% of the time.

Oh, Dylan Moran was not good. I'd say get teh DVD but you won't be impressed, his 1st 2 DVD's were great and I think he's a good comedian but unfortunatley he's lacking in consistency and seems to have lost a great deal of spark. Joe Rogan keeps the Number 1 spot as my favourite stand up, shortly followed by Dave Chappelle and now Jamie Foxx moves up from 4 to 3 knocking Moran right outta the top 3.

Sorry Dylan, you've lost your sting mate :(

Labels: In the news, MMA, Moans and Groans

OK - So I go to Boots like 3 times a week and by the counter they got all these "Gossip" mags. Brad and Angelina's baby - Exclusive pics. Cheryl Tweedy...why I went back with Ashley. Jordan Price...why me and Pete are the perfect couple and my favourite spotted just today - Jade Goody, I have to stay strong for my boys.

Now when it comes to Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie...they're both good actors and Angelina is super fit...but I personally couldn't give a shit about their personal lives unless they impact me. Don't get me wrong, it's always nice to find out something like "Oooh, he went to the same school as me" but other than that...who gives a shit?? I ain't being a hater and more power to the lot of em (with the exception of Jade...I'll get to her in a minute), they've used the system and peoples unhappiness with their own lives to make money. I just wonder why no one actually thinks about these minor points. It's not like most (MOST NOT ALL) of these people have made any major contributions to society or impacted the world in a great way for the advancement of humanity. So why do we care when one of them has kids, breaks up with someone or blows their nose?? Just makes you feel like the majority (with the D-Listers at least) of their income comes from telling any and everything about their personal lives to weekly mags for the drone like masses to consume.

What got me on to this?? Jade Goody. I gotta say, from day 1 that girl pissed me off and I dunno why. I think it's something to do with the fact that she's a f**king idiot...yeah - that's it. Don't get me wrong, I think her having cancer really blows and I would not wish that on anyone but COME ON PEOPLE - Cancer is not the cure for being a f**king idiot!! She was a retard before she got it - she's a retard now and is the perfect epitome of what I am talking about. She can't do anything interesting like juggle or pull a rabbit out of a hat, she has not written any dissertations on ways to improve humanity and in general has not made any REAL contributions to society. "Why I broke up with some random geezer" is NOT a contribution to society. "Me and my new boob job" is NOT a contribution to society. "Why am I such a f**king looser" while funny, is not a contribution to society. But many people would still rather read about some ignorant nobody than concentrate on the person that actually counts, themselves.

A reflection of societies down turn or just the way the media portrays "celebs" - decide for yourselves.

Labels: In the news, Moans and Groans

So finished the Matt Hughes book. Not gonna spend too much time on a review being as there's already a good few hours I've spent reading this tripe that I know I can never get back. Seems I'm reading things in a particular order without even realising it. Chuck Liddells book is freaking awesome, Tito's book is very good and Matt Hughes book comes a few country miles behind theirs. He tells you about all these things that have happened in his life which is fine but rarely do you get to see the point or conclusion to any of these stories. In one section he's saying how he just didn't take to Tim Sylvia (there was no reason for it) and in another section goes on to explain where Tim confronts him about it in the nicest way possible and he acts like a total dick. In yet another section it would appear him and Tim are cool and in between all of this - no explanation as to why he didn't like him (although I'm guessing it's just because Matt is perfect and everyone else is beneath the great king) and no explanation as to what made him change his mind.

I think the bit that got me was where him and Jens Pulver are bitching about newbies training in the gym. No offence but no one knows anything until someone teaches them - therefore at one point Matt knew nothing about MMA until he was taught.

All in all, I get the impression that he thinks he's Stephen King or some other great writer. On TV (The Ultimate Fighter) he comes across as a bit of a prat and the book does nothing but confirm this. He reminds me of that guy in School - the big dude that no one actually liked and was a complete dick to everyone! Most people tend to grow out of that sort of behaviour - Matt Hughes has yet to.

There is something that I agree with in this book though - Every couple of chapters or so he keeps saying "There's a lot you can do in 5 minutes" and he ain't wrong. It only took me that long to take it back to the shop and get my refund!

Worth the read if you want to see what kind of guy he is...although I'd wait til you can get it at the library. No point wasting your hard earned coin to help add air to an already dangerously inflated ego.

Dissapointing - yes
Suprising - not really

Labels: Book Review, MMA, Moans and Groans

So I'm talking to a friend last night and we're having a deep conversation and came up with this.

All food should be free BUT If you weigh in as "Overweight", you should be charged for it and I'm talking through the nose!! OBESITY IS NOT A F**KING DISEASE!! No one makes you pick up that chicken wing!! No one puts a gun to your head and tells you not to exercise!! Don't get me wrong...if you truly have some form of condition that regardless of what you do...you end up being a bit chubby then fair enough...but if you're 30 stone - that's your own doing!!!

I worked with one guy...must have been 25 stone. Couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without getting out of breath. We're sat having a chat one day and he tells me..."I dunno...I just can't loose weight. I tried playing badminton but nothing happens" and while he's telling me this little sob story he's shoveling a bacon, sausage and egg sandwich down his gullet!!

ITS NOT A DISEASE!

Labels: Moans and Groans

OK - So I'll meet a chic, she be cool. We get on - but then for some reason she convinces herself that I already have a girlfriend and nothing I can say will make them think otherwise.

Example Number 1.
I'm in a bar in Birmingham with my sis and a few of her friends. She's dancing...I'm chilling having a beer (minding my own business may I add). Some chic with probably the longest legs I have ever seen comes up and starts talking to me (she was a total babe). After a quick exchange she asks me "So, do you have a girlfriend". I didn't at the time so I say "No". "Yeah yeah..." "No REALLY" - "Whatever...see ya".

I'm sat there looking like 1 o'clock half struck with a "What the fuck" look slapped all over my Chevy Chase!


Example Number 2.
Meet this chic, she seems cool. Take her to this west indian place I got to all the time (loves my west indian food!). Soon as I walk in everyone is like "Hey Tim, how's you" - the owner comes up...we shake hands, have a chat. Her reaction? "So...any of these your ex-girlfriends then?" "Errr...nope". A few days later...take her to dinner, different place this time. We walk in and the first thing she says..."So you don't know anyone here on a 1st name basis then?" "Errr...no, I don't come in here often enough". "Oh??" she says. "Yeah, me and my mate from Birmingham generally come in here". A few days goes by and I hear nothing from her. Then I get a text message "Came to see you last night for a chat but you weren't in. Hope you were somewhere nice". Now - could have been said innocently but I could totally see it being said with a bit of sarcasm. Plus, no message on my answerphone, no missed calls on my mobile either - so she didn't call or text 1st to say she was bouncing over (which if you've only known someone for like 2 weeks...you'd generally do). So my feeling is she was trying to catch me out or some shit.

Now while I know I'm not an Ogre...I can't be that good lucking for crying out loud!! I don't get it...either there's something about me that says "Play boy" or I'm just so unlucky that I keep going for these chics that have some SERIOUS trust issues!!!

Those are 2 examples....there are more but I can't be arsed to catalogue em all. Anyway...think this needs some figuring out...this is fucking with my flo people!!

Labels: Moans and Groans, Personal

Started training again this week. Things have been a bit slack on the training front since the move. Having to setup the multi-gym again was not as bad as I thought and took me all of 90 minutes this time round (instead of the 6 hours it took me when I 1st got it). I think that's mostly down to the fact that I managed to dismantle it into about 20 pieces as opposed to it's original 200! Anyways, Mondays MMA session was good, Thursdays was pure pain and I loved it...been running, lifting weights and doing drills. Did nish on Wednesday as that's my designated day off and from here up until Monday...will be nothing but resting and stuffing my fat face.

Apparently we may well have a little club on club competition - if so proper looking forward to it. Soon as a date is confirmed I'll be training like my life depended on it up until that point. I have no problems with losing to an opponent (although I have no intention of that happening), I do have problems losing to fear (and I have no intention of that happening either).

Also been told there is a distinct possibility that we'll be going up against Rosi Sexton's crew in November which I am really excited about. I've seen her on the Fight Network (Bodog fight) so there's a touch of Hero worship there too - not to mention the fact that she's bad ass! Saw her pull a very sweet arm bar on this Brazilian chic who was dressed all in pink (I ain't a fan of pink in any capacity - not as bad as green though). And if her homies are anything like her...I'll be training until I'm close to death and a little bit more until that point!! (I'll also try and score me an autograph!)

Oh yeah, that date on Saturday...went OK. I get the distinct impression she thinks I'm some kinda play boy so not too sure how far that's gonna go. Not much you can do about someone who has already made their mind up about you and I ain't about to start trying to prove that's not me. Nothing worse than being judged because you got a few nice garms and a cool pad. But such is life.

Anyways - 9 more days until my birthday...15 until the housewarming/birthday party. Still not told the neighbours yet...we'll see what they say I guess.

Labels: Friendly Thoughts, MMA, Moans and Groans, Personal

You know what...I gotta say it gets to me when people start playing the victim. Woah is me and you did this to me and you made me feel this way and that and blah blah blah. You know what...bollocks!

So you're in a situation you no longer want to be in. Do you:

1. Stay in said situation to please other people
2. Do what's right for you and in the long term the other person and bounce

You go for option 1, you end up being grossly unhappy all to please someone else.
You go for option 2, you get a ton of grief about Karma coming to get you n all that shit.

Well this is what I think. Bollox to the lot of it. Do what's right for you - not for other people. The only person responsible for you being happy is you. Playing the victim and blaming someone else stops you from growing as a person and it's a totally negative way to live your life. This is from experience!

Unless there are children involved, you got to put yourself first in all things. Sounds selfish but think of it like this. If you don't seek out the things that make you happy and leave it to other people...you'll be unhappy for a very long time. This is not to say that you should not consider other people. This is to say that you should do things because you want to do them, not because you expect something in return. Treat yourself as you would your best friend because loving yourself is the 1st step to truly loving someone else. Finally, don't feel guilty for doing what is right for you, because if you don't do it - no one else will.

Rant over...

Labels: Moans and Groans, Personal

6 years I been at that flat. It's cheap as chips and I gotta say I'm gonna miss the place but it's time for me to move onto bigger and better things. Why?? Because I saw a mouse!! Cage fighting - no problem with that what so ever...being in the same room with a mouse - NO THANK YOU! My mates think it's funny as hell - I haven't laughed one bit. Seen the bugger (who I have dubbed Mikey) around here and there and he don't even run when he see's me! Just gives me a nod as if to say "Evening!". I wouldn't be too surprised if I saw him walking passed in the hallway with today's paper dressed in a robe with flip flops on!

Either way, my nerves are shot...I feel like a prisoner in my own home for crying out loud! Can't sleep right...right now I'm shattered! I ain't eating right (mainly cos I keep seeing him in the kitchen and I'll be damned if I'll be spending anymore time in there than necessary!!)

Anyways - got most of this week off for various activities, namely UFC 85 over at the O2 arena in London (YAY!!!), and I've arranged a viewing of some pretty plush pads at a kick ass complex just around the corner for Monday. I think I wanna go for the penthouse. Because it looks great, sounds pretty sweet to have a penthouse and more importantly being on the top floor - mice free!!! Plus the complex has a gym n all o that too.

The aim? To be outta this place and in the new place by July 1st! that gives me 28 days exactly. If I can be in there by next pay day (23rd) even better still! More on this later...meanwhile, some candy representing what I may be moving into (there's a view of the canal too....SUITS YOU!)

Labels: Moans and Groans, Personal

So, was a friends birthday a couple of weeks back and didn't feel right calling her but still wanted to say Happy Birthday in some way, shape or form...so - Paulette - Happy Birthday! I didn't forget.

Meanwhile, my "A year in the life" book arrived today. UFC are doing a special run of 500 of these bad boys so decided to score me a copy. Now this is not the 1st thing I've purchased from the UFC store. Got my Octogan Necklace from there too and all went well with that so I figured this should be the same. Now, the book itself is pretty much a picture book with photos from the best fights of 2007. It's nicely bound, looks cool and for a book - weighs a ton. Here is where the problem comes in. Go to the UFC store and the book is down as $50 (£25). Add another $20 for carriage (£10) and thats not a bad score at $70 (£35). Now here is where the b*tch comes in - I had to pay frieght and duty on this bad boy which cost £67 ($134)! So I am now the proud owner of a book that cost me £102 ($204)! 3 words jump to mind at a time like this....WHAT THE HELL??!!!

Labels: Friendly Thoughts, MMA, Moans and Groans, Personal

Yup, 4 days and counting until my Trip to Amsterdam. Unlike all of the other times...getting there in the morning which means I gotta be outta my bed at stupid (AKA 4am) in the morning! Totally worth it though...I reckon an hour to get ready...another hour to get to the Airport and then the plane leaves an hour after that - it's gonna be great!

In other news...hooked myself up with a Wii on Friday. I gotta say, I can see why it's outselling everything else - it's freaking AWSOME! Shits all over my XBOX 360 and costs half as much. Anyways - got the one that comes with Wii Sports and also went and scored Mario and Sonic Olympics and after playing a good portion of the weekend I gotta say it's addictive as hell and so much fun it's almost insane! I have got a downside though...woke up this morning...went to stretch and my arm is MESSED UP!! All that swinging up, down, left and right proper does you, not to mention the fact that I must have lost a good few pounds from the cardio it gets out of you. But that aside...if you intend to get a games console...get a Wii. It's easy as hell to use (with the games I've played) and I'm willing to guarentee that you'll have the most fun!

Finally - anyone wanna buy a Hi Def DVD player for the 360?? Seems that if I had waited another 2 weeks I would have seen the news that Blu Ray has won the Hi Def battle! Sony you gits!! Nicely done though...but you've cost me about £200 bones :( Anyways - I may keep it...I reckon that'll be worth a nice little wedge in a few years in a "Remember these??" type fashion...but if I'm gonna get rid...now is the time. The way I see it...any techie bods that are in the know will laugh at me (as most already have) if I try and sell it to them...but your average Joe will just think...Hi Def...cool....like those poor fools (my dear old mum included) that buy a television just cos it says "HD Ready" on it. Yes...wrong as it may be I'm counting on peoples stupidity, technophobia and lack of understanding to try and claim back some of my coin! Will update on that another time.

Labels: Gaming, Moans and Groans, Personal, Technology

Yup...seems that I've managed to take out the entire web team! I'm the only f**ker in work today and everyone else has called in sick within 3 minutes of each other! How I managed to get into work today is beyond me as I still have that "Arseholed by a freight train" feeling. It's like being in a hospital ward today...everyone is coughing and sputtering and I doubt very much I'll make it to lunch time let alone the end of the day! My stomach also feels like it's been smashed with a sledge hammer on account of coughing my guts up all weekend but better this happens now than next week. Last thing I wanna do is miss my trip to the Dam on account of the freaking flu!!

Labels: Moans and Groans, Personal

This time in 2 weeks I'll be sat in Betty Boop happy as Larry content that Im smoking the finest bud and drinking some superior coffee! Until that happens, work work work. I feel good from the workouts although today is an exception. Decided to have a shoulder workout last night before my Eskrima session and when I woke up this morning I felt like I'd been arseholed by a frieght train. I've decided to give workouts a rest for a bit until I recover and have been trying to ensure I keep eating and guzzling protein shakes in order to aid my recovery but we'll see how I feel tomorrow.

Labels: Moans and Groans, Personal

Well I got a "pity fuelled" valentines day message today from a friend. Everywhere I go people are on about valentines day and the shit Is getting on my last nerve! Competitions at work, decorations all over the frigging place! A scam to make couples spend money and to remind single people just how single they are! All a load of shite!

Anyways, got an MMA session tonight. With any luck I'll be able to find the new venue for Thursday (couldn't find the bugger for love nor money last week) I've also decided that I wanna start doing competitions when I'm ready. I said I wouldn't initially but that was due to a lack of faith/confidence in myself. Well, gotta get some at some point, so this is where it all begins.

Labels: MMA, Moans and Groans

So...looks like my domain name ran out yesterday...didn't even notice until I tried to update my blog earlier! Anyways - seems to be sweet as a nut now...soon as I managed to find my UKReg account details (from like 6 years ago!) - everything was sweet as a nut.

Meanwhile - seems that Apple (the money grabbing bastards!) have released a 32GB iPOD Touch! This is taking the piss now...I get a new 30gb iPOD to replace my Nano and they release new versions of it within weeks of me getting it. I get a Touch and they not only charge me like 10 bones for updating it...but then they release a 32GB version and it's not like it's been out for a year yet! APPLE - I AIN'T BUYING ANY OF YOUR SHIT EVERY AGAIN!!

Anyways - new countdown....18 days until my next trip to the Dam :) Gonna be proper Bo! MUHAHAHA!

Oooh Oooh, finally got around to doing a nice little redesign to the Kane Academy webby...the new one looks the biz and is one of the nicest designs I've turfed out in ages. Either way, think I've got rid of my design block as I'm designing some nice stuff at work n all. Happy Happy Happy Happy Days! Check out the before and after.

Labels: MMA, Moans and Groans, Personal, Technology

This has been such a dodgy week it's untrue!!

Monday
Thought it was like any other day until I left work. Get to the bus station as usual and there's loads more people at the bus stop than usual...this happens every now and then when the bus is late so I think nothing of it. The slower bus shows up so I decide to hop on board being as everyone is ploughing onto the bus like their life depended on it. Now keeping in mind that the bus leaves at 5.30 at the latest (which it did) and on a bad day it'll take until 6.15 to get into Huddersfield (where I live). What time did the bus get in?? 8.45pm!! That's not an exaggeration at all...it took more than 3 hours to do a journey that takes on average 40 minutes. I was not pleased at all being as my arse was numb for a start, not to mention that I was hungry and I totally missed my Mixed Martial arts session which combined with last weeks chest infection is 2 weeks in a row! Throw in the fact that I forgot my wallet meant that I couldn't afford to get a taxi too!

Tuesday
Wake up and the dude on the Radio says that the Rail service in Yorkshire is telling people not to travel. I go check the National Rail web site and I can't get to work being as it's flooded half way between where I live and where I work so I have to work from home. Now this is not a bad thing, I get to wear what I want, have some tunes on the go, no having to "go outside for a ciggy". Anyways, lunch time comes and so I bounce into town to get some scran. Make a quick stop at the cash machine and it eats my card!! WHAT?? There's money in all my accounts?? So I go into the freakin' bank and she tells me "Unless you have the card number we can't tell why the card was obtained" - "SORRY LOVE BUT I AIN'T ABOUT TO MEMORISE IT NOW AM I!! PRAT!!" So the chic at NatWest tells me she'll order me a new card...fair enough...it happens.

Wednesday
Trains are still screwed so another day working from home. The boss says that tomorrow I gotta make an effort to get into work and all I can think is "What am I meant to do?? WALK!! It's 11 freakin' miles and it's not like I drive now is it??" Add to that the fact that I don't wanna spend 3 hours plus getting home on the evening does not help anything at all. Anyways - I decide to call NatWest to make sure they've ordered my cards (I could tell that the chic in there was well slack and would have forgotten to do it the moment I asked)...the geezer tells me nothing has been ordered! "Dude...get them ordered please...I don't wanna walk around with cash all the time!!" - "Not a problem sir...we'll do that right away". Anyways, gets to around 4.30 and as I'm working away, rocking tunes...the hard drive that I bought less than 6 months ago just dies!! ALL MY TUNES THAT I'VE BEEN COLLECTING FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS GONE!! ALL THOSE EPISODES OF LOST THAT I GOT FROM iTUNES?? GONE!! ALL THE TUNES THAT I'VE PURCHASED FROM iTUNES?? FUCKING GONE!!!
Anyways - spirits are heightened a bit being as when I call National Rail they tell me the trains are back up and running again which means no struggle to get to work tomorrow.

Thursday
Get to the train station...every train is running sweet...scroll my eyes down to my train..its the only one that's fucking cancelled!! FUCK OFF!!! Anyways, I got no choice but to catch the bus, which after Mondays debacle - worries me! Soon as I walk out of the train station I see my bus and run like fuck to try and catch the thing...just as I get there the driver pulls away with a grin on his face "MOTHER FUCKER!!!" So now I gotta walk to the bus station and wait 20 freakin' minutes for the next bus. Lunch break comes and I decide to call NatWest to make sure the geezer I spoke to ordered my cards...apparently not! My reaction?? "OH FOR FU....LOOK!! ORDER MY CARDS!! You're the 3rd person I've spoken to and this is now getting beyond a joke...it's not rocket science" - "No sir..I am sorry...I am doing it now..I assure you the cards have been ordered now and I am sorry for the inconv..." I slam the phone down. I gotta get out for some air cos NatWest and their retarded ways are getting right on my fucking tits!! I decide to walk up to the local branch to make sure it's been done and surprise surprise...it's not been done!! So I tell the chic behind the counter what's been happening and she's like "Ordering your cards now"...I see this little print out in front of her which is a confirmation and she's ordered the wrong freaking card!! "I never wanted that card love" - "Sorry...you'll have to wait until tomorrow before we can cancel it, and you never said what type of card you wanted" "HANG ON A MINUTE!! YOU NEVER ASKED ME!!! GET YOUR MANAGER! I'M FED UP OF SPEAKING TO MINIONS WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THEIR JOBS PROPERLY...AND I HAVE NO INTENTION OF LEAVING IT WITH YOU JUST TO FIND OUT THAT TOMORROW YOU HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!!" So I end up speaking to this Supervisor chic who is cool as school but I couldn't care less and I tell her that she working with a bunch of incompetent fools anyway! She assures me that everything is gonna be cool/taken care of and gives me her card so I tell her straight.."I don't wanna have to talk to you again!" and I bounce. I go to the local fitness shop being as I've ran our of protein shake this morning and the big dude is in there (very sound geezer). Turns out that the other dude has sold me the wrong freakin' protein 2x in a row and blatantly lied to me about it being the same as the one I usually get!! OH FOR FUCKS SAKE!!! Anyways - as usual he does me a good deal (bless his cotton socks) and I bid the dude a fair well. This brings us to now.

I'm looking at the rest of the week in the same way I'd look for that dodgy smell. Could be something really fucked up or could be something that's just passed your nose but you can't quite tell! I'm hoping that the remainder of the week will be uneventful...but we'll see!! I don't wanna have to add a "What a dodgy week!!! (part 2)" to this!

Labels: Moans and Groans, Personal

Right, while I've gradually been warming to apple products over the past few years I can't help but be a little pissed about the fact that I've had to fork out 13 notes for the January update! It makes no sense and here is why! Anyone who goes and gets an iPod touch from here on in will have the January update already installed. Sounds quite normal right? Wrong! Basically, there has been no price increase to iPod touches at all, so we're basically being punished for buying the touch early and supporting apple! While I hear you say "why get the update then?", this is simply because I don't like having out of date shit - plain and simple. There are many others out there with the same sentiment but I have no intention of getting another apple product again!

Labels: Moans and Groans, Technology

Yeah, my new year is starting a touch later than everyone else especially after the disastrous weekend I've just had. Seems like things were going wrong one by one...I'm in a position where I can giggle now (cos it's the only thing I can do) but all in all - a totally shite start to the new year.

So - this week sees the start of my new year.

Concentrate on health, well being and peace of mind which actually means - get my martial arts instructor to beat the shit out of me as much as possible - go to the gym 4 times a week to pick up and put down "the heavy thing" and work like a whipped slave to get some of these ideas I have off the ground finally!

Anyways - Happy New Year, Peace and Love to all!

Labels: Moans and Groans, Personal

Got my Octagon Necklace yesterday. Well chuffed with that :) Doesn't look cheap and tacky or anything - although it wouldn't go with my style of dress so it's never coming out of the box - but chuffed non the less. Talking of which - UFC 79 was the BOMB! I was well chuffed with that being as the last few have been a bit of an anti-climax. The fight with Machida was cracking...that dude is on fire. He's easily one of the best fighters I've seen but I'd prefer to see him against some notables before I make a firm decision. Also, the fight between Silva and Liddel was cracking! Not a moment to be bored in that fight and I don't care what anyone says - win or lose Silva can take a punch! Anyways - to the good stuff - GSP is now interim champion - YAY!!! Well chuffed about that and the entire fight went exactly as expected. Matt Hughes has got skills but he ain't GSP. Next on the hit list is Serra and then home free :)

Right - in other ramblings...back to work and don't wanna be. I think the time off has been cool - but it's a damn shame that work beckons. I think the entire country just can't be bothered this week. But sooo looking forward to my little lie in tomorrow - Woo Hoo!

Oh - Finally - Merry Christmas and Happy new Year to all. I know it's a good week late but better that than never. Also - I have finally scored me a HD DVD add on for my XBOX 360. Does what it says on the tin but when it's spinning disks it's as loud as the XBOX. Does not matter too much with the surround sound on full bollock but still...if you wanna just chill to a quiet movie - you don't want constant whizzing in the background do ya?

Labels: MMA, Moans and Groans, Personal, Technology

So even though I've been aware of this for some time...George St. Pierre (who by the way...NEVER updates his website) has another title shot at UFC 79 : Nemesis, and while I'm a touch disappointed that I won't get to see Matt Serra pound on Hughes while I chant "Kill! Kill! Kill!" (OK...maybe overstating a bit but I don't like the dude) the fact that I get to see my favourite fighter go and serve up some grade A, satisfaction guaranteed or you money back whoop ass is certainly making me feel better about things. When Serra beat GSP (and I have nothing against Serra at all) I have to say that GSP looked like a different fighter - even worst than he did when fighting Hughes the 1st time and I'm of the opinion that the person who has a better change of winning is the fighter who has prepared himself both mentally and physically. GSP seemed like he was else where to me and it caused him to lose the title. I think if we can see the GSP who is even remotely close to his peak - Nighty Nighy Mr Hughes! And even George says it himself "No one can 'andle my riddem" (the best imitation of a French man I can muster through text). Plus they got Silva vs Liddell which may or may not be superb (Chuck's been a little disappointing of late) and also...I'm quite sure that Layoto Machida should be in the main card that actually gets shown on TV. So if you're in the UK - Sunday 30th December - 9pm - Bravo (I've actually rearranged bits of my Christmas break so that I'm back in time to watch it!!).

Meanwhile - it seems the closer to Christmas I get - the more bitter I feel! I dunno...I just don't like Christmas! It's not Christmas that I don't like but more the fact that it's turned into a period of time where you're damn near obliged to buy people gifts!! Pagan ritualism gone mad if you ask me! Anyways - this year I have decided that I will be buying 3 presents. 1 for me dear old mum, 1 for my best mate and the remaining present for my dearest cousin and favourite family member Max. Everyone else expecting a present will be expecting for a great deal of time! I'm also opting to not wrap any presents and I won't be buying cards either. The reasons for this are 2 fold.

1. To do my bit to save mother earth
2. Cos I ain't forking out coin on decorated paper and card that will get thrown away post December 25th!

Finally - as of yesterday, if you live in the UK you are now able to score movies on the XBOX Marketplace - they've only got 24 movies thus far but it's a start, and I think it's way cool that some of these movies come in High Definition (Woo Hoo!) - the only problem is that I have already own all of the good movies on DVD anyway and the remainder I wouldn't fork out coin to buy/rent. Still does not take away from the fact that it's a trip that they're doing it :) Nicely done Microsoft :)

Labels: Gaming, MMA, Moans and Groans, Personal, TV and Movies

Yeah, so Amsterdam was the bomb! 3 days of being damn near a vegetable but the relaxation was class and well needed! Only thing is, the way I feel now, a long weekend is not what was needed, more like a week! Going from coffee shops, outstanding food and traffic lights that show a countdown until the green light kicks in (I was like a cave man seeing fire for the 1st time) to back home in England and working (but thankfully not living) in Bradford, feels like a kick to the knackers. Not taking anything away from England cos if you go to the right places its a great place to be but being as I am a fan of the city delights (and I'm not talking about chics for sale), coupled with the fact that I just need a 'real break' right now, I think I would have been better off opting for the full week.

Anyways, I actually went to the Van Gogh museum this time round (wasn't actually my idea) but being as it was recommended by others as an apparent "life changing experience" I decided to go. Now I'm not totally lacking in culture and while I'll admit that it was kinda cool seeing the real life pic of the sunflower (my mom had a print when I was a kid), life changing experience? I don't f**king think so! Not putting it down (but I'm about to) and maybe the build up was way too much but either way, if you have not been and get dragged along, make a stop at a coffee shop before you go (trust me on this, its the equivelant of biting down on wood as someone chops your leg off. Barely makes a difference but it feels like it helps).

Anyways, off to wallow in self pity, farewell Holland, I will see you soon! *sniff* *sniff*

Labels: Moans and Groans, Personal

OK, so my prediction did not end up as expected, went to a judges decision and who wins it? Evans! Fucking gutted! Was a draw at best! Fucking judges! Shit shit shit shit!!

Labels: MMA, Moans and Groans

Well just seen Houston Alexander get beat in the first frigging round! Fair play to Thiago Silva, but I was expecting more of a war! Ahh well. Next fight, Bisping vs Evans, this better be worth staying up for cos so far pretty much all of these fights have been boring as shit! What the bloody hell is going on?

Labels: MMA, Moans and Groans

So this is just a very very quick post and as the headline says, I'm feeling a touch guilty. Currently coding the intranet for the company I work for and thought it would be an idea to code in a "bad word filter". I've currently come up with 89 "bad words" and it's suddenly occured to me..."how the hell do I know all of these!!"

I also have the sinking sensation that if I had the consultation of a 14 year old I could easily hit the century mark!!

I was thinking of posting the word list here in XML format or something for other developers but having another think...I don't think I will.

Labels: Coding, Moans and Groans

So I'll be on the bus after a tough day at work and generally all I wanna do is read an interesting book, listen to my ipod or just look out of the window at the world going by. Now here is the bit that makes me wanna kick a kitten! Someone (more often than not school kids) will get on the bus and start playing music. Now I ain't talkin' about like the old days when it was a personal stereo that was a little too loud, no no no, I'm referring to those little bastards with mp3 capability on their mobile phones who insist on playing the shit full blast. Oh and does it end there? Of course not, these phones have speakers (the mother fucker who had that idea needs a severe beating!) so you can hear whatever music it is that these mobile DJ's choose to play from 500 yards away! Now if you're a teenager and have ever done this and had someone tell you "Do me a favour and turn that shit off!!" with a look that would damn near kill you on the spot - allow me to enlighten you as to why this request is phrased in such a way. Like me, these people would have been in this scenario many times before and started off by asking quite politely "Excuse me, would you mind turning that down" only to be met with evil looks and/or attitude. If this happens enough times it gets to the point where you use a boulder to kill an ant and quite frankly, like me, these people have had enough!

And do said teenagers confine this music playing to the many modes of public transport available? The hell they do! They've now taken to the streets, bumbling around town centres all over the country wearing the obligatory pair of Rockport shoes, Reebok classics or Nike Air Max with their white socks and track suit bottoms, not to mention the giant ear rings and scousers face lift (a method of pulling the hair back in a bun so tight as to give the recipient a face lift). I try my utmost best not to profile people based on appearance but you know what? That's how society made me! And to think that these 13/14 year olds will be running the country one day! These people who think it's cool to have kids at the tender old age of 14 will be taking care of you when your kids put you in a home to be forgotten until those hourly visits at Christmas and if you're lucky, New Year. They're the parents of your grandchildren who will say things highly inappropriate like "why does grandad smell like the cellar?" These kids that for some reason think it cool to "hang out" in and around McDonald's will eventually make decisions that will directly impact your life in many political, social and economical arena's.

Can someone please tell me, give me some reasoning or assurance that it is not just me who worries about this, that these bumbling fools who are meant to be "the future" and have no awareness of the traumatising effect caused merely by the fact that they are not thoughtful enough to invest in a pair of headphones are not the best this great country has to offer! If so at the very least give me the peace of mind to say that this behaviour is not confined to the shores of England and that there are others out there that share my pain!

There are so many things like this that piss me off, from the chics in the call centre that do nothing but moan about their colleagues (I understand the irony in that statement) to the kids that think Happy Slapping is something to be proud of. And while I'd love to write about those things right now I can't. Why I hear you ask?? Because there are not that many hours in the day!

Labels: Moans and Groans

Yup - "The man!" intervenes once again. TV Links has been shut down. While they were linking to copy written material...it's no worst than Google who both host and link to the same types of material (no offence to Google) - but of course...spineless as they are...they hit the little man and ignore the big man! Pathetic!

So yeah...no more Heroes catch ups for me - like the rest of the UK...I'll have to wait til next year until I am able to watch season 2 :( SHAT!

Labels: In the news, Moans and Groans, TV and Movies

OK - So I live in Yorkshire...as you can see from this post the date is November 2nd 2007 and I'm currently wearing a Hoody with a T-Shirt underneath and I am damn near burning to death!! I hate the cold with a passion as it is anyway and anyone who knows me knows that I prefer it HOT HOT HOT as opposed to cool/cold but even I...with a heightened sensitivity to the cold could have got away with wearing just a T-Shirt today.

I must say that this freak weather worries me and it's happening more and more all over the planet. This year in the UK we've had the wettest Summer on record in lord knows how long and right now its 15 Degrees C outside and the sun it out! My opinion?? Mother Earth is pissed...we've raped her, disrespected her and down right treated her like a 3 dollar call girl and she ain't happy about it. I think Ursula Rucker said it best in the 4 Hero song Loveless...

"But I'll continue to spin,
until my curious home sapien
offspring pay the price for their sins
against my tainted tears, my breathless breath and once-fertile skins
My sons are million-murderers.
They kill - I kill one million plus.
I never wanted to hurt my children but our creator makes me take
revenge.
It's the circle of life -or at least,it was.

But now it's the end.

No, no it's too late for repentance,
accept your death sentence.
I've given you all I can.
Such beauty and life
you'll never have again.

Now it's the end."

More Environment posts on Technorati

Labels: Environmental Issues, Moans and Groans

Just a quick post. But what the F*@! are Microshaft playing at with these .NET releases. I'm still using verion 2.0 and they're now release version 3.5!!!

WANKERS!

Where are the old days when you had a chance to get used to shit before they released a new version. Whats the frequency now....every 6 months?

I say again...WANKERS!!!

Labels: Coding, Moans and Groans

Yeah ok - so I've ran out of protein shake this morning and ended up missing my ritual liquid brekky before work - so by the time I get to work I'm STARVING but have little time to even eat any food. Then a certain someone in the Co. who happens to be quite high up (as in REALLY high up) decides to take things a little too far and grab me by the collar like I'm some kid. Now this is not the 1st time this has happened and being as this dudes like the major cheese...I don't say shit. But I then sit there at my desk for the next few hours MAJORLY PISSED about the entire situation and then next thing you know I'm getting quizzed about some coding I've done and why it was done a certain way - which if asked at any other time I wouldn't have minded but because I've already got the arsehole that kinda makes me wanna kick a cat! AND THEN - Being as I ain't eaten and I'm damn near starving...I decide to go get a black coffee (I figured 2 birds - 1 stone...supress the appetite, calm me nerves)...and after bringing it back to my desk and taking quite literally 2 sips - i knock the cup with my elbow and a damn near full cup of black coffee spills all over the desk, paper work the lot! By this time I ain't really suprised so I'm just sat there looking at it while the rest of the team sits there in silence. Finally - one of them pulls out some tissue for me (bless his cotton socks) and I clean the shit up. But oh no...it's not TOTALLY CLEAN - therefore as I'm coding away I go to lift my arm and it WREAKS of coffee and is kinda sticking to the desk. All of this before mid-day. By the end of the day I was pretty alright I guess...a bit moody from being hungry n stuff and then on the way home remember that I totally forgot to buy some more protein!

So all in all...I had the distinct impression that people were going out of their way to piss me off. I doubt that's the case but it certainly felt that way.

Other than that...day was great...nothing to complain about.

Anyways - that is/was my 1st blog entry...gonna do my best to ensure this does not turn out like my last blog which was a forum for me to bitch and moan about the things I hate in the world...but hey!! I'm only human ;)

Labels: Moans and Groans, Personal