Happy Tuesday

An excellent result once again for the Scotland side last night.  Written off before the tournament as having failed to deliver on their potential at the last tournament they have dealt that criticism a blow now.  Clarke was finished, the team too old, the tactics woeful, all true as it happens, but things have changed well this time round.

Having to deal with Portugal and Croatia, both containing one of the football greats of the day, and a strong Poland side with another Scotland were given no hope of success.  However, they have managed.  Wins against Croatia, we ought to have beaten Portugal, and last nights late, late show against Poland has seen us in a decent position after all.  OK, third is not great, but another goal in the right place and it would be even better.  But that's football!  As it is Poland are put down to the 'B' division, and Scotland now have a play-off against someone as yet unknown to find out if we follow them or remain where we are.  Soon we will know.  On the whole, things are looking up for Scotland whatever happens.

Allison Pearson's troubles with the police have filled many column inches in the 'Daily Telegraph' and other right-wing papers.  'Freedom of speech' is at stake, 'Stasi Police,' and other comments designed to indicate her innocence.  However, nothing is being said now when a racist crime may have occurred.  This means we cannot mention the situation as it may go to court but she is not being treated harshly by the Fuzz.  

In my humble view the lassie is indeed racist in many of her tweets and comments in the paper, she shares the outlook of the far right, defended the 'Farage rioters,' and may end up in court if the CPS agree.  

The question is, 'Are we heading for a police state?'  Well yes we are.  The law that allows police to stop people praying outside abortion clinics which kill healthy babies, encourage them to (often quite embarrassed by this) come to your door regarding a possible non criminal hate crime, one in which you don't know who complained or why, or even what the problem is, is indeed the beginning of the 'Stasi State.'  

When you lose the sense of right and wrong, when men dressed as women can be called women, when politicians can party while pandemics kill the populace, and when no discipline is found among our leaders you can expect the world to fall apart somewhat.

The thing is we are only at the beginning of this!

Scottish Football Reflects the Times.

 

I was watching a clip of the Heart of Midlothian scoring 90 goals against Hibernian.  I must point out these goals did not arrive in only one game.  The first clip came from one of our victories in 1959, before I had made it to the ground.  

Several things struck me as I watched these early games.  The goal celebrations were the most obvious.  A goal is scored, with ease against Hibernian, and the players 'jumped for joy,' congratulated the scorer and returned quickly to the centre circle to do it all again.  No sliding needlessly into the corner, no standing on the wall taking the glory.  No rolling about on the ground while other formed a horde about you.  Just get back and get on with the game.

The game was no less serious, the attitudes deep.  The joy of a  win and the despair of a loss great both ways, no less than today, and yet...  

People tackled harder in those days, yet there were less bookings and sending's off.  Both sides fought hard to win and yet there was less animosity.  Indeed, many who bought season tickets for Tynecastle to watch the Heart of Midlothian also took season tickets at Hibernian and watched the teams week about.  This is not possible today and many would not understand this anyway.  

Life has changed in the last 70 years.  Our attitudes to football reflect this.  It appears to be that attitudes have hardened somewhat, football success is more important than it ought to be, and this is reflected with many no longer watching great European games and preferring to watch teams further down the ladder where 'real football' can be seen.  This includes standing on a near empty terracing, banter between fans, and the occasional dog demanding attention, especially when eating the miserly pies that are on sale from the van on the corner.  

Football has got wealthier alongside the nations, neither have become better because of this.

Saturday Riot Watch with added Football

 

The beginning of the new football season got under way this weekend.  Last night the Championship began well, a 2-1 victory for Falkirk over Queens Park, one of the oldest football teams in the world.  Today the big boys got going, and I was thankful to be able to watch this on the overpriced SKY football show.

Much of the day however, was taken up with reports of riots across England, always referred to by the press as 'Britain,' or 'UK.'  The use of mobile phones has been helpful but also rather worrying.  Watching shops being looted, single individuals set upon by groups of face masked yobs, and the police under great strain attempting to contain large crowds of rioters, none of whom are showing restraint.

The phone footage is very useful, many are now in custody or on police bail because of the images of their actions.  One or two have been returned to prison, several others will be breaking their early release orders, and many a mum and dad will be surprised to find the constabulary at their door early this morning, or during the next few days, as their dear precious boy is taken away for 'questioning.'

Why is this happening now I hear you ask?  Well Nigel has deliberately made a point of inflaming racism to further his wallet.  He himself may have right wing leanings however, mostly he is a front for others who are seeking to destroy the nation through division, all for their own advantage.  The favourite so far has been Russia, with President Putin keen to remove the UK from the EU through Brexit and remove what little power was left in the world.  Another theory is Israel, seeking to destroy Islamic types in the UK who are a threat to them by stirring up hatred in the UK.  Hatred against 'them over there,' is of course easy to encourage and Nigel has been doing just that.  I wonder how much he has made from all this, possibly from all sides.

Clearly these attacks are being controlled from somewhere, do the government know from where?  Would they admit it if they knew?  Musk, and his right-wing leaning Twitter has certainly played a part in encouraging far right thugs.  I have spent much time today reporting as 'Spam,' lots of people claiming to be independent souls, all with union flags, all claiming to be white patriots, all saying exactly the same thing, 'Keir Starmer thinks I am a right wing thug.'  I wonder if any of them know their foto is being used in this way?  Is this Reform or another I wonder?

 In the real world however, the Heart of Midlothian saw out a nil-nil draw with the blue bigots.  Once again we saw Nicky Walsh display his anti- Heart of Midlothian bias, add to which was the inept Rangers referee upstairs on VAR, one Andrew Dallas, who like his father before him became a referee but failed to understand the laws while keeping the pro Rangers bias.  Today a clear penalty ought to have been awarded to the Hearts, the referee being instructed to check the monitor, this did not happen.  Dallas, wearing his Rangers shirt did not call the ref and so no chance for him to refuse to award a penalty.  Typical SFA refs.  The SFA website is also inept, just try to find a referee for a game and it takes you to many places but does not provide a result.  Irony eh?

Anyway, we were good, our two Costa Rican's were excellent, and Gerald Taylor has a great future here and is already a fans favourite.  This looks like a good season ahead once all the early season rust is removed.  The future is bright, the future is maroon!

Scotland in Germany

Having done it in Munich and Cologne, the Scots are now painting Stuttgart tartan also!

Everywhere they have gone the Scots have made friends.  Drink abounded but no trouble followed, they met German and Swiss opponents and partied together whatever the score.  Fans from other nations joined in, and the local police were so happy to see them everywhere.  So much so that it was said the Stuttgart police were asking for overtime just to mix with the Scots!  

Lets see that happen with England!

The local Mayors are asking for them to stay on, businesses produced Sots flavoured sausages and other foodstuffs, ever a local whisky shop managed a special blend.  Locals felt safe around the Scots,  non women was known to have been hindered, all felt safe.  Following standard practice the 'Tartan Army' gave £5000 to a Cologne organisation so disabled kids could have two days of football on them, and this is not unusual for them.  

Now, awaiting the final game, another last game cup final as it were, the 'Tartan Army' has filled rain soaked Stuttgart and found it just like home!  Again they party, again win or lose they will party, again they will be cheered as the best fans at the tournament.

This of course is a tournament where the Dutch, Danish and Swiss fans have also partied, and they can all party!  I suppose all that is missing here are the Irish!  We will be mixing with Hungarian fans tonight and probably are already.  The party in the rain will continue, the result will not stop that.  However, we must win to continue to remain here in Germany, all Germany wishes us to remain, so I hope we have a German referee...

8 pm our time I will be settled in for the night, awaiting joy or despair as always. At least I will be out of the rain here.

Now is the time for the Scottish Tourist Board to operate in Germany, and vice versa.  Make the most of this contact and encourage more, this will benefit both nations.  

BBC

Scotland, Euro 2024

Tonight the Scotland side begin another adventure.  Usually this ends in failure, often glorious failure, and hopefully we can go one better tonight, qualify for the next round and get some satisfaction for the travelling fans.

Naturally all the leading men are there, as you would expect.  Alex is here with other Alba folk, the FM is round the corner with many of his lot in tow, and a wide variety of true Scots are in Germany for the party.  As expected a party has been in swing since they arrived and most Germans are quite happy to have them bagpipe playing, singing and dancing in the main squares.  Not counting one man who grumbled about being on nightshift!  

All those Scottish shirts filling the town remind me of my reaction when moving to London.  All around me people wore England shirts, now while I expected to see this I was also somewhat taken aback at the time as it seemed to me so unusual.  It took me three or four years to get used to being surrounded by England shirts, flags and all, though this is how it ought to be in London, but it still was a strange sight.  Just as strange was the sight of working men getting excited by a cricket score, this time it was Essex they supported, and this made me giggle.  No working man to my knowledge in Edinburgh mentioned cricket, though some did indeed play it.  

There are still many people who do not realise that moving 'down south' is moving to another country, there is NO 'United Kingdom' and there never has been, there is only two nations with one dominating the power over the other.  It is time that was ended and Scotland independent and able to make mistakes by themselves.

Whether this would improve upon Steve Clarks Scotland side is however, a debatable matter.

A Grumble re SKY Sports

 

I'm losing interest in 'SKY Sports.' 

I watch via a laptop, the cheapest option.  Once upon a time you could log on and choose 'sports' and be faced with what was on offer.  The live action was clear, on the top, and easy to find.  Upcoming items were below and easy avoided.

Now, you find the top row advertising items way ahead and the live action you wish for is not always clear.  On occasions I have had to search for a game advertised yet not to be found!

Even worse is the decision, by the woman who now runs this farce, to put women's football at the front, on an equal basis to real football.  This weekend the lunchtime Saturday game was a girlie offering.  I am left wondering what the numbers watching was?  No English Premier game on offer, no Scottish Premiership game, though two could have been used, instead a girlie game was shown.

As to the actual coverage of a game there are many faults still.

The number one is the use of too many cameras.  This means instead of watching the game we are forced to watch a goalie at one end while action occurs at the other.  Why?  He is not involved, his last action, good or bad, does not require us to look at his face long after this is over!  Just watch the game!

Last night, near the end of an interesting Portsmouth v Derby game,  the camera decided to show us the nervous fans, why?  Do we not understand how fans behave at a game?  Must we see the chairman shivering in the stand when the ball is in play?  Why can we not just have a couple of cameras, one for replays, and watch the match?  SKY are bad at this, but much better than BBC ALBA who's coverage of a game leaves much to be desired.  They copy the SKY system but without the number of cameras and without any knowledge of football whatsoever!  Send these men back to soap operas where they belong.

Anyway, enough is enough, I will dump SKY, I only got them so I could see the wonderful Costa Rican star player score goals for the Heart of Midlothian.  As they avoid offering Hearts game, preferring the sectarian bigots in Glasgow, I see no point in them any longer.  I might keep the bad camera angles on Premier when it takes over from Viaplay, but we will watch and see there.  

I watched one game on SKY recently, a supplementary one apparently, only the central camera, one feeble commentator, and no replays.  Apart from the lack of a replay this was much better coverage in that you could actually follow the game properly.  We need more of this!

I find today that I really enjoy BBC Scotland's 'Friday Night Football.'  This reminds me of places I have been, before the change of century (which century?-ed) and the football itself is always full of surprises. The team watching are good and sometimes the camera director does his job, sometimes.  I no longer need SKY, and the £40 or so saved each month will be useful.  I might wait until season ends mind.

Getting Shirty

I noticed a man crossing the park this morning with his dearly beloved, he was wearing a Manchester United football shirt, this just before 9 am.  Here we are, 350 miles from Manchester, and a typical Man U fan is seen!  I'll bet this creature has never lowered himself to enter the local teams stadium to watch them in action.  A connection to the local side appears less welcome than following a side whose ground you have never visited!  

This irks me.

Some years ago, delivering post up the Ridgeway, I noticed a 10 year old wearing a similar shirt.  His dad told me he supported Ipswich, which makes sense as it is quite local and once was a top side, and he may well have originated from that area.  But the kid was influenced by tv as so many are.

My football influence came from my dad, reading about the Hearts and wanting to play football constantly, even if rubbish at it.  A dozen years of wandering about Scotland in all weathers, mostly wet, following a side with less hope of success than an ice cube in the Sahara.  But this is what the fan does, and they still do.  Those days have gone and the chances of ever seeing Edinburgh again diminish daily, but the club is still in my life.  Not so important as it once was, real life now dominates, but if they win or lose I feel it.  The long distance fan who has rarely seen his team in action cannot comprehend the life of a true fan, it is not possible.  Anyway, next year his shirt will change colour and he will follow another.

Which brings me to thankfulness for Scotland qualifying in marvellous fashion for the Euros in Germany next year.  Win, lose or draw matters not.  We are again amongst the elite, this is where we ought to be as only by playing amongst the best can we improve.  Steve Clark, much unsung by the Glasgow mafia, has led his side to success and looks good for more.  Congratulations and applause for him.

Hopefully he will take on the Heart of Midlothian job afterwards...

Tech Troubles and Mental People.

 

Another day, another day of tech troubles.

'Viaplay,' a Norwegian company, took over some Scottish football.  Yet more cash to be laid out.   A few months ago they decided they and their owners, were going bust, therefore changes must be made.  Now, the present season of games has been paid for up front, therefore these will continue, however, what happens next season?  Will this company exist?  Will Scottish games be covered?  We do not know.

However, an email arrived informing me that my account will run out on 5th October.  So, I looked at the account, following all the instructions, decided to change things and amend the out of date debit card, and nothing happened!

I pressed the buttons, nothing changed.

Several times I went through this, following instructions, and nothing changed, no response.

In the end I left it as it is.

When the time comes to pay for the next year I will be unable to as the card is out of date and they will not let me change it.  Nor indeed would the system accept a change to 'Paypal' either.  This means I will let it die, and if I can get it to work, I will amend the details and resign in on a monthly pay, via 'Paypal,'  so that if the football stops I can dump it.  If, that is, they let me sign in anew.

No wonder this company has money worries...

This is as exciting as life gets at the moment.  The Covid experience has not quite left, and it is beginning to drag.  However, others suffer worse.  The lass at the checkout got Covid in 2020, was on breathing equipment, almost died, and now suffers 'Long Covid.'  There are many like her, yet this government refuses to accept this is true, refuses free tests for Covid, and there is no way of reporting such a disease anywhere.  No wonder they could not make HS2 work!

Is Suella Braverman mentally unbalanced?

Discuss.

Edinburgh

 

The rain hammering past the window, reminded me that this is the start of the 'Edinburgh Fringe Festival,' something I never attended.  Edinburgh's changeable weather will not stop a billion people descend on the city, obstructing the streets, hindering people going about their business, and scaring the locals into taking a holiday in far away places, like Berwick on Tweed or Peebles.  Indeed, the locals always make for the hills rather than endure the crush of southern softies blethering about their pitiful 'art.'  

In my say, when colour had not yet been introduced to the city, the Festival proper got under way and we all ignored it.  This was because it was too highbrow for many, or just too expensive.  Today, I might be tempted by some of what is pon offer there.  The 'Fringe' grew up later, London actors, theatre companies, comedians, perverts and hangers on, all came to Edinburgh and tried to become an overmnight success.  Some did.  Others failed, some failed yet became a success.  Paul Merton is one, he is renown for his TV and radio appearances and happy to admit that in Edinburgh he was fired twice in one night, his act being so poor. 

I wonder if I would bother about the 'Fringe' now?  I almost went back in the day, but somehow it just did not happen.  Did I miss anything?  I had other things on my mind then, but maybe I ought to have looked in anyway.  Today, I just could not be bothered.

Anyway, I am glad I do not need to fight the crowds there, tourists are bad enough.

 

Proper football begins tomorrow, well one begins tonight actually.  The league business begins, anger, bad referees, bad tackles, managers sacked, venom, shooting, crossing, rain, wind and fire, all in every game, big or small.  I canny wait!

By the time last season eventually ended I was sick of football.  Far too many games, and the play-offs just went on too long.  This season ends and a competition of some sort begins, world cup or Euro's, I know not which.  There are so many competitions these days I don't know what half of them are now.

But tnight, an exciting Arbroath v Dundee United will grip the nation!  Especially as the wind and rain are gtting up and the North Sea is a mere ten yards form the pitch!  It will be grand.

Long Night, Long Day

Another tiring day.  

Struggled to wake this morning, forced myself up, and breakfasted on a stale roll.  Some folks have less than this of course.  I cogitated on the day and decided I wished it to be a restful one, except of course I had the parcel to post.  Another birthday, another waddle down to the Post Office at the corner shop, I go there because the young lady always smiles at me, unlike the miserable dragons at what laughingly, is the main Post Office in town.  So, sun cream applied, desert hat on head, off I hobbled.  

There is a wind at the moment but the sun was about 70% as I headed east.  I could feel it on my face, in spite of the hat, and my absurd appearance meant several vans and cars slowed down to let me cross the road when required.  They needed the laugh I suppose.

After this my day was over.  Groomed and fed I just dozed away for a while.

This is the Longest Day, and the sky has been bright since very early, which I did not see.

The reason for the sloth this morning was easy to find.  Last night I began to watch Scotland playing Georgia, a 7:45 kick off time.  However, before the game began there had been an almighty cloudburst and 6 days worth of heavy rain fell in a couple of hours.  Now, major football grounds have systems to remove rainwater falling during a game, this was too much for Hampden however, and some decisions had to be made before the game went ahead.  

In spite of Michael Stewart constantly referring to having played in worse, which was a lie, the water was forming huge puddles, the ball did not run, bounce or flow, there was indeed now ay to play in such circumstances.

UEFA however insisted the game went ahead.

Players splashed about in dire conditions, Scotland even scored a goal, but the ref then left the field and we began well over two hours of debate as to whether the game ought to continue, or be abandoned and play again the next night in Paisley.  Any sensible person would play the next night.

UEFA insisted the game continued.

So we saw the ground staff, ball boys, volunteers aplenty attempt to brush the excess water from the field.  Eventually, well after 9:15 pm the game restarted.  Georgia were far from pleased, and quite rightly, and they were even more unhappy when Scotland scored a second goal and eventually ran out winners by 2-0.

The game finished at 11:20 pm, at lest what I made it, the crowd had remained throughout, they had paid their tickets and no information was forthcoming thanks to UEFA, and many a child was late for school this morning, many a man was asleep at work, and all considered it worth while.

During the waiting time the announcer played music over the Tannoy.  Above we see the list of songs played, many enthusiastically supported by the crowd joining in.  'Don't let it rain on me,' by a Glasgow group, the favourite of the night.

Allsorts Today

 

After a very tiring day, I actually had to work again, I sat down to scribble something of great note.  However, just as I did this I realised there was football on the TV, or at least on this 'Viaplay' nonsense, an organisation that demands money so you can see your country playing football!  England, you will note, can see their team on terrestrial TV, why not Scotland?  Anyway, we were not playing, that is tonight, but my tired mind was happy to watch whoever was kicking lumps out of one another.  This meant I scribbled nothing.

The walk to Kirk on Sunday, then the shopping early Monday, a desire to lose weight pushed aside by a desire to make oatmeal biscuits, which turned out no bad, wrapping a parcel for the niece, followed by a rather stupid determination to weed the front wore me out.  This was harder than I imagined.  I ache all over now.  Still, the front is cleared, the biscuits are acceptable, the diet is still on as everything else appears to be vegetable today.    

Today however, my mind is still tired, I am doing nothing of any importance, and time for connecting to the real world has returned.  However, I then look at the real world and wish the football would start.

Last night the house of Commons voted by 354 'Ayes' to 7 'Noes' to accept the recommendation of the House committee to declare that Boris Johnson had lies to the House.  128 Tory MPs voted for the motion, 7 against.  The rest ran away and hid from their responsibilities.  This included our pretend PM Rishi Sunak.  His style of leadership meant he did not appear in the House all day.  Surely this is unacceptable.  The result means Boris is out on his ear officially now, and the joy remains amongst all decent people everywhere.  

Today the right wing press, do we have anything else? ignored the result and splashed a tale of a sunken mini submarine hunting the Titanic.  This is a glory trip for those willing to pay £195,000 to be taken 13,000 feet down to view the wreck.  However, they have not resurfaced, contact is lost, and we will all be aware that rescue is impossible in such circumstances.  

The truth is of course that the right wing press may fear the loss of a Billionaire aboard the craft, but they mostly wish to detract from Boris's defeat last night, anything will do.  

Apart from the thunderstorms that have come up from the south, watering the front and encouraging more weeds to sprout, little else appears to be happening.  It remains warm and sultry, rather like in the tropics, but without the parrots, snakes and beasties.  A few flies and moths at night attracted to the light.  

Nothing much else is happening, although some fuss is being made about cricket.  But we don't care about that, do we...?   

So, it has been 'Allsorts Today,' with little of any use to man nor beast.  

At least I did not ruin your teeth...

 

Willie Collum Does it Again for His Team

 

Another Heart of Midlothian v Celtic game, another example of Willie Collum's deliberate bending of the rules to benefit his team.  Yet again he takes his teams side. This is not new, I make it six penalties he gave in seven games against us, none of which were penalties, and add to this several non red cards which he decided were red and has shown against this club, and he has gone one better today.  Sitting far from home in Glasgow he has made use of VAR to force the referee in today's game to send off a Heart of Midlothian player for no reason.  A foul, if it was a foul was committed, a yellow card shown, if that was required, and the  Willie demands a red, because that is what he does!

Had I been the boss at Tynecastle I would have taken the players from the field and sued both Willie and the SFA for the cheating we have endured.  This is not new, I have seen this as far back as the early 60s when Gordon Marshall was also treated badly by a Glasgow referee.  The 'Old Firm' have always had the refs in their pocket.  Today, ought to have been time for action.  The cowards at the Heart of Midlothian board will fail to react, once again. 

Scotland Returns, Forbes Withdraws, and Prices Rocket

Last night Scotland deservedly beat Spain by 2 - 0 in their second game of the European Championship Qualifying stage.  This was not a shock result, this was the result of an ongoing process carried out by manager Steve Clark, a process that has had it's ups and down's over the period he has been in charge.  Scotland, the nation that not only invented the game of 'Football,' but developed the Laws of the game as they now stand, alongside the 'Scientific Football,' that saw them dominate the game before the Great War, has been through a tough time recently.  Until Steve Clark took charge Scotland were on the way down in football levels, last night they revealed the results of hard work and team discipline which combined with decent tactics and the always required luck, saw them return to the world stage, a stage they have not appeared on since at least 1998.

There has been moments when things looked like they may improve, only for them to fall down all around us.  Individual players of quality have appeared occasionally, but sadly too many lacked the quality, the managers the tactics, and hope that rose soon dissipated.  Questions can always be asked regarding how some players or managers obtained their place, eyes always glaring in the Glasgow direction at such times, but today is not the time for recriminations today is the time for hope and encouragement.  Hope that a renovation of the Scottish League to suit all sides rather than two will occur.  Hope that clubs can develop young players, especially those who are capable of making it overseas in places such as Italy.  Encouragement for those already involved, in spite of their obvious limitations, to continue to give all and develop on the field individually and together.  This is a time of hope, at last Scotland can look forward into the football future with hope, much development still is required, but as a man once said, "This is not the end, but it is the end of the beginning," or something...

Wiki

Humza is swearing in himself and his new cabinet as we speak.  Each will have been carefully chosen to support the cabal that has undone the independence debate over the last few years.  To begin with offering Kate Forbes a lowly job at 'Rural Affairs' can only be seen as an insult.  Her supporters are also beginning to turn down the low jobs offered them.  This cannot be the way to unite the SNP.  What this man has done is to force half the SNP people who voted for Kate to one side as if unimportant.  This politically is dangerous as they will then gather around her and Ash Regan, we have no idea if she has been offered a post as yet, and form a powerful opposition to Humza within the party.  This sort of behaviour make the SNP look like the Conservatives and can only lead to disaster.  Maybe we can ask again regarding Special Branch operations with the SNP?

 

I came across this on Twitter this morning, 'Which' offering an idea of the rise in prices at the major supermarkets.  As they say, Aldi and Lidl remain cheapest, but still it gives a good indication of rising costs. 

I noticed this as I scrutinised my bread in Tesco after reading this.  The fancy type of bread I like, instead of the 'Plain Loaf' variety, now costs either £2:25 or £2:40, according to taste.   It was not that long ago it cost £1:60 or £1:80.  Now Brexit is too blame indeed, other factors such as rising energy prices, transport costs, slight wage increases must all be taken into account, but for me the real reason prices increase is greedy supermarkets!  They have us all on the end of a lead.  There is little opposition to a large supermarket, other than a large supermarket.  In my reach lie Sainsburys and Tesco, up till now Tesco were cheaper, but lately they have been catching up with the crooks at Sainsburys.  There is a Lidl up the road, too far to walk these days, but I never found them cheaper anyway.    

Now I can survive this, I simply do not spend on what I can no longer afford, I buy the cheapest stuff if required to.  Some however, suffer.  Gas prices like electric are doubling for me, or at least so they say, what may happen will no doubt be different, and many will struggle to cope.  Many of these will be working people at that.

Remove the government where the PM pays less tax than the workers, where MPs line their pockets on second jobs, and bring in a government of the people, for the people.  Hold on, I see a problem here.  The opposition do not know what a woman is, they have no policies bar getting the 'red wall' votes, and Keir Hardie is turning in his grave at what they have done to the workers.  Maybe an election is not the way forward after all...?

Urgent Football

 

I had planned a very good post for today.

However, I watched Dundee United v Aberdeen instead...

Nothing to Say with all this Football

 

Nothing to say.

Too much European football to watch.

Too much housework to do.

Too much food to stuff down and regret.

 

A Torpor Day

 

I have been in the Island of Torpor for the past few weeks.  A virus has limited my energy, given me one uncomfortable night, and left me brain dead.  Some of course would question the last bit by asking "How can you tell," but I ignore these people.  Little has been done in my ken, not helped by little stimulation in the world around us.  With a pretend PM pretending to PM, and two hopeless pretending replacements mouthing to the Tory gallery (Omitting the bit about selling off the NHS which almost all of their listeners require), and holiday season meaning everyone else is away leaves no interest for us.

I could inform you of the goings on at Dundee United, the 'Courier' podcast is indeed very good.  I could inform you of the trials and tribulations at the Heart of Midlothian, the 'Scarves around the Funnel' podcast is also good.  There again I could speak, again, of a trip to Sainsburys late last night for bread and exhaustion, but I will forego that.  

Today the torpor was interrupted by having to post the one year olds 1st birthday card, repost neighbours mail that came to us, and dump the rubbish bag.  Such excitement!  

This however, was at least accompanied by the arrival, again, of the Ambulance Helicopter.  The Big Orange One landed over the road, missing the parks occupants, and quickly gathered a crowd of onlookers.  These were not voyeurs seeking to watch the sick, merely folks interested in the sight of such a flying machine so close by them.  Indeed, a noisy flying machine at that.  

Such beasts often cross our airspace.  The Ambulance often accompanied by an even more noisy police one, usually late at night with glaring searchlight, and often the idle rich pass over in their private, possibly self piloted machines.  Depending on orders we also catch many Apache helicopters on army manoeuvres, as well as the even noisier Chinooks, those great big and very useful American built machines.  Of course we will not mention the 'escaping fuel' problem, one which caused over 400 US machines to be grounded will we?  No.  At least they do not have prestigious aircraft carriers that break down because someone forgot to 'grease the propeller shaft do they?  Tsk!

Friday Frippary

The tingle in my toe indicates I sit around too much, similar tingles in my fingers indicate repetitive strain injury caused by too much time playing solitaire working on this laptop.  Therefore more walking and exercise is required, but this aches the knees, it doesn't do much for the back either.  However, this morning I crossed the park, wandered the long way, that is another five minutes, through the town, and limped home hungry for lunch.

This afternoon I returned the empty beer vinegar bottles to the recycling bins at the supermarket, with great difficulty.  For a start the bag appeared heavy for some reason, and the actual bins had not been emptied.  The lids were bursting open, bags crammed with bottles lay all around, beer bottles, wine bottles, spirits of many kind bottles, all stood to attention awaiting disposal in amongst the discarded plastic bags and broken chips of glass that always lies everywhere here.  At least people are trying to recycle and save the planet.  

Having added my bag to the flock I meandered towards the bank, took cash from the 'Hole in the Wall,' and marvelled at how easy this was.  In times past Scots banks were not keen on customers, after all, they had work to do, so they opened at 9:30, closed for an hour at lunchtime, and closed again to the public at 3:30. These are all ideal times for the man in the street to make use of a bank!  Today I just inserted the card, pressed numbers, pressed another couple of buttons and money appeared from the wall. This is great!  

I wonder who the card belonged to?

Anyway, I hobbled down the road passing many mum's returning the kids from the schools, crossed the park once again and amazingly sat on a bench to enjoy the warmth of the day!  It was heading towards 70ish degrees today.  Short sleeves abounded, women putting their noses in the air expecting all men to admire them, I look the other way to annoy them, all around the unexpected relief that summer might be nearing.  Ha!  I thought it was getting cloudy now, the weather man has promised rain tonight!  Typical.

 

 

Sadly the local elections turned out to be disappointing for us all.  While the Tories lost heavily it was clear they did not lose heavily enough.  Worse, many continued to vote for them, in spite of the mess they are leaving us.  Labour have done well in Scotland, but elsewhere they have gained many local seats but not enough to encourage hope in a general election.  Boris may yet try for an early general election if he thinks he will gain enough of a winning margin.  I doubt this however.  There again there was not sufficient displeasure amongst the faithful to call for his removal, but underneath the ground is shifting.

 

 

My day of excitement will end with the second leg of Inverness Caledonian v Partick Thistle tonight.  The play-off time is here again and always to be welcomed.  The first legs are not always so enjoyable, however, when the game is there to be won in the second leg it gets interesting.  These are good games to watch.  However, not all is good in Scottish football, last nght the blue bigots won through to the final of a European competition.  This is sad news to me.  The last thing we need is the sectarian pair getting more cash, they will waste it on themselves and continue to spurn Scottish football. This is not a good moment for Scotland.

 

Boxing Day 2021

 

The problem with having Christmas Day on Saturday is that many folk think Sunday is a Monday.  I am convinced some folks were half way to work this morning before remembering what the day was.  For many others the presence of family or friends, and maybe the weight of over indulgence proved too much for them as few indeed arrived at the Kirk this morning.  The teeming rain did not help either. 

However, we gathered, sung several songs badly, and without the technicians being available we had to read the words out off a book rather than view them on screen.  This has not happened for so long some among us had forgotten how to read!  It was clear we had all forgotten how to sing.

 

 

Soon enough I was back home, the shepherds and angels remaining behind while I indulged myself in roast potatoes, not black like yesterday, and a chicken concoction far too big for me.  However, with some effort I managed, and washed this down with Plum Vodka.  A bit strong with the cloves dear! 

Then Joy!  The Heart of Midlothian game against Ross County was available and I was able to shout abuse at the TV director for failing to do his job properly once again.  Why does he spend so much time looking at the back of players heads?  Just watch the game mate!  Surely this is the easiest job in TV, why make it hard?  Anyway, we won of course, so that provided more cheer.  Now, lying ahead of me are two more games on Now TV via SKY.  It is so hard deciding whether to watch here or go and watch from my bed...

 

Two days holiday now follow.  This is time for the wrapping paper, empty boxes, the ones without cats sitting in them, and other assorted rubbish, including that strange uncle that comes only at Christmas to be discarded, recycled or dumped.  Peace and quiet, unless the kids are still around, and a time for sleeping off excess now arrives.

I hope your Christmas has been a good one, Jesus is still here, no longer a baby but a King, talk to him, he will listen.  He even arranges a driver when the rain is falling, or at least he did for me today anyway.  

You do realise that this time next year will be a new year?  Jings!