The Special Relationship

Joey Barton Fluent in french

2012-11-26T05:31:00.000-08:00

Oh my god its been 2 years! But I had to share Joey Barton doing 'ello'ello, though a liguist on 5 live did say that this is called 'accommodation' to make yourself understood.

Student Fees, Student Protest, Police Brutality, Student Riot-in that order

2010-12-13T01:15:00.000-08:00

I wonder how much has been on US news about the student protests?
Beyond the attack on Charles and Camilla's car on their way to the
Royal Variety Performance that is? I hope its not the story of thugs
and brave policemen?
H had organised the walk out from college the day before. They had
3 riot vans out for my H and his mates! The kids were singing
"what a watse of money" and "shouldnt you be on sick leave" (after the
newsthat we were paying for 1 in 10 to be on sick)
Then came the news at 11pm that Unison and some others had agreed to
part fund a coach to London for the next days Rally.
It was hilarious at 7am, I opened the door to H's freind asking "can I
leave my bike round the back" "Of course Oli, are you here to smash
the state?" "Yes" "Have you had some breakfast" "Yes thanks Mrs
George"
SO I was in phone contact with H all day. The police started on
them from the start. H was at the front at the beginning and was
on telly, I watched all day. Then he was charged by the police on
horses....and I was watching...there had been no attacks or anything
chucked,,,just a bit of pushing to try to get through to join up with
the other group. They were contained there for 5 hours with mothers
and kids and others like them, while the police spokesman werecalling
them the "hard core" and while the anarchists were smashing Top shop
windows in Oxford street and throwing paint on Prince Charles's
Bentley

They had no toilet, water, food and were constantly charged and hit
with batons as they tried to get out to catch their bus home. They
call it kettling, because they say they let a few out at a time like
steam out of a kettle. In reality they just blew up the situation.
Thats when the treasury was attacked.

I dont care what system they have in the US. Everyone who voted that
day had free education, and its part of our history and heritage. Free
education for anyone who gets the grades.It doesnt even make financial
sense. Most of it will never be paid back, its being loaned by the tax
payer in the first place.

If its got to be recouped in another way, why not put a graduate tax
on all graduates, all those in parliament, me, bankers, doctors,
Lords, heirs to the throne and their sons and fiances. Weve all had
our free education and saddled these kids with massive debt already.
Now we want them to pay to be educated to keep the country going.

Its a fucking disgrace.

Apparently student demos have been reported extensively, because people
were coming into my booth, and when they heard my accent talking about it,
and asking me what I thought. Most agreeing that it is a travesty, that
England is trying to go down the same route as America, when there are
people over here in their 30's, 40's and 50's still paying off their
student loans!! This to me was to be expected from Cameron and the
Conservatives, it's Clegg that I can't fucking stand.

The big news here is that we as Liberals are fucking done with Obama.
Compromise, compromise, compromise with the Republicans and now the rich
ain't going to be taxed, even though it was a campaign pledge. He
compromised on healthcare, and now on taxes and I'm through. Through
defending him, and through with his brand of change politics. He even
wheeled out Clinton to try to get the Dems to toe the line, but they ain't
having it. It will go through, but I for one ain't happy.

Thanks Giving, Christmas, Boxing Day, Fabio Capello, Alan Shearer

2010-11-24T01:20:00.000-08:00

Woo what a season. Chelsea beaten twice, Alan Shearer attacking Fabio, Liverpool are total shite which is the best.
All I need now is Alan Hanson off MOTD for some terrible scandal with womens tights and oranges

I know nothing about Alan Shearer attacking Fabio. Lots of cooking and cleaning for Thanksgiving going on here, getting ready for 30 plus people......can't wait it's gonna be fun.

I intend to be finished by tomorrow afternoon, sitting in front of the TV watching the Rangers/United game with a glass of vino in my hand. Then it's all downhill, working every day until 8pm from Friday to 2 days before Christmas. Lawd help me.

What do you all do for Christmas, do you stay at home, or do you go to your mum's.

Gotta run, the hoover is calling!

Shearer said the England team is less settled than it was 2 years ago and that Fabio still doesn’t know how to play his best 11, or who his best 11 are, and doesn’t seem to know how to deal with the English game.I have supported sven and even mclaren to the bitter end hate the England fans who boo... it seemed against France that Wembley was full of London team fans who were taking the opportunity to boo opposition players, so that the Chelsea fans booed the sunderland player because they beat them the previous week, arsenal booed Tottenham players and Tottenham booed anyone who played for anyone else- though this is to be expected because they boo their own players at White Hart Lane for any reason. I love Alan Shearer but I just don’t know if I should expect lots of chopping and changing and new players for friendly games or if we should know the starting line up every time?

Christmas I do a meal, a game and drink and dancing on Christmas Eve, then we go round to P's for Christmas lunch, the Queens speech, turkey sarnies an dips with a game (or the comedy Christmas special for those who cant get up from the TV). Boxing day we don’t get dressed, I get up when someone mentions food, then we all end up in the sitting room with the fire on eventually with 1 or other DVD Father Christmas has delivered. N has from Christmas eve to the day after new year off because engineers don’t do the last half of January evvverrrrr.

Thanksgiving, Redskins, Gap Years, Student Grants

2010-11-18T05:47:00.000-08:00

What on earth are you talking about? Interception What? Did the old player do well or not? I want his agent to represent me. How Black is your county? Would I look out of place? What type of whites live there.

I forget about thanksgiving. SO Happy Thanks giving to you all. Have you had snow? Isnt This holiday like Christmas without the presents? Is there real feeling for the meaning of it and the history?

So what was the view of the student riots? Do the Americans think that our students have had it easy and this is normal. DO people spend the first 20 years of their working life, post degree paying off loans in the US and this is acceptable. We will be OK with A who will pay £3k but H will not be having a year off because we can get him through without a £9k a year bill, then you can have a gap year after on the £18k you’ve saved. Perhaps it was too easy in our day? AT least if there is real investment in yourself you might turn up to lectures. I thought it was bad that I didn’t get a grant for living, as it was based on previous years income, when my Dad was alive and earning.

Redskins, Royal Wedding, Princess Diana, Prince Georges County Scandal

2010-11-17T05:32:00.001-08:00

Royal Wedding news this morning when I hit the gym. I was surprised that
they got engaged a while ago, seems strange that they didn't announce it
then. I don't hold with the bad luck vibes and stuff myself. She was his
mother, he obviously adored her, and if she's OK with it,and I'm assuming
that she is then I don't see what the big deal is. I'm really happy that
they waited, and made sure that it was right for them, and I really hope
that it works. Bloody hell, your probably gonna miss it, aren't most
Royal weddings in mid-July?

Student riots were a big story here, I heard about it first on the local
news, then put CNN and BBC on to here more. Nothing about PM in China,
but obviously Obama's trip to Asia at the same time garnered major news.

Big news here in our county, Prince George's County, Maryland. All
started to go down last Friday. Our County is the largest majority black
county in the US, over 90% Democratic voters, but also very high crime in
certain areas, mostly those closest to DC. Anyway, the county executive
(black of course - Executive basically is the County Administrator, runs
the county). Was arrested on what can only be called racketeering
charges. He was allegedly accepting bribes for county contracts.
Unbeknownst to him the feds were wire-tapping his ass, and have been
investigating him since 2006. He has 3 weeks left in office, because his
term is up, guess you can only serve 2 terms max. His wife just won a
county council seat. Well......she called him on Friday and said there
were 2 federal agents at the door, and what should she do. He tells her
to go to the underwear drawer and take out $80,000 in cash that is hidden
there and hide it in her underwear!!!!!! Then tells here to take a
$100,000 check that he has in the house and flush it down the toilet. So
the feds called in a plumber, but they didn't find the check. He was
indicted on Friday, and has an electronic ankle monitor, and goes back to
work on Monday to finish his term!!! Press conference claiming he's
innocent and will be cleared of all charges, etc, etc.

Then yesterday, as a result of the fed. investigation 9 people were
arrested on drug/alcohol/tobacco crimes. Including 3 PG county police
officers. It's all go here.

Other big news from last night. Redskins on Monday night football got
there asses royally kicked 59-28, this after it was announced earlier in
the day that the quarterback,who is 34 years old and clearly past it was
given a 5 year $79 million contract, $40 mill. of which is guaranteed!!!!
Then he goes out that night and throws 3 interceptions.

Prince William, Kate Middleton The Royal Wedding Student Riots

2010-11-16T05:32:00.000-08:00

We have to discuss the Royal Wedding. Dont you think? Shes gone down
very well in her interview and he seems to be a lot more supportive of
her than his father was of his mother. The engagement ring is a
mystery though...would you want Dianas engagement ring apart from the
selling value. It hardly holds a lot of luck.It seems that uk visitors
to the US last week could find NO NEWS of the student riots or our PM
in China but we hear that you woke up to fanfares about the royal
wedding. Expecting an influx of visitors from the old colonies for
next year.

I have booked flights to Vietnam for 13 July-14 August so I hope I dont miss it

Red Sox, Kennedy Centre, David Milliband,

2010-10-20T11:28:00.000-07:00

I only got the news about the Milliband's because I was on the BBC News channel, and website. It was probably reported on CNN, but that was about it. The big news here at the moment is the University student who killed himself because his room-mate took a video with a hidden camera of him kissing another dude, and he didn't want it to get out. The bastard that took the video looks Indian to me, and his female friend helped spread the video. People talk about the right-wingers, but immigrants from Africa and Asia are so fucking homophobic it's unreal. The state is looking to prosecute the two of them to the fullest extent of the law, which ain't much, I think they can only do them on privacy issues. The whole incident has really upset me. Jesus Christ, it's 2010!!!

We went to this huge jazz competition in DC at the Kennedy Center on Monday night, it was awesome. Tons and tons of celebs and politico's including Madeline Albright, whom I adore. Mrs. Cosby (Felicia Rashad) was there, Al Jarreau, Gladys Knight, Aretha was supposed to be there, but her son got beat up last week, so she couldn't make it. We were supposed to have backstage passes, but it didn't pan out, because we only got the passes if P had won a contract with the Kennedy Center, and at the last minute they told him he didn't get it. No big deal, I was just happy to be there. We could have quite easily crashed the shenanigans, however, the Salahi's have spoiled that for everyone in this town!!!

So what are they saying about the Red Sox owner taking over Liverpool? I'm sure people can't be too happy about it. Not a good move in my opinion. The Sox sucked this year, and didn't get to the post-season, I don't think that they will be looking to expand Liverpool's roster with better players, I think that they are looking to sell whatever assets it might have to expand their own!!!!

Mid-terms are in a month. We will need to be doing what we did during the Brit. election and sending each other instant emails. Dems. are gonna lose big time, and some big names are going to fall. Waiting to see what happens with the Maryland Gov's race. We're a Democratic state, but the Republican challenger was the Governor up until 4 years ago, he was popular, and I like him, but he got swept out in the Bush mid-term cleanout, so the race is pretty tight.

David Milliband, Wayne Rooney, Ed Milliband, The Tea Party and Physiotherapy

2010-09-28T01:33:00.000-07:00

Just had so much to do havent even been on this account for weeks it seems.I have got decorators doing hall stairs and landing..it was last done when I was pregnant with R and apparently people re decorate every 2-3 years!!!! Well in this house, and if I cant do the rollering and wipe over the wood work it an every 12 years job.

I am in intensive Physio for my leg because although the break is done, I have very angry tissue which is not allowing my foot to move as normal. GRRRRrrr well angry. Physio really fucking hurts you know. I am back on crutches so that we can save the anger for the the physiotherapy and not for hobbling around trying to do normal stuff. So many people have a broken leg story which always end up with "and Ive never been the same since" or " and Ive walked like a cripple since" so I am bloody determined to get it back to normal and will have all the physio i can. I cant imagine what it would be like if I was getting a bill for it at the end.

Ed Milliband beat his brother in the great Labour leadership race. I forced everyone to watch the announcement and it was so exciting reading out the points and adding in the 2nd choice... so that results were announced for David Milliband and you could feel everyone totting up the totals and a gasp, then a cheer went up from different areas of the conference as it was realised that David had only 49.35%, needing over 50% plus 1% more than the 2nd place. (Am I boring you yet) Then Ed's totals were announced at 50.65%. They had known the results and all the commentary was about guessing what their faces told us, and the BBC guessed the wrong way as David was smiling, but Ed was poker faced. (Bored Yet?) Well, H, A and I thought it was thrilling, and then N came in and said "fuckin' 'ell, cant wait for the DVD for Christmas" We who were interested, wondered if it was covered in America....we know all about the Tea party loonies.

What a weekend of football results..only Man City won! I know you wont be happy with that but it is so exciting for those of us who dont have a Premiership Team. Rooney needs to sort himself out but I will not write him off for the sake of a couple of prostitutes...Of course he's a stupid man who needs to control his testosterone, and we feel for Colleen who is generally viewed as a normal pleasant girl who wears Asda Clothes, but football and Englands qualification for Euro 2012 are more important.

Washington Mayor Elections,

2010-09-27T01:13:00.000-07:00

Big news here is that Adrian Fenty (DC Mayor) lost the primary. Oh, and he is serving his first term as Mayor, was going on to do great things, and f'd it all up because of his huge ego, and refusing to listen to advice etc. It's a MAJOR shock, I don't really like the guy that ran against him, but Fenty was the golden boy who turned out to be a DICK. His British wife who wants NOTHING to do with politics, was forced by the campaign to go on TV and beg people to vote for him, and she was in tears, because she really didn't want to do it. Now once again, people are asking me if I know her because she is black and British. Fenty was pissed because he and Obama are boys and he wanted Obama to publicly endorse him, but he couldn't because it was the primary - Democrat against Democrat. Apparently Fenty can still run, but he will need to change parties and become a Republican, he has until this afternoon to declare his intentions. If he does, all credibility is lost forever, and his political career is well and truly over. He said before the election that he wouldn't do it if he lost, but power is a mighty aphrodisiac. He will lose, DC is 94% Democrat, so there is no advantage to him doing it.

Knitwear Sales at 100 Degrees, World Cup

2010-07-06T01:08:00.000-07:00

I had no idea Donovan was Such a bastard. What did he write about Becks?

We all felt heartily better after the absolute thrashing of Argentina...all I needed to make it even better was a shot of Maradonna crying. Lets face it, Germany are well organised, skillful, an unknown quantity til now. Theyve kept it quiet, and they just do the job. All I ask is that the Coach and his assistant check what the other is wearing before they leave the hotel. He is the sort of man, like the bloke who last played Bond before daniel craig, who make me feel sick and shivery. It must be the same feeling as a homophobe feels towards a gay person I am guessing.....it is a real physical revulsion. Anyway, we at least scored 2 goals, and Argentina never had a chance.

The Ghana match was so exciting here. We had A and friends in the front room, with me, N,I and R and friends in the kitchen. Really enjoyed it. Now supporting Holland.

I dont imagine theres much call for knit wear in 100 degrees?

World Cup, Fourth of July, Landon Donovan

2010-07-04T00:53:00.000-07:00

I find it HYSTERICAL that you think that I would be offended regarding your comment about Landon Donovan. I HATE that arsehole, and always have. He's a really cocky, nasty, arrogant bastard. Americans like him because he does tend to come up big in big games, but everyone acknowledges that he's not that nice. J absolutely hated him, and when we went to see the Galaxy play DCU, he and I booed everytime he touched the ball. He also wrote all of that shit about Beckham in order to sell his book. Because HE was the big man in LA until Becks came, and it killed him that Becks was going to take away from his popularity. Bastard, I hate him. He married some actress on some TV show over here about 3 years ago, and their already divorced/separated!!!!! At the end of the Algeria game he told her via live national tv that he still loved her and blew her a kiss, but the guy is a dick, and I don't think that she's interested.

England were just shite, and I kind of knew that it wasn't going to be good after we played Japan before leaving for SA. I do feel a little better about the defeat to Germany though, since they royally kicked Argentina's arse. I can't really see Spain beating them on Wednesday, very lacklustre performances from them so far, just doing enough to get through. But of course I want them to win. Was at my cousin's yesterday, because his wife called me and told me that they were making yam and eggs for breakfast, and did I want to come over. They laughed because I was there in 15 minutes, but she's a great cook. They had a bunch of friends over there, and all the talk was about the Nigerian President banning the national team, and what an idiot he was.

Independence Day yesterday. I like the Fourth of July, firewooks, barbecues etc, but now we have hit record temps. 100 degrees every day this week, Monday through Thursday at least. I am leaving for a show on Wednesday to Sunday anyway, and it's in the mountains, so it will be at least 10-15 degrees cooler.

Radio Riots, Landon Donavan,Ghana, Vuvuzela

2010-07-02T16:48:00.000-07:00

Only just managed to get my act together to look at emails about the
world cup. We luckily had a Radio Riots Gig straight after England
played on Sunday and so was able to drown my sorrows and dance and
sing to Harry's band with the youth of Shrewsbury, with some helpful,
but terrible distractions of 2 fights and police riot vans turning up,
one of the fights being between girls who looked the size of Kylie
minogue.

I hope you wont be offended if I say that Landon Donavan is a complete
dickhead. His interviews about destiny and God given rights smacked of
everything that does not sit well with anyone.

I knew that when the second place team from Germany group beat our
1st place it did not bode well, and despite thinking I had it all in
order, I started crying the minute the BBC music started and hour
before the match.

Just watched the Ghana Uruguay match, with Alex and 10 mates in the
front room, with me nich, my brother and ruaridh plus 2 friends in the
kitchen, I feel like I must be the bad luck......though I enjoyed
Holland winning.

Now I am faced with the unthinkable of supporting Germany against
Argentina tomorrow. My German friend Margret sent me a vuvuzela from
Germany and I loved it...... early in the tournament......but felt a
little infiltrated when we were well and truly beaten by them. Now I
know we were just rubbish and would never have got anywhere...... so I
am going to throw all my energy behind Holland for long term win.
Thank God we have not done it because Ruaridh is going on a school
trip to France and has been told that there is no way that he will be
able to watch the final.

Next mail will be less about my world cup misery

What do the Americans Know About Football? BP Oil Spill, Wayne Rooney and Fabio Capello

2010-06-20T23:18:00.000-07:00

Jeezus!! England were shite. Rooney was shite, and I feel really depressed and shite about it. I really thought that we were going to stuff 'em 4 or 5 to 1!!!! I know that everyone is blaming Fabio, but we always blame the Manager, even he's saying it's not the same team that got us to qualifying. I don't even want to watch Wednesday's game, I'm just too nervous.

As for the U.S. they can go fuck 'emselves!!!! They were robbed, but so the fuck what? I am so sick of all the shit that they are STILL giving me after last Saturday. I wouldn't even mind if they were generally interested and knew about football, they don't, they're just bandwagon jumpers. I got 19 texts and emails yesterday bitching to me about the injustice of the disallowed goal. I was like listen, shit happens during every World Cup, you ain't the only one's that have had decisions go against you. Then one of my friends emails me back and says, "yeah, but it would be different if it happened to you" I'm like excuse me, if you knew shit about football you would know about the hand of God, so it ain't because you all are American and the whole world is picking on you. When I went to the gym on Monday, some guy was going on and on at me at how could the US/England game end in a tie, that's not sport, it will never take on in America when you don't have a definitive outcome. I'm like, listen, the rest of the world could give a shit if it doesn't catch on in America, it's managed all this time without them. Jesus, then I have people asking me why we say nil-nil and not zero zero, why we say pitch and not field, why we say draw and not tie, and it goes on.......................
I had to laugh at the end of the game, when I was lip-reading Jozy Altidore and Jose Torres. Jozy was pissed, and he wanted to go challenge the ref. and Torres was holding him back. Then Torres says to him "what the fuck are you going to say? Shiiiiiitttttt!!! I cracked up. Love moments like that.

Have to hand it to ESPN. Brilliant coverage. What they did was hire all of the SKY commentators and analysts, Martin Tyler, Ian Darke, Adrian Healey, Ally Mcoist, Steve McManaman, Roberto Martinez,Ruud Gullit (you can tell the American presenters really didn't know who he is because they were initially pronouncing the G in his name, dumbasses) Alexei Lalas (ex US star who knows his shit), then the actual in-studio presenters are American ESPN presenters who have taken a crash course in footie, but they pretty much introduce the guests, and leave them to it, very smart on their part. Only one they haven't got is Andy Grey and he's on Fox Soccer Channel (Sky in America), with Richard Keys, doing an analysis and call in show for an hour after the last game is played. Bloody brilliant. Can't lie, I have watched at least a part of EVERY game so far, with the exception of this mornings 2 games. I can watch them all until Friday of next week, and then I'm pretty much not going to see any more.

As for the oil spill, I am done with Obama. The reason he is trying to act like a tough guy is that he is getting shit from EVERYWHERE, and he doesn't know what to do. Very reactive rather than being proactive. Denmark and Belgium have offered to help out, and they have the equipment, however, too much red tape apparently. Fuck the red tape, just get 'em over here. Apparently BP does own the equipment, which is why they are the only ones that can fix the problem. BP has to take responsibility because it is their executive that told Transocean that they were losing millions a day and had to speed shit up, TO said not a good idea, BP guy said we are the ones paying for this, and we are the ones paying you.

Hotter than Hades here, 95 tomorrow, and all humidity. OK, gotta go, just driven back from a show in Philly, have a date tonight. I have already told him not to talk shit about England otherwise I'm walking out.

The End of The Special Relationship, Steven Gerard and Ronnie Whelan's Daughter, Bhopal, BP Oil Spill

2010-06-19T05:19:00.000-07:00

USA were robbed, though of course we were supporting a draw all the way. As for England V Algeria- It was diabolical. We all agreed that Granny could have controlled the ball better than Rooney. There is supposed to be a News of the world story on Sunday about Gerrard getting Ronnie Whelan's (Liverpool player from 80's) 16 year old daughter pregnant and his wife having an affair with a Derby County player. What's everyone else's excuse?

I felt slighted by Obama when he took a few days to phone the PM when he was elected. Now we know the SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP IS OVER. When are the US going to claen up Bhopal or kick up a fuss over Delta Nigeria spills? Hardly the greenest nation nation in the world and with 41% share ownership of the multi national company BP which has not denied responsibility while not owning any of the rig or equipment which went wrong in the mad effort to fuel the GREEDY GAS GUZZLING USA.

All sympathy to the people of the southern coastal states affected, but what on earth was the congressional enquiry about. They looked ridiculous, and stupid.

Robert Green, World Cup, Joe Cole

2010-06-15T04:58:00.000-07:00

Robert Green did such a fantastic interview after about the ups and downs of football and he was to blame, but goalies have that responsibility and he wouldn't change it for the world he is totally forgiven and we want him on again on Friday. Even though Jo Hart is from Meole Brace. Looks like Ledley is out, and I totally agree with you on Gerrard.....making him an honourary englishman again. He really played his heart out from the first, and thats all weve ever wanted.NOT SURE WHY jO COLE WASNT PLAYING, OR HAVING wRIGHT-pHILIPS DOWN THE LEFT? Still it all made more sense than the French game, and having watched Algeria Slovenia, this house is not too worried about getting to the next round. but it looks like USA will play Germany, so Auf
Weidersein....because despite being new and not having any on form strikers, they stuffed Australia last night. I havent missed a game yet, and am just goingt o watch 1st half before my 1st swim in 2 weeks!!!!!

BP Oli Spill, World Cup, Robert Green, England v USA

2010-06-13T05:02:00.000-07:00

Jesus, I am not even going to make mention of the Rob Green blunder!!!!! You would think the Yanks had won the World Cup the way that they are celebrating. What's giving me hope is that I think that we will destroy Algeria, and Italy drew 1-1 with the US last time round. I also think that Rooney will come into his own during the Algeria game. Plus we never ever really start that well. Knew it was going to be a big risk taking Ledley King, and now their saying he has a groin injury that could keep him out of Friday's game. Jeez, how I hate that Scouse bastard Gerrard, but today all of that was forgotten, LOL!!

Park Ji Sung is a HUGE hero in the Korean community, and my neighbor last week at the market who is Korean was saying that he would be a star in this World Cup, he may be right, we shall see.

I really think that the Argies are going to go far. Maradona is a clown, but it is obvious that his players love him, and I think that makes a huge impact on the team doing well.

All the Africans here, from whichever country always loyally root for all of the African teams, including S. Africa, but this is the first year that they have been pretty pessimistic about how well any of the teams are going to do. When S. Africa scored their GREAT goal yesterday and I saw Archbishop Tutu dancing I swear I almost lost it, huge lump in my throat.

BP shit still going on, and thank God that the World Cup has made us focus on something more positive. David Cameron to visit US on July 20th. Must admit I am quite liking him so far. Getting regular Sky News on Fox Soccer Channel, not sure whether it's just for the summer, when they don't have many games to show, or whether it's for good, but I really like it, and not too many commercial breaks.

'W', Laura Bush, Zola, Fabrigas, Deco

2010-05-15T03:19:00.000-07:00

I dont get the loving Laura Bush thing. We watched 'W' this week and though she came out of that as a non republican, educated and pleasant enough, but how could you support that idiot for so long. It seems she liked the dynasty, cash and pomp too much to speak up or get out. I know its only a film, and an Oliver Stone interpretation at that, but i had heard that W was treated sympathetically and came off OK in the eyes of some commentators. Jesus what low standards for the Chief then...we were cringing...and could it all have been driven by a need to prove himself to George 1 and Jed or Jeb? We thought Jed was the fat little brother who ran Florida and fixed the votes, but it seems he is a capable politician?

We were sad about Zola because we hoped so much for him, especially when he brought in his mate from Chelsea.He had a lot of injuries, trouble with ownership and cash throughout the season, and still kept them up. I think he deserved another go..but I hear Slavan Bilic is in the pipeline, possibly in tandem with running Croatia and he is a great manager, so if I were a West Ham fan i might feel optimistic. I always liked the WH Fans when I lived in London. You could talk and have a laugh with them whichever team you supported...not like Spurs Arsenal, Chelsea.

Have you heard Cesc Fabrigas is going to Barcelona. And did you catch the face on Decos wife as John terry borrowed the Trophy for a quick photo with staff, then handed it back to Deco, whod had a right old earful, the false smile came accross both their faces as the camera snapped- the family and the trophy photo- then her face soured again immediately. ive never liked Deco as he said he hated the english, but I had a little sympathy for him then.

Laura Bush, John Terrys Dad, Larry King, Roe v Wade

2010-05-15T03:17:00.000-07:00

Just went on The Sun website, and saw more news on John Terry's dad. What a bunch of losers. He's living in a huge house provided by his son, will never have to work another day in his life, (and he's only 56), and he's dealing drugs!!!!! Bastard. Jesus, if you want some excitement in your life go volunteer somewhere asshole.

So Laura Bush has been doing the rounds on the talk shows because she has just written her autobiography. She was on Oprah a couple of weeks ago, and then Barbara and Jenna (twin daughters), came on, it was really nice. I LOVE Laura Bush, and always have. Apparently she was one of the most popular First Ladies ever. Anyway, on Tuesday night she was on Larry King. Larry King is such a fucking loser. I loved Larry, and watched his show every night, but I haven't seen it in months. First off, he used to be the shit, always got the first interviews with the big time celebs etc, but in the past year Oprah has beaten him to EVERYONE. Then a few weeks ago it came out that CNN are trying to offload him after 25 years, because his show is so shite, and he is their highest paid star. THEN, a few weeks ago, it also came out that his marriage is on the rocks. Mind you he is almost 80 and his wife is 50. I don't think she's all that personally, but when you look at Larry, he got himself a stunner. So, she is accusing him of screwing around with her sister, apparently he bought her a $160, 000 car, and other luxuries. He is accusing her of screwing around with the kids baseball coach, who is this REALLY hot looking hispanic 20-30 something year old. It all got pretty ugly, they have 2 or 3 kids, between like 8 and 15 I think, and he moved out of the house. However, he's been married EIGHT times, and with 2/3 kids she would've taken him to the cleaners, so now they are trying to make the marriage work. People are taking bets on how long it will last. ANYWAY, Laura Bush is on there saying that she supports gay marriage, and abortion rights, and now the Conservatives are throwing a fit. Well, none of this is a secret asstards, she said that Roe v. Wade should not be overturned on THE DAY of Bush's inauguration!!!!!!! I will likely buy the book, but not until it comes out in paperbook.

Yeah, I don't get to watch the FA Cup Final live anymore since I'm at the market, plus to me all of the stats and all of the BS that they do prior to the game is the best part, and even though we get the game live, we don't get all that. Didn't see the Fulham game last night, I'm guessing that it was the BBC or ITV, we only get games that are on SKY, which is why we get all of the EPL games. The other funny thing is that over here rival TV companies share the games once the game is over. What I mean is ESPN shows a couple of EPL games live every Saturday morning, and Fox Soccer gets another 2, but then later in the day, and all week Fox will show the games that ESPN showed live, and sometimes you can catch them on Comcast Sports Net too. I am hoping that Portsmouth win on Saturday, I love Avram Grant. By the way David's Gold and Sullivan are a couple of arseholes. Zola was a crap manager, but he was a good guy and they didn't have to treat him the way they did.

The Camerons, English Manners, FA Cup, Wembley

2010-05-14T02:13:00.000-07:00

I agree totally about missed kiss. I would like a bit more opening of doors and manners here, but in the fight for equality and the thought that you can have a job, kids, down a pint and do the DIY without going mental, we English women have lost a lot. Although I think just seems worse in this house with a husband and 3 sons- because Nick works long hours and was running his own business, I took on responsibility for everything, and was often told off by a friend for mowing the lawn on the 1 hand, and for not making N do the ironing and half the cooking etc on the other. Now that I work too, and at least 2 of the sons think they are adults, I have trouble getting them to do the 'mans' work in the house. The thought that a male in this house might open a door for me is a dream ( but that may be my fault...or is it N's?)

We discussed the Camerons relationship and I remembered when I was heavily pregnant with A and out on a walk with visiting relatives; We got to a stile and N jumped over and carried on. His cousin shook his head put his hand out and helped me over, tutting and then shouting at N for his lack of manners. How we laughed! But you can be too capable, cope too well, run yourself into the ground in an attempt to be all things to all people.

Nowadays I write a list of jobs to be completed before lunch is served, but it causes bad feeling, a row, and total disappointment for me that no-one wants to help me, and think its OK for them to do what they want while I do 4x30 minutes of jobs before then starting lunch.

I do hope this coalition thang works

John Terrys foot is OK and there are no metatarsal problems yet. Poor old Fulham. Did you ever like Forlan at Man utd? I remember good will towards him and when he eventually scored his first goal, even though he was then sold on.

FA cup weekend; come on Portsmouth. I am doing roast beef, salads and cheesecake. I love to make coleslaw while listening to all the pundit shite and the interviews from the hotels and up Wembley Way.

Washington Post, American Manners and Oxo

2010-05-13T01:45:00.001-07:00

I don't know if that is strictly true about the Washington Post. There was a huge color write up on Saturday, because I read it. However, I only read it because the vendor next to me had the paper and gave it to me. I can't say how the coverage was on Friday, or Sunday through yesterday. Part of the responsibility lies with me regarding not knowing about the kids to be perfectly honest. I do not really read the papers that much anymore, and only watch the BBC News if there is a big story coming out of England. Additionally, Cameron's son died last year, and last year for me it was all Obama all the time. However, news coverage does suck over here, and I am not defending the media in any way.

I am laughing hysterically at the way you interpreted David Cameron and his wife yesterday, and the way I interpreted it. I thought that it was supercute. I thought that he tried to kiss her, but she didn't realize and didn't turn her head towards him, so he snuggled into her hair. I don't think that it was intentional that he touched her boob, it just happened, I think that he meant to put his arm around her. As far as opening the door and helping her out of the car, I noticed that when they left the palace, and noticed it again when they got to number 10. That is not a big deal here, (though it was to me when I first came), I have yet to meet a man that doesn't open the door for the woman, it's really nice.

I really enjoyed the back and forth emails yesterday, we should definitely be able to do the same during the World Cup, as long as I have my Blackberry with me, and don't have to write too much, then it's perfect. I have an unlimited plan, but it's just a pain in the ass typing on the Blackberry.

Pork chops, apple sauce, mashed potatoes, and homemade gravy for tea, thanks to C sending me some Oxo's.

The Special Relationship, David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Sam Cam, Obama, Washington Post

2010-05-12T01:36:00.001-07:00

Been crying as gordon left and David entered. No idea why

Bloody 'ell, so was I, and I don't really care for Gordon. Found out a lot today about their personal lives that I didn't know, WTF??? Brown lost a daughter, and has a son with CF, Cameron has a disabled kid, and wife is up the duff!!!!!

I just heard Alex Salmond talking shit about Labour and saying how they didn't try to form a coalition with the Lib-Dems because they were happy to go into opposition, and bitching about the cuts that are coming to Scotland. Politics is a bitch man!

So much for the Special Relationship.I heard this morning that the UK election received the same coverage in the Washington post as a Chinese factory story. Obama had said "we have been watching with interest".... yet even you didnt know about the kids. If you get to watch Cam and Sam Cam arriving at No. 10 again it is lovely to watch how he helps her out of the car and snuggles up to her laughing, but there was no need to cup her bosom just before going through the door!!!!And Gordons tribute to his wife and family was lovely.

Alex Salmond is a parochial self interested small minded bigot. Just like his mate Sean connery, who lives in the Bahamas.

The Election, Hung Parliament, BNP, Chelsea, Nick Clegg, Nick Griffin

2010-05-11T01:24:00.000-07:00

Hung parliament? How exciting, no? Does that mean that there will likely be another election within the next year? Gordon brought this upon himself in my opinion, there were opportunities for him to call an election when the political climate seemed more favourable, and he chickened out.

Still hung. Bored to tears with it now. Helicopters hovering over London offices. If we had proportional representation they'd all have to agree in the end. So why cant they do it now?

Well yeah they would all have to agree if there was PR, however, it doesn't stop additional elections having to be held, when the alliances break down, and then apathy sets in amongst the electorate. I personally don't like PR because it lets those that ordinarily have any power become a part of the government, and it scares the shit out of me that that could end up being the BNP in the not too distant future.

God, Chelsea made sure that they won the League with that result, but I'm not mad. I'm just hoping now that Benitez stays at Liverpool!!!!

Yeay, stay on Raffa we need you to take Liverpool even further down the league.

BNP? that fine example of the aryian race, Nick Griffin blamed the immigrants not voting for him for his resounding defeat. Hilarious.Apathy has long settled here. Even A is thinking of changing direction. He got £12.50 an hour to do the count on election night and we all thought that the public spending cuts could start right there.If I would have done it for £7 the rest of the country could. Its hardly skilled? We are really annoyed that all parties seem to be scrambling for power. The Tories seem the most dignified at the moment but Labour leadership just will not let it go. Gordon is hanging on to the door knob of number 10, even prepared to resign to stay there just a few more nights!! And Nick Clegg will get into bed with anyone,
despite at first appearing to be living in the real world and trying to listen to the people.

If he carries on he will lose out. We got Lib Dems into 2nd place here....never been seen before, and it felt like there had been a shift.... but its all very ungentlemanly now and just not British.

Talking of British, if theres a lib lab scots nationalist and Plaid Cymru coalition, the English alone will have to pay for the credit crunch, and then I will pack up.

Oil Spills,Terrorism, Murder and Football

2010-05-07T01:09:00.000-07:00

Lots of news on the homefront, I guess the two major stories are the freaking oil spill, which is an absolute disaster. It's awful to even think about it, but the pictures coming out are horrendous. No hope for the fisherman, and people whose livelihoods are affected. I'm sure it will be an excuse for gas/petrol prices to go even higher, as they are inching up already, though we don't pay anywhere near the prices you all pay. The cost of seafood is going to be astronomical, which is a bitch because I love to cook shrimp on the barbecue at this time of year.

Then of course there is the car bomb that didn't go off in NYC. The American media are such a bunch of arseholes. On Saturday they were sure it was "an Arab", so on my local news radio station, they started scaremongering the listeners by insinuating that the Obama administration wasn't doing enough, and "what if it happens in DC, and the bomb does actually go off this time", but then on Sunday the media was reporting that it seemed like it was a white guy, so the media backed off a bit, and then by Monday when they were sure it was someone of mid-East descent they were back on the terrorist bandwagon.

Then locally there are 2 very high-profile murders that happened in the last couple of weeks. A couple of Friday's ago, a REALLY popular headmaster/principal was murdered in his home. He was white, but chose to give up his job in Montgomery County schools, (very expensive, predominantly Jewish County, good schools etc), next to the County I live in, and moved to be the Principal at a school in DC. He was gay, and apparently the night he was killed he had been on one of those gay chatlines, and had obviously arranged for the guy to meet him at his house. Well he was murdered, robbed, and his car was stolen, and found in SE DC (worst ghetto part of DC). Turns out that 4 black kids (all under 20 it seems), went to his house in order to rob him, one of the kids mother's used the guys stolen credit card the following day - dumb bitch, and I guess everything fell around them like a deck of cards, because on Monday they were all arrested.

Then on Monday, this rich white kid is arrested for murdering his girlfriend at the University of Virginia. Both of them were on UVA's respective Lacrosse teams, which are the top lacrosse teams in the country, the men's team is #1, and the women's is #5. This will not go to trial. He waived his right to an attorney and confessed to the cops. He said it wasn't intentional he shook her. However, he actually beat the shit out of her, because her friends found her lying in a pool of blood, head and face bashed in, and he had taken her computer, which apparently has evidence on it, possibly threats that he made to her.

It's been interesting, watching these 3 ghetto ass-black kids, and this rich white kid all charged with the same crime, murder.

Watching Man. City/Spurs. Of course I want Spurs to win. I am interested in what happens to Raffa. Do you think that he will still be there next season. I'm thinking that he will, unless they sell the team, if it is a Liverpool supporter that buys it, he will be gone. It irked the crap out of me to see Steve McLaren winning the league with FC Twente. Oh how I hate that bastard.

OK, going to finish watching the game, then get dinner started. Not looking forward to Sunday, I can't see Chelsea losing, though stranger things have happened.

David Beckham, US Dentists, Root Canals

2010-04-28T01:16:00.000-07:00

JESUS!!!!! That should be a lesson learned for everybody. I would have said no initially, but when they said the honeymoon paid for, that would have been me. Mortgage????? Fucking 'ell. Good for her, I love to hear stories like that.

I on the other hand have just got back from the dentist (again). I have an appointment EVERY DAY this week, (well Monday through Thursday anyway). I bite down on a Whole Nut bar sent from Carol on Sunday afternoon, and my teeth breaks. I call the dentist office, hoping to just leave a message and have them call me back on Monday morning. Well, the dentist himself picks up, I tell him there is no pain, but I have previously had a root canal, and I cannot determine whether it is the tooth with the root canal. He tells me to come in yesterday morning. I go in, and he temporarily fixes the tooth, but now I need TWO root canals, I have TWO huge fucking abcesses one under each tooth, highly infected, although no pain, I have felt nothing all this time, and he says they have probably been there SIX MONTHS. He goes up into the root canal, no pain, and even though he's drilling etc, I have no anesthetic, and no pain from what he is doing. Anyway, as he goes up in and pulls out, this godawful stench comes down with it, it was awful, and embarrassing. Although, he laughs and says, "don't be embarassed, there are people who come in whose mouths smell like this the minute they open up!!!!" Anyway, I went in again this morning for more work, and over the next two days, then back again in 4 months to make sure that everything took the way it was supposed to. Dental insurance is pretty bleak over here, so I had to shell out $1500 of the $3300 fee, the insurance will get the rest. I'm just glad that I had the money. The other thing is that I truly believe that American dentists are the best in the world, you rarely see an average American with F'd up teeth.

David Beckham, Alton Towers, England

2010-04-27T01:13:00.000-07:00

Must tell you this tale- P's child minding friends niece was
getting married at Alton Towers, it had been booked a year. They rang
to ask if she was willing to change the day and have her wedding for
free. She said No, she had people who have booked flights etc. They
came back with offer of the honeymoon paid too. She said No. They rang
back 10 minutes later saying “our client would really like to hire the
whole complex for the weekend of your wedding. Would you accept a
change of date if our client paid for your wedding, your honeymoon and
your mortgage? She said “are you shitting me, yes, but don’t change
anything til I see the cash” she got a cheque (cannot confirm how much
yet) arrived this week signed by the client and his name was.....david
Beckham!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DO you remember that he always does a big get
together for the England team and friends per World Cup.. its got to
be that or Brooklyns birthday? FAB I might have taken the 1st offer
though. I have learned something.