KwAcKy's Konfessional |
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Nothing of interest; just mindless links to bikes Birmingham City Football Club and useless junk  
  
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27 December 2003
I'm truly international 
Hits on me blog seem to be coming from all directions:- uk United Kingdom com Companies net Networks se Sweden tc Turks and Ciacos Islands au Australia sg Singapore ch Switzerland fr France nz New Zealand org Organizations be Belgium br Brazil ca Canada de Germany Now I can work out the Turks hits (Hello Alasadair. I will reply to your mail soon I promise) and Sweden (God dag Jonaz) but the rest are beyond me! No hits from the US. Strange that ;-) Some more Blues stuff First up is a Manc's match review followed by Bluenose Ron's report then some BBC audio . Blues remain 8th, just 2 points away from top of the second Premier league but only 9 points from the bottom 3. Yep, this has to be one of the tightest leagues for a long time. Some suggest that the Prem is poor this season but I disagree, I think it shows how much closer it has become. Most teams have a player or 2 that other teams eye with envy. It's only because the top 3 have a reserve squad that other managers would love to call their own that allows this mini league of 3 to break away. Then cheer yourself with a reminder of last season's fun at the expense of those down the road. Ickle Georgie is on the road to recovery after scaring the shite out of us with her bronciolitis. She became so ill we took her into hospital. Normally she's bright and entertaining and never without a smile but at hospital she was ashen and lifeless, flaking out on the examination table and too weak to sit up to be weighed. She's getting back to her old ways, entertaining and demanding to be entertained. I'll have some photos of her on Christmas Day posted soon. Got to admit that I'm not much of a fan of Crimble, it just seems so wasteful. It's not supposed to be about greed and gluttony. Me and Mrs Kwacky only buy each other a couple of gifts to open on the day. Being happy and blessed with the wee one is more than money can buy. I told my relatives not to bother getting little Georgina anything because she's only 7 months old and won't know what's going on. If they wanted to get her a gift then vouchers would be fine so she can have things as she needs them, rather than 50 musical toys on one day. Guess what? Only one person listened. I'm not being ungrateful but does a 7 month baby really need more than 40 presents? What is she going to do with all of those toys? I'm minded to give them to a good cause but Mrs Kwacky thinks I'll upset people. You just can't win.  26 December 2003
At last 
A home win and one to be proud of. Despite having most of the possession and being the better footballing side, Blues quickly went a goal down to some nice but simple football played by the pale blue mancs. In the seoncd half we looked like a swarm of ants in the Manc Blue's half. We dominated in every department and put them under pressure from the off. For 15 minutes I waited for Keegan to throw in the towel. City fought back but without passion and Blues soon pushed them back with just reward. The crowd responded. This was more than a win. It was a home win after going 1 down. It was a win with the full backing and support of the crowd. BBC Sport Ananova Sky Sports .Sporting Life Taylor - 7 - Not much to do and couldn't do much about their first Kenna - 8 - slow and old but wise and wiley Cunningham - 7- simple but sound Upson - 7 - unlucky not to score early on Lazaridis - 6 - confusion between him thinking he was a wing back and the rest of the defence thinking it was flat back four Clemence - 6 - in and out of the game Savage - 8 - Robbie of old. The yellow card just seems to egg him on. My man of the match. Dunn - 7 - Better on the left and good with the ball at his feet but left ain't his role DJ - 7- loves that right midfield position. Him and Kenna over lapped well. Morrisson - 7 - takes him a while to settle into the game and the fans don't seem able to show him any where near the same patience they've shown Dugarry. Shame. Gvie him time and I reckon he'll produce. Forssell - 7- hard to give marks to a man how does so much amd makes it look so simple. I reckon his goal was a Man C own goal but who cares? Cisse - 6 - didn't have to do much. I would still like to see him sweep infront of a 3 man defence. Kirovski - 7 - Gave good protection to the left and puts in a nice cross 23 December 2003
A biker's tale This is a tale I've stolen from someone who stole it. Stolen property becomes free property if it's been nicked enough times ;-) Here we go, I never dreamed slowly cruising through a residential neighborhood could be so incredibly dangerous! Studies have shown that motorcycling requires more decisions per second, and more sheer data processing than nearly any other common activity or sport. The reactions and accurate decision making abilities needed have been likened to the reactions of fighter pilots! The consequences of bad decisions or poor situational awareness are pretty much the same for both groups too. Occasionally, as a rider I have caught myself starting to make bad or late decisions while riding. In flight training, my instructors called this being "behind the power curve". It is a mark of experience that when this begins to happen, the rider recognizes the situation, and more importantly, does something about it. A short break, a meal, or even a gas stop can set things right again as it gives the brain a chance to catch up. Good, accurate, and timely decisions are essential when riding a motorcycle…at least if you want to remain among the living. In short, the brain needs to keep up with the machine. I had been banging around the roads of east Texas and as I headed back into Dallas, found myself in very heavy, high-speed traffic on the freeways. Normally, this is not a problem, I commute in these conditions daily, but suddenly I was nearly run down by a cage that decided it needed my lane more than I did. This is not normally a big deal either, as it happens around here often, but usually I can accurately predict which drivers are not paying attention and avoid them before we are even close. This one I missed seeing until it was nearly too late, and as I took evasive action I nearly broadsided another car that I was not even aware was there! Two bad decisions and insufficient situational awareness…all within seconds. I was behind the power curve. Time to get off the freeway. I hit the next exit, and as I was in an area I knew pretty well, headed through a few big residential neighborhoods as a new route home. As I turned onto the nearly empty streets I opened the visor on my full-face helmet to help get some air. I figured some slow riding through the quiet surface streets would give me time to relax, think, and regain that "edge" so frequently required when riding. Little did I suspect… As I passed an oncoming car, a brown furry missile shot out from under it and tumbled to a stop immediately in front of me. It was a squirrel, and must have been trying to run across the road when it encountered the car. I really was not going very fast, but there was no time to brake or avoid it—it was that close. I hate to run over animals…and I really hate it on a motorcycle, but a squirrel should pose no danger to me. I barely had time to brace for the impact. Animal lovers, never fear. Squirrels can take care of themselves! Inches before impact, the squirrel flipped to his feet. He was standing on his hind legs and facing the oncoming Valkyrie with steadfast resolve in his little beady eyes. His mouth opened, and at the last possible second, he screamed and leapt! I am pretty sure the scream was squirrel for, "Banzai!" or maybe, "Die you gravy-sucking, heathen scum!" as the leap was spectacular and he flew over the windshield and impacted me squarely in the chest. Instantly he set upon me. If I did not know better I would have sworn he brought twenty of his little buddies along for the attack. Snarling, hissing, and tearing at my clothes, he was a frenzy of activity. As I was dressed only in a light t-shirt, summer riding gloves, and jeans this was a bit of a cause for concern. This furry little tornado was doing some damage! Picture a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a t-shirt, and leather gloves puttering maybe 25mph down a quiet residential street…and in the fight of his life with a squirrel. And losing. I grabbed for him with my left hand and managed to snag his tail. With all my strength I flung the evil rodent off the left of the bike, almost running into the right curb as I recoiled from the throw. That should have done it. The matter should have ended right there. It really should have. The squirrel could have sailed into one of the pristinely kept yards and gone on about his business, and I could have headed home. No one would have been the wiser. But this was no ordinary squirrel. This was not even an ordinary pissed-off squirrel. This was an evil attack squirrel of death! Somehow he caught my gloved finger with one of his little hands, and with the force of the throw swung around and with a resounding thump and an amazing impact he landed square on my back and resumed his rather anti-social and extremely distracting activities. He also managed to take my left glove with him! The situation was not improved. Not improved at all. His attacks were continuing, and now I could not reach him. I was startled to say the least. The combination of the force of the throw, only having one hand (the throttle hand) on the handlebars, and my jerking back unfortunately put a healthy twist through my right hand and into the throttle. A healthy twist on the throttle of a Valkyrie can only have one result. Torque. This is what the Valkyrie is made for, and she is very, very good at it. The engine roared as the front wheel left the pavement. The squirrel screamed in anger. The Valkyrie screamed in ecstasy. I screamed in…well…I just plain screamed. Now picture a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a slightly squirrel torn t-shirt, and only one leather glove roaring at maybe 70mph and rapidly accelerating down a quiet residential street…on one wheel and with a demonic squirrel on his back. The man and the squirrel are both screaming bloody murder. With the sudden acceleration I was forced to put my other hand back on the handlebars and try to get control of the bike. This was leaving the mutant squirrel to his own devices, but I really did not want to crash into somebody's tree, house, or parked car. Also, I had not yet figured out how to release the throttle…my brain was just simply overloaded. I did manage to mash the back brake, but it had little affect against the massive power of the big cruiser. About this time the squirrel decided that I was not paying sufficient attention to this very serious battle (maybe he is a Scottish attack squirrel of death), and he came around my neck and got IN my full-face helmet with me. As the faceplate closed partway and he began hissing in my face I am quite sure my screaming changed tone and intensity. It seemed to have little affect on the squirrel however. The rpm's on The Dragon maxed out (I was not concerned about shifting at the moment) and her front end started to drop. Now picture the large man on the huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a very ragged torn t-shirt, and wearing one leather glove, roaring at probably 80mph, still on one wheel, with a large puffy squirrel's tail sticking out his mostly closed full-face helmet. By now the screams are probably getting a little hoarse. Finally I got the upper hand…I managed to grab his tail again, pulled him out of my helmet, and slung him to the left as hard as I could. This time it worked…sort-of. Spectacularly sort-of, so to speak. Picture the scene. You are a cop. You and your partner have pulled off on a quiet residential street and parked with your windows down to do some paperwork. Suddenly a large man on a huge black and chrome cruiser, dressed in jeans, a torn t-shirt flapping in the breeze, and wearing one leather glove, moving at probably 80mph on one wheel, and screaming bloody murder roars by and with all his strength throws a live squirrel grenade directly into your police car. I heard screams. They weren't mine... I managed to get the big motorcycle under directional control and dropped the front wheel to the ground. I then used maximum braking and skidded to a stop in a cloud of tire smoke at the stop sign at a busy cross street. I would have returned to fess up (and to get my glove back). I really would have. Really. But for two things. First, the cops did not seem interested or the slightest bit concerned about me at the moment. One of them was on his back in the front yard of the house they had been parked in front of and was rapidly crabbing backwards away from the patrol car. The other was standing in the street and was training a riot shotgun on the police cruiser. So the cops were not interested in me. They often insist to "let the professionals handle it" anyway. That was one thing. The other? Well, I swear I could see the squirrel, standing in the back window of the patrol car among shredded and flying pieces of foam and upholstery, and shaking his little fist at me. I think he was shooting me the finger… That is one dangerous squirrel. And now he has a patrol car… I took a deep breath, turned on my turn-signal, made an easy right turn, and sedately left the neighborhood. As for my easy and slow drive home? Screw it. Faced with a choice of 80mph cars and inattentive drivers, or the evil, demonic, attack squirrel of death...I'll take my chances with the freeway. Every time. And I'll buy myself a new pair of gloves. 
It seems that these nasty rodents are ganging up on all of us! 17 December 2003
14 December 2003
STOP THE PRESS!! Morrison scores! Saddam is captured! Kwacky updates his blog! Yeah I know, I've been lazy. Saddam Found 'Saddam Hussein captured' (AP, Reuters) 14 December 2003 BAGHDAD, Iraq - Saddam Hussein has been captured alive in his hometown of Tikrit, a member of the US-appointed Governing Council said on Sunday. Council member Dara Noor Al Din told the Associated Press that the council was informed of the former dictator’s capture in a telephone call from L. Paul Bremer, the US administrator for Iraq. “Bremer has confirmed to the Governing Council that Saddam was captured in Tikrit,” Noor al-Din said. “He spoke on the phone to several members, including Ahmad Chalabi.” Chalabi is a leading member of the council who has close links to the US administration of President George W. Bush. Earlier, the official Iranian news agency IRNA quoted PUK leader Jalal Talabani as saying that Saddam had been captured in his home town of Tikrit. “The American forces in Tikrit announced that Saddam was arrested on Sunday. The Americans said that they will announce the news officially in the next few hours,” IRNA quoted Talabani as saying. The news agency report was from Qasr-e Shirin in Iran across the border from Iraq. A Talabani aide said the Kurdish leader was in Teheran on his way to France. The US Defence Department said it could not confirm the report. Washington has made Saddam number one on its list of 55 most-wanted Iraqis, and placed a $25 million reward on his head. US officials had said Saddam, 66, had eluded American troops by moving every few hours, probably in disguise and aided by members of his clan. The capture of Saddam would be a major morale boost for US troops in Iraq, who have been under daily attack from shadowy guerrillas, some of whom they believe may have been directed by the former president from hiding. A US-led coalition toppled Saddam in April. His arrest would be a boost for US President George W. Bush, whose campaign for re-election next year has been imperilled by setbacks and casualties in Iraq Aljazeera report that it's Blair who confirmed his captured, whilst US Forces refuse to comment. Ananova and the BBC run with similar reports. 
I doubt if his capture will make matters any easier for the occupying troops. It's generally accepted that the more organised and devasting attacks are run by "outside" influences who oppose the US and her international policies. Blues finally win It's been a tough few weeks for Blues. The press finally notice us sitting pretty in 4th or 5th spot keeping so many clean sheets so we decide to prove a point and go for a run of 7 or 8 games with just one win and in the last 3 games letting in 10 goals with just one in reply. Although Leciester were reduced to 9 me (one elbow and one handall by their keeper about 10 yards outside his area) Blues took all 3 points and with goals by Morrison and Forssell and kept a lcean sheet in the process. With the league being so tight this season we had to turn things around. As I type a bottom of the table decided is being played - Villa V Wolves. Come on you dogheads ;-)  16 November 2003
On this day 1940 - Great Britain launched its first raid on Hamburg, Germany. Due to bad weather the accuracy of the attack was minimal and 233 German civilians were killed. 1953 - The United States joined the U.N. in condemning Israel's raid on Jordon on October 4, 1953. 1967 - Lisa Bonet was born 1976 - Seven men who took part in an £8m bank robbery have received jail terms totalling nearly 100 years 1983 - More than 20 English football supporters were arrested in Luxembourg after a night of violence. 1988 - Benazir Bhutto wins 1st free Pakistani elections in 11 years 1990 - Manuel Noriega claims US denied him a fair trial 2003 - Georgina cuts her first tooth :-) 14 November 2003
My crap Friday Five 1) fish and chips or faggots and peas? Faggots and peas for me please 2) what's the most you've spent on a meal (per person) Just under £100 per person (excluding drinks) 3) was it worth it? No, I've had the same quality for a third of the price 4) what's the most disgusting thing you've eaten? Did the Thai tourist thing and had scorpion and cockroach. Neither of which tasted like chicken! 5) which country generally has the best food Toughie. Between Thailand and India. Inida is so large and diverse I think it pips Thailand. 
Protest against Bush and the £3m he's costing us just in covering his skinny backside while he tours this country telling us how the millions of pounds and blood spent have all been worth it because his family directly profits from taking oil from Iraq. Okay, maybe he'll only say part of that, but when he talks about liberation, it's US dollars and Iraqi oil not people and politics. More details at Stop the War 11 November 2003
Who's a lucky boy then? 
I went to Wolverhampton Civic Hall to witness the continuing re-birth of one of those bands who are frequently mentioned as an influence by new comers on the music front - Jane's Addiction., I last saw this cornerstone of anti-pop back in 1990 or 1991 at the Birmingham Hummingbird. I was a lithe long haired lout sporting his latest rock chick, who had been impressed by my free tickets and back stage passes (oh those were the days when I had proper contacts, backstage passes mean so much more than a discount on various goods, a smile from a copper when pulled for speeding or always being able to get a table at the latest scoff house). Perry had just cut off all of his dreadlocks. Things were looking rocky as tales of infighting and pettiness filtered throught to the fans. Any embers of dischord were fanned by the press, quick to print with pride the fall of any group not easily pigeonholed. Despite the whispers of harmony heading on the last lollapolooza bus out town JA shone brightly with an enviable charismatic display from Mr Farrell who grew in statute as he drained dry the adulation from the worshippers then managed to wring out some more. Few bands can parade popsters who appear visually larger than life on stage and that skill is something that is ever present if Sunday's showing is anything to go by. The front men look like they've ditched the drugs for a more stable lifestyle and were relying on natural reserves of energy as opposed to that found by mixing up a batch of chemicals. Old favs such as "Been Caught Stealing" were mixed with new comers like "Just Because". People bopped, moshed, shambled or foot tapped their way throught the set and were left wanting more at the end. Those that waited for 20 mins were rewarded with a 5 set encore to include "Jane Says" and "Mountian Song", which I've been singing or humming ever since. I was worried that I would be the oldest git there but there was good mix of young, old and those who chose to or can't remember their last birthday. The first band were a bit weak and the audience did their best to make them feel unwelcome. "Bad news for the next band" thought I however my fears were allayed - these kids had confidence. The innominate band played a strange mix of post punk and mature pixie with new romantic/young Bryan Ferry style vocals. Everyone was captivated. The band is StellaStarr. 
and I'll keep banging on about them until I convert someone :-) Some Reviews Washington Review RockWorld Review Interview Crud 09 November 2003
06 November 2003
Feels like I've lost a friend 
I was a tad upset last night. A few years ago I got a call at work from my wife. Her friend had an Airedale Terrier called Henry. Her mate had spilt up with her boyfriend and no one could look after the dog. Did we want him? Silly question to a lad who grew up in a house that always had dogs, who learnt to walk by holding onto a dog and who had parents who bred Airedales. Yep, we'll have him. Henry was about 10 months old when he moved in. He was very nervous which disturbed me because Airedales are usually confident dogs. I later found out that he was beaten by his owner's boyfriend, who also used to beat women. Nice chap. He once gave his girlfriend such a beating that her cries of pain made Henry wet himself with fear. He then turned on the dog. When I hear such tales I hope there's hell. My mum doesn't live too far away and she's got an Airedale. Mad thing. He's a rescue dog and a bit dense but wholly entertaining. Henry and Oscar are best pals and Henry likes spending his holidays at "Nannies", so much so he sulks when he comes home. Sam used to work shifts so Henry was rarely on his own. After the terrorist events in New york the Airline industry knee jerked and offered redundancy to a large number of staff. Sam took it and started to work 9-5. Henry was on his own all day. His fragile confidence started to slip. With the arrival of the wee one we've not had much time to give our attention to the pets and as a result Henry has suffered. He needs constant reassurance. Last night I very reluctantly agreed to give him to my mum. Tears were shed, I don't mind admitting. I think Sam was shocked at just how upset I was. She's never had pets and I don't think she ever adjusted to having a dog in the house, especially such a large dog. She was always complaining about him; getting under her feet or following her around or saying he smelt or that he had left water in the kitchen after having a drink from his bowl or damaging the lawn by lying in a favourite place. To me it's not a home without a dog. But, I can't be selfish, the dog needs love and fuss and I can't give him as much as he deserves. Now he's got Oscar to keep him company during the day and mum will spoil him rotten. Plus he can come and stay with us when mum goes away on holiday or when she's looking after her friend's dog (which she does a couple of times a year). Some good news My mate Mike is finally out of hospital. He's at his folks house at the moment so they can look after him as he's still got mobility problems. He's in a body brace at the moment which lends support to his broken back. He can't sit up for too long but the remarkable thing is that he's walking. He needs crutches and can't walk far but he's up on his feet. When he was first admitted to hospital he couldn't even feel his legs. 01 November 2003
Not About Oil On May 25, while scanning the Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite Program images pipelined into his desktop from 450 miles in orbit, Hank Brandli skidded at a nighttime photo of Iraq. It looked familiar. But not exactly. Brandli retrieved another DMSP image he'd archived from May 3. He compared the two. The most recent photo showed a blazing corridor of light running the length of Kuwait, south to north, all the way to the Iraqi border. The image wasn't there on May 3. "It's going right up to Iraq's oil fields," says the retired Air Force colonel from his home in Palm Bay. "Maybe I'm full of s---. Maybe all they're doing is building a highway to put in McDonald's and sell hamburgers. But why go that way? I think we're in bed with Kuwait. I think we're pumping oil out of Iraq to pay for this war." Brandli isn't a conspiracy zealot squinting for guppies in the fig trees. An article titled "Weathering History" profiles the Vietnam veteran as a pioneer in satellite meteorology who was unable to discuss much of his defense work until 1995. That's the year President Clinton declassified vaults of Cold War satellite images. "You look for patterns. Patterns tell you things," says Brandli, who has masters degrees in meteorology, aeronautics and astronautics, and the author of "Satellite Meteorology" for the Air Force's Air Weather Service in 1976. "With night photos, you can distinguish natural gas burnoff, which looks globular, from city lights. And suddenly, over just a few weeks, we've got this straight line of lights leading all the way to those beautiful wells in southeastern Iraq. "If you're building pipelines, you've got to have power, you've got to have light -- trucks and personnel and food and all sorts of support. If I had to bet, I'd say it looks like we're running Iraqi oil through Kuwait. It would make sense, because Kuwait's got its infrastructure intact." At the State Department in Washington, D.C., David Staples on the Future of Iraqi Projects desk says he doesn't know if Iraq's oil is flowing into Kuwait. He referred the query to the Defense Department. A DoD spokesman suggested contacting the Office of Coalition of Provisional Authority (OCPA) in Baghdad. OCPA was not immediately available for comment. In Indialantic, retired Air Force Col. Hyko Gayikian isn't sure what to make of Brandli's speculation. He wonders if maybe Kuwait's lights were pre-existing features that were temporarily shut down during the war. (Brandli says no, that he checked other photos prior to the March war campaign and could find no such lights.) Have a list of movie trailers thanks to the web, these are free to download. If you're so inclined. Happy Tree Friends, the internet cartoon they tried to ban. Now available on DVD. Happy Tree Friends is a violent animated series that sees hapless woodland animals meet gory deaths at the end of each short episode. The 1950s-styled animations include a rabbit poking a fork into an electric plug socket, a bear being shredded by helicopter blades, and an anteater being set alight. I prefer ninjas. Alternatively, shoot Blaine then cum like a pornstar Sherman Austin, webmaster of RaisetheFist.com, was sentenced to one year in federal prison, with three years of probation. Judge Wilson shocked the courtroom when he went against the recommendation of not only the prosecution, but the FBI and the Justice Department, who had asked that Austin be sentenced to 4 months in prison, and 4 months in a half-way house, with 3 years of probation. Austin's probation stipulates, among other things, that (1) he cannot possess or access a computer of any kind without prior approval of his probation officer, (2) if his probation officer gives permission, the equipment is subject to monitoring and is subject to search and seizure at any time, without notice, (3) he cannot alter any of the software or hardware on any computer he uses, (4) he must surrender his phone, DSL, electric, and satellite bills, (5) he cannot associate with any person or group that seeks to change the government in any way (be that environmental, social justice, political, economic, etc.), and (6) he must pay over $2,000 in fines and restitution. Austin must surrender himself to the Federal Bureau of Prisons by September 3, 2003. FROM SHERMAN AUSTIN: On Jan 24, 2002 , my home was surrounded and raided by approximately 25 heavily armed FBI and Secret Service agents in one of the governments first attempts to exercise the new US Patriot Act. I was interrogated for several hours while they ransacked my room and they seized a network of computers which I used to run my web site raisethefist.com. They also seized protest signs, and political literature. Their excuse was a protest guide (which I didn't author) that was posted to my site which a small portion contained information on explosives. The FBI had been monitoring the site long before this was ever posted, and long before Sept 11. The "explosives information" on my site (again which I didn't author) doesn't compare to what you an find on any other web sites such as howthingswork.com, Loompanics.com, Bombshock.com, Totse.com, Amazon.com, or the many neo nazi web sites which cover everything from assassinations, explosives, fraud and firearms. It's obvious a web surfer interested in making a bomb or taking part in other extra-illegal activities would not have to rely on Raisethefist.com. So how could the "bomb making information" on raisethefist.com be a concern to authorities? It wasn't a concern, it was simply used an excuse to exercise the new Patriot Act and take down the site. And that's what they did when federal agents spent 5-6 hours interrogating me while they disassembled each computer one by one , mirrored each hard drive, then loaded everything into a big white truck. During this whole process I was told I wasn't going to be arrested, and that I could even leave if I wanted to. Once the agents finished packing everything up, Special Agent John I. Pi, who was conducting the investigation and raid said that I had crossed a line, and as long as I got back on the other side of that line I'd be okay. A week later despite what happened I still continued with my plans to attend the demonstration against the World Economic Forum in NY. As I was waiting for the march to begin, a swarm of NYPD officers rushed straight at me and scooped up about 26 people, one of which was me. We sat on a bus for 7 hours before being taken to Brooklyn Navy Yard Jail. I was there for about 30 hours before I was taken out of my cell and put into a backroom in handcuffs and interrogated once again by the FBI and Secret Service for several hours. They asked me questions such as if I was a terrorist or involved in any terrorist organizations. During the interrogation I noticed more and more agents walking through the room. I was told I wouldn't leave custody unless they searched my car. I said I had nothing to hide and simply wanted to go home. Stressed and aggravated, I signed over my keys. A few minutes later I was driven to the court and released. As I was waiting for someone to pick me up, about 5 FBI agents entered the court and said I was arrested for "distribution of information related to explosives over the internet". One of the agents grabbed my neck and told me to shut the fuck up while I tried to tell one of the legal observers I was being arrested. I was hurried out of the court house into a black SUV where I was driven to a federal building. I was then taken to lower Manhattan MCC maximum security 24 hour lockdown federal jail facility. At my bail hearing the FBI called me a "man on a mission" and said I drove 3,000 miles to carry out my alleged "plot". The judge said I was a "threat to the community" and denied me bail, and I was to be extradited back to California to face my charges. After 11 days I was shackled and taken to an airforce base where federal inmates are boarded onto planes surrounded by guards with M16's and shot guns, like prisoners of war, and flown to a federal jail "hub" in Oklahoma. Once I got there, I learned the next day that the prosecutors decided not to file an indictment. I was released after spending 13 days in custody. When I got back to Los Angeles I put raisethefist.com back up almost immediately. I continued my political organizing within the community, as well as my work with Raise the Fist which developed into a Direct Action Network with chapters setup around the world. 6 months later prosecutors contacted my lawyer and said they found nothing to prosecute me for on my computers, but didn't want to "let me off the hook". They offered me a pre-indictment binding plea agreement which was initially 1 month in jail, and 5 months in a "community corrections facility". I rejected the plea at first, wanting to go to trial until we discovered the case was eligible for a terrorism enhancement, which could have added 20 years to my sentence. I therefore decided to enter a plea. I played months of legal limbo until I finally expected to get sentenced to 4 months in jail and 4 months in a community corrections facility based on the final pre-sentencing report written by the USPO. The judge rejected the 4 months saying what kind of an example would it set for "future revolutionaries" wanting to act in the same manner. He stated he wanted to give me at least 8-10 months but first wanted the opinion of the Justice Department and the Director of the FBI in Washington, DC (Robert Muller). My sentencing was rescheduled several times until August 4th. I was convicted for felony; distribution of information related to explosives with intent, and sentenced to 1 year in federal prison with 3 years supervised release. Distribution of information related to explosives is not illegal.. What's illegal is the INTENT part. They have to prove you have intent to use the information to cause further crime of violence .. and how do they prove intent? I think Bush made it clear when he said "you're either with me or against me". Remember, fascism and a police state doesn't come all at once, it comes piece by piece. How far will we allow it go until we are all locked up in concentration camps. If we don't take matters into our own hands and do something about this now, then we are already prisoners of war. 26 October 2003
I've not paid much attention to my blog lately due to family and work so I've barely posted a thing about Iraq. I suppose that just reflects the publics attention span on this subject. Iraq has been conquered and is in the process of being divided up by fatcats who cheered on the military might of the US. The people of Iraq however are not taking this without a fight. The army may have been routed (according to US military and press) but there are plenty of firearms and plenty of people willing to use them. The above photo is from Ananova and shows the burning wreckage of an American Blackhawk helicopter, shot down by "ungrateful" locals. Only this morning six to eight rockets have struck a Baghdad hotel used by US military and civilians. A spokesman for US military command says there are an "unknown number of casualties" and a quick reaction force has been dispatched to the Al Rasheed Hotel. It is understood Deputy Secretary of Defence Paul Wolfowitz, who began a three-day tour of Iraq on Friday, narrowly escaped the attack. 10 lies about Iraq Meanwhile a British charity is claiming that billions of dollars appear to have gone missing. No surprises but the US denies this. Paul Bremer, head of the Coalition Provisional Authority, said all funds were being spent or transferred in a "completely transparent" way and that auditors' accounting of CPA expenditures from those funds would soon be posted on the internet and provided to an oversight board. Still believe this war had nothing to do with money? Meanwhile, further up the road, Jews and Gentiles continue to slughter one another. The UN has asked Isreal to tear down its controversial wall but no-one listens to the UN, do they? Even when peace workers are being shot up. Well, its quicker and cheaper than arresting and deporting them, isn't it? Back from Bolton Not the most attractive game if you're a fan of attacking football but 8 clean sheets in 10 games tells its own story. Once again Steve Bruce's men in Blue showed strength at the back. Cunningham is so good at is job he looks casual. Throughout the game he pushed the back line forward and the result was Bolton's only goal was ruled offside. That's not to say that Bolton didn't have a go, far from it. From the off, they set about is if their lives depended on a win and althought it's early in the season this is a team who knows about relegation battles. For me it was Matthew Upson who stood tall at the back. Not only was he reading the game better than usual but his balls out were almost always to a Blue shirt. And some great passes too. Clapham is under-rated and understated and rarely puts a boot wrong. Cisse snarled and prowled like a proverbial lion and made sure that the defence and midfield had support thoughout the game. Tebily did a great job but was replaced by Kenna when Bruce had a change around. Clemence came over to the right, which probably explained Kenna's appearance - his experience well placed in protecting a palyer out of postion. Dunn moved into the centre and showed all why he should play here more often. Dugarry went over to the left and did an excellent job in breaking down some of the Bolton attacks as well as keeping pressure on the home sides defence. My main Dugarry gripe was a lack of communication between him and Forssell with both often going for the same ball. Hughes and Morrison both made short appearances and both looked fairly sharp. Hughes did some fine work on the right which opened up their defence and Morrison made a couple of telling runs but in both instances the goalie or a defender snuffed it out at the last moment. Player Ratings Taylor - 8 - Assured Clapham - 7 - Reliable Cunningham - 8 - commanding Upson - 9 dominant Tebily - 7 - stalwart Lazaridis - 6 - quiet Clemence - 7 - involved Cisse - 8 - snarling Dunn - 8 - midfield engine Dugarry - 7 - polar Forsell - 7 - timely Kenna - 7 Hughes - 8 Morrison - 7 One Bolton player who should get a mention is the Greek player Stelios. He looks a good prospect; was involved in a lot of their play and didn't drop his head even when it became blody obvious that no one could penetrate our defence. Bolton Blues 7 Shots On Target 3 9 Shots Off Target 4 14 Fouls (Conceded) 16 7 Corners 3 1 Yellow Cards 2 0 Red Cards 0 23 October 2003
Well I’m Back! Turkey was great. The weather was spot on; in the high 80’s low 90’s but the sun wasn’t too strong. I’m not much of a sunbather anyway but it did mean that we didn’t have to worry too much about the little one, who seemed to enjoy her first holiday and dip in the sea. Photos to follow! Georgina wasn’t too bad flying out. It was a late flight and we had hoped she would sleep for most of the journey. However, best laid plans and all that meant that she stayed awake and maintained her usual appetite. We ran out of food which resulted in a few moments of noise but apart from that she was fine. On holiday she generally sat and people watched. Her hair went very light which seemed to create great interest amongst the locals. Talking of the locals, I watched the England game in a Turkish bar. Surrounded by mad Turks sporting painted faces, scarves, flags and shirts. These heathens (if you believe the gutter press) were savage enough to discuss the game, made sure I had a decent seat and took turns in complimenting me and Mrs Kwacky about our baby. Barbarians the lot of them! The Bike My bike is still at the dealers. The quote came in at just under £2k but nothing will happen until the muppet who hit my bike completes his accident form. I’ve told his insurance company that I’ll get the repairs carried out myself if they don’t’ get moving within 7 days then I’ll seek to recover the balance. Feckwits. He reversed into my stationary bike, what is there to discuss? Meanwhile I’m stuck with the loan Bandit 600. The brakes are shit but it’s got a loud horn! I still can’t get used to having no oooomph at low revs so some of my overtaking is a bit leery to say the least. Next year I intend to splash some cash on getting some track time tuition, probably with the European Motorbike School. Hopefully I’ll get in a few more track days. The NEC bikeshow is coming up. With a change in job I’ll be doing a lot more commuting so I’ll need to get the right kit. Looks like I’ll be joining the Belstaff Brigade! Footie I missed the Chelsea game (0-0) but was unfortunate to make it to the dourest local derby in decades. The less said the better. I’m off to Bolton on Saturday thanks to the efforts of Nasser (ticket) and IanT (train ticket). I’ll do my usual player ratings on Sunday, once I’ve sobered up! 10 October 2003
I'm off on holiday Yep, I'm going to Turkey. Not to watch the game but to spend sometime with the family before Sam goes back to work. I'm not a big fan of babies on planes but Sam assures me that the wee one will sleep once she's feed. We're staying with my Dad and step-mum at my Dad's holiday home. It's quite large (3 floors plus a basement) so we can hide away from them if we have enough. On the plus side my Dad knows the area and the locals and he's more than happy to babysit. My first priority will be finding a bar which will show the game. A bar I feel safe in. I've been to Turkey before but never had any trouble. I'm sure I'll be fine if they let me into the country. My holiday reading. Bored with "100 years of solitude" and extremely unimpressed with "The god of small things" I had to take a trip to Waterstones to get some books. Tempted to buy some books on ancient Greek mythology to get in some oh-so intellectual jibes at the Turks, I ended up in the History section. Taking me back to my youth I picked up "The Iliad". I think I enjoyed reading it when I was a lad, but I'm not sure. Next up is "The Templars". All about, and I quote, "the dramatic history of the knights templar, the most powerful military order of the crusades". I'm sure that'll impress the locals, the front picture depicts the naughty knights stewing up some moors. I also found a battered copy of "The Soldiers Return" in the bargain bin near the till, so I nabbed that as well. My bike is still at the dealers after some muppet reversed into it. Luckily I caught the culprit who is looking down the barrel of a £2000 repair bill. Serves the daft fucker right. See you in a weeks time. 28 September 2003
Player ratings Taylor - did enough with some fine stops and saves - 7 Upson - slow start but grew in stature as he watched Cunningham - 6 Cuningham - MOTM. He just seems to get better. A captain's performance - 9 Clapham - Some nice work on the left marred by wayward balls forward - 7 Johnson - learning the role of right back - 7 Clemence - Showed the others how to bounce back - 7 Savage - quiet game and started to get impatient near the end - 6 Dunn - stuck to his right role a little more than usual - 7 Lazaridis - Stan at his best. Great crosses and deserved goal - 8 Dugarry - clearly not match fit. More simple stuff please - 6 Forssell - Good runs to draw defenders - 7 Tebily - Solid showing - 7 Cisse - getting back to his old self - 7 Lucy - small part to play but slowly adapting - 6 Blues went into 4th in the league and top of the table in terms of the tightest defence and number of clean sheets. My man of the match domainted the back and obvioulsy disheartened the Pompey team as each move they made was countered by the Blues captain. Upson looked a little sluggish but he seemed to feed off Kenny's confidence, leaving Taylor with little to do. However, Taylor did his job when called and the 3 of them meant Blues earned another clean sheet. Clapham and Johnson complimented the central pairing by playing some nice moves forward and getting the ball out of the defensive third of the pitch. It was a different story up front. Dugarry seemed content to treat the game as an exhibition and wanted to please the crowd more with tricks than attacking football. 1-2's with back heels looks good and does unsettle a defense but I prefer to see the basics until we're comfortably in the lead. Forssell soon realised he wasn't get the usual service so he intelligently ran at defenders to create gaps for our surprise strike force of Lazaridis and Clemence. Clemence, the midweek villan, shrugged off the embarrassing publicity by scoring one and creating one, both goals seeing him and Stan link to breach the stubborn seawall. Dunn showed his strenghts by not only running at players with the ball at his feet but he also broke down a few of their attacks. I would prefer to see him in a more central role with Savage out on the right, who looked lost and not at the races. Cisse soon stamped his presence on the game with an early booking but the Portsmouth players heeded the warning and were quick to release the balls when they saw him steaming towards them. I would like to see Cisse as a sweeper in front of a 3 man back line. Tebily looks a much better player than last season and I think has a role to play in shoring up the midfield once we're in the final third of a game. I'm really fucked off Blues go into 4th place in the league and what does the ITV Premiership show do? It gives 27 minutes of coverage to Man United and Blues get 27 seconds. Not that it'll do any good, but I've sent them an e-mail:- "Why do you give 30 minutes each week to eitehr Man U or Arsenal leaving less than 30 seconds for other clubs? A lot of people want to know what's going on in other games, even Man U and Arsenal fans want to see the other teams in the league so they know what they are up against. I realise that my club, Birmingham City, isn't a glamour club, but we're 4th in the league, have the best defensive record, more clean sheets than any other club and we're playings some nice football. So what do we get? 27 seconds of highlights and no comments from your team. On the other hand, Man United got 27 minutes and, if that wasn't enough, you put them on the end credits. There are 20 teams in the league, please spare a thought for fans of other clubs. If you want to have your penny's worth, spam away:- ITV Premiershite 20 September 2003
Squealy feels all sad because no-one knew that 19th September was "Talk like a Pirate Day". You are The Cap'n! Some men are born great, some achieve greatness and some slit the throats of any man that stands between them and the mantle of power. You never met a man you couldn't eviscerate. Not that mindless violence is the only avenue open to you - but why take an avenue when you have complete freeway access? You are the definitive Man of Action. You are James Bond in a blousy shirt and drawstring-fly pants. Your swash was buckled long ago and you have never been so sure of anything in your life as in your ability to bend everyone to your will. You will call anyone out and cut off their head if they show any sign of taking you on or backing down. You cannot be saddled with tedious underlings, but if one of your lieutenants shows an overly developed sense of ambition he may find more suitable accommodations in Davy Jones' locker. That is, of course, IF you notice him. You tend to be self absorbed - a weakness that may keep you from seeing enemies where they are and imagining them where they are not. What's Yer Inner Pirate? brought to you by The Official Talk Like A Pirate Web Site. Arrrrr! Avast poor Squealy for he's pally with too many lubbers. Maybe it's his lack of horizontal action that's making him feel like a teenager again? He needs to do something before he makes the local papers with reports of desperation Or is it due to the fact that his childhood hero is really a Red? Maybe he should adopt a new nickname to impress the ladies? Mine's Hans Van den Bonck and I'm 80% Dutch, so now you know! 14 September 2003
Blues v Fulham It was a Sunday afternoon and the air was heavy with the smell of stale beer and tales of last nights exploits. Many recalled reports from the News of the World whilst others listened, smoking their way out of a hangover and hoping the peak on their Burberry cap would stop the sun from shining in their bloodshot eyes. Sunday football is the same all over the country; players with a point to prove hack their way for 2 hours to gain bragging rights in the bar. The crowd, the cameras, the badges on the players sleeves all suggested this was Premiership Football. The style of play, the players and the referee all proved how wrong those assumptions were. Blues looked like they had al been round to Bruce's mum's house for Sunday Lunch. Those extra yorkshire puddings took their toll. We kicked off, they scored. 3 points gone in under 60 seconds. Fulham soon rocked St Andrews by scoring in 38 seconds. The crowd went quite. As did the team. We tried to get something going but our midfield frailities showed and Coleman's squad bossed and bullied their way to possession whilst bypassing Savage, rendering him wholly ineffective. Dunn looked out of place and Purse looked out of sorts. Upson clearly had no understanding with the player the Bluenoses once reckoned would play for last seasons second place premier outfit. Clapham and Clemence both forgot how to play and their passes (if they won the ball) went out of their way to find the feet of a Fulham footballer. Stern and Forssell soon struck a chord and with Dunn pushing forward we applied pressure but it came to nothing without midfield support. This was not the Birmingham we had come to see. The football was disjointed and irritating. The crowd had nothing to sing about. But, somehow, we got the equaliser before the break. In the second half Teiliby, replacing Kenna, started to push forward and encouraged a more attacking game which seems to suit us. So, it was only a matter of minutes before Fulham went back into the lead with what looked like a blatant barge on Taylor. The goal stood. The ref saw nothing wrong with out goalie being pushed aside. We did draw level but Purse decided to dampen spirits by showing the England XV how to bring down a Wallaby or Springbok. Robbie went walkabout, Purse stole centre stage, Taylor will be accused of match fixing and the ref forgot which set of rules applied - a barge on the goalie is permissable, as is showing your studs in a 2 footed tackle. Blues v Fulham is never going to be a game for the romantics and today showed why. Nore yellows than a canary fanciers convention and less guile than a fat ninja in a pair of ski boots. We could have won. We should have won, but we cetainly didn't deserve a win. Let's hope Bruce tears up Mr Purse's contract, that the Blue faithful realise that Robbie is already out of date and that we need to think about safety before success. In the next game I would prefer to see Stan on the left thus freeing Dunn to support the lone forward. Teiliby looks very good going forward and could be a decent replacement for DJ who is far too defensive. As for Purse........ Team scores: Taylor - unlucky and unprotected 6 Kenna - out of the game 6 Upson - looked solid but missed Cunningham 7 Purse - twat 5 Clapham - did someone spike his drink? 6 Tellytubby - better going forward and some nice passes 7 Clemence - so stealthy his absence wasn't missed until the second half 6 Savage - the game passed him by until the last 15 minutes 6 Dunn - quality shines through but his position isnt left midfield 8 DJ - a better right back than right winger 6 Lazaridis - when the team finally realised he was on the pitch he looked quite good 7 John - he not be Horsfield but he's got some nice touches 7 Forssell - when can we buy him? 8 Morrisson - he came on did he? 6 13 September 2003
Yes! I'm back! Loads of stuff to tell you, including:- My new job Little Kwacky Blues Stuff Bike Stuff The Stag Weekend and some new links to crap. I can't get them all in today but I always was a tease ;-) New Job Someone got in touch with me and asked me to apply for a job. I wasn't looking but I did know some people who had or do work for Beachcroft and they all seem to like it there. With nothing to lose I sent in my CV. I didn't hear anything for a while but I wasn't bothered. I wasn't looking to leave Lee Crowder so I forgot about it. Then I get an e-mail at home "interview on such a date". I get into e-mail correspondence with their head of human resources (don't you love these modern job tags? :-S ). When I get a job description it appears that the post was a little junior for me. So I sent them a "thanks but no thanks" reply. Next day I get anpother e-mail inviting me to apply for a more senior role. I go along to the interview and what an intervew it was! They give you a great big bundle of papers including court proceedings, medical reports and copy correspondence. You have to advise the client. prepare notes for a telephone conversation, identify key strengths and weaknesses (and how you counter them) and find conflicting evidence. Then you get some verbal reasoning tests (last one I did was for my 11+!) Then you get a grilling from the head of department. I was told I would hear within 7 days but by the time I got home from my 5 hour ordeal the 'phone was already ringing. Always a good sign. After some wrangling over personal terms I accepted the job. The fools have put me in carge of my own team }:-) Bwahaahahahaa. I'm really looking forward to it. It's a more senior role and it gives me the the opporunity to specialise which is something I can't do at the moment. I'll miss my current place but I need to move on. Plus, I won't have to work the silly hours I've been know to put in and take work home ona regular basis. And the hours are shorter which will give me more time to spend with the wee one and Mrs Kwacky. Talking of which.... Little me She's almost 20 weeks old and she's really growing. 16 pounds 1 oz and really taking to her food. It doesn't look like she'll crawl; she doesn't like being placed on her belly but she'll stand up if you support her. The little toe rag has learnt to smile when she pisses you off. It works everytime so far. We'll soon learn. Last week she learnt to scream! Oh joy. Little and large welps non-stop all day and into the evening. My mate Mike Keep my mate Mike in your prayers (for those that do). Late on a Friday night Mike was packing his things getting ready to move house the next day. He tripped on a box at the top of the stairs, tumbled, took a blow to his head and passed out. He woke up in the wee hours and couldn't move his legs. HIs phone was upstairs. He dragged himself up using his elbows and called for aid. He woke up the next time to find himself in a neuro ward. He had broken his back. He was told he would probably never walk again and that he would be permanantly doubly incontinent. He's got to lie flat on his back for 6 weeks to allow the damaged vertebrea to fuse. He's currently on week 2. I went to see him last night and he's in great spirits. I'm not sure I would be able to cope if that was me. The good news is that he has movement in both of his legs and he's starting to get more range of movement in his feet. They hope that they can fit him with a body brace so that he'll be able to have some limited walking capability. The wife of one of the partners at work specialises in this sort of disability and she might be able to introduce more range in his feet so that he won't have drag foot syndrome. 20 August 2003
Argh and Shite! I've killed my home computer. Monday morning I got up and thought I would read my e-mails and browse the web whilst scoffing some weetabix. Puter fires up ok. I open IE then go to open up MailWasher, only for the computer to freeze. ctrl+alt+del does nothing. The lights have gone out on the mouse. The reset button won't respond so I yank out the power cable. Plug it back in. Nothing. Shit. I've tried to reset the motherboard but that didn't do it. The power cable and PSU are ok so it must be the CPU. Joy of Joys. I'll be back in about a week. 16 August 2003
Blues 1 - Spurs 0 
Although the English Premier Leaguse started today it appears the news failed to reach the ears of the Birmingham Squad. Bruce kicked off the 2003/2004 with an expected squad of Taylor, Kenna, Purse, Cunningham, Clapham, Clemence, Savage, D Johnson, Dunn, Dugarry and Horsfield against a spurs side - a side most thought would be overrun in midfield. The early exchanges showed little between the two sides and it looked like a fairly even contest. Spurs scorned some decent chances in the second half and only have themselves to blame for not taking a point or 3 home with them. The ref didn't know about advantage or handball and one of the assistants apeared to think the off-side rule had been abandoned. Squad Scores: Taylor - 7 - made a couple of decent saves but still clearly new to the team Kenna - 8 - Good solid performance, Purse - 6 - some excellent and timely tackles and headers mixed with dire distribution Cunningham - 7 - Decent enough but nothing special Clapham - 7 - average but did try to place the ball in space, but hindered by a lack of support Clemence - 7 - clearly up for the game but often out of position Savage - 8 - He gets 8 for winning the penalty. Dunn - 7 - still finding his feet but he was all over the field which fucked up the formation DJ - 6 - mixed performance but we need someone on the right wing Horsfield - 6 - Worked well but did little to create Dugarry - 6 - Some nice touches but he didn't look all that interested Subs:- Devlin - 7 - Let down by the midfield going walkabouts which meant he had to drop back John - 6 - didn't see too much of the ball In summary: A dire game made worse by an inept ref. Reports ANANOVA BBC Sporting Life 11 August 2003
Woof Woof She's starting to look more like her Bo! Selecta caricature everyday! 
Jones came in a credible ninth after being forced to race on his second machine. The new bike is supposed to have a much stronger engine, however, Craig binned it in the warm up and had to make do with the back up bike. Moodie was grounded by gremlins shortly after the restart. 
Race result 1 K. Harris (Honda) 28:16.418 2 S. Easton (Ducati) +2.727 3 S. Andrews (Yamaha) +7.161 4 R. Frost (Kawasaki) +7.616 5 J. Crockford (Honda) +8.593 6 T. Sykes (Yamaha) +8.650 7 M. Laverty (Honda) +8.896 8 D. Thomas (Honda) +9.113 9 C. Jones (Triumph ValMoto) 13.049 10 T. Tunstall (Yamaha) +13.082 J. Moodie (Triumph ValMoto) DNF 02 August 2003
I'm back again Dad is back home and feeling much better. Thank you very much for your messages. Little Georgina is growing fast. She's more than 26 inches long now. A couple of weeks ago the family travelled to Burton Albion FC to see Blues in action. Georgina met Matthew Upson . The guy was a star; only too happy to pose for the camera and have a chat. Although his poor pass in Malaysia led to the events which say Cunningham being sent off, I'm sure that under Bruce's guidance he'll become a top defender. Anyway, we had a top day out helped by meeting Bluetitch, Rags, Squealy, Bakewell and his son Matthew. Oh, and the large tray of chips and mushy peas. :-) For those of you who don't read Small Heath Alliance, here are a couple more photos of my wee one. Bike Stuff 
Once again the biking world is mourning the loss of a rider. Steve Hislop may have been "getting too old" as his last team made sure the knife was firmly in when they sacked him, but, as we've seen with other British riders, being older than the rest of the field is no handicap. Steve Hislop, who died in a helicopter crash near Hawick on Wednesday aged 41, was the current British Superbike champion, and the first man to set an average lap speed of more than 120mph at the Isle of Man TT Festival. In all, Hislop, known as "The Flying Haggis", won three British Championships and 11 TT races during a career which was dogged by ill fortune. In his chosen sport, it was not surprising that he should have suffered serious injuries - in the Brands Hatch World Superbike round of 2000 he broke his neck - but he also had to contend with money worries and the early deaths of both his father and younger brother. His lack of commercial acumen, and failure to employ a manager, meant that he did not reap the financial rewards of many other riders, and among his sponsors and teams he had the reputation of being difficult to deal with - he was sacked three times - although he was unfailingly good company among fans, reporters and other riders. His career also suffered from his early concentration on the TT, rather than circuit races. In 2000, Hislop was involved in an appalling crash at the Brands Hatch WSB round approaching the Paddock Hill bend at about 120 mph. He was struck twice on the head by his 350lb machine as he flew through the air, cartwheeling four times. He signed himself out of hospital that day; after having difficulty racing during the next few weeks, he had a scan which revealed that his neck had been broken. Hislop, who lived on the Isle of Man, had been considering retirement. He published an autobiography, Hizzy, earlier this year and had hoped to qualify as a commercial helicopter pilot. He separated from his girlfriend Kelly Bailey last year, and is survived by their two sons, Aaron and Connor. As always, I hope God has a nice bit of tarmac and a few sets of super stickies. Nice little clip of target fixation 25 July 2003
Hello Yep, I'm still alive. A few weeks ago I ordered some adjustable rearsets from Jack Lilley. They turned up on a Monday and when I got home I put on my scruffies and went outside to work on the bike. I was fitting the rearsets and chatting to my neighbour when Sam opened the front door and beckoned me in. "What's up?" I enquired "Come in" "Why? Tell me here." "No, come in" It was at this point I noticed the tears. I went into the house and registered the look on Sam's face. The "I'm sorry to tell you this but [name] has died" She put her arms around me and whispered"It's your Dad" "What about him?" "He's had a heart attack. He's at Selly Oak hospital. Here are the car keys, I'll speak to you later" As I get into the car I have what can only be descriped as an "Oprah Moment". I knew he was alright. I had no urge to rush to hospital. I felt he was okay. I got to the hospital and in true NHS style he was lying on a stretcher in a corridor waiting for a bed. The nurses were putting forward each patients case for a bed. My looked scared but comfortable. My step-mother looked panicked. Dad runs the electrical side of the Royal Show. He puts in 14 or 15 hour days on the run up and he has to fence with clients during show week to keep them all happy. He's supposed to be an office jockey and to a certain extent he's learnt to stay in his office and keep out of the way. But, some days he feels he has to "chip in" and lend a hand. The Monday after show week he was in his office enjoying the peace. He complained of some indigestion - tightness of chest and acid burn - so he decided to drive home. He already had an appointment with his doctor and the symptoms persisted into the evening when he saw his GP. The doctor told Dad that he need to get into hospital and fast. He's making a decent recovery. 3 specialists have given their opinion and prognosis resulting in a stalemate. We have 1 vote for a heart attack, 1 vote against a heart attack and 1 "don't know". I'll get back to posting on a regular basis but in the meantime I'm sure you'll forgive my lack of attention to this blog. 12 July 2003
Fat Buddha's Five (all about BCFC) 1:How did you wind up supporting this shower of shit? I'm a Brummie, born and bred, but I was never a fan of football. At school everyone would be talking about their teams and the games they went to, but I really couldn't be interested. I moved out of Brum when I was about 20 and got the usual stick about the accent and the area. I met a lad there who supported Blues. With our City in common we became friends and started going to Brum to watch football. He was a Bluenose but didn't mind going down the Villa to watch some games. I even saw the famous "clattering of Klinsmann". Despite the obvious gulf between the two sides, there was no mistaking the passion of the Blues fans. Here I was, at a midweek game against Guildford, pissing it down, ground falling apart, a few thousand at most watching dire football and they loved it! The fans sang throughout, they took the piss out of the team, the club and each other but they were proud to be Blue. On the other side of town they had a top six team with international players, cup successes, a grand ground and no passion. That's why I became a Bluenose. 2:what was your first Blues game? My best mate and his entire family were Blues mad. In my early teens I went to a couple of games with them but I can't remember who it was I watched. The first game were I can recall the team was a mid-week FA Cup tie against Palace. Terry Cooper was in charge. Blues took the lead but they equalised late on. I was at the ground a few days later when I bumped into Terry Copper "is it worth me buying a ticket and travelling down to watch the replay?" "nah, I wouldn't bother" Some manager! 3: Who is you favourite all time player? Hmmm. Ricky Otto used to piss me off. 
He obviously had the talent but he seemed to spend 95% of the game standing on the side lines watching the proceedings. Ward was good. Bruce was my first real footballing hero I suppose. He was a very well known player, froma big club, won just about everything apart from an England cap. He read the game so well. He was 5 yards slower than most players but read it 10 yards quicker than anyone else. I tend to appreciate defenders so my current player has to be Cunningham. 4: What is your most memorable game, and why? OOoOO a toughie! Both of the Wembley games stand out, as will the Cardiff one. My first villa derby was awesome. I suppose For an everyday game, I'll never forget the Hereford game at our place. Pissing down with rain, ground rammed full, everyone singing their hearts out, Mad Bazza and his 55 strong team giving it all. Hereford fans standing on the seats and the typical songs that provoked about cow sheds! From last season it would be hard to choose (apart from the AVFC conflicts) but Leeds at home stands out - we played football, real football. We passed, we took the ball off them without clattering their players. We looked slick. We had arrived. 5: Who is your favourite all time manager? Hmmm. I've not been a Bluenose for that long and our club does tend to keep managers (unlike some other local teams!). loved the Barry Fry days - a breath of fresh air. Squads larger than most NFL teams. You had to buy the Evening Mail every day to see who we had bouhgt and/or sold. 
No matter what happens now, Bruce will always be highly regarded for his efforts. So Bruce it is. 11 July 2003
Cisse has been given a clip round the ear from manager Steve Bruce. The player has been fined 2 weeks wages and been placed on the transfer list. Bruce has told the press that he won't tolerate players taking the piss, which, to me, seems fair enough. Cisse suffered a terrible tragedy which is near impossible to comprehend. He played a full game with the knowledge that he had lost most of his family. The fans supported him and on his return we showed our respect to both the player and those he had lost. Shortly thereafter he suffered an injury. We were told that the treatment wasn't working so he went to France and hadn't been seen since. Some of the players, including Cisse, were expected at training a few days before the main squad. He failed to show. His excuse? He had lost not one but 2 mobile phones. Not to worry, he would be back with the rest of the team. When he failed to turn up on time, Bruce, not one to be crossed it appears, took matters into his own hands. Bruce said "Aliou has been placed on the transfer list and fined two weeks' wages for behaviour, in my view, that is unacceptable," Bruce said. "I am bitterly disappointed with Aliou's attitude. Until he proves he wants to play for us, that he wants to be part of the squad again, I don't want him around the place. "I gave him the benefit of the doubt when he didn't come back last week and said he had lost his mobile phones and all the rest of it. "But to then to report one hour and 20 minutes late and turn round and say he is injured just isn't on. "When he spoke to my assistant Mark Bowen on Monday to explain why he didn't turn up on July 1, he didn't mention any injury." At the start of last season, Cisse and Savage bossed our midfield. Cisse snuffed out many a threatening movement and with hard work and hard tackles he won many a Blue heart. However, at that time, we were new to the league and teams didn't know what to expect. In addition, we didn't have a settled back four and so we needed a couple of midfielders who would track back and support the defensive line. With Cunningham and Upson forming the base of the team we looked much more secure. This seemed to give the midfield more confidence and let them get on with their job. In turn, we got to see more of Savage's skills with the ball. Something he's rarely credited with. One of the things that irks me about the majority of Bluenoses is that they only seem to appreciate graft. Any player who doesn't give it 110% and charge about the pitch like a bull on speed is dismissed as "lazy". The only exception appears to be Dugarry (who I once slated for appearing to be disinterested during a game!) Even Savage is admired for his energy, not his guile and skill. It must be frustrating for a player who can play football to be dismissed as a clogger. Cisse has two options; to leave or to knuckle down and fight for a place. Personally, I don't think he'll pull on the Royal Blue shirt again. Which is a shame, but no club is bigger than any player. Dunn, take note. 09 July 2003
SUMMER IS HERE (again) 
You can tell when it's summer, you have hundreds of flying ants in your garden. They have an uncanny knack of fare dodging on buses. In they fly, take their postion on the window, watch the world go buy then disembark without so much of a "thank you driver". This must be the way the ant spreads. Or maybe not. Thinking about it, I didn't see the number 47 bus near the Orinocco, but I did see a few ants. Hmmm, I'll have to re-think my theory regarding the proliferation of ants. On the other hand, I saw colourful birds, fish with teeth, fresh water dolphins and crocs with big teeth, and I've never seen any of those on the 47 bus, so, just maybe, the 47 bus used to go to South America, but West Midalnds Travel stopped the route because of the number of fare-dodging animals they pick up that way. I've found a new hobby. It's in its infancy, but I can see this taking off in a really big way. It's free of danger, doesn't cost anything and makes a great topic of conversation in any pub chit chat or job interview. Bertie's tips give you an insight into the wonderful world of book sniffing 1. Delve deep into the spine with the aid of a straw! 2. Strive to seek the oldest, crustiest books you can lay your hands on. 3. Do not lurk shiftily around libraries, waiting for that window of opportunity - THEY KNOW! 4. Take long deep sniffs, and let the aroma flow gently through your nasal hair. 5. Never air your books unnecessarily by reading them. 6. Befriend old people - their houses wreak of old crusty books! 7. Never play leapfrog with a unicorn! 8. Never eat yellow snow! 9. Never go water-skiing when you have got diarrhoea! 10. And Never EVER take a laxative and a sleeping pill at the same time!!! Anyone fancy a day out to Hay-on-Wye? 28 June 2003
WhooHoo! Exams are over! 3 in one week - not funny. My last exam took place early on Friday, which meant I got to the pub for noon! Did a tour of some of the bars on Bristol Road and ended up staying in the Brisol Pear (aka the Railway) until kicking out time. Then me and a couple of mates came back to an empty house and stayed up 'til 4 watching some old music vids, doing lines, smoking weed and necking my vodka/lemon balm special cocktail. Always seems a good idea at the time. It never seems a good idea when you finally drag yourself from your pit. It's even worse when you recall what you got up the previous night! Ah well, I won't see them until September so everything should have calmed down by then. We were all going to meet up next Friday but I think I'll give it a miss and run straight home after work. Someone warn Bluetitch not to visit Switzerland and instead spend some time on this particular Blog We've been on standby for some form of terrorist attack since the attacks on the twin towers. One form of bomb, we're warned, could be a "dirty bomb", a crude nuclear device designed to scatter nuclear waste over a wide area. Security at key nuclear sites has been stepped up. So how the feck did they fail to see the cute ickle bunnies digging holes at a nuclear waste site? What if they are highly trained terrorist rabbits? They could be everywhere! Thorpe has made a lovely track sampling The Pinball Song from Sesame Street. A friend of his has made a video featuring the footage that accompanied it on the show. It's great, a funky nostalgia fest. The Dark Side Does Disco Think you know music? Check out the Music Correspondent's thoughts on your favourties. Bike stuff Looks like this years MotoGP is going to be fun. Sete Gibernau has taken his third MotoGP win this season at the third round of the world championship in Assen. The race was delayed by rain and the standing water made visibility difficult when it did get under way. Gibernau held the lead throughout the race but had to work hard to break away from the two Hondas of Max Biaggi and Valentino Rossi, eventually finishing over 10 seconds ahead of the Biaggi. Troy Bayliss was looking to take third place but went in too hot in an attempt to take Rossi, running wide in to the gravel trap and finishing the race in ninth. The Yamahas of Carlos Checa and Olivier Jacque took fourth and fifth followed by Ducati’s Loris Capirossi, who started the race on pole. Colin Edwards took seventh on the Alice Aprilia with Alex Barros nine seconds behind in eighth, but Edwards team-mate Noriyuki Haga highsided two laps before the end of the race. There's an interview with Craig Jones on the Triumph ValMoto site. This lad is going to be a world champion soon.  23 June 2003
21 June 2003
Good speach from Mr Robert Baer, a former member of the CIA who worked out in Iraq after the 1991 conflict. The speach might be pre- 2003 Gulf War but it shows the mind set of those in power. Seems that the US government thinks nothing of starving children, poisoning the World and leeching resources to the detriment of others, but assassinate? That's illegal! he BBC Website is running a "What the World thinks of America" special. 10 countries were invited to the debate. If you missed the programme then you can watch it by clicking a link on this page. There were two polls: What the World thinks of America, and What America thinks the world thinks of them. South Korea view the US as more of a threat than North Korea! Most of those quizzed, which included Americans, think that the US is arrogant in its approach to world politics. Clare Short gives us an insight into the world of international politics and, in my opinion, rightly warns of the backlash the US might face if it continues to throw its weight about. 
If you're the type who cuts straight to the chase, then these excellent flip-flops are just for you. Wear them on the beach and as you walk the message "SHAG ME" is stamped in the sand. Also featuring comfortable jelly straps - they're the ultimate eye-catching beach holiday accessories. 15 June 2003
The Washington Post has a decent piece on the rise of the newspaper since the demise of the Hussein government. However (you knew there would be a "however"), it appears that the invaders don't like too much free speech. Quick to show the world how the US has introduced freedom of speech, quick to censor. American authorities say they are working on a directive that would ban hate speech and incitements to violence and create a system for registering publications to lend some order to the media landscape. . The NewYork Press warns of "Trailers of Mass Destruction" These are the fabled mobile weapons of mass destruction. They must exist, US Intelligence (I love that phrase) insists they've seen them. They've even published photographs. Not quite as clear as the usual pictures of Nessie or Aliens, but photos nonetheless. I can just see some patriotic souls petrol bombing their local trailer park. The UN has asked Israel to stop building it's segregation wall. How many UN resolutions has the state ignored or broken? I can't see them paying heed to the latest plea. 'By the end of July, 12,000 Palestinians in 15 villages could find themselves wedged between the wall and the Green Line .. a further 138,000 Palestinians in 16 localities could be surrounded on three sides by the wall ..' Israel claims that the wall is aimed at preventing the entry of Palestinians to Israel in a bid to stop suicide bombings inside the green line. However, Israel has altered the route of the wall so that it encroaches several illegal settlements in the West Bank, making it almost impossible on the ground for a contiguous, Palestinian state to be established. The green line was the borderline between the West Bank (which was under Jordanian rule) and Israel prior to the 1967 war. The UN official meanwhile stressed that the wall would clearly obstruct international community efforts aimed at reviving the peace process, since it is being built east of the green line and not on it, as Israel claims. “It could easily be seen as jeopardizing the territorial contiguity of a Palestinian state and thereby inhibiting the establishment of a Palestinian state,” he said. [quotes taken from Palestine Media Center (http://www.palestine-pmc.com/).] It is a costly decision, with each kilometre of fencing estimated at $US1 million - now you know where that $10 billion has gone. Just to add some balance to the debate, here's the views of Professor Martin van Creveld, an Israeli military historian. Go and filch the final strip of my land, Ditch my youth in prison holes, Plunder my legacy, Burn my books, Feed your dogs on my fishes, Go and spread your net of terror Upon the roofs of my village, Enemy of man, I shall not compromise And to the end I shall fight, If you blow out all the candles in my eyes If you fill my anguish. Forge my coin, Uproot the smile from my children's faces, If you raise a thousand walls, And nail my eyes to humiliation, Enemy of man, I shall not compromise And to the end I shall fight." Samih Al-Qassem's poem "Report of a Bankrupt  Long time no Blog and all that. Iraq Stuff Everyone is gay. Well, that seems to be the current theme. Saddam Hussein is gay and we all know about Blair and Bush (nicked, without shame, from Mitch). The situation in Iraq is still "fluid" as reporters like to say. US troops are still meeting resistance. The press alleges that the Iraqi attackers are "loyal to Saddam Hussein". They're not terrorists, these are people who don't want to become the 51st state. 1,300 US soldiers entered Falluja to stamp out Iraqi opposition in that area, they left the next day after making just 7 arrests. Estimated number of civilian deaths during the assault on Iraq:- Min 5534 Max 7207 Bush has also decided (because no one needs to be consulted on these matters) that most major ports in Muslim Middle East countries whoudl have US inspectors to monitor and check all shipping. US inspectors are to be stationed at strategic locations. They include Dubai, a hub for shipping in the Persian Gulf. Also taking part are Malaysia and Turkey, both with predominantly Muslim populations. The move was announced by US Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge: "The basic premise behind each of these elements is very clear. We extend our zone of security outward so that American sea ports and borders become the last line of defence, not the first. All your questions answered :- A WARMONGER EXPLAINS WAR TO A PEACENIK So paranoid am I about an attack while I sit at home (those nasty Arab types are after all of you, you know?!), that I'm searching for comfort by installing a new Firewall. It's seems to be doing a good job; no hacks or attacks (or so it tells me). Best check out this site, before there's nothing left. For those of you who like comic book and film art, check out Craig Mullins' site Bike Stuff Nice little intro into the world of MotoGP (just how poor is that accent, Ewan?) Even if you're not into bikes, its worth watching , just to get an insight into one of the most exciting and dangerous sports going (in my opinion ;-] ) On a sad note, we found out this weekend that a friend and member of the Sportsbiker crew was killed last Thursday whilst out on his bike. Tezza was only 21. His brave girlfriend worked her way through his mobile phone to tell his friends. We don['t know what happened, just that a car was involved. God rest his soul. Special mention to must go to Jim Moodie. Not only did he have the balls to get back on his bike after what could have been a fatal accident, but, when he got back from the Isle of Man, he took the time to e-mail all of his well wishers. Top rider, all round nice guy. Other Stuff Another Hallmark Holiday means I get a double Led Zep CD, a very large slab of Toblerone dark and a card! Talking of presents and cards, don't forget to wish Weebl and Bob "Happy Birthday" Is anyone suprised at the recent announcement that Homer J Simpson has been voted the Greatest American?  06 June 2003
Eight-year-old Palestinian boy Naseem Sobih, center, cries, as does his younger brother Hazim, 4, while other family members grieve queitly, as they crowd into their car, and vacate their village of Yanun, under ongoing pressure from nearby Israeli settlers, in the West Bank, Friday, Oct. 18, 2002. From the Palestine Chronicles "The US government is based on a constitution that includes separation of Church and state, equality, and withholding support of brutal regimes. Yet, according to Amnesty International all countries represented at this summit violate human rights." By Mazin B. Qumsiyeh, Ph.D. The joke being told in Palestinian circles at home and in the Diaspora is that the only part of the speech of Prime Minister Abbas not scripted by the Israelis is the part that says "in the name of God the most merciful." To viewers around the world, he Summit in Jordan was appeared totally surreal. While supposedly intended to begin implementing a road map for peace, the other authors of the road map were not invited: the Europeans, Russia, and the United Nations. Of the Arab countries, only those dictatorial regimes towing the Bush line were invited. As expected, Israeli Prime Minister Sharon talked about Israeli but not Palestinian security. The Palestinian "Prime Minister" Abbas talked about Israeli security but not Palestinian security. This is ironic since Israel has the fourth strongest Army in the world and massive stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction. The decimated Palestinians who have not seen security in 55 years were not allowed to talk about security for their own people but only to talk of "improving humanitarian conditions." But then again that is what is expected in negotiations between a jailer and prisoners. King Abdullah of Jordan talked about his vision of "lets all get along." President Bush talked about the New World Order the same as he always does with minor but important changes. While he had problems saying the word "contiguous", he was not allowed to utter words such as sovereignty for Palestine, International law, human rights, equality, or non-discrimination. In fact, for the first time a US president supported a theocracy by stating than not only he supports Israel as a sovereign state but he supports a "Jewish state" (verbally emphasizing the word "Jewish"). No one mentioned UN resolutions or addressed whether the envisioned Palestinian State will be analogous to the Bantustans/Ghettos under Apartheid South Africa. No one mentioned the massive walls being built around Palestinian enclaves. No one mentioned Arafat, the elected and yet isolated leader of the Palestinians. Sharon promised to immediately "begin" to dismantle unauthorized settlement outposts. No one mentioned that all Israeli settlements in the areas occupied in 1967 are illegal per International law and the 4th Geneva Convention. Israel has not even agreed to abide by the provisions of the road map calling for freeze on settlement activities. Everyone plays a game of "let us pretend." We pretend that the occupied and dispossessed will stop their resistance before their freedom is attained. We pretend that refugees will simply forget their rights to their homes, lands, and businesses. We pretend that settlements do not exist on confiscated Palestinian lands. We pretend that the Arab vassal regimes of Washington can keep the lid on their people's frustrations. We pretend that Israel, which doubled the number of settlers in the occupied areas after signing the Oslo accords will "deal with the settlements." And we pretend that all this talk will bring peace. The US government is based on a constitution that includes separation of Church and state, equality, and withholding support of brutal regimes. Yet, according to Amnesty International all countries represented at this summit violate human rights. Further, our taxes finance an Israeli government with no constitution and a set of basic laws to ensure it remains a country of, by, and for the Jewish people all while denying return of Christians and Muslims brutally and ethnically cleansed from their villages. 70% of Palestinians are refugees or displaced persons and their right of return is not only legal and moral but also logistically possible as studies have shown. Further, a quarter of Israel's 1.3 million non-Jews are considered by the Israeli legal system as "present absentees." Lands and homes vacated by Christian and Muslim refugees and "absentees" are considered state property and turned over to the Jewish agency that administers the land and leases it only to "Jewish development." Thus, the only objection to return is not security nor feasibility but merely maintaining a discriminatory and illegal behavior to favor one religion over others. Incomplete success of the removal of the natives led Israeli governments to isolate the remaining Palestinians in ghettos with high walls. Amnesty International stated that the basic flaw of the Oslo accords and what follows is that they ignored human rights. This is the essence of the "plans" to solve the "problem" in violation of International law. Thus, an alternative International conference is being held in Toronto June 20-22 and will draw emphasis on refugee rights as key to enduring peace in the Middle East and as an alternative to the game of pretense. Iraq Bush and Blair are struggling to come up with any answers about weapons of mass destruction. DOHA, Qatar (VOA) US President Bush says the United States will, "reveal the truth" about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. Speaking Thursday to U.S. troops based in Qatar, the president said U.S. forces are on the lookout for the weapons, that he said ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein hid from United Nations weapons inspectors. A leaked US intelligence report has cast fresh doubt on the coalition claims that Iraq had banned weapons which served as justification for going to war. The secret September 2002 Pentagon intelligence report concluded that there was "no reliable information" that Iraq had biological or chemical weapons. It is believed the report was widely circulated among the Bush administration at a time when senior officials were putting the case for military action. The latest twist in the weapons row came as United Nations nuclear experts arrived in Iraq to investigate post-war looting of material from the country's main nuclear facility. No doubt giving the US a good excuse "er, the WMD's were looted and our reliable intelligence has informed us that they have been sold to [innsert name of country next on the list]." Meanwhile, the invaders, sorry, liberators are finding themselves most unwelcome. A U.S. Central Command statement says a U.S. soldier was killed and five others wounded early Thursday in the town of Fallujah when an unknown assailant fired on them with a rocket-propelled grenade. The Arab satellite television channel Al-Jazeera says U.S. troops conducted sweeps of the town after the attack. Several U.S. troops have been killed in recent weeks in Fallujah, which was a stronghold of the ousted regime. In a separate incident, a U.S. military spokesman says two American soldiers were wounded in Baghdad Thursday when attackers fired on them as they guarded a bank. The rocket grenade attack was featured on last nights excellent report on Channel 4. |
