Australia gets it done

Boy are my prognostications being put to the test today. First, Japan surrendered a 1-nil lead in the final throes of the match to an on-fire Tim Cahill who scored a brace in the last 6 minutes of the match. With a third coming from John Aloisi in the dying gasp of the match. and now, with only 5 minutes gone in the US/Czech Republic game, the United States are down 1 goal and a states defender has already received a yellow card. This does not bode well. **UPDATE** Perhaps I shall no longer publish my predictions, but instead simply gloat or cry quietly when they come true or fail to do so. The United States are down 2-nil at the break. A massive uphill battle for the team if they want to come out of this table unscathed. Come on the boys. **UPDATE** How utterly embarassing. The first US national team with half a chance and their arses get handed to them. The Czech Repbulic beat the US soundly by the difference in their FIFA rankings. Czech Republic is ranked 2nd in the world right behind Brazil while the USA is ranked 5th. Now, if we can only beat Ghana & Italy by the difference in our FIFA rankings, all will be set right in the world. You see, Ghana is ranked 48th while Italy is ranked 13th. Yes, I'd like to see those scorelines. One more game today with Italy taking on Ghana. I'm zero & two on my predictions for the day, so let's see what Ghana can do to poor Italy. **UPDATE** 1-nil to the Azurri at the half. Although Ghana have been pressing forward and forcing Italy to play a bit of scramble-ball. A quite entertaining first half. More to come. Wastrel On.

6 matches on the weekend

and I'm infused with footy. I managed to watch all 6 games over the weekend and also snuck in the two from Friday. It was glorious. England vs Paraguay was vastly disappointing with England being very flat & lackluster. If this is the best team that England have had in years, thus their best chance at a title, I'm a little (no, a lot) worried. The only reason that England won the game is that Paraguay was even more disappointing than England in terms of pace, depth & skill. Never in the history of the World Cup has a 1-Nil game been decided by an own goal. It’s quite the inauspicious start for the England hopefuls if you ask me. However, they do sit atop the group table because of an impressive Trinidad & Tobago. Now, talk about an entertaining game. This game is one that flies fast in the face of the American view of a good game. No goals! And yes, Americans are that shallow. However, this game was the most spirited & most entertaining game of the weekend. The Swedes, heavy favourites going in, were never able to break down a tenacious & aggressive T&T backline. Freddie Ljungberg (of Arsenal) gave it 110% through the entire game and really worried the outside fullbacks for T&T, but could never quite wear them down. The fact that T&T went down to 10 men on a spurious call from the official only 1 minute into the second half and still held the offensively driven Swedes to a goalless draw is just absolutely brilliant. If they do that to England as well, *heh*, we'll see won't we; but that game’s not until the 15th of June, so England has a bit of time to work up a decent game plan. Group C featured Argentina playing the Ivory Coast & Serbia & Montenegro playing Holland. In both games I wished desperately for the Orange to triumph. In the first game, Argentina vs. Ivory Coast, I was pulling for IC for two reasons. First, I detest Argentina and all their arrogance. Second, there are two Arsenal players on the IC team, and I always want Gunners to do well, whatever their nationality might be. So, sadly, the IC did not win, but they made a good show ad it was an entertaining match. Argentina won 2-1. In the other game, the Netherlands vs. S&M, I always pull for Holland. I have fond memories of Holland from my youth, so they always rate high on my list. They played an enjoyable-to-watch match and came out the winners 1-Nil over a rather hapless Serbia & Montenegro. And finally we move on to Group D where Mexico entertained Iran to the tune of 3-1 and Portugal only just beat Angola 1-Nil. I had counted on Mexico to beat Iran, but had hoped otherwise seeing as how I truly believe that Mexico need to be knocked back a peg or ten because of their amazingly arrogant attitude at the moment. Portugal, however, I expected to leave Angola in the dust. That did not happen; instead Angola pushed & prodded and produced a fine product in a massive fun-to-watch match. This was my favourite game of the weekend, and well worth watching again & again. So, at the end of three days, the groups look like this: Group A: Germany 3 Ecuador 3 (shock!) Costa Rica 0 Poland 0 Group B England 3 (luck) T&T 1 Sweden 1 Paraguay 1 Group C Argentina 3 Netherlands 3 Cote d'Ivoir 0 S&M 0 Group D Mexico 3 Portugal 3 Angola 0 Iran 0 Today we have 2 games from Group E and one game from Group F USA/Czech Republic (E) Italy/Ghana (E) Australia/Japan (F) USA, Italy & Japan will win these games. In the meantime, Wastrel On! (Listening to See What Tomorrow Brings by the Arc Angels)

A Dream Start for Ecuador

Ecuador lead, starlingly over Poland by 1-nil on the 24th minute. A glorious throw by de La Cruz was flicked on by Delgado to the backpost where Tenorio places it gently in the net. It's a funny ol' game isn't it? Delgado had another opportunity on 28 minutes but failed to score. It's nearly the halfway point and anything can happen, but it looks like Ecuador will be walking to the locker room as the unlikely leaders. **Updated** It's half-time, and Ecuador are indeed leading a struggling Poland 1-nil on the strength of a Tenorio goal. **Updated** And that's the final whistle, Ecuador have taken a very precious three points from Poland in the second game of the competition. How many more surprises will we see? Poland mounted a very late high-pressure attack, but only succeeded in striking the woodwork twice in the final four (4) minutes. Wastrel On!

the World Cup Begins

The first game of the 2006 World Cup has finished. It was always going to be a tough game for the valiant Costa Rica, but the expected victors emerged on top. However, the home crowd was given quite a scare by their national team. Germany went up 1-nil within the first 6 or so minutes of the game; but it wasn't long before Paulo Wanchope managed to equalise. Germany's defence seemed rooted as Wanchope scooped up a through pass and slotted it in behind Lehmann. My, but the stadium was shocked and rightfully so. Were I a betting man, I'd have placed money on a clean sheet by Lehmann in this first match. Good thing I'm not much of a gambler. Prior to the break, however, Germany did manage to score a second to give them a 2-1 advantage heading into the locker rooms. Emerging, Costa Rica took the game to the midfield and tried to eliminate the massive possession that Germany enjoyed in the first half. That didn't last overlong as Germany went up 3-1 and Costa Rica had go on the offensive. Paulo Wanchope to the rescue; Costa Rica had but 1 shot and 1 goal to this point, so Wanchope decided to try his hand at a second shot and scored again. 3-2, and who'd have predicted this scoreline?! With 3 minutes left in the game, Germany managed a 4th goal to leave the valiant Costa Rica on the floor, but pleased by their efforts. The stadium, as expected, roared their approval for the team. Six goals in the first game? I think we may be in for a cracker of a tournament. Wastrel On!

A Madness Descends

Once every four years, a madness grips the world in such a fervor that countries close down, enemies embrace and the world very nearly stops turning as collectively people across the world hold their breath. I'm not talking ofthe Olympics, no nothing nearly as pedestrian as that. I'm referring to that sporting event of all sporting events, the World Cup! This year, the event is being held in Germany, a place dear to my heart and only real-world woes & facts prevented my presence. I will have to content myself with watching the woeful coverage as presented by ESPN, ESPN2 & ABC (please may the football gods smile on us and let ESPN broadcast the finals!). I have put together a comprensive list of all the matches here for your use. I've also added in the network that will be televising that match in the U.S. So for your pleasure, knowledge & use, here is a table of some of the best football matches you're ever likely to see.

Wastrel On and Come On the Lions!

(oh, and an addendum now: I'm a programmer by trade and that does include web-design. So, by habit, I write well-structured, man-readable code (HTML in this case). This piece of shit's Blogger programmers have apparently decided that no one is as smart as they are so have added functions to their Publish procedure that inserts a <br /> every time it encounters a line break...even when you're in Edit HTML mode. Chrissus, this table has a lot of structured HTML in it, which means a lot of line-breaks. It just took me nearly three times as long to unstructure my HTML as it did to build the damn thing in the first place. My happy affair with blogger is currently not very happy.So, if you find yourself in a situation where blogger has inserted a shit load of space between your text & your table, it's because of this little feller right here...the innocuous <br />. You'll need to rewrite your code so that there are no line-breaks at all. Cheeky bastard)

Match #	Date/Time	Group	Nation	v	Nation	Venue	TV
Match 1	Jun 9 12:00 ET	A	Germany	v	Costa Rica	Munich	ESPN2
Match 2	Jun 9 15:00 ET	A	Poland	v	Ecuador	Gelsenkirchen	ESPN2
Match 3	Jun 10 09:00 ET	B	England	v	Paraguay	Frankfurt	ABC
Match 4	Jun 10 12:00 ET	B	Trinidad & Tobago	v	Sweden	Dortmund	ABC
Match 5	Jun 10 15:00 ET	C	Argentina	v	Ivory Coast	Hamburg	ESPN2
Match 6	Jun 11 09:00 ET	C	Serbia & Montenegro	v	Netherlands	Leipzig	ESPN2
Match 7	Jun 11 12:00 ET	D	Mexico	v	Iran	Nuremburg	ABC
Match 8	Jun 11 15:00 ET	D	Angola	v	Portugal	Cologne	ESPN2
Match 9	Jun 12 15:00 ET	E	Italy	v	Ghana	Hanover	ESPN2
Match 10	Jun 12 12:00 ET	E	United States	v	Czech Republic	Gelsenkirchen	ESPN2
Match 11	Jun 13 15:00 ET	F	Brazil	v	Croatia	Berlin	ESPN2
Match 12	Jun 12 09:00 ET	F	Australia	v	Japan	Kaiserslautern	ESPN2
Match 13	Jun 13 12:00 ET	G	France	v	Switzerland	Stuttgart	ESPN2
Match 14	Jun 13 09:00 ET	G	South Korea	v	Togo	Frankfurt	ESPN2
Match 15	Jun 14 09:00 ET	H	Spain	v	Ukraine	Leipzig	ESPN2
Match 16	Jun 14 12:00 ET	H	Tunisia	v	Saudi Arabia	Munich	ESPN2
Match 17	Jun 14 15:00 ET	A	Germany	v	Poland	Dortmund	ESPN2
Match 18	Jun 15 09:00 ET	A	Ecuador	v	Costa Rica	Hamburg	ESPN2
Match 19	Jun 15 12:00 ET	B	England	v	Trinidad & Tobago	Nuremburg	ESPN2
Match 20	Jun 15 15:00 ET	B	Sweden	v	Paraguay	Berlin	ESPN
Match 21	Jun 16 09:00 ET	C	Argentina	v	Serbia & Montenegro	Gelsenkirchen	ESPN2
Match 22	Jun 16 12:00 ET	C	Netherlands	v	Ivory Coast	Stuttgart	ESPN2
Match 23	Jun 16 15:00 ET	D	Mexico	v	Angola	Hanover	ESPN
Match 24	Jun 17 09:00 ET	D	Portugal	v	Iran	Frankfurt	ESPN2
Match 25	Jun 17 15:00 ET	E	Italy	v	United States	Kaiserslautern	ABC
Match 26	Jun 17 12:00 ET	E	Ghana	v	Czech Republic	Cologne	ABC
Match 27	Jun 18 12:00 ET	F	Brazil	v	Australia	Munich	ABC
Match 28	Jun 18 09:00 ET	F	Japan	v	Croatia	Nuremburg	ABC
Match 29	Jun 18 15:00 ET	G	France	v	South Korea	Leipzig	ABC
Match 30	Jun 19 09:00 ET	G	Togo	v	Switzerland	Dortmund	ESPN2
Match 31	Jun 19 15:00 ET	H	Spain	v	Tunisia	Stuttgart	ESPN2
Match 32	Jun 19 12:00 ET	H	Saudi Arabia	v	Ukraine	Hamburg	ESPN2
Match 33	Jun 20 10:00 ET	A	Ecuador	v	Germany	Berlin	ESPN
Match 34	Jun 20 10:00 ET	A	Costa Rica	v	Poland	Hanover	ESPN2
Match 35	Jun 20 15:00 ET	B	Sweden	v	England	Cologne	ESPN
Match 36	Jun 20 15:00 ET	B	Paraguay	v	Trinidad & Tobago	Kaiserslautern	ESPN2
Match 37	Jun 21 15:00 ET	C	Netherlands	v	Argentina	Frankfurt	ESPN
Match 38	Jun 21 15:00 ET	C	Ivory Coast	v	Serbia & Montenegro	Munich	ESPN2
Match 39	Jun 21 10:00 ET	D	Portugal	v	Mexico	Gelsenkirchen	ESPN
Match 40	Jun 21 10:00 ET	D	Iran	v	Angola	Leipzig	ESPN2
Match 41	Jun 22 10:00 ET	E	Czech Republic	v	Italy	Hamburg	ESPN2
Match 42	Jun 22 10:00 ET	E	Ghana	v	United States	Nuremburg	ESPN
Match 43	Jun 22 15:00 ET	F	Japan	v	Brazil	Dortmund	ESPN
Match 44	Jun 22 15:00 ET	F	Croatia	v	Australia	Stuttgart	ESPN2
Match 45	Jun 23 15:00 ET	G	Togo	v	France	Cologne	ESPN
Match 46	Jun 23 15:00 ET	G	Switzerland	v	South Korea	Hanover	ESPN2
Match 47	Jun 23 10:00 ET	H	Saudi Arabia	v	Spain	Kaiserslautern	ESPN
Match 48	Jun 23 10:00 ET	H	Ukraine	v	Tunisia	Berlin	ESPN2
Match 49	Jun 24 11:00 ET	1	Winner A	v	Runner-Up B	Munich	TBD
Match 50	Jun 24 15:00 ET	2	Winner C	v	Runner-Up D	Leipzig	TBD
Match 51	Jun 25 11:00 ET	3	Winner B	v	Runner-Up A	Stuttgart	TBD
Match 52	Jun 25 15:00 ET	4	Winner D	v	Runner-Up C	Nuremburg	TBD
Match 53	Jun 26 11:00 ET	5	Winner E	v	Runner-Up F	Kaiserslautern	TBD
Match 54	Jun 26 15:00 ET	6	Winner G	v	Runner-Up H	Cologne	TBD
Match 55	Jun 27 11:00 ET	7	Winner F	v	Runner-Up E	Dortmund	TBD
Match 56	Jun 27 15:00 ET	8	Winner H	v	Runner-Up G	Hanover	TBD
Match 57	Jun 30 11:00 ET	I	Winner Match 1	v	Winner Match 2	Berlin	TBD
Match 58	Jun 30 15:00 ET	II	Winner Match 5	v	Winner Match 6	Hamburg	TBD
Match 59	Jul 1 11:00 ET	III	Winner Match 3	v	Winner Match 4	Gelsenkirchen	TBD
Match 60	Jul 1 15:00 ET	IV	Winner Match 7	v	Winner Match 8	Frankfurt	TBD
Match 61	Jul 4 15:00 ET	a	Winner Match I	v	Winner Match II	Dortmund	TBD
Match 62	Jul 5 15:00 ET	b	Winner Match III	v	Winner Match IV	Munich	TBD
Match 63	Jul 8 15:00 ET		Loser Match a	v	Loser Match b	Stuttgart	TBD
Match 64	Jul 9 14:00 ET		Winner Match a	v	Winner Match b	Berlin	TBD

Silhouette of Glamis Castle

Well, I just read Flickr ToS (Terms of Service) and it seems as though I've been cocking it up for over a year. I should be doing this: , rather than just posting the picture as I have been doing. Bad Kyle! So that's that. That huge balding gorilla, Kahn, has thrown in with Lehmann over in the German goalmouth providing all the support he hasn't provided in years. (Read) while the German camp itself has claimed that they are delighted to have Lehmann in the net. If England can't win, and the USA can't win, I'm all for Germany. Or more to the point, I'm for Lehmann and very not for Brazil who currently sit as the bookies odds-on. Inter seem, for some weird reason, to be interested in Sol. Which, as far as I'm concerned is a great thing as we'll then be able to get that monstrosity off of our books and replace him with competance & maturity. While that drama is beginning it looks like ManU(re) have kicked up some interest in Vieira. Wouldn't that be odd! (Read) Finally, congratulations to wunderkind Theo Walcott for becoming the youngest player to cap for England, breaking Rooney's record by some few days (36 to be exact). And chrissus, but the kid's not even played a Premiership game yet. Can he cope with the pressure of the world stage? And if he does so successfully, what sort of massive ego is that child going to have coming out of it. Here's hoping that Wenger, who claims to be excited for next season already, does a better job of managing Theo than that old Scottish Fart,Ferguson did with Rooney. Right. Well that's that. Day's done and I'm gonna have a beer. Wastrel On! (Listening to Dance Hall At Louse Point by PJ Harvey)

It's done. A long-time dream turned nightmare then joyful reality has finished it's inaugural, if quite difficult, season at Scarborough Faire. For many years, I have been enamoured of games; games of all sorts, types, styles, genres & methodologies have called to me, beckoned me, even controlled me. Now, I control them under the guise of East Wind Games. Through this mask I have donned I call upon the histories of the world and produce from them the games of antiquity for the modern sensibility. A difficult task to be sure, and one not undertaken lightly. In all reality, I wasn't even sure I could do it. However, with the amazing love & support of my family & friends (one in the same in many instances), I prevailed & have emerged from the ashes of the first season not only unscathed but in essence reborn. The value I place on these individuals and groups for getting me through (sometimes pushing me through) this first season is immense, invaluable and completely beyond any and all efforts of repayment. I cannot thank them enough, pay them enough or love them enough for their support. To my wonderful "staff" of Curtis, Mary, Bethany, Ken & Mary and to the pre-faire workers Rick, Starr, Terrill, Anna & Donny my undying gratitude, thanks and love. To my new found friends in the Blazing Sun, I'm proud to be counted in your ranks and hope to never give cause for regret. You will forever be welcomed at East Wind Games. The ladies of Queen Anne's Lace & the Nuns of Hey Nunnie, Nunnie deserve especial thanks for always providing entertainment on the nearby stage and for keeping me company during periods of non-patron boredom. Those delightfully beautiful and kind tarts, Iris & Rose who stopped by daily for hugs, kisses & whisky; thank you very much! To Clay & Frank and their fantastic photos which I have grabbed for my own use, my hat's off to your talent & selflessness. To David for his unmitigated belief and ability to help, I really couldn't have done it without you! To all those whom I have not mentioned, my apologies but more importantly my sincere gratitude for believing in me, supporting me and at times consoling me. Lastly to Marita Beth who truly did push & goad me into this endeavour my undying, unmitigated love & thanks. Sure, she forced my hand by making the decision for me, and for a time it was tense. However, her foresight, her talent & her managerial skills have resulted in a business model that is at once innovative & forward thinking while pulling on the lessons of history. She is the impetus, the catalyst, indeed the soul of East Wind Games. So now, we look to the off-season. We look to the creation & establishment of new products & product lines. We look to capitalize on the existence of the internet and push eastwindgames.com into the public awareness for continued success. Our heads no longer down straining against a perceived yoke, we have shed the ties that bound us and step forward proudly and un-shackled knowing that we shall only be re-shackled by our own choice. East Wind Games is alive and I thank every single one of your for your part in its success. With love, Ludo Ergo Sum Kyle

Paisley Abbey

WEll, two things happened almost simulatenously. First, I ran out of time with which to write in this venue. Secondly, and probably more important, our trip was over. My last entry was from the night before our departure wherein we spent the day & evening in Soho. I don't like to dwell overmuch on negatives (although I expect certain friends of mine may say otherwise) so I shan't mention our final day in London; nor shall I discuss how very ill I was on the omnibus ride to the airport; nor shall I talk to just how badly I didn't want to leave. Instead, I shall simply start over. Above is one of the first photos I posted on this travelogue. At the time I was linking to my account on that evil, evil service. However, I have cleaned the photo a little and it now resides at Flickr in my Trip2Scotland photoset. Much better. I have nothing more to add to what I wrote earlier, except perhaps that I really want to return....and soon. So, that's that then. Still no time, really, but there it is. Wastrel On! (Listening to: I've Been in Love Before by Cutting Crew)

Palladium by Night

By this time of the day, I was well & truly besotted. Marita Beth had done her fair share of shopping while I did my share of ale-drinking during the day; then we went to the theatre. The Palladium theatre was showing the final run of the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and we went. Of course, what's a theatre-event without a Manhattan or five, right? So, by the time this photo was taken I was a little bleary-eyed. Truth told, I'm surprised it turned out as well as it did. Our trip to the U.K. was nearly over & I was making every last minute count. Arsenal played Tottenh*m on the weekend and pulled a draw out of their arse at the near-death of the match. Apparently, and I've not seen the match yet, the Tottenham goal was a bit controversial and both sides are screaming for apologies. But in the end, it's our own damn fault that we have to fight so hard for fourth place. Now, all eyes have to look forward to tomorrow's game against Villareal. We take a 1-0 advantage to their home. Unfortunately we do it without Senderos who suffered a knee injury against the Sp*rs. So, we're likely going to have to suffer Sol's presence in the back-four since we have to play a heavily-defensive game. Even the concession of one goal is not advisable in this game. So, come on the boys & let's make it 10 straight clean-sheets in a row. Yah! Wastrel On! (Listening to: Vigo Bay by Minotaur Shock)

The Blue Posts

The Blue Posts is a lovely Pub established sometime in the early-mid 1700's. Apparently there are four Blue Posts in Soho and they mark, or nearly mark, the four corners of what was originally the Soho hunting ground. Of course, now Soho is a hunting ground of a different, less-safe sort. Still, the Blue Posts was charming and low-brow enough to serve this displaced US citizen a much-desired ale. I wiled away a very short time here as my wife shopped for shoes around the corner. I do that a lot when we travel; waste time in a pub while my wife shops. It seems to work. Arsenal play T*ttenham tomorrow in what is likely the most important derby in several decades. An Arsenal loss will most certainly mean that 4th place, and thus a secured Champion's League spot, remains just out of reach. While a win won't necessarily mean we have taken 4th, it will go a long way toward securing it. Of course, even if we don't get the 4th place but manage to somehow win the Champion's League then the Sp*rs will slide on down to UEFA Cup anyway. So come on the boys, one way or t'other. Leaving the office now, headed to the Ft. Worth Main Street Arts Festival. A yearly sojourn into Sundance Square to see what's on the offering from artists the world over. Some years there's great stuff, some years not so much. That's that for all that! Wastrel On! (Listening to: Foggy Mountain Breakdown by Earl Scruggs & Friends)

The Front of the Clachan Pub in London

Life took over. This is my first real opportunity in over a week to write. That opportunity coincides with my wife's birthday (Happy Birthday, kitten) and my one-year anniversary at the job I've held for nearly 6 years. Scarborough Renaissance Festival has started for good or for bad. I'm no longer free to come & go (or even choose not to go). I must be there to maintain & operate my shop. East Wind Games is going well. Better than expected, not nearly as well as hoped for; but it's certainly in the realm of reasonable expectation. Weeks of routine maintenance and thumb-twiddling have ended as suddenly multiple projects, each with their own pressing deadline, were thrown upon me at the same time. My leisure time is less, my ulcer is more. The photo you see here is the exterior of the Clachan pub taken from the front. It's the same pub I wrote about in my previous post and nothing about it has changed, so read that. Barcelona have bested AC Milan in Milan in leg one of their Champions League semi-final tussle. AC Milan have an uphill battle next as they travel to Barcelona to attempt to even the score. Arsenal play Villareal tomorrow in the first leg of their tie. That match will take place at Highbury where it will be greeted as the final European game to be staged at that fine old stadium. Let's here it for the Boys. That's it. Off for beer then I'll be taking my wife to dinner. Wastrel On! (Listening to: Fields of Athenry by the Dubliners)

The Clachan

After leaving Shakespeare's Head, we spent some time shopping in the hustle & bustle that is the Oxford & Regents street mall. Kelly, Joseph & Edward went and did their own thing, but I don't recall what that was. This left Marita Beth & I doing our own thing until we had to head to the theatre later in the afternoon. We're walking through the crowded streets of Soho, London in a fine warm afternoon. Marita Beth wants to shop, which is no great surprise, she always wants to shop. So, that leaves me shopping...Or doing something else. I chose something else; and what should that something else be? Hell, I'm in London, that something else is going to be ale. So around the corner I strode, after warning my lovely lady that I was leaving her to her shopping, and espied The Clachan. Fabulous. The Clachan is a Victorian structure tucked into an alley behind the Liberty (that grand Tudor style building you can see in the background). Built somewhere around 1898, it has been modernized but retains much of its original fittings & fixtures. It used to be called The Bricklayers but at some point it's name was changed to The Clachan and no one is really very sure why. The word clachan means "village" in Scots Gaelic. I sat and drank my 1/2 bitter while my wife window-shopped. Eventually she joined me, I finished my bitter, verified she didn't want one and we left. Jens Lehmann has been given the nod by Klinnsman as the number 1 for the German squad. And it's no wonder, he's been in righteous form for the Arsenal for the past few months and truthfully deserves it. At least considerably more than that blonde baboon that has been the German number 1. That's it for the day. Scarborough Faire starts tomorrow, so it's my first "official" day in business as East Wind Games. It's going to be a gas. Wastrel On! (Listening to: Response by Gary Burton)

Shakespeare's Head

I seem to be a little jumbled. The other day, I wrote about a visit to an Italian Ristorante in London. Well, that visit came after drinks at the Shakespeare's Head Pub. At least, I think it did. I recall sitting in Shakespeare's Pub waiting for Kelly & Joseph (and maybe Edward) to arrive. I wish my memory was better, perhaps Marita Beth's travelogue will provide the correct answer. Either way, the Pub was very fun & sits in a lovely Yuppie part of London with gads of shopping in a walk-only open-air mall. Delightful Arsenal, for the first time in the very long, very rich club history, are through to the semi-finals fo the Champions League. On the heels of their 2-0 win over Juventus a week ago, they played in Turin last night and forced a draw from the Italian side with yet one more Juve seeing red. Marvelous performance from the team. However, it's not over; and if we want Henry to stay, which we do, we really need to win the cup. We have Villareal next, and then hopefully after that 2-leg tie we'll see either Benfica or Barcelona (I'm hoping for Benfica, personally) in the finals. It's important to Henry, it's important to Arsenal and it's important to me. On the weekend we have ManU. This one is critical if for no other reason than for morale. If we can take ManU, we'll jump Tottenham into fourth. From there it's a matter of clinging arse-tight to that spot. Come on the boys! Wastrel On! (Listening to: Ring of Fire by Social Distortion)

Arsenal Stadium

The time had finally arrived. I'm a life-long Gooner. I've been to London numerous times. I'd never been to Highbury. This was my time. We had originally planned to do the London portion of the trip on the front end but something, I cannae remember what, forced us to switch it to the hind-end. Call it serendipity, call it coincidence, call it what you will; but because we moved our London touring to the Arse-end of the trip, I was present at Highbury, standing in queue with a million and half other Gooners to get the new strip. Yep, that's right, this boy & his wife were there when the new strip for the final year at Highbury was released. I cannot even begin to describe that feeling; I was in awe and completely overwhelmed. So much so, that I failed, despite my wife's urgings, to take the club up on their free tour offer. I'm such a dolt. We did spend some considerable time wandering around the Marble Halls and looking at the exhibit that they had set up. We also took some time and went upstairs to the Gunner museum. Just a completely amazing experience. Since Highbury is to be replaced soon, this was my last chance. I'm so thankful I took it. And speaking of the Arsenal, what a win last night! 2-nil over Juventus with Fabregas (the man of the match) proving to the world that Wenger was right in holding faith with the youngster. Poor Paddy Vieira was put into his proper place by an 18-year old. hah. I'm delighted the Gunner faithful paid Patrick his due respects and greeted the icon with warm applause; but I'm doubly delighted that we kicked the sod's arse up & down the pitch. Now, let's do it again in 10 days time! Wastrel On! (Listening to: Tales From the Vienna Woods by Johann Strauss)