Has the island ever looked more beautiful today when the sun shines? Do you ever want to live anywhere else on a day like today? I can't bear it, just want to run away and hide.How is it that people who've done the most terrible terrible things live to ripe old ages in prison and yet someone who has never done anyone any harm gets a bout with chemotherapy? I've had my faith tested in many ways over the last few years and yet I have to ask, why test my faith out by hurting someone I'd die for? Wh
The Duke TT Superbike race finally went ahead today, Mad Sunday, 26 hours behind schedule. It was however, a race worth waiting for, with some close fought battles throughout the field.Pre-race favourite and TT lap record holder John McGuiness seemed calm and relaxed at the start. His main challenge was to come from Adrian Archibald, Ryan Farquhar, Bruce Anstey and Martin Finnegan. 41-year-old Ian Lougher should also never be discounted aboard his Honda. The riders were warned of damp patches at
The first day of racing at the TT this year turned out to be a very frustrating one for everyone concerned, as racing did not get underway until 6pm - 6 hours after schedule.The weather this morning had looked promising but mist descended over the hills and the organisers delayed racing from 12 until 1 in the hope that it would lift. These delays continued throughout the day until 3.15 when it was annouced that racing would finally take place at 5.30pm after a two lap practice for the solos. The
Both Wednesday evening and Thursday Afternoon's practice sessions had to be cancelled due to mist on the mountain. Ironically on Wednesday the mist cleared almost as soon as the organisers had made the decision!Next (and final practice before races commence) is scheduled for Friday evening.
As we received the bad news, I stood beside myself and gave myself marks out of ten for calmness under fire, reasonable queries and above all - nodding in a structured manner...I could win gold for nodding based on my performance today. I gave the consultant a whacking 8/10 for style, empathy and content (10/10 only awarded if it had been the all clear, of course). Imagine having that job, I thought to myself, and then going home for tea. honey, I'm home...Anyway, back to the waiting game. It's
Tuesday evening's practice session was run in near-perfect conditions over the 37.73 mile TT course, with only the dazzling sunshine likely to cause any problems for the riders.AS usual the solo machines were out first, headed by Ian 'Lucky' Lougher on his Supersport 600 Honda and local rider Chris Heath. Richard Britton, Martin Finnegan and Gary Carswell also left the pit lane early, as did Japanese rider Jun Maeda who has been improving considerably over the last couple of years and certainly
Below is a list of many events happening over the next 10 days or so. if you're stuck for something to do then maybe something from here can tickle your fancy:Wednesday 1st JuneTT Practice, Roads Close 6pm and re-open about 8.35pmGuilty' Playing live at Bushy's Beer Tent, Douglas Prom.Funfair on Promenade between War Memorial and Bushy's Beer TentTT 2005, Colours Bar (Hilton Hotel Douglas,) every day onwards - videos etcThursday 2nd JuneTT Practice (Afternoon) roads close 1.15pm, re-open 4.30 ap
Apologies for the delay in publishing this as I haven't had acccess to a computer since yesterday afternoon.Yesterday (Monday) evening's practice was run in near-perfect conditions and this was reflected in the total number of machines scrutineered - 234 (170 solos in various classes and 64 sidecars.)John Donnan, Ray Porter, Guy Martin and Irish star Ryan Farquahar were amongst the first machines on the road, all riding their Superbike (1000cc) machines. It was however 3 times TT winner Adrian A
Tonight sees the second practice session of this year's Event. As usual roads close at 6pm with the first bikes away at 6.15pmWeather on the Island today has been fine, sunny outbreaks and a light breeze which should make for ideal conditions tonight. Fortunately the rain has stayed away and Snaefell is clearly visible from my window as I write this, so I can't foresee any problems!There has been a road traffic accident involving two vehicles at Quarry Bends, just past the Wildlife Park. This sh
Practicing for TT 2005 gets underway tonight with roads closing at 6pm and the first bikes away from the Grandstand at 6.15. The practice schedule is as follows:6.15 - 19.30 All solo classes19.35 - 20.25 SidecarsHopefully later on this evening I will have some pics up here from the practice and also some news on times for individual riders.
In view of the weather conditions, the race organisers decided not to time this evening's session with strong winds all around the course, but especially on the mountain. Also apologies for no pictures, as digital camera blurred piccies far too much to be any good!First out were the solo newcomers, escorted by two travelling marshals. Amongst this group were Cameron Donald from Australia and Germany's Markus Barth, both of whom are expected to go well at this year's event. Both riders have Honda
another visit next week. does the afternoon timing mean they have bad news and want to get through the day's work before dealing with the distraught? or what? will i remember what he says? why do you go blank in the docs?two words - if only...
Blustery today with highs and lows and periods of extremely heavy rain. Not much sunshine to speak of but it's welcome none the less.I used to think there were worse things, but it turns out there isn't. Life goes on and I wish it would stop so I can pause to gather my thoughts, probably get a full 14 days solid sleep in and then step up again, fresh and ready to go. I nearly put ready for anything, but I dont think I'll ever be without the weather eye out again watching for the attack on my b
LL got caught today with pants on fire. The moment of triumph, when it finally arrived, was mute and rather anticlimatic. Dull as ditchwater, the little squirt blustered and tried to talk his way out of it again, but I think this is, as our American cousins like to say, "strike two!" I shant be there for strike three, but it really wasn't worth it after all.My friends have seen through the mask and I have been well and truly bollocked for trying to be noble and ultimately, I was told, the centr
I have so many friends, any one of whom would be mortified at the thought of me carrying this alone - yet I cannot tell them how desperately worried I am. Because they will tell their partner and/or their best friend and they will only tell one other who will tell their mum who will tell someone they meet at a bus stop, and eventually it will come back to me made common knowledge and insensitive by the many hands who have held the story of my soul and breaking heart.I am standing tall for my fa
mad, bad and dangerous to know... today! Had a verry bad day indeedy, ran through shoite at about mid thigh level and came out on top holding the fort whilst all others fell by the wayside and wet their pants.... I'd like to say I planned things this way, but I didn't, sometimes stress makes big men weep and others leaders of weeping men.... smokin...!damnn I'm good...sometimes!!
a love-heart with a fruity suggestion left on the CEO's desk today....someone's bowels burst in spectacular fashion in the gents powder room....And guess what - show me the lie-detector machine officer - it wasn't me!!There is ANOTHER player in the game, hitherto unknown amongst the lurking shadows, moulding blu-tack into turds and todgers. Who knows what grievances they are harbouring? Against whom? And for how long? I have less than 3 weeks to find out.....oh boy this is going to be good.
Bought a tube of love hearts at the weekend, and left them in places where the lounge lizard would find them. Oh Lord, thank you for giving me the gift of second sight - He clearly thinks he has a secret admirer! Strutting around doing a Joey ' how YOU doin'?' Oh take me now, baby Jesus for I have seen it all! Have choked on tea and coffee all day, sprayed biscuit all over my desk - have been threatened to be sent to the quack to be checked over for hiccups (!) oh what a day, nearly wet myself
I'm doing a show on mflive tonight. From 10 (unless the football goes to penalties) till 1 ish.First hour is a Velvet Underground special playing tracks by the band and the member's solo work. As well as a track from Lou & John's Pre VU band the Primitives.Plus various covers of the band's songs by Nirvana, Pavement, Galaxie 500, The Strokes and others.Then a few hours of the usual Punk, Funk, Soul, Folk, Garage, stuff to close.Click to listenFinishing up with some Krautrock!!!I'm not curren
If two thirds of those who've viewed my blog are me - well, the figures still look miiiighty fiiiiine! Ic ould make up fuity rendezvous in the stationery cupboard and karmasutra on the boardroom table - giving new meaning to polishing up your presentation skills..... but truth it seems is stranger and more fascinating than fiction. LL has been at the spray tan - oh dear me. oh dearie dearie me - what a disaster. All those hard to reach places that have stayed a fetching pink..eww. He must obvi
Having a slow wind down to the new position, trying hard to tie up loose ends and being damn fine in some areas and possibly sackable in others. Cant get up the energy really, for war or peace. Must be the weather.LL is strutting his funky stuff in the office, thinks he's now in charge...oh to be a fly on the wall when he gets told what I heard over coffee this morning... someone somewhere has woken up - about sodding time...er, sir.And the moral of this tale is - cultivate the cleaning staff -
