Afghan Heroes Night, Queens Head, 12 November 2011

Many, many thanks to everyone who came along to the Queen's Head on Saturday to make it such a great night. With any luck we've between us all raised a fair bit for Afghan Heroes, more details when I've got them in a later post. The later post will also contain rather more (and better) pictures of the event.

In the meantime, a quick shot each of the night's various entertainers:


Axial View


Sisters Of Swing


Fraser Road Race Band


Rock Bottom

Movember 2011

It's that time again - itchy face, weird looks from people on the bus. Yup, it's Movember. Pop along here and leave me some words of encouragement. Cheers y'all!

Hoggin' Teh

Update: Hmmmm. What's this gibberish? Probably best not to post things whilst pissed, but even in that state you'd think I could manage to complete the fucking title :/ I'll get round to a proper Hoggin' The Bridge 2011 post in due course. Possibly.

Tickenham - Rock Bottom

Actually it's not such a bad place, THB. They've got The Star, which (whilst "kid friendly") is actually well worth a visit. And The Star have got Rock Bottom, at least on 21 October, so they should have you, too, also on 21 October. I need a drink.

Burger All

I have exerted my influence (sadly this is in no way as significant as my girth) and burgers will be a-grillin' from around 16.00 at Saturday's Queen's Head bash. Get there early before I eat them all...


Please note that this is a "Macdonald's Advert" style impression of a Semple Burger and is not to be confused with anything that may actually be served on Saturday

One For The Hat

Following the rather bizarre Mitsubishi Family Day in Feeder Road the other week there's another bash in aid of the National Star College at the good old Queen's Head in Fishponds Road, Bristol on Saturday 24th September.


Organised by this man...
We'd love to see you there. Music from Rock Bottom, BBQ, Raffle (run by Paul, so probably worth coming along for in its own right). Starts after whatever football's on live that day. Burgers may start earlier if I have anything to do with it.

Ah Ha

Up and running again. Good. More later :)

See, It Was Well Worth The Effort

Well, no, of course it wasn't. In all probability nothing will *actually* change here in Bristol - the "No Overall Control" council will continue the policy of total incompetence of their illustrious LibDem predecessors. Nationally, the LibDems are getting their first taste of a mid-term electoral bloody nose and would be well advised to see it for what it is and nothing more. The Labour Luvvies will continue to behave like schoolboys who have just discovered playing with their dicks until they find out that their local Tesco Express has run out of their favourite brand of ready-meal and they go back to sulking. Still, it was fun, wasn't it?


Just like New York, apparently
I've not seen a single non-blue Taxi since they were outlawed here on Sunday - I seem to recall the idea was to make Bristol more like New York (why??? and anyway, don't they have yellow taxis?) but never having been there (NY, sadly I'm in Bristol rather a lot) can't really say to what extent this has or has not been a success. I'm pretty sure there isn't a branch of Tescos every five feet in NY though, so in this regard the policy has failed completely. Over to Banksey and the boys, then.


In Bristol, you're never more than bottle-hurling distance from a Tesco
Suggestions would be welcome for new songs for the Rock Bottom set, ideally something that hasn't featured in a Disney film (thank you Mr Semple). Have a good 'un dudes.

Don't Forget To Vote!

That's it, really. Get out there and use your vote.

And have a great day, too.

If That's Football You Can Count Me Out

The press will have some sort of field day with it I guess - a great Messi goal but otherwise an absolute shambolic disgrace from which no one (Messi besides) emerges with any credit whatsoever. If this is the way people want their football then they can have it but count me out, I used to enjoy it when it was a sport but not now.

I imagine UEFA are creaming themselves that they'll get their beloved Barca into the final but, frankly, I no longer give a fuck.

Things To Diarise Whilst You're Bored

And they're both on the same day, just to be inconvenient for you. The 30th April, to be precise. Put them in your diary now, because if you're sensible and have planned ahead you'll have all of next week off. You can spend that lovely holiday time thinking of those not-sensible ones of us who will be sitting at our desks next week watching the rest of you having fun/relaxing in the sun/smearing yourselves in jello and eating ice cream. But I digress.

The two events are simultaneous, so unless you like rushing about you've a choice to make.

At the Queen's Head, Fishponds, there's a memorial Irish Night in support of MacMillan Cancer. Live Irish band (apparently they're really, really good) with a dance caller (what could possibly go wrong?) and real Irish food made by Irish people (well, an Irish person). I am told the food will be green but that this is intentional colouring and not an indication of its age. I remain to be convinced about the quality of this idea, green ham sounds wrong on way too many levels I'm afraid.

If the Irish Night doesn't grab you, or you become overwhelmed by it and need to move on, there's a Japanese Night at the Star in Tickenham in aid of Japan. It's organised by Mitsubishi and is obviously aimed at raising money for disaster relief in Japan. There will be raffles (one prize is a free MOT, I understand) and live music from Rock Bottom (hence I'm going to miss out on the green ham mentioned above). I'm not sure what normally passes for food in Tickenham so can't comment on whether whatever's served up on the night is Japanese themed or not, but I'm told there will be food or some sort to be had. And beer, obviously. You can also park there, which is handy as according to Google maps it's way out beyond the back of beyond. Or somewhere near Clevedon, which is pretty much the same thing if you ask me.

Do try to make it to one of these dos. If not, well, have a great time anyway.

Threes Abound

Three all. We're third. I can live with this. We're six points behind ManUSA (Da Vinci Code readers will be creaming themselves over the number sequences) and still have to play them, and they still have to play that lot from Fulham. No, not actually "Fulham", the other lot. BTW, do Fulham players all get issued with single gloves now?

Beer. That's a thought.

Yes, I Know It's A Mess

Updating, dudes, updating. Bear with me.

Ride Of Respect Revisited

I know you've all been waiting for this ;) Hannah's just sent over the picture of the Queen's Head bikers gathering before set off. And here it is.


Thanks to Curtis for taking the thing. And lets none of us forget what the whole event was about in the first place.

Fiddly Fiddly Fiddle

The Sound Of Moh site has been "tweet reviewed" - constructively, I have to say - and as a result of suggestions received I've been making some changes. Please take a look here and let me know what you think.

Monday Morning And I've Got A Cold

Hmmmm, something odd is going on with Blogger this morning, it seems. And not something connected with my unseasonable cold. But at least my ankles have stopped itching.

More later when I've figured out what's going on here.

My Ankles Itch

Maybe it's just a sign of age, but my ankles (well, mainly my left one) have been itching all morning. Annoying, and the constant stractching probably makes me look even more simian than usual to my work colleagues.

Half way through the working day now and half way through getting the office fax system sorted out. So that's sort of on target then, or would be if there wasn't an external IT bod who isn't here yet involved (or not yet actually involved, obviously). Why do people still insist on using faxes? Is there some legal reason perhaps? Leave a comment if you happen to know if there is any reason apart from obstinacy for continuing to use the wretched things.

It's just about BBQ weather here in Bristol atm so if the weather holds out till tomorrow I could well be out in the garden knocking up some meaty/cheesy thing (OK, a cheeseburger) in time for the ManUSA/BlueMoonOilers soccer match-up in the afternoon. I guess if I had to choose who I'd like to win I'd go for City, them not being United and Chelsea not being involved, but it is rather like being asked which toe you'd like cut off first.

Enjoy what's left of your day!

RIP Danny Fiszman

I wasn't going to comment on the ownership changes at Arsenal until the dust had settled and it was actually clear what the picture going forward was going to be, but Danny Fiszman's sad death - which likelihood given his illness surely has some bearing on other recent events - should not go unremarked, I feel.

Peter Hill-Wood said: "We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend Danny. His voice, wisdom and presence around the football club he so dearly loved will be sorely missed.

"Arsenal Football Club will forever be indebted to Danny for his invaluable foresight and contribution during the move from Highbury to our new stadium.

"Our thoughts at this time are with his wife Sally, family and friends. We have lost a much loved husband, father, grandfather and friend."

In Danny Fiszman's passing the club have lost a great servant and supporter. May he rest in peace.

Night Of Respect Update

The Queen's Head Night Of Respect raised the not-insignificant sum of £469.49, which is now safely in the hands of Afghan Heroes. Once again, a huge thank you to everyone there. Buy yourself a pint!

BTW, there's now an official Afghan Heroes YouTube page - it's well worth a look and you can find it here.

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Pretty Pictures

No, not here. Here. Some fairly decent shots of Rock Bottom at the Night Of Respect last Saturday. Anyone got any of the Fraser Road Race chaps?

Tweet

Your Presence Requested

Come along to The Star at Tickenham on 30th April for a charity event in aid of Japan Disaster Relief. Rock Bottom will be playing. The event is being organised by the local Mitsubishi parts unit. There should be raffles and other fun activities (raffles can be fun I think) so why not go a tad off-piste and head on over?


The Star's not entirely helpful website can be found here.

Tweet

Nope, You'd Be Wrong There

"At Arsenal the fans loved me, I think even today they love me" says Emmanuel Adebayor. You'd be wrong there, dude. I didn't love you then and I sure don't love you now. In fact I think you're a dick and I don't think I'm alone in this view.


Now just make sure you stay fucked-off in Spain or wherever.

Night Of Respect

A great and very well supported night at the Queens Head on Saturday raised a good deal for the very worthy Afghan Heroes charity. We'll have a final figure once The Boss has taken the buckets down to the charity HQ. Many thanks to everyone who contributed, in particular the Fraser Road Race Band and Roast Busters who all came up from darkest Somerset to keep us entertained and fed.


The following morning saw 17 bikes head off from outside the QH to Wooton Bassett - sorry, ROYAL Wooton Bassett! - for the Ride Of Respect. Pictures to follow if Curtis remembered to take the lens cap off.

Tweet

Now I'm All Confused

Hmmmm. Perhaps those "England regulars" who sloped off back to their teams (well, largely Chelsea) after the "job done" against the pitiful Welsh on Saturday won't be feeling quite so smug this morning. England Lite put on a performance that was thoroughly professional and entertaining to boot. And against far better opposition than Wales.

Perhaps Don Fabio may now feel he can ditch the old boys?

Reserves: Wigan 2 Arsenal 1

Jens played the whole 90 minutes, the team played most of the game with 10 men and we lost 2-1. And this evening it's England-Lite vs Ghana. Yippee.

Eezacont

So will you be watching John Terry's Ingerlund? I'm frankly not sure I can bring myself to - JT isn't really representative of much that I've ever cherised about England, I have to say, and I do think it matters. Interestingly, whilst Space Admiral Blackthorn said he'd support the English football team no matter who was captain, he backtracked when a certain Mr Cole was suggested for the role. "Cashley? No ****ing way!".

Perhaps he's a closet Cheryl fan.

WTF??? It's Titanic-Bot!

Here's a total "I want some of whatever the bloke who designed this is on" moment:



Has the return of Jens triggered an international insanity outbreak?

Conspiracy Theory Of The Day

Hmmm. Who won the 2010 World Cup? Where will the 2018 World Cup be held? A somewhat prescient article that's worth a couple of minutes of your time can be found here.

He's Back!

According to the red tops Mad Jens has rejoined until the summer. Absolutely fantastic news if true.



The rest of the season just got interesting!

And Here We Are Again

Another Monday comes around and this week the sun's come out to play too. Nice here, nowhere near so nice in Japan of course. Good luck to all you out there.

On the home front, apparently there's a good chance John Terry will be made captain for the upcoming Wales game. This wouldn't be a good thing IMHO. What would be a good thing, however, is Mad Jens playing for the Arsenal again and it's being reported that there is also some chance of this. Now that would be fun.

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I still can't get my head round this. Beer.

They Won't Like It Up 'Em

Still fuming over the RVP10 dismissal, I've come to a decision. I'm supporting Spurs to win the CL. Odd? No, makes perfect sense. What better way to nip over to Europe, give the English-hating Platini and his UEFA cronies a bloody nose and get back in time for tea than for 'Arry "Barrow Boy" Redknapp to win the thing. "Gawd bless you, Mr Platini" as he lifts the trophy. Fuck 'em. Make it so, 'Arry.

Alan Green last night on 5 Live seems to have missed the point. Not unusual, I'll grant, entertaining though he might be. At the point RVP was sent off BARCELLONA WERE LOSING. Let's do that again. BARCELLONA WERE ON THEIR WAY OUT OF THE CL. Barcellona are in the next round by dint of the referee giving them an unfair advantage. Willingly or not they have cheated their way there. So hurry up 'Arry.

I'm going down the pub.

Afghan Heroes Gig 2 April 2011

Pop along to the Queens Head, Fishponds Road, Bristol on the evening of 2 April 2011 for an evening of music and frivolity in support of the Afghan Heroes charity - many of the attendees will be taking part in the Ride Of Respect through Wooton Bassett on the following morning.

Music from The Fraser Road Race Band and Rock Bottom, probably the cheapest beer in Bristol and lots of people in leather. Sounds good, yes?