Pending to Manchester.


5.33 this morning finds me boarding the Fastrack to Kings Cross. More strange was the fact that of the 4 people who got on i knew one of them. So i have i chat and get to Kings Cross in no time.

6.36 finds me somewhere i haven’t been for over 20 years, on a train bound for Manchester. In my day these were called Intercitys and were run (!) by Britsh Rail. Nowadays, Virgin owns the train and its called a Pendelino.

Surprisingly enough, work haven’t put me in first class, so carriage C awaits, and here i am now typing away on my laptop, fully connected to the internet. Now this may not be news to many, but to someone who has worked in IT since pre commercial internet (just about :)), it still surprises me from time to time, how lucky we are to be able to live this always connected life.

Anyway back to Virgin. Fair play to R Branson (or whoever he has sold this venture to) The train is well kept, comfortable, and actually relaxing. Apprarently food is ok as well, which to anyone who remembers the BR sarnie being the butt of many TV comedians in the 70’s/80’s, should resonate as a surprise.

Just leaving Winslow bound for Manchester Piccadilly. Will probably post later on the way back. Will i use rail for all long journeys now ? Probably not, but i won’t wait 20 years either.

WHU vs Leeds Utd. 21/08/2011


A fantastic win for the Hammers earlier on in the week against Watford, tied in with Leeds beating local rivals Hull 4-1 on the same night, meant that this Sunday lunchtime game could of been a blinder.

Leeds filled their allocation, of 2/3 of the lower centinary, and were in fine voice before the start. However, they were silenced early on when CC got on the end of one of the many corners we appeared to be having. Once again, for the rest of the half, we seemed to have most of the possession and no end product. Also, and more worryingly for Big Sam, is our inability to defend corners. We seem to have the hangover panic from last season. But, when we we have the corners Tonka seems to be winning everything, and came close with a couple.

The best Leeds player, Max Gradel, had a bit of a shocker missing a penalty that could of took Leeds to a draw at half time. Maybe he needs to move to a bigger club to fulfill his potential. 🙂

So half time came and went, and we started out in similar form, but then Leeds started getting the upper hand. It was only a matter of time, and it came in the 59th minute with a good finish from Ross McCormack. As luck would have it though, Kisnorbo screamed a corker of an own goal, to put the Hammers back in front.

Then Reid and Parker came close to finishing the game off, but with no joy. Right  at the death, Leeds secured a draw with Clayton getting on the end of a rebound in the 91st. Joy. Not.

The result was fair in the end. We really need to learn to finish games off.

In other news. BFS seems to not know his best midfield as he moved them around alot in the second half, when it needed to be the defence that needed sorting. Talking of which, Winston Reid. I said this last season and i still stand by it, he is just not good enough. He’s lucky Tonka is having a stormer so far this season. In fact, Tonka should of had the MOTM instead of Parker.  Parker needs to make his mind up, because i think him being in the team, might be affecting the other members in the midfield. Both Noble and Nolan, looked a little out of shape today.

Now, the ref. Mr Oliver, you were dire today, truly dire. How you made some of those decisions is beyond me. I saw at least one penalty for each team today, which you didn’t and twice you awarded throw ins to the wrong team, despite the whole crowd seeing the ball go out off the other player. Back to the conference. Thanks.

I expect a weaken team against Aldershot this week, as we need to keep the away points coming against Forest, and then the next home game against Portmouth. The only downside to losing in the Carling Cup is the grief i’ll get from my best mate, Ian the Aldershot fan !

So I’ll leave with this, if Parker goes, then we need to recruit another centre back, as BFS obviously doesn’t rate Faye, which is strange. But no more midfielders please, we have 70 already !

WHU vs Cardiff City 07/08/2011


The first day of a new season was rather surprisingly, full of optimism for the West Ham faithful, as we took our first steps back towards the top flight. Also the weather was spot on which was nice. We got to the ground rather late so headed straight to our seats, and what i saw surprised me. Cardiff had about 800 – 1000 in the North Bank, with about 4k empty seats. If this is the new way as Upton Park ,then excuse me while we piss money down the river. The top tier must of had 30 people tops in it.

Anyway the game. Gary O’Brien and Matt Taylor made their debuts alongside new captain Kevin Nolan. The line up actually looked really promising, except one thing. It’s a new season, and we need points, what we don’t need is one up front at home. I assume this was to accommodate the variety of midfielders at our disposal. We got going with our usual gusto and refused to actually shoot until after about 10 minutes. After 23 mins Scott Parker was clean through,  and showed his worst trait, the inability to shoot, when he has time on the ball. This is the difference between him and Lampard and Gerrard, and probably why he has never played at the very top level.

Cardiff offer nothing at all, but i do get a text telling me i am related to Don Cowie their number 8, something i have since followed up and now believe to be true !

Half time and we get the next Upton Park surprise. Beer now comes in plastic bottles for £3.80. Cheers.

We start the second half as we finished the first, but Cardiff seem to be getting into their stride. Tonka has one cleared of the line, and big Fred hits to post. Talking of Fred’s, young Mr Sears got about 20 minutes too long on the pitch. I will say this again, he really doesn’t have it and now he has also stopped taking responsibility for his game as well, e.g leaving balls for others, not getting back quick enough. If CC and big Fred had started together, we would of pissed that game.

One other person who was making a debut (of sorts) was Hertha Illunga. He actually seemed to link up will with Taylor (who was great all game), and look like the player of old. Until it rained. With a minute to go. And he fell over. And Kenny Miller scored on his debut. And we lost. Again.

SO, BFS gets a game rest due to rampaging 12 year olds on the street, and its Doncaster away next. 3 points ? I bloody hope so.

 

Send them to the Tower (of London)


So, last week, saw two things, one my birthday, and two my first visit to the Tower of London since 1977. I moved to London full time in 1987 and swore i would go back. But hey, its been there nearly a thousand years so in the scheme of things its been no time at all.

First off, weather was fantastic, and for a Sunday, parking was easy (and free in places), just of the back of St Katherines Dock, near News International (which with that day being the last day of the NOTW meant it was busier than usual outside !

As we entered (pre book tickets FTW- queues were horrendous), we noticed if we waited 10 mins we could take a Beefeater tour. Well worth it, not only did he bring some of the history alive he was geniunely funny. “Any Americans in? Just think. If you had paid your taxes, all this history could of been yours!”

We spent an hour in the company of our new friend and then went off on our own. First stop the Crown Jewels (the bling thing, according to the beefeater). Glad to see they have put the moving walkway in to stop every bugger hogging the front of the cases. Good call.

A quick trip around the walls and through the various towers and we were done. Its meal time.

Where better than Ping Pong in St Katherine’s. Their lazy Sunday afternoon promotion allows you to gorge for ages through their menu of high quality dimsum. From there a quick waddle back to the car and home. Once again proof that if the weather is helping, then London is the best city on the planet.

White Tower
 
 
 
Royal Residence and local Royalty !

New York, Las Vegas. The North American Tour


Where to start ? How about the beginning ? We checked in at T5 Heathrow expecting to be in Econ + (with a nifty little £100 upgrade). We got business class. Thanks BA. So a very nice flight across the pond was had by all, and we got to head the queue at JFK customs. I estimate the people at the back had to wait about 1.5 hrs to get through. What a welcome to the US !

20 mins in a cab gets us to the Double Tree Hilton 51st and Lex. We had a standard room which was very standard (and a bit smelly), but serviceable for the price. But free wireless in the lobby was a nice touch, and well used.

The next 3 days were spent having a wander, mainly walking and shopping. We did do the Empire State Building, and i would reccomend the extra $40 for the fast track. Entrance to top in 6 minutes. Thanks!

We then headed of to JFK on the tube to fly to Vegas Only take the E line to Jamica Av if a) you don’t have more than one bag and b) you are not easily intimidated. Its an interesting ride for sure.

Check in at terminal 3 JFK (Delta) is the worst organised setup i have seen in many a year. Its a pure cattle drive and SOOOO slow. and the lounge doesn’t take Priority Pass either, but from just outside you can use their wireless :).

Delta ecomomy is functional, and a bit easyjet, but does have on board wi-fi and live satellite tv on the IFE. 5.5 hours later and we are in Vegas. Maria picks us up and we are checked straight through VIP at the Excal. The room 25207, is a stunner and the view is fantastic. Big thank you to our host.

The next morning i manage to scrape through to 3rd in the 9.00 tournie, and book just over $150. I really don’t know why i play such a crap shoot, but its 5 mins from the room! That afternoon the wife is out with Maria so i play some 1/2 cash and book another 190. not a bad start. The rest of the week is spent on slots and showing my wife Vegas, literally from one end to the other. Outside of a couple of decent slots wins, not much to write home about. she would love to go back in Oct, so i think that will be more poker focused trip.

We also visited the Saraha before it gets shut and its a very sad place compared to the complex i visited over a decade ago.

Points of note. The monorail is a great idea that has been placed to provide as much hassle to passengers as possible. The Aria is a very nice setup, and to my mind knocks Bellagio into a hat. Freemont Street needs to update the canopy shows.

So with a pretty balanced win loss sheet after 5 days we had back to NYC. Now. remember the smelly room ? As we checked out the previous week, we mentioned house keeping hadn’t refilled the shampoos etc on our third day. They said as we were leaving there was nothing we could do. Once we pointed out we were heading back the next weekend, the auto upgraded us to a junior suite. not bad for 10 cents of shampoo !!

So once we took a peek around the 18th floor balconied room, we hit the pig and whistle on 2nd av for drink and errrrrrrrr drinks!. Then the night got  a bit messy as we hit the beer with the locals over karaoke.

The next 3 days was the full shooting match, the best New York tourism had to offer. USS Intrepid was fantastic and the beast boat ride next door was great. The tour around NBC was a bit rubbish, but meeting Ice-T was an amazing bonus in the cafe.  Top of the Rock is better than the Empire State, with more space. Liberty Island is amazing and the statue is cool, but Ellis Island is just truely inspiring. You can feel the history as you walk around. It moved me like nothing else.

You have to go to the WTC when in New York, and i’m glad to report its gettting a little less like a building site and more like a construction project, which trust me is a good thing.

Down near the Brooklyn Bridge we met Pete the fireman (at the engine no 9 station), who gave my wife the full treatment with photos in the uniform, with axes and breakers. Also near there, is Kats Deli (as used in When Harry met Sally). Sandwiches amazing, but with prices to match. And its rammed, all the time.

We went to the MSG to watch the 4th game of the Knicks vs the Celtics in the play-offs. Atomsphere great, basketball no so. The Knicks were not at the races and were bombed out by half time to be honest. However, the wife got on the big screen in the middle, so every cloud and all that.

If you ever need photo gear head for b+h. Very knowledgeable and great prices, compared to the UK at least (isn’t everything). If you want A+F don’t bother, their flagship store always has lonnnngggggg queues outside and inside is so loud you cannot here yourself think. Even the staff agree, so its not just me being an old git.

Overall a great first trip to NY, but next time, we will take the time out to see what i would call real NY, eg off of Manhattan. Vegas will be revisited in October……….

Enjoy the photos:

WHUFC vs Blackburn 07/05/2011 EPL


Its been a while since out last home game and the interveining time has produced two losses away, to Chelsea and Man City. This has left us bottom of the EPL and in a tricky situation t say the least.

So with the loveky weather i donned the holiday shorts ans hit the train for the penultimate home game against fellow strugglers Blackburn Rovers. Rovers brought their usual faithful of about 800 (how do these teams survive, its beyond me). The first half was pretty much one way traffic for WHU, but one decent attack from Blackburn allowed our defence to collapse, and Jason Roberts takes a nice poachers goal for one nil.

This frustrates the hell out of WHU and they go into the shell up into half time.

I said at half time that Freddie Sears has to come off, as he wasn’t getting involved and when he did he came off second best to the physicality of Rovers. He started, and carried on as he left off. With nothing happening the subs came in the shape of Robbie Keane coming on for the perinneal end of season appearance of Luis Boa-Morte. Freddie should of gone off then, plain and simple. Mistake one. Mistake two was moving Ba out to the wing to accomodate Keane, when he was the only one providing some incesive attacking. Carlton was having a bad game.

 10 minutes later Freddie did leave the field with Jacobsen for a last throw of the dice with the introduction of Big Fred and a welcome return for Jack Collinson.

Now with 4 centre forwards on we pushed on and a nice lay back from Carlton, found Der Hammer who rifled home from 10 yards out. This spurred us on massively, but Robbie Keane missed a tap in that looked like he actually pulled his foot back rather than tap it in. Watch the coverage and you decide. Conspiracy ? I don’t know but our friends in N17 would be more than happy with their little leprechaun helping us go down.

All in all a handy point but 3 was really needed. Wolves have since got 3 against West Brom to basically set us the target of 2 wins on the spin to stay up. Can we ? I have no idea, but we will find out in 7 days away at Wigan.

COYI for once

WHU Man Utd and other things


So I never got round to writing up my Man U report. To be honest it was so depressing to be 2 nil up and then throw it away I couldn’t bring myself to relive it.
I did tell the johns at half time that we would lose, shame no one watching it on telly thought to let me know MU were 11/1.
Bolton away was an utter disaster, and needs to be confined to the memory banks ASAP

In better news, we went to Madrid and had a great time, and I must get some photos up of a truly beautiful city.

Currently in Montreal for work for 6 days, so I bought an iPad out with me for trial. Currently surprising me with how useful it really is.

Does anyone know where I can watch the WHU match on Saturday morning out here. Comments please.

Blackberry Playbook – Shrewd or Disaster ?


About 3 weeks ago i had a play with a pre production playbook, and i have to admit i was impressed with what i found. A well built unit at exactly the right size, which went like stink. Ideal.

Now lets go back further, to 1998 to be precise. I was at the Network-Interop show at Olympia. A guy from BT showed my a small blue device with a wheel on the side called a blackberry. This smaller than a mobile phone device apparently allowed me to send and receive email on the move. OMG (if it had been around then !). I rushed back to work and starting spreading the gospel. These things are going to be the future of remote email, blah, blah, blah. Turns out to some extent i was right.

So back today, and RIM are still the no 1 in secure email on the move. So the one thing i didn’t check on the Playbook was the mail client. I just assumed it would be there and comparable to what i have experienced on the various bolds, curves and storms i have used over the years.

Turns out i was wrong. This fondle slab doesn’t come out of the box with the only thing that gives RIM competitive avantage, secure email and calendar. WHAT !

“But you can !” i hear the RIM employee shouting, as i leave the shop “you just need to bluetooth it to your blackberry”.

So i now need two devices to get something i should get easily with the first device. In our Apple/Android/sexy phone of the week centric world, not everyone has a Blackberry for work now, so to me this is very shortsighted. In a world of decreasing market presence, surely native PIM inclusion would be a given. Will there be a consumer version with some sort of client built in. This is probably not a big deal as most people will have web mail of some sort, and there will be an app, or the browser will deal with it in a sensible way, like gmail.com on an IOS device. I prefer it to using the mail app.

So thats the disaster (for now – apparently the first Feature Pack will sort this).

How have RIM explained this away? As discussed the RIM platform is by far the most secure mobile corporate ecosystem out there. Period. So based on this, they are suggesting that the device should have no corp data on it. Hence once you connect your Blackberry to the playbook, you are still only getting a window onto the world, rather than the keys to the door.

Personaly i am struggling with this. My Blackberry has all this data on with no issues. I am assuming BES conectivity for these devices will ensure the same level of remediation available for lost devices. This brings me onto my next potential issue. Will having a Playbook mean a second BES licence? No, as the device is connected through the BB handset. I assume that post the first service pack the device will be able to be utilised standalone. This would then incur another licence, and further cost. This is obviously unacceptable for a user already on a BB, and therefore will need to be dealt with sensibly. Maybe licence per user, than per device. This should be easy to mange taking on board the fact that the machines are always connected home.

If RIM don’t sort these issues out, it will be a shame, because as I said at the top, the device is lovely to use.

Just to muddy the waters, as i was writing this I’ve just picked up the news regarding the new Samsung Galaxy’s (the 10.1 and 8.9). Choosing a tablet has never been harder !

Tottenham vs WHUFC EPL 19/03/2011


We really needed to bounce back after last week’s FA CUP defeat. A trip to high flying Spurs was not really what WHU needed, but those are the cards you are dealt.

Two footballing teams, a great pitch, and everything to play for for both teams in terms of points and excellent weather for football, all added to the possibility of this being a cracker.

We got a 0-0.

Not without incident though. Throughout the whole game Spurs had more possession but couldn’t do anything with it. Defoe had a couple of half chances in the first half, and Dawson hit the bar with a speculative effort from distance. WHU made up for their lack of ball time, with two efforts from Carlton Cole that another day would be put away. The first, he ran onto a lovely cross from Hitzelsperger, and put it over the bar. Then Ba put him in clear through on goal, and he decided to plough on into the keeper instead of taking it to his left, and slotting it away.

The second half was really a defending master class from West Ham mixed in with some luck. Defoe could have had 3 at least, and Green pushed a class free kick from Bale onto the bar, in the dying minutes.

In total Spurs had 24 shots and no goals (compared to 11 for WHU). Wayne Bridge got MOTM. Imagine how good he could be if he had a right foot!

Another point for the Hammers, means we are now in 15th. STOP THE LEAGUE !

I expected one point from Spurs and Man U at home. We have that, now we need 4 and get this relegation monkey off our backs.I really think Utd are there for the taking next week.