PMQs

So, I've discovered that I can watch BBC Parliament on the internet at work - which is a bit of a distraction (strangely, the Sun's website is firewalled...?). I watched PMQs on Wednesday and was disappointed at such an unedifying experience.
Cameron asked irrelevant questions which Brown did not answer. As PMQs is one of the highlights of the parliamentary week, you think they'd make more of an effort. If Brown had answered the questions rather than use them as a platform to list Labour's achievements, there might have been an actual discussion.
Cameron asked which other economy was raising taxes going into a recession? Brown could have questioned:

• were we facing a recession?
  
• were taxes being raised (at a macro level)?
• why is it important what other economies are doing? How is that impacting the UK?

I'm not saying Labour or the Tories are right, I'd just like to see a real discussion...
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It's Been a Rollercoaster...

Jaysus. I thought we were goners, and then Sidebottom pulled it out of the bag. On what was supposed to be a batter's pitch, we slumped to 4-3 and then 253 all out. NZ were coasting at 103 for 1, but then slumped to 168 all out. I am now pos. 135 in the Cricinfo fantasy league, which is gratifying. Just thought I'd mention that. England should win from here - but it's another instance where the bowlers have helped out the batsmen. Bring on the return series in the UK.
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The Tension is Almost Unbearable...

So England could possibly win an overseas Test series. The tension is almost unbearable. It looks like Hoggard & Harmison will be left out, which is a shame for Hoggard. But our batsmen (apart from Ambrose) need to step up.
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Six Nations - End of

So, in the end England came second despite two (one and two halves) poor performances. The second half against Wales, the second half against Italy, and the whole match against Scotland. The team performed well against France & Ireland. It's disappointing that we couldn't achieve some consistency. For me, Nick Easter & Jamie Noon were the standout players of the tournament for England (it was funny that Cipriani thought he had been named "Man of the Match" yesterday...!). Ian Balshaw gets the "most room for improvent" award, although he gets that every time - perhaps it should be changed to the "out of my league"award - very fitting for union. Ho ho.
And I hope that now the calls for Ashton's head recede. In the last two competions, (WRC 07 & RBS6 08), England have been runners-up. That's not bad going. Winning would have been nice, but you can't please all the people all the time. It's a bit of an anti-climax really.
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Well, Alright...

Slightly disappointing that Tim Whassisname (Vincent? Naah, too tall...) got out for 102. To me, with my limited knowledge, it seems that English batsmen seem to lose concentration after achieving a milestone (e.g., a century) in a way that other batsmen don't. It's always disappointing when a good innings comes to an end.
It is disappointing that we didn't get 350, but this would have been a "nice to have" rather than a "must".
Especially in light of the fact that the Kiwis are 11-2. Ha-ha!
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Seismic Surprises in Team Selection...

So, I advised TW this morning on the way to work, in tones of disbelief, that Ashton (England rugby coach) was in danger of being fired. In the same incredulous tones, I advised her that they were considering dropping Wilkinson. It seems that Wilko has now been dropped (in favour of Cipriani) - which I find amazing. How long now before Ashton goes? I can only hope he does not go - it is still possible for England to come a respectable 2nd in this Six Nations, after all. It is my opinion, limited and ill-informed though it might be, that the mercurial (in the literal sense) performance of the England rugby team is due to conflicts in the coachinmg team, and I think if these are resolved, the England rugby team could - and SHOULD - perform better on the field.
In my opinion (please note previous caveats above), England rugby does not have the leaders necessary to shape a cohesive side. I recall seeing a mini-rugby tournament, where a nine-year old, playing outside centre, screamed "where's my f***ing line?!?". I think there is not enough of this urgency and reminder of the basics in the international English rugby side.
I believe it will take some time to shape these leaders, or "generals", and as a result I think English rugby could be in for a deep and prolonged funk.

Compare and contrast with the English cricket side. The two 'senior' bowlers, Harmison & Hoggard, did not perform during the first test vs. New Zealand. Hoggard is worth another punt, in my opinion. However, as much respect as I have for Harmison's past achievements, I believe that he is rudderless and lacking direction at the moment. It's almost as though he's there to complete the numbers, but he has no self-belief. The interview he gave to Sky (Nasser Hussain?) was honest and truthful, but showed Harmison to be unaware of his priorities - one minute the most important thing in his life was cricket, & the next it was his family. The guy does not know where to concentrate his efforts. Mike Selvey in the Guardian today recommended ending his test career, as harsh as that sounds, and I agree that Broad should be lined up as his replacement.

If Wilko and Harmo are both retired this week, it will be the end of an era. Two men who have achieved more than was ever expected of them, both of whom have smashed previous impressive records. However, it could be that History is claiming two heroes in one week. I hope their replacements are up to the task.
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DOOM...!

A poor weekend for the English national teams. Drubbed in the rugby & the cricket...
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Can you smell DOOM II?

52-4. That's at least 50% better than before, but still doesn't preclude the "humiliating defeat" option...
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Can you smell DOOM?

32-4. Jesus.
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I'm Holding Ma Breath...

Can England do it? With a required run rate of 3.7, and an actual RR of 9 off the first over, can we see it through to a Win? I'll probably be up until Midnight...
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Shocking

England Rugby. Other words - dismal, shapeless, unplanned, unco-ordinated, chaotic, disappointing.
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Ryan Sidebottom is GOD.

A hat-trick. A bloody hat-trick. And I chose Hoggard as my trump player. What a fool I was. Just goes to show, stay with what you know. The grass is not always greener... So, what odds on England to win the first test, eh?
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Matters Consulting Ltd

So we got a letter the other day, advising we had won a prize from a local business, advising we had to phone a Cheltenham number to confirm/obtain our prize. Absolutely no problem with that, it was a kosher 01242 number (from memory), so phoned them out of interest. Was told that I had won a prize of gym membership, worth £750 - contingent on a weekly payment of £3.81. And, I'd won a second prize of the same, for a friend/partner - which makes for a prize value of £1,500. Went to see the gym, which wasn't at all impressive, and was told that minimum membership was two years. TWO YEARS?!? at £3.81 a week? Times two? That's £800. So, while this is not a con, it isn't worth taking up. Apparently, I've seen written, that even if you move away, you can't cancel - you have to find a gym local to your new locale which is part of the same scheme. As any number of things can change during a two-year period, I'd recommend leaving this offer well alone. You've been warned.
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