Girls in a Tree

...at Swanbourne Lake

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iPhone 12 Days of Christmas App

I received an email from O2, or Apple, or both, advising that between 26th December and 6th Jan, I would be entitled to a free download each day.  I didn't have high hopes, as 'free' normally means 'of no interest', to my understanding of things.

However, I have dutifully downloaded everything on offer so far, and as a result I have the following:

a Kylie Minogue single (never to be played or mentioned again)

a Cheryl Cole single (to be played once, and then probably deleted)

a Father Ted Christmas special (probably the jewel in the crown, but the 12 days aren't up yet...)

a game - Fishing Kings (no idea why I downloaded this, it didn't work)

Life of Pi (through iBooks - this should be good).

 

So, all told, 2 out of 5 isn't bad.  But why would I download Cheryl Cole or Kylie tracks, when I have absolutely no interest in those?  It's just part of this 'eat all you can, consume all data' era we live in...  I think a New Year's resolution should be that I be more choosy in what I download, and not just take it cos it's free.  There are other resolutions too...

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Ashes 2010/11

England retain the Ashes after thrashing the Australians at home.  I don't really know how to explain it.

How can one team be all out for 98, and the other team then proceed to get 513?  The simple answer would be that England are miles better than Australia at batting, and the Australian bowling attack was toothless.  But I don't buy that.

When you consider Australia's line-up individually, they have world-class players; Ponting, Hussey, Johnson, and Siddle should be in any top ten.  And Australia should have had the home advantage.  So what happened?

I read something this morning which suggested Australia haven't been watching England play recently.  If that's the case, then Australia were woefully under-prepared.  And while I think you can compare the batting line-ups, where England prevailed was in the bowling dept.  England knew where the Australian batting weaknesses were.  A lot has been made of the fact that Ponting can be unseated early, if the bowling is on target, and I expect the England team had similar plans for the other batsmen.

Anyway, there's loads been written about it, so I'm off to read even more.  Now all we need is England to win the last Test and I can collect on my wager...

 

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Fingers in the Butter

This is what happens when you leave a baby alone with some butter...

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Worthing Snow 2010 (Slight Return)

Snow on a Saturday morning...

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Ashes 2010/11 Brief Thought I

Just watched Nick Knight try to explain how Cook has done so well. I've been saying Cook should be dropped. But his earlier movement in response to the bowler has changed the whole shooting match. Well done to the selectors for continuing to include him in the team and not bow to pressure from twats like me. Apologies to Ali !

*Full disclosure - I have a bet on England to win this Ashes series outright, and I am not a professional cricketer, therefore any of my views should be treated as the diarrhetic outpourings of an eternal optimist.

TTFN.

Ashes 2010/11 Post #1

Ah, the Ashes is back. Hurrah. Sky Sports reinstalled. Late nights and early mornings beckon, as the contest is taking place on the other side of the world, in Australia, where they do everything vice versa.

Imagine having your day during night-time, or summer during winter. Imagine celebrating Christmas D with a barbecue on the beach in glorious sunshine. Imagine having the water go around the plughole the wrong way as it drains away.

Okay - that last one not so mind-bending.

D'you know what, I can't stay up late and get up early and function normally any more. It's now almost the start of Day 3 of Test #2, and I'm seriously contemplating going to bed. I was 39 on Wednesday. And I've got the girls to look after all day tomorrow - although we are going to M&P's for Pa's birthday lunch.

Besides, England seem to do better when I'm not watching. And I've got a bet on England to win. So, I might leave them to it. But well done for keeping the English end up to this point! Betting on an England win has now shortened from 13-8 to 11-10. And if the bookies are changing their minds, England are on to a good thing.

TTFN.

Who's The Birthday Boy?

That'll be me, then...!

39 today, for the first time. I may be 39 again next year, depending on how this year goes. I received some funny cards, and a Dr Who card as well, which was 'cool'.

I was given a beard-trimming kit, which was nice, some vouchers for Uncanny Comics and Next, as well as some old school CDs (Pixies and Run DMC). Had a big fried breakfast, incl. black pudding, sausage, bacon, tomato and egg. Then spent the rest of the day traipsing around Worthing. Lovely. Might go to the 7-11 for wine in a bit.

TTFN.

Badgers! It's the End of the World!

Especially for Jazza - a badger birthday card...

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