Grand National 2014

100 Happy Days - Day 47: Out with the girls for JR's 40th and AM and HW's birthdays, we watched the race at Walkabout of all places and me and AM backed the winner Pineau de Re (plus I also backed the horse that came 3rd).

Ate in The Living Room, drank too much wine, wasn't well, good job we decided to call it for an early night (we did start at 2.30pm...).

But woohoo, I'm in profit, plus my non-league side Slough Town FC won - get in! :-)

#100 Happy Days - Day 17 and 18

100 Happy Days - Day 17:  A win for one of my lotto syndicates. Better than nowt but wish we could win a big one!

100 Happy Days - Day 18: View walking out of the office on Friday. We're moving next month (into the building in the photo) so I'll miss this.

I wouldn't consider myself a Royalist but I don't mind the Royal family, some of them I like and I do like the 'new' Royal couple, William and Kate.

Hurrah to them for giving us yesterday's bank holiday and yes, I did watch a lot of the wedding!

Anyway, April has whizzed by and practically gone in the blink of an eye - it's not been a great month for me but I'm a survivor! There were even some good bits, ie me backing the horses that came first, second and third in the Grand National!

A break for me now in the far east with my family - as usually, it's come at the wrong time work-wise but will there ever be a right time?

Bets 09/10

My bets were rubbish last season:

- Liverpool to beat Spurs at Home(Red Squirrel) - WIN!
- Liverpool to beat Spurs Away (Red Squirrel) - LOST!
- To finish above Red Squirrel in Fantasy Football - LOST!

I won't mention other unlisted losing bets! Got a few more on next season, hope I do better!

Good job...

….I'm not unscrupulous.

I have just received bank transfers and cheques totalling over £1200 from over 40 strangers who have never met me but who trust me implicitly due to my conduct on an internet forum. Hey, I could just go away on holiday again….as if!

No, I just agreed to run a lotto syndicate for MyFootballClub members. I figured the easiest way to do it was to run it as a closed syndicate, all monies paid up front for the year. I can't be doing with chasing people for payment, it just won't work here, not with the members scattered around the UK. There's even a guy from Italy who's in it and who paid via paypal!

Any winnings will be split 50/50 between Ebbsfleet United and the syndicate members. It's just a bit of fun, since there are so many syndicate members, we'd have to have a huuuge win for it to be a good split but anything towards the club will be great.

I've been struggling majorly blogwise since I got back from my hols. In fact, I've been struggling with everything, housework, paperwork, the garden is a jungle! Work's been really busy; WoW, Boom and MyFC have taken up a lot of my time plus any spare minute, I've just been reading.

I'm sure I'll get over this apathy. Well, this post I guess is a start anyway. Must have a look at my holiday pics and sort out a post to preserve my memories! Must catch up on my blog reading too.

08/09 Bets

Here's how I did:

- Liverpool to beat Spurs at Home(Red Squirrel) - WON!
- Liverpool to beat Spurs Away (Red Squirrel) - LOST!
- Liverpool to beat Spurs in Carling Cup(Red Squirrel) - LOST!
- To finish above Red Squirrel in Fantasy Football - WON!
- Liverpool to beat Newcastle Away (PS) - WON!
- Liverpool to beat Newcastle at Home (PS) - Void - Chicken!
- Ebbsfleet United FC to get promoted - LOST

Obviously none of those Newcastle v Liverpool ones this season!

They Get Worse with Age...

…hangovers that is and I swear I am still suffering from the prolonged after effects from the weekend!

My theory is that when I was younger, since I drank more and also more often, my body was coping with perpetual hangovers all the time so was used to it.

Now, drinking a lot doesn't happen as often so when I do over-indulge, my body is totally rebelling - not good!

So, I waved goodbye to my thirties with lots of wine, cocktails and gin, good food and laughs. Actually, too much wine, cocktails and gin.

On Friday, Boom took me out to Bem Brasil, a Brazilian steakhouse - it was fab. Everyone has these little discs on their tables, red on one side, green on the other. The waiters walk around with big skewers of all types of meat and if your disc is on the green side, they will give you a cut of the meat; if on red, then they know you don't want a slice. I ate a lot that night!

Saturday, met up with the girls at 3pm in Atlas Bar for some wine. The weather was sunny so we were sitting outside, it was very pleasant. We moved onto another bar (apparently…I don’t remember!) and then had a meal in Albert's Shed- I do remember having a lovely tuna salad and also that the glass of red wine that JH spilt did not end up thankfully on my white jeans but ended up over the couple sitting on the table next to us! Amazingly, they were ok about it, but JH was mortified and left them her telephone number in case they wanted to contact her with cleaning bills…

We ended up in Manchester 235 casino and by this point, I'd had so much to drink that I was totally oblivious to the fact that AM and HW had had an argument and were not speaking to each other… Hence I didn't understand why AM left early. But why was I drinking White Russians? Hardly brilliant for the waistline!

Anyway, stayed in the casino with HW, we didn't know what we were doing - at one point thinking we were playing Blackjack when it was actually poker - but we were winning and in the end, we broke even so that's a good night of gambling!

Got a taxi home, crashed out at around 1.30am, all lights left on in the house.

Sunday was a complete washout - I really couldn't get out of bed and all day, all I could stomach was one cup of tea, a bit of water and a couple of slices of toast! My head was banging, even when I was lying down! It's been tough at work this week as I don't think I've quite recovered but well, it was something that had to be done!

Jewellery featured high on the list for presents - I got a lovely bracelet from Boom (which I wore on Saturday and which I checked every 5 mins to make sure it was still on my wrist!), a necklace from the girls, plus some Euros for my hols, a necklace from my mate in Wales, BSG Season 4 boxed set from the boss (wooohoo!) , some flowers from an ex-colleague.

Have got a busy few days coming up - hope I get the time to update!

Stealth by Health

There's a health initiative at the moment going on at work, not because of the swine flu (sorry, I believe the media hype is just to make pharmaceutical companies even richer...) but basically because the company has cottoned onto the fact that healthy employees with good well-being equals less sick days.

I was volunteered by the boss to be the department's 'Health Rep', which basically means attending meetings, a bit of brainstorming and then letting the members of the team know what's going on and pass on ideas and stuff. We're a pretty healthy team anyway - nearly all of us are gym members (and attendees) and we have a tri-athlete and marathon runner amongst us.

The key numbers for this initiative?

0 = zero tobacco
5 = five fruit/veg a day
10 = 10, 000 steps a day
25 = 25 BMI (Body Mass Index) or less

Ooh, nothing about alcohol in there then, but I'm pretty good these days! Anyway, don't smoke, probably manage on average 3-5 fruit/veg a day, no idea how many steps I do a day (not many) and my BMI is around 22.

Like many people, unless I'm meeting up for a natter with the glamorous C, I sit at my desk most days to eat my lunch at work. Not very hygienic or healthy I know but it's what I do. Also, I don't tend to walk anywhere (unless I'm out shopping) - walking to and from my car and walking to and from my desk to toilet is all the walking I do most days.

Yesterday was rather different.

Clad in an oversized t-shirt with Health Rep emblazoned on the back, I went for a jolly 2.5 mile walk around Sale Water Park in sunshine on our first organised lunchtime walk.

The walk was surprisingly invigorating, although at a pace that was a little too slow for my liking.
I'll probably do this again, it was nice to get out, look at the ducks and geese.

Of course, it's possible that our syndicate will win the lotto tonight and I don't have to go to work any more and the next time I walk, it's a stroll on some foreign exotic beach…we can all dream!

Speculate to accumulate, that's how we've justified how much we've spent on tonight's Euromillions…

Someone's got to win it and why not us?

Winner!?

Congratulations! You've won with the Football Pools!

I opened up the letter which I thought was spam and nearly dropped it when I read this first line.

But then I saw the cheque that was attached at the bottom - £36.26.

Two more points and I would have won over £35k - oh well, better luck next time!

I've just noticed that my last two posts have been about gambling - no, I don't have a problem, just that my whole life is one big gamble! ;-)

Mecca

Yes, I confess - I went to play Bingo last night with some colleagues - and it wasn't our first time.

Desperate times call for desperate measures, we really wanted to win something - anything - but ended up coming away with nothing.

I can't really describe playing bingo as being 'fun' because although it is, in a way, it's also really stressful as you have to concentrate so hard! Plus, when you only have a couple of numbers to go before you get full house, you start panicking (well I do) that you have to shout out quickly to claim the prize. Shame we never got to that point, although I was close a few times.

My eyes and brain were hurting by the end of the evening from the strain but I bet all those old folk who go all the time don't need to do brain training exercises!

Spanish Double Whammy

Wow - what an epic men's Wimbledon men's tennis final, which was eventually won by the very-pleasing-to-the-eye and athletic Rafael Nadal, who overcame the 5 times consecutive reigning champ Roger Federer in a truly exciting five setter.



A double celebration for the Spanish who, as you know, were also the Euro 08 champions (yeah, I know I said don't bet against the Germans but hey, what do I know??Except that I had a sneaky bet at the start of the competition on Spain to win...la la la!)



Anyway, an interesting and different weekend - out on Friday night with the Cheeky Scouser (yes, a mention!) and went to see 'Hancock' which was good.

Then reluctantly on Saturday, I went into the office.

Yes, saddo me went into work as I have such a huge backlog of stuff to do but at least I was able to negotiate some overtime pay. I was quite productive and managed to clear quite a lot but may have to come in again for another blitz. Felt some weight off my shoulders for the first time in ages.

I'm glad I got the work out of the way early on Saturday as I was able to enjoy the rest of the weekend!

It's my nephew's christening next weekend (when I get my godmother status) and I'm painting a piggy money box for him - the painting is very therapeutic and relaxing - if it's turns out ok in the end, I may take a photo when I'm finished!

But what do I wear??! The usual bloomin' dilemma - I so need new stuff in my wardrobe!

Albert's Shed

Saturday was fab - my belated birthday celebrations, out with the gals, JH, HW and the glamorous C.

A few rounds of drinks in Bar 38 in town, plenty of opportunities to people-watch.

We then made our way to Albert's Shed, a very nice venue, excellent food, some weird people there though. The drink was getting to my head at this point and after visiting the ladies', I very nearly found myself lost and unable to find our table...oops! We were there for a couple of hours yet I can't remember a single thing we talked and laughed about...oh dear!

We wandered over to Manchester 235 casino, JH left early as usual (but not before the champers was cracked open) and then the rest of us had a little dabble on the electronic roulette - bloomin' hilarious and the amazing thing was, we were up by the end of the night! Why was everyone so serious yet we were having a great laugh?

At some point, we wandered back to Bar 38 to see what could only be described as the dregs of society in the downstairs 'club' part of the bar - dear oh dear oh me - you didn't want to catch anyone's eye (or catch anything else for that matter...) and everyone seemed to have some sort of affliction (desperation?) - we swiftly downed our drinks and made a sharp exit.

Home at 2am, chatted to the glamorous C for a bit before we crashed out around 3am.

Was up at 8am on the Sunday, made breakfast and then when me mate left, I crawled back into bed.

Hate hangovers...

And then my mum phoned me and shouted at me cos I was still in bed and it was 3pm....

She makes me feel like a naughty teenager sometimes... :-)

Euro 08 - I'm supporting....

...CROATIA!

I got them in the sweep at work, so with the English boys not featuring, I can follow the tournament with a bit of interest now.

Got my various Euro 08 fantasy football teams too but I won't say 'watch this space' as my teams will no doubt end up in mid/lower table obscurity!

2007/08 Bets

Here's how I did:

Liverpool to beat Spurs at Home(Red Squirrel) - draw

Liverpool to beat Spurs Away (Red Squirrel) - WON!

Liverpool to beat Newcastle Away (PS) - WON!

Liverpool to beat Reading Away [Win only](PA) - LOST!

Liverpool to beat Newcastle at Home (PS) - WON!

Liverpool to beat Reading Home [Win only, 1 goal handicap](PA) - LOST!

Liverpool to finish above Man U (MC) - LOST!

My fantasy football team to finish higher in league (MC)- WON!

My fantasy football teams to finish higher in league (Red Squirrel) - draw

Me to finish top of football predictions league (PA & AA) - LOST!

Ebbsfleet United FC to get promoted - LOST!

Fantasy

Well, for the first time ever, I finished in the prize zone in a fantasy football competition! Woo hoo!

My team came 5th out of 115 and I even picked up a manager of the month spot along the way!

May as well mention the football match that was on tonight - as a 'neutral' watching, I did enjoy the match and it did show at times why the English Premier League is arguably the best league in the world - some brilliant football but also some ugly behaviour that does make the league interesting.

News tomorrow will no doubt be of how many Man U hooligans got into trouble.

I hope.

City v United 07/08

Not really talked about the start of the English football season, except that it's not going to plan for the top clubs, in particular the defending champs, Man United. Bwahaha! :-)


So, I was somewhat looking forward to attending my second Manc derby and yep, it was worth it. Went to the match with a colleague, had a beer or two in the pub beforehand for a warm up!


Not only did I witness my first City goal in a match, but despite total dominance in the game, United could not score, resulting in a third straight win for Sven's Blues, a third clean sheet and 7 points clear of United!

There was added excitement for me as I had money on Geovanni to score first (he duly obliged at odds 14-1) and had another City goal been scored, my Scorecast would have come in at 200-1...the score remained 1-0 but I'm sure I'll reap some dividends at some point in the future! By the way, that is not my hand giving a rude gesture to the United Away fans!

Anyway, later that day, Liverpool were robbed of a win against Chelsea by some abysmal refereeing. The ref was so bad that he has been dropped from the Premier League games next week. He should be dropped for good!


Anyway, a tiring and emotional weekend - although I have a full social calendar over the next couple of weeks, I will be glad when mid September comes when I can hopefully start relaxing.

Takeover Commencing

Gosh, it's really happening! (look away now, non-football fans!)

MyFootballClub has reached their target of 50,000 registrations and is launching a takeover bid of an English football club!

The blurb says "MyFootballClub members are about to buy a football club. They will own the club, vote on team selection, decide which players to buy and sell and guide the club up the Leagues."

Those who have registered are now being asked to hand over the cash that will be used to buy the club - apparently no less than four clubs (including at least one League Two club) have approached MyFootballClub, with a view to being bought out!

This is probably one of the most exciting things to happen to English football in a while (bar Liverpool's 2005 Champions League comeback but I digress...!)

It's not too late to sign up, pay up and join the merry MFC forum, which already has a thriving community!

Let's make football history! :-)

Footblah

25 days to the start of the football season and there's all sorts of police raid shenanigans going on already, just to spice things up nicely.

Next on the cards, a club will be bought by 50,000 like-minded fans but there's nothing sinister about it.


I touched upon MyFootballClub the other month - the plan is for 50,000 fans to chip in to buy a small English club, with the aim of propelling this club (in time) up the ranks, ultimately to the dizzy heights of the Premier League. More info here in the first newsletter, for those interested.

We are now really close to the target for registrations, close to putting our hands in our wallets and handing over our cash, close to voting on which club to buy (likely to be a lower or non-league club).

It's a Football Manager game made real and for £35 a year, you could be involved in supporting and steering your club to success.

This isn't an investment opportunity as such, so those thinking of making megabucks out of this are in it for the wrong reasons.

What are my reasons for being involved? As if my days aren't fun-filled and action packed already, I want to endure the thrills and spills of being an 'owner' of a football club and being part of history!

Yes, well I just reckon it'll be fun! :-)

Laff A Minute

Still have a fuzzy head and slightly croaky voice - generally a sign that I had a good night out on Saturday!

Anyway, H's new bf of six weeks (aah - new love!) dropped us off in Manchester at 2.30pm where we met up with J at Tiger Tiger. We all started on beers, which is unusual as the diet conscious gals are normally on white wine but hell, it was a birthday celebration so Weight Watcher points were out of the window!

After a couple of swift ones, we then moved through the masses in town (who were loitering in the hope of catching some Premier League footballers with WAGS in tow, as Gary Neville was getting married in Manchester Cathedral) and into Sawyers Arms - A decided to go in here, as in her words, "It's full of men!". Shame they weren't of the fit variety though!

Cider seems to be the in-drink at the moment but I still can't bring myself to drink it (bad student memories!) but I did try some of J's Swedish pear cider and it tasted refreshingly like a soft drink - dangerous stuff then!

As usual, Manchester was full of crowds of stag parties and gaggles of hen parties - I checked out the hen groups closely as the glamorous C was out on her friend's hen do - the bride-to-be was apparently dressed in a pink masseur's outfit, whilst the other hens had pink t-shirts and tiaras. Yeah, the usual kinda stuff!

We wandered into Manchester 235, a nice newish posh casino just off Deansgate - great atmosphere and decor (pic below is the Athena-style pictures in the ladies' loos...) but I can't believe we didn't end up trying anything as we were too busy chatting and sipping champagne! Although maybe as we'd had a lot to drink, it probably wouldn't have been a good idea to start gambling - next time maybe, seeing as we're all members now!

Both restaurants in the casino were booked up so we meandered down to Dimitri's, a greek tapas bar. There was an hour long wait apparently but J knew the owner so within seconds, we'd taken over someone's 'reserved' table...dontcha love it when you know people! :-)

I think at this point, all the drink was having an effect and the conversation descended into major girlie chat, arguments about whether ABBA were good or crap and that the majority of naked men resembled the last chicken on the supermarket shelf...

J's bf arrived to pick her up but stayed for a chat and a drink before H's bf picked the rest of us up.

All in all, a fab night, full of laughs, it all seemed to end too soon but we did start early and I'm not sure I could have stayed out til midnight drinking, thus showing my age!!

Roll on the next session!

Fat Lady Sings But Do You Want To Own A Club?

So another Premier League season is over and Man United are crowned champions, despite losing their final game at home.



But this loss was absolutely significant (winning goal scored by centre-of-controversy striker Carlos Teves), as it meant that West Ham United were not relegated.



All eyes went to the relegation battle between Sheffield United and Wigan Athletic. Wigan had to win to stay up and win they did, with 10 men left at the end, consigning Sheffield United to Championship football next season. Wigan truly deserved their victory, purely for the effort and self-belief of the players. I did feel sorry for Neil Warnock and his Sheffield players however.



Probably only one more football post before the summer so I may as well mention this that has caught my eye this past month - the opportunity (along with 50,000 fans) to buy a majority stake in a football team: myfootballclub.co.uk


There's been a fair amount of publicity for the website, ie BBC website, GMTV, Radio 1, Five Live and the guy behind it all is not hiding behind the internet anonymously, ie there's information on who he is and how he's linked to football.

The idea isn't new of course, but there's been numerous cries of 'scam' hurled at the idea. Registration is free, once 50,000 registrations has been reached, each member will be asked to part with £35 should they wish, so how is that a scam? It's a gamble!


So far, over 20,000 people have registered (including myself) and for £35, I think it’s worth a punt as I’d like to help any lower/non league club, just thinking about how this would help English football, from grass roots up.

Will it work? Maybe, maybe not but it's worth a try and worth experiencing the thrills and spills of being part of your own club!

You spend more than £35 on a night out and only have a hangover (or kebab belly) to show for it!

Check out the site for more info.