COMMUNICATIONS BLACKOUT

I'm afraid I'm difficulties with my mobile telephone, so if you can't get hold of me, that's why.

Get home - mobile breaks, no broadband - it's like going back a decade.

Whinging and Moaning

Multiple choice!? Multiple choice!? And they're always complaining they have so much hard work.


Psychology: is it art, is it a science? Answers on a postcard please.

Belated Harrogate Message

Unfortunately my camera is a battery guzzler, however I did get a chance to take some pictures (well two) of the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference in Harrogate. The town, is very nice and it was cold and there were snow everywhere.

My itinerary for the day was, as well as other members of the York LibDems was listening to debates on ethnic minority candidate selection, educational reform and the freedom of speech in the main auditorium. Speakers included Simon Hughes MP, Alistair Carmichael MP, Vince Cable and others besides. One lady even made a referrence to Star Trek V: The Voyage Home. Ideal.

I later went to two fringe meetings, one on the future of the EU and bringing the the EU's parliament closer to Westminster and the rest of the UK and the other about how the LibDems should meet the challenge of David Cameron.

It was my first conference and it was a very entertaining day. Saw Ming Campbell too, if but briefly. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of Hughes speaking, as my camera was hiding at the bottom of my bag at the time.

As you can see, it was a chilly start to the day. Above is my attempt at an artistic picture of a snow covered hedge on the front garden.

Above is the David Laws MP mid speech. I was wondering why my camera wasn't working and then I realised I had it on camera mode. For those of you that like sound bites, I have about a 15 second clip of this speech.

This was the Future of Europe fringe meeting, with Nick Clegg there talking. It was a full house, so I had to stand at the back - by the table with the free wine. Ideal.
Although I didn't see him at the conference last saturday, Huhne was the man I supported in the leadership contest. I add this picture which I found on his campaign website. I assume he just stated "I wonder what this button does".

South Bank go out with a bang!

YORK, UK: Friday saw South Bank Re-United play their final game of the Spring season where they secured a good win with an emphatic 4-2 scoreline. Surely an event to be fondly remembered by all; spectators and players alike. After last week's unfortunate defeat by the hands of some other team, the Captain, Jon was doubly keen that his men would win.

Striker, Medway, scored his second goal of the season to take the score to 1-0, early on in the game. A beautiful effort from wide. This was then added to by two goals by Martin, one of them being a penalty. It was struck cleanly and went in, but the referee wasn't happy the ball was on the correct mark. So, Martin was given another go, with the same result - but this time it counted. Ideal. At the half-way mark the score stood at 3-0, with Hampus (in goal, due to Andy's absence), Jon and Vaz doing their utmost to keep a clean sheet. They even had their own chances to score for South Bank during the game also.

Into the second half and South Bank's optimism ran ahead of them a little. Substitute goalkeeper and manager Michael came on so that Hampus could get out to bustle with the opposition. Unfortunately the manager was unable to stop two goals, that the other team scored and for a while, the match went right down to the proverbial wire. 3-2.

A muted silence fell upon the tent, as the crowd that gathered there thought for one moment, just maybe a few nanoseconds perhaps, but that there was a little worry South Bank might succumb. Martin's second hat-trick of the season secured the score 4-2, which proved such fears as nonsense. South Bank then held on until the final whistle.

Beautiful game. Clash of the Titans stuff. Everyone was pleased of victory today, including the chairman, who made a well-attired appearance. Although he later imparted that it was close for a time, he believe ultimately that the other team could not possible win against such a strong South Bank side. Managar, Michael agreed. Jon, captaining another succesful season at South Bank will have plenty of good times to reflect upon, as have the whole team, and it is for certain that South Bank Re-United will come back reinvigorated from the Easter holidays with ambitions to bask in even great glory.

There will be mass merriment in the Northern Hemisphere tonight!

South Bank 4 (3) - Other Team 2 (0)
Line-up: Hampus (keeper), Jon (captain), Vaz, Medway, Martin
Subs: Michael (player/manager/sub goalie)

MESSAGE
FROM: MANAGER
TO: THE TEAM

I'd like to thank you lads for another great season and plenty of long-lasting memories. You all did me proud out there and you can all go back home with your heads held high. Now I'm not one for speeches and I believe the words of Mr. Shakespeare will be more eloquant than I ever did:

Cry 'Havoc', and let slip the dogs of war, that this foul deed shall smell above the earth with carrion men, groaning for burial.

Remember that when you next see the enemy and the whites of their eyes.

Well done South Bank, well done, each and every one of you! Have a good holiday!

Michael

PS - BY ORDER OF THE MANAGEMENT THERE SHOULD BE SOME FORM OF TEAM BONDING/END OF SEASON/ VICTORY/ END OF TERM DRINKS SOMETIME IN WEEK TEN. BE THERE!

The Cricketing President

I was going to put on a post about the Harrogate Conference over the weekend, however this paled somewhat on the discovery of the above photos (and others) on the BBC website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4774868.stm

Howzat Mr President?

I looked into my computer....

And look what I saw:

NEWS FLASH: Blizzard Strikes Northern HQ

Look at all that! Real snow!

South Bank's Winning Streak Curtailed (briefly)

YORK, UK: South Bank Re-United went into today's match feeling confident from the previous weeks 5-1 and 2-1 victories over other teams. Alas, today, the tally of vanquished foes was not to increase, as by misfortune, South Bank fell to a 3-0 defeat.

York started with some strong defending, which indeed continued throughout the match, however the first goal came off a set piece, free kick, for which South Bank were unprepared for. Despite having the lion's share of shots in the match, South Bank were unable to capitalise, and a couple times, strikes shook the woodwork.

Captain Jon, kept out the opposition the best he could and Vaz also played his part. The other team, however, scored another long range goal, this time during normal play, which disappointingly for South Bank, took the score to 2-0.

The second half started spritely for the team, although they were eventually to succumb to a very unfortunate third goal. Andy, was simply very unlucky. Despite various team changes, with Hampus coming off for Michael in the last moments of the game, South Bank were robbed of goal scoring glory. Medway had a few chances, as did Martin, however it was not to be.

The team are still confident about their last game at the tent, next week, and are hoping to end the season with a bang. The team were disappointed with today's match but believe many lessons can be learned for the future, and we can walk away with our heads held high, with the moral advantage taken from the game. If nothing else, Hampus' rough and tumble style of play, will do some good to strike fear into the hearts of next week's team. Today's team mascot, Steph, also suggested that if she was given any chance to play next week, she would opt for an aggresive method.

South Bank 0 - Other Team 3
Line-up: Andy (goal), Jon (captain), Vaz, "Medway", Hampus
Subs: Martin, Michael