Michael*

Hey, you know something reminded me of Got A Girl the other day. MEW's Wiki page says their album was due for release this past January, but I can't find any info about it. Have you heard anything?

Sounds like you guys are also lacking the COOLER weather as we have been. At least you have the rain though. Can we borrow some?

How convenient then, only twice a year

We certainly have plenty that we're not using at the moment.

That's why it's imperative to pick a good one.

Yeah, that was a strange one and the only one I recall not enjoying. They both went in with key injuries, but those on the Bronco's side didn't heal up in time. I still didn't expect that outcome. It was the best offense against the best defense (both in points allowed and points scored by the defense) but many thought that if the weather was good that the offense would prevail due to the the modern rules that favor offense. The Seahawks on the other hand have found many crafty ways to get around most of said rules . This may have been somewhat easier to do playin in a low profile place like Seatle, but with the noteriety of a Super Bowl win, its likely that it will be more difficult to use said methods going forward. Now I'm on to basketball, soccer and winter sports. It seems to me that without the commercial face of Vohn, the media here isn't giving the winter games as much attention as they did last time. I'm still enjoying it though. Those are some great names. Nicknames were especially a big deal for the NFL in the past, so its always good to see someone trying to keep it alive. I had a best sports nickname and best sports real name list in mind, but with the real name one, I keep learning new ones .

 

*edit*

 

The 3 Easiest Ways to Get a U.S. SI Cover in the 21st Century

3. Be an American blonde model

2. Be a star athlete with a marketable persona

1. Be even a yourneyman athlete and come out of the closet

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/10429030/michael-sam-missouri-tigers-says-gay

That's interesting, so you didn't consider the Superbowl final to be a particularly good game, then? Quite honestly, I've yet to develop a proper frame of preference - I'm intrigued but at the same time, the most amateur of amateurs in terms of actual knowledge.

I've been watching a bit of the ice hockey (amongst other things) at the Winter Olympics too, haven't seen penalty shots since 'The Mighty Ducks'! Any idea if TJ Oshie has English grandparents? We may be able to make use of his penalty taking skills at the World Cup this summer.

I came basically now to say my heart goes with people in England these days,I heard and saw the disastrous places affected by floods in the West of your country,they say that these  big amounts of floods didn't happen in 250 years before,hope everything is OK for you and people around the country.

It's actually a bit worse up here today, plenty of wind and rain and a little snow, but it's nothing compared to what's been going on in parts of the south as of late - some of the stuff I'm seeing on the news at the moment looks awful, the adverse weather conditions have caused some real devastation.

Hey, you know something reminded me of Got A Girl the other day. MEW's Wiki page says their album was due for release this past January, but I can't find any info about it. Have you heard anything?

I was awaiting it with some excitement, particularly after that lovely first track dropped. Promo photos for the album did appear online around January time, which seemed to hint that an official release was just around the corner - but here we are, approaching March, and there's still no sign of the damn thing. Perhaps another attack of the dreaded 'busy schedules'?

That's interesting, so you didn't consider the Superbowl final to be a particularly good game, then? Quite honestly, I've yet to develop a proper frame of preference - I'm intrigued but at the same time, the most amateur of amateurs in terms of actual knowledge. I've been watching a bit of the ice hockey (amongst other things) at the Winter Olympics too, haven't seen penalty shots since 'The Mighty Ducks'! smily%20new%20one.gif Any idea if TJ Oshie has English grandparents? We may be able to make use of his penalty taking skills at the World Cup this summer.

Ironically, Ellen Page sited that same player as being an inspiration to her in coming out. Some say he isn't even that good and he hasn't even been drafted yet, but he's already made his mark on pop culture . I thought the game was awful actually, at least by Super Bowl standards. I think the last ten or more have been good. There were some key injuries on one side, but some also had to do with the fact that the Seahawks have found a way to get around some of the rule changes. I do think it was still a deserved win though. The league as a whole is actually very competitive on the other hand. Not only are the worst teams not technically bad, all the dynamics surronding what teams 'need' for one last shot at the playoffs in the last game of the season is downright comical at times. For example, the Steelers 'needed' 4 other teams to win and themselves to win (5 things) to get a wildcard spot. They won, 3 of the teams won and the last team they needed to win was a night game where said team lost by like 1 point and they showed their reaction when they were watching it . As to your actual knowledge, I should probably start my 'NFL Explained' series back up. What are your thoughts on basketball and baseball btw?

Hockey is one of those sports that I watch to enjoy but I don't have a lot of technical knowledge. LOL @ the Oshie thing . I don't know, but I think someone said he did. Speaking of actual knowledge, what do you think about the guy or those blaming the referees for the Manchester 2-0 loss/beatdown? That wasn't my interpretation but I of course concede that I don't have much of a keen eye for football officiating yet. It just looked to me like Barcelona was too fast and intent for them .

We certainly have plenty that we're not using at the moment.

 

That's why it's imperative to pick a good one.

Jeezes, after seeing more past coverage of the storms, you guys sure got walloped to say the least

I think I need more shorts and sandals with the current heat wave we are having

So how do you feel about EURO 2016 drawings? Germany's coach said something about out group being 'equal' or something but that was very kind of him I mean it would be embarassing if we didn't get to compete in EURO tournament but I have such little faith in Poland's team that it wouldn't surprise me if others got in instead of us

Switzerland, Estonia, Slovenia, Lithuania, San Marino... who will get there from group E? Because England competing is a given haha.

Ironically, Ellen Page sited that same player as being an inspiration to her in coming out. Some say he isn't even that good and he hasn't even been drafted yet, but he's already made his mark on pop culture . I thought the game was awful actually, at least by Super Bowl standards. I think the last ten or more have been good. There were some key injuries on one side, but some also had to do with the fact that the Seahawks have found a way to get around some of the rule changes. I do think it was still a deserved win though. The league as a whole is actually very competitive on the other hand. Not only are the worst teams not technically bad, all the dynamics surronding what teams 'need' for one last shot at the playoffs in the last game of the season is downright comical at times. For example, the Steelers 'needed' 4 other teams to win and themselves to win (5 things) to get a wildcard spot. They won, 3 of the teams won and the last team they needed to win was a night game where said team lost by like 1 point and they showed their reaction when they were watching it . As to your actual knowledge, I should probably start my 'NFL Explained' series back up. What are your thoughts on basketball and baseball btw?

Hockey is one of those sports that I watch to enjoy but I don't have a lot of technical knowledge. LOL @ the Oshie thing . I don't know, but I think someone said he did. Speaking of actual knowledge, what do you think about the guy or those blaming the referees for the Manchester 2-0 loss/beatdown? That wasn't my interpretation but I of course concede that I don't have much of a keen eye for football officiating yet. It just looked to me like Barcelona was too fast and intent for them .

That's quite interesting about Ellen Page taking inspiration from the sporting world, as I'd imagine it to be rather easier to 'come out' if you have a career in the arts. The highest profile footballer to date (and the most recent) to have done it is a German player by the name of Thomas Hitzlsperger (also known as 'The Hammer'), but sadly, he felt the need to wait until after his retirement to break the news. By the law of averages there must be a great many more gay football players around, and though I can, of course, understand there being a lasting sense of apprehension that prevents others from taking similar steps, I’d like to think we’ve moved on a bit in 2014. The notion that being gay could somehow be a hindrance to one’s career should really have gone out with the ark. I suppose it’s possible now that the first high-profile male athlete to come out will be someone who was already out before they actually turned pro.

I’m familiar with some of the rules of ice hockey thanks to the myriad of video games I’ve played over the years, the first of which was NHL Hockey on the Sega Megadrive/Genesis, but you could write what I know about baseball with alphabet fridge magnets on the back of a stamp.

Ah yes, the 'double punishment' rule has been the source of much discussion lately, with many arguing that defenders (like Martin Demichelis in the Barcelona game) who unfairly deny goalscoring opportunities shouldn't have to be punished with a sending off and a penalty kick for the opposition. I can see their point, and it's hard not to feel sorry for defenders who make successful tackles that are misread by referees, but the risk of suffering the double punishment acts as a deterrent to dangerous play too, and given that we're never likely to have flawless officiating, I suppose we have to just ask ourselves which rule would give us the fewest injustices - and at the moment, it's probably that one.

Jeezes, after seeing more past coverage of the storms, you guys sure got walloped to say the least

 

I think I need more shorts and sandals with the current heat wave we are having

The worst of it seems to have passed now, though they're still stuck with the excesses of water in parts of the south. I certainly don't envy them for what they've had to put up with.

So how do you feel about EURO 2016 drawings? Germany's coach said something about out group being 'equal' or something but that was very kind of him I mean it would be embarassing if we didn't get to compete in EURO tournament but I have such little faith in Poland's team that it wouldn't surprise me if others got in instead of us

Switzerland, Estonia, Slovenia, Lithuania, San Marino... who will get there from group E? Because England competing is a given haha.

We did get a bit lucky, didn't we? England and Switzerland to get there from Group E, I'd say. The draw was a lot less kind to Scotland and Ireland, who'll certainly have their work cut out to finish above one or both of Germany and Poland. Though to be fair, any draw would have been difficult for Scotland.

 

So how do you feel about EURO 2016 drawings? Germany's coach said something about out group being 'equal' or something but that was very kind of him I mean it would be embarassing if we didn't get to compete in EURO tournament but I have such little faith in Poland's team that it wouldn't surprise me if others got in instead of us

Switzerland, Estonia, Slovenia, Lithuania, San Marino... who will get there from group E? Because England competing is a given haha.

 

We did get a bit lucky, didn't we? England and Switzerland to get there from Group E, I'd say. The draw was a lot less kind to Scotland and Ireland, who'll certainly have their work cut out to finish above one or both of Germany and Poland. Though to be fair, any draw would have been difficult for Scotland.

 

I have to say I am happy that we are are competing with Germany, because it was SO disappointing we weren't competing with each other during last EURO! It's not the same without competing them and low-level tabloid publications surrounding the event

as to atheletes coming out... when I read you were going to mention a German footballer I immediately thought about Phillip Lahm, because I am pretty sure I've read it a few times on different websites that people think he is gay? also something about a tv show where a comedian (or an athlete? Not sure) said something about a football player being 'lahm' (/'lame') to not come out.

I have to say I am happy that we are are competing with Germany, because it was SO disappointing we weren't competing with each other during last EURO! It's not the same without competing them and low-level tabloid publications surrounding the event

 

as to atheletes coming out... when I read you were going to mention a German footballer I immediately thought about Phillip Lahm, because I am pretty sure I've read it a few times on different websites that people think he is gay? also something about a tv show where a comedian (or an athlete? Not sure) said something about a football player being 'lahm' (/'lame') to not come out.

Sounds quite familiar, actually. In the run-up to every competitive match between England and Germany, you can guarantee that the tabloids will print articles about previous encounters, usually from 1966 or 1990. I'm not sure if it's the same for you guys, but our footballing rivalry with Germany is usually considered to be a relatively one-sided one - from what I understand, most German fans aren't overly fussed about England one way or the other, and mostly consider Holland to be their traditional rivals.

Yeah, there were some pretty wild rumours about Lahm maybe two or three years ago, including one that his marriage was just for show and that he really lived with a male friend in Cologne. So random! I know he's spoken out, as well as having campaigned for gay rights in the past, perhaps it all stems from that?

 

The worst of it seems to have passed now, though they're still stuck with the excesses of water in parts of the south. I certainly don't envy them for what they've had to put up with.

^ Well, guess what sir? We are finally dealing with flooding here in SoCal after months of no real measurable rain. In these past 3 days we have had more rain than in all of last year combined Now if only we could get a few more such storms can a HUGE dent be made in our water deficits and drought conditions.

 

I have to say I am happy that we are are competing with Germany, because it was SO disappointing we weren't competing with each other during last EURO! It's not the same without competing them and low-level tabloid publications surrounding the event

 

as to atheletes coming out... when I read you were going to mention a German footballer I immediately thought about Phillip Lahm, because I am pretty sure I've read it a few times on different websites that people think he is gay? also something about a tv show where a comedian (or an athlete? Not sure) said something about a football player being 'lahm' (/'lame') to not come out.

 

Sounds quite familiar, actually. In the run-up to every competitive match between England and Germany, you can guarantee that the tabloids will print articles about previous encounters, usually from 1966 or 1990. I'm not sure if it's the same for you guys, but our footballing rivalry with Germany is usually considered to be a relatively one-sided one - from what I understand, most German fans aren't overly fussed about England one way or the other, and mostly consider Holland to be their traditional rivals.

 

Yeah, there were some pretty wild rumours about Lahm maybe two or three years ago, including one that his marriage was just for show and that he really lived with a male friend in Cologne. So random! I know he's spoken out, as well as having campaigned for gay rights in the past, perhaps it all stems from that?

 

Really? I thought it would be France for England and yes I meant history.

In Poland v Germany I guess it's history (then again... Poland v Russia matches never get such fuss, but we rarely ever play with Russia and they aren't seen to be as good as Germany, when it comes to football...) but also the fact we NEVER won with Germany, so there are slight expectations about 'maybe this time...'

He is married? I had no idea the only thing semi-Lahm-related is that around EURO 2008, I realized that one of the boys I used to go to school with looked a lot like Phillip

Well, guess what sir? We are finally dealing with flooding here in SoCal after months of no real measurable rain. In these past 3 days we have had more rain than in all of last year combined Now if only we could get a few more such storms can a HUGE dent be made in our water deficits and drought conditions.

Sorry to hear that. Keeping my fingers crossed that there's not too much damage done.

On a slightly different note, may I say, the latest set is a corker! To my eternal shame, I saw 'Despicable Me' for the first time just last week.

Really? I thought it would be France for England and yes I meant history.

In Poland v Germany I guess it's history (then again... Poland v Russia matches never get such fuss, but we rarely ever play with Russia and they aren't seen to be as good as Germany, when it comes to football...) but also the fact we NEVER won with Germany, so there are slight expectations about 'maybe this time...'

 

He is married? I had no idea the only thing semi-Lahm-related is that around EURO 2008, I realized that one of the boys I used to go to school with looked a lot like Phillip

Not so much France for some reason, even though it's just over the water. I suspect if you asked the average England fan to tell you his or her top three rival nations, almost all of them would say Germany, Scotland and Argentina. I can't honestly say I've ever really bought into any of those rivalries myself though - I'd of course want England to win against any of them, but I wouldn't take any added satisfaction from beating them than I would from beating, say, Italy (chance would be a fine thing! ).

Did the guy you went to school with look then as Lahm looks now? Because I can totally imagine that, despite the fact that Philipp is about 30. Only other thing I know about him (apart from that he plays full-back for Bayern and Germany and is really quite good) is that he has one of the greatest nicknames around - 'The Magic Dwarf'.

 

Cool!

So this is me: http://www.last.fm/user/HorizonTries

 

Perhaps inevitably, my understanding of what I'm doing is still a bit tenuous at the moment, but I'm looking forward to seeing the recommendations roll in!

 

Ha! I was just dropping by to chase you up on that very thing. Glad to see you followed through with your intentions.   Tenuous or not there really isn't anything to it. However any queries or concerns be sure to drop me a line. I'll be happy to help 

You do however need to work on your play count

Friend request sent...

Sorry to hear that. Keeping my fingers crossed that there's not too much damage done.

 

On a slightly different note, may I say, the latest set is a corker! To my eternal shame, I saw 'Despicable Me' for the first time just last week.

Hey sir I hope the week has been moving along well on your side of the pond.

And nope, not too much damage considering the amount of rain we received over the weekend. All and all SoCal escaped any serious storm damage.

LOL why thx Well at least you had the chance to finally watch the beautiful hilarity that are the Minions

 

Really? I thought it would be France for England and yes I meant history.

In Poland v Germany I guess it's history (then again... Poland v Russia matches never get such fuss, but we rarely ever play with Russia and they aren't seen to be as good as Germany, when it comes to football...) but also the fact we NEVER won with Germany, so there are slight expectations about 'maybe this time...'

 

He is married? I had no idea the only thing semi-Lahm-related is that around EURO 2008, I realized that one of the boys I used to go to school with looked a lot like Phillip

 

Not so much France for some reason, even though it's just over the water. I suspect if you asked the average England fan to tell you his or her top three rival nations, almost all of them would say Germany, Scotland and Argentina. I can't honestly say I've ever really bought into any of those rivalries myself though - I'd of course want England to win against any of them, but I wouldn't take any added satisfaction from beating them than I would from beating, say, Italy (chance would be a fine thing! ).

 

Did the guy you went to school with look then as Lahm looks now? Because I can totally imagine that, despite the fact that Philipp is about 30. Only other thing I know about him (apart from that he plays full-back for Bayern and Germany and is really quite good) is that he has one of the greatest nicknames around - 'The Magic Dwarf'.