Mistletoe's Asylum

Here! My football Fantasy team, Liam's Chocolate Fireguards, are top of their league. I can't believe it. Could be money involved if they keep going. Check this out. Football Crazy (Soccer Mad in U.S)

However, Seeley's Supremes are floundering mid-table in their league, thanks to the unforeseen departure of the Special One at Chelsea. I have to wait until next month to sort out the defence. Finally, my managerial skills bear fruit.

Work plodded on its weary way today and there was a distinctly autumnal feel in the air, no doubt helped by the torrential rain this morning.

Bones tomorrow *squee* and set to be downloaded on Wednesday *double squee*. I feel nearly cheerful. I have joined Shelfari which is a bit ironic since I haven't read a book since 1994 when my operations broke the pattern of local Library use that I have never re-established. Call yourself an English teacher! I still read, just not books. Still, I have put my all time favourites on the shelf and look forward to discussion of same.

I started my a.k.a Angel Fest piece but it's not going well, so I may have to start a new idea altogether. I have a title and a vague notion of content but it lacks that je ne sais quoi at the moment. Still I have until January for inspiration to strike.

Also, Pat suggested New York as our next holiday destination in the Spring. What do you think? Can we/should we do a combo with somewhere else like Boston? We like history but would probably only have a week to ten days max. Going to check out packages on line now.

That was close. First derby of the season and mixed fortunes for the lads. Having scored in the 2nd minute they were pegged back by two former players: Julio (Hoo-li-o-o) Arca, always a crowd pleaser and Stewart Downing who we had on loan until Middlesborough realised he was good and called back. We couldn't afford him in those days. Anyway. Liam Miller came on and scored in the 89th minute so it wasn't a total disaster. Still, technically 4 Sunderland players of one era or another scored all the goals. Sad it was two for either side.

In other news we went kitchen tile shopping for the second Saturday running but were successful. It's a nice stone colour with a slight yellowish cast and the decorative specials are tastefully geometrically abstract. So that was good. Then on to Elizabeth's for lunch where I sampled a rather tasty toffee apple fudge cake. Still stuffed.

Durham missed out on being County Champions in their first season in the top division by just 7 points, which is remarkable considering how many of their players are unavailable because of England commitments. Sussex, the champions, have no England players. Hmmm. Anyway well done lads and the wicket keeper, Phil Mustard (known as the Colonel after the Cluedo character) has played himself into the one day squad to play in Sri Lanka, while our star bowler Ottis Gibson has joined the coaching staff for the tour. Considering they are the youngest first class county it is tremendous progress in 10 years.

India are currently doing their best to knock Australia out of the Twenty 20 World Cup in South Africa. I hope they do because they have been the most entertaining team in a thoroughly enjoyable tournament, much better than the World Cup was in the West Indies.

e.t.a. India did it. Youvraj Singh must be man of the tournament. On to the final vs. Pakistan who they earlier beat in a bowl off. It's all to play for.

Some very moving words and pictures today and last night from all sides to Ian Porterfield. Sir Alex Fergusdon was very good and I'm pleased to say Mike Ingham spoke well at the start of the England game remembering Ian's feat at Wembley. There are various shirts and flowers at the stadium such as the ones round Bob Stokoe's statue.

Statue and flowers

Meanwhile Durham won today after dramatic scenes yesterday when one of the opposing team dislocated his shoulder fielding. It took them 45 monutes to get him into the ambulance he was in such pain. Poor lad.

In other news I have my first stye of the new term. It must be stress related as I haven't had one for ages. Still, at least it's my left eye that I don't actually see out of anyway, so it's just sore and irritating.

Well that went well and my first ever feedback. I feel all .... empowered and I only wrote 231 words.

Of course I want to try more but guess what? I have to go to work tomorrow and won't have time to give it the effort I will need. *Pout*

In other news the lads battled gamely for 72 minutes and then lost concentration on a corner to lose 1 - 0. Still at least they didn't get thumped like Derby did off Liverpool. Now we have to win against some lesser teams after the Internationals lay-off.

And now back to the quiz.