Spain, Champions of Europe 2008

For once, the best team won! You might remember my post labelled This, That, and the Other... (1) where I tipped Spain to be the Euro Champions? I hope everyone who read that post put a little cash on them? Let's face it Germany only had one real world class player and we all know who that was - Chelsea's Ballack. The rest of the German team, especially the defence would have been better suited to the English Championship so their achievement in my opinion was actually making it to the final in the first place because when they got there, there was absolutely no way they would knock down the flowing prowess of Spain. Villa benched and my man of the tournament Fabragas starting and they still looked like they were untouchable. Pretty much every player had a great game, and a great tournament so it's hats off to them and congratulations to a team that entertained us (along with the occasional flash of brilliance from Holland and Croatia) all the way through the Championship and nearly made us forget the fact that England didn't even qualify. All in all a pretty good tournament and I support future plans to play the tournament with 24 teams rather than 16 so here's to a good 2012. Cheers.

Spain, Champions of Europe 2008

Best Online Poker Room

I very recently told you about a MySpace group I had set up based around home games in the Chesterfield area, but that doesn't mean to say that I don't play online too. I must have played pretty much every poker room online to date and the best few I have come across are listed down the right of my blog anyway, but I wanted you to know where I played and which poker room I liked best of all. The simple reason I play at this particular poker room is because it suits my game, you get a lot of beginners so your odds of winning are greater and out of all the rooms I have played at this one just seems to work for me (and there's a 100% cash match bonus for new accounts). There's no point in me holding back and building up to name the room I play at because by now you've probably seen the banner just below. Anyway, you can click the banner and it will take you right to Virgin Poker. You have to download the software before you can open an account but then again you would have to anyway. Here's my challenge. I play under the user name ric161220. If you ever see me at a table and knock me out leave me a comment here saying how many players started the poker game along with the date and time you knocked me out, drop me an email (r.uttley@ntlworld.com), and I'll sort you out with some poker goodies.

Best Online Poker Room

MySpace Group for Home Poker Games in Chesterfield

I recently started a group on MySpace based around home poker games in and around the Chesterfield (Derbyshire, UK) area because not only do I work as a tournament director at various poker tournaments but I just love the home game, I live in Chesterfield and I usually play every Friday night either at mine or a friends. Last Friday the game was cancelled because we didn't have enough players and I was stuck for something to do and missed it so much I thought I would start the group to share information on home poker evenings and see what happened or if anyone else might find themselves in a similar position to what I did and then maybe they could log in to MySpace, look up the group and find out if anyone was holding a game in the area and needed extra players. Maybe it will all work out in the end, who knows?.. but it's worth a try. The group can also be used to share a story or let people know about the happenings and goings-on at their last home game, or share photos, tips or even strategy. Anyway, it's for poker players living in and around the Chesterfield area, and if you meet that criterea, then you're welcomed with open arms. You can find the group here, http://groups.myspace.com/chesterfieldhomepoker and you never know, maybe you'll be playing round at mine one day soon.

MySpace Group for Home Poker Games in Chesterfield

This, That, and the Other... (1)

Hello everyone. This is when I babble on about anything and everything and you tell me if I'm right or not.

Big Brother. What do you think so far? I think I'm glad to see the back of Alex, and I hope Rachel wins. The new bloke seems ok but it's so obvious all the younger girls in the house have a schoolboy crush on him and keep going off and giggling with each other about it. I guess I'm jealous. The older guy (I forget his name right now, because to be honest I don't watch it that often) is unliked for the sole reason he thinks he has loads of fans ("we have a fan club you know?") - yeah, right! I think Cookie is ok but her voice gets on my nerves after a while.

Euro. Holland beat by Russia, I just can't believe it. They played as individuals and not as a team and the one team that entertained us through the group matches has now gone. Croatia, you might remember I had drawn in the sweep, looked good, then got beat by Turkey. I can't believe it again. I'm glad Germany beat Portugal though because I had money on them and I'm not a big fan of Ronaldo. So you want a tip? Spain. Italy can't, Germany could, but won't, and I don't fancy Turkey or Russia because they're simply not good enough.

School re-union. Sorry guys and girls for not making it earlier tonight, I was looking forward to catching up with everyone but I generally felt run down and don't think I'd have been life of the party so apologies, I hope you all had a good time, and I'll try to make it next time.

Adverts. Cereal adverts. Very annoying. Churchill adverts. Even more annoying. Halifax adverts. Please, stop the torment.

That's it for now, not that I haven't got loads to say, I just can't be bothered right now. Take care, and thanks for listening.

This, That, and the Other... (1)

Funny Beckham Photos

I thought you had probably had enough of my constant ramblings about the rising cost of fuel and how much of a fix I thought Britains Got Talent was (until the final) so I thought a little light hearted fun was in order. You've got to love the following pictures. Watch David Beckham as he checks out the cheerleader, and then tries to console Victoria as she gets annoyed with him. Enjoy!

Funny Beckham Photos

Adopt a Country for Euro 2008

After my last blog entry about having picked Croatia out of the sweepstake I am pleased to report that they beat the competition favourites Germany last night, so I have since adopted Croatia for the rest of Euro, and I think you should do the same. If you don't want to adopt Croatia then at least adopt one of the teams as I've found this great link that I am sure will help you even more to get over the upset of the lack of an England team in the competition and give you somone to cheer on and support. Click the banner below - you'll see what I mean (and don't worry, it's completely free)...

Adopt a Country for Euro 2008

Euro 2008 Football Championships

So England aren't there, sad face, but there's some good games to be watched and after everyone's played their first game I thought I'd let you know my thoughts about the competition in general. I originally tipped Germany to win, and I still think they will, but I had tipped Italy for the runners up spot and after Holland had them comfortably beat I withdraw that tip and place either Holland or Spain in the runners up spot. It's good to see Robben (previously with Chelsea, and now with Real Madrid) is fit to play France because I had previously tipped him to be the player of the championships. The holders of the cup, Greece were absolutely terrible and kept passing the ball between their three centre backs and not going anywhere so they deserved to lose. Co-hosts Switzerland are out after losing to Turkey on a pitch that would have better being called a swimming pool and as I type this Germany have just kicked off with Croatia, my tip for the underdogs. Keep an eye on the Croatians, with Manchester City's Corluka in defence, Niko Kranjcar in midfield, and Budan and Olic up front the're a team not to be underestimated, and I've drawn them in the sweep so they better do well, lol. There's only really been about three or four good matches so far so fingers crossed the tournament picks up and the goals come flooding in, and not the rain like in the Switzerland and Turkey game. One good thing though is I can't remember anyone being sent off. Here's to a fair tournament. I'll report back when I've got something more interesting to say.

Euro 2008 Football Championships

Best Song Lyrics?

I was just wondering what in my opinion were the best song lyrics I'd ever heard and I came to the conclusion it must be Fatboy Slims "Wonderful Night" so I thought I'd share them with you just to spread the wealth as it were. Be warned, swear words included!

Yeh, yeh yeh yeh
Uhm hmm hm hm

It's a wonderful night
You've gotta take it from me
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

It's a wonderful night
You've gotta shake it for me
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

It's a wonderful night
Everybody can see
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

It's a wonderful night
Go ahead and release
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

You know the music search engine need a tune-up
Soon as they out the gate they all a wanna hit da corner, uh-huh
Well that was cool but now but then I heard a rumor, uh-huh
Your crew was ridin' for the White Cliffs of Dover, uh-huh

Oh let me tell ya how we do it in California
We'll have you on the run just like a Puma
If it don't move us
Ain't paid ya dues and it ain't gonna get our groove on so
We gonna lose ya to the consumer solution c'mon

It's a wonderful night
You've gotta take it from me
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

It's a wonderful night
You've gotta shake it for me
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

Girl I want it you got it
Your body's like a narcotic
The thought is auto-erotic

Can I get it on credit
I guess your brickhouse I'll bet it
Take it as far as you'll let it

Come on and break it on down

That the spot will get hot
That it's ready to pop
Don't even look at the clock
All of your problems forgotten
It's time to rock till you drop
Feel the force and just flock
To the epicenter of the party's bass tremors c'mon

It's a wonderful night
You've gotta take it from me
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

It's a wonderful night
You've gotta shake it for me
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

We gonna stimulate your mind
Everybody's high
Eyes just like a child
Everything feels right

Once you've seen the light
You're gonna move all night
Feel your soul ignite
Everything feels right, right, righhhhhhhhht

We live the masterful life that's mythical
Feel it's chords and it's vibes a-typical
Do what you want
It's alright this mystical time you've got
That's alotted is plentiful

If you stay in this moment so critical
Let the music change your brain stem's chemicals
Make you feel like your spirit's invincible
Force centrifugal reaching up to your pinnacle now

It's a wonderful night
You've gotta take it from me
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

It's a wonderful night
You've gotta shake it for me
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

We rock like Colorado
You're at it throwin' bottles
We give a fuck about your status
Who you are tomorrow
Whether you beg or borrow
Or hit the super lotto
Whether your girl look like a minger or a supermodel

Feel the connectedness, energy, disprojected the weighted
The whole collective consciousness
Arise like helium up
Groovin' out of the question
Won't disrespect him, but
Our styles fuckin' Posh, like Dave Beckham c'mon

It's a wonderful night
You've gotta take it from me
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

It's a wonderful night
You've gotta shake it for me
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

The truth I'm at ‘em and rough ‘em
As hard as the granite get
Never hesitant upon a mic, strike quick
Like an avalanche
Hijack ya like a Comanche
I'm a man on a mission
Rhyme vigilante
Keep all the jealous and the envious antsy
Love to do the club, go with the party people dancin' uh-huh
And set the mood for all the plottin' and romancin' uh-huh
It's a wonderful night
We've got the answer c'mon

It's a wonderful night
You've gotta take it from me
It's a wonderful night
Come on and break it on down

It's a wonderful night
You've gotta shake it for me
It's a wonderful night

Come on and break it on down

Best Song Lyrics?