Scarlet Pimple

But, to get this kind of positive thinking into the world of reality and action, someone has to start a Committee to gather, discuss and implement propositions put forward? I cited North American stadia criteria for pleasing the fans because the sports people over here (i.e the Ownership) are advanced, aggressive entrepreneurs who have long recognized that what has been said above here ---it's a family experience, it's a day out, it's a comprehensive entertainment spectacle, it's what brings in the fans. As someone said on here in an earlier thread it's about encouraging families to have a good day out. Exactly. If dour Scots only think that Yankees are bombastic, all glitz and glitter, over-the -top, razz ma tazz, unreserved nutcases and far too outgoing for their own good then why are they so successful in getting bums on seats? What they are is often not so high-key as you think but proffer genuine, interesting events on the field before the play and during half-time which are colorful, dynamic and highly choreographed, well drilled and very entertaining . They are in fact, within their own genre, very skillful shows which obviously have been worked on very hard by the participants because what they are doing is very meaningful to them. Often they are teenagers who are amazing in their passion and precision and beloved by the crowd. Even at ice hockey games there is loud, blaring music as the teams enter the rink and whenever there is a stoppage in the game on the ice. It never ceases, even if it is only a short burst -- ramp up the feelings at every opportunity is the message. It gets the crowd going and PUTS BUMS ON SEATS. Which is the whole idea. If their blood doesn't stir where is the excitement and a desire to part with their money. North Americans put a lot of effort into their promos and so forth and that's all I can say about creating excitement and a spectacle that fans don't want to miss. They don't just go for the hockey, which often can be boring as heck, they want their emotions to be roused after a week's work. They want movement and action and a feeling that when they leave the stadium they will have had an experience. And been to an EVENT.

MacDuffer, you get a "Like " from me as an encouragement.

Now, now, C.B. behave yourself in public, dearie.

Not a problem, Wanderer. Glad to oblige form "just an observer". As for the completed referendum, watch this space--you can take the dog out of the fight but you cant take the fight out of the dog. I assume that Boris the bore (and here we in Canada were thinking that our Toronto Rob Ford was the top world hottie controversial Mayor) and some Prominent others are Putting a lot of Pressure on the P.M. to dilute the Powers that he has Promised to devolve to Scotland. Pity for him if it works because the eventual outcome will be a very angry Scottish Public who will demand reparations--another referendum ---which will annihilate the current outcome and obliterate the P.M's career once and for all. Mr Cameron is sure between a rock and a hard place now. He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. And now he has the added pressure of deciding how many warplanes, or whatever, to send to Iraq together with the added financial burden that that will cause the exchequer. If he moans to the Scots that he hasn't got the money right now, this argument will be rejected with cynicism and bitter remarks and I would therefore assume that his promised devolving of powers must be implemented within say, 6 months? And this cost will be added to the National debt as well as the aforementioned costs of the Iraq involvement, which is already huge? How could this man and his associates have allowed the overall finances to get in such a a state? Maybe a conjoined Britain (i.e the U K.) is already too big a job for him to govern successfully? And Mr. Salmond might have done him and his Westminster cohorts a favor had they won? i.e handed him a ladder to allow him to climb out of the abyss. I said before that there is trouble ahead as a result of this referendum. Truly, I hope that you can escape from a tragedy in the short term rather than the long term.

Charles-- just to clarify? -- you did vote "No" then? Nooooo!!

Och! Permission to sulk yer honyur? "Well, MR S.P. what is the meaning of all this palaver"? Y.H. I stand accused of boredom in paradise and verbal opposition in mah mind tae the demise of ICT. Like my homesickness is affecting my mind and I think I'm back hame in Scoatland-like. "Aye , laddie, Ah come frae there too and I ken whit you mean. "Will you accept a light sentence Mr. Singularly Pernicious gentleperson?" How light Y.H? 3 weeks living with IHE, S.P. Case closed. No appeal.... If he is still alive at the end of the prescription period then he will be a changed man . Still a SEER .....but seeing double like". Thank you Y. H . A very just outcome, if I may say so.

I see similarities to my thoughts in both Scotty's post and the those from Caley D. Especially the remarks about T V and getting with the modern scene at the end of CaleyD's last posting. if we don't change as we go along ... then what? Thank you for the article on what the club is doing behind the scenes. Remarkable! O.K--IHE--then it would have to be a wee show at half-time. Clearly, thought has to precede the entertainment but there is surely nothing wrong with discussions aforethought. I'm not suggesting a Hollywood Spectacle -- maybe only a handful of kids doing something meaningful to them. It's them and their parents I'm after and an attempt to generate in their minds that ICT is a progressive, human club who are trying to do the right thing and survive at the same time. I don't like the word "quit" I.H.E. Once you do that then everything is off the table--and not before one has even looked into it further. Let's just see what can be achieved.. Remember Stevenson's steam engine ..the "rocket" and his quoted remark ''there is no limit to the speed that can be achieved if the engine can be made to stand it." Let's say it worked. What then? -would you say.."Och, it didn't work as well as I thought it would. Lets furget it, Jimmy" or.. "That wasn't too bad, they are kids ! Let's tweek it and S.P. can show up unexpectedly in a large red bubble to torment the weans, who can throw things at him...like their socks and lollipops. And then when he falls over and can't get up due to his round skull so.... they can play bouncy on top of him. C'mon guys, let's get imaginative. It's all about having fun and relaxing for the cause. If the crowd can get one good bellylaugh and they hear the kids having a good time they will go home happy. I promise.

Maybe you are hinting at the fact that we have a very narrow selection of opponents to choose from and the world has moved on. So it's BO_R_ING. True! Many a words spoken in jest.....but why? Maybe we should then try to get in some friendlies with Sweden or even Germany. How about Iceland?------ something,...... anything.... that's different and novel AND shows that you are really interested in doing something to reverse the trend. It would cost money, but if these home and away ties were of value then would it be worth it? Yes or no. Anyone who bleats piteously and says "no" . just please leave the room. Who knows anything unless you TRY ? The very fact that the club is trying to ring the changes might spur some other armchair critics to act alongside the action-eers. Wringing hands will achieve nothing. Laughing at my POM POM references is undoubtedly amusing, for me as w ell as you, but all you seem to be doing right now is sitting at your computer and doing nothing. If so, why not use your computer to contact local businesses and ask for help? Someone please send me your chairman, Mr. Cameron's, email address and I will contact him myself. I used to have it but lost it. What about a Punch and Judy show run by the kids on a match day? That would create a buzz --and at very least it would start a trend, right? Have at least 3 booths set up and let a player or two decide the winner and present a first prize. And every kid gets something as well for their efforts....every child who participated, even if it's only a bag of pan drops or liqorice Allsorts. I've suggested dancing children, or children involved in acrobatics, or drumming ---great idea --involves the local schools, the teachers, the parents ----- which is the perfect combination to put people in seats and emphasize the community spirit and promote the club's value to the general public. Let them perform in front of a crowd ----it can't fail, so long as everybody cheers and no kid is left feeling empty and unappreciated. Everybody wins. AND it sets up- the stage for future fans to be born and cultivated and the parents are charmed, happy and are fans of ICT for the future. Great oaks from little acorns grow and it will happen . But only if the existing fans plant the acorns.: Form a small committee and bandy about ideas , then form sub-committees to explore the ideas presented and pursue them if possible. Then report back to the main committee and if good ideas are proving to be feasible start planning and making phone calls. Who is going to turn you down..the kids who are already involved in their activities that you want to foster and exploit? NO! If you don't make the effort then this club could sink back into obscurity and so will the community spirit.

That's right PerfICT . Go back to my post 11, above. I am sure that if a concerted effort was made to contact schools and try to involve their physical activities , sports, etc in putting on shows at the stadium, the adults/parents would undoubtedly follow. All parents want their kids to succeed so they would encourage them to tuirn up and do a show , then they would stay to watch the game. Then another, brief, show from the kids at half time. This has two other side benefits-- 1. The kids stay to watch the game thus re-inforcing behavior that will lead to allegiance to Caley Thistle in the future and teaches them the game. 2. It fosters teamwork and team alliance. Kids at a young age are future fans which are going to be the source of future club revenue as the older fans age and drop away. 3, The parents become interested in the game and appreciate the club's benevolence in allowing, and fostering , such events. So Their loyalty is born and maybe they become staunch supporters in the future as well as their kids. And it's a safe place for the kids to go on a Saturday afternoon with a pal or another adult.. It's all just common sense isn't it? Can someone contact Mr Cameron --his wife is a teacher , to see what can be arranged? Just asking. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

You never know till you try. Alex. We could try spandex though and that would mean they would have to jump higher and gyrate more quickly to keep warm -- but it would be a gyrate show wouldn't it?? I could tell them to bring their batons and the boys on the team could come out and do some burlings to match their twirlings. Fan-tastic!

St Bernard shows his undying love for his master by trying to keep him imprisoned in an embrace beyond reproach. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2761216/Scotland-independence-referendum-results-announced.html

Sneckboy.. it's going to come from my wife's kitty--you know, the one she uses for buying makeup, ANOTHER new dress, new shoes to go along with the exiting fifty in her shoe closet, etc. The Rockies answer to Emelda Marko. Ha! She is still working , I'm not, so I have had to swallow hard and pray that she won't find out really quickly. Mind you it's fifty fifty really isn't it that someone will take me up on this and make the effort required to bring something like this to fruition? .......

In Canada the T V coverage was extensive and excellent. One commentator was at pains to tell us that there are 300,000 families in Canada descended from Scots migrants and that several of our politicians were Scots. The Green Party? Our one Green party M.P. in Parliament in Ottawa is Elizabeth May who came, seemingly, from nowhere to win her seat after two tries as I recall. She is from a Western Canada constituency and was on the T V yesterday from New York where that large rally for environmental controls was being held. She is a very eloquent and smart lady but, like everywhere else, when voters don't think that her party is too credible at this juncture and probably won't get many seats, they tend to shy away from voting for the party. Stephen Harper , our illustrious P.M. has seated her right at the back of the seats away in a corner farthest from the front of the chamber. Strange how Thomas Mulcair, the National Democratic Party leader, is seated on the front benches directly opposite to Harper. Ms May could make mince meat of Harper if she got riled up and maybe he can only cope with one eloquent and persistent opposition leader at a time. International currency Exchanges: I have nervously been keeping an eye on the exchange rates for the pound re Canadian dollars and note with surprise that there is , if anything, an increase in the amount of dollars that we would receive in the event of cashing a pound cheque. Which means that the markets are sitting tight and not reacting strongly to the outcome of this referendum vote. Good! Alex MacLeod --interested to se you enjoy a vacation in Mexico. I would never set foot in the place ever again after a situation that developed with me when I was on holiday there several years ago. In Mexicao we anglos or North Ameriucans are euphemistaclly referred to as Gringos and are seen as marks --for rooking blind .The average Mexican in the street is fine but the monied class is conscienceless. Never invest in that country is my advice to anyone who is considering it.

Foul ball! Doofers Dad. She just realizes that she can't stay away from the website.

OOPS! Pump fake gives us a barrage from his pump action shotgun. Club perhaps should re-examine their promo tactics. North American sports outfits have many ways of entertaining the fans and building up interest and excitement pre match. I do like the Pom-Pom girls, myself. Not only are they very easy on the eye but they are also very athletic and always smiling as if they are enjoying themselves. I do understand that money is probably very tight but these things could be arranged perhaps through negotiations with some of he local businesses. And the schools could be encouraged to have their athletic activities put on show on match day for maybe half hour or so. I think that doing virtually nothing to provide some kind of different entertainment for the public/fans is not a good, progressive approach to encouraging them to show up. It's all about providing an afternoon out for the family and it should be some kind of complete entertainment package we offer fans to come along. Even performing dogs jumping over boards is better than trying. Not being in Inverness I am not knowledgeable as to what is being offered on match day but, the way things are going, it does appear as if the footie alone may not be quite what the Doctor ordered in this day and age. Involving youngsters in some competitive way is a sure-fire way of engaging the parents also. I am not suggesting harsh, competitive events but events where all kinds of people can participate such as the disabled, the blind even and, of course, the mentally disabled for whom such events would be mentally and emotionally stimulating. I am willing to start this off by sending the club $100 , or about 60 pounds, to assist in setting up a Fund for this purpose, but I strongly feel that the schools should be contacted and asked for their co-operation. Would anyone else be interested in making a contribution because then we could set up a fund.? And maybe the parents could then gradually be pulled in with a small regular contribution once the benefits for the community can be seen to be popular.? Jusr=t thinking out loud.nothing.

The thugs and rioters--if they relate to the "no" camp what on earth can their behavior achieve for them? As for youth and age affecting voters.... ....well, when you are very young and in your teens, the world is your oyster and.. You instinctively know that if things go wrong then : 1.It won't necessarily affect you that much since you haven't got much of a clue what the repercussions may be anyway. 2. You can still recover from a mistake due to the lots of time you think you have ahead of you in the future. 3. You don't care that much because the world at this point is not known to you and it's your oyster and you simply think that you still will have lots of time to open the shell. 4. You are upbeat, excited about your life and remain generally positive about things and haven't yet reached the stage where life has worn down every cotton-picking positive thought you ever had and you realize that everything is hopeless and beyond redemption. 5. Your sexual drive is now beyond puberty and is frenetically trying to fulfill itself and you already know, from the few experiences you have had, that it surely makes you feel relaxed and euphoric and so who cares about something like the outcome of dull referendum at such times except that you love the great feeling you have about your growing power because you are now allowed to vote. 6.You haven't learnt that throwing away your MacDonald's hamburger bag on some old codger's lovingly manicured garden/lawn might cause him distress and may even enjoy the thrill of being chased by Uncle Sam. On the other hand, when you are over 60, all the above will surely no longer apply and has been replaced by : 1. A great relief that your country so far has escaped been nuked. 2. You have managed to protect your yard with a fifteen foot fence which you strongly feel will deter the vulgar and bad-mannered youth of your city from (a) invading your privacy. (b)Protect you from their cursing and swearing in very loud raucous voices as they pass down your street © Noting that their bags now only litter your front driveway but not your manicured and immaculate lawn which, unfortunately, is now hard to see through the chain links so you no longer get compliments from the adult passers-by. 3. The constant fear that their children will turn out to be even worse than them and you don't want to move again because the thought of moving again at your age is anathema. 4. You desperately regret not having put more cash aside for the rainy day that will now most likely occur after you die anyway; but you feel the deeply satisfying need to keep holding on to it in the bank 'cos yer wife is still alive and twenty years younger than you are. 5. Due to the onset of more frequent visits these days from Al Zheimer, you are very worried about not being able to remember where your pill box is when you need it most. Like when your now infrequent desires to become intimate with your still lovely younger wife are stymied by the fact that your prostatitis is becoming more and more painful and you know that without your Arthrotec pills to cut down on the inflammation, coitus is rarely going to be an option again. 6. And, frankly, in some case you are overwhelmed by the desire to just have peace and quiet in your life, with no challenges and no worries about making the wrong decision, or concerns that younger women no longer give you the eye or tell you that they like your body etc. and that you really don't look 85 (if you are only 60). 7. You get my drift..eh? In other words, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

What I found to be very telling were the stats which clearly indicated that the No vote was more or less ahead in almost ALL of the constituencies. Only 3-4 areas in Scotland voted over 50% "YES". . Glasgow being predominant. That clearly shows apprehension in the "no" voters's camps. When you look at the graphs the result is clearcut indeed.-NO rules. I noticed that Orkney had a very high concentration of "no" voters . Did that mean that they were scared that their relative isolation away up there could count against their interests if a Yes vote won the day? I think so. Inverness had a clearcut "No" vote also. Comments on that p[lease?

CH2--you are on the wrong thread--- the forum for you to spout your bilious attacks is probably the Scottish Independence one. But Culduthel is right to ask what age you are because I have also, in the past, suggested that you post your age on your profile but you refuse to do so. Probably because you feel that being more anonymous will allow you to continue to avoid the responsibility for negative and unwholesome comments.

You know, Culduthel, that's a very good question! And one I aked CH2 a few posts ago to reveal . But, he doesn't want to place his age on his profile. Anonymous and sarcastic comments are easy to post when you are able to conceal your identity. The negativity revealed disturbs me.

I have to suspect,.Oddquine, that the unnecessarily negative, rude and somewhat abusive criticisms leveled against you by one member on here (above), who should have known better, have also undermined your desire to stay on here. In fact I not only regret that but would like to suggest that you do stay because it's clear that many other people appreciated your efforts. You were the only poster that I can recall who has started a significant thread on what has turned out to be a very important subject of debate. So you did us all a great service. Your approach to other folks' opinions was significant and praiseworthy. Whilst others concentrate on putting down those who have different views than theirs, and belittling them, you tolerate other points of view and welcome responses instead. And, by exploring all the different avenues of thought on the whole spectrum of the debate, you instructed us overseas members on the finer points and helped me greatly in familiarizing myself with the issues at stake and in detail and depth So I certainly hope you will remain a poster and thank you for your persistence and efforts. S.P .

Even if the No voters win I would noit be unhappy so long as the thousand and thousands of people who are lic=ving below the poverty line were hoisted up above it. All day today the news channels on Canadian T V have been red hot with gen and predictions and stats and......the coverage has been very good and what has been reported by quite a few people from Scotland (I mean Scots residents) have explained their reasons for voting yes and no and were very articulate. What a day, eh? The yes side have been praised by the leader of the Parti Quebecois in Quebec who gave his views on what he had leraned in Scotland and said he had leraneda lot about how good their campaign was and how they did it. Even Conrad Black, the newspaper Mogul who was in Jail last year in the USA, came on one of the segments for the CBC and expounded his views in a very informative and realistic way. He said that this referendum has thrown the Westminster ruling cliques into panic and consternation and disarray. Remember Conrad the guy who gave up his Canadian Citizenship to accept his knighthood from the Queen. He is a smart cookie. Well, its' now about 9 p.m. here in Western Canada and in another couple of hours we will surely know the outcome I might as well stay up late since I have been watching the TV all day! And the reporters and commentators have been very good indeed and obviously the news conglomerates have been doing their homework all right. It's been a completely fascinating and right, royal, riveting, rollicking ride.

Mainstander I have been a member of this website for about 10 years and feel I am just as entitled to express my opinion as you are or any other member is. And as for the pension peeve to which you refer, remember that I paid in for 19 years to the NI and are not getting back in terms of value what was promised by Westminster. Currently , compared to anyone else who contributed at that time I am receiving about 23% less in the pension in spending value--which is the only thing that matters to an old, decrepit, crippled pensioner who is exercising his democratic right to say what he thinks which is all that is left to him in his dotage. and whose wife left him last week to run off with the scaffie whose muscles are not as atrophied as mine. Clearly you are riled up because some things I mention are hitting the mark too firmly for you to accept. If so then you are probably not voting for the right side. Then vote with your pen and never mind trying to stifle honest opinions which is all hot air anyway ; and as you grow older you will learn that the only person you can actually trust 100% on this journey through this mortal coil is yourself., and NOT any politician. Good luck to one and all tomorrow.

Frankly speaking, my knees are now at the trembling stage. Why? Because this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the Scottish Nation. ONLY ONCE! http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-29217170 This article examines the world's reaction or should I say hugely growing reaction--to this vital vote.It's absolutely amazing! And the information given in the article consumed my interest and what struck me as being so powerful was how small the world has become and how much we all depend on each other..and, as human beings, how similar are our needs.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18018002 This article continues to confirm, earily, all of the statements that I have made in this thread so far. If it was not so I would not tell you would I? It states that only 60% of residents of Crimea speak Russian or are aligned with an alliance directly with Russia. Yet, when Russia barrelled into Crimea to start this conflict, they held what they said was a referendum on joining Russia and over 90% of the population wanted this and voted for it. Later, neutral reports indicated that In fact only just over 60% voted in favour of Russian control and Governance and I have read further reports that some citizens were co-erced into voting and some were actually prevented from voting. It's well worth reading because I think it is an independent viewpoint from an international commentator obviously very well versed in the politics of the region and whom I have never heard of before, or knew from Adam.