Scarlet Pimple

Will this affect your job and future prospects then. Alex?

Rumour has it that Billy has agreed to change his name to Ernie for an apartment and a free train ticket to Inverness. C.mon, You guys remember Ernie from Wigan. Surely! As charismatic as OOR WULLIE.

Fijians don't eat raisins Roarer? They only touch black currants, as you rightly point out. The reason is that the blue die that comes off in the process make them look fiercer. Like the auld Picts painting their faces with daub to scare the Romans away. The current information on file, however, does not point to the hiring of South Sea Islanders 'cos there would be a commotion of they turned up in grass skirts when Tartan has been ordered to brighten up the new strip. Mind you...thinks...the girl fans might like it. Maybe all the screaming and shouting would arouse too much of the Grapes of Wrath though?

I've sent you a personal message Laurence. I prefer not to reply here because there is no real need to continue this thread unless you want to. I was unaware of any issues relating to what you say and I feel it is best for me not to get involved. What with being bad tempered, and a bit of a nut case a Pimple can't alter his act greatly without adopting an attitude of humility which would only have the effect of being booed off the park and revealing his true nature and weaknesses. Deflate a Pimple and what do you have? The same thing as a deflated football without a lace, only larger and more ugly by far. It's unfortunate that you feel this way but I am sure that with a bit of humour and self-reflection it could be sorted out. The last time I looked in the mirror another face looked back at me (true story) .The power of his eyes reduced me to a shivering wreck and I lowered my gaze. When I looked up again I was back. and the other fella was gone. I was shaken though and consulted with my resident psychiatrist, my car mechanic. "Oh, he says, that was you " then left me to figure out what the heck he was talking about and, frankly, I was too unnerved to ask. Then I got it and was not too pleased 'cos Pimples don't have weaknesses you see. It might work for you too --just casually look into the mirror when you are shaving and then .....run like fun.

John in full flight , that's what it was. But the man seems to actually know his stuff and is on top of things. The more I see of John the more I like him. Enthusiastically speaking, or speaking enthusiastically, he has few peers.

Laurence, I thought I was reasonably well educated until I came in contact with you. Xenophobia was a word I had never really mastered and needed to look up in the Oxford English dictionary and it means "someone who actively dislikes foreigners". Eh what? DD sums it up perfectly but how you come to that conclusion is a real mystery? I think you are alluding to the possibility that your English connections are anathema to me as if the Englanders are any different to the Germans, the Irish, the Swedes, Norwegians, Australians, Italians, Israelies, Syrians, Iranians Spaniards and French whom I have met and have engaged in many an interesting conversation in my travels. And ...oh...the worst of all, the Canajins whom I loathe because they feed me and give me money, allow me to buy cars that, possibly, are better for me than the British ones I used to drive, gave me the opportunity to hike large mountains and ski like a maniac in deep powder, learn to paddle a canoe, run rapids in a raft, fly a Cessna plane from Vancouver to Vancouver Island scared stiff most of the time cos the pilot liked me..... and.... and. They pose a huge threat to my sense of independence ! A close second would be the Americans since I had 7 cousins in Missouri where they allowed me to visit completely free of charge which seriously offended my Scottish blood. San Diego where I fell out with my Chinese girlfriend, who took offence when I looked up at the waitress's face when she asked me for my order at table, and claimed I was winking at her, when in fact it was all the fault of the stye in my eye. which made me blink a lot. Oh and just in case all is not clear, my Dad was born in.....wait....for....it..... Yorkshire. Doofer's Dad is English too and understands my challenges, so why can't you?

Laurence--for goodness sake, where on earth did I suggest in any way, shape or form, that these words were addressed to Oddquine or in any way were in reference to her as you have suggested? After many posts the fact that you have chosen deliberately to "overlook" the many, many "likes" that I have given this good lady over many months should be proof enough that I would never have reason or thought in my mind to ever attribute these things to her. A more civil, tolerant and fair lady I have rarely met. It was merely (as you actually very well know) a tongue in cheek, rather sad commentary on what my experience has taught me of what is happening in this world and a suggestion that we ALL might be privileged by perhaps not coming back here next time around. And I am of the firm impression that the only reason for your saying it was to cause trouble on the basis of divide and conquer. However, no doubt you will reply by saying that you only meant it as a joke..?. If so, a misguided and cheap one IMHO! You are something of a rather different person with a really thick skin with oddly negative views to match and you get by on here because of the tolerance of the members who believe in free speech and the good control of the site by two outstanding members and associates. You rarely answer a straight question head on and, from personal & private, experience, I am not quite sure that your personal manners measure up either. To summarise--I don't care for you greatly as a person so let's leave it at that.

Laurence--please! Good laughs on here are welcome as light relief to some of the other posts. I come on here to relax, just like IHE, and humour is the oil between these wheels.

Charles--you do have a great memory. I NOW remember that I was in the Life Boys upstairs in Washington Court and also the man in charge of the team whom I can't remember, George somebody ??? Fantastic, very dedicated gentleman and he never had a problem with he young gentlemen in my troop. We then moved onward to the 1st Boys Brigade but can't remember the hall,. you say on Bank Street and maybe that was correct Many years later when I was in Inverness on holiday I spotted George. who had come off the Greig Street Bridge and was heading for town just past that church on the corner close to the bridge.I was coming down the slope from town and as he passed I stopped him and said " Mr ..... , you may not remember me but I was in your troop years ago and I remember you well, I have always had the greatest respect for you and the greatest affection and I want to thank you for all your hard work and efforts at that early time in my life" George's companion spoke and said "There you are George that's something for you and I think it's made your day "...or words to that effect..." His chest came up and out and a broad smile wreathed his face and I felt so good and it was clear that he didn't know quite how to answer. Gobsmacked might be a good way to describe it. It felt so good as I walked away because I knew that was probably the best reward he ever needed, this selfless, kind and dedicated man who certainly made a big impression on me.

I see your point Bughtmaster

Well, frankly speaking Charles, I/m happy that I was not aware of all the red tape and shenanigans going on when I was in the Ist Company about mid fifties. Behind the scenes up from the playhouse (Hamilton Street was it?). Not sure at all whether at that time the Ist was associated with a specific church either. I just went for the fun and for something to do and keep active.

Of course not! Who would be stupid enough o do a thing like that in public..?

Chas, now you are over seventy I can understand why you don't want to publish your age in your profile. Hoch! Hoch! But Laddie,i t's nae age that coonts, old chap, but spirit and what's in the heart. Yesssss.! Me, Spartacus and Scarlet all look like gateposts so who recognizes any one of us in a kilt eh? And ...who cares? Maybe that's why sometimes we are each of us confused with Braveheart . In this case it's always the hairy legs that brings home the bacon...isn't that right Oddquine?

Oddquine I picked up on your comments about the Law Lords beholden to the Westminster elites. Because it was the latter that put the former in their jobs so you know where the loyalty of the Law Lords lie-- to the paymaster of course, especially when the very large salaries and perquisites are involved, which, compared to the pension payments of U K pensioners no matter where they live, would reveal a huge, disgusting disparity not to mention a lifestyle as different as chalk from cheese. Compassion does not even come into sway in the minds of the super rich and privileged. I note also with interest the later comment made that Why do you think that the first rejection of the Alliance of British Pensioners plea to the High Court in London for parity of pension upgrade amounts for Ex Pats with those of pensioners who live in the U.K. ( we all paid the same premiums long ago)was rejected--the Lordly lawyer who wrote the rejection decision was sharing Chambers with Madame Cheri Blair the wife of the British Prime Minister of the day. So was there any chance whatsoever of a fair and equitable decision.? Never in a thousand years. Your other points also resonated as much as common sense as anything else. e.g. What you say about such extremely privileged people stamping on the heads of the much more disadvantaged poor etc. Welcome to the current world, Oddquine. Don't you hope and pray that in your next re-incarnation you will be born on another planet where the inhabitants are more enlightened, less dedicated to power and money and privilege, lesswarlike, more fair to all, etc.etc. If given a choice just choose Utopia.

If I were to believe the story about Shinnie burning an ICT scarf I would be shocked. Even if it was done in a jubilant, jesting mood it would show immaturity, a lack of caution and tact and contempt for his club and paymaster. And who is to say that at another club he would have developed into the player fans say he is because no two clubs are the same. Conditions, player personalitie , training and so on may well be completely different leading to a different atmosphere altogether. He should at this stage be keeping quiet, watching what he does and lying a bit low--after all he is still on the books of ICT and he is not an Aberdeen player yet...otherwise, many a slip between cup and lip could unhinge his career big time. Just saying?

Yep, and a lot smaller than I remember...but then.......I saw Spartacus in that place and more than once in North America since then. Smile

What pictures!!!!!!! Never seen the likes of them before. Most instructive. Maybe Jock --did you know these parts of town.? I must have led a sheltered life since I didnae see any of them. I'm even trying to remember where Grant Street was? Och, aye? I remember now--- close to the Caley park. The first picture, IHE,. bowled me over. Cobbled streets and carriages -- Who would have thunk it?

Tom English is the guy who writes columns and he is an educated type of bloke. Love his critiques.... Just the man to put Derek in his place. But at least paying homage at the shrine of ICT is proof positive that he has contrition in his heart and a secret admiration for our team....not! Let's face it, he was there with dad to run the rule over our team . Must have been quite a shock to see how successful we have become. If ICT give County a drubbing well, now, he doesn't need to feel as bad and can contain himself. I'm hearing from my Scottish Pimpernell man-on-the-ground that Neil Lennon would like to come back to Celtic ..or, at least, he is open to the suggestion. Never thought you would fit into an English team, anyway, Neil. so ...who knows?

You just never know where the next gem is coming from. Maybe under a stone....? Just because they play for a losing team or a disadvantaged one, does not mean that they don't have potential.

Nope. Now we are in the top tier it probably would now be called the European Bayeux Tapestry end.

Nice photo, though, Jock. Smile

Now he is wandering round Europe looking for tips on how to improve his abilities. Nothing wrong there . Claims the histrionics on the park were pre-calculated in concert with T B and were instituted to raise the angst level and interest among the fans to fever pitch. Now he has called in at David Moyes club, watched training and asked his advice. David M. gave him a half hour of his time and advised that he should keep trolling around,. So, Dick Whittington-like, he shouldered his red spotted handkerchief on his pole and went off to Germany and somewhere else. Clearly money for air and train fares is not an issue for him--lucky Jim. Perhaps if he divorced himself from his father's influence he might get going again and turn out just fine. Kinda sad really! Fortunes of a football manager I suppose?

If you spend the savings on beer, IHE ,you will need 5P's so you won't see much of the gemme ?

Interesting post C.B. I started going to the Caley park about 1953 or 1954. At that time there was definitely a nursery there because I do also remember the Italian prisoners of war that worked there, probably from about 1942 to 1945, to whom my mother would give the odd cup of tea over the hedge separating the nursery from my back garden on Dunain Road. I also remember the name as always being Howdens and nothing else. Now, maybe some other outfit did own the ground that stretched right up to Fairfield Road and bounded by the Bumbers lane but what their name was I really could not tell. I think quite a few of the prisoners (of which, frankly , there were not that many as I recall) remained residents of Inverness? A list of names would be great to see and what contribution they made to the town would also be very interesting to learn about.