Canada Bob

B*gger Rochdale, I'm a Tranmere Rovers fan today, off to the game the now...

Don't know if any of you are using the SMS services to keep track of your teams or your bets, or what you think of the sevice and the sometimes padded service they try to load you up with. The one I like is on the link below, they seem to be as quick as the rest but are on average at 10p/12p per sms they are half the price of less than many others. Add to that, rather than get every message the other providers can think of to throw at you, these guys offer a gold service if you want team line ups, kick off, goal scores, cards, ht result, ft result, attendance etc, or the silver service where you just get the goals as they go in, plus the ht and the ft, same price per sms on both the gold and the silver service. Goals as they go in... At the prices they charge I'll be happy enough if Tranmere put a dozen past Hereford this afternoon... Another thing I like about this site is, it's as easy to stop the service as it is to start it up, some sites make it hard work trying to turn their service off, few things are worse than still getting the goal flashes from Accrington Stanley 6 weeks after yer bet went down The only thing is they aren't yet listing Scottish Teams, but I guess if enough folks ask they'd add them on...

One of the things I don't like about Islam is, they lay claim to just about everything that anyone born into their ranks ever came up with, as though they only figured it out, or discovered whatever, because they were Muslems, and from that leap on to "prove" it's them that are on the right track, and the rest of us are heading to Hell. I don't see the same thing happening in other religions, Jews don't attempt to discredit the beliefs of everyone else because Einstein was a Jew, nor do Hindu's debase other religions because Gandhi et-al arose from their ranks. It's a bit like those weary arguements that "the Chinese invented everything" or "what we owe to the Arabs", and so on, or how every famous bloke that you ever respected "was actually homosexual", FFS. Before we know it our minds are full of this shyte, we finish up where we can't discern truth from propaganda... Fair enough we all like to promote our cause, or to persuade others towards our view of the world, but when it comes to having your cultural roots, religious beliefs, societal standards or your heed cut off by those who wish to usurp or overwhelm us it's time to take a closer look how they abuse our tolerance, and what their agenda for us really is. Islam may at one time have been "tolerant of other religions" but my guess is that in those times they had to be, as they once were a tiny minority, but like many other groups once they get their feet under the table their attitudes change, and not for the best towards those who don't fall into their ranks... Fact is, I don't want to be a Muslem, I don't want my county to become Muslem, nor do I want to see Europe fall under the influence of Islam. When they afford us the same rights and priviledges in Islamic countries that we afford them in ours I will have less concerns than I have now. As for the now, as much as Muslems want to maintain their cultural and religious values, I also want to maintain mine...

Wondered what happened, you should have phoned someone to put the bet on for yer, it was a bad week against for the Napsters, a chance to move up the ranks went begging there Joe...

The thing I was attempting to show wasn't my intolerance to Islam or anyone else's religion, it was that Blair will say anything to anyman to get where he wants to be. I doubt he would have had the balls present the same opinions to the country when he was seeking votes in Sedgefield. As for him "reading the Koran every day" well, I'd take bets he reads the Telegrapgh more than he reads the Koran, but knowing won't curry him any favours he makes no mention of it. As for his comments, I can't swallow them, in fact I find them objectional to my race, culture and creed, but that don't mean that I would condem Muslems, their religion or their necks to oblivion for what they chose to believe. In my book folks have a right to freely follow what they believe in, as long as they afford the same rights to those who don't see the world as they see it. Whatever Islam was in the past is in the past, try asking for a church to be built in Saudi or Pakistan etc, then from the comforts of one of their Lunatic asylums you'd be able to fill in a form requesting Government funding for it. The radicals holding the reins of Islam now are a threat to almost everyone on the planet, I don't like what I see, but I have a what is now a strained tolerance towards it. I understand what you say that in the UK opinions that run against what the Government et-al would have me speak or think "could get me into trouble" yet that threat won't bend me to their mold. Odd how the bridle is fashioned for the mouths of the White Anglo Saxons though aint it, if they speak up they are racists, if Muslems jeer our soldeirs coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan and "condem them to hell" they are simply expressing the tenants of their faith, FFS... Might be worth reminding ourselves that "in our 21st world" we can freely voice our opinions in public, or in here, that's a good thing, we might at worst hiss each other off, but more often that not we listen to what other folks have to say and may gain some insight from am opposing view, at least I know I have. Yet we have been so used to this freedom that we hardly notice that we have it. The last thing we want is to lose what we have taken for granted, it's taken hunderds of years and millions of lives for us to get where we are {in the Western World}, we have a responsibility to defend our right to free speech, as long as what we say isn't simply intended to infuriate or provoke hatred.

Nice one Bob! you and I are always singing from the same hymn book. I enjoy your posts immensely. Thanks DAM... Just back from Rochdale's trouncing of Port Vale, we were "all or 'em" the score sheet might say 1-0 but the woodwork took a battering, as did the Tote laying 4/6 to all that I could get on Rochdale. Hills generous as ever had Rochdale @ 1/2. My mate was right about Vale being bothered with the flu, a couple of them were pouring in sweat within 15 minutes, and they'd seen nowt of the ball, they were taken off later... I'll be doing the rounds on Sunday cashing in me Tote coupons, they wouldn't lay more than 150 quid per bet, but soon as I put that bet on, they'd then lay it again to the same money, but only 2 bets like that per shop, how odd is that, as in the end I got all that I wanted on, but had to go from one shop to another. Nice little ground Rochdale, never been there before, but... no ale at all on the ground, and if you nip out at h/t to the pub right next door {15 yards away}, they want you to pay again to get back in FFS, so I had to spit feathers 'till the end of the match, no way was I paying 26/- for a small coke, cheeky b*stards...

Off to watch Rochdale now, via Corals, as I'm told that Port Vale are struggling to make a team up due to the flu... Corals & Laddies have the best odds @ 8/13 Hills have Rochdale @ 1/2.

The most remarkable thing about reading the Koran - in so far as it can be truly translated from the original Arabic - is to understand how progressive it is. I speak with great diffidence and humility as a member of another faith. I am not qualified to make any judgements. But as an outsider, the Koran strikes me as a reforming book, trying to return Judaism and Christianity to their origins, rather as reformers attempted with the Christian Church centuries later. It is inclusive. It extols science and knowledge and abhors superstition. It is practical and way ahead of its time in attitudes to marriage, women and governance. Under its guidance, the spread of Islam and its dominance over previously Christian or pagan lands was breathtaking. Over centuries it founded an Empire, leading the world in discovery, art and culture. The standard bearers of tolerance in the early Middle Ages were far more likely to be found in Muslim lands than in Christian ..." I hope that none of you were thinking the above were my words, but could you guess who came out with such crap ? I'll give you a clue, although a Protestant when he was the PM, as soon as the job went so did his association. He then became a Catholic and within weeks, had met the Pope and within days was assimilated into Opus Dei. Around and abouts the same time, as a Middle East Envoy, and soon after started to spout shyte like this. All things to all men hey, I guess if it helps him dodge a bullet it will serve his purpose... What's the difference between a cactus plant and the Houses of Parliament ? On a cactus plant the pricks are on the outside...

Montrose to Draw for me @ 3.50 Another strategic play hey

Hello Scotty... Thanks for the nod on Travel Zoo, that's a new one for me, I use Tripadvisor a lot, and as you say if you take out the comments of those either talking a place up, or attempting to knock a place down then your in good shape. There's a few folks on Tripadvisor that write it as it is, when I've booked on their say so I've never had a problem. When I talk about good hotels for $80 a night {to the lads ore here} they think I'm slumming it, the only 4 Stars you'll get for 40 quid in say London would be the ones you see through a hole in the roof... Did once stay in the dorms at the LSE {London School of Economics, where Mick Jagger went},though for less than 30 quid a night, basic, clean and a decent cooked breakfast thrown in, I'd rather stay there or on any other campus than chance a dodgy B&B. Speaking of B&B's, they are still offering B&B for 11 quid here in Blackpool, but when you turn the blankets back it sounds like yer ripping velcro appart {you don't want to know}, you wouldn't need LSD to get psychedelic, just one of those lamps off CSI... Different life aint in Canada...

Hi Bob, just saw this now so apologies for the late response.Nae problem, just home meself from Quiz night, I'da won but for not knowing the plural for fekkin parrots, sigh... Might be of interest to me Rob seems to like it, deccent money, good grub, quarterly contracts that roll over if you want to go back, and I'll tell you this, if Rob likes it {he's a home bird} then it must be a cushy number... but to be honest I'd rather stay in the UK for the time being. Understood... I will play about my the old CV and fire you a copy which maybe you could forward on just to see what does turn up so long as I am not committed to anything :thumb04: No problem, bang it orf to me... The job that I have been waiting on for ages has been put on hold due to the recession. Whilst disappointing it was also not unexpected. This is the second job I have gone for that I was "in there" with only for it to be pulled due to the financial mess the world seems to be in. Tough times. Yea, tough times indeed, and it's odds on to get a lot worse before it gets any better... Another two new jobs have sprung up. One in Edinburgh and another in Aberdeen Spoilt for choice there if you live in Wigin which I would be pretty ticked off if I didn't get at least an interview for giving it is what I spent most of my Masters thesis working on! Time to get scribbling on the application forms! As some have said on here application forms are a start, but knowing someone {trying desperatley not to say "Networking}, who knows someone is still a better bet. The only place that springs to mind as a relatively safe place to weather out the storm is Canada, even though Alberta has gorn off the boil a bit since oil dropped lower than $70 a barrel there's still room for folks with Degree's and at good money too...

No matter where you decide on this site gives rates and reliable ratings on Hotels, B&B's etc... Hotel / B&B rates & reviews

Thanks for your comments Rod, Smee et-al, I guess you guys have seen the lighter side of me from time to time... It's no easy to get your sentiment into a text message, and sometimes comments don't carry with them the sardonic humour intended, that can get you on the wrong side of folks... My rail against the Government isn't particularly due to their stripe, although I'm no fan of Nu Labour I've voted Tory just the once in 40 odd years. Maybe as we get older we get weary of seeing what they all get away with, and being my own man {a loose canon no afraid to roll across anyones deck}, if I don't like what I see I'll raise my voice against it. Can't think that it ever got me anywhere, but if I'm nothing more than a disuading thorn in the side of those who disrespect the blokes who get up in a morning to go to work for a lifetime, then that'll do for me. I've seen some joy riding and junketting in my time from Whitehall to Town Hall, but what's being loaded onto the backs of the taxpayers now really does beggar belief. Although it's already pretty bleak and not just in the UK, it looks as though it will get a lot worse before there's any sign of a turn around. For one reason and another that might affect me less than it affects most, but it doesn't anger me any the less seeing what's going on, and its affect on us all.

CB - Im sorry for my comments, I dont want to get into a personal slagging match with you, I took it too far. No problem roscoe, we can all get the wrong impression about folks we don't know, the difference is when we realise we may have got it wrong is what we do about it.

Thats fair enough but its all endless crap that you post on this site. Odd how you were interested enough to read my comments then... You never seem to comment about ICT! Having not been to a game in over 3 years it would be a bit much for me to post in the ICT football forum... Every game is an away game for me, living >3,300 miles away, mind you, that didn't stop my money sponsoring a player last year... The guy was clearly obstructing Police and not moving, in these situations with protesters which you never know might kick off and become violent towards Police, which has been the case in London over the last few weeks! At the time the bloke was attacked the protests were essentially over, the Police faced no threat, you'd find more people watching Clachnacuddin than these officers were faced with when the copper floored him... You just never know what the guy could've been holding or had on him. I wonder if that thought might ever pass through a coppers mind when you're walking home from the Pub...

HAHA You clearly have serious issues, Come to think of it I do have some serious issues, when I see thing something wrong I do something about it... all you do is moan about everything to do with the world, you must be a very depressing individual to be around! If only you knew me roscoe, you'd be having chips with your words... All the Police did was push him and he fell over. Yea, yer right, makes no sense to have an enquiry about it does it...

Which is the worst, Sinn Fein getting your money, or the Vet ! Playing the Bongo's at the Taxpayers expense !!! I wonder if this is how it went when Rome burned...

If "trying his best to obstruct" comes under the same heading as Uniteds defence last night then I'd agree with you, they might as well as had their hands in their pockets, as they were "trying to walk the other way". It's hard to say what the guys intentions were, in a worst case scenario the guy might have shown some lack of respect to the Police, but that doesn't give them the right to attack him. Odd how cowards chose their man so carefully though aint it, how they prefer to attack from behind, on a bloke older and less fit then they are, and from the security of all yer mates kitted up for battle being shoulder to shoulder with you shows an element of bravery don't it, the copper couldn't lose could he, the bloke lost his life...

Good point Smee... they enforce the law but like MP's it's application to them is optional...

What's this on the 5 o'clock news from the Home Office... "We are trying to identify the officers involved" FFS, surely they should ALL have come forward by now !!! do they need someone to knock on their door ? What's the odds that at the end of all this, that we'll be told, "the officer who tripped and fell against Mr Tomlinson, had no intention of doing him any harm, it was simply an accident", no doubt some r sole Lawyer will be passing that or similar thoughts through his mind...

I'm glad I don't have their nerve in my tooth, sigh... Even Sinn Fein are taking the proverbial !!! How the Hell could Parliament allow these expenses ! Does no one look at the books, or is it that they just don't care, long as they've all got their heads in the trough...

The way I see it is that since Maggie Thatcher the Police feel as though they are there to challenge any protest that takes to the streets. They are supposed to control or respond to any violent actions, but a lot of them feel they have the right to assault anyone they don't like the look of. Ever since the Miners strikes the Government has turned a blind eye to how the Police "control" any anti Government Protest. The bloke wasn't showing any aggression, he was simply walking home. Just a few weeks ago when Muslems were agressive, provocative {calling for the lads to be murdered} and abusive towards troops returning home from Iraq no one took a baton to them, can you imagine the furore there would have been if one of them had been clobbered, the benches of Parliament would have emptied in minutes to condemn it. How bad has it got that a man is attacked {no other word for it} from behind, whilst walking away from the Police lines with his hands in his pockets. No doubt the other Coppers who were there, "didn't actually see what happened, I was looking the other way". Odd how the the PM has next to nothing to say about it, yet Jaqcui Smithies is pleased to be infront of a camera feigning concern, she'd rather be talking about anything other than herself, hoping to show us "how concerned" she is about what happened {again}. To add insult to injury the same force that were on that Police line want to be the ones to "investigate" it...

Looking further afield than Aberdeen Alex. Environmental work mainly. I had a very productive meeting with someone from one of the big oil firms here who gave me loads of good advice but the way the world is just now most oil companies are not looking for staff just now. He gave me some other options to try that might lead into a career in environmental oil & gas but we shall see how that goes. One route was through environmental consultants so having a look there. Right ! a mate of mine from Dundee {of all places} is employed in the same sort of work, {the now}. He couldn't find any work in Scotland but he got himself some well paid contract work in Nigeria, if you'd consider that Rig I could ask Rob if there's any openings where he is. If yer interested Rig drop me a PVT with your CV and I'll ask Rob to see if he can help out.

Looks like times are going to get tougher on the job front... 3.2 Million Unemployed For folks who have transportable skills, teachers, nurses, welders or other blue collar skills, it might be worth considering emigrating, as some countries are doing better than others. If emigration isn't an option then maybe starting a small business if you can find a niche in the market.

Sure as Hell it is, but it's salt into the wound when the Prime Minister shows little if any concern about the goings on... With words to the effect of... "well, it's not a big deal, it been going on for years, let's not talk about it, let's focus on something else, better for you not to know it only upsets you knowing what we get up to". I don't know which of them is the worst, the Home Secretary for "bending the rules" or the Chancellor of the Exchequer decided that he needs a few more quid out of the taxpayers pockets to put in his own. Of all fekkin people hey, he's the one who imposes his Budget on everyone else in the land. The arrogance of Geoff Hoon almost takes the biscuit, but for Gordon to play it all down when he should be clearing the decks of the lot of them beggars belief... It's not just the arrogance though, it's the bleedin' incompetence as well, check out the latest blunder from the Home Office, just shows what gobshytes they are, {is everyone asleep at the switch}, or it could be down to Jacqui's husband entertaining himself... You couldn't make it up, could you... It's a pity that it's only the Opposition who can call for a vote of "No Confidence" in the Government, rather than the voters, if that was the case these b*stards would be the ones wondering where their next job or their next shilling would be coming from.