A weekend of sport - UK

Whilst I have tried to understand American Football, (and believe me, I have!) I still find it hard to work out. I kinda get the idea of 'downs', I know what a touchdown is (although am still a little bit baffled as the ball doesn't ever seem to actually get touched down) and I'm almost sure I understand what a quarterback is. I don't understand 'blitzes' and I have no clue why there are so many people in a team.

I went to a game once. It's like a family day out. Not bad and some fun to be had.

I understand football (or soccer as it's known over the pond). I totally get the offside rule, why a free kick might be given and how it's scored. (Let's face it, it's not difficult). But I hate the game.

My sons used to play and the parents are awful, the coaches were awful and the kids were almost drilled into becoming animals. If I heard one parent shout 'Take him out' or 'Break his legs' once, I heard them a thousand times. Chants from stadium grandstands of 'The referee's a wanker' are often heard and if a goalie kicks a ball out it's usually heard to the sound of the opposing fans shouting.. 'You're shit.. ahhhh'.

It's dangerous and aggressive. More so than its American counterpart and is well known for its aggressive and unruly fans. If you've never heard of the ICF, look them up.

So, I suggested my children take up Rugby. You might think that that was a bad move on my part. But, the referee is called 'sir' by the players. No one argues over a decision. Tackles are fair and the boys all meet after the game in a club house for dinner. The aggression is on the field and is controlled. The parents all seem to be nice. You don't hear the opposing parents suggesting their children should 'kill' the opposition. There are accidents, my middle son broke his clavicle. But that was mainly down to his exuberance rather than anything malicious. And it mended!

So, to this weekend.

There are a number of football matches in the Premiership, Superbowl hits our screens and the Rugby Union Six Nations starts.

My sons want to watch all of it. I don't. We compromised. We get to watch the English rugby, the French rugby and the Superbowl.

I'll sit and sigh over the thighs of the rugby players and sit in confusion over the American football players.. but what I won't be doing is watching football (soccer) fans shouting abuse and the players falling over at the slightest touch.

Fair compromise, I think!

Ban on pyjamas? - UK

I've occasionally been known to pop out without jumping in the shower first. I've even been known to leave my flip flop style slippers on whilst nipping to the offy (offy = british word for off license: a shop that sells cigarettes, alcohol and snacks), but who would go out without changing out of their pj's? It's so common in St Mellons, Tescos has banned it happening!

I bloody love Wales!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/8484116.stm

How England sees America - UK

Came across this some time ago, thought it could do with an airing.

Interestingly, it's written about an English viewpoint, by an American! The best part is the debate afterwards though.

http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/america/2007/06/how_england_sees_america_1.html

And a blog by an American and their view of England. The hamburger story made me laugh! Fair play!

http://britishexpats.com/blogs/BE%20Widow/1319/England+-+An+American&%2339;s+Point+of+View.html

America's Funnyman - Neil Hamburger

BBC Article on the American Love of Motor Homes

Here it is.

So, what are we supposed to do? - UK

For those of you that don't know, I am a teacher. I love my job. I am a good teacher; Outstanding, if you want the opinion of my peers when formally assessing my teaching abilities. I am, however, becoming more alarmed at the allowance of students to get more violent with little or no reprimand.

I have witnessed attacks on staff members and have been subjected to attacks myself. I've watched students fight with each other, use verbal obscenities at each other and been compelled to intervene, so today's story in The Independent is worrying.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/union-warns-teachers-not-to-break-up-playground-fights-1876402.html

Recently, a debate has arisen in British press about the right to defend ones own home. A man was convicted and jailed for 30 months for attacking an intruder (who tied both him and his family up, then threatened to kill them). He was subsequently released but the conviction was not quashed. The argument for his jail term was because he overreacted when apprehending the intruder. The intruder was not tried as he had suffered some brain damage in the attack. Not enough to stop him, he was later found guilty of a further crime, perpetrated after invading this man's home.

Both stories are based on the idea that one has to weigh up the risk to themselves and/ or others before intervening, or suffer the consequences.

I don't know what the right thing to do is, but I can tell you that if either my home were being attacked or I saw a student being attacked, human nature would tell me to intervene. I'm not sure, with the adrenalin pumping, I would be able to take an objective step back and think about how my actions might affect the other person. But I would hope I was doing the right thing.

QI - UK

One of my favourite shows. It is comedy gold at a more intellectual level with one of my favourite English comedians.. Stephen Fry.

Always makes me smile.

Great Britain.. Nil Points! - UK

Being a part of Europe has its good points, and its bad points.

There is a growing concern amongst the British that too much power is being given to central Europe. The election of the President of Europe, alongside the European Court of Human Rights, and the European Central Bank, means that more and more of the British way of life is being invaded by our friends and neighbours. Perhaps invaded is too strong a word, but the 'Entente Cordiale' that was once prevalent appears to be diminishing into more of a weak handshake, at times.

Here's an example:

Back in the day, in Britain, there was a game show by the name of 'It's a Knockout'. It was a fun game, run in heats, with ridiculous games and antics, commentated by Stuart Hall. If you won, you would get to compete in 'Jeux Sans Frontieres' against the rest of Europe's finest! (an example follows!!) GB actually did quite well at this and let's be honest, we're not good at much!

By the end of the 1980's (seemingly when Europe became a freer place to travel and live, if you were European) it died a death. No one was interested anymore.. But it didn't matter. The Brits still had Eurovision!

The Eurovision Song Contest (or Eurovision as it's known in these here parts!) is a Europe wide competition to find Europe's best song, that has been running since 1956, for those countries within the European Broadcasting Union. It used to be about creating reasonably good music (Abba and Sandy Shaw came from Eurovision, Nena and her 99 red balloons and 'Congratulations' by Sir Cliff Richard did too, although I'm not suggesting for a second that they are my kind of music in any way, shape or form!) but more recently it's a show to show solidarity amongst areas of Europe and stamp a firm foot of protest against 'Good Ol' Blighty' (apparently since our invasion of Bosnia in the 90's, alongside Iraq and Kuwait!).

Every Bank Holiday Monday, at the end of May, thousands of households across Britain have 'Eurovision' Parties. Makeshift score cards are made, fancy dress costumes are donned, the T.V. gets turned on and the drinks start to flow. Sweepstakes are drawn and mild mannered people suddenly find themselves screaming 'Come on Macedonia' at the television.

The music largely consists of irrelevant, cheesey europop or dramatic power ballarding maniacs. Every year an curve ball gets thrown into the mix. Famously in 1998 an Israeli transsexual won, much to the disgust of some competing countries. In 2006, Bulgaria entered a transvestite and the Ukraine followed by doing the same a year later. Russia has entered a strange looking bunch of men dressed as aliens recently and Germany entered a screaming lunatic, from what I recall of his attempts at singing!

A phone number is flashed up for every country and you get to phone in and vote. A bit like 'American Idol' and vote they do, in their millions!

It's hilarious to watch Sweden vote for Norway, Ukraine vote for Russia, Macedonia vote for Greece.. and no bugger voting for us! (except Ireland, and that's just because they're nice and a lot of them live here!)

My point? Well, my point is this.. Great Britain is no longer looked upon as a major league player in this contest.. Because of our 'close relationship' with America, the rest of Europe are snubbing us on the voting front. I kid you not!

So, here's what you do.. Book a holiday for the end of May, to anywhere other than England.. and vote for us!

Harry Caray - Chicago, United States

The legendary announcer for the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Instantly recognizable voice, appearance, everything. A well loved icon.





Don't miss comedian Will Farrell's legendary impersonation of Harry Caray!

Jack Rebney - RV Salesman - United States

1970's -80's Childrens TV.. Political incorrectness at its finest! - UK

Grange Hill ran for 30 years, only ending very recently. Most British kids would have been brought up on this! Here's a snapshot through the older decades..

1987 Crystal Light National Aerobic Championship - United States

The person who posted this on Youtube disabled embedding, so you'll have to click on the link to watch it there.

This video is an amazing document; the 80s American aerobics fad, the outfits, the set design, and the promo for the bad movie at the start of the clip. A gem.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P75hd284E9Y

Ashbourne Shrovetide Football - The original football! - UK

Click here to read more - Thanks Michelle!

Dancing Outlaw - West Virginia, USA

This alternately funny and depressing 1991 film documents poverty, talent, creativity, eccentricity, substance abuse, spousal abuse, and family life in rural West Virginia. When Shirley Collins traveled through West Virginia and Kentucky with Alan Lomax in the 1960s, she discovered many very old Elizabethan folk songs that had fallen completely out of use in Great Britain still being sung by the people there. The poverty and beauty of West Virginia stems from the same basic source; the rugged and isolating mountain terrain, which has always made farming impractical. Wild hogs, hunting, some home produce, corn, and alcohol formed the early substance of most settlers' lives in this part of the United States. My wife has family roots in West Virginia, and despite the poverty and ignorance which so deeply impacts many people there, it is a proud heritage.

Enjoy.

John Records Landecker - Chicago Radio Personality

Watch what we're doing now! - United States

Thanks to Ryan in California for this one.

Greenscreen Grandmas - United States

"This is what happens when you put your Grandmothers in front of a green screen and show them the image that will be behind them as they ride a roller coaster."

Extreme Sports - UK

An age old passtime!

Just down the road... The joys of Southend on Sea! - UK

Picture the scene...

The sun is out, the heat is rising and the kids are restless. Grandma has come down to visit for the weekend from her East End abode and is complaining about the complaints about the heat. 'Hot? You don't know hot. When I was a girl....'

Mum, in her agitated state, decides to take the family to the seaside. Ham sandwiches and lemonade packed, she squeezes everyone in the car and heads off to Southend on Sea. They park up, find a small space on the gravelly sand and chomp of sand filled sandwiches! (I know that the Earl of Sandwich is credited with this invention, but I can't help wondering if the beach at Southend couldn't be partly responsible!). Kids happily paddling in the estuary, Grandma still reminiscing about the 'good old days'; the days when you could buy an ice cream and a 'kiss me quick' hat and still have change from a sixpence. Mum is finally smiling.

And here's why.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y61CKD43vIg

You'll have to cut and paste because it can't be embedded, but it's worth a look. If just for a laugh!

Now, I live approximately 8 miles from this town. The 'Golden Mile' is well renowned to large communities of people. The lure of slot machines and 'Adventure Island Pleasure Park' are just two of the attractions waiting for visitors.

The newest arrival at 'Adventure Island' is Rage! A small but fun rollercoaster..



Londoners, for years, have visited on Bank Holidays and Sundays, it being just a short train trip or drive from their built up town. The Jewish community come out in force on a hot Sunday and gangs teenagers meet up to play mini golf, snog and drink strong cider under beach huts until caught by their parents or the police.

Southend hosts one of the biggest free 'Airshows' in the country too...




From the 1960's until recent years Mods and Rockers used to meet to, well, fight! Although this has subsided recently and the motorbike rally seems to have taken its place.

Another link I'm unable to embed, but full of motorcycles and a hilarious array of people being interviewed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q3RD92ARtM&feature=related

I consider myself lucky. I am within half an hour from the centre of London and yet half an hour from the sea.

Southend isn't for everyone, and can't be stood next to Blackpool without looking like the poorer, slightly geeky cousin. But it's a great place. If you're ever close. Give it a chance!

David R Grubb - Indiana Outlaw - USA

Background: In Monroe County Indiana (where I was born, raised, and live), we have as a fellow citizen a highly creative and troubled gadfly named David R Grubb. David is notorious for attending the local county council meetings, where he makes more use of the official 'public comment' portion of the meetings than any other Monroe County resident, bar none. His comments vary widely in coherence, relevance, and political correctness depending on his mood and condition.

Since each council meetings is filmed for broadcast on our local community television station (BCAT), plenty of documentary footage of Mr Grubb's work in this capacity is in existence. Some anonymous and enterprising individual at BCAT has seen fit to post this footage of Mr Grubb on Youtube for the enjoyment of the wider world. A round of applause goes to that person! I include some key samples for your consideration. Enjoy.

The only true Brit obsession.. Weather - UK

This is a year old, but nothing ever changes... This is how we do it here, the whole of the British Isles or nothing at all!

Viv Richards - Cricketer- United Kingdom

Dock Ellis, Baseball, and LSD: 1970 - United States

This cartoon is super; extremely funny, capturing so much about 1970s American style and professional baseball culture. Enjoy!

Can't go home without fish and chips! - UK

There is nowhere in the world (or at least the reasonably large amount of the world that I've travelled) that you will find fish and chips quite like they serve in the good old English 'Chippy'.

Flour, eggs, milk (with an option of adding beer)... whisk, dunk the fish. Deep Fry.
Peel potatoes, cut into large, rectangular chunks. Deep fry.
Sprinkle with salt and huge amounts of vinegar. Eat.

Let's start with a bit of background into this British institution: The first 'Chippy' was opened in 1860's London by Jewish proprietor, Joseph Malin. The ease of availability of fish from the North Sea gave the inspiration for Joseph to change the face of British cuisine forever. Never again on a Friday night would Mum be slaving over the cooker. She'd be sending the kids round the corner to the 'Chippy' for an array of unhealthily delicious fayre at a price that almost everyone could afford.

What started as fillets of Cod dunked into a thick, gloopy batter, served in newspaper, has afforded a trend that has seen chippies all over the country offering just about anything deep fried; from mars bars to creme eggs to eggy bread, chippies have diversified and exploded all over the United Kingdom.

I'm not a fish eater, never have been, but if I could I would dive into the array of battered fish sold by the million. The smell is indescribable. The nearest I can give you is hot donuts, fried on a stand by a small man in a greasy apron.

Before the days of 'Health and Safety' chippies local to me used to offer 'scrapings' for 10p. Scrapings consisted of the waste batter that had come away from the frying fish, scraped from the fat fryers and chucked in a small metal container at the end of the counter. A must for any small, hungry child. A 10p treat of a lunch hour once you'd bought your 'single fag' from the newsagent (that's one cigarette from the corner shop for my American friends) and had no money left for a 'proper' lunch.

Chips. Big, chunky, soft centred, crispy fried (not coated) chips, not fries, chips. You won't find these in your local McDonalds. Sublimely hot and lacking in grease, the chip is a real treat. Chips go with fish like Ginger Rogers floating on the arm of Fred Astaire. Without the chip, the fish would be left searching on 'match.com' for its perfect mate, and never quite finding anyone except the spotty geek left sitting in the corner at a disco.

Once, spending a summer at a camp site in the South of France with my mate Maria, I suggested to the chef that he should offer the myriad of English holidaymakers a 'Fish and Chip' supper. He took my advice, advertised, filled his restaurant and, to my horror, served Cod Provencale with Fries. So many sad, dejected and miserable faces. (In my youthful innocence I assumed he would know what I was talking about).

Ask any Brit 'Fancy fish and chips?' and you will get a resoundingly positive answer.

There is nothing quite like the taste of home.

Why not give it a go?

The Demolition Derby - United States

Demolition derbies are fucking awesome. Let's just start with that.
Old cars are stripped down to their bare minimum; all glass is removed, reinforcements added. The cars and drivers then congregate on a dirt field, which has been hosed down and turned to mud to slow the cars down slightly. Total war ensues. Drivers can generally signal defeat by placing a special flag on the exterior of the cars. The last functioning car(s) win.



Cars are typically grouped in separate consecutive competitions according to class (power and size). Some demolition derbies feature a "powder puff" competition, reserved for female drivers.

Generally multiple rounds of competition culminate in a "Battle Royal," in which one vehicle is declared overall tournament champion. There is almost always an announcer who offers commentary and analysis, often in a self-consciously humorous style.






As a general point of strategy, it is considered good technique to try to attack in reverse, battering your opponent's vulnerable front engine compartment with your own vehicle's rear. This is by no means universal, however, and particularly bold, aggressive, or confident drivers may pursue the head-on collision.

Firefighters are kept stationed and ready, as engine fires are a frequent occurrence. Action is paused then quickly resumed once all fires are extinguished.



Demo drivers often go to great lengths to decorate their cars, often very imaginatively. Local businesses may choose to sponsor a car, but often cars are the work of a family or individual.

Another interesting consideration is how the cars change over time. As the supply of the robust, tank-like muscle cars of the 1970s and 80s dries up, new types of vehicles are emerging on the field of battle. A relatively recent phenomenon has been the use of minivans as a vehicle class in the demolition derby. Since no one in their right mind demolishes valuable newer models, the cars in the derby constitute a lagging indicator of American automotive tastes.

Like many aspects of white, working-class redneck Americana, demo derbies get little respect despite widespread popularity. These are not televised events, generally speaking, and are seldom represented fictionally in television or movies. Most often they are held in the summer months at annual county fairs.

Some Americans elect to hold private, unofficial back-yard derbies. The ability to do this varies widely by region, based on the ability and desire of local officials to prevent such events.

Demolition derbies can be found all over the US, especially in rural communities. California, the southern states, and the Midwest are all known for their robust demo derby cultures.