Morning all



If it all goes to plan then



All Right Now - Free

or if it goes pear shaped then



Bonnie Tyler Its A Heartache



If Leo now regards himself as an Aussie

then make sure you mention the cricket please Simon

Hello Everybody,



Suggest today 'It's ok' song is, It's Only Just Begun' The Carpenters and 'Oh dear' song 'Leaving On a Jet Plane' John Denver



Have a good day one and all



David

Morning all



If it's a yay ....... You Make Me Feel Like Dancing - Leo Sayer (see what I did there!?)



If it's a nay ........ What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted - Jimmy Ruffin





A day of co-incidences for me:-



Today would have been my dad's 66th Birthday.

My dad was called Tony Adams.

The "other" Tony Adams win 66 caps playing for England

England won the World Cup in 1966.



Omen? Hell yeh!!



Laters lovelies.



Deevs



x

Morning all



I'm not really here *sneaks in avoiding the firm's IT bods*



Well done everyone who had a mention last night, that must be one of the highest blog mentions we've had.



We might be able to get t'internet back after 2.00 today, so I'll think about some suggestions and post them then.



If not, more (non-ironic) support for England from me!



Tortie x











Tortie x

Morning all! Hope everybody's ok. Well done to GB and PSL on menshes yeterday, and well done GB on the curry! Was it with all the trimmings? I'm intrigued.



Sorry I didn't appear yesterday - business in the kitchen followed by frantically running round trying to sort various little things out, then a skittles match (quite frankly THE sporting story of the moment!) which (despite my best efforts) my team won. Hurrah! Should secure us our place in the upper league for the next season at least.



How about The Baha Men with 'I thank Heaven' for the victorious, or alternatively yesterday's suggestion 'Born to Cry' by Pulp if things go downhill?



Deasant Play



MP

Morning Simon,



We've still got two A2 papers to go in this household- Biology and Chemistry, poor child has chemistry (last one) next Monday morning!



Anyway, if England do manage to go through:



You Take Me Up by The Thompson Twins or

Fantastic Day by Haircut 100

Let's Hang On by Four Seasons



If they do disappoint:



No More Heroes by The Stranglers or

The Story Of The Blues by Wah or

Runaway Boys by Stray Cats



Mcw x ;0)

Also, Deebee, sorry you were talking to yourself at the end - after such a fine sporting victory, I did the decent thing and went to bed.

Good luck to the Mini-Madchicksters!! I hated A levels with a passion. More fool me - only now do I realise that more attentiveness could have done me well. At the time I was too busy going out finding my freedom (or what I thought was freedom).



Wednesday in 3 words has to be: 'Two weeks today...'

And if it goes to penalties, which it inevitably does:



Look Away by Big Country

Thanks Malcolm, and less than two weeks today the Madchickster family are off for 3 weeks on their happy hols!!! Yip Yip Yibble!

Yibble indeed. Where you off? 4 weeks on Friday I'm off Stateside for a month. Huzzah! (I really hope I can keep up with the blog from across the pond with the time difference, etc!)

Off to Greece, Malcolm. Two weeks as landlubbers and one week sailing - can't wait, will catch up with old friends, drink plenty of Robola and generally unwind.

I'm still here!



Robola, Madchick - now you're talking my language! I assume you're off to Kefalonia? We're going to Skala (again) in late August

Morning Everyone,



Well the boss is out all day today and hasn't left me anything to do! Not sure what I'll do with all this time to fill...



Well done Malcolm on the victory - I'm sure you must have played an important part, even if it was just keeping the beer filled up. Btw, no trimmings - watching my weight at the mo :( A (male) colleague mentioned today that I'm looking slimmer - result!



Another colleague has just mentioned it's day 13 of the WC. I hope that doesn't cancel out all your coincidences Deevs.



Looking forward to hearing Leo Sayer - He's fab. I had all his albums when I was younger. My sis and her OH took me to see him in the Usher Hall in Edinburgh when I was 15 - my first gig. It was immense! LS burst his troosers with all his leaping about!



Good call on the song choice there Deevs - I have to second the Leo Sayer choice.



Totally lacking in inspiration today, I'll leave it to you gorgeous and clever blogpoppets to make the song choices and hopefully get a mensh today ;)



Chickster, good luck with the exam stress my Lovely, I'm sending positive good luck vibes to you and your ever so very clever child.



Three word Wednesday? I'm off to give it a thought or two.



Gailyb

Hi Tortie,



Yes we are going back to Kefalonia again! (10th year this year, didn't go last year as we moved house). We, too, will be in Skala for the first two weeks and based out from Fiskardo for the second.



x

'Shame' Evelyn Champagne King



or



'Ain't no stopping us now' Mc Fadden and Whitehead

Good work GB - I thought you were looking slimmer too!



I've never been a big fan of Leo Sayer since his appearance on Big Brother (not that I'm a huge fan of BB either, but Headquarters at the time was, so it was a compromise that worked). However, I cannot fault his success.

Morning all



My sister is on a sailing course in Greece at the moment with her other half. Having a whale of a time apparently.



Song suggestions are............



If it goes right:



Onward - Yes



If it goes wrong



End Of The Line - Gurf Morlix



Discovered this morning that my climbing skills are poor. Went out the front door to bring the recycling boxes in, only to hear the dreaded thump behind me telling me that I'd forgotten the patio door was open.



Borrowed neighbour's step-ladder to go over the back wall and three cuts on the hand and one on the knee later, and with some newly acquired wisdom, I'm back in. If it all goes wrong this afternoon I may wish I'd just sat out front all day :-)

It's our 6th year this year - as you are going before us, leave some Robola for me!

Well done Ken - or should we call you Ethan...?

Chickster, was thinking about your chooks today - how are they? I hope Mr Fox has left them in peace. Liking the sound of your hols - i'm sure you'll have a fab time.



Hi Tortie-Cat, glad to see you're still here. I'm reckoning on being around a fair bit today too. Just hoping the IT dept aren't keeping tabs on my activity.



We're off to Scotland at the start of August to stay with my Mum for a week then we're having a few days in Aberfeldy with some friends and their sit on kayaks. I know it's not quite sailing off Kefalonia but I'm proper giddy; so looking forward to messing about on the water and possibly climbing Schiehallion. That'll be my 2nd Munro, the boys' first.



Gaily

Morning All



My song choices for today are:



Good news - "I'm still standing" by Elton John

Bad news - "Sorry seems to be the hardest word" also by Elton John



May think of a few more as the day goes on.



Madchickster - we've been sailing around Kefalonia. Absolutely beautiful. Blue seas, lots of sunshine, great food... Nearly my favourite place to sail in the world - just pipped at the post by the British Virgin Islands.



Oh well *sigh* back to work...



Deebee X

Malcolm, thank you, you charmer! I didn't watch celeb BB but as the eldestGB is in to BB at the mo, I've caught snippets but haven't been hooked yet (phew!) as I have been in the past (to my shame).



Ken (aka Ethan?) - what an effort, well done. I hope you've bathed those cuts, don't want them becoming infected. Doesn't your neighbour keep a spare key for this type of calamity?



Gaily

#19 Will do!



#21, Gaily, my elderly 2 chooks are currently sunbathing on a pile of well rotted donkey poo!! (Well you did ask!!)



#22 Deebee- had dolphins swimming alongside last time we were there!

Good Morning Each!



So, for the ayes...



'You Win Again' by Hot Chocolate



or...



'Winning' by Santana

(Chorus:

I’m winning

I’m winning

I’m winning

And I don’t intend on losing again).



Alternatively (Please no)...



'Lost In A Lost World' by The Moody Blues



or...



'Haven't We Lost Enough?' by Crosby, Stills And Nash.



OR, in any event...



'I Should Have Known Better' by Jim Diamond.

Chickster - I bet they're happy. You could coin a new phrase - 'happy as chooks in donkey poop'!



PoS - a little bit of irony slipping in there with a suggestion of Jim Diamond?



Gaily

#23 Previously yes, but the lock's been changed in recent times after a lost key.



All contingency and resilience plans tend towards obsolescence if not kept up to date with the changing environment. That's more newly acquired wisdom :-)

#27 and a lesson well learned I should think.

I suggested Ethan from Mission Impossible. Probably just me being silly... I hope, Ken, that situation does not repeat itself. As I always say 'I learn from my mistakes and nobody elses'.



I, fortunately or otherwise, separated from that particular Headquarters shortly after the Leo Sayer series of BB was on some years ago. Since then, I've been spared BB ever since thank goodness.



Deebee - congrats on the 150 yesterday, and sorry you were left alone at the end. I went in this morning and felt sympathy most sincere for your predicament.

Gaily, hope you have a wonderful time in Scotland. Had a memorable holiday staying on a farm near Kyle Of Lochalsh, the children were little and we all had great fun. Lots to do and see. Mr Madchickster climbed two of The Five Sisters (Mountain range in case you were wondering!!)with a friend, so claims to have bagged 2 Munro's. Me, I am quite happy to admire the Highlands from below!

#30 Of course Gaily would know what the 5 Sisters are! That comment was for anyone not familiar with the area!

I haven't been to Scotland for yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaars. Last time I went I was 9 years old and a page boy at my cousins wedding (yes - I had to wear a kilt) Would love to go back at some point. There's a friend of mine who has travelled the world - he came out of university and spent a year touring all over the world, then lived for a year in Australia - but never been to Scotland. We're hopefully going to have a mass group trip away to the bonnie lands sometime soon.

Malcolm, grateful for small mercies and thank you for jogging my memory:-

Deebee - congrats on the 150. Next door were static on 110 last time I looked (new blog not available yet) so we certainly outstripped them yesterday. I'm sorry I missed you last night but I couldn't hang around any longer. I logged in immediately I returned from my run to listen again, heard my mensh then had to avail myself of the bathing facilities as I returned a bit muddy from said run. The people running ahead of me were mincing about trying to avoid the muddy puddles (we were running through a wood) but in my impatience I just went wading right through and ended up with a pair of v muddy trainers and mud spattered up the backs of my legs. Yuck!



Gaily

I must say that I enjoyed yesterdays show. I think Chris Difford had a very similar childhood to mine, from what he was saying, apart from the fact that one of us had a prodigious musical talent, and the other one has a talent yet to be discovered.(Perhaps the ability to irritate). I loved it when he reminded those of us of a certain demographic of the ABC minors.



So, to the tune of 'Blaze Away...(all together now)



We are the boys and girls all known as...

Minors of the ABC...

And every Saturday we line up...

To see the films we like and shout aloud with glee...

We like to laugh and have a sing-song...

Such a happy crowd are we...

We're all pals together...

We're Minors of the ABC.



Ah, memories.

Chickster, in the Highlands the view is great from below but even more amazing from 3,000+ feet up.



Malcolm, aw - I bet you looked a right treat in your kilt, bless you, you wee scone. My eldest wore a kilt to his prom last month - naturally he looked totally gorgeous. If you need any tips on visiting Scotland don't hesitate to ask.



Gaily

Cheers Gaily - I thought when you said thank heaven for small mercies, you were referring to my kilt wearing!! I'll be sure to let you know if we get any further down the planning stages for the trip, but at the moment, my energy is focused on my impending trip 'across the pond'. USA 2010 - scary beyond belief!!



Paul I'm sorry to say I haven't a clue what the ABC minors are, but I like the ditty. I never knew you had a musical talent...?

We have been to Sotland once, staying near Pitlochry, and really enjoyed it. Other folfs tales since, suggested we were rather licky, as we had glorious weather the whole time we were there, and NO midges.. I also discovered that my favourite whisky is Edradour, unfortunately.

I have no apparent musical talent Malcolm. I live in hope that I may discover one when I reach 28.

Does anyone know what a folf is?

Paul, I also enjoyed listening to Chris Difford last night and when he was talking about people nowadays expecting everything instantly and not waiting, that struck a chord with me. I can remember waiting for the new NME to come out, waiting for the coloured vinyl records and picture discs and chatting to my friends in anticipation. I couldn't wait until I was 18- not because it was now legal to drink alcohol- but because my Dad had promised me the latest Roxy Music album, Flesh and Blood. Which turned out to be the soundtrack to my A levels!!!

Licky instead of lucky? What does that say about me? I need to check more closely before posting. Or get equipped with Deebs requested button.

#39 You are licky I don't!!

PoS - I'm guessing folf = folk? Are your fingers feeling a bit dyslexic today?



Chickster - that's lovely - there doesn't seem to be the same anticipation for the smaller events these days is there?



Malcolm - I hadn't seen your 'kilt' post when I typed the small mercies remark.



Gaily

Minors of the ABC? Junior matinees on a Saturday?



I used to go to the army equivalent at the SKC cinema in Arborfield. I seem to remember a weekly serial about a dragon preceded whatever the main feature was.



Seem to remember going once after we moved out to Soest in Germany, but it was a hastle over there - had to get on one of those khaki sardine can buses to go to Hamn, and by the time you got back you'd missed part of Sport on 2 (all praise the 1500m wavelength which kept sport-mad youngsters in touch with their team!). At Arborfield it was a short walk over to the other side of the playing fields and football pitches so much easier.

#40. I remember that coming out, too. I think. The girls with javelins, right? I remember waiting at Dixons Records in The Strand Arcade in Derby a few years earlier, to buy 'Another Time, Another Place' by Bryan Ferry, and when I got in, they didn't have it in stock. Rootling through the ex juke box singles, I bought 'Funky Stuff' by Kool And The Gang instead. I got home, played it (having bought it unheard), didn't like it, and made my first ever vinyl ash tray/plant pot.

#44 Or even a hassle. Edit button please mods.

Yea sorry - me lowering the tone again.



Chickster I thoroughly agree. Even people in my year at school (going back a couple of years now...) were like that, and now expect everything to be done for them, and having no patience waiting for the good things in life. I see their statuses on Facebook now with them proclaiming their life is the worst it could possibly be, etc, etc... sorry I'll get off my high horse now.



In other news, I went to see a child psychologist the other day. He was only 7

I have to slink away, now and begin working myself up to a frenzy of nervous anticipation for the footie. Afternoon off (thanks Luey) to enjoy(??!?) it, so good luck with todays menshes. THE AYES HAVE IT!

#40 Chickster, that has just reminded me, my first album T Rex 'Electric Warrior' didn't quite have enough money so the guy in the shop let me have the album but kept the free poster that went with until I went back with the rest of the money, which I did.



Happy Days!



David

Hi Simon [apt blog - nice theme] and Blesspopsters all

The air of expectancy is impossible to avoid and the tension is palpable. Am joining friends in the pub at 2.30.





I've gone for the mid 60s and a strong link:





Relief song

HIGH TIME - PAUL JONES [of Manfred Mann]



Shambles song

IF YOU GOTTA GO - GO NOW - MANFRED MANN



xx





Fabadoobidoodle menshing yesterday!

Katy stop - you're making us jealous! As much as I am indifferent about the football, I could happily sit in the pub at 2:30 on such a beautiful day, maybe even with a pint of cider in hand.



Sun still well and truly under the yard arm here...

Mind not fall Malcolm, as you get off. I agree with you and was a bit like it myself before the ex had the good grace to bog off. I'm less like it now and enjoy taking time to get things done, appreciating the seemingly smaller things in life along the way.



Lol - that's almost as good as CLP's chicken jokes this morning.



PoS - our local cinema didn't have regular shows for kids but occasionally they'd show cartoons during the school hols. I remember going to see Snow White with friends when I would have been about 10 or 11. Aw it was fabby - *slopes off quietly humming one day my prince will come...*



Gaily

I remember the first time I went to the cinema - was to see Muppets Christmas Carol. I must have been about 5/6 at the time, and wanted mummy to turn the volume down... Great film. I don't remember the cinema ever having regular kids showings though. Poor show.

Malcolm, you really are a young thing. Aw the Muppets - one of my fave filums is Muppet Treasure Island.



Gaily

Seeing as I have decided to go down the pub to watch the game



Wide Eyed & Legless Either way

Lol, Mark - you and a fair few others.

Thanks for the 150 recognition. Could have made it more - I couldn't sleep last night and I was up at about 1 o'clock drinking a cup of tea. I could have quite easily blogged away on my own all night.



I've noticed how this blog has been getting a lot more chatty lately - probably down to having a few more members. It's nice - sorry I can't join in more but I get a bit guilty blogging when I'm supposed to be working. Like now - only it's nearly lunchtime!



Anyway, never mind England - I drew Serbia in the office sweepstake and they're playing tonight. Come on Serbia!!

Belated congrats to Katy on reaching 50 (POSTS not years!!)

Deebs, Come on Serbia. I got Italy in the office sweepstake - not sure how they're doing or when they're playing next.



Gaily

A couple of yes we did it songs



I'm A Believer (In Fabio) - The Monkeys

Three Steps to Heaven ( 2nd round Q/Finals & Semi) - Eddie Cochran



Or no we didnt



Embarrassment - Madness

The Carnival is Over - The Seekers

Don't dream it's over people!

Perhaps Steve Wright can play



Journey - Dont Stop Believing



as his last record before the news at 3

Mark - does SW have a blog? Might be worth a suggestion.



Gaily

Sorry, daughter wanted me to test her on some biology revision !



#45 Yes, that was the album, Paul. Still got it along with many others including the first one I ever bought with my own pocket money- ELO Out of The Blue (being a double album I had to save up for ages!!). Just need to invest in a record player now so that I can enjoy them again, scratches and all!!



#49 DBB59 You are talking of a gentler age. What a nice man to let you have the record first-more important!- until you saved up the pennies for the rest!

Just had a look Mark - I think you'll have to text or e-mail the big show.



Gaily

#64 - DBB - It was a gentler age but I reckon we would have been fairly indignant had anyone made the suggestion, being the hip and trendy young things we were.



Gaily

#60 Mark, I doubt if Simon will play The Seekers- good suggestion though it is. I was lucky enough to get my Golden Oldie (Morningtown Ride)played on Chris' first Breakfast Show. With all the hype over Chris taking over from Sir Tel- Simon tweeted something along the lines that only a DJ who knew what he was doing would be confident enough to play The Seekers on his first show! I read it as being a little tongue-in-cheek but I could be proved wrong!! Go on Simon, dare you!!

Gaily



Just sent in a request



If anyone happens to be listening



let us know if he plays it

# 67 Madchickster lets hope he has no need to pick from those choices



3 word wendnesday COME ON ENGLAND

Will do Mark. I'm outta here at 2.30 and may still be in the car for the 3 o'clock news, although I have a feeling the traffic may be a little lighter this afternoon. Either way, I'll be listening.



I'm thinking I'll go for a run when I get in.



Gailyb

Oooh I think that'll get a mensh Mark.



Gaily

GB how far do you run? It's very admirable - I can't much be bothered at the moment.



Steve Wright's on now, and I've just downed a pear.



I'll be listening out for you Mark.



I have no motivation today - it is not good.

I ran about 5.5 miles last night although it felt like more. Not sure how far I'll go this aft. I normally run with the running club and haven't run on my own for years so I'll just have to see how I get on. It sounds a bit daft but I'm not great at running on my own, I think I'm too self-conscious. :(



Mmm was your pear okay Malcolm. I think they're never as juicy at this time of the year given it's not their season really.



I have motivation but nothing to do today - what a waste.



Gaily

I have complete admiration for you Gailyb. I can't run - never have been able to. At school I was always the one who came last in the running races. I love swimming though. And I get a bit of excercise walking the dog as although I live in East Anglia there is actually a hill in our village!

I'm not great at swimming Deebs and I wish I was, especially in this weather. I started off walking with a friend and progressed to the running. I hadn't been running for about 20 years before I started going to running club in January. It's addictive and I just love it.



Gaily

Sorry Deebs I meant to say, I had complete admiration for you the other day when you said you'd been for a swim in your lunch break - that's dedication to the cause in my eyes.



Gaily

#74 That must be where the local mountain rescue team are based then!



;0)



PS Actually we are on a hill too, although not quite Munro size!!

#77 Infact more mole sized!

Woo hoo - just had confirmation from my friend that our holiday to Perthshire has been booked - Schiehallion here we come!



Gaily

#77 and 78 - You been getting in a tizz Chickster?



Gaily

My pear was so juicy it just sort of went everywhere. Good, but not so good.



Want to swap GB - your motivation and my workload would work well in combination I reckon.



I haven't been swimming for years either - I think I'd prefer that over running. Just like Deebee I was never good at running.

Yep - are you ready? I'm just going to chuck over a whole load of motivation - but not too much - I'll need some to help me get into the running kit and out the door later on.



Gaily

Ready when you are! Good luck.

Have you got it yet?



Gaily

Have you got it yet? I sent it a while ago.



I'm outta here - may see you later.



Gailyb

I think it just arrived - like the moment coffee kicks in. TO WORK!!



TTFN GB

#76 When the schools break up I'm going to try getting up half an hour earlier and swimming before work. However, as I already get up about ten to 7 to walk the dog, that's going to be quite hard. Talk about motivation....

Oh I'm so glad you got it Malcolm, it has left me feeling slightly drained.



TTFN

*ahem, sorry for absinthe*



ONE OF THOSE DAYS IN ENGLAND by ROY HARPER



or



ONE OF THOSE DAYS IN ENGLAND by ROY HARPER



I'm kind of intrigued as to how the draw of lots will work....who will get the blame for slowest fingers?!! ;-) x

That's a good plan Spike - I like that.



If things go badly, how about 'Not a dry Eye in the House' by Meatloaf.

And so the blog goes quiet... Wonder why.

#91 because I'm working?

That's a fair point Deebee - indeed, with GB's enthusiasm I should be too. That can surely be the only reason.

Opportunity for 100 not far away



David

No vuvuzela's at Wimbledon!

I feel sorry for our main man, having to do an interview this afternoon. It will be an interesting interview anyway, not least because when it gets aired (next Wednesday, I think he said) the results of today's match will be old news.

Well, it's a half time Yip! Hopefully, only 45 minutes away from adding another one and a yibble. With any luck, the Scissor Sisters will have shown some sense of occasion, and not turned up, eh.

A bit like England v. Algeria

99

100?