Brazil 2014 - FIFA World Cup Only two games left in the group stages and they have produced some great matches : unpredictability, fabulous goals and the predicted sad performance by England. My hit rate of correct results is less than 50%, but that has not spoilt my enjoyment. The only annoyance for me has been that the ban of Luis Suarez is only 4 months. The man clearly needs help to control his biting problem, but he could get this during a year's ban, and seriously reflect on his behaviour. I will be able to see the knock-out stage ("Round of 16") during this week, but will miss the Quater-Finals as I am away at the Hop Farm Festival next weekend Music Following a couple of pointers from my sources, I have become acquainted with a couple of new musical "friends". Emma Stevens is a "self funding DIY singer songwriter". I have contributed a little to the funding of her "Album 2" after hearing and getting my hands on her first CD, Enchanted. Here is a track from that - Riptide. Nice pop music from a great talent. Courtney Barnett was brought to my notice by @sankles, one half of my favourites Summer Camp. She is another singer-songwriter, this time from Australia. Her voice is perhaps a bit reminicent of Alanis Morrisette or Sheryl Crow. Her CD, The Double EP: A Sea of Split Peas is real good and very interesting. Try History Eraser. The 2014 Glastonbury Festival of Music and Comtemporary Arts kicks off on Friday 27 June. Of course I would love to be there, but no ticket means I will have to see what I can from the comfort of my armchair. At least 4 of "my" people are performing this year -
The Tuts, Billy Bragg, Summer Camp and Courtney Barnett - but I doubt that any of them will get coverage. I am having a festival fix the following weekend, at the Hop Farm Festival in Kent. The bill looks good - Ray Davies, Brian Wilson, Bellowhead, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott (Beautiful South), Deacon Blue, Lightning Seeds, Squeeze, The Full English, Chas and Dave and many others on the music stages and an accomplished list in the comedy tent. Hope the weather is good for both Glastonbury and Hop Farm !
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14/6/2014 0 Comments World Cup Is HereIt is here and I am glad that it is. I love the World Cup, but not it's governing body whose corruption seems to hold no bounds. 1966 and all that. I remember watching this with my Uncle and Aunt in Staffordshire 1970. Brazil at their peak in Mexico. That save by Gordon Banks. Two of the best, Bobby Moore and Pele showing mutual respect Johann Cruyff & Holland. Total Football. Brilliance. 1974. 1978. Archie Gemmill's goal against Holland Toni Shumacher (West Germany) - notorious foul vs Patrick Battiston of France Zinedine Zidane good (1998) and bad (2006) As I say, I love this 4 yearly extravaganza.
Thus far, there has been drama and magnificence - cite the Netherlands hammering Spain 5-1 and Costa Rica beating Uruguay 3-1. I think that for the first time, expectations for England are minimal. This might help them actually get a good result. As always, I hope that the team puts in performance and doesn't make me shake my head and tut. I am writing this before England's first group game against Italy. I am not sure how this will pan out, but in my predictions in March 2014, I thought a draw (1-1). IF (it is a big 'if') my predictions come true, Brazil will beat Spain 2-1 in the final on July 1st. With Spain's result yesterday, this does not look likely at the moment. In Ian's predictions, England don't get through the Group Stages, but who knows ?? I am sure that many of my predictions will be way off mark, but I think that Brasil 2014 will produce much more good drama and excitement. I can't wait... I have just updated my status on Facebook: <QUOTE> Just one more sleep until the start of a weekend of Scouting madness. Get a few leader tents up tomorrow evening, then get food, gear, ridge tents and other tentage to Broadstone Warren to make camp proper on Friday. Cubs arriving 18:30-19:00. Fun and games (and it looks like rain at times) on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday a.m. Screaming starts Sunday p.m. as we try to break camp with tired cubs and leaders. If the canvas comes down dry, happy days. Otherwise more mayhem at the Scout Hut and a re-jigging of the programme for Monday's "normal" pack meeting. Nothing like a relaxing weekend.... Enjoy yours Good People ---- Ours will be brilliant. <ENDQUOTE> Scouting is something we enjoy and believe in. I think that our putting in a shift gives the Young People something that modern times does not always allow - a chance to do something out of the ordinary. A bit of a challenge and ultimately the opportunity to give new things a try. We can't expect everyone to be brilliant at everything, but surely not shying away from something simply because it is unfamiliar and giving citizens the confidence to try "as best as you can" has to be a good thing for the individual and society at large. And in other news... I am still coughing a bit (more than I would want going into the camp) but I am hopeful that by the start of the World Cup I will have won the battle. Seasick Steve put on a great show at the Royal Albert Hall . He is a class act. Ten years previously, Seasick Steve was playing to club audiences of only 20 or 30, now the man is a star. My page about the gig is <here>. |
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