Sunday, January 31, 2010
Meanwhile in North London (continued)....
Arsenal 1 - 3 Man Utd
So it looks like the Premiership trophy won't end up with Arsenal for yet another season. Even though deep down I half-expected us to lose against Man U, the manner of that defeat still hurts. And if we lose to Chelski whilst also losing or drawing against Liverpool, then as far as I'm concerned, our title hopes will be over and it'll be just a straight fight for a top four place and the Champions League (yeah, right).
Prove me wrong, Arsenal. Show me that today was just a bad day at the office....because throwing away the FA Cup against Stoke just to get pasted by Fergie's boys now seems a very poor deal.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
John Terry scores away....
Chelski skipper John Terry scored the winner at Burnley yesterday to move his side four points clear at the top of the Premier League table. However Terry is also grabbing the headlines for non-footnall reasons, after an injunction stopping the media from reporting allegations about his private life was lifted by the High Court.
Mr Justice Tugendhat removed the order, which banned reports about married Terry's alleged affair with French model Vanessa Perroncel, ex-partner of England team-mate Wayne Bridge.
The Football Association has thus far refused to comment on allegations surrounding John Terry's future as England captain, but football pundits have expressed their doubts as to whether John Terry will lead England at the 2010 World Cup.
Burnley 1 - 2 Chelsea
John Terry gagging order lifted by High Court
John Terry England captaincy in doubt
John Terry made Wayne Bridge's girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel pregnant - and England captain then arranged for abortion
From Burnley fans yesterday:
"Chelsea, wherever you may be,
don't leave your wife with John Terry".
Seriously though, my concern isn't over John Terry's alleged indiscretions, but that he supposedly used the Human Rights Act as a legal gagging order to hide said indiscretions, and protect his lucrative commercial interests worth millions.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Iraq - the inquiry (continued)...
A defiant Tony Blair told the Iraq inquiry yesterday that it was right to remove Saddam Hussein and said he would take the same decision again. The former prime minister added that the Iraq war made the world a safer place and he has "no regrets" about removing Saddam.
In a robust defence of his decision to back war, Mr Blair said Saddam was a "monster and I believe he threatened not just the region but the world."
Mr Blair also denied striking a "covert" deal with George Bush to invade Iraq at a private meeting in 2002 at the US president's ranch
The Full Story: Tony Blair at the Iraq inquiry
I'll leave it to posterity to ultimately decide whether Tony Blair was right...
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Taxi for Garry Cook?
22 January 2010
Manchester City executive chairman Garry Cook is confident the club is on the path to global domination.
"This football club is, without doubt, going to be the biggest and best football club in the world," Cook told a fans forum in New York.
Manchester City will be world's best club - Garry Cook
27 January 2010
Wayne Rooney's dramatic stoppage-time header gives Manchester United a 4-3 aggregate victory against Manchester City that sends United through to the Carling Cup final, and wrecks City's hopes of reaching a first major Wembley showpiece in 29 years.
Man Utd 3 - 1 Man City (agg 4 - 3)
29 January 2010
City's Abu Dhabi owners have become concerned about the embarrassment their chief executive is causing the club.
Garry Cook's Manchester City future in doubt after failed boast
Step forward Garry Cook, early candidate for "prize twit of 2010".........
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Venus Williams' skin-colored underwear raises eyebrows at Australian Open
We see London, we see France, where is Venus' underpants?
That's likely what crowds at the Australian Open have been asking themselves since tennis legend Venus Williams took to the court and appeared to flash her backside last week.
However, the 29-year-old star was quick to put any rumors to rest via Twitter.
"I am wearing undershorts the same color as my skin, so it gives the slits in my dress the full effect!" she wrote on Thursday.
For the last few days during the tournament, Venus has donned a bright green one-piece, with undergarmets that match her dark skin. This sparked debate online that she had elected to battle her opponents commando style.
"Please put on some decent panties. I do not watch tennis to see your exposed buttocks!" wrote one fan on her website, venuswilliams.com.
Reaction to the ensemble has been mixed, based on the posts.
"I just love her dress it has flare and it has imagination," wrote "margaret joyce." However, "Susan A. Yeck" had a different reaction.
"Your choice of outfit at a Grand slam tournament (or any tournament) was disgusting," she posted. "People really do not want to see your body parts exposed."
Although the mixed response may have come from the illusion she was naked, photos (like the one above) clearly show she was thoroughly covered. Venus indicated via Twitter that she was pleased with her choice to wear the outfit.
"My dress for the Austrailian Open has been one of my best designs ever! Its all about the slits and V-Neck," she wrote.
Whatever she may wear, the famous sibling has been burying her opponents at the Grand Slam of Asia/Pacific. She defeated Casey Dellacqua on Saturday in the second set.
Venus will play along side her sister on Sunday against Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka.
Source: Dailynews
Interview with Vera Zvonareva
On kicking on from reaching her first Grand Slam in Australia: I’m not really thinking about it. I’m trying to improve no matter what, I have lots of room for improvement but I’m always confident in myself. I’ve got a lot more experience now and I’m a more mature player.
On how long Russia can continue to produce top players: There are quite a few good juniors coming up but also, if you look at all of us, Dinara is only 22; Elena Dementieva is 27 and probably has a couple more years to play; Svetlana is 23; I’m top 10 and I’m 24 and then there are a few other players and they’re all younger than 25, so I’m sure we will see lots of Russians in the next year or two. But we also have people like Ksenia Pervak, who won the Junior Australian Open final (against Laura Robson).
On why Russian tennis became so strong: Tennis became so popular thank to Boris Yeltsin. We had such a great champion in Yevgeny Kafelnikov and then Anna Kournikova was one of the first ones on the female side. Then it was Anastasia (Myskina) and Elena coming up and lots of girls were practising with them, growing up looking up to them. They started to believe in themselves more, thinking they deserved to be out there as well. We challenged each other a little bit, which helped each other to improve because we practised with each other, we trained in the same facilities and it just made us better and better.
On developing kids: We have lots of great kids' coaches. We don’t have so many Russian coaches working with the professional players on the tour but I think we have great coaches for the kids. They see the talent, work with them, so we get a lot of great juniors but after that everyone makes their own way. Tennis is not cheap, you need money and facilities so lots of juniors are then forced to move somewhere else. So I stayed in Russia when I was young and then I practised over in the US when I was 16 or 17 for quite a while.
On tennis and the credit crunch: I think it might make it a little bit more difficult because to create a good player you need lots of sponsorship for most kids. Most parents can’t afford it because you have to travel, you have to compete, you have to get the experience. It will make it difficult but if we have lots of talent and lots of kids playing tennis, the challenge itself will still produce lots of good players.
On the difficulties of success at Wimbledon: It’s very tough to make Wimbledon a priority. Of course it’s a Grand Slam and of course I want to do as well as possible out there because I love the tournament, but I only get the chance to play one tournament on grass before Wimbledon and I really never get the chance to practise on the grass courts. If you look at my whole career, you can literally county how many weeks I’ve played on grass. It would be something like 20 weeks in total throughout my career since I was six years old. It’s not enough so it’s very difficult to produce your best tennis. But I will try to maybe change my preparation because Wimbledon is a special tournament. It’s not only a Grand Slam, it’s something with so many traditions that I have been watching on TV since I was a kid.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
2008 World Championship Ice Dance Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski
Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski are Russian ice dancers and the 2008 World bronze medalists. They ended the night with 203.26 points. The compulsory dance was to the "Argentine Tango."
I give it 1/2
Original Dance
For their original dance, they skated to "Two Guitars" by Paul Mauriat, a Russian Gypsy Dance.
Instead of Russian Gypsy, these costumes remind me more of "carribean-flamenco" style. The bright pink, orange, and green reminds me of a luau and the flower patterns remind me of a Hawaiian theme style.
The good: the fringes and the black relates to the music. The bad: the color, the style, Sergei's covered boots, and so on. I don't mind the color, it brightens up the costume, but it doesn't relate very well to the music. Jana's dress (if you can call it a dress) is very busy and very revealing. The cut-outs in the bodice is not bad, but it's barely a dress. The skirt is busy with fringes, flower-patterned shawl, and etc. And why is there a fabric wrapped around her arm?
With Sergei's costume, it's ugly. I get that he's matching his partner's costume, but what is with the big flower all over the right side of his shirt?! And his shirt is way too low (button them up a bit). The black boots over the skates make him look like a pirate!
Overall, I give it 1/2
Free Dance
For their free dance, they skated to "A Night on Bald Mountain" by Modest Mussorgski and "In The Hall of the Mountain King from Peer Gynt" by Edvard Grieg.
He's suppose to be a demon and she's a witch. The costume, like the music, is very "Halloween-like" and very theatrical and "costume-ish." On the other hand, the style of these costumes is very busy and distracting.
Jana's dress (again if you would call it as a dress) has a lot going on. Some details I like are the designs on the dress such as the spider webs to personify her character. But I feel like pieces are going to fall off as she skates (it happened to Sergei once with the million frills he's wearing).
Like Jana, Sergei's costume is very busy. He's wearing more frills than any of the ladies in these competitions. I hate the blue and red strands on his pants that cover his boots. But his scruffy look and his long hair depicts his character very well.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Caveat Emptor
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Gianna Michaels (continued)...
OK - further to my last entry on the retirement rumours circulating around adult actress Gianna Michaels, the lady has posted the following message on her Twitter:
"Not shooting for companies. Putting 100% to my official site coming soon!!!! GIANNAXXX.COM"
So, panic over guys - Gianna doesn't appear to be retiring in the immediate future......
Monday, January 18, 2010
Silent killer Maria Kirilenko dumps Maria Sharapova
Firstly, she beat 2008 Australian Open champion and former world No 1 Maria Sharapova in straight sets in the opening match of the tournament.
Secondly, she created a sensation with the simple gesture of putting her finger to her lips late in the third set.
Was she trying to quieten down the rallying cries from the crowd for Sharapova to keep fighting? After all, Sharapova had crawled back from 4-1 down to 5-4 and only had to hold serve in the 10th game to get back on level pegging at 5-5.
But it was not to be. Sharapova was down two match points on her own serve and after saving one, she sent a cross-court forehand over the sidelines to hand victory to her 22-year-old compatriot and friend 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-4 in three hours and 21 minutes.
If they'd stayed on court 13 minutes longer they would have broken the Chanda Rubin-Arantxa Sanchez Vicario record from 1996 of the longest women's singles match in Australian Open history.
As it was, all everyone wanted to know was why Kirilenko had put her fingers to her lips.
Countrywoman Svetlana Kuznetsova thought she was mimicking Russian soccer player Andrei Arshavin, who was part of Arsenal's 2-0 win over Bolton in English Premier League action earlier yesterday.
"It's unbelievable. I got so many questions in the locker room, in the players' lounge. What did you do? What does it mean?" Kirilenko said.
"I don't know. Everyone can think what does that mean. Normally, it was for me actually, that everything is calm, you know."
The 22-year-old has a mature head on her shoulders.
She knows there will be much fuss made of her second career win over Sharapova (the other was in Beijing in 2005) but she is a realist.
"It's a great win, but it's only the first round I pass. It's like nothing big happens," she said.
But the 1700-plus media contingent was intrigued whether Sharapova's shoulder surgery, which forced her to miss the 2008 US Open and 2009 Australian Open, was still not giving her enough consistency on what used to be one of her weapons.
"I served big when I had to. I served big second serves," Sharapova said, rebuffing that line of questioning.
"You know, if I'm going to serve at that pace and do it for three hours and make those types of mistakes, then I'm okay with it."
Sharapova also dished out nine aces to Kirilenko's one, although she gave away 11 free points through double faults.
Sharapova also made an uncharacteristic 77 unforced errors.
"Just didn't win the match. You know, bottom line," Sharapova said when asked what went wrong.
The Kirilenko camp will be riding high, especially boyfriend Igor Andreev, who is set to play his first-round match today against world No 1 Roger Federer.
"He had Federer and I have Sharapova. I think before the matches he said that we can start the year like loud," she said laughing. "And I already start the year loud, I think. So now, his turn."
Earlier another Russian winner, Dinara Safina had to defend her 2009 season, which started with a humiliating 78-minute loss to Serena Williams in the Australian Open final and ended with severe back pain at the WTA Championships in Doha.
"It was still a great season. You know, I didn't make a grand slam (win) but I still won big tournaments," Safina said after defeating Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova 6-4 6-4. "So, you know, every year I'm doing better. So why I even have to be sad or something?"
What will make Safina even more happier is Sharapova's exit. The pair was destined to meet in the fourth round. However, another Russian is lurking, French Open champion Kuznetsova, who swatted away Russian-turned-Australian citizen Anastasia Rodionova 6-1 6-2.
Source :
theaustralianSunday, January 17, 2010
Goodbye Juliet 'Aunt Peg' Anderson
Carr was one of the legendary adult performers, who appeared in over seventy films - but she was best known as "Aunt Peg," considered by some as the original MILF. Carr was also a relationship counselor, massage therapist and author.
A woman of many talents, who will be missed. RIP.
Juliet 'Aunt Peg' Anderson Dead at Age 71
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Michael Jordan Sues Chicago Grocery Stores
Michael Jordan wants $10 million from two grocery stores — bagged and carried out to his car — that he says used his identity without permission in ads published in a commemorative Sports Illustrated issue, “Jordan: A Hall of Fame Career.”
In the pair of lawsuits filed in Chicago court, Jordan says Dominick’s Finer Foods and Jewel Food Stores took their Hall of Fame congratulations a little too far.
According to the suit, the Dominick’s ad features MJ’s name with the phrase “You are a cut above” and a photo of a steak. (Witty!) Below the congratulations is an ad for $2 off a Rancher’s Reserve steak, a trademark of Dominick’s parent Safeway.
The mesquite-flavored kicker: There are already two steakhouses and an online steak company named after Jordan. As Matt Bortosik at NBA Chicago points out, there is absolutely no way Jordan would want to sell steaks in direct conflict with his restaurants and companies.
In the Jewel ad, a pair of Jordan’s Air Jordan basketball shoes with number 23 on the tongues sit below a message of support that ends with Jewel’s friendly “just around the corner” slogan. Apparently, the picture is an “inaccurate and misleading copy” of his famous Nike kicks.
Jordan seeks $5 million from each grocery store for false endorsement, consumer fraud, deceptive trade practices and unfair competition.
While it’d be easy to cynically joke about Michael Jordan, of all people, needing more money, it doesn’t mean he should allow himself to be advertised unknowingly. Congratulatory or not, Dominick’s and Jewel’s advertising departments appear to be at fault.
But hey, if either supermarket chain wants to run a full-page magazine to commemorate The Basketball Jones’ 500th episode, by all means, knock yourself out. Might I suggest a Canadian bacon angle?
Gianna Michaels...
20 years of The Simpons...
“Here's to alcohol: the cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems.”
Homer Simpson
The Simpsons celebrated their 20th anniversary last Thursday.
The popular cartoon, featuring Bart, Homer, Marge, Lisa, Maggie and other residents of Springfield, is now shown in over 50 countries and has won countless awards.
It was first shown in December 1989, and made its UK debut on Sky in September 1990.
The Simpsons: 10 classic episodes
My own favourite Simpsons episode has to be Bart the Daredevil. I laughed until I cried.
The only Simpsons episode I disliked was Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife - prior to being aired, the episode was hyped to the heavens by Sky TV, since it was written by Ricky Gervais. However to me it was a big letdown. I felt like being in the middle of an overlong advert for HDTV.
But at it's best, The Simpsons is one of the sharpest shows on TV, with its cutting satire.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Haiti...
HAITIAN GOVERNMENT SAYS 40,000 BURIED, ANOTHER 100,000 THOUGHT DEAD IN EARTHQUAKE
Source: Reuters
"No-one is in charge. The president is sleeping at the airport with quite a few journalists and aid workers.
Earlier this morning, I stood on top of the rubble of the Supreme Court, the Foreign Ministry, the Interior Ministry and the Senate - where a few senators had been killed when the quake hit. Their bodies have been dragged out and put in body bags. The representatives of state are literally lying on the pavement slowly rotting away.
This is a citizenry left to its own extremely meagre resources. You've got ordinary people trying to administer IV drips to their family members who are slowly dying, but not a single doctor or nurse at the general hospital. "
Matt Frei (BBC), Port-au-Prince
Tuesday's devastating earthquake which ravaged the Haitian capitol of Port-au-Prince, is a sobering reminder - there but for the grace of God go you and I....
UN launches Haiti earthquake relief appeal
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Sexy red hills
Or maybe if you are having a lazy day, a cute pair of flip flops.
Of course neither of these would work if you are in the mood for outside activities. A more suitable choice would be tennis shoes.
Also a good pair of shoes can really make a woman feel very good about herself. My favorite way to make myself feel special and sexy is high heels!! High heels are my favorite kind of shoe. They make me feel pretty. They work great with dresses and jeans.
Now guys on the other hand can not appreciate shoes like a woman can. My husband thinks that I have way to many shoes, my motto is one can never have enough shoes! i have tons, but want more. My shoes make me feel happy, I know that sounds silly. I buy shoes when I am sad. It makes me feel better. And in the words of Cinderella, a good pair of shoes really can change a girl's life!
Caroline Wozniacki Still Being Probed..
At the Luxembourg Open Wozniacki was playing Anne Kremer a player who was from Luxemboug. Wozniacki who has been hampered by injuries the last month was in control of the match and cruising to an easy win. She had won the first set 7-5 and was up 3-0, but she was still struggling with her injuries. In the WTA on-court coaching is allowed in the smaller events. During the 3-0 change over her father came onto the court and talked to her in, and in Polish told her to retire. He knew that she wouldn't be able to play in the next round the very next day, and didn't want to jeopardize their chances at this weeks WTA Championships in Doha, Qatar. Wozniacki did not retire, but continued to play until the next changeover where she was up 5-0 and one game away from winning. At that time she decided to do what she thought was good sportsmanship and retire, and let the native girl from Luxembourg continue to the next round because she knew she wouldn't be able to play, so why not let her have a chance.
The whole gambling conspiracy comes that all of a sudden a bunch of money began to be placed on Anne Kremer in this match. Its kind of odd for a player getting handily beaten with basically no chance of winning barring a miracle would get so much money placed on them at this point of the match. Its just weird and seems awfully fishy. Reports are that when the Wozniacki's dad came down to talk her into retiring he was overheard by television microphones. Which probably was the main root of all the money being placed on Kremer. I believe that this is what happened.
So the probing continues and Wozniacki has a distraction at this weeks Championships. She will probably be cleared of any wrong-doing, and there will be no more investigations. Hell if Davydenko can get away with it, I cannot see how Wozniacki will be served with any type of penalty.
So get off this girls back. She was trying to do the "right" thing and let a player who is actually from Luxembourg take her place, because she could not play on in the tournament. It was a kind gesture that seemed to turn against her. I know this may be crazy, but lets look at how the gambling process goes. Who lets people bet on tennis after the match has started? Thats like saying I want to put money on the Yankees when they are up 10-3 with 2 outs in the 9th inning. How about this logical idea. ONCE A MATCH HAS STARTED NO MORE ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. That just might cut down on all these gambling and fixed matches conspiracy theories....It's just a thought.
And the curse of Verdasco's weiner continues.....
get well soon Caro.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Anna Kournikova wallpaper
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thank you Lady Gaga...
Lady Gaga's 'Bad Romance' has knocked X Factor winner Joe McElderry off the top of the singles chart, to score the first UK Number One of the decade...
Lady Gaga knocks X Factor winner Joe McElderry off Number One single spot
Guess we have a new queen of pop to thank...
Thursday, January 7, 2010
In praise of the bigger woman
And now for a fashion spread with a difference...the images, by Norwegian fashion photographer Solve Sundsbo, are of plus-sized models in everything from bustiers and bodysuits to nothing at all for V magazine.
Magazine gains pounds over the holidays
V Magazine preview: Curves Ahead by Solve Sundsbo
Well, I think it makes a refreshing change from the usual emaciated and/or Photoshopped models. Vive la différence!
Vieira, woa-oh-oh-oh...
Apparently Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira, currently at Inter Milan is on the verge of joining Manchester City.
Patrick Vieira closes in on his transfer to Man City
It will be odd watching Vieira, leader of Arsenal's 2004 "Invincibles" wearing the sky-blue of Citeh, but good luck to him (except when they meet Arsenal of course)...
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Man Fashion Tennis Clothing for Men
During a match, men should wear tucked shirts and tennis shorts, although more and more the untucked look is becoming a presence in professional and amateur tennis. Women should wear short sleeved or sleeveless shirts paired with skirts or skorts – shorts that have styling that resembles a traditional skirt. It is important to note that the traditional tennis attire is still alive and well in some places, particularly at some tennis and country clubs. If you are invited to play as a guest at a club, check with the club or your host in order to be certain that your tennis clothes are appropriate and fitting with their dress code. Tennis Shoes - SneakersNo tennis outfit is complete without the ever important accessories. Tennis shoes should be sneaker style, and it is probably best to purchase sneakers that are specifically designed for tennis. Not only will true tennis shoes perform better, they will not have black or dark colored soles which are banned at many courts due to their tendency to leave dark scuffs on the playing surface. Make sure you complement your tennis outfit with fashionable socks as well as things like headbands, hats, or wristbands; all of which will help keep your face and hands dry and ready for action. Until then, enjoy your game while maintain the style