Stud Trump

Hello, my name is Imran and I have been fortunate enough to have been allocated the Saturday slot on this very bizarre blog. I'm a very uninspired person who has done very little in the past week other than watch Snooker on my impressively unimpressive television.

Forget Westminster Abbey, yesterday, all eyes were on the Crucible, Sheffield. Four of the game’s biggest names shot it out in the World Snooker Championship semi-finals. Proceedings started with the recently crowned China open champion Judd Trump, going head to head with former UK and Master’s champion, Ding Junhui. Trump, who was recently voted ‘most fanciable player’ by the women of China, ended the day level 12-12 with Enter the Dragon, Ding Junhui. Both players exhibited a new brand of attacking Snooker, fearless, and gifted with an incontestable ability to pot, saw 8 breaks of 60 of above in the evening session.

The second semi-final in stark contrast was a much more tactical affair, as you would expect from two veterans and former World Champions. Three time King-of-the-Crucible John Higgins looked at one stage to fall 5 frames adrift of two time champion, Mark Williams. The Wizzard of Wishaw however had other ideas ending the day just 9-7 behind.

Both matches remain too close to call, although the level-headed Williams is a favourite to keep his cool against Higgins, you can’t rule out the Scottish cueman, known for his grit and determination just yet, expect this one to go down to the wire.

Tomorrow’s conclusion of the Ding-Trump semi whets the appetite, with two of Snooker’s most naturally gifted players playing at the top of their game. Trump responded brilliantly to stop a 5 frame rot from Ding and end the day level at 12 a-piece; it could be that show of character from the Bristolian which sees him through to the final.

If you’re a betting man (or woman) Betfair’s offer of 4/1 odds on Trump to lift the championship may be worth a shot. The exciting 21-year old made short work of previous champions Graeme Dott and Neil Robertson, and should he progress through to the final, there is no reason he shouldn’t be able to upset another past champion and lift his second consecutive ranking title.

One thing is for certain, Judd Trump is here to stay and will be a future champion; whether or not he will become one on Monday is more of an uncertainty.

I hope to see you next Saturday, and good luck with your bets!

Imran

29th April '11: Funeral of Freedom and Liberty in Britain

~With this blog I'm told to keep it light-hearted, well my definition of light-hearted is me ranting with a few facts here and there, enjoy!~

As you all know, thanks to well invested PR tactics, on 29^th April was the day of the ‘Royal’ Wedding. The day that the “commoner” Catherine Middleton married a “benefit scrounger” Willam Windsor, words of the BBC and Morrissey, respectively. The day the masses sat by and celebrated class-inequality and cheered at the sight of war planes. The essence of what I despised most, dressed in red, white and blue, was shown on TV worldwide. There they were minions of the state, waving the flag that symbolised colonialism, racism and slavery for many Brits that flinch at its mere sight. What’s worse, the same tone of merriment was on twitter from activists! Immediately, I thought “oh no… they’ve infiltrated the best of us!” Sustaining the trending of the hash tag “#royalwedding”, or “#rw11” – I thought this was a time to boycott this crap! Tweet more about the attack on freedom of speech by the police or the pro-democracy struggles in the Middle East, South America, Africa …! Indeed. There is PLENTY to tweet, write and inform people about. So, why the intent on informing people who are already informed about crap that is not informative quality! (if ya get my drift) There aren’t many of us, and the movement of resistance is on our shoulders. See how the government has started “saving” money on our public services and started investing in wars and crap like this? Well that’s exactly how we need to start saving on our time and invest it in what really matters.

Following up to this crap, activist’s homes and communal spaces were subject to illegal raids by the pigs. Many were also arrested for “pre-emptive crimes” including a pensioner who had planned some street theatre in protest of the wedding. (see video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOli98fgBP0&feature=youtu.be) LOL @ professor lying on floor. Notice how there is an excessive number of police in this miniscule arrest. 40 police officers raided small groups like Grow Heathrow. Creating tension and fear much?

Last month, to boost arrest numbers police unnecessarily arrested and charged people who were peacefully occupying Fortnum and Masons in protest of tax avoidance by big corporations who f**k us over tenfold. Among other activists and anarchists, they too were banned from London on the day of the wedding, which was part of their bail condition!

Also on the day of this crap, the police declared that the whole area dedicated to the wedding would be under section 60, so anyone can be stopped and searched for no apparent reason. Oh and, 60a justifies the removal of masks and anything that covers the face. However, I don’t know which law can justify the arrest of a man who sings “We are living in a fascist regime!” to the tune of ‘Yellow Submarine’. Like that wasn’t enough, in response you get followers of this “regime” demanding that you “respect” the wedding when you simply state the truth.

Yes, there’s more. Over 50 activist groups were removed from Facebook without “warning or permission” (see for the whole list: http://anticutsspace.wordpress.com). Activists hold on tight to what they have left to exchange info with fellow activists e.g. Twitter, which is evidently not a great advocate for the movement, just take a look at their trends list.

So, people who think that all this does not concern them, well it bloody does. If you wish no education and basic human rights for our future (and just for the rich and for those who just POP into the monarchy) then please don’t moan when it all lands on your doorstep. For the rest of ye, “get up, stand up for your rights” (love Bob)! The problem is big peeps and there’s so much I haven’t written about but hey, I’ll leave the rest to you. Surely, anyone can see that this is a lockdown on freedom of speech. Censorship and terror enforced on all levels, from state to street. I honestly fear for our future, because ignorance and apathy scares me.

The Bastardization Of Movies

Well, well first time writing on this blog. Learn something new everyday and all that...I've never been one for beating around the bush so here goes nothing. What is up with all these crappy remakes spawned from an iconic movie? For that matter what is up with the inevitable inferior sequels they give rise to? Case in point- Indiana Jones, the trilogy should have been left as a trilogy but no the insatiable greed of the producers gave birth to the monstrosity that is the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Tolerable to watch once but lacking that certain something the other movies had. Scream 4, another one that should never have been made, the plot gets wilder and wilder providing a fraction of the scare of the original but ultimately making as much sense as The Matrix movies. Need further proof?...Saw VII: The Final Chapter and Shrek: Forever After. For shame.

Remakes only provoke one response in me...why? Why would someone mess with perfection? This is especially true of horror movies, can't be content with the originals so they are updated for the younger generation by adding more nudity, less scares and pointless additional details. A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Halloween, The Last House on the Left, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Psycho are to name but a few. Another thing that I desperately wish you could explain is the shitty remakes of foreign language films like 7 days, Ju-On: The Grudge, One Missed Call, Dark Water, Let The Right One In, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo etc. Is reading the subtitles just too strenuous for some? Hollywood has bastardized so many of these epic films to produce more money to fund their next abomination.

The sheer terror and superb performances in these films are replaced by laughable 'acting' and a celebrity (although I use that term very loosely) desperately trying not to disappear into obscurity, or in contrast features a prominent celebrity who was cast only because of their popularity. Yet every time these films are released 'smash box office records'. Can I just ask who the fuck is paying to see these movies?! Who I ask you? These movies can be likened to prostitution. The posters and trailers mislead the audience by showing the best shots of the film, raising expectations which lead to us watching the film yet after the deed is done leaves you feeling empty and unfulfilled with your wallet that extra bit lighter.

Having discredited a lot of movies in this post there are a few notable sequels/remakes out there such as Sweeney Todd, Toy Story 2, Shrek 2 (the others were truly cringeworthy), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Blade II and Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and Return of the King (not technically sequels but so truly awesome they had to be mentioned). If it has to be done this is they way it should be done. But my overall view on this topic is summarised by Sidney Prescott in Scream 4 (oh the irony!) 'You forgot one rule about remakes. You don't fuck with the original.' Care to share your thoughts people?

Love/ Hate Relationship Avec Apple

So this is my first blog, and I must admit I found it a little bit difficult to think of a topic to talk about, since I was warned that I shouldn’t be so ‘heavy-handed’ in discussing politics. And since I can’t do a ‘light-hearted’ blog on politics right now...as this is my FIRST blog and I don’t want to scare anyone away I decided to dedicate this blog to asking what the fuck is the hype with APPLE.

No... Not the fruit. The brand Apple. So I am quite curious as to why people are so obsessed with getting Apple’s latest products, when they are openly tricking people. They constantly add new features year after year to a product, such as the ‘camera’ feature or ‘video’ feature when they blatantly could just put it on the damn product in the first place. Take the latest hype, IPADS for example. An ipad is basically a large screened itouch. And it didn’t have a camera, but I believe it has one now. And why is everyone talking about the SECOND IPAD, because it has a camera! For god’s sake people get a grip of your selves! Can’t you see Apple is using you?? They’ve made you fall in love with them first, through amazing branding, and then they annually add new features to their products to constantly make you buy from them, it really is tragic. Now I’m not going to be a complete hypocrite but when the iphone came out, I really wanted it, and I still sort of do as well. Mostly for aesthetic reasons, and because it has the internet on it, I know it’s embarrassing right? However the only Apple product I do have is a ‘classic IPOD’ and I’m sorry but this is by far one of Apple’s greatest inventions. It has 160 GB. That’s all I really need to say. If you’re a music lover, then Apple is the way. Part from that, can people please tell me what their fascination is with ‘Apple’ and is it really all that?

Go crazy with the comments!

Shabs

(A haha) Happy go lucky me!

Hi interwebz, top of the morning to ya!

As usual I will highlight yesterday's comments. But it was a sad day folks, just one comment, though it was a very intense post that I believe if you looked hard enough, you would find some interesting arguments.

On to today's more jubilant topic: Your happiness.

What promotes your happiness? How often do you find yourself happy?
Sorry, I don't mean to probe. Or do I? :D
It seems like a trivial question, but if you analyse the cause, you could potentially become a more brighter and cheery you! Or would you? Without sounding too much like Jeremy Clarkson; some say expectation does lead to disappointment; but on the other hand, if you know you're going to be happy surely you will be, right? Wow this is starting to get confusing, does my rambling make sense?

So about your happiness. Is it getting what you want? Maybe the thought of making someone else happy? How about getting a light spanking (LOL)? How does Paul Evans do it? and would you trade your current emotions for consistent and conventional happiness?

Oh and before I forget, tomorrow we will be introduced with our Thursdays author by the handle Shabs, be nice. :)

Cheers, Joey - signing out for now.

Falafel. Say it again! Falafel... Say it a...

You get my point - it's a cool word.

First thing's first - thanks again for the comments! They truly had the undertones of a great X-files episode; though Aashad Deen's comment did take away some of the mystery presented in the clip.

Today's topic will be the falafel. How many people out there know what a falafel is? Oh I see hands. Okay. For those of you who don't; it's a musical instrument that looks and feels like a small drum, but when you hit it, it goes "twaaaaang" and squirts a bit of mayonnaise on to your foot. I'm joking! [spoiler alert] the picture below shows falafel in some bread. Now how many of you know where the falafel originated from? Oh, not so many hands this time round. I heard someone say "Isreal"? But you would be wrong, it was originated in Palestine.

My sources you ask? I would refer you to the history section of your local library :-)

I've never personally had falafel, what does it taste like? Is it a good snack to eat after a gym session? Why would a nation steal something so simple? - is it truly that tasty? :D
So what's your opinion on the falafel falafel falafel?

Cheers, Joey

I like my alien legless and extra crispy

Better dead than harness the ability to probe!

First off, congratulations to Geraldine for making the first ever comment, an interesting set of sentences that read:

cake is good.
a good cake makes me happy.
an orgasmic cake makes my eyes glaze over.

And to Pearl, for raising the ever important social justice issue on the whereabouts of cake.

As for today's topic, word has it that an alien was found dead in Russia not long ago - incidentally in one of the country's UFO hotspots. I'm beginning to seriously doubt the stories of people being probed by these little munchkins. Please, try not to throw up your cake. :-)



So to all you believers and non-believers; real or fake? What if the greys come back for ET. ryan only to find him dead in our hands? They're short and we're tall, it should be no contest right! Well?

Cheers, Joey