Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[kinboshi]

I will say it again.

It was a throwaway line Dan, I'm sorry that I never realised that you would be so sensitive to it.

I'm not sensitive - you can call me a hater if you want (been called far worse).  Just thought it was interesting as it's a word you use relatively frequently.

[superwomble]

I've just been reading the latest issue of Alun's Poker Player and see you got a little mention in the WSOP reports tikay:

Even Tony Kendall got in on the heartbreak, just missing out on a final table in the $1.5k Omaha hi/lo event.

[MANTIS01]

Think it's disappointing how tikay is hating on kin for being a google hater

[redsimon]

Horse racing seems to be falling apart at the seems Tony but this is still a bit of a shock.


Hereford and Folkestone  to close at end of 2012
 
BY BILL BARBER 11:00AM 27 JUL 2012
 
THE Northern and Arena Racing Group owned by the Reuben Brothers has announced that Hereford racecourse is to be closed down at the end of the year.

And in news that will rock British horseracing, Folkestone racecourse is also set to shut its doors at the end of 2012, although its owners hope to reopen the track.

Folkestone's future depends on plans to redevelop the site with the building of around 800 houses being approved.

Hereford, where racing was first recorded in 1771, will be the first course to close since Great Leighs lost its licence in 2009, although hopes remain that the sport will return there. Before then Stockton was the last track to be lost permanently in 1981.

The courses' fixtures in 2013 will be redistributed among the other tracks in the group.

When Northern Racing's owners the Reuben Brothers bought Arena Leisure in March it created Britain's largest racecourse group, accounting for around 40 per cent of fixtures in the UK.

Tony Kelly, managing director of the enlarged group, said: "Hereford is owned by Herefordshire County Council and run under a lease arrangement.

"Attempts to extend the lease, which has 17 years remaining, have been unsuccessful. Despite being unviable for several years we have supported the racecourse but much-needed investment, required to breathe new life into the racecourse, cannot be justified in the absence of a long-term future for the business. 

"Folkestone suffers from out-dated facilities and has been the subject of detailed discussion between the previous management, Arena Leisure and Shepway District Council for several years now.

"The proposal for the site incorporated significant residential development, which would have enabled a new racecourse to be constructed with much enhanced amenities.

"However, these plans have been delayed following the recent Examination in Public of the local plan.

"Discussions will continue with Shepway District Council in the hope that there will be approval of development plans which would secure the future of the racecourse. If they succeed, work to reconfigure the racecourse could commence in 2013.

"Every effort to continue trading at these racecourses has been explored but it is with regret that a variety of circumstances means that this is no longer possible, therefore both Hereford and Folkestone racecourses will therefore cease trading at the end of the 2012 season.

"The fixtures will be transferred to other racecourses within the group, where we will be able to offer increased prize-money and better quality facilities for connections and racegoers alike."

Paul Bittar, Chief Executive of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) said: "This decision is a matter for Northern Racing and Arena Leisure. We recognise and respect the commercial pressures that lie behind it.

"While British racing is immensely popular on many levels, and enjoyed record attendances last year, the fact is that the sport's financial model remains badly outdated. This undoubtedly makes life very difficult for all who depend on the sport for their living and it also impacts upon racecourses, particularly smaller ones.

"We are encouraged to learn that the fixtures transferred as a result of the closures will benefit from increased prize-money, but the priority for the whole sport remains the modernisation of our funding mechanism to underpin the future of British racing and ensure a fair return for all participants."

Wonder how many more courses this group will close/redevelop in 2013/14?

[Karabiner]

I believe "detractors" is the word.

[tikay]

I believe "detractors" is the word.

You are, as always, perfectly correct there Ralph.

[tikay]

I've just been reading the latest issue of Alun's Poker Player and see you got a little mention in the WSOP reports tikay:

Even Tony Kendall got in on the heartbreak, just missing out on a final table in the $1.5k Omaha hi/lo event.

The ultimate rub.......

Still, a mention in the UK's most august of poker publication is not to be sneezed at. I am suitably chirpy about that.

[kinboshi]

I like Google, but..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19014206

[bobAlike]

I like Google, but..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19014206

Who you trying to kid Kin?

[TightEnd]

Did you enjoy the Isambard Kingdom Brunel/Industrial revolution section of the Opening ceremony?

[tikay]

Did you enjoy the Isambard Kingdom Brunel/Industrial revolution section of the Opening ceremony?

I'm almost ashamed to admit, Rich, but I never watched it, I had an early night.

I have never watched an Olympic Opening Ceremony in my entire life, & I've lived through 15 or 16 of them, including the previous one in London, though I was a little young at the time.

And after every one, I deeply regret swerving it.  No good watching replays either, the magis is in the moment, the surprise, the as it happens thing.

I don't know what is the matter with me sometimes, the Olympics is for the people, the regular people, & yet I blank it every time. Deep down, though this is a well-guarded personal secret, I think I may have a teeny-weeny streak of stubborn-ness & stupidity in me. 

[RED-DOG]

Did you enjoy the Isambard Kingdom Brunel/Industrial revolution section of the Opening ceremony?

I'm almost ashamed to admit, Rich, but I never watched it, I had an early night.

I have never watched an Olympic Opening Ceremony in my entire life, & I've lived through 15 or 16 of them, including the previous one in London, though I was a little young at the time.

And after every one, I deeply regret swerving it.  No good watching replays either, the magis is in the moment, the surprise, the as it happens thing.

I don't know what is the matter with me sometimes, the Olympics is for the people, the regular people, & yet I blank it every time. Deep down, though this is a well-guarded personal secret, I think I may have a teeny-weeny streak of stubborn-ness & stupidity in me. 

No shit Sherlock.

[tikay]

Anyway......

I promised myself I would try & get a feel for the Olympic spiriit.

During & after the '66 World Cup, I vividly recall the "feel-good" vibe that swept the country, & I think we need a bit of that, so I'm gonna try & be a part of it.

It would be rather nice if blonde experienced a bit of Olympic feel-good, too, there seems to be increasing degrees of tetchyness of late, & as much as I try to stay out of it, it's hard not to be affected when I'm straddling a prickly fence with good friends who I greatly respect on different sides of it.  

So.....

This morning, I took a few photos of my locale preparing for the Cycling Road Race. Photography, like writing, is a gift of wonder, & I don't have either, but the photos do mean something to me, because for the first time in 2012 London Olympics, I could see, sense & touch the mood.

I'll upload the photos shortly, but don't hold your breath in awe, they won't mean a darn thing to anyone else except me.

[RED-DOG]

I'm glad I'm not prickly.


Sigh....

I'm ashamed of myself sometimes.

[tikay]

I'm glad I'm not prickly.


Sigh....

I'm ashamed of myself sometimes.

We all are at times, Tom. Its good to admit it, too.

Was lovely to see you earlier in the week, wish you could have stayed longer.  It's all rather exciting down here today, with the bicycle race & everything.

Anyway, go away, I need to upload these magnificent photos.