Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[snoopy1239]

When I arrived at Walsall on Saturday, I found myself (before I was even lost actually) sat at a table with a few players - Lucy, Thewy, Red, Pete Singleton, Karabiner, Micky Jones (and Nicola, who has dyed her hair blonde, drool....), and Lord Wernick, etc.

His Lordship told me an interesting tale (well I thought it was) about his negotiations with Blue Square for sponsorship in 2008 & 2009.

Apparently, he's reached a sort of agreement cum prop bet, that if he gives up smoking before Christmas this year, they will extend his sponsorship for not 1 year, as being negotiated, but 2 years!

He told me it was OK to put it on blonde, but just to be sure, I checked with Johnny Raab first. He gave a chuckle, & said, I think, it's sort of true. I think there wil be a Press Release about it in a day or two.

To be serious, I think Micky has been an inspired selection by the Blue Square boys. Many sponsored boys miss the point - they are there to "sell" their sponsor's wares, but Micky has been superb. His Deal does not pay him into every Event, but he sorta gets an annual Budget, or spend limit, & has to spead it around the Tourneys. He's one of the few Pros - Thewy is another - who have given the blonde Updaters a "drink", (£50 each, as I recall) & bought them a proper dinner, after he's won an Event that blonde have Updated.  I think he's been a tremendous ambassador for Blue Square, & long may it last.

I have grown to like & respect him more & more, & he's given me so many tips to help my game, as he does to anyone who cares to listen.

He's also older than me.

Johnny Raab, by the way, sounded much more cheerful & upbeat when I spoke to him today. He's gearing up for Luton next week.

Mickey told me this too. I thought it was absolutely bizarre that a 2 year sponsorship deal could be offered on such a basis. Obviosuly they (1) consider him to be a safe bet and perhaps were considering an extension anyhow and (2) believe the publicity/story will be worthwhile and beneficial to the company.

Mickey giving up smoking though won't be easy. He gave up before, apparently, although he only managed a fortnight.

I like this diary, tikay has a natural ability to say what h's thinking making his posts genuine and honest. More please.

Meanwhile, tikay digs another hole. Amongst those at the table of doom I mentioned pre-the Walsall Tourney was snoops. Sorry, my memory needs a little jogging, unlike my lungs.

If I was at any table of doom, I would only be lessening it's doom status. Mickey Wernick is still light years ahead of the likes of me, and not just in age.

[Dingdell]

It makes sense to increase sponsorship for a non smoking player - he spends more time at the table and less having a cigarette.

[tikay]

Well, we are all ready for tonight's show, we've rehearsed, & very shortly, it'll be SIG.

Paul Musselle is the Presenter tonight, & the Guests are the two biggest blokes I ever saw - 'Quins rugby players, both.

It's weird, but everyone knows what has to be done, the technicians & Producery peeps are all about 18, but there's no nerves at all. The adrenelin courses a tad, though.

Anneka is my "runner" tonight, she's so lovely, it was Anneka who set up the tikay Appreciation Society on Facebook. (And I'm wearing her perfume tonight, it's "Ghost Deep Knight"). Tonight's produucer is James, Rosie is on the Consoles, & the Sound Man is Luscious Lucy. Chris is the Director, & Vera Duckworth is on Graphics. Then there's vision mixers & gawd knows what else. I'm waffling because it's 15 minutes to "ON AIR" & the adrenelin pump has started up. I'm outa here.

I hope at least one or two of you watch. I've got a special jacket on, just for you.

[bobby1]

Tony, this is a lovely read, can you please make sure you keep it up.

thanks

[Robert HM]

Tony, this is a lovely read, can you please make sure you keep it up.

thanks

I am sure he will, he's got lots of ideas and some little blue pills.

[bobby1]

Tony, this is a lovely read, can you please make sure you keep it up.

thanks

I am sure he will, he's got lots of ideas and some little blue pills.

 

[b4matt]

Great Diary for such an oldie... i can only assume you write things down as they happen so you don't forget... amnesia and all... seriously m8, we all love it don't schtoppppp.

As to Lord Wernick, he is a pro in every sence of the word, he never moans, he's always pleased to see you, he's polite, he represents Blue square in such a positive light and lets be honest he has a truly great game genuinely world class

[RichEO]

Nice jacket, what were you on about with the belt though 

Loving the diary, not missed a word.

[tikay]

Nice jacket, what were you on about with the belt though 

Loving the diary, not missed a word.

The belt was complicated - it had two ends. How do you know which way round it goes?

[tikay]

After 38 years, the British Army ended it's presence in Northern Ireland at Midnnight last night. They went there for what they thought was a few weeks, & stayed 38 years. Over 700 Servicemen died.

Strictly speaking, they were there to support the RUC originally, under the codename "Operation Banner".

Now the Police are once again responsible for Law & Order, & the Army will have a small garrison in support - just a few thousand men.

The troubles in Ireland have been a cloud of all our lives, but most especially the desperately sad people of Belfast. I toured Belfast a few years back, & our Government should be ashamed, the place is desperate for regeneration cash.

There were some almost comical interludes. The voice - but not pictures - of Gerry Adams, once an out & out para-military, was banned on British TV & Radio, so Actors mimed his voice while pictures were shown of him speaking. Like that's gonna solve anything. And somehow, like Mandela, he crossed that huge divide from terrorist to peace-maker, to eventually become a Statesman.

I can recall where I was, who I was with, & what I was doing, when every bomb exploded, when every assassination took place. Those that stick most in the mind are Airey Neave, Brighton, The Arndale Manchester, Canary Wharf, Mountbatten, The City of London, Crossmaglen, and that sickening day in Omagh when it all went so terribly wrong, a bungled warning meaning so many civilians were maimed or killed. For some reason, I also vividly recall those two soldiers whose car blundered into a funeral cortege, & who were dragged out of the vehicle & beaten to death. And the Michael Stone thing, shooting randomly during a funeral, then escaping across a cemetery. And the Hunger Strikers, Bobby Sands & others, & the "dirty protest", when prisoners smeared their cell walls with their own excrement. The so-called Shankiilll butchers, sends a chill down the spine just thinking about that. So many dreadful memories. Surely nothing can be as cruel as Man unto Man

The climate has changed over the last 5 years, though I always felt the Minister who did most to start the healing process was Mo Mowlem.

And why? Artificial boundaries, religion, & bungling politicians.

I've always wished that Peace would come to Northern Ireland, most especially for the people who live there. There's just no point apportionig blame at this stage. Every side must shoulder their share.

Maybe it's over now. Let's hope so, it went for far too long. Let there be peace.

[technolog]

Hear hear.

[Wardonkey]

Good post Tony.

I remember Leeds City centre being evacuated on a couple of occaisons while I was work. It was after the Manchester bombing and Leeds was the biggest city not to have been bombed there was a feeling that it was 'our turn' and many people were very scared.

I was in Belfast last year. I was taken for a tour by a friend and it was a real eyeopener It's still a deeply divided and troubled place. It's incredible that in places a 10 metre high wall is considered necessary to keep communities apart.

Much has been achieved over the past few years and hopefully progress will continue to be made, the process is far from over.



How many ends does a belt normally have?

[tikay]

Good post Tony.

I remember Leeds City centre being evacuated on a couple of occaisons while I was work. It was after the Manchester bombing and Leeds was the biggest city not to have been bombed there was a feeling that it was 'our turn' and many people were very scared.

I was in Belfast last year. I was taken for a tour by a friend and it was a real eyeopener It's still a deeply divided and troubled place. It's incredible that in places a 10 metre high wall is considered necessary to keep communities apart.

Much has been achieved over the past few years and hopefully progress will continue to be made, the process is far from over.



How many ends does a belt normally have?

No idea, never worn one. Gissa clue.

A young lady bought me a belt as a present a few weeks ago. I was telling her how all the young scandies were these white plastec belts, & look daft, but apparently it's a cool fashion accessory these days. But it was too small for me. Next time I saw her, she asked why I was not wearing the belt........Do you think I'd look cool & sexy in a white plastic belt?

[Laxie]

Wear the bandanna too and you'll be fighting the women off with a stick.

[Karabiner]

 Next time I saw her, she asked why I was not wearing the belt........Do you think I'd look cool & sexy in a white plastic belt?
[/quote]


Well, if you're on a promise Tony........