Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[action man]

So, I did the Presenter Shift on Saturday, after over 100 Analyst Shifts, & almost got away with it. Because I did not have time to do my own script, & had to read someone else's, & as a result, I fumbled my words a few times. I prefer no script, just a series of Auto-Cue prompts, as I can ad-lib away off the back of those much better.

Technically, I'm sure Orford & Compo have nothing to worry about from me. But in my own little book, I was very proud of myself - Prersenting a 3 Hour Live Show is some feat for someone with my background & abilities.

I got a lovely Text, then a note, from my TV Boss chappie (Miami Vic) who said "you did extremely well. All things Considered......". That's "you were a complete donkey" then. Really top bloke, is Mr Vic.

But a nice surprise today - they pay Extra for Presenters, & I'm being paid the Presenter Rate for Saturday. Happy Days. And they've said they will put me down as a "Reserve" Presenter. That'll do for me. I like being an Analyst, more freedom to waffle & blather, but there is a buzz from Presenting.

Car Service in the morning at 10.30am, Telecon at 1pm, & the e-Mail pile after that. Luton Wednesday, Meet at Isleworth on Thursday, Shows Thursday & Sunday, I think.

I've got bills & unpaid parking tickets all over the place, & I just can't be arsed to sort them out.

The Tablets are doing the trick, & solving the problem, but they make me feel like absolute shite in the mornings, & it was all I could do to get up this morning. Still, a few more days & it'll all be tickety-boo.

The Tab;lets have one of those "WARNING, READ THIS" pamphlets. It says two side-effects are "being tired, & confused". I'll look out for that. How the hell would I know if I was confused?

[portfolio]

So, I did the Presenter Shift on Saturday, after over 100 Analyst Shifts, & almost got away with it. Because I did not have time to do my own script, & had to read someone else's, & as a result, I fumbled my words a few times. I prefer no script, just a series of Auto-Cue prompts, as I can ad-lib away off the back of those much better.

Technically, I'm sure Orford & Compo have nothing to worry about from me. But in my own little book, I was very proud of myself - Prersenting a 3 Hour Live Show is some feat for someone with my background & abilities.

I got a lovely Text, then a note, from my TV Boss chappie (Miami Vic) who said "you did extremely well. All things Considered......". That's "you were a complete donkey" then. Really top bloke, is Mr Vic.

But a nice surprise today - they pay Extra for Presenters, & I'm being paid the Presenter Rate for Saturday. Happy Days. And they've said they will put me down as a "Reserve" Presenter. That'll do for me. I like being an Analyst, more freedom to waffle & blather, but there is a buzz from Presenting.

Car Service in the morning at 10.30am, Telecon at 1pm, & the e-Mail pile after that. Luton Wednesday, Meet at Isleworth on Thursday, Shows Thursday & Sunday, I think.

I've got bills & unpaid parking tickets all over the place, & I just can't be arsed to sort them out.

The Tablets are doing the trick, & solving the problem, but they make me feel like absolute shite in the mornings, & it was all I could do to get up this morning. Still, a few more days & it'll all be tickety-boo.

The Tab;lets have one of those "WARNING, READ THIS" pamphlets. It says two side-effects are "being tired, & confused". I'll look out for that. How the hell would I know if I was confused?

is there a proctologist in your house?

[tikay]

Made a bad decision, & despite feeling UTW, went down to Luton tonight, & regretted it almost straight away.

Tossed off my Chips, & was back home before Midnight.

Three surprise visitors to Luton this evening were Kelly "Baby-Doll" Kipling, Chippie, & Ken, aka Gala Notts Cardroom Manager, aka blonde "phoenix", I think.

My Dealer on the opening table said he's not seen me in the GUKPT last week. I said he'd dealt to me, & refused to act when a player persistently used his 'phone during a hand ("action had taken place" - yeah, HIS action!).

I also reminded him of the boorish, foul & abusive manner of the geezer who, according to many, was high as a kite. "Oh, him that said we were all ****ing Racists?".

Yup, not much gets past that lad.

[Nursey]

How come you are a wearing a hat in your picture TK, with that mop of shiny, cascading, blonde locks you'd think you'd be showing it off at every opportunity.....or is your fore-head finally catching up with your crown ;-)

[tikay]

How come you are a wearing a hat in your picture TK, with that mop of shiny, cascading, blonde locks you'd think you'd be showing it off at every opportunity.....or is your fore-head finally catching up with your crown ;-)

Behave, Orpey. Good to see you are coming to the Bash. Do try & wear something that does not make your bum look big.

[tikay]

40 years ago, Anita Lonsborough won a Gold Medal in the Olympics. No British female swimmer has won an Olympic Gold since - until yesterday.

Here's a piece on Anita.

Anita Lonsborough, MBE, Huddersfield

Anita Lonsborough was taught to swim by her father in India where the family was stationed with the Coldstream Guards. On returning to Huddersfield, Anita worked as a clerk in the Treasurers Office at the Town Hall while continuing to swim in her spare time. In 1958 she won her first gold in the Empire games at Cardiff. 5 world records and 7 gold medals followed until her retirement in 1964. At one time she held the gold Olympic, Empire and European medals at the same time.

Other achievements were the first woman to carry the British flag at the Olympics in Tokyo and first woman winner of BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1962. She currently lives in Wolverhampton and is a sports commentator and journalist.

She was lionised, feted, & hailed for the heroine she clearly was - a truly great Olympian.

[tikay]

Now, young Rebecca Adligton repeated the feat - wonderful! A British Gold Medallist, from a humble background.

She hails just up the road from me, in Mansfield, which used to be a Mining town. Mansfield's claims to fame are Alvin Stardust, Richard Bacon, Roger Moore & Lord Byron. There's huge excitement for the lass, & they plan to rename the local Swimming Pool "Adlington Swimming Baths". Happy days indeed.

Except, 40 years on from Anita, society has changed. Here we have a real fairy-tale Champion, & yet there's a thread on blonde which mocks her for her looks.

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, maybe I'm grumpy & tetchy, maybe I'm just old, but that thread says so much about how Society is changing for the worse. Do the Posters not have mirrors? Have they made as much of their talent (we all have Talent in some shape or form) as she has?

Some Nations are so proud of their Athletes & swimmers, it almost shaves half a second off their time. While the Brits mock their looks.

I thought the thread was just horrible. Best of blonde it's not.

[Rookie (Rodney)]

Now, young Rebecca Adligton repeated the feat - wonderful! A British Gold Medallist, from a humble background.

She hails just up the road from me, in Mansfield, which used to be a Mining town. Mansfield's claims to fame are Alvin Stardust, Richard Bacon, Roger Moore & Lord Byron. There's huge excitement for the lass, & they plan to rename the local Swimming Pool "Adlington Swimming Baths". Happy days indeed.

Except, 40 years on from Anita, society has changed. Here we have a real fairy-tale Champion, & yet there's a thread on blonde which mocks her for her looks.

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, maybe I'm grumpy & tetchy, maybe I'm just old, but that thread says so much about how Society is changing for the worse. Do the Posters not have mirrors? Have they made as much of their talent (we all have Talent in some shape or form) as she has?

Some Nations are so proud of their Athletes & swimmers, it almost shaves half a second off their time. While the Brits mock their looks.

I thought the thread was just horrible. Best of blonde it's not.

SIGH.  Because you have never had a quick laugh behind someones back about them, have you?

[Royal Flush]

Thread was about JP's opinion of her looks, FACT!

[tikay]

Thread was about JP's opinion of her looks, FACT!

JP is my Hero......

[tikay]

Insomnia is horrible. I've never suffered before, but these bloody tablets are doing my head in.

So, whilst googling picture-ing the TPO for Tom's thread, I came across two super pictures.

These are GPO (General Post Office) BSA Bantams. They were used to deliver Telegrams, & the riders were known as "Telegram Boys". In those days, pre-internet, or widespread telephones, if you had urgent news, you sent a Telegram. It was used, in the main, for news of family bereavements, & for horse race results. Times have changed a bit......

They were very expensive - they were charged by the word - & had an odd construction, because full-stops & commas were not possible, typically being like this;

Auntie Mary dead stop funeral friday stop

These days, the service is almost totally defunct, though I believe Her Majesty the Queenness sends Birthday Telegrams to those reaching the age of 100.

The BSA Bantams were 150cc two-strokes, & would run for ever, & were low-maintenance. A better buy was the 200cc Triumph Tiger Cub, a 4 stroke, with a lot more oomph. I had one of each, & came off both of them several times.

[tikay]

.

[tikay]

Imagine driving this little lot.

Showmen, on the road.

[rex008]

Telegrams haven't existed since 1982. There was a "telemessage" after that for a few years, but the Queen has just sent standard cards through the post since 1999. You get them for 60th and 70th wedding anniversaries as well - my grandparents have just had one for 60th. You have to apply for all of them though - the "joined up government" apparently has no idea when someone hits 100. 

[kinboshi]

Now, young Rebecca Adligton repeated the feat - wonderful! A British Gold Medallist, from a humble background.

She hails just up the road from me, in Mansfield, which used to be a Mining town. Mansfield's claims to fame are Alvin Stardust, Richard Bacon, Roger Moore & Lord Byron. There's huge excitement for the lass, & they plan to rename the local Swimming Pool "Adlington Swimming Baths". Happy days indeed.

Except, 40 years on from Anita, society has changed. Here we have a real fairy-tale Champion, & yet there's a thread on blonde which mocks her for her looks.

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, maybe I'm grumpy & tetchy, maybe I'm just old, but that thread says so much about how Society is changing for the worse. Do the Posters not have mirrors? Have they made as much of their talent (we all have Talent in some shape or form) as she has?

Some Nations are so proud of their Athletes & swimmers, it almost shaves half a second off their time. While the Brits mock their looks.

I thought the thread was just horrible. Best of blonde it's not.

This got me wondering what a lot of Brits 40 years ago would have made of Kelly Holmes winning the golds at the last Olympics?  A black woman representing Britain?!  A gay woman as well...?

I wasn't around 40 years ago, but I know that attitudes have changed considerably over that time, largely for the better.  Wouldn't you agree?