A'Villan

Wouldn't be surprised if West Ham finishes in the top half with Pellegrini at the helm, maybe even in European placing. Their squad is probably on par with Chelsea's.

One of my best friends is an Englishman based in Melbourne who supports Newcastle (I'm meant to fly over to England for his wedding later this year). He's dreading the season ahead, thinks we'll absolutely spank them. I told him that will be tough when they have 11 players behind the ball. Even tougher if Bruce, in an act of desperation, joins the keeper on the goal line, as they'll have the width between posts covered end to end.

Bruce has done okay in the Premier League before, he got Sunderland 10th. That's their 2nd highest finish in the PL I think. Sunderland board expected European placing with the squad they had and he was subsequently let go as a result. He's not the worst manager in the world, so it wouldn't surprise me if they survived, but they'll be bottom end I suspect.

Let's see if Rooney can inspire Derby to promotion. From what I gather they have been flirting with it for years. I will never forget his bicycle kick that connected after the cross from Nani. My lord what a goal.

Stacy Keibler and Torrie Wilson were my only real interests in this sport.

QandA is on the ABC. Which has had it's funding slashed and was actually even raided by the AFP (the feds) just a few weeks back which made headlines worldwide.

I enjoy getting quality footwear at minimal cost. I can't relate to people who pay hundreds, even a thousand plus for shoes. Got these basketball shoes for $50: Got two pairs of these, one black leather, the other black suede, for $30 each brand new (sister is national manager otherwise $90) These Nike SB skate shoes for $25 brand new: These are from target, people think they're a designer brand, $25: Futsal shoes, brand new $70:

Grow a beard. I had a buffalo beard for years (it's halfway grown back) and you always have leftovers when you have yogurt or porridge.

The Agony of Victory - When Winning Isn't Enough. Book of fairly short biographies on professional athletes. Graeme Obree features, the guy who broke cycling world records using a homemade bike made from scrap metal and washing machine bearings. He would ooze blood from the mouth because he pushed through pain thresholds that doctors couldn't fathom. Another story was one of a female long distance runner, one day during a training run she falls down a cliff face, or something like that. The authorities can't find her, but she is eventually found by her dog after nearly dying. I don't think she ever made a return to the sport due to the injuries that resulted. Another story (this one hit home for me being a pro-basketball player with a diagnosis of schizophrenia), was of a college basketball prodigy. The guy never got picked up to play professionally beyond his college career, after putting up leading numbers, and soon after that his mind spiraled. It's an interesting story of isolation and his former teammates felt guilty that they never picked up the phone after their college careers to check in on him. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia, believing there was a government conspiracy against him. I'm sure, although I don't remember, that he'd of felt the same about being picked up as a pro. Teammates remember him as normal, but when they came to think about it, after training sessions and matches he would go home solo, whereas the team would socialise. There's quite a few other stories in the book, but it's been years since I read it and I'm sure VT doesn't need me to re-write the book in this post. Oops, too late!

Better than the originals.

Hubba hubba!

I love it when my dog starts dreaming. Her paws start twitching and then in a few minutes you can tell she's dreaming of galloping through dreamland! I don't like it when she howls in her sleep though. Reminds me of the nights when the people I live with tell me I was doing the same in my sleep. Those nights are usually nightmares that are centered around the attempted kidnapping/abduction I experienced as a child, or the trauma that led to my psychotic breakdown. The worst.

Just got a book by Robert Kiyosakee that I have to read in the next few days as part of a vetting process.

Does the U.S have any T.V shows like QandA here in Australia where there's a panel of politicians and authoritative figures on a given subject each week? The audience is made up of the general public and represents an equal portion of people depending on their voting selection and they ask the panel questions. It's interesting viewing and you always get a feel for how genuine a panelist is, and their level of understanding on a given issue.

Same goes for @lapal_fan.. If you want my comeback.. You can wipe it off ya Mum's face!!!

Disagree. Pulled off some moves in the Brazilian Serie A that were like a hybrid of Messi, Maradonna and Ronaldo. Agreed.

This is amazing (more than one person using the technique). I would use the cross head too, if I were to use that method. I'm inclined to use a can opener, but you know..

I don't want to post the article but Dylan Roof, the white supremacist who killed 9 blacks at a church, has been beaten in jail. Subsequently his assaulter has been bailed out of jail and is being afforded temporary housing, cash and clothing.

I honestly thought at one stage a few years back this discussion might have turned to Neymar and Bale by now.

How does that work? Wouldn't it just make an insignificant puncture in the can? Or do you then leverage the lid off?

I'll fight you..

I started work in construction as asbestos was being removed. I worked on many asbestos roofs. Scared me a little because I was always told it could kill me but I never understood how it got into my system. One boss just said don't put your foot through the roof because the dust from it will kill you.. But to the more important point. WTF has come over you? Making posts about history in asbestos and the 60's/70's of Birmingham?! Your posts usually make me laugh because they're funny (laughing when something's funny, who would of thought?). Or cry because they're mean.

Might've told this one before 'cause it's all I've got really. If you're English when you walk into the toilet, and English when you walk out, what are you when you're in the toilet? European..

Just beautiful! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10216602614919223&set=a.1681580600763&type=3&theater

Don't know if this is relevant. I got accused of mans-plaining (spelling?) by a woman on facebook a while back. She was talking about racism and white people, she happens to be indigenous, and I simply highlighted that not all white folk are genocidal or even racist. She said as a white male you are this, and that. Whatever. It became apparent that although I was the one mans-plaining, I was also being condescendingly told what's what. I just told her I was comfortable with the way I treat others and that the ultimate sin is to be ashamed of your skin.