A'Villan

Did anyone else come to the realisation this is a dick and pussy pic all in one? @mjmooney you dirty fella you.

How good is it to want to have players on the pitch but there's not enough room to fit them? I can't remember this kind of dilemma since perhaps back when Young and Downing were nailed on starters but you wanted to see Albrighton too.

Unlikely. I have no objections to it, I just don't think it'll happen anytime soon. A well balanced formation and tactical approach might have something to say about it. So far all our forward and wide options have either scored or assisted, except Trezeguet, who nearly did against Spurs. Which shows that the system is providing solid chances on goal for every player employed to be threatening it. Luiz in a more advanced role would have to change our formation and shape, as well as sacrificing another players starting position. Add to this that in order to accommodate him either on of Grealish or McGinn gets dropped, which I don't think is smart. Or, we drop a winger and totally mess with the balance of our formation and also end up playing someone out of position to accommodate.

You know the expression and imagery of pulling your hair out with stress? I did this a few months ago, only to a very healthy buffalo beard that had been growing for years. Was thin and straggly within an hour or two of me starting to pull it out. Needless to say stress levels were abnormal. I had to shave the rest off because there was no salvaging it. People I know were tripping out when they saw me clean shaved. My beard was a big part of what people identified me with, in basketball I was often called "the white James Harden" Anyway, the beard is back.

This is an interesting post for me, ironically residing in the 'boring' thread. I've spent some minutes pondering it. It takes all sorts to make the world and every sort has their take. With great power comes great responsibility, and I believe that both reside in everyone. We are not merely inanimate numbers and objects who's purpose is to be measured. We are the phenomena that is life, which is pretty, well, phenomenal! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that.. There is some degree of insanity in greatness, if you think about it. Distinction doesn't come from following what is commonplace.

Blue Rage, Black Redemption. Great read.

Why Aaron Russo would give such an interview if he weren't telling the truth. The mind boggles. He was very nearly nominated for the presidency of the United States of America. Why conjure up a fallacy about being approached by the Rockefeller's? With all that he had going for him, all that he wanted to achieve, why sabotage it all in an one hour interview? Admittedly his choice of platform to air his story is unfortunate and saps away credibility, but perhaps Alex Jones is the only media outlet who will get him heard. What could he possibly have to gain? What would he think he had to gain? Surely he is aware of how he will be perceived?

@blandy The Aussie sun is pretty brutal at those temperatures, hey. It's about the only time I can call myself a person of colour. Not proudly. I look like I've been marinated in red wine I get so sunburnt.

Here's another one just to back up bickster's case.

Work didn't pay me this week and the receptionist doesn't know who the payroll officer is so apparently can't make any inquiries for me. I then speak to the head of the advisory board who can't tell me for certain but thinks there may not have been funds to pay me on time. We're one of the biggest mental health clinics in the state. What kind of service do we deliver if we can't pay me $25 an hour.

Eh, you're a little bit but actually mostly right, the quality of ingredients was poor and it's that sh*tty tasty like a McDonald's burger.

It didn't make all that much noise really, tastes alright though!

Mo' money, mo' problems.

Got out of bed at 4am to watch the Crewe game. Went downstairs to have the usual plain porridge for breakfast. Ended up walking down the street and buying a bacon, cheese and beef pie and a sausage roll.

Why the concept for mind over matter is difficult for some to grasp or even believe. It's like this, make the decision you're going to raise your right hand and do it. That's mind over matter, no?

Instructed to actually play in a challenging manner that demands their best. Love everything about Villa at the moment.

Well that was worth the lack of sleep. Thoroughly enjoyable to watch. The one touch play and off the ball movement is just next level.

Can't shoot they says. I told you. When the opposition allows him an angle, and he's not hitting first touch volleys in from the top of the box, he can shoot!

Thanks for the feedback guys, really. I think you're all probably right.

Thanks @mottaloo that's both kind and sensible of you to say. I don't really want to associate with him. His actions were appalling. Believe me, I don't think myself responsible for fixing his problems, that is well beyond my skill or interest. Just like I hold no grudge, I certainly do not lament our friendship ending either. It's not selfish to protect yourself from toxic behavior that will bring you down. I will go into any meeting with strict boundaries. Being that if it's not positive, or pleasant, or productive, I'm out and on my way and our paths will not cross again. I guess it's a complicated and long story but I will afford him one last meeting in person, in the hope that he sees he is forgiven but that it's important he learns better.

@blandy Whereabouts in the outback were you based? I'm a city kid these days so don't get much exposure to Aussie wildlife. Entirely baffling but other birds test their luck with vehicles for some strange reason as well. Pigeons and Indian Minors do it religiously too. Step too close to them when you're strolling by and they'll (at least attempt to) keep a safe distance, but they always tempt fate when it comes to cars. You know what emus should be doing when it comes to cars? Yeah, you know it.. Drag racing! Those oaf looking animals can get up to 50km/h!

I reached out to him a few weeks back and apologised for my part in things getting ugly. I told him we had a lot of good memories and that I wished him well I left it there. His response was that the apology was accepted and that he too was sorry for the way he behaved and dealt with things, that it was his own issues that caused such behavior. He went on to congratulate me on my basketball efforts, highlighted that it's great we both are figuring things out and that he'd love to catch up. I didn't respond initially, and in my mind I thought let's just walk away amicably. I then thanked him for his message but made no effort to accept his wish to meet in person. I really don't hold a grudge, I don't see who or what it serves, but this guy went so far out of his way to 'cause me emotional unrest, you actually wouldn't believe me. So I'm wary.. I'm a good friend, if I can say that about myself, I don't lead people astray deliberately and in this case all I wanted was the truth so I could move on. What I got was lies and games and if I'm honest cold hearted and callous attempts to belittle me, at a time when I had placed trust and faith in others integrity. Whatever.. long, long story short I know this guy has been into a psych ward since we fell out and I get the vibe he could use a friend. Now that's not going to be me this time around, there will be no reuniting of old friendships here. But I want him to see that I wish him well, despite his abusive mistakes. And if I can elicit the understanding that the way he went about himself was totally unacceptable, but that I wish him something better than that toxic bullshit. Well, hopefully he see the light and no one else has to endure what I did as a consequence of his behaviour, maybe even some healthy relationships are down the road for him.

They must've been playing to a clock. That pressure is killer.