Pro Evo 6

Probably my favourite computer game, until PES7 comes out anyway, and testing my skills in a tournament tomorrow. It's being organised via a Motherwell FC fans website, so I know a few of the other entrants though I haven't played against many of them at the game. I'll be quite happy to get through the group stages and not shame myself but I'd be more than a bit pleased if I managed to win it. However I know that one of the guys entering isn't to shabby at all at this game seeing as he got his picture into the instruction manual for PES5 after winning a national tournament, he is clearly the hot favourite.

I think I'm not to bad at the game myself but my biggest weakness I think is my lack of human opponents, I only played against two different people outside of one player mode lately and people tend to be a completely different kettle of fish. I remember back playing original PES or PES2 and caning the game and a few casual players I'd played against only to come up against an opponent who played considerably more multiplayer action and got caned 3-0. A hard fought 1-0 win in the second game restored some dignity but again spanked 3-0 in the best of three decider. A dose of reality was served up but at the same time it was great to step up and play someone better at the game, it helps lift your own standards.

So I'm hopeful that if I get a decent draw in the group stage I can get through whilst getting some good practise in against human opponents and make a decent stab at getting to the final. I suspect there will be a good few decent players in there though and anything from last 8 onwards I wouldn't be to upset with.

Thinking of getting a new car?

Then why not look at the link here? Beat that traffic with this nimble machine. Though apparantly at present insurance requires you have your vehicle tethered to a crane during operation, a minor inconveinence I'm sure.

Just got a postcard from Robert Fisk...

...which was a slightly surreal start to the day. Now before anyone thinks it's completely random it was in a response to a letter I'd sent him earlier in the year. The letter was sent in early april so I'd all but forgotten about it. He doesn't take email correspondance and letters are sent care of the Independent offices as he lives and works out in the middle east for the most part. I really wasn't expecting a reply but I got one and as it was he took the time to reply to my letter from his holiday in Ireland. Almost feel guilty about sending it now, I have a mental image of him sitting with a towering pile of letters to reply to while he's meant to be relaxing on holiday.

I'd asked him about Irans president and how he was labeled, by himself included, a holocaust denier. I'd been familiar with a bit of a furore about comments the guy had made re the Holocaust and they were certainly ambiguous but in a general climate of Iran bashing I wasn't sure what he'd said, at least as far as the direct quotes I'd seen in print could be taken that way unless you had an agenda to be outraged and/or make the guy look like a dangerous lunatic. Which of course he quite possibly is.

So I'd basically decided to write to Robert Fisk as he's one journalist I consider to be knowledgeable and have integrity. Now obviously given the answer is on the back of a postcard it's not exactly detailed but he basicaly said why he could be labelled a Holocaust denier. If not so much the words Irans president said but the people he invited over, prominent Holocaust deniers and the head of the Klu Klux Klan. Now whatever he did say publicaly or thinks privately one is almost certainly judged by the company one keeps.

holiday

Was most most enjoyable. Stayed in a different apratment this year, was nicer than one from previous years, which had nothing wrong with it. Air conditioning in both bedroom and living area was a huge bonus. Though for first day or two it did seem a bit odd and little bit longer to totally relax and feel comfortable, though not to long as it was really good.

Apartments had a shared pool but for all any other guests used it bar last couple of days was as good as private. Hard to say what the highlight was. Boat trip day out is always good, though got a little burnt. Fortunately noticed it quickly enough and covered up a bit but was nippy for a day or two, though nothing to bad and didn't peel. Got a fairly healthy tan, though for some reason upper arms just don't tan that well.

Also the food is rather magnificent, from fairly simple if large and delicious rolls filled with salami, cheese, onion, mayonnaise for lunch to king prawns, steaks, a whole host of chicken lanb and more traditional turkish dishes. Though with exception of one restaurent there was a strange chocolate pudding shortage. Something of a mystery and becamse something of a mission to get one as in five restaurents I ordered one but they didn't have any. Fortunately the one I did have was outstanding.

I'm not a huge sun worshipper but it hard to beat sitting reading in the sun before cooling down with a dip in the pool. And while it's not really that healthy for you you do tend to look a bit healthier with a wee bit of a tan than peely wally Scottish complexion. Though I should add a natural tan not Jimmy Calderwood/Tommy Sheridan orange permatan from constant sunbed usage. A route I won't be going down.

I read all but two of the books I took, I finished Reasons to be Cheerful, A Hat Full of Sky, Chomsky on Anarchism, A Little History of the World, No War: Americas real business in Iraq and two late additions Peter Marinellos autobiography and Armed Madhouse by Greg Palast. All of which I enjoyed immensely though often for different reasons. I started The Prince but after what I'd already read I wasn't really in the mood for it, could have used a bit of lighter reading by end of holiday. Though I did then get onto Power: A new social analysis and despite not really qualifying as light reading it again has been an interesting read so far.

Also on the way home I bought House of Bush/House of Saud by Craig Unger largely because well I had heard of it and sounds interesting and in top right of the cover it said banned by amazon.co.uk which may or may not be true but I was tired and it was bit of an impulse buy in that regard. Still looking forward to reading it once I finished Power. Though I'll probably read naother Terry Pratchett book I have that I not read yet first.

Anyway to sum up, I had a good time, it was relaxing and fun as well. Look forward to going back.

Football tonight

First game in three weeks tonight. Had a really good time on holiday but it's not exactly a good time to run around chasing a ball when a cool day is still 35 degree heat. So rather than get the holiday blues I look towards the positive and biggest one is being able to play football of an evening. 7 aside game tonight outdoors, it's a warm evening by Scottish standards but a bit overcast the now with chance of rain**, nigh on perfect conditions. Had a wee work out at the gym yesterday and felt quite good, so hopefully I'll not be blowing out my arse after ten minutes :-)

Also I renewed my season ticket today, am cautiously optimistic about the new season ahead. It's a strange thing I find loyalty to a football club, theres not a lot of sense in it at times. So I tried to think about why I do it and why it should matter so. Reasons I could think of are as follows.

1. I like football.
2. I am not good enough to play it at a professional level(loooooooow end of the amateur game)
3. I like to watch people that are good at it playing football (there is something of a contradiction there given team I support)
4. I was taken to watch Motherwell as a young lad.
5. I went with and still go with friends(albeit different ones now), so there is a social aspect.
6. Tribal affiliation. Whilst not madly proud of my wee part of the world where I live, I very much define myself by what I'm not(a glory hunting follower of the bigot brothers)
7. A small part mental illness. Shared I might add with majority of football fans.
8. It's more than just something to do. Sure it can fill a saturday but so could a good lunch and a visit to the pictures for about the same price. But it beats sitting about house all day when the weather is pish. Probably the best argument for winter football as lets face it our rare nice days in summer be somewhat wasted watching the SPL or lower leagues.
9. Probably related to the mental illess point but a good result/performance does strangely make you feel better.*

* There is a Bill Hicks comment about how people liked the Gulf War back in the early 90's as it made them feel better about themselves. He suggested a bit of exercise and a better diet. I can't hep think that the mental effect of seeing you football team of choice win is no more admirable than a sense of wellbeing as your armed forces routing a foreign enemy. My diets not bad and I do exercise already, I don't think he had any more suggestions either.
** As I write this eh it has started dumping down with rain. heavens opened style! It has slowed to just torrential now. I don't mind playing in it but I do hope it stops long enough to at least get there dry.

Back from holiday

Just a short post to say I had a good time. I had meant to post whilst out in Turkey but I couldn't remember my username and password. It was to hot for me to faff around putting together my usual combinations until I came to the right one.