Goal Line Controversy

Another incident involving confusion between the officials when faced with a goal line dilemma occurred in the Capital One Cup tonight between Premier League sides Arsenal FC and Reading FC. 

Although many reject the idea of introducing goal line technology into the game, when the event hinders their team their opinion quickly changes.

In this instance, Arsenal FC had come back from a four goal deficit to make the score 4-3. Late into extra time Walcott's shot deflected of the goalkeeper and bounced towards the goal. After the defender tried to stop the ball with his hand, the ball crept over the line. Due to the lack of technology the officials disallowed the goal and let play continue. Luckily  Jenkinson followed in and finished the job. If not for the quick reactions of the Arsenal right back, I am sure that the front pages of many papers would have been covered in one topic.

Other incidents include England's loss to Germany in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Lampard's shot may have signalled the beginning of a comeback. The decision in 2010 may have had more importance with national pride on the line, but at professional level I believe that goal line technology is needed. Just in case.

The only problem that may occur with the introduction of a mechanical official is the power that is has. If a goal is decided by technology, why can't fouls? Or corners or throw ins? Penalty decisions even?

I believe that it is needed, but to the extent that it is used and slows the game down is where I believe will potentially ruin the fast moving style of football that fans love.

'Travellers'

Today I came across something that until today I had never heard of. Whilst waiting patiently at a service station on the M1 late this evening I was approached by five young travellers. They had no luggage, as well as an idea of where they were going. I was asked where I was heading. Of course I was a bit cautious when answering because for all I know they could be planning anything. However when I became more comfortable with them they explained exactly what their intentions were. They told me that they were often related to as 'hitch-hikers', but they disagree with the idea. They see themselves as 'spontaneously curious' with other travellers stories.

They travel the UK with very little money and join others who have room for more. As they left they approached a group of tourists visiting a gallery in Edinburgh. They shook hands and got on the bus.

Instead of planning a route, even if it were a very vague one at that, they travel with the intention of surprising themselves. Seeing the world as it hits them, not when they know whats going to hit them.

The New England Patriots defeat the St. Louis Rams at Wembley, England.

The New England Patriots defeat the St. Louis Rams at Wembley, England. 

2012 is the sixth year that London, England, has held an NFL regular season game. Spectators at Wembley saw an in form Patriots side easily push aside The Rams with a    45 - 7 win. The game saw Sam Bradford, quarterback for The Rams throwing a 50 yard pass to set the crowd alight. Only for The Patriots quarterback Tom Brady to answer with four touchdown passes.

The Patriots top ranked offensive line ripped through The Rams defence with ease after a bright start from St. Louis. Just after the break, the runner's up in last seasons Super Bowl killed off the game with another touchdown.

The New England Patriots were clearly backed by the 84,005 crowd due to the large fan base over the Atlantic. The likes of Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski put on a show that backs the idea of a franchise being introduced over in the UK. 

Beaten by the New York Giants in the super Bowl the previous season, The New England Patriots top the AFC East division with five wins from a possible eight games. The Patriots have higher mountains to climb this season, but having won for the second time at Wembley in three years, The Patriots and their coach Will Belichick will return to the states very satisfied.

Far tougher challenges await this season, but after completing their second comprehensive Wembley victory in three years, Belichick's men will return to New England very satisfied with their work in old England.

Coming Home

Noticing the small changes around where I grew up on my return from university came as a shock. A month is not that long a time frame, and for so many changes to take place over the short period made me think. Life goes on. Even if you have lived in the same town the whole of your life, the moment you move away has little or no affect on those carrying on their day to day. Forgetting family and friends, how many other individuals or more importantly collective groups will be affected by your departure?

Unless you have either made a nuisance of yourself or have played a significant role locally, the likes of many people remembering you is very unlikely. 

This got me thinking...

To make a reputable name for myself I have to contribute to something that will affect the lives of others positively. At this point I have not done any significant volunteer work. I have friends who have been abroad and helped the poor and homeless. The most I have managed to do is sweep the leaves for the house next door. I am sure that on some level I have made my next door neighbours day brighter, but this is not enough. 

Starting today, I try to make a name for myself. Positively. 

Buckingham University Talent Show

The respect I have for musicians having to play live for a living is limitless. Hour long sets playing to thousands of fans who have paid their earned money to be entertained. The pressure must be agonising. 

Where as I, having to play a three minute song in front of a hundred students who I face day to day seemed  agonising task.

I believe the difference between the two circumstances differ greatly. The professional plays live for a living. They are used to it and confidence is what pushes them to keep on going. The fact that those watching the gig have paid their money to watch someone they know are good must prove to the artist that they have something that people relate to. 

On the other hand, those who are playing for the first time in a show where people are there to judge those playing (talent show) feel more pressure. The need to please and for others to show their appreciation adds extra pressure in a show where others can outclass and second better others. 

But don't get me wrong. Even if I were to play as a professional to a sold out arena, I think that I would feel the butterflies around.

Throughout the nerves and doubt, the best feeling a performer can have is the crowd showing their love after. As soon as I finished, and the crowd cheered, it made me want to play again. Hopefully I will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnKLRyXnZgI

Marcus Maximus

The famed burger around the Buckinghamshire area faced its match this evening. Me. Before 6 o'clock this evening no man had ever completed the burger many deemed to be 'too much'. What set myself aside in the competition was my strategy coming into the meal. dealing with warm meats and lettuce allowed me concentrate on the many carbohydrates in the chips afterwards. the video shall be up soon, along with a trailer created for my university course.

Two Minutes, Five Seconds

The time Chelsea FC had to save their European dream before Didier Drogba equalised in the Champions league Final.

Ultimate euphoria best describes the travelling fans after their significant win against all of the odds. 

Their parking the bus tactics worked well against an attacking side including the likes of former Chelsea FC winger Arjen Robben. Defying the odds to come out victories must be one of the greatest displays my an English club. The fervour of Didier Drogba's late equaliser and Petr Cech's penalty save in extra time made the London side a marked team in the European tournament. 

The game didn't come without its off field events. The banned John Terry kitting up to lift the trophy with Frank Lampard the most significance. With the Allianz Stadium full with fans, the majority of which German as the stadium is the national and home stadium of Bayern Munchen. 

Lets hope the English sides match the heroics of Chelsea in the coming campaign. 

Social Stature

Dress codes wind me up. I dress pretty smartly when I go out for the evening so I never have trouble anywhere. On the other hand a friend of mine, clothes-wise looked very smart and more than acceptable to be allowed into any club/bar was denied access because of his footwear.

I would have agreed if my friend had turned up in Wellington boots or in no shoes at all, but in this circumstance I strongly disagree. The bouncer had let countless numbers of party-goers into the club wearing everything from brightly coloured shoes to old, worn plimsoles. My friends problem was that he had the Adidas stripes on the side of his shoes.

After looking at my friends shoes, I saw that the stripes and the material of the rest of the shoe were the same colour. The stripes were barely visible and much, much smarter than the majority of footwear inside. To make matters worse, we had travelled 20 Miles to Milton Keynes to experience the nightlife. Spending £20 on taxis. For a guy trying to celebrate his friend's birthday, this whole situation made the night stressful.

I may seem like I am making 'mountains out of molehills', but if clubs/bars are going to set out to follow a strict dress code, make it consistent.

Cooking - Chicken Chow Mein

Living away from home has affected me the most. Not for the typical reasons like missing my friends and family, but having to cook for myself. University life has introduced me to many things and having come from a household where food is readily available, life away from home hit me hard.

Two weeks have passed since I began my degree and I have had enough of the countless ready meals and two minute soups. It's time to learn how to cook.

For my first proper meal I decided to cook chicken chow mein. As all of the ingredients had been bought before hand the only real difficulty would be my time handling and my ability to tell when the food is burnt. 

Ingredients

• 150g/5oz dried yellow shi wheat flour noodles, or medium egg noodles
• dash toasted sesame seed oil
• 300g/11oz skinless chicken breast fillets, sliced into strips
• dash dark soy sauce
• 1 tsp five spice powder
• 1 tsp chilli sauce (optional)
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1-2 tbsp groundnut oil
• 1 red pepper, de-seeded and finely sliced
• 150g/5oz bean sprouts
• 1 large spring onion, sliced lengthways
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• freshly ground black pepper

The Method I Used

1. Cook the noodles in a pan of boiling water for 2-3 minutes until al dente, or according to packet instructions. Drain, then rinse under cold running water and drain again. Drizzle with a dash of sesame oil and toss through to prevent the noodles from sticking to each other.
2. Place the chicken strips in a bowl and season with a dash of dark soy sauce, the five-spice powder and chilli sauce, if using. Mix well, then lightly dust the chicken strips with the cornflour.
3. Heat a wok until smoking and add the groundnut oil, then add the chicken and stir fry for 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken is golden-brown and cooked through.
4. Add the red pepper and stir fry for one minute, then add the bean sprouts and spring onion and stir fry for 30 seconds. Stir in the cooked noodles and season with the light soy sauce, a dash of sesame oil and freshly ground black pepper.
5. Pile the noodles onto a serving plate and serve immediately.

Taken from the BBC website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/chickenchowmein_89258

Thankfully I did not burn anything and surprisingly my friends also enjoyed the meal. Either Chicken Chow Mein is an easy meal to prepare, or I have found something that I am talented in. I choose to believe the latter. 

Over the next few weeks I shall look into other easy meals suitable for the university lifestyle. Cheap and quick. 

What is the best meal for a new cook on a budget?

Taken 2

Taken 2 Shines with $105 Million Worldwide

Liam Neeson's latest action picture grosses $105 worldwide; while Tim Burton's "Frankenweenie" falls short with $11.5 Million.

The sequel "Taken 2" rose to the top of the North American box office, thanks to a record breaking $50 million debut. The $50 million debut more than doubles the original film of 2009. The action film did not only damage the states box office, it also grosses roughly $55 million from 50 markets. Adding up to a worldwide opening of $105 million.

The film has grabbed the title of the best ever October opening and the third best overall after 'Paranormal Activity' and 'Jackass 3D'. "People love Liam and identify with his character and his drive to protect his family at all costs," Fox president of domestic distribution Chris Aronson.

The story is set in Istanbul, where his wife, Famke Janssen is kidnapped and his daughter, played by Maggie Grace, goes on the run. 

Agony for Cup Final Hero

Rugby League star loses testicle in Grand Final match. Warrington Wolves prop forward Paul Wood played the remainder of the game after sustaining the agonising injury early in the second half. Wood made light of his injury when he later tweeted: 

"Ruptured my right testicle, got a knee 1 minute into the second half, had to have it removed'. He later added: "Coming out of the hospital to go home… Seriously feel like I've left something?"

Warrington Wolves went down 26-18 to Leeds Rhinos after letting go of a half-time lead. Paul Wood, who turns 31 on Wednesday played on in front of the 70,000 fans at Old Trafford on Saturday. After the game, he made no mention of his injury inuring interviews. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iGFQPSHsJw

El Clasico

The third 'El Clasico' of the 2012-2013 campaign, Barcelona look to extend their lead at the top of the La Liga. Barcelona stand alone with 18 points at the top of the table, whereas Real Madrid look to kick start their season after a poor start. A win for Real Madrid would see the 2011-2012 La Liga victors move from 7th in the table with 10 points into the top four, and put the breaks on Barcelona's 100% start to the season.

The two Spanish sporting giants have already faced each other twice this season in the Spanish Super Club. Real Madrid came out on top over the two games.

After the departure of Pepe Guardiola at the end of last season, many questioned the appointment of Tito Vilanova; Guardiola's assistant to replace his as manager. Seemingly the transition has not affected the Barcelona side with six wins out of a possible six.

Coming into the 'El Clasico', Vilanova is without his two starting centre backs, Piqué and Puyol. Both with injuries, Barcelona have been forced into moving Mascherano into defence and using substitute Adriano. The stability of Barcelona at the back is questionable without the Spanish pairing. Especially with a full strength Real Madrid team with the likes of Ronaldo and Benzema leading from the front. Barcelona's new signing Alexander Song from Arsenal FC could fill in a gap if necessary as the Cameroonian learnt his trade as a centre back before moving to the North London club.

A main feature of the modern 'El Clasico' is the inclusion of the worlds two finest footballers; Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. In recent years, both players performances have set the game alight. Creating a number of superb finales that gives the fixture the title of 'match of the year'.


Match Report

23 Min - GOAL! Ronaldo. Left foot from the left side. Beat Valdez at the near post.

25 Min - Benzema hits post from close range and Di Maria shoots wide on the rebound. Real Madrid should be two goals up.

31 Min - GOAL! Messi. Left foot. Capitalised on Pepe mistake.

Half time
Barcelona 1 - 1 Real Madrid

61 Min - GOAL! Messi. Free kick. 18 yards. Left foot. Curling away from Iker Casillas in the Real Madrid goal.

66 Min - GOAL! Ronaldo. Right foot. One on one with Valdez. Silences Nou Camp.

90 Min - 3 Min Extra Time

Fulltime
Barcelona 2 - 2 Real Madrid

It was clear to see that both teams knew of the importance behind the game. With both star plays Ronaldo and Messi playing to their full potential, the mutuals watching the game were given a treat. Both teams played to their strengths. With Barcelona playing the ball habitually around the Real Madrid defence and Real Madrid catching Barcelona out with a number of through balls. One of which leading to a superb fInish from the Portuguese captain. 


Statistics
http://fussball.wettpoint.com/en/games/1212086.html