I remember Danny Mills, not a huge fan of Pearce, speaking on Fighting Talk about man-management.
He recalled when with a couple of minutes to go, needing a win against Middlesborough, he sent on David James on up front!
Might be wrong but I think he said that he had John Macken (a striker) on the bench at the time. I imagine that Macken thought his time at City might be up when that happened!
Unfortunately, he then came to Derby but that's another story.
He was a fabulous left back. Far better in my opinion than Cole. Defensively just as good and far better going forward. Everybody used to rave about Coles attacking ability. I struggle to remember many goals or brilliant crosses that he put in. Pearce on the other hand marauded forward every week doing just that.
In Response to Re: Ramblings of an old man : That's just terrible, Paul. I'm delighted to hear you did the correct thing & reported it. The fact that it was all over a tenner rebuy makes it all the more ridiculous. There is a fellow who plays the PLO8 DYM's who abuses everyone everytime he loses a hand. Last night, with the help of asterisks & the space bar, he said to another player - "THAT IS WHY YOU DESERVE TO BE THE RE*ARD YOU ARE". To be fair to him, many poker players don't seem to know what "you are a re*ard", (or even "mo*on") in that context, really means. If we berated someone for the colour of their skin, because they were financially poor, or had Downs Syndrome, everyone knows it is unacceptable. But re*ard is fine. I once saw an intelligent & high stakes player call another " a learning difficulty victim" . Bet he was pleased he came up with that witty line. Let me say this, & I don't care what the Suits say. People who behave that way should be removed from all forms of poker. They might then think twice before shooting their mouth like a spoilt 5 year old who lost his sweeties. DISCLAIMER. Sheesh, I'm grumpy this morning..... Posted by Tikay10
If my 5 year old girl had acted like this "person" - it really worries me that they still get a vote! - she would not have made it to be the beautiful 19 year old woman she is today...
In Response to Re: Ramblings of an old man : Thanks a lot Shakin I'm right in thinking you're a Forest supporter? We're already bracing ourselves for the "Did you cry at Wemberley?" chants etc.. This one was spotted by a friend at Glastonbury as well. Thought it was quite good. How do you think you'll get on next season? Pearce the right man? I thought he did well at Man City and was a bit unlucky to be sacked. Thought he seemed pretty poor with the England U21's. Will he be allowed to spend big? Is the money actually there to spend big? Posted by Jac35
I'm sure it can't be as bad as the banter post-Yeovil... and post-Blackpool... and post-Swansea (not to mention the post-Sheff Utd before all that). I hate the play-offs
Was never super keen on Psycho as manager as it's a tough gig for anyone and it'll hurt that much more if it does go wrong for him. He's probably the main reason I ended up as a Forest fan, given I grew up playing left-back myself.
Personally my best story was when he came to do a meet and greet at my office, best day at work ever! Alas he signed an old Forest shirt but not the signing on form we offered for our Sunday league team.
Always seems like a truly genuine bloke among the many monster egos in football. I loved the fact he was still advertising as Sparky in the match day programme when he first went pro because he wasn't sure he'd make it... can't imagine many of today's England footballers doing that!
And money this season... who knows! I'm sure it is there, but we need a football CEO to give some guidance to the Al-Hasawis before they waste more cash. I don't doubt we'll be top half of the table, but beyond that will depend on signings / retentions - and after last season, keeping first team players fit!!
Best part though, would think Forest / Derby will be reasonably well matched... which always makes for a slightly more interesting season.
In Response to Re: Ramblings of an old man : I'm sure it can't be as bad as the banter post-Yeovil... and post-Blackpool... and post-Swansea (not to mention the post-Sheff Utd before all that). I hate the play-offs Was never super keen on Psycho as manager as it's a tough gig for anyone and it'll hurt that much more if it does go wrong for him. He's probably the main reason I ended up as a Forest fan, given I grew up playing left-back myself. Personally my best story was when he came to do a meet and greet at my office, best day at work ever! Alas he signed an old Forest shirt but not the signing on form we offered for our Sunday league team. Always seems like a truly genuine bloke among the many monster egos in football. I loved the fact he was still advertising as Sparky in the match day programme when he first went pro because he wasn't sure he'd make it... can't imagine many of today's England footballers doing that! And money this season... who knows! I'm sure it is there, but we need a football CEO to give some guidance to the Al-Hasawis before they waste more cash. I don't doubt we'll be top half of the table, but beyond that will depend on signings / retentions - and after last season, keeping first team players fit!! Best part though, would think Forest / Derby will be reasonably wellmatched... which always makes for a slightly more interesting season. Posted by shakinaces
Spose I should expand a little. Not played much since the little mtt binks. Won a few quid at cash the other night. Tonight, I've lost about £40. Bit irritated with myself as I regged a couple of all in sats. Never won one and it's basically giving money away. I also seem to have forgotten how to play dyms. Just had a quick session. Won 4 lost 3. Unfortunately I lost the higher stake games so made another small loss. Lost a couple more than I won earlier as well. I've always been aggressive in them but having played mainly mtts recently my mindset is wrong. Hands that are standard opens in mtts but quick folds in dyms I've been playing. Need to sort that out. Maybe if I've gone all rubbish at them it's time to bin them as suggested by some and play more mtts. Be hard to let go of my comfort blanket though
Maintained my record of never playing the roller. Things have been going well recently and I wouldn't bat an eyelid at buying in for £100 live. Just seem to have a mental block about doing it online. I'm a weirdo.
...
Played a stableford today. Pressure time as I was off 9.4 going into it. I played really well. Level through 10, then 2 over through 15. Already got 35 points at that stage and so was thinking of winning the comp and getting back to at least 8. 16 a par 3 I made 5, 17 a par 4 I recorded a 9! and on the 18th I 3 stabbed for a 6. Well batted Paul, 36 points, GRRRR
...
Teddy reminded me of Franz Carr. 1985 Milk Cup v Forest. We got out of the car on Crewe Street. I used to go with my Dad and Grandad. Crewe Street was about a mile from the Baseball Ground. I could hear the crowd. It was only 7.00 and I'd never heard the crowd from that far away before. 25,000 packed into the Baseball Ground, it was the biggest crowd I'd ever seen. We were in the 3rd division and Forest were doing well in the 1st division. They won 2-1 and I was in awe of Franz Carr. He was the quickest player I'd ever seen and was brilliant. Tore Steve Buckley apart that night. I had a new hero. As it transpired Franz wasn't actually a consistent world beater but on that night he was fantastic.
Unusually for me this may be long and go off in different directions.
I'm pretty stubborn in general and so I've surprised myself by starting to think that Ivan/Geldy and a few others may actually be right and I'm wrong.
I'll explain. A while ago I thought Ivan was crazy when he was talking about preferring to lose as long as he played well, as opposed to getting lucky whilst playing badly. I still think there are some situations e.g huge events where he's wrong but in the general games we play he might be onto something.
Playing golf on Sunday made me think about this. I played really well and was scoring well. 2 over stood on the 16th tee. The 17th is a long par 4 with an island green. I didn't quite get my drive and had 210 left to the green from the rough. I made the right decision and laid up exactly where I wanted to be between 100-110 yards leaving me a full sand wedge. I chunked the ball into the water. I then dropped the ball in the same place and did exactly the same again. One of my playing partners intimated that it might be better to take my next drop closer to the green. I disagreed and didn't panic, I knew that it was the right decision to play from this spot rather than have a half shot. This time I did what I had been doing for the whole round prior this hole and put the ball to 10 feet. I carded a 9 and my great score had become average. You may be surprised but I have been known to be grumpy on a golf course. This time I was really happy as I drove home. I'd made the right decisions and just happened to play my 2 worst shots of the day at the worst time. If I keep playing like that in the long term i'll get my handicap back down again.
I then thought about the mtts I did well in last week. I went out of 3 of them maybe a touch earlier than I could have. I was really happy though as I'd made the right decisions. The spots were there and I got it in ahead each time. The other mtt I played I folded a hand when it was a 3bet all in every day of the week. There was an away guy on the other table with 2 bigs left and I considered that. it was a stupid decision not to play that hand, the ladder was only £25. The very next hand brought it home even more. Jdsallstar was in a very similar spot and he went for it and got the double up. He then went onto to win the tourney and cashed for about £450 more than me. Looking at it that way, the extra £25 I locked up doesn't seem so great.
So in the 1 comp where by not taking a spot I won another £25 I'm furious with myself. In the others where I maybe could have moved up a bit if I didn't go with my hand, I was happy. Kind of proves Ivans point I think. ... Dropping the ball multiple times trying to knock the ball onto an island green sounds a bit Tin Cuppish. Actually, maybe not. Costner was trying to win the US Open and it was a 2 iron and not a wedge, I so wanted him to win it. Chuffed when he holed it with his last ball. Love golf films.
Little known fact is that Adam Sandler was actually flown over to Derby to play a few rounds with me at Horsley Lodge prior to filming Happy Gilmore. By the 2nd round he had perfected the swing that he used in the film.
Hope the Seve film is good. Feels a bit soon? If it's anything like Senna then it will be great. Not seen Rush yet. Should get round to that. ... Talking of films I've become a huge DiCaprio fan over the last few years and I didn't think I'd ever say that. Loved Django (although Christoph Waltz does steal the show) loved Wolf of Wall Street, loved Gangs of New York, Day Lewis was wonderful in that as well. Not seen The Aviator, should see it. Actually hated Inception, I think I'm on my own with that one though. ...
Unusually for me this may be long and go off in different directions. I'm pretty stubborn in general and so I've surprised myself by starting to think that Ivan/Geldy and a few others may actually be right and I'm wrong. I'll explain. A while ago I thought Ivan was crazy when he was talking about preferring to lose as long as he played well, as opposed to getting lucky whilst playing badly. I still think there are some situations e.g huge events where he's wrong but in the general games we play he might be onto something. Playing golf on Sunday made me think about this. I played really well and was scoring well. 2 over stood on the 16th tee. The 17th is a long par 4 with an island green. I didn't quite get my drive and had 210 left to the green from the rough. I made the right decision and laid up exactly where I wanted to be between 100-110 yards leaving me a full sand wedge. I chunked the ball into the water. I then dropped the ball in the same place and did exactly the same again. One of my playing partners intimated that it might be better to take my next drop closer to the green. I disagreed and didn't panic, I knew that it was the right decision to play from this spot rather than have a half shot. This time I did what I had been doing for the whole round prior this hole and put the ball to 10 feet. I carded a 9 and my great score had become average. You may be surprised but I have been known to be grumpy on a golf course. This time I was really happy as I drove home. I'd made the right decisions and just happened to play my 2 worst shots of the day at the worst time. If I keep playing like that in the long term i'll get my handicap back down again. I then thought about the mtts I did well in last week. I went out of 3 of them maybe a touch earlier than I could have. I was really happy though as I'd made the right decisions. The spots were there and I got it in ahead each time. The other mtt I played I folded a hand when it was a 3bet all in every day of the week. There was an away guy on the other table with 2 bigs left and I considered that. it was a stupid decision not to play that hand, the ladder was only £25. The very next hand brought it home even more. Jdsallstar was in a very similar spot and he went for it and got the double up. He then went onto to win the tourney and cashed for about £450 more than me. Looking at it that way, the extra £25 I locked up doesn't seem so great. So in the 1 comp where by not taking a spot I won another £25 I'm furious with myself. In the others where I maybe could have moved up a bit if I didn't go with my hand, I was happy. Kind of proves Ivans point I think. ... Dropping the ball multiple times trying to knock the ball onto an island green sounds a bit Tin Cuppish. Actually, maybe not. Costner was trying to win the US Open and it was a 2 iron and not a wedge, I so wanted him to win it. Chuffed when he holed it with his last ball. Love golf films. Little known fact is that Adam Sandler was actually flown over to Derby to play a few rounds with me at Horsley Lodge prior to filming Happy Gilmore. By the 2nd round he had perfected the swing that he used in the film. Hope the Seve film is good. Feels a bit soon? If it's anything like Senna then it will be great. Not seen Rush yet. Should get round to that. ... Talking of films I've become a huge DiCaprio fan over the last few years and I didn't think I'd ever say that. Loved Django (although Christoph Waltz does steal the show) loved Wolf of Wall Street, loved Gangs of New York, Day Lewis was wonderful in that as well. Not seen The Aviator, should see it. Actually hated Inception, I think I'm on my own with that one though. ...
Posted by Jac35
Funny you say that because I've always considered one of my major flaws is NOT going for it enough. I always think its the dym mindset leaking into my mtt game. Sometimes i go the opposite way by going for it too much - I struggle with that balance.
I think in general you're way too hard on yourself though - your record in MTT's (and DYM's of course) is up there with some of the best on the site.
Still reading your ramblings, one of the first places I look when I am on here.
Seen the previews of "Seve", doesn't make me want to rush out and see it, like Senna or Rush did.
Think I would rather remember the real Seve, rather than a story about him. For now anyway.
I remember the day Senna crashed. I went to play golf afterwards. Halfway round, I heard (unofficially) he had died. My game immediately went to pieces, my playing partner wasn't too impressed, but it didn't matter. A legend was dead. A sad day.
And thinking about that day has made me as miserable as you.
My Pearce story sums him up as a manager. I remember Danny Mills, not a huge fan of Pearce, speaking on Fighting Talk about man-management. He recalled when with a couple of minutes to go, needing a win against Middlesborough, he sent on David James on up front! Might be wrong but I think he said that he had John Macken (a striker) on the bench at the time. I imagine that Macken thought his time at City might be up when that happened! Unfortunately, he then came to Derby but that's another story. He was a fabulous left back. Far better in my opinion than Cole. Defensively just as good and far better going forward. Everybody used to rave about Coles attacking ability. I struggle to remember many goals or brilliant crosses that he put in. Pearce on the other hand marauded forward every week doing just that. Posted by Jac35
Yep, all true. We needed a goal against the smoggies. Time was running out, so instead of sending on Macken, a striker (albeit limited), he sent on James instead to try and cause havoc with his 6''5 frame. Alas it didn't work, though Fowler missing a penalty with the last kick of the game (and Euro qualification at stake) didn't help.
HI Jac Still reading your ramblings, one of the first places I look when I am on here. Seen the previews of "Seve", doesn't make me want to rush out and see it, like Senna or Rush did. Think I would rather remember the real Seve, rather than a story about him. For now anyway. I remember the day Senna crashed. I went to play golf afterwards. Halfway round, I heard (unofficially) he had died. My game immediately went to pieces, my playing partner wasn't too impressed, but it didn't matter. A legend was dead. A sad day. And thinking about that day has made me as miserable as you. Keep up the good work. Posted by dragon1964
Cashed in a pot limit low thing / plus normal poker last night, think that's what it's called. Blind luck but kinda fun trying to work out if I have a hand.
I won't let on that I have to look at the screen in the middle a lot as it tells you what hand you have.
Cashed in a pot limit low thing / plus normal poker last night, think that's what it's called. Blind luck but kinda fun trying to work out if I have a hand. I won't let on that I have to look at the screen in the middle a lot as it tells you what hand you have. Posted by Jac35
Hope you visit us again soon on the PLO8 DYM Tables, was great fun, though I could not chat much as I had 6 or 7 Tables on the go.
Tell your loyal readers how much fun those things are. Go on, tell them.
I watch, at the very maximum, one film per year, always on the flight to or from Las Vegas, to help while away the hours.
This year, to my regret, I watched "Wolf on Wall Street". Ugh. It should have had a "Children only" certificate.
DeCaprio was good, I'll give you that, but overall, I thought it was a thoroughly dreadful film. For sure, the Director will never become famous, or make anything good.
However, by chance, I'd purchased the book @ Gatwick amongst a batch of 4 for my holiday reading. They were, with my "ratings".......
Wolf on Wall Street. 7/10.
Alex Ferguson Bio. 3/10
Bryson's splendid "One Summer in 1927" 9.5/10
"Flash Boys" which was about rapid electronic trading. 4/10.
I really enjoyed most of the "Wolf" Book, certainly the first 80% of it, though I found his excessive drug habits more than distasteful.
The subject of the book & film is a real-life person, amazingly, one Jordan Belfort.
Built a huge company fraudelently, made himself hundreds of millions of dollars, married a trophy wife, & lived like a king. Went to Prison for Securities violations. Now makes a good living ($30,000 per time) as a motivational speaker. (!)
He has a "Restitution Order" on him to repay $110 million, & so far he has paid $11 million of that. He was paid $1 million to give his consent to the Film rights.
"Wolf on Wall Street", which you mentioned. I watch, at the very maximum, one film per year, always on the flight to or from Las Vegas, to help while away the hours. This year, to my regret, I watched "Wolf on Wall Street". Ugh. It should have had a "Children only" certificate. DeCaprio was good, I'll give you that, but overall, I thought it was a thoroughly dreadful film. For sure, the Director will never become famous, or make anything good. However, by chance, I'd purchased the book @ Gatwick amongst a batch of 4 for my holiday reading. They were, with my "ratings"....... Wolf on Wall Street. 7/10. Alex Ferguson Bio. 3/10 Bryson's splendid "One Summer in 1927" 9.5/10 "Flash Boys" which was about rapid electronic trading. 4/10. I really enjoyed most of the "Wolf" Book, certainly the first 80% of it, though I found his excessive drug habits more than distasteful. The subject of the book & film is a real-life person, amazingly, one Jordan Belfort. Built a huge company fraudelently, made himself hundreds of millions of dollars, married a trophy wife, & lived like a king. Went to Prison for Securities violations. Now makes a good living ($30,000 per time) as a motivational speaker. (!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Belfort He has a "Restitution Order" on him to repay $110 million, & so far he has paid $11 million of that. He was paid $1 million to give his consent to the Film rights. Quite an interesting story, really. Posted by Tikay10
Have to disagree with you on the film I thought it was hugely entertaining.
As a fun film it's great. As a true story it's quite sad. I also did some research into the real Belfort after watching it. I can live with the high flyers getting ripped off. The poor guys putting their live savings into the stocks is a different matter.
Still buying proper books? I've finally succombed and started putting them on my ipad. They take up too much space. Also with luggage limits on holidays it was difficult.
I guess not a problem for the rich. I don't suppose that you have luggage limits when you're flying first clas?
In Response to Re: Ramblings of an old man : Have to disagree with you on the film I thought it was hugely entertaining. As a fun film it's great. As a true story it's quite sad. I also did some research into the real Belfort after watching it. I can live with the high flyers getting ripped off. The poor guys putting their live savings into the stocks is a different matter. Still buying proper books? I've finally succombed and started putting them on my ipad. They take up too much space. Also with luggage limits on holidays it was difficult. I guess not a problem for the rich. I don't suppose that you have luggage limits when you're flying first clas? Posted by Jac35
In some ways, yeah, very sad, A man with, literally, unlimited money & the worst drug habit I've ever read about.
When I saw the film, I never realised it was a "true story", or at least an embellished version of one.
Here is the man, interviewed in the last few days actually.....
I agree, its sad to see folks getting ripped off, but to a degree, it is greed on both sides which is responsible. If something looks too good to be true, it usually is.
A pal of mine got grimmed by an investment scam, which offered a guaranteed return of 15% when interest rates were 5%. I mean, that's just not possible, & he's a bright lad, but he fell for it. Greed is a powerful thing, & both sides of the deal hold some responsibility.
Real books v Kindly things?
I can see the attraction, but books are the love of my life, perhaps my most important material possessions, & I simply love the feel, look & touch of real books. I must have thousands of them now, & I've never thrown one away, ever. 99% of them are non-fiction, of course. I really ought to think about what will happen to them when I, you know, move on. I do want them to go to a good home. Books need to be caressed, handled with love. Never "dog-ear" the pages, (I always use a quality bookmark, of which I have hundreds), write on them, leave them laying around. My dream is to re-read every one of them, though I can't see that happening.
Every time I go to Vegas, I buy around 6 books at the airport bookshop, & I read every one before I return home. Only got 4 this year, as I could not find much non-fiction @ Gatwick. Think I'll pop up to Foyles this weekend & get my next batch.
Baggage limits, & first class tickets? I generally go Premium Economy on Virgin, which is perfect for me, no desire to go Business or First Class. Think I get an allowance of 2 cases, & 40 kilos, but I only take 1 case & about 22 kilos. I get the books at the airport, so they are cabin baggage.
Talking of films I've become a huge DiCaprio fan over the last few years and I didn't think I'd ever say that. Posted by Jac35
I'd echo that (although also loved Inception). Not something I'd have thought would be the case from the early 'Titanic' years when his photos adorned my sister's bedroom wall.
I thought WOWS was a fantastic film, but then I accept I am of simple mind when it comes to the movies. Looking forward to watching the 4-hour extended cut in due course and may have to pick a copy of the book up as well. It was a nice touch to get Jordan Belfort in at the end to introduce 'himself' as a motivational speaker!
Flash Boys was next on my book wish list but makes me a little less keen seeing such a low review.
In Response to Re: Ramblings of an old man : Hope you visit us again soon on the PLO8 DYM Tables, was great fun, though I could not chat much as I had 6 or 7 Tables on the go. Tell your loyal readers how much fun those things are. Go on, tell them. Posted by Tikay10
Ok Ok.
Actually you don't need to twist my arm too hard for me to say that I enjoyed the game last night.
I think poker can get a bit stale for everybody from time to time. We think we'll have a rest from Dyms and play a bit of cash instead. That doesn't work out and so we try a few mtts.
Why not try playing a few games of PLO8 instead? There are games for every bankroll. They play at a gentle pace, you do get your money's worth. From my experience so far the players are a friendly bunch. No doubt I've got it in bad a fair few times already but there hasn't been any chuntering.
If like me you're not exactly sure of your hand, there's the information in the centre of the screen that tells you exactly what you're holding.
Another way of looking at it is, you never know, it may come naturally to you and you're very good. The standard can't be very high at the game generally and so you might be a big winner. I can even back that bit up. Even Tikay has managed to cash at the wsop at the game in recent years. I mean come on, how easy must it be?
In all seriousness. I did enjoy playing and I'm going to try and get to know it a bit better over the next few weeks. It's quite exciting actually, finding a new game to learn and have fun with.
Thought WOWS was really good personally. DiCaprio is in some cracking films. (WOWS, Inception, Shutter Island, Gangs of New York, Catch me if you can etc.) Posted by 77Chris91
Hi Chris
Thoughts on McCormack leaving? New owner? Paddy Kenny?
Comments
Update
Losing a bit, end of update
Spose I should expand a little.
Not played much since the little mtt binks. Won a few quid at cash the other night. Tonight, I've lost about £40. Bit irritated with myself as I regged a couple of all in sats. Never won one and it's basically giving money away. I also seem to have forgotten how to play dyms. Just had a quick session. Won 4 lost 3. Unfortunately I lost the higher stake games so made another small loss. Lost a couple more than I won earlier as well. I've always been aggressive in them but having played mainly mtts recently my mindset is wrong. Hands that are standard opens in mtts but quick folds in dyms I've been playing. Need to sort that out. Maybe if I've gone all rubbish at them it's time to bin them as suggested by some and play more mtts. Be hard to let go of my comfort blanket though
Maintained my record of never playing the roller. Things have been going well recently and I wouldn't bat an eyelid at buying in for £100 live. Just seem to have a mental block about doing it online. I'm a weirdo.
...
Played a stableford today. Pressure time as I was off 9.4 going into it. I played really well. Level through 10, then 2 over through 15. Already got 35 points at that stage and so was thinking of winning the comp and getting back to at least 8. 16 a par 3 I made 5, 17 a par 4 I recorded a 9! and on the 18th I 3 stabbed for a 6. Well batted Paul, 36 points, GRRRR
...
Teddy reminded me of Franz Carr. 1985 Milk Cup v Forest. We got out of the car on Crewe Street. I used to go with my Dad and Grandad. Crewe Street was about a mile from the Baseball Ground. I could hear the crowd. It was only 7.00 and I'd never heard the crowd from that far away before. 25,000 packed into the Baseball Ground, it was the biggest crowd I'd ever seen. We were in the 3rd division and Forest were doing well in the 1st division. They won 2-1 and I was in awe of Franz Carr. He was the quickest player I'd ever seen and was brilliant. Tore Steve Buckley apart that night. I had a new hero. As it transpired Franz wasn't actually a consistent world beater but on that night he was fantastic.
I'm pretty stubborn in general and so I've surprised myself by starting to think that Ivan/Geldy and a few others may actually be right and I'm wrong.
I'll explain. A while ago I thought Ivan was crazy when he was talking about preferring to lose as long as he played well, as opposed to getting lucky whilst playing badly. I still think there are some situations e.g huge events where he's wrong but in the general games we play he might be onto something.
Playing golf on Sunday made me think about this. I played really well and was scoring well. 2 over stood on the 16th tee. The 17th is a long par 4 with an island green. I didn't quite get my drive and had 210 left to the green from the rough. I made the right decision and laid up exactly where I wanted to be between 100-110 yards leaving me a full sand wedge. I chunked the ball into the water. I then dropped the ball in the same place and did exactly the same again. One of my playing partners intimated that it might be better to take my next drop closer to the green. I disagreed and didn't panic, I knew that it was the right decision to play from this spot rather than have a half shot. This time I did what I had been doing for the whole round prior this hole and put the ball to 10 feet. I carded a 9 and my great score had become average. You may be surprised but I have been known to be grumpy on a golf course. This time I was really happy as I drove home. I'd made the right decisions and just happened to play my 2 worst shots of the day at the worst time. If I keep playing like that in the long term i'll get my handicap back down again.
I then thought about the mtts I did well in last week. I went out of 3 of them maybe a touch earlier than I could have. I was really happy though as I'd made the right decisions. The spots were there and I got it in ahead each time. The other mtt I played I folded a hand when it was a 3bet all in every day of the week. There was an away guy on the other table with 2 bigs left and I considered that. it was a stupid decision not to play that hand, the ladder was only £25. The very next hand brought it home even more. Jdsallstar was in a very similar spot and he went for it and got the double up. He then went onto to win the tourney and cashed for about £450 more than me. Looking at it that way, the extra £25 I locked up doesn't seem so great.
So in the 1 comp where by not taking a spot I won another £25 I'm furious with myself. In the others where I maybe could have moved up a bit if I didn't go with my hand, I was happy. Kind of proves Ivans point I think.
...
Dropping the ball multiple times trying to knock the ball onto an island green sounds a bit Tin Cuppish. Actually, maybe not. Costner was trying to win the US Open and it was a 2 iron and not a wedge, I so wanted him to win it. Chuffed when he holed it with his last ball. Love golf films.
Little known fact is that Adam Sandler was actually flown over to Derby to play a few rounds with me at Horsley Lodge prior to filming Happy Gilmore. By the 2nd round he had perfected the swing that he used in the film.
Hope the Seve film is good. Feels a bit soon? If it's anything like Senna then it will be great. Not seen Rush yet. Should get round to that.
...
Talking of films I've become a huge DiCaprio fan over the last few years and I didn't think I'd ever say that. Loved Django (although Christoph Waltz does steal the show) loved Wolf of Wall Street, loved Gangs of New York, Day Lewis was wonderful in that as well. Not seen The Aviator, should see it. Actually hated Inception, I think I'm on my own with that one though.
...
Typical City!
Tell your loyal readers how much fun those things are. Go on, tell them.
"Wolf on Wall Street", which you mentioned.
I watch, at the very maximum, one film per year, always on the flight to or from Las Vegas, to help while away the hours.
This year, to my regret, I watched "Wolf on Wall Street". Ugh. It should have had a "Children only" certificate.
DeCaprio was good, I'll give you that, but overall, I thought it was a thoroughly dreadful film. For sure, the Director will never become famous, or make anything good.
However, by chance, I'd purchased the book @ Gatwick amongst a batch of 4 for my holiday reading. They were, with my "ratings".......
Wolf on Wall Street. 7/10.
Alex Ferguson Bio. 3/10
Bryson's splendid "One Summer in 1927" 9.5/10
"Flash Boys" which was about rapid electronic trading. 4/10.
I really enjoyed most of the "Wolf" Book, certainly the first 80% of it, though I found his excessive drug habits more than distasteful.
The subject of the book & film is a real-life person, amazingly, one Jordan Belfort.
Built a huge company fraudelently, made himself hundreds of millions of dollars, married a trophy wife, & lived like a king. Went to Prison for Securities violations. Now makes a good living ($30,000 per time) as a motivational speaker. (!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordan_Belfort
He has a "Restitution Order" on him to repay $110 million, & so far he has paid $11 million of that. He was paid $1 million to give his consent to the Film rights.
Quite an interesting story, really.
When I saw the film, I never realised it was a "true story", or at least an embellished version of one.
Here is the man, interviewed in the last few days actually.....
I agree, its sad to see folks getting ripped off, but to a degree, it is greed on both sides which is responsible. If something looks too good to be true, it usually is.
A pal of mine got grimmed by an investment scam, which offered a guaranteed return of 15% when interest rates were 5%. I mean, that's just not possible, & he's a bright lad, but he fell for it. Greed is a powerful thing, & both sides of the deal hold some responsibility.
Real books v Kindly things?
I can see the attraction, but books are the love of my life, perhaps my most important material possessions, & I simply love the feel, look & touch of real books. I must have thousands of them now, & I've never thrown one away, ever. 99% of them are non-fiction, of course. I really ought to think about what will happen to them when I, you know, move on. I do want them to go to a good home. Books need to be caressed, handled with love. Never "dog-ear" the pages, (I always use a quality bookmark, of which I have hundreds), write on them, leave them laying around. My dream is to re-read every one of them, though I can't see that happening.
Every time I go to Vegas, I buy around 6 books at the airport bookshop, & I read every one before I return home. Only got 4 this year, as I could not find much non-fiction @ Gatwick. Think I'll pop up to Foyles this weekend & get my next batch.
Baggage limits, & first class tickets? I generally go Premium Economy on Virgin, which is perfect for me, no desire to go Business or First Class. Think I get an allowance of 2 cases, & 40 kilos, but I only take 1 case & about 22 kilos. I get the books at the airport, so they are cabin baggage.
I thought WOWS was a fantastic film, but then I accept I am of simple mind when it comes to the movies. Looking forward to watching the 4-hour extended cut in due course and may have to pick a copy of the book up as well. It was a nice touch to get Jordan Belfort in at the end to introduce 'himself' as a motivational speaker!
Flash Boys was next on my book wish list but makes me a little less keen seeing such a low review.
Thought WOWS was really good personally.
DiCaprio is in some cracking films. (WOWS, Inception, Shutter Island, Gangs of New York, Catch me if you can etc.)