atlas2

It's down to what you like in sport and that's a very personal thing. One of the things I like very much about football is that a 'fit', human of any size can excel, from Messi to Crouch. In Basketball, Rugby and American Football size really does matter and can, particularly in American Football mean that the specialised teams and positions have specialised physiques. It does follow that different physiques can play the sport but their participation in a game could be limited to only one aspect…… (See the Kicker, the one player on the pitch to justify calling American Football)……'football'….. But let's not get into all that again. If you played football Lasvegas and preferred American football fair dues to you and everyone to their own opinion. Very few non-Americans on here can ever have played both games, though a lot, (not myself) will have played rugby and football and even amongst those most will have a personal preference. I've heard rugby players dismiss American football in the past because of the fact that under the excessive padding, the offensive teams, kick off receiving teams etc don't actually spend much of the game on-field and have to pedal bikes on the sidelines in what look like wearable tents to keep warm while they watch proceedings. I don't agree. American football has evolved to it's own specific peak. Winning a game these days entails the various components working together at their respective peaks and thus call for specialisation. The padding only makes the players steam in even harder. American football is undoubtably a tough sport, but the commitment called for when entering into a 50/50 tackle calls for the possession of pretty similar 'balls' whatever the shape of the ball they are playing with. You'll remember however he popular spin off superstars competition that pitted the best in various sports against each other. The purely American competitions did very much show the all-round commitment and physical conditioning of Footballers though winners came from everywhere and it was noticeable that when towards the end it was opened up to foreigners two alpine skiers topped a couple of your seasons. I know it's only a bit of fun……..But these are the results of the world Championships for the years it was held…... Athlete Sport Country 1977 Bob Seagren Pole Vault United States 1978 Brian Budd Soccer Canada 1979 Brian Budd Soccer Canada 1980 Brian Budd Soccer Canada 1981 Jody Scheckter Auto racing South Africa 1982 Brian Hooper Pole Vault Great Britain

That was sooooooo brilliant. Laughter in truth all the way. Excellent excellent……..bloody excellent. I liked that!

I haven't watched it yet………have to pace myself, but I heard the Croatian manager say…….."If that's how it's going to be we might all as well go home" Been looking at the pitch for England……. Same for both teams…….But will add to the excitement. Go for it Roy…..Do that and whatever happens you be remembered fondly.

Not sure what to make of this………. It's going to number one in the UK. The affection for Rik Mayall right now, our love of self-depreciation and for the England team will ensure that. All I can say is I've never seen a World Cup song like it. Henry V (Act 111) for today.

As usual the Brits did their bit for football……..in Uruguay…. The sport was first introduced by British immigrants and expatriates in the 19th century. Some references say that the game had been introduced in 1880, at the English High School by Henry Castle Ayre.[1] Henry Castle Ayre was born in Bedminster in March 1852.[2] The first Uruguayan club team (Albion FC) was established at Montevideo, by an English teacher at the William Leslie Poole School in 1882.[3] Uruguay is a country with a population that currently does not exceed more than four million, and features a large concentration of professional football teams in the city of Montevideo.. ​Our 'bit' could come back and bite us…….. Even though I reckon HC Ayre would have banned Suarez for life (and I would have too), I hope he plays against England. Win or lose let's face whoever's their best.

As many of the games will be early morning… beer, (unusually), is not a natural partner for the matches. So today I bought myself a little stovetop Moka coffee maker from 'Friendship' and some ground Brazilian coffee…... Mmmmn the smell of Brazil….. Fresh coffee cutting through the fug of a night of atlas farts. I also purchased a supply of small croissants for the freezer…….I've discovered that when a single cadburys' chocolate button is inserted into my gob alongside a bite of butter croissant, the taste is close to heavenly and will be a welcome relief from the diet of fingernails I expect to consume during England's games. All this for three matches…. Now where can I buy some England pajamas??

I'm reading on Thai visa that Truevisions will be showing the entire World Cup in HD. Great news!!…………If it's 'True'?

England have so little chance this time that for me it will be the first WC without any rational reason for hope. I'll hope nonetheless buggar it! There's a good chance the US could do well. If they beat Portugal and we could then watch them fly. Normally in a thread like this Fatboyfat would be chiming in but I see his last post coincided with Tom's…??

Germany.

Thanks for starting this off……… I'll have a think as to who I want to curse by tipping them to win.

Thanks ……. I loved LZ when I was young and that clip shows just how good John Paul Jones was. Now by the time I came across this bloke he'd fallen out of a window and died. This clip was about a year before that was to happen. Wrecked by drugs he was supposed to be a decade or more past his best …..but this concert in Tokyo in 87 had him back to his best. If you like cool. Put on the head-phones. Lower the lights pour yourself a drink and listen to Chet.

I've been going to the same place every 3 months for years. There are so many in Pattaya Thai opposite and along from Tuk Com. Mine is next to the Cucumber bar...... Cost 500 bt which is standard. No unnecessary rip off extras suggested. My son lives in Australia but gets all his cleans and checks here. Sometime they ask if I mind waiting when I walk in off the street. "How long?" "Is 5 mins ok?" I love Thailand

Agree with Spike………..Well said. If I was still working I might consider a 'draining' it could be worth the risk even, just for the experience……. Expecting to lose money but knowing I could cover it and so less likely to fuel resentments and disputes. As it is a couple of weeks ago I waved goodbye, as she sat on the bus to the airport, the only girl that had draining potential for me……… I wished her luck and meant it. Had I been a bit younger and working I would have gone the way of so many others……Wishing for a Mrs Gonzo but getting instead a Mrs Kraken, her assuming the financial whip hand and consequently condemning me to a life of watching my Ps and Qs. On the other hand without entering into a commitment that could drain you……You can live very well and quite cheaply here.

Don't know if I'm allowed to lift something straight form a source like this so Mods moderate. Thing is it's interesting to see, hear and read about the coming together of what was the most pivotal song in recording history……….The guitarist tragically died before it was a hit and would never know his work on it would always be remembered. http://ultimateclassicrock.com/rock-around-the-clock/?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=referral

I have to take that back……… In it's favour still…..No explosive bowel movements and the beer was cold……..otherwise very poor curry. Lots of sauce but no real flavour imparted into the 4 small cubes of chicken hiding in it. Wont be returning…..Shame.

This on the other hand……….although I don't buy her 'nerves' is quite bloody good. More Chet baker than Ella.

I'm sure many people in the Uk are familiar with this………But forgive me, living in Thailand, I wasn't….. Today I entered another youtube wormhole and came across it. I'm not sure why I filled up watching this? Maybe it has to do with the fact that music is something all of us can be moved by……… It can unite us and make us look anew at the people we are quick to judge. Anyway…before you reach for a bucket take a look. Maybe you can explain it to me. http://youtu.be/7knUFWY2P44

Thanks Gringo....... Eet makes my joke look a leetle better!

I know what you mean……... sitting in a Mexican restaurant one day. Sid asks Abe,"Do you know if any people of our ancestry were ever born and raised in Mexico?" Abe replies, "I don't know, let's ask our waiter." When the waiter arrives, Abe asks, "Are there any Mexican Jews?" The waiter says, "I don't know senor, I ask the cooks." He returns from the kitchen after a few minutes and says, "No senor, the cook say no Mexican Jews." Abe isn't satisfied and asks, "Are you absolutely sure?" The waiter, realizing he is dealing with "Gringos" replies, "I check once again, senor," and goes back into the kitchen. While the waiter is away, Sid says, "I find it hard to believe that there are no Jews in Mexico. Our people are scattered everywhere." The waiter returns and says, "Senor, the head cook Manuel, he say there is no Mexican Jews." "Are you certain?" Abe asks again. "I just can't believe there are no Mexican Jews!" Ready for this....... "Senor, I ask EVERYONE," replies the exasperated waiter. "All we have is Orange Jews, Grape Jews, Prune Jews, Tomato Jews, and Apple Jews, but no Mexican Jews

Ahh the thread's title is a little deceiving and I've misunderstood. My advice on buying a smoke alarm for your home would have been to purchase one from the UK and not to trust the Thai ones which all come fitted with a snooze button.

I was never a Cash fan. But I came to him at last and too late with this song. Beyond sad. Beyond powerful. Beyond decay….. Still moves me.

As you turn away from the beach about 300 meters on the left. It's an old clip and from a time before you could call down a fatwah upon your head just by scratching your arse whilst facing mecca. A prescient clip too in-as-much as today Burka'd-up ladies are often referred to amongst us infidels as Daleks!!

I had a very nice curry in Jomtien yesterday 'Real Indian Curry' New management and chef. Good enough for me when I get that curry urge. No dramatic bowel movements this morning always reassuring. You never know what's in them. Here's an interesting pre PC clip from Spike …….It would not make it to the screen today.

Cole has been one of the best left backs ever, although his dithering at throw ins, (let's give everyone time to mark-up tightly) always gave me the conniptions……But he's no longer first choice at his club and a converted rt back has taken his place. Luke Shaw is already capable enough to step in for the current Cole. I'm also pleased for Lambert. His 'England form' is incredible and he deserves the nod over Carroll and Defoe . And the new crop? We know all the current stars in world-football but always someone, from somewhere comes along out of the blue to shine. The only Englishman that I can recall, fresh and new to burst onto the scene was Michael Owen…….It would be great if Sterling could do the same. No expectations…..But at least we're there and that, along with all the other teams qualifies us for 'hope'.

Got to have the garlic and lime for me. It must be bad for us?