YES! I know... I WAS NOT AT THE PUB!
The half a dozen text messages I also received let me know as well. It was mother's day! And I for one am grateful for my mother, cause if it wasn't for her I don't know if I'd be as big of a supporter of the beautiful game as I am today.
So, that's where I was, spending Sunday with my mom, my aunt and bits and pieces of the extended family. I have to mention, constantly getting score updates on the phone while attending Sunday morning services shows my level of addiction, er... dedication.
At one point, my mother looks at me and asks if someone keeps calling me. I just shook my head and said, End of season, we need a draw. My mom just nods, knowingly. That's the beauty of it.
Remember, this is the same woman who one day randomly decided to tell me Beckham is crap and why she thought he was crap.
End of Season Reflection
So, looking back at the season, what do I glean out of it. To be honest, nothing spectacular or unknown from the beginning of the season. I am still the same person, for better or worst, with a few less Warrior of God moments in the last 9 months.
The club, well they still need a decent keeper, a better/more consistent defensive mid, and a sturdy back 4 with the left and rights being fully capable overlapping the wings. Is that too much to ask for?
I keep hearing names being bandied about like bikini tops during spring break in Florida. They exist but until you actually see it being pulled off, it's a whole lot of nothing and wishful thinking. In short, I don't really care right now.
WORLD CUP 2010
I'm totally not sure what to do. Someone suggested that I do a preview on the groups but that seems like it would be major work. I think I might just enjoy and not worry too much about the blog until EPL starts back up.
I am still flirting with the idea of keeping it up during the cup but it does take a lot of effort for no compensation. However I need to say, I do it for love of the sport, the club, the pub, just to write at times.
The PUB
There is a bunch I could say, but I won't say much at all. The rumours of the sound and HD are to be fully realised prior to the WC2010 matches. That does not give them much time, let's hope they can get it done and get it done right.
Sheffield and WestBrom are to be wed, shortly prior to the start of WC2010. I hope to be able to party on the beaches of Italy alongside of them for that. I know a few of the regular crew will be there, so that should be a good time.
I believe our good friend Bayern is taking a trip back to the Middle East. He will surely be missed but I wish him safe travels. I know it's not his intention to return to this area but it would be nice if he did. Good luck good friend.
LilBlondieGooner is taking a bit of time to finish her studies and is Go(ing) West.
Everyone should at least recognize the tune, from various chants, especially the One Nil to the Arsenal.
Last and most of important of all, the loss of a great supporter is still deeply heartfelt. I don't know what to say without being cliche about the whole thing. It is great that our pub even extended a spot for us to put up the framed kit with Pretzel's name across the back. There was truly only one Nick Dauner and I think he may have had a hand in Chelski winning the league.
It also makes me remember a few years ago, a good Gooner mate of mine who also fell ill and passed away a bit too soon. There are things like that which always tugs at your heart.
We have all been united by this one thing, as MiniMourinho would say, it has nothing to do with geography, race, religion or background but the very love of a single sport. I may have it slightly off but the sentiment is there.
Here's to a good FA Cup, next week... a good World Cup, starting in June... a decent season for Crystal Palace-Baltimore!
~LeChat
10 May 2010
03 May 2010
Blackburn Away
Surprise, usually this is written the day after the game/weekend but since a certain person decided to try and wind me up a little bit on FB today before I got a chance to sit down and take a look at the scoreline. I'm going to perform a pre-emptive. Plus this week is going to be incredibly busy with work and other stuff.
Let's take a look at what my dear old MancScum supporting friend said.
My reply, which I won't quote, since it is my reply is that Arsenal and Arsene have been frighteningly consistent over the past couple of years. It's like a roller coaster ride pretending to be a bobsled. I know there are some who are like, I don't get it. That's perfectly acceptable as it makes sense in my head.
The coaster is on rails, has a definite maximum speed and braking mechanisms in place and nice little seat belts for the big hills... so everything is for the most part not going to get out of control or too scary. The ride is inspected constantly and if it breaks down, maintenance is a radio call away.
In Arsenal terms, we will be in the Champions League and finish in the top 4.
Bobsleds,on the other hand, lack these types of controls, so you never know what you are going to get. It might be a fun exhilarating ride but where is the bottom of the hill, who is on the brakes and what happens when it all goes pear shape? You're not calling bobsled maintenance; you're calling the medic or someone else in the worst case scenario.
In footballing terms, this would be probably most akin to Leeds quite a few seasons ago and maybe even Pompey currently. So, as an Arsenal supporter for way too many years, all I have to say is that this is the way it is currently.
If Arsene decides to leave, so be it. If Fabergas, Van Persie, Arshavin, Rosicky,or insert random player name here, decides to leave, so be it. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west and the Arsenal is still the greatest team the world has ever seen.
I did a double this time and the slightly more tame version of the above can be found at the Pub blog. I just did not feel like giving it all for two this week.
As I will continue, I am not bothered in one bit. I have seen players come and go more times than I can even remember. A once touted golden boy, fucks off to Istanbul the next year. The new Viera (number 2 or 3) breaks a leg and fucks off to god knows where and does fuck all sense. The die-hard Arsenal lad from youth, fucks off to Chelsea for a brand new cellphone with extensive vibrate settings.
I mean, throughout the late 80's and early 90's I could have sworn we were a farm club for Barcelona. It still feels that way at times, but we've won titles and have consistently been top 4 for quite some time.
I know the little devil voice in my head is like, I wish we'd finish 10th but still above Sp*rs, just so the nouveau supporters will fuck off as well. However, I can not always get what I wish for.
This has been a rather lackluster season. Someone pointed out to me in the pub, not sure what day or whom, that whenever the Arsenal were on the precipice of being on top of the league and in control of their destiny, they'd fuck it up.
What is my saying? Something like being able to work wonders in the box but still failing to score. In other words, this is where we stand, looks good but no finish.
In other parts of the league, there was the vain hope that Scousers would be able to do something worthwhile. The pub itself was packed, which was very nice. I was keeping a lower than usual profile, as I had already provoked the gods last weekend and started to press my luck on Friday while having pints with Sheffield.
Unfortunately, by the look of things, it appears Chelski will take the title. It would take a miracle of situations to change their fortune at this point. They've been having quite a tear at the league these last couple of weeks. I can admit this as I have resigned the Arsenal to third a few weeks ago.
My last bit of a scary situation. Scum are only 5 points behind us at the moment. A win would have made for a nice St. Totteringham Monday, but it's not going to be so. Another interesting bit is ManShitty is only a point behind the Scum and play them Mid-week. So here's hoping that Wrighty's son and team can pull one off this time and bury those fahkin prats.
~LeChat
Let's take a look at what my dear old MancScum supporting friend said.
Maybe Arsene really has checked out and is planning to go to Madrid next year. How else do you explain the collapse of The Arse like this?
My reply, which I won't quote, since it is my reply is that Arsenal and Arsene have been frighteningly consistent over the past couple of years. It's like a roller coaster ride pretending to be a bobsled. I know there are some who are like, I don't get it. That's perfectly acceptable as it makes sense in my head.
The coaster is on rails, has a definite maximum speed and braking mechanisms in place and nice little seat belts for the big hills... so everything is for the most part not going to get out of control or too scary. The ride is inspected constantly and if it breaks down, maintenance is a radio call away.
In Arsenal terms, we will be in the Champions League and finish in the top 4.
Bobsleds,on the other hand, lack these types of controls, so you never know what you are going to get. It might be a fun exhilarating ride but where is the bottom of the hill, who is on the brakes and what happens when it all goes pear shape? You're not calling bobsled maintenance; you're calling the medic or someone else in the worst case scenario.
In footballing terms, this would be probably most akin to Leeds quite a few seasons ago and maybe even Pompey currently. So, as an Arsenal supporter for way too many years, all I have to say is that this is the way it is currently.
If Arsene decides to leave, so be it. If Fabergas, Van Persie, Arshavin, Rosicky,or insert random player name here, decides to leave, so be it. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west and the Arsenal is still the greatest team the world has ever seen.
I did a double this time and the slightly more tame version of the above can be found at the Pub blog. I just did not feel like giving it all for two this week.
As I will continue, I am not bothered in one bit. I have seen players come and go more times than I can even remember. A once touted golden boy, fucks off to Istanbul the next year. The new Viera (number 2 or 3) breaks a leg and fucks off to god knows where and does fuck all sense. The die-hard Arsenal lad from youth, fucks off to Chelsea for a brand new cellphone with extensive vibrate settings.
I mean, throughout the late 80's and early 90's I could have sworn we were a farm club for Barcelona. It still feels that way at times, but we've won titles and have consistently been top 4 for quite some time.
I know the little devil voice in my head is like, I wish we'd finish 10th but still above Sp*rs, just so the nouveau supporters will fuck off as well. However, I can not always get what I wish for.
This has been a rather lackluster season. Someone pointed out to me in the pub, not sure what day or whom, that whenever the Arsenal were on the precipice of being on top of the league and in control of their destiny, they'd fuck it up.
What is my saying? Something like being able to work wonders in the box but still failing to score. In other words, this is where we stand, looks good but no finish.
In other parts of the league, there was the vain hope that Scousers would be able to do something worthwhile. The pub itself was packed, which was very nice. I was keeping a lower than usual profile, as I had already provoked the gods last weekend and started to press my luck on Friday while having pints with Sheffield.
Unfortunately, by the look of things, it appears Chelski will take the title. It would take a miracle of situations to change their fortune at this point. They've been having quite a tear at the league these last couple of weeks. I can admit this as I have resigned the Arsenal to third a few weeks ago.
My last bit of a scary situation. Scum are only 5 points behind us at the moment. A win would have made for a nice St. Totteringham Monday, but it's not going to be so. Another interesting bit is ManShitty is only a point behind the Scum and play them Mid-week. So here's hoping that Wrighty's son and team can pull one off this time and bury those fahkin prats.
~LeChat
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