It is important to chart the progress of one’s team. Brentford are in the second flight for the first time in 20+ years and have also enjoyed a good run of late.
Here is the evidence of their success.
Cartoon
Stretching of the legs in the sun
Today has been one of those “why live somewhere else?”.
Today was a good one to go to Oriental Parade to start a run. A day of clear skies, calm wind and a picturesque harbour.
At the end of the run I sat on a bench, Massive Attack in my ears, admiring the beauty of the sailing boats on the water, the rowers doing their thing and even a paddle boarder exercising. All with the Interislander sitting in the background.
We started with a quick shopping trip at the market for fruit and vegetables. A little piece of behaviour reduce the influence of the two supermarket chains.
Today I ran for 30 minutes for somewhere between five and six kilometres. That is the most I have managed in nearly 2 years. The plantar fascitis has been a real drag on my activity. My foot is better, not painful now, but still stiff. My fitness has waned badly. A few trips to the gym and using the exercise bikes has helped my cause.
So maybe now I have turned the corner and there is still life in the legs and lungs yet. Another half-marathon? A first full marathon?
Net neutrailty
Inequalities
[vimeo 92308666 w=500 h=281]
The above conversation considers a book called ‘Capital in the 21st Century’. It is an economic view and so is interesting to hear something on the subject from a non-health viewpoint. Maybe then, as it concerns money and core politics, it will generate more traction than the health considerations.
I found this video from reading John Naughton’s blog.
Football history-Brentford on the move
After the disappointment of last year, Brentford secure promotion with three games to spare. It seems all around them are losing their heads.
Such stark contrast to the end of the season last year when they argued about, then missed, a last minute penalty, that if scored would have given them victory and automatic promotion. That lead to the ‘play-offs’ and failure for the 7th time. That time a loss in the final to Yeovil, who may just survive in the Championship this year.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DexA79jT_YQ?list=UUAalMUm3LIf504ItA3rqfug&w=560&h=315]
Brentford secure promotion from League One after Preston victory
Brentford 1 Preston 0
League One
| Brentford |
|
|---|---|
| Preston |
- The Guardian, Friday 18 April 2014 18.40 BST
- Jump to comments (17)
Brentford’s Alan Judge celebrates after scoring from a penalty against Preston North End at Griffin Park. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images
Brentford celebrated spot-kick salvation after Alan Judge’s 30th-minute penalty proved enough for a 1-0 win and promotion to the Championship.
Almost a year after Marcello Trotta’s final-day miss denied the Bees a place in the second tier, Judge kept his cool to put his side in front against play-off hopefuls Preston at Griffin Park. Judge could even afford to miss a second penalty in the second half.
Brentford’s elevation was partly made possible by a surprise 2-1 defeat for Leyton Orient at Crawley. The long-time leaders of League One now face the uncertainty of the play-offs after seeing their increasingly slim hopes of automatic promotion extinguished at Broadfield Stadium. Gwion Edwards put the home side in front after 26 minutes and despite an equaliser from Chris Dagnall just before the break, Adam Drury’s 70th-minute header won it for the hosts.
Sports picks
Coppelia at St James
As Eleanor is back for Easter, it was a good reason to enjoy the ballet again, and so we went to see a ballet that we enjoyed in the past.
The theatre was not full which seems to be a sign of the times, be it the arts festival, or on as different tack, the rugby at the stadium.
We were sat to one side which meant we could not see the balcony scenes, important of the first act-somewhat annoying. However, the performance was good and act 2, set in the workshop when the toys or mannequins come to life was really well done. The lead ballerina did not have a perfect night however.
Still it is great to got to these things and the company was good.
Royal Visit
It almost seems like a waste of time to pass comment on the visit of William and Kate to New Zealand, with of course the bonny George. I would not expect it have much impact on me but I do not think that I am the only one for which the visit is passing by.
There is the impression that the UK press following from afar is more interested and excited that the local crew.
I poll in reported in the NZ Herald:
‘As an old republican, I find more convincing the results of the Curia market research poll conducted early last month for the NZ Republican Movement. It found New Zealanders more or less evenly divided, with 44 per cent supporting a New Zealander as the next head of state, and 46 per cent backing the British monarch to be our king.
The remaining 10 per cent were unsure or refused. It was a telephone poll of 1038 respondents with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 per cent.
What it does show is that support for the status quo is rapidly dying out, with only 26 per cent of 18 to 30-year-olds wanting to retain the British monarchy. Of the rest in that age bracket, 37 per cent supported the direct election of a local head of state, while 29 per cent preferred a local elected by a two-thirds majority of Parliament.
Support for the status quo leapt to 41 per cent of 31 to 45-year-olds, 45 per cent of 46 to 60-year-olds, and 53 per cent for those 61 and over.’
So it would seem that there are better places to shore up support for the monarchy. almost seems inevitable that a republic will arrive, just needs the older crowd to move on!
Monsieur Le President
Yesterday we saw ‘Being President’, shown during the French film festival. A documentary following the political activities of Francois Hollande. A bit long in truth, but interesting and entertaining. Despite the economic woes of the country, the extravagance of the pomp and ceremony is remarkable.
I also went to see ‘Belle& Sebastian’ with Isaac. Now that was a trip down memory lane, being a remake based on the television series of the sixties-of which I am sure I saw lots. Disney film in French??