Dunworking’s Domain

A pig of a disease…

The swine-flu pandemic continues with 29 deaths, and the potential for 65,000 deaths from the disease. Witht he comparitive figures of 6,000 to 10,000 for a “normal” flu season, there’s reason for concern…but…I’m a little concerned that there’s been some scaremongering going on…yes, it is a very serious disease (I have nephews at schools with confirmed cases of swine flu), and yes we should be concerned…but I can’t help thinking that there will be those who will use a mild dose of ordinary ‘flu or even a bad cold to as an excuse to shirk…

obviously those of us who suffer from “Man Flu” would be unable to get out of bed to get to a phone for a swine-flu diagnosis, let alone to a local clinic for some Tamiflu…it is those people that we should be really looking out for…

Falling to ashes…

At the time of writing, England have Australia at 156-8 struggling to avoid the follow on in the second ashes test at Lords…With the announcement that Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff is to retire from test cricket after this test series, it’s good to be able to enjoy what might, just, be a succesful summer for the England side as a coda to his career.

Tomorrow sees me off to Arundel to watch Hampshire against Sussex in the Pro 40 match at one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the country. With the four day match likely to be a draw, and both sides meeting in the Friends Provident Trophy next weekend, “my” team of Hampshire will look to gain some bragging rights from these games…

Emotional Roller-coaster
Last time out I mentionedSecond Life at length, and recent happenings have made me think that it can be something to be taken in smaller and smaller doses. My avatar on Second Life has become known as something of an “agony uncle” to others, and often my chill time on there is, I hesitate to use the word “interrupted”, by one or other of my SL “friends” wanting my advice on something or other. Not to say I’m not happy to do so, as far as I’m concerned a problem shared is a problem halved, but I do have concerns that SL can blur the lines between it and RL too easily…all too often emotions can run high, things can be said and people, real people, can be upset. I’ve been very lucky in that my friends and my SL partner are level-headed individuals, but I do fear for those who are less emotionally stable…

FOOTY ! BACK !

Yes, the football season has started here…and we’re what…middle of July ? Pre-season friendlies may be “meaningless”, but still enjoyable…with nothing to really play for except pride, it’s good to catch up with friends, enjoy the good weather and watch the new batch of players put through their paces before the “proper” stuff starts. Pagham FC’s 1st team started with an entertaining 1-0 win over Westfield last weekend and today we entertain Egham Town.

Portsmouth FC’s Takeover still hasn’t happened…now the mandarins at the FA doing the fit and proper person’s test, time is running short before the start of the season. Players leaving, no permanent manager…I’m starting to be a worried man here…

yes, I was on holiday again last week…and…

Michael Jackson died

Very sad loss was Michael…but…I think that the press were hypocritical in the extreme in their wall to wall coverage of his death. I personally reckon that it was they who helped to colour people’s judgement of someone who was undoubtedly a musical genious. It was the press who put the doubts in people’s minds about what he may, or may have not done in his private life. I’m a great believer that a private life should be just that. Here in the UK we’re all too fond of building people up and then knocking them down. History is littered with people who the British press have dishonoured once they got bored with them.

Portsmouth get the Blues
At the time of writing, the take-over of Portsmouth FC still hasn’t happened, and I’m getting more and more concerned about what is happening there. Pompey’s traditional foes at Southampton FC have managed to engineer a take-over much more more quickly which has just made things worse for Pompey fans. Here’s hoping things are sorted well before the season starts.

Ronaldo goes
And so the most talented, and yet possibly most moody football player in English football has taken his ball away to play in Spain. I make no secret of my dislike for Ronaldo. Great footballer, awful temperament. Football in the UK might be poorer without him, but I won’t miss his histrionics.

Torchwood returned
This week for a five episode series. It’s been good so far, with the plotline tight, even though it had to be stretched across five nights. Russell T Davies again comes up with the goods, which brings into sharp focus why it’s a shame he’s now left the Dr Who writing to others.

My new phone

Got myself a nokia e-71 having wanted since they came out. A chance conversation with my mobile provider revealed I was due for a free upgrade. so back in the box went my venerable E-61 brick to be replaced by it’s svelte brother. Superb phone, and even more reason for me not to have an I-phone, even with the new update. Incidentally, for a laugh, have a look round the interweb at all the disgruntled I-Phone owners who realise just how they’ve been shafted by 02 in the uk…very, very entertaining.