Dunworking’s Domain

Fratton Park….More money than sense ?

The main topic of conversation between me and mates the last week or so has been the impending take-over of Portsmouth FC by the Middle-Eastern business tycoon Dr Sulaiman Al-Fahim. Now, as far as I’m concerned this is fantastic news for Pompey. A prospective new owner with real funds, a billionaire in his own right…could mean that our star players stay with us in the summer. Watch this space…not least because the FA have decided to look at his associates in the deal under their “fit and proper persons” rules…

Living life in a second
Since the start of 2009, I’ve been living a double life. I am also known as Viggo in the “real life simulator” Second Life. I’ve lived, loved, fought, argued and thoroughly enjoyed my time there. I have a “virtual” partner, who in RL lives in the US, and we live together in this game. I’ve also made other “friends” through the game, and have met people from other cultures who, through talking to them in “real life”, I’ve learnt so much about how others see us, and how different they are to the way we see them.

My own “partner” in SL (hello “Bliss” !) has given me a completely different view of the American people through talking to her about how life really is in her part of the States. So, far from being the “sad act” pastime that some might think it is, I reckon Second Life could be a valuable educational tool.There are definite “adult” overtones to most of the play area in the game, with people pairing off left, right and centre. However, it is only escapism, although it has real people at the business end of the avatars that appear on screen. I’ve found that Bliss & I “click” in RL as well as SL, and the fact we’re seen as a “couple” in Second Life adds a certain frisson to the way the game is played.

I’m as level headed as the next guy, but when something like this comes along, it’s all too easy to immerse yourself in this alternate lifestyle, with the everyday goings-on becoming more and more part of your Real Life day. With the controversy over computer-game addiction, Second Life can take over if you’re not careful. I’m lucky in that Bliss & I can ensure we know when to stop, and can get on with our own real lives. It does remind me strongly of the phenomenaly (and inexplicably in my opionion) popular Sims games. As such it can be an acquired taste, but one I’m more than happy to sample.

Flaming June !
Tomorrow marks the start of June, and I’m a little taken aback that we’re almost half-way through the year already…I’ve even got a list of the pre-season friendlies here for Pagham FC. This year has flown by much like the last, and I just want to slow things down a little now, especially as the weather here in the UK is something else right now…very warm and sunny today and yesterday. As I’m off to Devon for a week at the end of the month, I’m hoping this summer spell will not be broken before then. Nothing worse than traipsing round Dartmoor in the rain.

Britain’s Got Talent…for overhyping people
So…much against forecasts, Susan Boyle didn’t win Britain’s Got Talent. I didn’t watch it myself, finding this sort of thing mind-numbingly boring, but I did read abot Ms Boyle’s efforts. I also heard the rumbles of discontent from her in recent weeks as the pressure built up around her, and the media circus we love so much in the UK followed her every move. Good luck to her in the future, and all the contestants who didn’t win…but…is it not time to now stop these things ?

Anyone who remembers the villification of Jade Goody (R.I.P.) when she first went into the Big Brother house cannot fail to think that when the media gets hold of someone and abuses them by poking fun, the cruelty involved isn’t a very edifying spectacle. It sells papers I suppose, but I’m not proud of our press when they do take someone and make them into a figure of fun just to increase profits. The circus that is Big Brother starts again in the UK this Thursday…and yet again the press will have a field day. Pity the unfortunate soul who goes into BB and then comes out again, their reputation in tatters, their life under the microscope as the public are treated to their humilitation in the media.

Who ??!!
Just to finish with, the news that “unknown” actress Karren Gillan is to be Dr Who’s new assistant has got me more than a little cross. I’m sure Miss Gillan is a fine actress, but as with the appointment of Matt Smith as the new Doctor, I reckon the producers have made a wrong move here. I would have liked to have seen Philip Glenister as the Doctor, as his playing of DI Gene Hunt in “Ashes To Ashes” is by far the best part of that show (incidentally, does anyone else find Keely Hawes’ character stupendously irritating in the show ?)

Why are we so surprised ?

The big story in the uk over the last couple of weeks has been about MP’s expenses claims…the story, originating in the Daily Telegraph shows just how rotten our politics has become in the UK. Why on earth should the British taxpayer have to subsidise the MPs with such frivolous things…A duck house…I ask you !!

Having spent this morning delivering leaflets for one of the main UK parties, I am finding that people are more and more dissillusioned with what we have for Government. The choice is in our hands now, time to get things how we want them…a country run by people who care what we think…

….but meanwhile, away from cloud cuckoo land…

Why I am such a decent person (or so I’m told…)

Shamelessly pinching a theme from another blogger I think it’s abotu time you knew a bit more about me…

1) I’m generous to a fault….I don’t like seeing others unhappy, and would go out of my way to help a friend in need. I would put them before me…which means I sometimes lose out but…

2) I still try to look at life in a “glass half full” way…never mind what life throws at me (and it’s thrown a lot these last couple of years), I still try to think positively, and hopefully this rubs off on others

3) I am a very emotional person, perhaps wrongly as a man. I think that to bottle up emotions can do more harm than good. Someone who was VERY special to me up to a couple of years ago noticed this, and she said I should try and keep my emotional side, as it didn’t help me, her or “us” if I kept things inside. Lesson learnt.

4) I am a sports fan of all sorts of sport. Mainly football (”soccer”, if you must!) and Cricket.
Conversely I wouldn’t watch golf, gridiron football or tennis if they were playing in my garden.

5) I am a great “hoarder”. I have books, DVDs, commemorative programmes and other tat that I should have thrown out ages ago, but have kept on to them for reasons best known to me. And, yes, most of my CDs are stored in the right order *laugh*

6) I hate change. I drive the same route to work every day, have a fairly rigid routine at weekends, and if something out of the ordinary happens, it can throw me off kilter. But…I also like to be with people who are the exact opposite as I am a strong believer in opposites attracting.

7) I am a frustrated journalist. This blog is the closest I come to my “dream” job. If I could spend my days just writing for a living, I’d be a very happy man.

8 ) I’m very much a “cat” person. I like their independence, and their habit of ensuring that no matter what you’re doing, they’re in the way. Dogs, on the other hand, normally leave me cold.

9) I can be viewed as doing things I should have grown out of by now…but as far as I’m concerned, if it’s something you enjoy, stuff what other people think. Who are other people to decide how we wish to live our lives ?

10) I do fall in love too easily. Don’t want to elaborate here.

11) I think too deeply about life sometimes. I can over-analyse things, and as a result I could miss the “big picture” by concentrating on the little things. An ex-girlfriend always said I spend too much time thinking, and I now know what she means.

12) I think that the “family unit” is an important one, and close ties between relatives is a good thing to have. I have watched my nephews grow up, for instance, at close quarters, and feel very proud to have seen it.

13) I like to think I have a good sense of humour. I use laughter to cover for any inadequacies others may see in me. If they’re laughing, I’m laughing. Simple as.

14) Mushy peas….ugh ! why, just why ??!!

15) I like the countryside…long walks in winter or summer, just enjoying the local natural habitat. We spend too much time indoors, and I like to see what Mother Nature has to offer

16) Anyone who has got this far without dozing off deserves a round of applause !

17) Nothing better to do with your life than read other people’s lists, huh ? There’s a job for you as a personal shopper….

18) Have you seriously not got anything else you’d rather be doing ??!!

19) …Like watching paint dry for instance?

20 You still here ??!!