Meenzer

The wages of sin is death

I had no idea that the annoying "band" that follows England everywhere - and that wasn't allowed into the stadium last night - is bankrolled by Pukka Pies. Either way, the responses to this statement on Facebook are quite amusing. http://www.facebook.com/pukkapiesenglandband/posts/10151190064773206

Don't really get it either MF, but it's loads more commonplace in some countries/cultures, for what it's worth - the Germans will talk salary even without knowing each other particuarly well, for example. It's just a standard bit of ice-breaking conversation. I'm sure Parky will have something to say about the matter.

On the plus side, if things were still like they were in the olden days, we'd have to cope with a god-awful Military Wives charity single every week.

Ordinarily I'd have no problem with England losing but I know so many Cath-words who "fink it shudd've bin 'Arry" that I kind of hope Hodgson's hordes stick it to 'em.

I earn more than I did when I lived in Germany but I have less money left at the end of the month. Go figure.

Bit of a Waits wannabe in places, but I love this guy.

I grudgingly accept your offer.

Same neck of the woods. I'd go into details but I know the whole SE part of your London map basically reads "Here Be Dragons". Got both the old and new places for the second half of June so no mad rush on the moving front, which is something.

Relieved. Not going to count any chickens until we've signed on the dotted line, but it looks like we've finally found a place to live... which is probably a good thing since the lease on our current place runs out at the end of the month. Drinks tonight, I think... In related news, why are 90% of estate agents so utterly shit?

Classy Club Cheesy Chips It can't be coincidence.

I would consider them to be ready bedfellows such as the domesticated equus ferus caballus and the wheeled vehicle transported by the latter.

There's some really good writing on Zonal Marking and the Football Ramble, among others, ahead of the Euros. Looking back and looking forward. Plenty to keep you distracted on a work-shy Friday.

Has been ever since his Bayern days at least. The subtitles on this interview are quite nicely done in that they give you a decent idea of how rickety his German is - and yet somehow his message remains intact...

Or a training session started: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jun/07/euro-2012-holland-racist-abuse?CMP=twt_gu

Nonsense - whether you earn £1k or £500k, you're 'fair share' is X%.

Why? Seems inconsistent with your approach to the matter generally.

...ah, but since when?

That's efficient troll-baiting there Fisty, 13 words for a 125% return on investment. I remember reading a lot of the articles and reminiscences when the 60th anniversary happened, and being surprised at how little I really knew about the events that that took place on and around that day, both at an operational level and in terms of the personal stories of sacrifice and achievement. I suppose it's such an inconceivable event for us nowadays, in terms of both scale and nature, plus no family members or acquaintances served in or near the event - and I haven't been exposed to any dramatic interpretations of it (Hollywood or otherwise) so I don't really have any technicolor moving images to match the words. Which might not be such a bad thing. "Never forget", they rightly say, but even with the sense of distance and anonymity that time brings, we never will.

Just good honest high-rate taxpayers fulfilling their public duties as persons of standing. I hope someone calls YOU wierd the next time YOU make a sardonic comment on an internet forum.

Watching France-Estonia on ESPN, half-time now. Canny goals from Ribery and Benzema. Cabaye keeps trying, but nowt doing yet.

Popped into the Gibraltar Rock at Tynemouth for a quick pint with me old man this afternoon. Shabby-looking pub, great views, average beers - but the barman upstairs had 6 Music on, so it's a 10/10 from me.