St Landrew

Come on kiddies, calm down. Perhaps you could insult each other via PMs.

Because it was designed to do one thing only - go very fast indeed. It's a whole level of extra complication to fit hard points or internal bays and electrical relays; keep the, unique to aircraft, armaments cool so that they can be carried at sustained high speed, etc... The thing leaked gallons of fuel because it couldn't be sealed at normal temperatures, so do you think they would have managed bombs as well..? The SR-71 was state-of-the-art enough for early 1960's aviation technology without adding extra complication. That's the sort of thing a British Government would ask for when the design was nearly complete, and then scrap it because the manufacturers would want extra money and time for the project.

If it means that much to everybody, why not just change the day of your wedding..? Personally, I would have thought an important event like your marriage would firmly pop a comparatively piddling thing like the WC well into 2nd place.

Yeah, I can see what you mean. There's no doubt that there would be a few tunes he plays that are to my taste. Of course, if you want guitar overload, you can always check out Candyrat Records, who seem to be brimming full with virtuoso players. Here's a link to several mini performances: http://www.youtube.com/user/rpoland

Amazing technique and flair, but I guess I like my guitar playing to convey more of the tune than the demonstration. Yes, I am in total awe of TE's phenomenal skill, but I couldn't listen to him for more than half an hour.

The other notable thing about 2001 is that it assumes intelligence in the viewing audience. The script doesn't have obvious clues to lead on the story, except for the occasional isn't it true that the HAL 9000 series has never made an error..? [the onboard HAL has just appeared to have made one] But overall, the accuracy remains. There is no noise in Space, even from rocket engines that make noises in almost every other SF space film [Silent Running excluded, of course]. And yet, the Monolith, on the Moon emits a high pitched whistle or signal. We can hear it, but Kubrick allows us to, so that we immediately know that the whistle is happening inside the astronaut's helmets, and not in the open vacuum. Once again, the assumption is that the audience will work it out, and that is such a pleasant surprise.

The only time Charlize Theron kept her gob almost shut was when the selection of France was made. She made some comment about the less being said, or something alike. Otherwise, it was... am I the only person [celebrity] who's really nervous..? Or... a big hand for the helpers, didn't they do a great job..? I would say words fail me, but I've already written a few.

Lol, like the analogy. I keep seeing about 20 or so minutes of Solaris before being interrupted. One day, I'll be able to watch it all the way through, no doubt. Guess I should be happy to be wanted so much by friends.

Amazing news.

No I don't think so. I can clearly remember that dull feeling of Saints losing yet again, or not holding onto a lead again. I'd come away from a match and wonder if I had just seen players with any skill what so ever. The missed passes, the missed chances, the defence with holes in it big enough to drive the proverbial bus through. The times when they'ed string a few sensational passes together and the movement suddenly clicked into place. But at the end of 90 minutes they would have lost or more usually drawn. And as for coming back after being a goal or two down, forget it. Now it is entirely different. Yes they make mistakes, but they seem to learn from them very quickly indeed. My mood during a match used to be one of despairing hope, and now it is one of confidence that the Lads will either win or do their bloody utmost to find a way to get a result. The game against Leyton Orient epitomised that attitude. Brighton was a shock, but that just shows how far Saints have come.

I did take up golf. Gave it up after 6 months as I found it spoilt a good walk. Is it the only game where the better you get, the less you end up playing..?

I'm in the middle of watching 2001: A Space Odyssey. It is still absolutely outstanding in its accuracy and detail. The special effects are still up there in grace and movement, although anyone can see that CGI has moved things along. But what hasn't moved on an inch is the complete oneness this film has to covey its story. It absolutely panders to nobody. There is no sentiment; there are no cosy Disneyesque elements. There are no Spielbergesque corny moments [well there wouldn't be, as this was before his time] to keep the audience in the cinema. And because it doesn't pander, it is all the better for it. It's hard viewing, and needs concentration to keep watching, especially in today's era, where concentration of the audience is in short supply after years of gratification from quick Star Warsesque [lot of esques tonight, sorry] action. There have been moments while watching this on my TV, where it has blown me away with its details and accuracy. The flat and undramatic acting is so real to life you might wonder whether the actors are professional, but they most certainly are, and they did their best work in this film. It might seem obvious to some, but I think it is certainly the best ever film where the story is set in Space. Also, it might be noted that humans hadn't yet made it to the Moon when this was made. Yet everything is so perfectly imagined.

btw, what's this got to do with Denmark..?

But doesn't it have the old Nimrod's ability to 'loiter' or just cruise around on one engine..? Agreed. 9 years is several years too late. It was going to be the most advanced thing in the sky, but I'm betting it wouldn't take much to topple it from that perch nowadays. But to put things into a little perspective; I remember seeing a video of US and UK precision low-level bombers competing against each other. There were all the usual high-tech US designs, and the UK turned up with an aging Vulcan and some Buccaneers. Now Buccaneers were purpose designed to do the job, and although the Vulcan did extremely well, in fact, beating many of the much newer US aircraft, the Buccaneers p!ssed over everyone. And that from a plane designed in 1953. Here's hoping that a design that has had so much brain time and money spent on it, turns out to be a world beater. Don't write it off before it gets into service.

No, I did, and they said something along the lines of, never mind, perhaps next time. Neither of them were sufficiently knowledgable to realise that there wouldn't be room in the system for a next time.

I'm not a believer in fate, although there is definitely elements in life that are out of one's control, and you could call that fate, I suppose. It all works through, and in a sense, I'm happier now than I've ever been, but I've always managed to find the positive side of things. I probably wouldn't have met the people I treasure nowadays, if things had gone differently, and that would have been a major disappointment.

Fully immersed in the archives now: Roxy Music - In Every Dream Home A Heartache. Brilliant track.

Go back to when I was 11, and to have taken my eleven-plus exam, which would have got me to Grammar School, where my ambitions were aimed. I didn't take the exam because I had influenza, and when I returned to school, my teacher told me it was too late. What he didn't say was that if my parents paid, I could do my own re-sit. I was at the top of my form, and all my friends and peers got to Grammar School, and I didn't. I remember my Mum & Dad saying, never mind dear, and they hadn't a clue what the lack of passing over £2 10s made, and what course they'ed set me on. I did badly at Secondary School because I felt utterly betrayed by them, and it wasn't until I was in my early 30's that I eventually got to University, where I did OK. My parents didn't know, and I have forgiven their ignorance of those years, despite the limits they immediately put on me. But if I had a chance to change one moment in time, that might be it. BTW, good thread. A bit too good for TMS, IMO.

That's a lot more reasoned than your first, Antonio and Co are useless post, and one where I can see your point. We have the keyboard and a whole text beneath our fingers. Let's use it all. And remember, this era is meant to be a new clean slate, without the taint of what you knew before.

I'm listening off my album, but I could always direct you lot to side 2 via Youtube. It seems to be all on there. Cherry Red - Quiet, so turn it up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POGsy9Ru9sE A Year in the Life - Junkman - Ground Hog - Can't find this last track from the Split album, but just keep getting a lot of vids from Bill Murray's film, which is understandable. If you're keen you'll find it, no doubt. OK, found the last track by accident:

Exactly said, eelpie.

Oh well, I might as well post Split Part 4. It wasn't my favourite part of the album: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t96n2DlpDiY&NR=1 Still OK though. EDIT: The 2001 videos are so good, I might watch the film again before I hit the pit.

Wahey, we're on a roll here now. Split Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYAfRMAUjk4&NR=1 Love the videos. I may start dusting off my other Groundhog albums, at this rate.

I'll try, OK..? Now a blast from the past. The Groundhogs - Split Here's a taster for people who know a Groundhog from Bill Murray: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdGYjch2oOw Actually, the [2001, A Space Odyssey] video is quite nicely chosen. You'll notice it said Part 1, Here's Part 2. Again, note the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3pLU2kkwnc Sounds great to me..! P.S. Sorry about the **** up Deppo. I edited when I meant to quote.

FWIW, I think you make a valid point. I still think he has almost certainly been an asset, in every Saints side so far, this season. But there may come a time when Pardew might suggest Ricky sits this one out, or is subbed, just to save on his wear and tear. Everybody's form and fitness goes up and down and Lambert was on fire up until just a short time ago. Now he is an accomplished striker and assist merchant [what is the correct term..?], able to chip in with a goal practically every game, and/or provide for others. In which case, he can't be rested, just yet. But by his standards, the fire has died down slightly.