St Landrew

Loads of things. Here's just a few: If the universe started with the Big Bang, presumably something had to be around to cause it..? And what caused that something to be there..? And what caused... and so back ad-infinitum until the proto-universe disappears up its own jacksi. If the universe has a finite size... what's on the other side..? Why do some people maintain that the Earth is 6000 years old, or is flat, when it is patently obvious to the everyday viewer that it is much older, and is ball shaped..? Why do people resort to insulting each other, rather than agreeing to disagree, over the Saints Web when they clearly know that all they'll get back is counter insult, and worse, possibly an infraction..? IIRC, the UK has an average of 192 days a year when it rains. So why don't people take every advantage and go outside when it's sunny [NB: I'm as bad as everyone else]..?

During my University days I had a Suzuki 500 DOHC Four that was so unreliable [and frankly, crap too], that I accepted a lift in a mate's Morris Traveller while doing some research the other side of Whitstable. The springs were shot; he had no back seats, and the passenger seat was taken. I laid in the back while we went over countless sleeping policemen. Every crash, my back got worse, and all I could concentrate on was the mushrooms growing along the wooden frames, and wondering if they were edible or not.

Not a prediction, but an expectation. You need to sharpen up your putdowns.

A 1964 Austin Mini, which was ancient when I had it in 1978. I rebuilt it and was going to put a 1300GT engine spec and remote gearbox/change to replace the wand. But I ran out of money. Then I came to my senses.

And as we all know now, after several opportunities to watch the race: 1] Casey Stoner ran away from the rest, and only Valentino Rossi chased. 2] Nicky Hayden couldn't make the other works Ducati go fast. Was it all due to injury..? 3] James Toseland was slow. Much slower than expected. Was it due to his injuries..? 4] Qatar should never hold a race in the evening again. In fact, no venue should hold a race during the evening, unless it's an endurance or 24 hour job. 5] Suzi Perry is ill. Poor girl. Hurry back, as Matt Roberts is no anchor. 1]Stoner 2]Rossi 3]Lorenzo http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7996183.stm

My partner was born in the so-called Garden City of New Zealand, ie. Christchurch. And she always used to say how wonderful the big green areas were in Southampton. I have always noticed that Southampton had more trees, parks and greenery within the city than others. It makes it all the more special.

Yeah I know. I was saying it in that way for people who'd thought they'd missed it. Well they had. But they hadn't, so to speak. As it happens, the race is starting NOW..!

The race is starting NOW..!

It amazes me how people don't realise that fans will not automatically return to St Marys despite Lowe and Co leaving. It will take time. There are fans who decided very early to not return. What did people expect them to do, just wait at the gates until Rupert left, and then return the very next game..? They got on with their lives and did other things. Some may never return, such is the cultural change of not attending Saints. But most will return, perhaps next season, perhaps in the next 3 games. We gave Rupert far too much time. Now let's give some of our fellow supporters some time too. EDIT: BTW, 23,000 odd are a few more than 15,000 odd.

Agreed doublesaint, Especially the last bit. It's rather difficult, and probably hypocritical of these people to come out and talk about leading a less materialistic life, when they are surrounded by the trappings of their so-called exalted positions. However, I don't suppose the Archbishop of Canterbury views a Nintendo Wii with eagerness, or the latest LCD TV with anticipation. Perhaps he's already got them, but I honestly doubt it. And the Pope actually lives a life of materialistic poverty, although we know his every whim could be catered for if he chose. But they don't, and I think therein lies a bit of the message. Understanding that still does not make it easier to take, but there is a great mass of people who are lacking in a bit of spiritual and emotional growth, and substitute it with material things. I've been down that route many times in my life, and it doesn't bring happiness or contentment. I'm going to make the same mistake in a few days time, by parting with cash to buy a motorbike. But I ration myself nowadays, and when the Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons come calling at their usual inappropriate moment, I don't shut the door in their face, but have a conversation. I don't agree with their beliefs in the slightest, but it can make for an interesting 15 minutes. And they certainly look happy enough..! Which reminds me, it's about time I bought a Darwin Fish. There's materialism, for you.

I think Noddy is setting a bad example. He should be driving a wind-up car with a big key on the back. How green can you get..?

Being a bit of a MotoGP nerd, I tend to record the races throughout the season, so that I can occasionally come back to a particularly exciting spot in a race, if and whenever I choose. For example, last year at Laguna Seca is one long segment of excitement from start to finish. Today, Aunt Beeb are not shoving their schedules around like they may have done in the past, but putting the Qatar race LIVE on the Red Button and the BBC Sport website. This could present a problem if you want to record the race. However, if you have a Freeview box, the Red Button channels are numbers 301 and 302 [there are others too], and so forget that bloody button and simply go to 301 and record that from 1845 tonight. If they do an edition, MotoGP Extra should follow immediately afterwards, and they always put that on 301 anyway, so it should be seamless. race starts at 1900, and the whole transmission should last 90 mins or so. There you go. Become a MotoGP nerd. It helps if you have a motorbike too.

Here you go, Baj. Looks like it will be run tomorrow [sorry, today] after all. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7996183.stm Thank goodness for that. It's been a long 5 months since my last MotoGP fix. Another 2 weeks would have been horrendous.

So Motegi becomes the first race. Unprecedented..! I hear they just may run the first round race proper tomorrow. Bet they don't though.

Stoner got the Ducati flying right from the off and is in Pole Position for tonight's 1st race of the season at 8.45 on BBC3. Rossi is P2, witrh Lorenzo 3rd. Nicky Hayden high-sided in spectacular fashion [there's no unspectacular way to high-side], and may not race. Hopefully, that was just a blip, and we are NOT going to see a virtually one-man Ducati team again for this year. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/motorbikes/7995463.stm

But only in Discworld.

I'm am really looking forward to this. All the teams are on the same Bridgestone tyres, after screw-ups from Michelin last season, and after the falling away of Kawasaki, many of the teams are very close in testing times. There will be the usual suspects. Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo, and Dani Pedrosa. I'm hoping, nay expecting James Toseland to improve on his debut season, and I want Colin Edwards to win one in his last. Also someone else apart from Stoner has to tame the beast that is the Ducati, and Nicky Hayden has to do it, or he'll be a back marker. I shall be looking for a resumption of close racing, where you can throw a blanket over half a dozen riders, multiple overtaking maneuvers per lap, and lean angles to make me wince. Add to that the unbeatable combination of Charlie Watts and Steve Parrish as commentators. And Suzi Perry at night-time. What could be better..?

Nah Rattler. You're just the sort of person to take the p!ss. You haven't got anything original to say for yourself, and you step on anything anyone else has to offer. So I won't be biting this time.

Don't think you've got the swing of it at all. He's moving out of his house. Old memories good and bad, some associated with Saints, and he's moving to pastures new. And Saints may not be there once he gets himself sorted. It's important. I can understand that.

Summarises this season perfectly.

Is it inappropriate to say something like... Cheer up..! Where's there's life, there's hope.. or some other clichéd cheery British pathetic gesture..? Or are you all way too down in the dumps for that sort of thing..? Look at it this way - something will come out of this mess, and it's almost certainly better than the crap we have to put up with now. Even if it is nothing at all.

Really..? And be laughed off this forum..? Although it is all absolutely true, is documented and reported.

Oh well, back to the MSVA research. Boring as it may seem, it's not akin to pulling teeth.

Wolves are playing with far too much pace and width for Saints to contain them. I fear a right thrashing.

I reckon they went to the same School of Success in Football as Rupert Lowe. But they may have the dosh to actually do it. Unless they find themselves relegated next season.