dinger

But they're only regulars at that level under Wenger's tenure, so if he's not meeting standards then it's standards which he has set. I don't think it's completely black and white. He's clearly built Arsenal into a major European club over the years and played some brilliant football. However IMO the reason he's not won anything for several years has less to do with relative levels of finance and more to do with a consistent failure to address obvious problems. So for example it took several seasons to get in a decent keeper (some would say they're still struggling here), better teams will bully their midfield as they've never adequately replaced Viera, it took season after season for them to learn how to defend a corner when everyone could see it was a problem. He keeps complaining about a lack of character in his teams, but surely that's the manager's responsibility? He hasn't suddenly become a bad manager, but he is seemingly quite stubborn and inflexible in his approach.

If it's embarrassing ones you're after, I've definitely watched Demolition Man far more times than was artistically merited. Evry time I think, why am I watching this crap. But every time I watch to the end.

I'm currently listening to Fire! Orchestra - Exit! A very curious but successful blend of big band, free jazz, post rock and all sorts. Fire! is usually a trio led by Mats Gustafsson, on fierce skronky sax (check out his other band, The Thing, and the album they made last year with Neneh Cherry, another surprise belter). This time there's a 20-something piece band behind them, recorded live. Tremendously powerful and abrasive in places, remarkably subtle and winning in others. Sort of at the accessible end of 'out there'.

Bosh! That really is vintage stuff. As you say, Paris 1919 is also an amazing record, disarmingly charming and then lyrically sly.

Films I've watched so many times I know all the words (most of which already mentioned on this thread): The Big Lebowski E.T. Withnail & I Vanishing Point Star Wars (original trilogy) The Princess Bride The Hudsucker Proxy (y'know, for kids) Actually, I don't think I've seen anyone mention Withnail & I yet, and that's definitely the one I've seen most, running easily into the hundreds of times in my youth. Endlessly, tediously quotable. Whenever anyone complains about an artist 'selling out', something not being as good now it's popular, I'll trot out "They're selling hippy wigs in Woolworths, man..." I absolutely love showing it to people who've never seen it before, but then hate having to sit quietly and not quote every line just a fraction of a second before it's delivered on screen. Maybe the best ever British comedy? Monty you terrible ****!

Not quite as bad as it earlier seemed, apparently.

Erm, I probably ought to point out that my comment was supposed to be satirical. You see the cesspit thing is something that Alpine sometimes says. It was, I'll admit, a slightly cheap dig and it's obviously gone over your head. But I'll accept your apology for calling me a racist.

It made me fall in love with football again.

In that case, Stockbridge or King's Somborne are lovely, by the river. Stockbridge is sort of a little town, but very little for all that, and a straight run to Winchester. I'd live there if I could afford it...

So many conflicting emotions... This could, could, potentially be amazing. But god I wish they'd stop being so forcefully zany and just make a good record again. Stop exhorting everyone to 'have the greatest party of your life' and just play a good show. It's wonderful that they can do what they want without restriction, some great art gets made that way. But there are some artists who need an editor. I could of course stop listening, but I keep going back to see if they've finished p1ssing about with their celebrity mates yet...

This is all sound advice. It does make a difference which part of Winchester you're working in as it's a bugger to drive through. Compton, Twyford, Shawford, that whole area on the south side is gorgeous, some of the prettiest bits of classic postcard English village you'll come across. On the north side, Micheldever, Wonston, The Worthys, all old cottages and country pubs.

And cumulatively more tragic, I think. Each death compunding the woe. Life is grief. And cold... so cold...

Just another example of why Britain is a cesspit these days. You'd be better off emigrating.

Just working through the previews on YouTube now. There are some moments of real loveliness. I'll need a few more thorough listens though.

It's not a lie this time!

Oh. I thought we loaned them out anyway. Besides, that wasn't what this thread or my comment was about. Just that the 'theory' that MP was brought in to attract big players in the January window (or better players than NA could) shouldn't need quashing, as the club have said resolutely that we were unlikely to spend after the Forren deal. Anyone who was working with that theory has been under a misapprehension.

At the risk of getting drawn into something I'll regret... how have you got from 'not buying' to 'selling'?

Was it just me that read all those interviews and statements from the club, from the day Pochettino was appointed onwards, saying we probably wouldn't be signing anyone in January and that MP was happy with the squad? And there was all the stuff about building a squad through the youth system. I don't remember anything about attracting big name players. Although I can see why people might want that, it was never really on the table.

Grouper - The Man Who Died in his Boat Warm and fuzzy and childlike and unnervingly desolate.

Somewhere between FC and Turkish (I mean philosophically, not physically... that would be horrible). Tried 'following my dreams' when I was younger; now I'm sick of being skint all the time. There's nothing worthy or romantic about having to worry about money for food. So now I've got a better job, which isn't my dream job or anything but it pays the bills. So, to answer the OP, in 12 months I'd like to be debt-free and I'd like the podcast I now make to top 1,000 listeners. I reckon both of those are achievable. 110_Persaint, following your dream is all well and good. But get a job that affords you both money and the spare time for dream-following; that's my advice.

Just started Infinite Jest, by David Foster Wallace. Lord alone knows how old I'll be when I finish it.

I used to be The Stain

What's happened? Have England blown the Ashes on the first day?

Whu?