21st March 2005
Hi all,
First up this week we have to mention Private Johnson Beharry, the first recipient of a Victoria Cross medal in over twenty years.
Beharry claims he was just "doing his job". How many of us would like a job which sees you ending up in a coma? (What, your job already leaves you in a coma? Seriously, I meant a real coma.)
A total of 11 Victoria Cross medals have now been given out since 1946. Only 14 recipients are still living, and Private Beharry is the first living recipient of one since 1969. Do you ever think something could be just a bit too much trouble to get hold of? It seems like getting a Victoria Cross is like trying to get a PS2 at Christmas, only slightly less dangerous.
I have to say besides anything else I like this guy's sense of humour. When asked what was going through his head in the second of the two acts mentioned in his situation he said, "An rpg," (rocket propelled grenade). Ouch.
Speaking of a sense of humour he has said he might actually return to his job. For me two brushes with death would be enough. I think if I were him I'd get out while I was well ahead.
While we're on the subject of people making important decisions it was announced this week that the Moon brothers will be leaving Eastenders. Apparently the reason for this (according to the radio station we were listening to at work) is because there are too many gangsters in the show. Really? You don't say?
Needless to say this led me to do some investigating. I took a quick straw poll of some of my friends and found that we know a grand total of zero gangsters, so perhaps sense is finally taking the upper hand in the higher ranks of Eastenders staff. Of course I've got reasonably normal friends, so it could be that they'll dismiss my survey as not being representative.
As a matter of fact I kind of hope that they do ignore my results, and carry on down the same disastrous path that they have recently. Why not have more gangsters? Indeed, why not fill Albert Square with gangsters, split them into teams and have them lined up on opposite sides?
While you're at it why not hire Emma Samms, and let her be abducted by not just one but two UFOs, shown in two episodes on consecutive nights. Surely it can't be any more ridiculous than the typical (and inevitable) Eastenders trump card of "another horrific event in Little Mo's life". Go the other way, make it upbeat and laughably stupid. As some people have said, it is better to be notorious than irrelevant.
(By the way I haven't watched a full Eastenders episode in months. I get the idea that I'm not missing anything.)
Still on the subject of the ridiculous Scotland's two-horse football bandwagon carried right on its normal path at the weekend, as Rangers crushed Motherwell 5-1 in the CIS Cup Final. A few points of note from this game:
1) A few years ago Motherwell were in dire financial trouble and were still struggling to get crowds to hit 5,000. Now they reach a Hampden final (in a competition which doesn't even offer a European place, no less) and take 15,000 fans there. Numerous chants come to mind about Motherwell's support, none of which I'll repeat here.
2) I used to go to Motherwell games until a few fans made it pretty clear they didn't want English people entering Fir Park. Now they reached a final under the management of Terry Butcher, who was only capped 77 times by England. (This bitter point is sponsored by your local brewery.)
3) Among the more loyal Motherwell supporters is our very own Lucy Partridge. She was at the game, receiving text messages from my bluenosed wife. "MY CLOCK STOPPED AT FIVE" was one of the kinder ones. I'm amazed Lucy is still talking to Lorraine. Guys who are good friends wouldn't do that to each other.
Some examples:
- I actually remember feeling somewhat embarrassed upon meeting up with Nick and Pat after Palace beat Portsmouth 4-0 in 1999.
- When Palace were relegated in 1995 I was at Uni. As my friend Chris and I watched the last day of the season unfold on Sky we saw footage of Newcastle taking a 3-0 lead over Palace in a game we had to win. At that point Chris just turned to me and said, "Sorry mate."
You see, guys just know about this stuff.
Have a good week!
Tony
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