I feel that you may be joking with me about <West Bromwich Alan Bion>.

As was plainly explained to me in school history lessons, The English were derived from an ancient tribe called the Angles, who (and there’s a clue in the name) came from <Anglesey> in Wales.

Previously, the good people of <Wales> had themselves evolved from ocean creatures known as <Whales> . We know this to be true because it correlates with the findings of <Charles D Arwin>, who wrote down in the Bible a long, long time ago … before <David Attenborough> was even born … that <Jonah> was stuck in a whale, but escaped when it <barfed>, after eating a dodgy prawn.

The Royle Family was the kind of top-notch comedy show only the Brits could have produced. Alas, I'm torn about watching it. While loving the sorely-missed Caroline Ahearn, I cannot, repeat cannot, bear the sight of Ricky Tomlinson.

Didn't drop a packet on the <Manky> match mainly cos I didn't get a bet on.

Football grounds and pubs: best-provided was Griffin Park (Brentford), which famously had one at each corner. Yes, HAD. They've shifted to a new ground as of the start of this season. Houses to be built on the old site. Dunno if any of the pubs will survive, but Brentford's form should improve even more now.

<Tiggler> thank you!

Yes the <Merinho Sheep> is on top again.

I believe you are correct about "Peace Love and Understanding." One of many superb Costello anthems.

I saw <Elvis Costello and the Attractions> in Seattle and it was even better than reading Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers comics. Predictably, we had some with us when we drove down from Vancouver.

This is my favorite Costello, the story of a poor lad who joins the armed forces:

<Cibator you bator you bator you bet>

Not sure betting City at the new White Hart Lane would have been a good plan to begin with. This is how many goals City have scored there since it opened:

0 (zero)

Here is some betting science to help explain:

"When Jimmy Greaves got into these positions, he didn't try to blast the back of the net out. He seemed to place the ball just inside the post as if he was making a pass to the stanchion in the back of the net" (Bill Nicholson about Jimmy Greaves)"

<Jimmy Greaves> fun fact: He refused to play unless Spurs agreed to blast zippy jazz music throughout the entirety of each match.

<Port Moresby my Dragon>

I find your hysterical pracee convincing, particularly your information on Whales/Wales. I have been beating this horse for years, trying to convince people that Wikipedia founder Jimmy "Blue" Whales is a Welshman.

The <Outlaw Josey Wales> on the other hand, is a work of fiction.

---------------

Well, it’s been a busy couple of days, trying to get the shrubs cut back before the last garden refuse collection of the year. That’s life in <suburbia>, right there.

I’ve also been watching some of Oslo’s <Skilling> elite chess tournament, which it has to be said has superb TV production values (David Howell & Jovanka Houska commentating). The plan was to show it live on <Eurosport>, but I’m not sure that has happened. Anyway, looks fab on YouTube’s chess24 channel when played through the big telly.

That <Bobby F> documentary was pretty good I thought. His friend was a terrific guy who seemed totally at ease with his old mate’s madness. He just didn’t want poor Bob to embarrass himself in front of the cameras. Nothing much that was new, but it brought together a lot of the miscellaneous fragments into one package. It was of course another painful, yet important reminder of how mental illness can cruelly topple a brilliant mind. Not that Bobby’s view of the wider world was ever anything other than weirdly eccentric, but his chess brain was extraordinary.

<Botvinnik>’s 1962 quote about Bobby always gives me a chuckle … “Fischer has only spoken three words to me in his life. When we were introduced, he pointed to himself and said 'Fischer.' When we sat down to play here, we bumped heads and he said 'Sorry.' At the end of the game, he said 'Draw.'”

-----------------

Ever wondered why a typical Babooshka appartment only costs $150/month?

“Because Chelyabinsk is not feckin Vancouver, British Columbia … okay?”

*The Texas Troubadour Ernest Tubb*

"So Round So Firm So Fully Packed"

https://youtu.be/UraDN190j-w

<Matt> What a Tubbity treat!

That is just marvelous music thank you.

Also you really know your "Boomie" (he's not fooling anyone).

Yes, as only a few realize, <Teem> is in fact a Mexican national who emigrated to the <Puyallup "Green Grass" Forest Reserve> in 1953.

He came in on the rare, yet prestigious, "Bigfoot visa."

<Partition My Dungeon>

Sorry to be late, but I am just now watching your lads vs <Albion>, appropriately enough to our previous conversation. I am still wary of spoilers, and the footy is getting very interesting.

I could watch highlights but I consider that to be "jejune." Like every chess match, every footy match tells a story, and you need to see the whole thing to understand the story. I will return post match and I want to get the Gunners game in there as well.

<Botvinnik> supplies yet more evidence that Bobby's OTB manners were impeccable.

He did not cover himself with glory by running off with the entire chess section of the Soviet Union in order to find the draw against Fischer in that game.

Good timing. I nearly arrived with more spoilers than a fleet of <Formula One> cars.

Good timing!

You remind me of the recent woke remake of "Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession."

It has been re-filmed using "plus size models" (gigantic fatasses), and re-named "Good Timing: A Barf Bag Obsession."

So far the box office receipts are zero dollars ($0), but the producers are attempting to assuage angry (and thick) investors that "At least we're doing the right thing."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfK...

Do you observe International Clash Day on Feb 7?

<Tiggler>

I would indeed like to read Mr. Strummer's manifesto. Post away!

<Tim> Kreegah! Bundolo!

<Hey! Just because I have hair down to here and like to pull people feet first out of their tents doesn't make me a Squatch!>

Wellll... it kind of does brah. It kind of does.>

Oh, ye of little face.

<gigantic fatasses ... a barf bag obsession>

<Park my Pontoon>

VIZ were ahead of the curve on all social issues. They were tearing the woke decades before that term was invented. They tore everyone else a new one too, which is the mark of truly great satire.

I finished my footy now and what a strange era it is.

<United> are sublime gods or clods, depending on... what?

I think they should fire <Olly Golly> though. It's the only constant I can think of. Of course "when in doubt fire the gaffer" is a jejune concept to begin with, so I'd be ok if they don't fire him either.

Also why can't ManCity score at the new White Hart Lane?

I'm not complaining or anything but it seems unlikely to the point that it's now obvious that this is a supernatural phenomenon.

So far ManCity have racked up 0 (zero) goals at the new White Hart Lane.

This is Rudolf Kassel, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudol...

Don't worry, I'm not stalking you :)