Birmingham Skyline

This photo really doesn’t do it justice. Taken from the office at about 07h40 this morning (with my phone), Tyseley Incinerator. On the way into work from a different angle, the smoke was a such a soft pink, set against a brilliant orange sky fading to warm blue,  with a large neon sun just above the trees.

And from that same angle, there was the silhouette of the Small Heath Mosque. In the office they look miles away from each other. The two views of Modern Birmingham : Industry and Culture.

And actually, if you catch this at the right angle, the Clock Tower of Birmingham University is hiding behind this chimney. Like from the photocopier. If I ever change jobs I will miss this view.

It’s my city and I love it.

Shoulda Woulda Coulda – gone to the gym

So I’ve been a bit lax all round lately, blogging, the gym, eating well, not drinking too much. I guess part of this is just being busy – blink and the weekend is gone! So on Monday, I tried to go to the gym, I kind of stopped when I reached my goal weight in November 2011, dabbled a little bit last year, and Monday was the start of something new, all my old weight-loss was drawn a line, this is a brand new effort. We got there and it was closed! Bastards. And tonight I tried again, I got 10 minutes on the treadmill, I’m trying jogging this year – and the gym guys come round telling us to all ship out – 24-hours my arse! This is my gym (none of these people are me) :

Pure Gym Birmingham Broad Street

The Truth about the Super Bowl

Ok, so, I didn’t go to sleep at half-time, I stayed up until 02h30, I was just worried about being rubbish at work the next day.

So here is Beyoncé, touting her trade. Not really, she was good, I enjoyed the show and looks like the fans did too. She was a bit dirty though, high heels and a dominatrix style costume with an ounce of lace at the back – I guess to add a touch of old-fashioned femininity. I liked the outfit.

I did not like the moves. Given that it’s a family viewing prime-time slot, I think she could have toned it down a bit. But maybe she’d lose her style, maybe it was a compromise. She did a set where she danced with herself in computer graphics which was quite impressive, and of course, All The Single Ladies!

Then Kelly Rowland came out, we like Kelly Rowland, we liked her on X-Factor, she was like the voice of reason in the middle of Tulisa. Reuniting Destiny’s Child might not be purely Beyoncé’s doing, but I think it was a good call in what was essentially a bit of a dirty set, which in the stands you probably couldn’t see too closely.

As they said on Sky, they’ve played safe since the Janet Jackson incident, going for classic all-American acts, so this was probably a bit of a risk. As my first proper Super Bowl, I thought there would be more acts, like Beyoncé being the headliner.

Anyway, then the lights went out! They just stood around for ages, about half an hour – well the players stretched and we toyed with the idea of going to bed. The Ravens were getting proper annoyed, with good reason, because the 49ers came back and smashed it. They didn’t win, but it was damn close. They made an amazing comeback, with more touchdowns to lose 34-31. So close!

So, the Ravens, the joke-team in my opinion – won, again! And Ray Lewis, as much as I don’t like him for off-field behaviour, he looks well happy here! The Ravens are still bastards though. I think we nearly hate them more than the Patriots.

Stupid o’clock at night!

Ok, ya está, I’m going to bed now. It’s midnight and I have to be up at 06h00! I’ll get the result in the morning. By the way, Daniel’s family are having a Super Bowl Party, I’m a bit jealous, but I am knackered! So, night night for today.

Sky… vs BBC…

Let’s compare the presenting :

BBC2 : only deign the sport important at the Super Bowl Final

Sky Sports : every Sunday without fail, they are our mateys

BBC2 : Willie McGinest – former Patriot – you’ve lost us already

Sky Sports : Kevin Cadle – former basketball coach, err…

SKY SPORTS….

VS BBC….

Still, who’s going to know what they are talking about? They guys that do it all the time, or Mark Chapman? Who they’ve wheeled out for one night only?

By the way, touchdown for the bastard Ravens. 49ers at First and Ten, quite far away from the endzone. Oh they’ve just completed  a pass to give them basically a First and Goal!* Let’s go go go!! Incomplete!** Field Goal to the 49ers, a bit panicky though.

*When you’re less than 10 yards from the endzone.

** You only get your yards if you actually catch it, that’s called a complete pass. If you drop it, it’s incomplete.

Kick off Super Bowl XLVII

Aaaahhh! We think the coin toss goes San Francisco’s way, we didn’t really understand it. And we’re back to the studio while the US are at an ad break.

Oh my god it’s available in Spanish!! Do that now! Kick off! (And now I kind of want to go to bed – with my 49ers bear!)

Here I am, with the bear, supporting the 49ers of course!

National Anthem

They are presenting the teams on the field. GO 49ers! Mascots and cheerleaders and they look really pumped up! I’m getting proper tired, it’s 23h20. What’s this? Hall of Fame thing? They all get dressed up and win awards for playing football. Isn’t the Super Bowl Trophy enough?

Kids singing, and Jennifer Hudson, we’re just waiting for the National Anthem really now, Alicia Keys. Oh no, the kids are from that school! Good for them!! And a marching band with all the flags…

Here she is! Get all patriotic, go on!

Super Bowl Sunday!

So tonight’s the night. I’m pretty sure I’ll be in bed within the first quarter.

We’re watching the build up on Sky Sports, Kevin Cadle and the British guy Neil Reynolds, and some other guy without an iPad. So far we’ve had the battle of the Brothers, because the coaches are John and Jim Harbough. Who do we want to win? Jimmy of course!

Are we going to switch to BBC2? So, the stadium itself was rebuilt after Katrina and seriously it looks amazing, and everyone looks so excited! Just wish it was the Broncos of course.

Ray Lewis is talking about the time he went to talk to the London Warriors, so inspiring – but they just mentioned the murder, haha! Yes Neil Reynolds I don’t like him. Who’s commentating on BBC2? Who the hell is Mark Chapman? He’s British, let’s switch back.

Anyway, let’s get to this!