Finally a decision the FA should be proud of

Posted on January 25, 2012 by HippyDave

To be honest I do think the FA don’t tend to get much right and generally I consider them to be unfit for purpose. However this week they surprised me when the actually decided to do something against the thug that is Mario Balotelli!

I have no qualms calling Rooney a thug but that is more because of my disdain of Manure, however when it comes to thuggery Balotelli is in his own league, what he did to Scott Parker on Sunday was disgraceful and to be honest I could never see Rooney doing that.

Balotelli has found himself with a four match ban after being charged with violent conduct by the Football Association. During Sunday’s game the Man City striker appeared to stamp on Scott Parker’s head after a collision with the Tottenham midfielder. The game ended 3-2 to city thanks to a last minute penalty scored by, you guessed; Mario Balotelli!

What shocked most people was that Balotelli didn’t get sent off at the time, already having a yellow card although looking at the match replay it did look like the ref good old Howard Webb decided to look away just before the incident. Probably because he was looking to ignore the behaviour of Balotelli however not sure where the lines men would have been looking to miss that too!

Sometimes I am glad we are not in the Premier League, in our current state we could never compete we would need a hell of a lot of financial help to keep in the Premier League if we ever got in again. For years I said Manure bought their trophies however when you compare what they spent to the likes of what Man City and Chelsea have/are spending then I suppose I was quite wrong! It is nice to see Manure struggling to keep their title however it’s just a shame that it’s another Manchester club who is taking it away!

With the will of god I hope one day my beloved Leeds can get back up to their great levels as seen in the past, one can only hope……..

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Looking at a small startup business?

Posted on January 23, 2012 by HippyDave

It was announced recently that there will be a number of breaks for small and startup business, as well as a reduction in red tape which can strangle small companies. So is this time a good time to start your own business?

Well many people say that starting a business in a recession is a good time, although I don’t know if this is actually proven to be true. Some of the problems I see businesses facing at the moment are actually getting some money from banks to put their plans into action. Having your own funds is a big help, but how many have those in these financial times?

If you do have money to invest, where should you be looking? Well I found this list online for the best startups for 2012:

1. Career coaching
2. Cycling
3. Dance and Zumba
4. Frozen yoghurt
5. Hobby and crafts
6. Independent coffee shops
7. Mobile apps
8. Smartphone repairs
9. Social gaming
10. The Olympics

Can you see yourself running any of these types of business? Or do you want to start off small and at home? Well if you’re looking to start of small and at home then you will be best looking to the internet, which for many businesses now is the way forward.  The best place to start is with your own website, but if you don’t have too much experience with the internet then you should look at getting some help with your website hosting.

You will find that you can have a helping hand with setting up your website and its continued run. It’s also worthwhile considering WordPress hosting as well, there is no better way of drumming up business than with a blog, many companies use blogs to advertise their services and offers so it’s a place to start especially if you’re a new business.

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Test drive

Posted on January 21, 2012 by HippyDave

Well today I went out to my local Audi dealership to test drive the Audi A3 Sportback and the RS 3 Sportback and well in a couple of weeks I will be picking up my brand spanking new R3 Sportback! I first drove the A3 Sportback and really enjoyed it, great handling, smooth controls and really comfortable. Then I drove the R3 and nearly wet myself with excitement, straight way I knew it was for me!

I think I always knew that all along I would go for the R3 Sportback, I just wish the other half wasn’t there and saw the price, I think she too will now also be wanting a new car because I spent gone £40k on mine (typical).

The 340 PS, turbocharged 2.5 litre TFSI engine really goes, but I suppose anything does when comparing to a car you already have which is older and worn! It gets to 62mph in 4.6 seconds but the ultra-powerful five-cylinder engine keeps a respectable 31.0 mpg. This model has been designed with racing in mind and although I won’t really be doing much racing in it, it does make for an excitable ride! The R3 uses Audis Quattro four wheel drive technology which really gives it great handling!

I have gone for Phantom Black, pearl effect exterior finish with 19” x 8.5J ‘5-arm Rotor’ design alloy wheels finished in titanium with 255/30 tyres front and 225/35 tyres rear. Inside is all black Nappa Leather, black carpet and trim to keep it clean and sleek. I also have privacy glass for my windows, which are basically fancy tinted windows so it looks super cool! I also added the BOSE® premium sound system which is where I think the missus decided she too should get to spend some money! I also added electric seat adjustment and lumber support and because I am getting old I went for heated seats to keep me warm!

Anyway couldn’t get it straight away so now must wait a few weeks for it to be delivered so far I think it’s on a boat somewhere on the way to the UK no doubt these weeks will drag….. On another note some interesting games I am looking forward to tomorrow is the Man City Tottenham game been a bit in the press today and well Tottenham will be looking to get ahead of Manure. As I don’t like any team from Manchester I hope Tottenham whoop their asses.

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Insurance renewals

Posted on January 18, 2012 by HippyDave

I got a couple of letters through today, one for car insurance renewal and one for home insurance, as I mentioned the other day this weekend I am looking for a new car so I won’t be looking for car insurance quote just yet. I figured I would check out some comparison websites for my home insurance though, I have had a small increase but I do like to double check I can’t get a better deal before I commit for another 12 months.

In the past I have found better deals offered even by my own insurer online, no longer do you get discount for loyalty, even if you haven’t claimed. It only seems new customers are the ones who can get the best deals, unfair if you ask me, especially as swapping can be a bit of a pain making sure you are covered for everything you were on your old policy.

To be honest I could do with a good deal on the home insurance, after all no doubt I will have to pay more to insure the new car I want, unless I get one of those free insurance for a year deals on it! I do need to make sure my contents is fully covered, even if it is insurance companies have been known to wriggle out of paying a claim on a technicality which is why I am put off looking for a new insurer because I know clearly what is covered on my current policy.

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Looking at some home DIY jobs and the year ahead!

Posted on January 15, 2012 by HippyDave

Well the visit to the dentist wasn’t as excruciating as I thought it would be my teeth aren’t in too bad nick considering my lifestyle ha! I had a scale and a polish and as usual told I should be flossing more, yeah ok!

This weekend was spent pondering what jobs need doing in the house this year, a couple of rooms need a new lick of paint, the guttering needs sorting (I was meant to do it last year but kept putting it off, then it was too cold!) Plus before summer gets here the garden could do with a bit of a tidy again, not too much because I did actually sort it out last year, but I do need to keep up with maintenance.  The missus has a whole list of jobs she thinks need doing, I on the other hand think they don’t so there may be a battle of wills in the next few months, something which I am hoping I win!

So I promised that I would get on with a lot of jobs in the spring, I figured that gives me a couple of months to think of excuses! I have a lot on at the moment anyway (well that’s what I told her) next weekend I am booked in for a couple of test drives at my Audi garage yey! Really excited for that can’t wait to try out the A3 RS3 Sportback that I mentioned I wanted before Christmas, I booked in to try a couple of other models as well just to compare. I will see what the weekend brings then decide if I want to test drive any other cars.

For the time being anyway the missus is too busy buying her wardrobe for our cruise holiday in May to keep track of what jobs I don’t do. She wants to get the best and latest fashions so she is getting a head start now! I will probably look at getting some new gear for that about a week before we go I have far more important things to think about before then!!!

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Visiting the dentist

Posted on January 13, 2012 by HippyDave

Well morning all, early post today, thought I’d get one done and out of the way as I am visiting the dentist this afternoon and normally afterward I’m in no fit state to write (too traumatised). After all most people I know are scared of the dentists in Leeds, even big tough guys!

I was pleased with the football result on Monday night, well as pleased as you can be with a loss, at least it wasn’t a complete thrashing and we did hold our own for most of the game. The problem is when you have someone like Thierry Henry coming back to Arsenal for his first game you would expect him to score really! Prior to the encounter at Emirate, Henry declared ‘I don’t want to be a hero,’ but you just know that he would be though!

I just wish we could have got a goal in before Henry came on, I mean Arsenal played well, but not brilliant I was expecting them to make more chances and I think we could have had a chance to at least get one goal in but never mind! It does make you think, maybe Leeds should look at bringing back some past heroes, to give us a boost, who do you think should make a return?

Anyway as I sign off I hope you wish me luck as I visit dentists in Liverpool, hopefully it won’t be too bad, I may not floss everyday but they don’t look too bad to me, anyway!

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Gaming

Posted on January 9, 2012 by HippyDave

My mate came round at the weekend for a few hours, he brought his little lad with him who shot straight for my laptop and asked if he could play some games online. I told him yeah and thought no more of it. When I looked he was playing Happy Wheels, which is pretty gory for an 8yr old to be playing.

His dad wasn’t too bothered as he says there’s worse on TV, we were chatting about football and about how bad injuries can get and how easily it can affect the team as a whole. For example Leeds has been hit really hard with juries which are really going to struggle with their current injuries. Hopefully we can cause a surprise for Arsenal in FA Cup Third Round.

We are playing down at the Emirates stadium so it’s already against us, but i guess that there’ll be a massive following going down to support them.

When they’d both gone I had a quick look at happywheels.org.uk and it was pretty addictive and i can see why kids can so easily be addicted to the game

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The gift that keeps on giving

Posted on January 8, 2012 by HippyDave

I think my other half has been reading my blog, I didn’t actually think she would be bothered to (good job I don’t put anything too bad on here about her). I know this because for Christmas she got me a percolator bong and the only place I mentioned them was on this blog. I never mentioned it to her in passing confidence because I didn’t think she really liked me getting high.

Turns out anyway that me seeking herbal highs doesn’t actually bother her, in fact she likes it like that, because I am much more agreeable when am high! This explains why she buys so much stuff she obviously asks me when I am in one of my ‘good’ moods! This is why I have dubbed the percolator bong a gift that keeps on giving, currently I am getting a really smooth smoke, they look awesome and are a really good addition to my collection.

I do have a number of different bongs, of varying sizes, styles and made out of a number of different materials, a far cry from my younger teenage years where my bongs were usually made from things I found around the house! Although I don’t smoke as much as I did when I was a teenager, my tastes have become more refined as has my style and a lot of my bongs are now more for decoration. I have used them all but kept them in good condition and they are all clean to display.

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Relationships

Posted on January 5, 2012 by HippyDave

Down at the pub last night having a catch up with some of my mates who I haven’t seen since before Christmas due to our many family obligations, when one of them posed this question: “Can men and women be just friends?”

Odd question out of the blue really but it turns out his wife is ‘good’ friends with this guy from her work and they often go out for drinks on a lunch and after work. She says they are just good friends but he has some reservations.

I think men and women can be acquaintances but good friends, no (unless one of them is gay) I think no matter what sexual tensions could bubble over if they get too close. I have female acquaintances (wives and girlfriends of my mates) but none are good friends and most I probably wouldn’t be able have much of a conversation with.

Speaking of cheating, apparently the 4th of January is according to experts the worst day of the year for infidelity. People find that Christmas takes a toll on relationships because of the amount of time people are forced to spend together. Also according to law firm Divorce-Online, Facebook was cited as a reason for a third of divorces last year with more and more people using the internet as a way of starting and conducting an affair.

Personal I don’t get it, if I was ever that unhappy with my wife I would leave her rather than cheat on her, plus we actually enjoy spending more time together, the only people we were sick of by the end of Christmas was our families!

I find statistic such as 18.3 per cent of women and 25.4 per cent of men have cheated on their current partner at least once scary, I mean marriage and even a partnership should be with that one person and one person only. Call me old fashion but I do think it’s time people took marriage seriously.

Okay enough of this feminine posting, time to get back to my Xbox and my Christmas goodies……

Posted in Family, Like so deep man | Leave a comment

That’s it for another year

Posted on January 3, 2012 by HippyDave

Well it’s all over and done with now for another year, the decorations are away, most of the chocolates have gone and my waist line is significantly bigger. When I was a young child I would feel sad at this time of year, the fun and excitement was over and although I had the year ahead to look forward to, I always felt like there was something missing once the festive season finished.

Now though I feel glee!

To be honest I have been quite lazy over this festive season, didn’t really leave the house unless it was to catch up down at the local, or fetch some more milk. I have been lucky because I got quite a lot of DVDs for Christmas so I have had plenty to watch on TV. I also got a couple of Xbox games and I also treaded myself to a new laptop so I have had plenty of things to keep me occupied. I have also got quite into playing bingo online, after trying out a couple of new websites (making the most of offers). I seem to have lost count of the number of sites I am now signed up to!

I tend to play on a site until my winnings or deposit run out; I think I have lost more than I have made. Over Christmas I was having fun playing XBingo games, no different really to other sites but some decent prizes. Swapping from site to site does mean it doesn’t get too repetitive and I like to think I am getting good odds although it is hard to tell.

Anyway as we are now in January I thought I might mention New Year’s resolutions, that’s it, I mentioned it – I don’t have any nothing I want to give up or change about myself so not making them and even if there was I doubt I’d stick to them, no one ever really does do they?!

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