So, how was it for you?

Studies suggest that I may have lived in more places than was strictly neccessary this year.

The long-term Timberblog readers among you (and those of you who have gone back to read the archives because you had nothing better to do) will be aware that last December I made some resolutions and predictions. Let's see how they went!

Predictions:
"2006 is going to be an auspicious year"
It was for Reading, who had the best year of their 135 year history.
It was for England, who won the World Cup.*
As for me, I started it living in a cupboard and working as a hotel receptionist. I think we can say things improved.

"[The England cricket team] desperately needs a leg-spinner"
Let's face it, they probably would have done better with me playing. Or at least, no worse.

Resolutions:
"buy a digital camera"
I did this. Success!

"find somewhere, anywhere, where I can play cricket in the Paris region"
I didn't find one, and then moved to Amsterdam. Less successful.

Watch this space for upcoming predictions and resolutions for 2007!

* This did not happen.

Get rich quick scheme

Watney Market.
It's better than Les Halles.

Bear and I took the chance today to explore the local pubbery of Shadwell, looking for somewhere that would be showing the football. The pub at Shadwell station is boarded up, which seemed to rule it out for the time being. So we tried the one at Watney Market. The large England flag on the outside looked vaguely promising. Results were less so. We can, however, heartily recommend it as a place to go out on a Saturday afternoon if you happen to be interested in horse racing and have grey, or no, hair. The jackpot was finally hit at the Hungerford Arms, which is not in Hungerford, and has no arms. We were able to enjoy Charlton - Liverpool, only a couple of miles from the ground itself, surrounded by one bald man in a Liverpool shirt and twenty walking stick wielding grandads talking about the war.

Recommendation: if you ever find yourself in Shadwell, wanting to go out - try Shoreditch.

Meanwhile the boy Eddy has released his CD upon his adoring fans, meaning that tremendous amounts of money will soon be pouring into my French bank account. Those of you based in Britain will have to wait on tenterhooks until Thursday* when you will be able to use your credit cards to download the whole thing from fnac.com, virginmega.fr, and all good online music stores. Just in time for Christmas! And what could make a better stocking filler than 30mb of mp3 goodness?


*Obviously, when he said "21st December, just in time for Christmas", he actually meant 28th December, just in time to be late for Christmas.**
**Ok, now it's "5th January." Moi je jette l'éponge.

Ca va te coûter cher ma petite

I am NOT impressed.

If you have two seconds spare this evening, you may wish to open Google, enter a mild inconvenience into the search box, and click "I'm feeling lucky".

Those responsible for this outrage can expect severe retribution.