Doncaster Rovers v Swansea

Am on my way home now after watching the Swans hammer Donny 4 nil.

I've uploaded 5 videos from the game onto YouTube - enjoy them as they show 3 of our 4 goals.

Swansea v Crewe

The Swans recorded their seventh straight home league win which sees them move 8 points clear at the top of league one.

The only blot on the game for me was conceding a sloppy injury time goal, thus making the 2-1 scoring somewhat flattering to Crewe. 22-1 would have been a fairer reflection on the game to be honest!!

It was the same old story really as the Swans created and squandered numerous chances.

My man of the match - as per Saturday - was the diminitive but bullish Leon Britton. A close second was the lawnmower man ('cos he covers every blade of grass) Darren Pratley.

More from me later as I'm in the queue of traffic leaving the liberty stadium at the moment!

Shunting cars

I don't if it's me but there seems to have been one hell of a lot of road traffic accidents in the Swansea area over the last couple of weeks.

This week alone I've seen (well driven past) at least 5 accidents, all of which appeared to be shunts. All of this has been whilst driving approximately 12 miles a day (roundtrip) to work and back. That's a lot of RTA's for such a short distance.

Perhaps the poor visibility and saturdated road surfaces haven't helped matters or maybe that's just a coincidence. There's no doubting that drivers appear to be driving faster and in some cases tailgating more than ever before. A reflection of the ever increasing pressure on people to be at destinatation A before X time perhaps? Let's face it, life today is a hell of a lot quicker than it used to be. That's no excuse mind you for being aware of what's going on around you - especially whilst behind the wheel.

Talking of saturation, it's quite astonishing to think how much rain we've already had this month and with some the forecast being for up to 4" of rain over the next couple of days, it's little wonder that Janaury 2008 is heading for the wettest January since records began in 1914.

How many forum users.....

Someone sent me this little gem via email today, I'm sure you'll all agree it's pretty much spot on!

How many forum members does it take to...

1 to change the light bulb and to post that the light bulb has been changed

14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed differently

7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs

6 to argue over whether it’s “lightbulb” or “light bulb” …

another 6 to condemn those 6 as stupid

2 industry professionals to inform the group that the proper term is “lamp”

15 know-it-alls who claim they were in the industry, and that “light bulb” is perfectly correct

19 to post that this forum is not about light bulbs and to please take this discussion to a light bulb forum

11 to defend the posting to this forum saying that we all use light bulbs and therefore the posts are relevant to this forum

36 to debate which method of changing light bulbs is superior, where to buy the best light bulbs, what brand of light bulbs work best for this technique and what brands are faulty

5 People to post pics of their own light bulbs

15 People to post “I can’t see S$%^!” and their own light bulbs

7 to post URL’s where one can see examples of different light bulbs

4 to post that the URL’s were posted incorrectly and then post the corrected URL’s

13 to link all posts to date, quote them in their entirety including all headers and signatures, and add “Me too”

5 to post to the group that they will no longer post because they cannot handle the light bulb controversy

4 to say “didn’t we go through this already a short time ago?”

13 to say “do a search on light bulbs before posting questions about light bulbs”

1 to bring politics into the discussion by adding that George W. isn’t the brightest bulb.

4 more to get into personal attacks over their political views.

1 moderator to lock the light bulb thread.

1 forum lurker to respond to the original post 6 months from now and start it all over again.

Funny but true!

Cheap flights and cheap holidays

Are you feeling deflated after the festive season and in need of a tonic to get you out of the new year blues? Well Expedia are offering discounts of 30% on flights, hotels and package holidays on their Blue Sky Specials, so what better way to cheer yourself than with a holiday.

So if you're are after a cheap long haul flight to Australia or even New York - why not take a look at Expedia, you might just be surprised at how good a deal you get.

Marks and Spencers

After reading the BBC's article online about "retailers suffer after M&S slump", I couldn't help but chuckle given the recent experience I had at the hands of the Marks and Spencers sale.

Here we were on Christmas Day (yes sad I know) shelling out almost £300 in the M&S sale only to find days later an email arrive from M&S stating ...

Dear Customer,

Thanks for your recent order.

We experience extremely high levels of demand during the M&S SALE and occasionally items sell out as other orders for them are in the process of being placed - orders are confirmed on a first come first served basis. As a result we're sorry to tell you that since your order was placed, one or more of the items you ordered are out of stock. These items have now been cancelled from your order and will not be visible in your online account.

Obviously you have not been charged for any of these out of stock items. Please check your online account to view any remaining items that will be sent to you.

We apologise for any disappointment this may cause. If you have any questions about your order, please feel free to call us on 0845 609 0200. If you are calling from overseas please call us on +44 1925 672 317.

Kind regards

Customer Services

Eventually I got my order, but the value had shrunk to under £200!

If we take a cynical view of this episode, surely M&S must have some idea of their stock levels PRE-SALE? And as a result you'd expect that their website (which is driven by Amazon I hasten to add) is capable of keeping tabs on stock levels. A quick google around finds that I'm not the only one who's suffered this fate.

I mean the Christmas season does come around the same time year in year out doesn't it? So you'd expect them to be stocked up to the hilt. Or maybe I'm just expecting too much *sigh*

I know the BBC article refers to the high street in particular and that the M&S online effort was indeed up on previous years. BUT for me profit and sales to any business are it's bread and butter regardless of the channel (high street, web, phone, whatever) used surely?

Little wonder then with retailers being unable to fulfill orders online (or not) that they'll lose money.

Back in school

I'm glad to report that DDWT Junior's first day back in school went without a hitch - thankfully! He even managed to be the first one there which was a surprise.

Perhaps what was more surprising however was that at least six new classmates joined today - taking the number in attendance up to around 20. A number - in my opinion - which is quite small even if the class is only a nursery one. Not that I'm complaining of course :)

It's quite weird actually that as first time parents we often think is it only us who has a child that perhaps (delete as appropriate).... doesn't sleep through, won't eat fruit, doesn't like vegetables, has tantrums, etc, etc.

Then, as I have today, you strike up a conversation with work colleagues about said topic and guess what - yes indeed, they have exactly the same problems as us. Will we ever remember that when we're faced with the same dilemma next time? I doubt it. Human nature eh.

Firebox.com Sale

Those lovely guys and gals at Firebox.com - which incidentally is the best place to find the very latest high quality gadgets, games and boys´ toys - are having a sale. The Firebox sale is not just any old sale either, it's an up to 50% off sale.



I've treated myself to a remote control aeroplane! But what are you going to treat yourself to in the Firebox.com sale?

2 more games...

... and the Swans could be at wembley. Yes it's true, tonight's 1 nil victory over Brighton means we're into the Southern area final of that illustrious cup competition they call the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Quite simply, if we beat Paul Ince's MK Dons over the 2 leg final we're at the NEW wembley - how cool would that be. Just to make matters all the more intriguing a certain Willy Gueret now plays for the Dons. I'd sacrifice it all for a place in the Championship next season though.

I still can't get back into the routine of work. I know it's only been two days, but it feels like I've undergone a lifestyle change!! Hopefully my body clock will have re-adjusted by next week, 'cos at the moment I feel like a zombie and quite possibly look like one too.

With DDWT Junior returning to school tomorrow, I just hope he doesn't suffer from the same effects as me. We have tried to get into the school routine over the last few days though to try and help the process, so we'll see if it's worked in the morning. Here's hoping :)

Road to/from hell?

Today is my first day back in work after my 2 week festive holiday and unsurprisingly I've been faced with a deluge of email and voicemail. Typically this usually means I can kiss goodbye to the best part of the day as I trawl through what I've been sent. This process usually reveals that 70% of the stuff is crap and I can either simply delete or ignore it. It begs the question I guess of how did we manage before the advent of email, etc. Ah yes I remember, a mound of scribbled notes on my desk ;)

And what with no lunchtime training to look forward to for a few weeks, the days ahead are going to feel rather long and increasingly frustrating no doubt. Just what you need before a nice slow commute home via Oystermouth Road - which just happens to be at the centre of 13 weeks of roadworks commencing today I hasten to add! Now, where did I leave my bike...

I'm currently wasting the bandwidth (LOL) of work's internet connection listening to Radio 5 Live in readiness for the FA Cup 4th round draw. Hopefully the Swans will get a decent draw and then go on and paste the cloggers from Havant & Waterlooville in their 3rd round replay on January 16th. Let's hope that Stuart Atwell isn't reffing that game shall we!

It's all over

We've had another busy day really even without leaving our humble abode, although the general mood has been of the bah humbug variety - due to me having to return to work tomorrow.

I can't believe how quickly the past 2 weeks have gone by, but having said that it does feel like a lot longer, so that can only be good news and means that I've switched off from work and chilled out completely :)

So how have I spent my last day of the holidays? Well, I've put up our new bathroom cabinet, got a load of stuff ready for a trip to the civic amenity site, sorted out the paperwork in the office (@ home) and played Lego/Hotwheels/Leapfrog Clickstart - oh and cooked a lamb dinner which was lush (from what the Mrs tells me).

I also decided to weigh myself just to see what impact the festive season and the injury enforced absence from training had on my body. The result was 17st 3lbs, which isn't as bad as I'd feared but means I have work to do, i.e. lots of walking and a keener eye on my diet!

Talking of health 'ish matters, my severe bout of man flu (LOL) seems to be getting better by the day - aided admirably by some vicks (no not the rub on variety) but the liquid type.

I decided to give it a try a few months back when I had the most irritating dry cough. I found that the honey soothed my throat and obviously the cough syrup did the rest. So here's a tip for any guys with man flu, get yourself some vicks and some extra strong menthol lyptus - that'll get rid of the flu, as for the rest of it, well try a good lads mag, Sky sports and some over-egged "I feel terrible" ramblings to the better half. It usually works :)

Swansea v Havant & Waterlooville

The FA Cup 3rd round came to the liberty stadium today - but it was more akin to a library if the truth be known - with the Swans entertaining the Hawks in the tradition of David v Goliath fa cup ties.

The whole event, if you could call it that, was in stark contrast to the last game at the liberty and certainly paid testament to that old adage that "football's a funny old game".

The Swans performance wasn't up to the standard or tempo of the recent home games - not through a lack of motivation - but due to a change in personnel (in my opinion). Despite missing several 1st team regulars, the Swans created a glut of chances and were once again guilty of missing them - including hitting the bar 3 times.

In fact from what I've seen read, this has been the case with all of this season's FA cup game - lots of chances, but a lack of finishing being the problem (the home game against Horsham being the exception).

As for the Hawks, well they posed little threat in all honesty with only Alfie Potter and Rocky Baptiste standing out. Fair play to their 300 odd fans though, they seemed to enjoy their day and sang pretty much throughout the game - without really having much to cheer until the goal.

I'll summarise with a few points and food for thought - as there is little really to write about the actual game:

• Send Amankwaah out on loan with a view to letting him go, he's not up to the task and hasn't been since he joined.

• Robbo - grow up and ignore the cheap shots dished out by non-league footballers. Who's the professional?

• Butler - do you know how to try and pass a man on the outside? The shuffle and coming inside is now getting a wee bit predictable.

• Kev Austin is no central defender - please keep him at left back.

• Tatey is becoming a liability. Discipline? What's that.

• Darryl Duffy needs some match time as he's lacking sooooo much confidence.

• Little Leon - my MOM today, ran his heart out.

• The Hawks, please try and play football at the replay not waste time... constantly. Oh and leave the clogs behind next time - it's football we're playing not kicking lumps out of each other.
  
  
• Justin Gregory (Hawks No. 2) - I can see why you don't play professional football son. Cheap shots behind the ref's back or off the ball don't go unnoticed. Marcos Painter's got your number btw.
  
  
• Gouging isn't part of football - is it? Swansea are the one's in white btw and that's Daryl Duffy almost losing his eye!
  
  

• Stuart Atwell - go back to whatever you did before, as you don't have a clue how to referee a football game. That's two games you f*cked up down the liberty this season with sendings off now.

Well I think that's about it from me really. As I said, it's just my personal take on what I wished I hadn't seen today, but hey that's what following your team is about isn't it. You take the rough with the smooth. I'll always be Swansea 'til I die.

Time to take them down

Yes indeed, with the festive season now well and truly over it was time to take down the Christmas deccies and pack them away in the loft for another 12 months. The task didn't go off without some rumblings of discontent from DDWT Junior however, his mutterings only being calmed by the promise of baloons et al for his 4th birthday next week.

In fact the whole day has been a rather busy affair. We've had umpteen deliveries - Next sale, M&S sale, Toys'R'Us sale, etc and my dad having to go back to hospital due to some post-operation problems (which thankfully turned out to be ok). Mrs DDWT got a few bits and bobs for DDWT Junior's birthday - whilst I built aeroplanes, buses, robots and such like out of lego (in between watching Tom & Jerry, Scooby Doo and Go Diego Go). I also somehow managed to find the time to repair a broken toilet seat, don't ask.

Our movie watching ritual has continued into the new year, with us watching 'The Sentinel' last night. Quite a decent movie really, but how corny is it that Michael Douglas should be having an affair with Kim Basinger eh?!?! Must have been something to do with his self-confessed addiction to sex - and here was me thinking that's normal behaviour ;)

It's the turn of 'The Da Vinci Code' tonight .....

IWOOT Discount Code

Anyone looking for an 'I Want One Of Those' (IWOOT) discount code will be chuffed with this £5 saving off a £20 spend. What's even better is that it doesn't expire until October 2008 - now that's handy isn't it :)



So if you really want one of those, you'd better head off to IWOOT and use the discount code!

Heartbeat

Mrs DDWT visited the midwife today for the 16 week progress chat and had the opportunity to hear the baby's heartbeat for the very first time. It was beating away at a steady old pace and could be heard as clear as anything.

I was gutted to have had to miss it, but suffering from man flu and having to babysit DDWT Junior meant that it was easier for us to stay at home, whilst the Mrs went about her business.

The next big date is near the end of January now when we go for the 20 week scan - which means we should be able to have a scan picture to bring home with us, or at least that's what we're hoping for.

On the subject of babies (well toddler in fact), we weighed DDWT Junior this morning and he's now 3st 1lb quite a weight for someone who's only a 10 days short of being 4 years old.

Dixons Discount Codes

Dixons have several discount codes available at the moment, so I hope you'll find them useful. All of these Dixons discount codes are valid until January 31st 2008.

Jan10 - £10 off a spend of over £249
Jan20 - £20 off a spend of over £499
Jan40 - £40 off a spend of over £999

With the Dixons sale currently being on, the voucher codes above might come in very handy!



The following Dixons discount codes are also available until January 31st.

10BWASH - 10% discount off built in and integrated laundry
10BDISH - 10% discount off built in and integrated dishwashers
10BFRIDGE - 10% discount off built in and integrated refrigeration
10BGAS - 10% discount off built in and integrated gas hobs
10BELECTRIC - 10% discount off built in and integrated electric hobs
10BOVENS - 10% discount off built in and integrated ovens

JANHOTPOINT - 5% discount
JANBEKO - 5% discount
JANHOT - 5% discount
JANHOOVER - 5% discount

You'd better be quick though as they say this is the biggest Dixons sale EVER!

Knee ligament damage

My worst fears were confirmed today when I visited my local GP - whom happens to be a sports injury specialist - with the news that I've damaged my medial collateral ligament and possibly the cartilage.

The actual injury occurred way back in November and I've obviously aggrievated it further by trying to do the odd bit of training now and then - rather than resting it completely. What's next for me, well I'm to give it another 2 to 3 weeks complete rest and if it's still playing up, I'll be referred to an orthopedic surgeon for the magic eye.

It's not really the start to 2008 I was hoping for and I can now only hope that a proper rest will aid the recovery. Having said that, I'm not overly optimistic or positive about the situation, as the GP pointed out these sorts of injuries usually mean some form of permanent damage and as a result, the weakness will now be with me for good.

To add insult to injury I've also now seem to gave caught THE cold that everyone else in the family, work, community, wherever has had. So I'm a right bundle of laughs at the moment as you can imagine.

Canon Pixma MP600

Back in early December I'd bought a brand spanking new Canon Pixma MP600 multifunction colour printer, as our old Brother laserjet printer was on its last legs. At the time it was a bargain at £94 from Argos and I was chuffed to bits - especially after reading such a positive review of it in PC Pro magazine.

So here I find myself a few weeks on with a constant 'U150 - The following ink tank cannot be recognized' errors, meaning I can't use the darn printer and as a result have an outstanding support call to Canon to "sort it out".

My frustation - anger? - is compounded by the fact that a quick search on Google reveals numerous other people having the same problems, which to me indicates a design fault with the MP600 (and the ink tray in particular). Don't these companies test their products stringently enough before releasing them for general sale?

Huh, some start to the new year eh!?

Happy New Year

Happy New year to you and best wishes for 2008!

The house of DDWT hasn't long surfaced this morning after an unexpected late night - the plan was to go to bed early after having a few too many late nights th elast few weeks. We ended up seeing in the new year watching 'Hot Fuzz' - having now become fans of Simon Pegg since watching him on the Jonathan Ross show a few weeks back. Now there's a guranteed laugh for you!

The plan for today is to welcome in the new year with a nice walk along the river tawe and Swansea valley canal. You simply can't beat the fresh air and some exercise :)