COUNTRY

Once again I've neglected this blog. One reason is because I've recently got really into NBA basketball, despite the season just ending and the next one in jeopardy and I've been spending a lot of time reading about it and playing NBA2K11. Pathetic I know.

I might try a bit harder to update.

Phrases from How I Met Your Mother which are awesome:

Awesome

Suit Up!

A gentleman's agreement

Legen - wait for it - dary

Challenge accepted

Phrases from How I Met Your Mother which are not awesome:

Lawyered

I am a big fan of football, and this has increased since working on it. There are many minutes of downtime and although the internet is my oyster at this time, I tend to veer towards football sites as it doesn't look too untoward doing that when working on England and Manchester United.

Here is my assessment on the forthcoming season (this should really happen at the end of July but it's interesting to do it before the transfers start)

Arsenal: I like Arsenal, in particular Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere (please stay out of trouble). They need a centre back and for Fabregas to both stay and want to stay. If not, promote Aaron Ramsey and get a cheap midfielder as back up. They should probably buy a £20m striker too.

Aston Villa: It go to shit this year. Ashley Young is going, Stuart Downing wants to go and Darren Bent won't be too happy if they both leave. Hiring Alex McLeish will be a mistake. The fans should have shut up and let them hire Steve McLaren. I think he's alright.

Blackburn: Going down. Steve Kean will last about 6 games tops. They'll need to ditch him before the transfer window shuts.

Bolton: If they don't get Daniel Sturridge back they might struggle. Kevin Davies is aging and Gary Cahill should go to Arsenal if he knows what's good for him.

Chelsea: They'll do well if they get Hiddink. I really want Torres to come good. Get rid of Drogba but he is their best players. Not sure Neymar will really help. They need to look at bargains in the Rafael Van der Vaart vein.

Everton: Same old, finish about 8th. Moyes needs to kick around so he can become Man Utd manager in few years.

Fulham: Martin Jol is alright. I like Bobby Zamora and Clint Dempsey. I like Fulham. Here's hoping they do ok.

Liverpool: Could be a 4th place push this year. Carroll is great as is Suarez. Keep them fit and with Gerrard returning could be a big season. They need a centre back though.

Man City: If Tevez goes they could be screwed. Adebayor coming back might be ok but Tevez runs that club. He's a selfish player but he's amazing. I don't tip them for greatness this season but they will be a better unit than last season. I hope Balotelli comes good. We need players like that.

Man Utd: Booo! Stopped having any feelings for them since the Wayne Rooney debacle of last year, and don't get me started on Ryan Giggs. They need a central midfield quick smart and to start winding Rio Ferdinand down.

Newcastle: They'll need to spend that Carroll money wisely.

Norwich: Probably going down but we'll see what they bring. Don't really know anything about them.

QPR: The team to watch, on and off the pitch. Expect some marquee signings (probably the +30s) and Warnock to not last until Christmas. I hope they stay up and do well.

Stoke: Same old but Might have to stop relying on Delap as he's about 50.

Sunderland: It will be good if they get that Man Utd trio of Brown, O'Shea and Gibson. Gibson might come good in the hole left by Henderson. He's not United quality but he's better than a lot of the exits in previous years, namely Jonathan Greening.

Swansea: Who knows. Apparently they play quick attacking football.

Spurs: Might have to get a striker and ditch Crouch. Pavluychenko has shown he's the best striker there but you can't rely on Van der Vaart. And for god's sake, play Kyle Walker instead of Assou-Ekkoto, possibly the worst full back in the league.

WBA: Woy's steadied the ship. Good on him. Here's hope they stay up.

Wigan: Martinez may regret his decision. He'll get money from N'Zogbia but another dogfight is on the cards.

Wolves: Surely going down.

Today I finished my latest work stint. During the week I learned about who the captains of four international cricket teams are and wrote a brief history on the hat-trick in one-day international cricket.

As I was leaving I was given by the editor, Colin; a man whose face resembled that of Bret Mackenzie and wore his bald head with the most panache I have ever seen. He told me that NFL was his favourite thing in the world, and I respected him for that.

The pretty Canadian girl, who is always impeccably well dressed, was not so well dressed today. Her outfits are amazing and puts any woman who wears jeans and a top to shame. I feel as though I should dress up more myself.

'Discovered' the new Eisley album. It goes into the new playlist alongside City & Colour.

After three days working on the cricket programmes, I might be actually alright at what I'm doing at the moment. Add that to being asked back to FA and a good 8 weeks work set up, I might actually have found myself a new career. Whoopdedoop.

Had a dream with JS in it. I was a writer (am I?) and had to do a feature in The Sunday Times style section about her. She was some sort of domestic goddess and was being photographed in a kitchen but I was told she categorically had to wear yellow and it had to be in the pictures. We put her in a yellow 50s style dress and she posed a lot. Then I woke up.

Went to the England game yesterday courtesy of PF. Took TM and I think he enjoyed it. England looked knackered. I would say to ditch the two centre-backs, especially Ferdinand, but there isn't anyone strong enough to go in there who you wouldn't think would be always liable to make a mistake. Ferdinand, Lampard and Gerrard will probably all retire after Euro 2012 so we might as well let them play on.

I like the Coldplay single, although I know they are capable of so much more. It's a bit Strawberry Swing, which was my least favourite song off the last album.

Haven't used my cheese grater yet.

I've awoken this morning very excited about things.

I'm excited about not working for the rest of this week.

I'm excited about the new Coldplay single.

I'm excited about my new cheese grater.

I'm excited about seeing Jerry Seinfeld on Friday.

I'm excited about seeing X Men First Class tomorrow.

I'm excited about being single.

I'm excited about getting back to my book.

I'm excited about buying some new clothes.

I'm excited about finding out which Olympic tickets I got.

Pic from Ira

Can't even remember where I got up to.

Had a great Quaite session on Sunday. A whole script edited and recorded with zero fuss. Just took about 5 hours that's all. Now we see what OR comes up with on the edit. It will be great to see/hear a rough cut.

Got some fortuitous work yesterday. Going to be at Four Four Two magazine for three weeks. JK said to try and get more week for the time in between but I'm looking forward to the time off.

I found out the Jim Fletcher died this morning. Very sad. DR sounded pretty heartbroken as you can imagine. I will be seeing him on Saturday.