The (Sir) Alwaysright Gordon Road Stand Thread

Out and proud !
Yesterday I was in London -- No, not for Gay Pride
I went to Wembley --- actually it was Wembley Arena - to watch an exhibition / competition involving several of the top ' World's Strongest Men.'
One of them was an Amerrican, Rob Kearney. He was introduced to the crowd as the first openly gay Strongest Man !

I have no issues with anyone regarding their sexuality, colour of skin, or what they wear on their face. These matters are individual choices - and as long as each person correctly acknowledges the next person in a civilised manner, then there shouldn't be a problem.

With regards to society's attitude towards 'Gay' people, I will concede that it has taken some time before there is an acceptable level of tolerance and a move away from discrimination, and a need for 'public stoning!' The same could be said about attitude against ethnic minority groups - especially with bigotry fueled by hatred of the colour of someone's skin. With each of the aforementioned groups there is still room for improvement by a section of our society - BUT -

Is it necessary and appropriate for the Gay members of our society to have special events to openly express their sexuality ? I may not discriminate against a gay person - but that doesn't mean that I want to have their preferences literally rammed down my throat every where I turned whilst I was in London. It was as if gay people were using the events of this weekend to deliberately 'outrage' anyone who doesn't share their sexual preference - by public displays of 'affection' towards other gay people.............. if you want to do 'it', do it discretely, or in private - and not make a song and dance about it .........and it really wasn't necessary for the MC at the show to give me the sexual preference of one of the athletes ---why did the MC not give me the same statistic about the other Strongest Men ? --- I guessed that they were probably hetrosexual - without the need to see them display their sexual prowess on a female............................... and the MC made no mention of 'specialness' of one of the other athletes, Mark Felix - just because he had dark colour skin.

I actually thought that, when the MC mentioned that Kearney was 'gay', it inferred that Kearney is not normal ! - and the information to the audience was not relevant to the show.

 

I was given my pre-season warm-up yesterday !!
As I said in my previous post - I went to Wembley Arena. I encountered stewards ( well, at least one ), who was a cut above the normal moron in a Hi Viz jacket that I meet on my Gills 'away' days ( and at Home ! ).
There are metal detectors (( airport style )), just before people enter the Arena. Everyone has their bags 'searched' (( to the usual crap standard of efficiency )), and everyone is asked to place metal items - such as keys and mobile phones in a plastic tray -- which is NOT passed through the detector machine --- you all know how it works !

When it came to my turn, the steward said (( with the least charm possible )) " Put your keys and phone in the tray." I refrained from making a comment about not needing to be told etc. I duly complied - under the watching gaze of Mr. Hi Viz - who then said " Is that all your keys ?" (( he really was leading with his chin !)). My moron alert meter was now registering highly ! - but I still resisted the temptation to say that I don't usually carry more than one set / bunch of keys. Instead I pointed to my keys and said "Yes" - but this 'charity' was wasted. ....The idiot then looked in the tray ((( in which there were ONLY my 4 keys and my mobile phone ))) - before looking at me and asking " What about your phone? " !!!! ---- did this guy know me ? I stood there in disbelief for a few moments - I was almost speechless at the stupidity of his comment --- before deciding to try to match his stupidity with a suitable reply.......... of course that didn't take me very long -- I replied by picking up my mobile phone and thrusting it under the nose of the steward and saying " I'm fairly certain that this mobile- phone-shaped object is a mobile phone -- just in case you didn't know what one looks like."....... I then went through the detector machine -still wearing my belt with it's metal buckle - with my trousers with a metal zip - and NO response from the machine.......... what was the point ? ( apart from winding me up ) (((( and brb can wipe the grin off his face ))))

 

Even more pointless than moronic Hi Viz stewards who don't know what a mobile phone looks like !

As I am busy amusing you all with tales of my exploits to Wembley yesterday (( hoping to repeat the journey next May ! ) - I may as well tell you about another observation ( which I have seen before - but I know I haven't given you my thoughts ).

On the main walkway to ( and from ) Wembley Arena - from Wembley Park tube station --- as people get close to the Arena (( or close to the Tube after a 'show/ event' ), there are several stewards ( with Hi Viz ) who have an extra piece of equipment --- namely a wooden placard - which has either " STOP ' 'PLEASE WAIT' or 'GO' written thereon. ... I know the idea behind these notices - designed to somehow control the flow and number of people at strategic points.--- but --

These guys have ABSOLUTELY NO AUTHORITY to command people to obey the signs ((( even if they had ANY idea as to how to judge when to display the signs ))). These idiots really didn't have a clue as to how to perform their task with even 0.000001% efficiency ! ----- needless to say NOBODY took a blind bit of notice to these chaps --- with perhaps one exception --- I had no problem in obeying the notice of the most pointless of these notices - the one that said " GO "

 

I think I've been abducted by aliens !
I like to think of myself as a fairly rational sort of chap ( except for 90 minutes on a Saturday afternoon ! ) - and I thought I could remember my left hand from my right -- but -- today I had an experience that has caused me to have serious doubts.

I decided to go for a walk - on my own - it allows me to 'explore' at my leisure . I took a direction due North - and crossed the first road I reached - and immediately went into a footpath that dissects two adjoining local schools. I then reached the next road - which I crossed - and was presented with a choice ! There was a bridleway route a few feet from a footpath route -- both were still heading North !

I decided to go via the bridleway - which appeared to be quite long and straight ( still North ). I had never been down this bridleway before - and was enjoying the ramble -- even if I was a little surprised that I didn't seem to be getting anywhere near the end of it............

Eventually there was a clearing to my right ( East ) - and I could see a lot of farmland - which I didn't immediately recognise and I didn't recognise anything in the skyline. As I continued, I came to a bend in the bridleway - going to my right ( East ), and I duly followed the route.

Eventually I reached the end of the bridleway - coming to a main road. At this point I was staggered to find out my location. I was about 2 miles to the West of where the bridleway started-- AND -- despite the fact that I had been walking in a Northerly direction from the very beginning, as I reached the end of the bridleway - I was at a point that was still South of the point where I had entered the bridleway !!!

As I write this load of rubbish I am still at a loss as to how I ended up behind my starting point - If you told me that I had been plucked by aliens and taken for a ride, I may not disbelieve you..........................

............. and btw grumpygit, the only way I would have remembered Lovell's Athletic is if the same aliens had taken me back in time.

 

Don't give it to them - throw the bloody thing away !
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/inmates-handed-cell-keys-prison-reform-l7m77930c

Can I start by saying that I have certain Christian principles of mercy and forgiveness (( not sure if applies to football officials )) - but --
I also have extensive knowledge and dealings of and with the judicial system in this country (I have worked in Crown Courts - and closely with the Director of Public Prosecutions)..... I know exactly how difficult it is for a convicted criminal to receive a custodial sentence. There are so many, many stages that have to be passed before prison is considered - often as a last resort.
In many ( most ) instances, the person being locked up has ( a ) escaped capture several times, ( b ) been 'dealt' with - by other methods -- from informal caution, official caution, fixed penalty fine, a slap on the wrist, conditional discharge, a suspended sentence -- followed by another suspended sentence etc etc --- all of this, and more - after The Crown has been able to secure a conviction ( not helped by bent Lawyers and moronic jurors ), and before the Judge has no other option but to send the accused to prison.

At this stage the convict is a bloody menace to society . They are NOT first, second or third time ( and more ) offenders - and any compassion has long been exhausted - and abused. By the time a person goes to prison, the time has long gone since there is a need to punish - or, at least lock them up - without privileges like a gym ( normal people have to pay for that !! ) - and other 'luxuries,' Far from giving them the key to their cell - lock them up - and throw away the key !

 

I always despair when you see someone pulled over after a high speed chase, they are already suspended from driving, and ignoring it, yet the courts punish them by extending the ban. Now I might be somewhat cynical, but why is someone who drives without a valid licence, tax, insurance, then given the same sentence again, what makes him suddenly decide to obey the law after proving he has total disregard for it.

 

It's a good job I don't take any notice of adverts on television - simples ! BAD, BAD planning ! I suppose that it won't matter too much to Sky - until they get Wimbledon......... I bet it won't be long before tennis goes the same way as Formula 1 and Boxing and Golf and tiddlywinks ! --soon you won't be able to watch The Olympics unless you pay for Sky or BT...............

And when that happens, you will not have the Wimbledon Finals, The British Grand Prix and the Cricket World Cup Final on the same day -- there'll be too much advertising money to grab. As for the public - it's disappointing to have to choose what sport to watch ( I might have to have the Grand Prix on my Tablet whilst the cricket is on my lounge big screen ) (( I could put the tennis on my laptop --- or join Mrs Alwaysright in the bedroom as she watches it in there ( she's got 32" to play with in there ) -- but that could end up with a different type of game if the viewing gets boring ! )).

what the hell are we going to have as adverts after 29th August -- when the bloody PPI deadline is reached -- surely there won't be a different style of 'claimant' ad ??

 

In view of post No 1646 - I need to review my position !
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48975391

It would appear that the safest thing ( for me ), is to lock me up and throwaway the key. Lock up all the victims of crime - and let loose all murderers, rapists, paedophiles, thugs, thieves, robbers, etc.
I defy anyone to employ, as a childminder, anyone who has convictions for assault on a child ( let alone sexual assault ), - regardless of the length of any punishment --- and with the difficulty in achieving a conviction, let alone any decent punishment, if we allow deviants to have their conviction wiped from records, it will be a nightmare scenario.
#onceathiefalwaysathief

 

I know why Gills have to play the first league game of the season 'Away' from home. -- It's because the bloody season tickets are not yet printed !

Yesterday we were in Gillingham, visiting family. Whilst in town I decided to go to the Ground and get my ticket for Doncaster. I also had a look in the Club shop - I quite like the new kit - but decided to not YET get a shirt !
I also enquired about season tickets - but was told they are not yet printed -- despite the fact that Mr.Scally has had my money since April ........ WHY are they not printed ? They are not 'complicated' - they merely have numerical tickets ( not opponents name ). Basically they can be printed much earlier. I would have thought that most people would have decided to renew - or apply long before the end of May - so that THEY can take advantage of discounts ( don't forget that my ST is actually dearer than last season's ) -- SO -- there is no need to delay -- and give the staff grief on the Burton match day. ..... I also would have liked to use one of the few useful 'extras' available to STH - namely the voucher for discounts on merchandise - to use on a new shirt.

In the course of my charitable work, I have to organise the printing of material not dissimilar to our season tickets - I know just how easy and cheap it is ----- there really is no need for any delay..... I asked if the Club could post my ST - because I didn't fancy the scramble that will prevail on 10th August - and I didn't fancy another 100 mile trip just for the book (( especially with the M2 being buggered up for the next few weeks )) --- I was told that the Club would rather not post ST --- because it was too inconvenient................. Oh - I am sorry ( No - I didn't say that ) -- but who would blame me - it's the same every year - take the money from STH - and then do bugger alll to make their life a little less difficult.

 

They are just making sure that the new auto barriers are working before issuing the plastic swipe cards.

 

Do you think you and I ( obviously not brb ), will live long enough to see our new stadium ?

 

I plan to live until I'm a centenarian so if they get their finger out I might just see it.

 

Snowflakes in July --- I know how he feels (( sometimes you can't do right for doing wrong -- whatever that is supposed to mean )) ------ this guy could have been me !

Last night I played indoor bowls with a group of friends. Nothing competitive - just a friendly 'roll-up.' There were people on the other rinks next to us. Usually the participants remain fairly quiet - etiquette dictates certain observances of rules - and noise is one of them.
There are other forms of game etiquette that are expected --- such as not interfering with the player on the mat - especially to stand BEHIND the player as they bowl - so as to not distract their attention.
After over an hour had elapsed, there was an audible 'discussion' between two players on the next rink. A chap was on the mat - ready to bowl - but had stopped and spoke to a woman ( in his group ) - who was standing only a couple of feet away from him - AND - just slightly ahead of 'level' with him. She would definitely have interfered with his peripheral vision.
As I waited my turn to bowl, I was watching play on this rink - and then heard the chap say to the woman " Can you please stand a little further back - I can see you in the corner of my eye." This request was polite and with manners. The woman's reaction was puzzling. She responded " It was a joke." ( I couldn't see what was funny ! ).
The chap then replied " Well, OK, but I am asking you nicely to now stand behind my eye line." The woman repeated "It was a joke, what's wrong with you." !!!
I have got to admire the chap's patience -and calmness. He said " OK, you've had your fun. I'm not going to bowl any more until you get behind me. " The woman still excused her stupidity - she again said " It's a joke, can't you take a joke ?." The guy said " You've been standing in my eye line for most of the game - now you're saying it was deliberate - and no longer funny. You know the etiquette rules - and I have asked you to please stop."

At this point it was my turn to bowl - but I was now interested to see if the guy's next bowl was going to be a googly ! I kept an eye out on the next rink for the rest of the evening. As the woman changed ends with the rest of the group ( at the far end of the rink ), it was obvious that she said something about this incident - which then resulted in the others in the group giving her hugs ( in sympathy ? ). This was repeated during other changes of ends until the match / roll up ended.

Although I wasn't able to hear what the woman told the rest of her group - it was obvious from their sympathetic type of reaction, that she must have looked for some sympathy - and got it ! ---- pathetic ! At the end of the session, the group on the next rink collected their bowls and were leaving the area of play - when the chap told the others his version of the event - including his polite request. He said that he had done nothing wrong, nor was rude to the woman when he spoke to ask her to stand behind him as he bowled (( I felt for the guy - but decided not to get involved )). The woman replied " Remind me not to play with you again."

I'm fairly sure I got 99% of what occurred. If the woman was having a 'joke', the guy didn't see the funny side - but his reaction was quite calm. He obviously allowed the woman her 'fun' - but it was more than reasonable to ask her to stop. He definitely wasn't rude to her . She may have been disappointed that her joke wasn't appreciated - but her reaction to the guy's request clearly shows that she doesn't know she wasn't funny. Goodness knows how Mrs Snowflake would have reacted if the guy had tried to be funny with her ! ------ bowls is not a boring game - I hope they come along next week.

 

I know more than the Talktalk technical advice team ( but - that doesn't mean I'm intelligent ! )
Apart from the misery of being a Gills fan, I am a customer of Talktalk. I get their TV package via a Youview box. Three days ago, my television suddenly stopped working. The screen displayed a message stating that the signal was lost. I tried to rectify the problem as best as I could - but wasn't being helped by the fact that the Youview box wasn't responding to the remote control. ( new batteries didn't work )........... everything I tried failed - I was forced to contact Talktalk for help ! Have you ever tried that ? - Pulling out your own teeth would be less painful !
The Talktalk 'engineer' asked me to perform all sorts of functions - - you know the sort -- switch off, wait 30 seconds, switch on, change batteries, stand in a bowl of boiling water ! There were only two functions that he didn't ask -- one of them was to insert the television aerial cable into my arse !
I stated that the television works fine when I remove the aerial cable from the Youview box - and insert it directly into the television - but fails when the cable is put into the Youview box - indicating that it may be the box that is faulty. The 'engineer' said he didn't know why that is happening - and that an engineer will have to visit me to fix the problem - for which I will be charged. I told the guy that I will expect a refund for the time that I am without my youview reception.!
After I had finished talking to the 'engineer', I had a 'brainwave'! The TV set wasn't responding to the Youview remote control - this had to be the problem - the TV 'source' wasn't correct ? - connection via a HDMI cable - AND the source must have changed - otherwise I would NOT have been able to get a reception when I put the cable directly into the television !...... technically there was no logic to this - because I had done nothing to change the 'source' - but when I used the remote control for my television, I was surprised to see that the source had somehow changed. I returned the source to it's correct setting - and hey presto - everything works !
You might ask why didn't I try this resolution before I called Talktalk - but - I had no reason to suspect that the source had changed - but- surely the 'engineer' would have thought of the situation............ now - where are my pliers - I 've got a toothache !

 

Talktalk strike again ! -- NO- NOT my television.
They say that misery loves company - well Talktalk certainly know how to spread the 'love.'

Yesterday an elderly neighbour ( not the one obsessed with my windows ), called me on her mobile. She was in a state - her phones kept giving her an engaged tone - and she couldn't make them stop. She sounded distressed - and being only a few doors away, I went around to help her.
At this point I will disclose that she is a customer of ------ well - you already know !
We tried to resolve the issue -- you know - switch off, wait 30 seconds, switch on, unplug, replug ( no such word ), change batteries, stand in a bowl of boiling water - but - nothing worked.
I was forced to contact Talktalk. I gave the personal details of my neighbour to the Talktalk 'engineer' - including her address, and, of course, her landline phone number (( needed to verify her account )). The 'engineer' then asked me to repeat all the remedial actions that I had already performed - but still no change - still the engaged tone beeped out !
After trying everything that he could think of, the'engineer' said he couldn't help - and gave me another telephone number - for a team of 'experts' at Talktalk --- I ACTUALLY LAUGHED - then apologised for my hysteria.
So - I gave the number a ring. I got a pre recorded message - It asked for the number experiencing the 'problem' - then press #
After I had followed this instruction, I got another message saying that essential upgrading work was being conducted in my neighbour's area - and that this would affect telephone landlines until approximately 8am today !!!
So -- why didn't the bloody 'engineer' know that when I gave him the phone number ?
.............by 8am today the phone was working properly again ---- but I suspect that the brain of the Talktalk engineer is permanently engaged with his arse !

 

Always,
I am surprised that you believed the normal guff, that calling the engineer, means you're talking to an engineer.
Standard practice at most companies is for you to get through to a switchboard, whilst very polite, they are actually just reading from a prompt card, switch it off, switch it on etc.
once the prompt card has failed they have to transfer you onto someone with a few more brain cells.

 

grumpygit - I didn't assume anything ( hence the inverted commas ) - maybe I should edit my last line - and remove one word, 'engineer' - it would still be factually correct !

 

If your neighbour has a mobile why does she need a landline phone, i thought they were becoming obsolete it's not good to talk anymore....118 118

 

brb - she doesn't have the internet - only needs a landline for calls - which she makes to her ( internetless ) friends - a lot of who do not have a mobile phone ! These type of calls are cheaper for the old folk - and come with huge buttons ((( I'm surprised you had to ask )))