Injuries and pub quizzes...

Last Thursday, saw Rangers get their 3rd win on the trot, however, it came at a cost. A recurrence of the injury I picked up just before I went away on my hols. Fell awkwardly on my right ankle, swelling up like a balloon.

A visit to Stepping Hill and I was diagnosed with ligament damage, without much or an examination to be honest. And we were seen quite quickly too, have to say all my experiences with the NHS have been very favorable.

Downside is I have to rest it for 2 weeks so no more footy and annoyingly no more strenuous training runs before the Great North Run. That is the biggest worry. I'm up to 7.5-8 miles at the mo and reckon with adrenaline and the thrill of the moment I could push to 10. Its finding it for that last 3.1 that's going to be the problem.

The swelling has gone down significantly though since Thursday, and I reckon I may push myself for a run in a week and a half, just to keep in the rhythm. Im planning to go swimming too ovr the next few weeks, keept the movement there.

Went to Charlottes at the weekend, helped put up some flatpack furniture which wasnt that difficult surprisingly. Also, watched alot of cricket. Great game, great series though England did their best to contrive to lose it!!

Sunday night and me and Charlotte went to the local pub in Cockerham, owned by some famous jockey who is best mates with Michael Owen. Won the pub quiz on the tie break too, which was nice. £20 covered our drinks and then some!!

Thats all folks!

The scurge of racism...

On Saturday night I was subject to some very hurtful racial abuse. Trying to get into the club/bar Paparazzi in Manchester at the Print Works, I was rejected because I was "too dark"!

One of the more bizarre reasons for being rejected, and it was in reference to my clothes, but still seemed quite stupid! This had come after J had been turned down for Tiger Tiger for having shoes that looked vaguely like Rockports! What is the world coming to I tell you!The ironic thing it was 3 big black bouncers wearing all black who denied me!!I may go back wearing the KKK traditional outfit and see if they let me in then!!

Good night on Saturday all told though, as we had a curry in Rusholme and headed to a few bars in town for J's birthday. His mates had come along from uni and there were 10 or so of us. A bit of standing in the cold whilst we decided on a plan, but ended up in Walkabout dancing wildly with Shiz to Mr Brightside by Killers. Excellent tune!!

Sunday, went to see Unleashed with Jet Li (not with Jet Li, went with Charlotte...Jet Li was in it!:))at the cinema. Now I'm not usually one for martial arts films but this one had a bit more depth to it and was very enjoyable. Morgan Freeman and Bob Hoskins (!) were excellent, as was Jet Li.

Good run on Monday too, not interupted by a bee sting this time, but having to witness a bump on Jacksons Lane. Stopped to give my details as a witness but the pause threw my rhythem! Got it back though for one of my best runs of recent months. Arrived home to find my number for the GNR had arrived too! 16055!!! Keep an eye out for me as I romp home!!

What a difference a week makes...

Well, a little while since my last post.

A few interesting things have happened that I will inform you about.

Went to Justin and El's house warming party in Cheddercheese, very nice little house and plenty to drink by all. Worked my way through many cans and played some amusing drinking games. Belly didn't manage to undress himslelf though, which may have been a blessing!!

Carried on the running in the week, and it gets harder the more I run it seems, especially in this heat. I only hope it cools in time for the big one!

Been to see the Island at the cinema which was decent, though not enough of Michael Clark Duncan or Steve Buscemi and too much of Ewan McGregor. The guy can't really act, and we saw as much in Star Wars. Also, saw Crash which by comparison was superb, one of the best films of the year so far. Great cast and plot twists and a very intelligent drama. If you get a chance, go see...

And, amazingly the Rangers picked up another win! Two on the bounce now. Great team performance and showed what we can do when we put our hearts into it. Report will be on the blog shortly.

Off to TGI Fridays tomorrow for John's birthday meal with the folks. Not been for a while but its always a good atmosphere if not a tad OTT. Then County on Sat and into Manchester for some drinks.

Best thing of the week was that Charlotte got home from her hols in Scandinavia. She is coming down for the Manchester do which is excellent. Missed her alot and very jealous that she got an extra holiday! Damn teachers!:)

TTFN!

Mini's Jog Blog!:)

Well, managed to cram in my 2nd 7.5-8 mile run of the week in today, and Im quite chuffed with myself for picking up the distance. Only about 40 days to the big run now so need to start making in roads into that 13.1 miles.

However, my run was interupted at the early stages by an angry wasp/bee which decided to depsoit it's sting in my left leg. Not only duid theis upset my stride it didnt half sting for the rest of the run. Strangely, didnt put me off tho, and seemed to invigorate me. Maybe I will inflict many bee/wasp stings on me before the Great Noth Run!!

Also, tied my trainer too tight gain and lost sensation in my left foot at about the 4 mile stage. A quick readjustment and it was OK. I really need to find optimum tightness.

This came the day after a 5 hr round trip in the evening to watch County lose to Darlington. Slightly disappointing and fears of a continued downward spiral are creeping in. Still early days yet tho..

Start of Lost on TV tonight. Promises to be a good show. Thats all for now folks. Probably some info after the Rangers game tomorrow.

Adios.

County, Rangers and all that jazz...

Well, twas a busy weekend for Mini, cramming in the Rangers end of season awards on the Friday night, County on the Saturday afternoon, family meal ojn the Saturday evening, cinema on the Sunday lunch time and the Community Shield on Sunday afternoon.

Awards were fun as usual. A run down of the awards is on the Rangers blog. I was happy to pick up the Golden Boot again,a nd joint goal of the season. These awards came after an atrocious dstart to the new season. A heavy defeat, aslo reported on the Rangers blog.

The highlight of the evening was Piggy getting beaten at pool by a woman. Cheering and jeering every shot, even some of the locals came to watch to see what all the commotion was! Hilarious!

Russ picked up the coveted Anton Lowe Memorial Award with special features. Details and pictures are on his blog.

County on Saturday was well anticipated. Start of a new era and campaign with the fans as new owners. Was old manager and probably most hated man at County CArlton Palmer who returned with Mansfield. A 2-2 draw was about the right result. MAtch report on County's web site and discussion on the message board.

A meal for our Aunty's 40th birthday at the Village Hotel in Hyde in the evening was very pleasant. Stuffed myslef with the beloved rack of ribs! Nice and messy, how I like it! Good night out!

A graet thing on Sunday, England levelled it in the Ashes1 Took it tright to the wie as England seem to do in every sport! 3 runs from defeat but we managed to do it. Flintoff the hero, outstanding with bat and ball. The new Botham some say! Reports on BBC Sport.

Went to the cinema and saw Stealth. Decent enough. Blowing stuff up and shooting and fast things. Glaring plot holes but a decent romp. But they really need some new Orange adverts. Darth is getting repetative now!!

Community Shield - slightly dull. Chelsea probably gonna romp home as they beat on of the best clubs in England playing quite poorly.

And finally, a long run, about .5 miles today to test myself in the heat and quite alright. Met Big Rick at 5 ways doing a trip to the pub for some energy bars...sorry, cigarettes! Now thats commitment to the Rangers health plan!!


Thats all for now. Off to the pub for a wet one, hopefully to sit outsde in the sunshine!!!

Well lets make a start...

Me and Charlotte

Well, this is me and my girlfriend Charlotte, on our recent hol to the Baltics. We had a great time, but it's always tough getting back into the swing of things at work when you get back. Also, difficult living away from each other, especially as we lived together for 3 years at Uni. But, she is starting a job in Oldham (just around the corner!) in September so hopefully we shall see more of one another.

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Well, most of the people who read this, that being the BRFC chaps and that's about it, will already know her so here's for something new, and if I don't mind saying, it's quite exciting. Now, its not everyday you get to sit next to an England international footballer. But that is exactly what happened to me on the flight back from London to Manchester on our way home from Latvia.

Literally, as this photo was taken one of the greatest ever players in the Premier League was taking his seat directly in front of me. Can you guess who it was? No, well have a look at this photo and I'll be damned if it just doesn't leap out at you!!:)



What? You still don't know? Really? Well I thought it was obvious! That is the one and only Andrew Cole! Now don't you feel silly!! It's obvious now isn't it. OK, his head may blend into the seat and it may be at a wonky angle but I guarantee you it was him! I nearly asked him if he fancied a run out for the Ranger's but bearing in mind how playing in a team with Piggy can sap your enthusiasm for football I wouldn't have wished it on Mr Cole!!

Mini joins the blog club!

Welcome,

After much procrastinating and sitting about doing not much, Mini has decided to document his hourly, daily, weekly and yearly achievements. Admittedly these may be few and far between, but hey, if I do anything exciting you will be the first to know.

Also, this will be used as a replacement for the MiniMan Diaries which had a brief foray on Pie5 before it answered the calling to become a blog. By this I mean I will give my unique, none-PC and but interesting views on the worlds news and sporting events.

Now, don't expect updates on my ant farm. I may have little to do, but I do have some dignity:) Also, if I were to update you on my preparations for the Great North Run, it may put undue pressure on other competitors!

I will keep you updated with my travels across the globe, with my own little run down of things to do and sights to see and amusing anecdotes from the trips. And by amusing I don't mean stories that will make you want to eat your own face after 2 minutes.

So sit back, relax, (take off your socks if you want - I have) and enjoy the show!

Mini