Snow Picture, Better than No Picture

I may sound crazy, but I preferred 'analogue TV' to 'digital.

OK, so some of the pictures were not great and there were fewer channels, but at least it was reliable. The programmes on offer were enough to satisfy my viewing needs, I had the ability to record a programme while watching another and Heaven forbid, it was even possible to watch local TV stations.

Admittedly, at times the picture was not perfect. Rugby Union on S4C was always played in snowy conditions whatever the time of year. However, did not really matter. I did not crave perfection. The reality was that the commentary was in Welsh, the players were caked in mud, thus practically unrecognisable and the games not necessarily that remarkable. The important thing was that there was enough to maintain an interest.

Now, everything has gone digital. My first gripe is that we, the viewer had to pay for the initial, compulsory costs of upgrades and installation, which is also in many ways a direct cause of my further complaints. I am well aware that I could purchase a whole variety of fancy pieces of equipment to ensure wall-to-wall coverage of 'shopping channels,' 'sitcom re-runs' and various forms of 'adult entertainment.' Frankly, we are in a recession, I have no money and I have no desire for all that.

Digital means I have a Freeview box which provides a whole host of channels (101 by the last count, approximately 90 of which are junk), I can only record what I am watching, various things cause mild interference (hedge-trimmers, road traffic, police sirens etc) and my local news is provided by a different county in a different country.

Above and beyond all that, it is totally unreliable. “Sunday Night Football” is a highlight of the week for me for four months of the year. I set to record it overnight and enjoy the footage during the week. Last night, firstly the DVD recorder failed to recognise the digi-box as a source, so it did not start recording as set. Past experience caused me to wake during the night and check it, so I discovered the fault and reset it. Digital even enabled me find the “Channel +1” so I thought I could recoup the lost hour. Instead, at 3 am, the digi-box decided to “search for upgrades,” abandoning the game and turning the screen blue. This obviously caused all-round confusion: the digi-box froze, the DVD recorder panicked as it no longer had a source, so stopped. The result being that the only solution required human input. Given, the human in question was asleep, blissfully dreaming of the hard-hitting drama of the Cowboys against the Eagles, I will not be getting my NFL-fix this week.

Maybe I am not crazy, just plain annoyed. Give me analogue any day. The East coast of the USA has just been hit by unseasonably early winter storms.   Analogue or digital, there would have been snow on my screen anyway.

Somebody has to sign T. O.

Terrell Owens staged a training session this morning and afterwards had the courtesy to sit down and talk about it.

The popular story is that nobody turned up to watch. No teams sent any scouts, no fans filled the parking lot, nobody was interested. The inevitable jokes ensured, “More people turned out to watch my mile run this morning than went to see T. O.” “I had more people on watching me on the Stairmaster.” etc.

A lot of people permitted themselves a wry smile.

T. O. on the other hand did turn up. As did God (in T. O.'s own words) as well as the NFL Network and honestly, put your hand up right now if you have not seen at least parts of T. O. working out today.

Those of you who did just raise your hand, take a seat and start taking notes. Better still, go and watch some footage.

Heads up folks, T. O. is ready. T. O. knows he is ready. T. O. has stood up and shown the world he is ready. The man is in great shape. If T. O. says God was at hand today, I cannot argue because everything tells me someone has to sign the man.

It would be a travesty not to see Terrell Owens back in the NFL this season. God knows it. T. O. knows. I'll buy into it. Who else?

Racist? "Out" Yourself on Twitter

I have just read an article (1) that considers the pitfalls of hugely popular social media websites when they become an invitation for abuse. The particular case in point is the continued existence of racism in football. Essentially, no sooner has an open discussion begun, than abusive, offensive and harmful comments have flooded various message boards, such as twitter.

It goes without saying that the enormous technological onslaught is not going to be compromised by mindless bigots and here is a suggestion as to why not.

First of all, let us consider the mentality of someone who engages in racist, abusive attacks. It stems from complete ignorance, it is absolutely nonsensical and irrational. The thoughtlessness of it is highlighted by the fact that those who make the remarks do so via their own registered account and on a public forum. Realistically, it is similar to making a signed confession, “I am a Racist. Here are my contact details.” A comparison that could also be made to emphasise the naivety is a school kid who decides to vandalise a desk. He does not just carve it up at random, but instead carefully etches, “Jack woz 'ere.”

Now that the irrationality has been established, we need to investigate how best to deal with the problem. Contemporary society likes to take a sympathetic approach, so may I suggest we view 'racism' as a sickness, in a similar way to 'alcoholism.' The perpetrator cannot help his actions, so basically he needs help. Alcoholics are urged to contacted Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). They are encouraged to admit to the condition, face up to it and to take the necessary steps to recovery. Perhaps, racists should do the same. Rather than lambast them for their vicious attacks, let us congratulate them for facing their inner demons. Remember they have not chosen to be so ignorant, it is simply a result of being subjected to generations and situations of insanely uneducated views. By 'outing' themselves via social media and admitting to their illness, they can be offered help and set proudly on the way to recovery. Step one could be to label every vicious posting with an “RR” tag (Recovering Racist). That way, we can at least see them coming.

On a serious note, racism is still, unbelievably an issue. Sport is an excellent means of educating and re educating people. Our support must keep going out to campaigns, such as “Show Racism the Red Card” (2). Racist comments posted online are pathetic. Keep the positive campaigns moving forward. This should not be a problem any more.

(1) http://www.itsroundanditswhite.co.uk/2011/10/25/football-racism-rears-its-ugly-head-on-social-media/
(2) www.srtrc.org

Skunk population on the rise in Chicago

Browsing USATODAY.com I came across an interesting and revolting report concerning the increase in the population of skunks in the city of Chicago. “Skunk Population Balloons in Chicago Suburbs.” (Oct 23 2011)

Apart from the obvious considerations revolving around the practicalities of sharing living space with such vile pests, I could not help but take a slightly more humorous approach to the situation. Easier to do when you have an Ocean and several thousand miles separating me from the problem.

Few would be ignorant of the nickname attached to Chicago. The “Windy City” is recognised around the globe and many people will gain a sneaky, smug sense of satisfaction at knowing the useful piece of general knowledge.

However, I am fairly confident that a large proportion of those knowledgeable people will be unaware of the true origins as to the acceptance of the affectionate moniker. Suffice is to say that it does not reflect on the meteorological tendencies of the city. For those of you who do not know the real reason, you can look it up.

The “Skunk” article did lead me to muse as to further confusion that may ensue as a direct cause of the notoriously 'stinky' black and white mammals. Supposing the air in and around Chicago becomes compromised by the creatures, it is possible that a new erroneous impression may develop as to the origins of the adoption of the nickname, the “Windy City.”

Indianapolis Colts - What are you going to do?

Indianapolis Colts – What are you going to do?

Congratulations to anyone who managed to avoid seeing the hapless Colts, as they were hosted by the unrelenting New Orleans Saints on Sunday night (7–62).

Judging by that display and the season so far, the Colts may be best advised in coming games to simply 'take a knee' right from the first quarter. In that way, they could minimise the otherwise inevitable damage. Run down the clock, avoid turnovers (limit points conceded) and give the opposing offense less time with ball (limit points conceded). Seriously, the Colts' current run of form is damaging to the image of the franchise and an insult to past success.

So it all boils down to the quarterback and the devastating absence of Peyton Manning. There is a lot of talk about next year's draft and the necessity of acquiring future QB star and 2010 Heisman Trophy runner-up, Andrew Luck. Is it really that simple? Is this team that reliant on one man? A simple answer is, “Yes.” However, no one could have foreseen just how unable Indianapolis would cope without their talisman.

Enough said. 2011 is a disaster. Let's move. The Colts will be in a position for that 2012 first round pick, so how does it become guaranteed?

An idealistic approach is that Manning stays, Luck is drafted, thus producing the perfect mentor, scholar relationship. Manning stays healthy and Luck has time to grow into the Colts offense. Realistically, there is a likelihood that will not happen.

Do you trade Manning? His fitness is questionable, his age is no longer on his side and there are teams that would want to take him. Even if he returns to his peak, how much longer can he go on – two, three, four years. Unquestionably, it is time to look to the future.

Clearly, a lot of hard-thinking, decision-making and negotiating needs to happen soon. 'Long-term' is the key, but think really 'long-term.' Presuming the Colts do pick up Luck in the draft, and presuming all the vibes prove correct, then the Colts will have an opportunity to rebuild a very fine, well-oiled machine for years to come. However, as a word of caution, imagine the consequences of rushing that development. Consider the immense challenges faced by any NFL player in his rookie season, think about the deficiencies in the Colts' team this season and at least contemplate the bad things that could happen.

One thing is for certain, a lot needs sorting out in Indianapolis. The solution does not come down to one man (other than Peyton Manning, of course.)