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H&V.net home | H&V's Newspage | H&V's Discussions | H&V's Blog Summary | AV Supporters Trust | This Blog's Links!Hello again!
Hi folks, it's been a while...
So what's different since my last visit?
Well, there was a huge battle between heart and head as I debated whether or not to renew my season ticket. David O'Leary (spit!) had dumbed the club down so much that I seriously expected us to be relegated in 2006-07. So much so that I actually wrote to Doug Ellis to "implore" him to sack O'Leary. To be fair, I received a response from the Chairman's Office that was more than a standard response, answering all of the points I'd made.
Villa do get stick for public relations but, despite my not agreeing with all the answers given, I couldn't fault them in the effort that someone has actually gone to to absorb and answer my questions.
As it turned out, the "players statement" occurred, followed less than a week later by the (ahem) removal of the aforementioned fuckwit (O'Leary, to clarify) from his post. At this point I was delighted that I'd actually renewed my season ticket afterall. Especially at last season's prices.
Around the time of the statement there was the backdrop of a possible takeover. Michael Neville's consortium appeared. Then Randy Lerner was reportedly interested. Then Sven Goran Eriksson's agent Atole Still. Then a few other consortia. Which is the best one? Don't ask me! I've no idea. And neither have 99.9%+ of Villa fans. I am quite nervous about what and who will be in charge soon.
I thought Ellis had inadvertantly given a hint last weekend as to who was most in the running, when talking to Sky Sports News, he mentioned that the consortium themselves had said "why throw the baby out with the bathwater" when asked about his future role in the club post sale. It was Michael Neville himself who is on record making a similar statement.
The appointment of Martin O'Neill was as unexpected and it was welcome. I'd had a bit of stick on the H&V discussion when I'd actually voted YES to the question "Would you welcome Glenn Hoddle?" My Yes answer was based on the quality, rather lack of, of managers queuing up in Witton Lane for the job in the past. Compared to Graeme Souness or David Platt (great player, gash manager) he would have been welcome.
So there you have it. Villa's summer to date. There's more to come, I'm sure, despite there being only eight days until the Arsenal game.
The Middle East. Two Israeli soldiers are kidnapped. Israel's response is to hammer Palestine with missles.
While I'm against the death of innocents in this conflict, lets not forget that we have in the past seen video on the news here of Palestinians parading their oldest son or daughter, dressed in traditional clothes and explosives an hour or so before they've walked into the local Isreali-filled market or Pizza Hut to take their own lives and that of many other innocents.
Perhaps it's best that I don't comment on this conflict. I don't really know the history (does anyone?). All I can see is that there is bad on both sides.
The middle East has been knocked off the front pages by Thursday's bomb plots against US-carriers flying from the UK.
One colleague at work was proclaiming "send all the Muslims back to where they come from". It's very simplistic, yet I can well see how incidents like this can generate such feelings. Is it any wonder that far-right political groups are starting to get a foot-hold, not only in the UK, but within Europe too?
I have been fortunate enough that my summer holiday this year was a week in Las Vegas, ha! Beat that, Legion!!!!! :)
The whole holiday cost around two-and-a-half grand, but it was well worth it. If you ever get the chance to go then you've got to do a helicopter flight to the Grand Canyon, landing in it for a picnic. And try to time it for sunset at the canyon. It's stunning. We also got to fly parallel to the Vegas strip in the dark.
A day long trip to Death Valley was impressive, as was an afternoon trip to the Hoover Dam. All of the tours we did had very knowledgeable guides and I would really recommend them.
Also, some of the shows were superb. Cirque du Soleil's Ka (at the MGM Grand) was visually stunning, with stunts done before your eyes and an incredible moving stage.
Blue Man Group (at the Venetian) was comedy using facial expression, props and lighting effects. It was also very atmospheric, and all the paper they use IS 100% recycled. And even that description doesn't really do it justice. It was that good.
Then there was the magician Lance Payne (at the Monte Carlo). A good show that was the cheapest of the three (still more than the cost of a Premiership game, but more than the entertainment too!). His first trick prompted the quip "Let's see Celine Dionne do that!"
And the cheapest way to get wankered, erm, drunk in Vegas is to gamble. The waitresses offer complimentary drinks to people playing in the casinos. If you tip em a dollar (approx 60p) when they bring you your order they'll come back more often. Trust me, it works! Doesn't matter what the drink is. Bottle of Bud or flambouyant cocktail, a dollar a time shapes up pretty well when you consider a round of a pint of Fosters and a pint of Guiness cost $13.50 at one of the bars in our hotel (New York New York).
Incidently, a few of the taxi drivers we had (one picking us up from the airport, the other taking us to the Fre(e)mont Street experience), when they realised myself and my friend were English, mentioned that they listen to BBC's World Service to get a balanced view of the news. Apparently, they don't trust the US-based broadcasters to be balanced!
Anyway, I'll bid you all the best for now. Safe in the knowledge that Villa things can only get better.
Regards,
Chris Harte.
Various Links (Blogs and other stuff): Last update: Thursday, August 10, 2006 at 11:47:14 PM
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