survival!

part 1# J2's party went well:

the dotty girls were as dotty as expected, the Singstar was well used, spin the bottle got a lot of giggles, but the thing that amazed me was that they sat at the table for nearly an hour eating pizza, chips, strawberries & carrot sticks, just chillin' and chattin', gigglin' & gossipin' and generally just enjoying being together.

Parties for little kids involve a lot of hands on effort from the Mum (& hopefully a few willing helpers too!) and a lot of games & activities to keep everyone entertained, but for 12 year olds it's more about being there, but not being involved in what they are doing. It seemed to go well, and I survived, and even managed 2 rows of sock2 later on that evening.

part 2# The Toon

yesterday's match was against in-form Everton and the Toon got a valuable point from a goal-less draw.
It was not the most exciting of matches, most of the incidents were of the wrong sort : Mikel Arteta (Everton's best player) got a serious injury, Newcastle got a man sent off, and a goal disallowed for shoving an elbow in the goalie's face. But a point is a point, and they are now 5 points above the drop.



part 3# Derby County
Last season in the PL Derby were a disgrace, and were relegated with the lowest points total ever (11). Recently they dumped their "all talk & trousers" Paul Jewell & replaced him with Nigel Clough, son of Ol' Big'ead himself, Brian Clough. Young Clough was a good player himself and has learnt his managerial trade in the lower leagues (notably with Burton-on Trent).

In the space of a few weeks he has dragged Derby from possible relegation and has taken on mighty Man U twice in cup matches and given them a decent game. There is pride once more at Pride Park. Non-footy fans might not know that Derby County's symbol is the Ram and there is a real live woolly ram who is club mascot and who comes onto the pitch before the match. Fantastic! maybe Sunderland should have a real live black panther come out onto our pitch! That would put the wind up the opposition!