So here we, the last day of the year, and I’ve made it. With some effort I might add, I have managed to have only 20 blog free days since the middle of August.

And welcome back anybody who picked up the link from my discontinued blog at Livejournal. I would imagine everybody knows why I’m here and not there but if you don’t and you are interested you can pick it up the gist by reading the last few posts and comments from Livejournal and the first few from this blog.

If you followed the comments you will see the person who made the comment apologised and I accepted his apology. Life’s too short to bear grudges. He was a Livejournal friend and better still is a real life friend. That said once the said comment had been made and I made my annoyance public the blog had to go. With the benefit of hindsight I should have just deleted the comment and explained to him why I was so annoyed outside of public view.

I know some people thought I was hypersensitive and over-reacted but others understand and supported what I did. As far as my blog goes that's the final word on the subject but if anybody wants to debate netiquette with me outside of public view you know where I am.

And all that remains to be said is Happy New Year everybody and don't be fooled by the rocks that I got, I'm still Goffa From The Block.

Evening Folks. Off out again tonight, so just in case I'm back late (which I almost certainly will be) just a recommendation really. I spotted "Barry Myers Presents Scratchy Sounds" in the Amazon sale for £2.98! Myers was DJ for the Clash and whatever your opinion of The Clash nobody can deny their ear for a great reggae tune.

43 tip top, cream of the crop songs. Even if reggae is only your occasional tipple I implore you to fill your boots.

Great shout by our Mike by the way who was at Old Trafford tonight/last night, whatever. Southgate settled for a 1-0 defeat, which is absolutely shameful.

He's got to go!

Just in time!

Like The Song

I'm almost there. This is my 24th post on blogspot and there's only 3 days to go. And for those not in the know (cheers Mike for idea) I've got a special surprise for New Years Eve.

Interesting stuff from today's paper

See last post - talking about Pinter, there was loads of stuff in today's paper and this was my favourite, his last interview in which he talked about his love of cricket and why it is better than sex. He wasn't putting down sex, more bigging cricket up. It turns out he was a Yorkshire supporter as well. Cheers fellar.

Have you seen that advert for that 100 classic book collection advert for the Nintendo DS Computer? I could see the appeal if it worked like an audiobook but as far as I can see the idea is you hold the computer like a book and you read the book like a book!

Here's an interesting credit crunch money saving idea. Instead of spending £14.99 on the game(??) join the library and borrow the books, read them and then take them back for buck shee. Not only will you save money, it might save your eyesight and money on spectacles or (like me) laser eye surgery in later life. Joking apart, surely this sort of thing is not going to catch on.

Also in the paper today, bad news for beer drinkers - Apart from... if you read down that thing about it being beneficial to help stop heart disease still applies to people at risk including men over 40 (phew). For now at least I'm going to look after my heart and take my chance with the big unmentionable.

And finally this one tickled me about the latest FA plan ) to tackle homophobia at football matches. At first I thought it must be a Brass Eye like spoof (I'm not actually convinced it isn't by the way) . The campaign is called the "Justin Fashanu campaign" after the first openly gay top professional footballer. Given that he "came out" in 1990 and to my knowledge there haven't been any other top players to "come out" since methinks the problem of homophobia lies just as much within the game itself as it does with the crowds.

It remains to be seen whether David Beckham, Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, David James, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole and Cristiano Ronaldo dare to speak up against homophobia but if I was a betting man, and I am I'll bet less than 50% of this group do.

And talking about betting, Boro are 16-1 to win at Man U on Monday. We probably won't win but at that price I'm going to have a few bob on the lads for no other reason than we are.

Howdy - Been dry for most of the day apart from 3 cans tonight. Straight and narrow from tomorrow though, including the gym!

Been reading Renegade: The Lives and Tales of Mark E. Smith . Contrary to what I've heard and reviews I've read, I thinks it's a hoot. It reads like a series of drunken chain smoking conversations with the main man.

Harold Pinteresque it ain’t in but all this stuff about wishing he'd written it himself and/or it should have been a novel or a series of short stories or something by middle class pseudo intellectuals is a pile of shit. It's what computer literate people used to call WYSIWYG, the gospel according to Mark E Smith and why not. Buy the CDs or records or a book of lyrics if you want anything else.

I really need to give my body a rest from the drink. Since recovering from my 2 week cold my non-stop social whirl reads as follows,

Thursday 18/12 - Out with James Mitch to Cora, 4 pints.
Friday 19/12 - Out on works do for a meal at Al Forno's. Drinking from 1PM to 10PM. Drank approximately 8 pints.
Saturday 20/12 - Out in Middlesbrough with old friend Gary in the Boro to watch The Chapman Family at the Uncle Alberts, 5 pints. Apparently they are not a cult and although they have some interesting ideas they are not that good. It was free though and only £2 a pint so fair do's.
Sunday 21/12 - resting
Monday 22/12 - resting
Tuesday 23/12 - resting
Wednesday 24/12 - Met up with Sylvia from work and husband Les for end of school term drink in Sheraton. 3 pints and 5 Sailor Jerrys and coke (not normally a spirits drinker, but they were both drinking shorts and I wisely decided to do the same). Home to Shamila's and half a bottle of red with my tea.
Thursday 25/12 - Lunch at Russ's where we drank 1 and 1/2 bottles of red wine (each)each, followed by 2 cans of cider (each) and 2 malt whiskeys (each).
Friday 26/12 - Finishing off the half bottle left over from Christmas Eve.

Tomorrow, will be an alcohol free day.

Taking no chances tonight. The connection is pathetic.

Merry Christmas to one and all.

Once again this is a protective post. I'm at my mother's on the unpredictable dongle. You will all know what it's like getting a mobile phone signal on Christmas Day and I'm trying to post using the 3 Network.

Typical Christmas Day runaround so far. Woke up at Shamila's. Went home to pickup a few things and then off to my mam's. We drove up to Roseberry and walked part way up to see our Dad. Felt a bit sad but not too bad. My memory of how ill he was in his last few years is still very strong.

We're now waiting for Russ to come and take us to his for Christmas lunch etc.. He said he's bought a spanking bottle of red for me and him to drink. I'm taking a spanking bottle of red as well so that'll do for starters.

How times change, not too many years ago I would have mocked somebody for talking like that but now I just think how great it is being a posh middle class twot!

Maybe more later.

At this time of goodwill to all spare a thought for the employees of Woolworths, MFI, Zaavi, Whittard of Chelsea (whoever they are) and if the rumours are right Dixons, Currys and PC World. Where will it all end? Is anybody still bored by the credit crunch? At what point will it start to bother you?

I was genuinely gutted about Woolies, nostalgia and all that. Zaavi going down is a bit different. I mainly buy my DVDs and CDs on line but Zaavi is one less choice and as far as buying on the high street is concerned there isn't much choice left.

Went to the pub today with 2 very good friends, Sylvia and Les, chewing the fat for a couple of hours. As three public service employees we could afford to relax. We talked about the "credit crunch" amongst other things, about the companies going under and I asked "at what point do you become bothered?"

As I said, I'm bothered now. If Debenhams goes down Sylvia said she'll be bothered. Me too for that matter, I buy all my clothes there. I do not have an alternative plan. But what if Morrisons goes down and then Asda and then Tesco? Will you be bothered then? We'll all be pretty much fucked. I'm not sure there's much alternative, all our eggs are pretty much in the same basket.

Don't be stupid it won't happen to multi-nationals! Why not? It seems to me they are as susceptible to the global credit crunch as me.

I'm no intellectual, I have no idea why but it seems to me that the so called experts have no idea either why either.

Is it all down to the banks? I don't know but as a betting man I'll bet 5 quid it is. Still bored by the credit crunch? Put your brain in gear eh?

Peace to all.

Bloody hell, nearly forgot!

Had a funny day today. Worked in Thornaby/Stockton, went over the bridge to do a bit of shopping in Stockton. Had a walk through Woolies although I couldn't bring myself to make a purchase. It didn't seem right but also I didn't fancy the queue.

Drove over to the Boro and did a bit of work there before doing a bit of shopping in the town. I don't want it said that I didn't make an effort.

Here's one for my work pals. Ho ho ho!

On the dongle at Shamila's and the only thing I can get onto is Goffa From The Block. Pity I've still got writers block!

Michael's home and we're currently watching Polanski's Oliver Twist on Channel 4. I really can't be arsed to post tonight.

Another defeat! This is starting to look really bad.

I'm suffering with a really bad back. I played football (first game for nearly 2 years) on Thursday. Stockton Tilery Sports Centre closed down yesterday and a last match was called for all the Taxes lads that had played there over the years. I played for two 20 minute spells. I scored and we won by 5. As long as the back pain goes off in a couple of days, well worth it but that's my lot!

Quite good song first heard this year - Dearest - Buddy Holly.

and again. Very busy again.

Not sure I'm going to get chance to post later, thus........

More songs

The Carpenters pulled off a creditable 1-1 draw against Sonic Youth last night. I could leave it open for another night but I'm not sure anybody else is tuning in yet but as the wanky one always used to say, "we move on".

Number 9 and new song by a country mile is Frankie's Gun by The Felice Brothers. Watch the video, listen to the song, buy the CD, tell me if I'm wrong?

My number 10 and where did that come from song of the year is Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young by Faron Young. I can't believe I haven't heard that before.

I was going to have a poll for the best song but even I can't decide so I won't.

Garielle Cilmi it is, 1-0.

Mike made a comment but he didn't vote which I read as a sit on the fence.

Been a long day. 7.28 train from Thornaby and finally got back home at 18.40. Including a half hour wait at Darlington on the way back I spent a total of 6 hours and 20 minutes on the train and 3 hours 40 in my meeting (including 20 minutes lunch). The remainder of the time was spent travelling between the tax office in Manchester and Manchester Railway Station. I'll claim 10 hours 30 on the old flex, bop bop bop!

I listened and dozed to On The Town with "The League of Gentlemen". I just can't get used to listening to audiobooks but the listen/sleep experience was sublime and the bits I heard were really funny.

And talking of sublime my number 8 pretty good song first heard this year is Sonic Youth's version of Superstar. How do you think it compares to The Carpenters version?

I think I'll have another poll. Which version? Same rules as last night and my comment is Sonic Youth.

Number 10 Idiot Grin by Young Republic and here's the youtube from the Boro.

Well he got his ton but only off the final ball and India won creating history just as I predicted (not). That's 41 centuries now for the greatest ever Yorkshireman.

Off to Manchester tomorrow with work again on the train. For now, still loving the rail travel. Especially the outward journey. I just never want it to end. Is that so wrong?

Will catch up with On The Hour on my Walkman.

Pretty good songs - number 7 is Shore's Of White Sand. I'll let Letterman introduce her.

If anybody followed the notes of posts last night, apparently the Co-op song is Warm This Winter by Gabrielle Cilmi. The King Of Ingleby Barwick described her as "the dreadful Gabrielle Cilmi". I'm not sure I agree, I think it whips along. The original was done by Connie Francis or was it Connie Landers?

I am normally a strictly roots man but I think I'm going to go for the young Aussie.

What do you think? Let's have a poll. Votes by comment only.

My comment is Gabrielle Cilmi. 1-0! Get in the net!

Update

248-4 - Tendulkar 47 not out. Could be tight.

I know what I said but a win in India is very special and on the back of them beating the Ausies 2-0. Then again I always want Tendulkar to score a century.

Oh well.... better start getting ready for work.

Comments?

I've set my blog up so that anybody can leave comments. You've just got to do that thing where you have to copy out a weirdly written word. That's ok isn't it?

There was also a funny thing about the time of the posts was in pacific time GMT + 6 hours. I've sorted that as well.

I'm getting there. It's starting to seem more like home.

Joke

I'm like a kid with a new toy here! Going through some old e-mails to look for Mark G's e-mail address to let him know about Goffa From The Block and found he's sent one of those jokey videos attached to his e-mail's.

I'm not usually a fan of the e-mail/video joke thing but this one made me titter.

Extraordinary, Remarkable and Astonishing

Well, it must have been there all the time because I didn't put it there. It must be fate. What am I on about? And I quote.

"How to grow your audience with Following

The Followers widget is a great tool to help you grow your blog's audience. Readers often visit a blog and enjoy it but fail to return. With the followers widget you can get all readers to return and become a fan. We highly recommend that you write a post about your followers widget and encourage all readers to become a follower. Additionally you should put your followers widget at the top of your sidebar so more readers will notice it. Many readers ignore sidebar items so by writing a post about your followers widget and moving the widget to the top of your sidebar, you will inevitably grow your audience."

By the way, song number 5 in my 24 Pretty good songs for Christmas is that song advertising the Co-op on the adverts at the moment. Does anybody know what it's called?

Song 6 - Another Day That Time Forgot - Neil Diamond and Natalie Mains. Here it is and I will only respond to mocking if you've heard it all the way through.

I'm going to make a concerted effort to use more blogger speak on my new blog in an effort to attract more people and with that in mind I've been listening to the extraordinary On The Hour broadcasts with Chris Morris and Steve Coogan amongst others. Chris (and Steve for that matter were also in the remarkable "The Day Today" and the astonishing (really) Brass Eye Paedophile Special . I might check them out.

Sunday Morning

I'm still full of cold. Thought a sleep in would help but if anything I'm worse than ever. I was supposed to go on a 12 mile walk today from Cold Moor, Osmotherley. Would have been great if I'd been fit and well but it was the right choice.

Still doesn't feel quite right away from my spiritual home and it feels a bit odd writing to an audience of zero (ha ha anybody would think I was used to selling out the Albert Hall) but my unconditional followers will soon be here.

I spent the morning watching the England vs India test match. England were in a superb position as I sat down to watch the last session of the fourth day. They set India a seemingly impossible 387 (the highest last innings winning test score ever is 276) to win but by the end of play they only require another 256 with 9 wickets left. I'd wouldn't normally bet against Yorkshireman, Sachin Tedulkar pictured above (my first upload, I thank you ), but I'd never bet against cricket history.

I think I've said this before but I can't really get too nationalistic about cricket (vs Australia aside) and Tendulkar is my favourite player so if India win and Tendulkar scores a shed load I'll love it for that and for the cricket history.

Hyperlinks Cracked!

Wanker - Neat or what? Much easier than Livejournal!

I'm Back!

As the song goes "Don't be fooled by the rocks that I got I'm still, I'm still Goffa from the block".
It feels more sparse here mind, and not quite so cool yet liberating at the same time. I had to fall on my sword at Livejournal after my riposte though but heh, I'm an emotional man and although I should have been much more cool about it........ No, that's my final word, no more said!

The thing was I was feeling really down and I was putting it down to my spat. Then I picked up a voicemail from The Fat Lad inviting me here and I realised what was bothering me was the fact that I had effectively retired from blogging. So here I am risen from the dead and I'm feeling much better.

Going to keep a low profile for a couple of days though. At least until I suss out how you hyperlink and post photos.

I'm off to tell the Fat Lad I'm here.