declanw

And the results are in...

Sun, 25 May 2008 08:44:39 GMT

... and as always I can't identify a winning Eurovision song if you would tell me in advance who would win.

Below is a table of the differences

0	1	Romania
0.5	2	Latvia, Spain
1	3	Ukraine, Serbia, Germany
2	3	Russia, Denmark, Armenia
3.5	1	Georgia
4	1	B&H
5.5	1	France
6	1	Portugal
7	1	Iceland
7.5	1	Albania
8	1	United Kingdom
9	1	Croatia
12	2	Greece, Israel
13	1	Norway
14	1	Poland
15	2	Turkey, Azerbaijan
16.5	1	Sweden
18	1	Finland

Average:	7.04 places out
Std Dev:	5.85 places

Absolutely disasterous and awful. How did I get Sweden and Finland so badly wrong!!!

See you next year, pop pickers

D

And the results are ...

Sat, 24 May 2008 22:08:19 GMT

I will record who gives who the 10 and the 12 points

(As a note I have overdone UK in a bit of blind hope and probably underdone Greece as it was yet another pretty girl with not much to say).

United Kingdom:
10 Latvia
12 Greece

Ukraine:
12 Russia

Germany
10 Turkey
12 Greece

Estonia:
10 Finland
12 Russia

B&H:
10 Croatia
12 Servbia

Romania:
10 Turkey
12 Greece

Belgium:
10 Turkey
12 Armenia

San Marino
6 UK (Tax Exiles rock)
10 Israel
12 Greece

Latvia:
10 Ukraine
12 Russia

Bulgaria:
10 Greece
12 Germany (their first points)

Serbia
10 Russia
12 B&H

Israel
12 Russia

Cyprus:
10 Armenia
12 Greece

Moldova
10 Russia
12 Romania

Iceland:
10 Norway
12 Denmark

France:
10 Romania
12 Armenia

Romania:
10 Russia
12 Greece

Portugal
10 Spain
12 Ukraine

Norway:
10 B&H
12 Denmark

(It's the ad-break)

Hungary:
10 Russia
12 Azerbaijan

Andorra:
10 Portugal
12 Spain

Poland:
10 Ukraine
12 Armenia

Slovenia
10 B&H
12 Serbia

Armenia
10 Georgia
12 Russia

Czech Republic
10 Azerbaijan
12 Armenia

Spain:
10 Armenia
12 Romania

Netherlands
10 Turkey
12 Armenia

Turkey
10 Armenia
12 Azerbaijan

Malta
10 Ukraine
12 Sweden

Ireland:
8 United Kingdom
10 Poland
12 Latvia

Switzerland:
10 Portugal
12 Serbia

** And we are bottom joint with Poland and Germany **

Azerbaijan
10 Ukraine
12 Turkey

Greece
10 Albania
12 Armenia

Finland
10 Russia
12 Norway

Croatia
10 Serbia
12 B&H

**It's looking like the Russian but it wasn't that brilliant - despite me saying it would finish 3rd**
Sweden
10 B&H
12 Norway

Bealrus
10 Ukraine
12 Russia

Lithuania
10 Latvia
12 Russia

Russia
10 Azerbaijan
12 Armenia

Montenegro
10 B&H
12 Serbia

Georgia
10 Ukraine
12 Armenia

Denmark
12 Iceland

And that is it....

Russia have easily won - and the eastern block has done it's work and we are going even further east than currently. Who in the eastern block is next?

The Placings are...

Sat, 24 May 2008 21:05:38 GMT

In an attempt to lull everyone into a false sense of security here is my prediction. Do not place bets on this as you will lose your money.

1)   Ukraine
2)   Sweden
3)   Russia
4)   Finland
5)   Serbia
6)   Armenia
7)   Iceland
8)   Georgia
9)   Albania
10) Poland
11) Latvia
12) croatia
13) Denmark
14) Bosnia & Herzegovina
15) Greece
16) United Kingdom
17) Spain
18) Norway
19) Portugal
20) Romania
21) Israel
22) Turkey
23) Azerbaijan
24) France
25) Germany

Eurovision (3)

Sat, 24 May 2008 20:49:39 GMT

17) Georgia

The singer is born blind hence the black glasses. Georgia are singing to us about peace and wanting it to come. Black at the beginning and white after a quick wardrobe change. One of the backing singings is crap. Top 10.

18) Ukraine

It's lights, a very nice (tanned) lady, - who is very famous in Ukraine - and men in a lit box. She has a truely gorgeous dress, although James is mentioning it so much, I wonder if he wants it. Although how to mount a box in a sexy way - almost like mounted a grand piano. Great.. superb... top 3.

19) France

Backing singers in fake berds, moustaches, and wigs. A golf trolley shows up with the main singer. Dark glasses and not blind to my knowledge (although I apologise if he is). They are singing in English (yes the French!!!!). Good use of the helium - they are completly and utterly screwed. Bottom 3. And now they are praying to a solar eclipse. I think that France should (and probably are) ashamed of this entry. It is awful. And barely a round of applause.

20) Azerbaijan

Men with wings - singing opera. Pyrotechnics and a man who can't sing, but can scream like a very large girl. The main singer appears to be the devil with dancers around his feat and chalices to drink our of. The angel is attempting to outsing the devil - he doesn't standard a chance. And the devil is turning white. He is clearly redeemed, and the devil can now scream like a firl as well. The evil dancer is still in black though - and a very fetching black at that. Everyone than falls over. Mid-table (possibly slightly below)

21) Greece

Another girl - this time in pink. It's single en-teun-dre again. It's worse than scooch (well not really) and it is worth watching for her changes, short skirts and very nice legs.. ! Okay so it's late, and I've drunk a bit. This could easily be a naughties pop song, with the 'secret combination'

22) Spain

Hold on to your sanity - it appears to be 'Scorchio'. 5 girls doing the Robocop and one has fallen over, and there must be better uses for 5 girls.

23) Serbia

Another Ballad. and I am in shock. Probably too much good quality British Ale. Bringing the tempo down again 'with one of my personal favourites'. But it is a slower tempo one that is actually working . Now here comes the power. I will be suprised if this wasn't top 10.

24) Russia

One of the favourites. Singing in English. And he is laying down whilst singing. A true talent there. He has a candle- health and safety anyone...! ANYONE!!! Violin and ice skater join in the song. Torville and Dean eat your hearts out. A gold medal shouldn't be going to Russia, but the block will ensure a top 10.

25) Norway

The last song here. And I can't believe that we are here and I am still standing (in a sitting format at least). It must be aweful to go last and I feel sorry fo them. And they are doing quite well really. Blue dresses, 5 backing singers scattered across the back of the stage but no lights, pyros or instruments. Relying on the strength of the song, which as another power ballad is not too bad. A great radio song.

And that is it - the final song.

Eurovision (2)

Sat, 24 May 2008 20:14:15 GMT

9) Croatia

75 cents - the 75 year old rapper. And he appears to be perving at the pretty girl in the red dress. Poor Lass. Unfortunately, the main singer is being out-distanced by the rapper and the girl. Absolutely brilliant - although no-where near the scoring top 10 I would hope.

10) Poland

It's a power ballad. Mermaid dress. - but she is standing up - how does that happen? 3 Violins, 1 Cello and the power aspect of the power ballad front and centre. Blonde hair, very long, and a white piano. I think that the Poles may have judged the audience to perfection - top 10 this one.

11) Iceland

"Euroband" - club night - get up and dance. Sung in English so we can understand - a little bit of a risk here. Single chap holding the audience enraptured (or encumbered, or encaptured ... something like that). Eeek- there's a pretty girl in it as well. They can both sing - not a lot of movement, except her gyrating. It's a very good pop-song. Perhaps more 80s / 90s than the naughties but good none the less. Top 10 as well.

12) Turkey

Mild-Rock; Put unfortunately, Pyrothechnics cannot save them - a little forgettable. Going no-where I hate to say. Unfortunate, as it is similar to the Finnish entry but not as good.

13) Portugal

Ballad, although Portugal have chosen to go with the ability to sing over the being very pretty option. The singer is sort of a cross between a gypsy and a goth. And there is the power - sort of. Backing singers all in white to contrast, although not a lot of movement going on here. The harmonies don't seem to be working though. And having listened to it, I'm not sure she can sing very well (coming from me, who can't sing at all). This came through the semis and I was suprised that it did. Maybe chosen by the panel. Bottom 5 deserved, although probably top 5.

14) Latvia

It's the Pirates!!!!! Having a woman on board a ship was considered bad luck. However, I think she will help them get votes in this case. Gilbert & Sullivan made a scary singing Pirate King. Clearly just translated into Latvian. Dynamic Dancing as well. David singing along to the chorus, Terry Wogan being a pirate at the end. Deserves to be top 5.

15) Sweden

Sweden have a blonde girl. And now she is back to pink having been monochrome. Another Power Balad, and this one has another very short silver dress. Tapping into the 'Heroes' fanatism one year too late.. Another top 10

16) Denmark

Wearing a cap and braces. Strange... very strange. Would you like to listen to this 'all night long'. It's a mid-table Eurovision song. To be fair it wouldn't be out of place in 30th on the Network Chart show (sponsored by Woolworths).

And back again for part 3

Another Event !!! eurovision again

Sat, 24 May 2008 19:41:24 GMT

Right, I'm back on Live Journal after a 53 week gap - it can only mean one thing...

.... It's the Eurovision party.

1) Romania

Unfortunately forgetable, with the female part of the duo doing no favours to the duo at all. Nil Points!!!

2) United Kingdom

Well at least we have started the Eurovision contest - and this is much better than Scooch last year. Those of us who have already drunk too much are jigging a little and enjoying the up-beat tempo. A bin man you say - and not complete rubbish...

3) Albania

Pretty Girl technique, wind machine of Doom.......! Mind you she is quite good and the first power ballad of what promises to be a night of ballads.

... and I have started the 'st. Peter's Organic Ale' - no prizes for guessing why I chose it.

4) Germany

These are apparently from a German equivalent of X-Factor and they can't harmonise, or sing in tune... oh dear. this means one of two things (although possibly both): 1) I'm already too drunk, or 2) Germany are finishing last

5) Armenia

Why have the men got hold of her legs? You can now see her legs - and there could be a theme here (see Albania above). Gyrating men and a very strange song about bacon rind... hmmmm... Upbeat although the dancing is a little poor. Not as good as UK, but will score more.

6) Bosnia & Herezegovina

Brother and Sister act about doing the washing in flowery dresses and very scary facial expressions. It's a novelty act and surely can't be saved even by the eastern block voting ... surely! No tempo to speak of yet - waiting for it to wake up. And here it goes. 4 brides in the back, knitting (!) Whoever came up with this was either stoned or drunk - great fun.

7) Israel

And we have another solo male artist. A slow (not-power) balad. There's nothing going on - nothing on he stage, nothing going on. Having said the chorus is more up-tempo. Is struggling following B&H with their strange costumes and dances.

8) Finland

Rock & / or Roll. Pyrotehcnics - strobe lighting and head-banging. The entire room is dancing in their seats.Hitting a drum with a Mace - they may be going for the RPG / LARP audience - so they've got us. (Light) Heavy metal reminds me of the viking invasion of the past and the impact of Danelaw. Great stuff. Favourites so far.

...I'll be back for the 9th song - stay with me.

Eurovision

Sat, 12 May 2007 19:15:22 GMT

So I'm in Kent with Jim, Peter, Sarah, David, Sam, Louise and Andy

We have no freeview so no translations - Boo Hiss - and everyone is ready with the barbed and (less than useful comments) and Terry isn't even here.

So grab a beer, and follow the music.:

The Life of a confirmed English Cricket Supporter

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 12:49:13 GMT

Is not quite the joyous pastime some take it for.

For those not aware - although I don't know how you couldn't be - England lost their recent match to Sri-Lanka by 2 runs.

This means we have to beat Bangladesh, West Indies and one of Australia or South Africa to progress.

So, following this I have predictions for the four qualifiers to the semi-finals.

Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri-Lanka. (That's painful to write).

Grumble.

D

Back in the USSR...

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:28:06 GMT

... Well, the UK actually, but the line doesn't scan correctly.

Last week spent in Munich and the surronds, with snow falling every night and gone by midday, managing to watch 'Howl's Moving Castle'. A great Ghibli film, although I did also listen to the first half and hour of the dub until I got to the part where 'old Sophie' appears, and the voice acting, convinced me to always watch the sub of this. (Despite Christian Bale and Billie Christal (sp??)

Saturday into the Alps, for some walking up mountains - well one mountain actually, and in the alps probably defined as a hill. But it was walking through snow and the view was worth it.

Sunday walking around 'Die Englisher Garten' in Munich (think Hyde Park).

Also watch three films:

Number 23 - Jim Carrey does non comedy!
The Good Shepperd - A complicated and entwined plot starring Matt Damon (he who is liked so much by Parker & Stone!)
Pan's Labyrinth - A spanish independent film set in the 1944 where Spain is beginning to descend into Civil War.

All in German, all enjoyable. The best (mainly due to ease of understanding) was Number 23, although I think The Good Shepperd will be worth a second look when it comes out on DVD (this time in English)!

Weirdest moment of the week:

Matt Damon & deaf girlfriend are dancing in Washington, when one of the staff interrupts the music, says: "England and France have just declared war on Germany... please enjoy the rest of the music...". This caused a roar of laughter from the German audience. Sureal!

TTFN

D

Many Thanks to the Hostess

Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:01:04 GMT

Many Thanks to Sarah for organising another brilliant 'Vinc' video night. I think I can say that much fun was had by all - I bought too much anime and manga down the local town (London) as I was once again dazzled by the bright lights of all the shops...!

Also, thanks to the Wii for the entertainment, Garth Merengi for 'Darkplace' and (strangely) the 12 year old boys who wrote Dead or Alive the Movie... it was so bad it seemed a perfect show to watch with so many people.

Anime purchased (for those interested):

Ghost in the Shell (Season 1)
Serial Experiments Lain (complete season)
She: The Ultimate Weapon (vols 1 & 2)
Howl's Moving Castle.

I'll keep you all updated, but I watched Heroes last night, so haven't got to the anime yet.

D

Freeeeeeedooooooommmmmmmmm!!!!

Thu, 25 Jan 2007 11:14:48 GMT

No I'm not quoting that Scottish (*) chap from the Braveheart film.

I have (finally) passed my CIMA exams. I am now a 'Passed Finalist' until I complete my work record. No more exams to do /dancing a scary jig/.

I can be less of a hermit now - and will hopefully pay a little more attention to the world around me and you lot!

D

(*) - yes, I know

In the greatest tradition of need help...

Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:16:18 GMT

Hi All,

Sorry for the mass mail but I need some computer related assistance and guidance.

Having purchased a nice new spangly computer with all the bells and whistles (ie it plays new games) I think ‘tis about time I turned my attention to the web. I intend to start an OU course on various aspects assuming I can get in contact with them, but until then I need a little bit of help on.

Domain Name
Web Hosting
Broadband supplier

Currently, I’m with orange (dial-up … gasp!!!) so changing would be useful as they are not very competent (although not incompetent).

I also need something that can move with me as I am likely to move within a year (and I have said that before ;-) )

Where does everyone get the three things noted above? And would you recommend them.

I’ll be doing my own html but not under LINUX (sorry David) and would like something that would allow me to add a few bells and whistles (php and/or asp) as I learn how to do them.

Cheers all for guidance, assistance (or just deleting this email)

Yours, Declan

Off to Cardiff

Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:04:29 GMT

Maybe not something to be too excited about but off to Cardiff for the (almost world) renowned Cardiff Carnage. First Tourni since the Brawl in March so I'm really looking forward to it. Should be a laugh as I'll meet friends I haven't seen in a while as well as get 5 games of goblins running away, failing to hit, failing Ld tests and pulling victories out of the clear blue sky.

D

Update & Cricket

Sat, 26 Aug 2006 08:21:04 GMT

Well, I haven't posted for a while for a number of reasons. Work still busy, and started cycling a few times a week (c.8-10miles) so I get home knackered.

Anyway, to update I have started collecting a new minis army (yes I know...). Surprise, Surprise it is a Russian horde army. The game? Flames of War. WWII 15mm game. The minis paint up quite quickly as well although the fact I want to play horde has slowed down the points painted.

I am also preparing for a tourni in Cardiff next weekend - WHFB with my gobbos of course.

I have also sold my first few items on Ebay (that took long enough I know), so hopefully my collections will drop. Only problem is I sold 6 items of wargaming and then bought an entire army (not working yet!!)

And in other news, I can't believe what has happened in cricket recently.

For those not paying attention, the whole world seems to be collapsing.

Firstly, a superbly posed game at the Oval is forfeited by the PCB after ball-tampering accusations (the first forfeit after 1871 tests!!), then Inzi is charged with bring the game into disripute, and then Darryl Hair (umpire) shoots himself quite spectacularly in the foot with the 'cash for resignation' email.

Darryl Hair has always struck me as a very good Umpire, but this is now certain to be the end of his career. I can't believe he was that careless to be honest, and anyone who advised him to write that email need to be fired - now!!

/sigh...

Hope to see a lot of you in September.

D

We do'na 'ave the po'er...

Mon, 07 Aug 2006 11:22:13 GMT

So contractors outside work cut through an electricity cable outside work this morning and I am now safely ensconced at home listening to the cricket.

I'll have to remember to pay them to say thanks...

D

To Munchen .. and beyond...

Sat, 06 May 2006 17:32:29 GMT

That's Munich to those living in the same place as me...

Unfortunately, it is for work and not for fun, so long days are likely to be the order of things (scheduled finish on Monday is 7pm!!!)

See you all on the other side.

D

And the result is....

Fri, 05 May 2006 19:12:35 GMT

WIN... for Richard.

Well done T'Other Richard for his election victory showing us all the way!!

LtCmdrJim has all the details on his blog, so I won't bore you all, but suffice to say, we are all pleased.

D

Best of Luck to T'Other Richard

Thu, 04 May 2006 06:50:59 GMT

Best of luck to Richard today.

I shall be checking the web for results as soon as they begin to appear.

We could have our first politician in the 'group'... which is almost a worrying thought if it weren't Richard.

D

(I think that's one of the few times I'm hoping a Lib Dem wins in a Lib Dem / Tory seat!!!)

A busy weekend

Mon, 10 Apr 2006 17:56:51 GMT

Ps are in Cyprus so a weekend of gaming ensued.

Simon, JP, Jim (LtCmdrJim), David (Dorward) all came over for an RPG dominated weekend.

Exalted: Superb fun and very, very anime / eastern movies like
Marvel: Still a little weird - not helped by my not being entirely awake.
40k: Nids vs Space Marines, and the Nids cleared the table - Hurrah!!!

/we paused the Sat proceedings for a small error in alcohol consumption by one of the guests

Sunday was more Exalted, and then (after lunch) a few games of settlers - 10 in fact - between Jim, David and myself.
A very, very interesting set of results, which I imagine I won't see very often in my life. I'll let Jim & David fill you in if they are still standing after the shock of some of the games.

D

Bad Luck to Richard

Thu, 02 Mar 2006 18:15:08 GMT

and Huhne of course...

...here

Better luck next time old bean - you seem to specialise in backing people who lose. Can you go to Sedgewick and support the current MP (*)

Yours, Declan

(*) I hope I got that constituency right!!!

And I'm back in the U...K!

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 21:59:48 GMT

And Wiltshire to be more specific.

A busy, busy week off work which I spent travelling around Ireland and not actually visiting any pubs ~gasp!!!~

Monday was flight and a nice new Boeing 737-800 with the curled wings. Cool - although I haven't yet worked out the aerodynamic advantage to the flat wing. Picked up at airport which always starts things off well.

Tuesday: Skerries with my Aunt & Uncle and a flying visit from one of my 'cousins-in-law' (if you can have such a thing) and my very young second cousin (one of four children my cousin has). Then met with my other cousin and her husband. Good to see everyone again although there was the prescence of a mad-dog to negotiate which made things overly interesting.

Wednesday: Morning spent wandering around Dublin and then a quick lunch with another cousin. Then to the cinema to see Chronicles of Narnia (I'm a little behind the times). A good film - good creatures, although it was a pity that some of the 'blue-screen' scenic shots were clearly blue-screen! Then a very, very, very long journey to Belfast (5 1/2 hrs)

Thursday: Wandering around Comber and popping off to the local David Lloyd to get a bit of swimming into the week whilst my aunt played tennis. Also, happened to meet another a cousin who was back home for a break from Cheathams (sp???) a music college in Manchester.

Friday: Back home after a bus ride to Dublin Airport (only 2 1/2hrs this time). The slight delay to the flight didn't help nor did the fact that the bus driver of the 'Bristol Flyer' bus-link didn't let us off the bus until my train had left /sigh!!!

Anyway, update over - speak to you all soon

Yours

D

Another Great Weekend

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 10:37:04 GMT

And the end of another great weekend away - this time in London and Essex.

On this occasion I drove to Witham as none of the train operators between there and deepest Wiltshire seemed to want to run a complete service to the capital - great...

As it was, it was an easy drive almost entirely motorway so I may be doing it again at the next meet.

Firstly, thanks to Sarah and Peter for hosting the two events (Witham & Wapping resp.) A pity that the rugby wasn't good enough to encourage those who don't normally watch it. England were atrocious and against any other team they would have probably lost. Also played poker and managed to win the second set of hands - w00t... I'll be retiring on the winnings soon.

Then off to Witham to watch an awful lot of Family Guy (which I have never seen a whole episode of before). Very good esp. the Stewie film!!! Thanks to Sarah for supplying the floor space and the shows and to Richard (not sohardtobearit but the 'original' Richard) for suggesting it. Good fun. Also played a little on the X-Box. I still can't get the hang of racing games or beat 'em ups, but managed to get a few KOs and even beat Sarah once in Burnout (W00t).

Anyway, thanks to all for another smashingly good weekend. Hope to see you all again soonest.

D

A 'game' weekend

Tue, 07 Feb 2006 22:11:56 GMT

Many thanks to LtCmdrJim for hosting the 'Gamerz' weekend in Kent last weekend. Great fun, played a little Call to Arms (although I need more combat to get used to it I think), Settlers, Magic & Java.

Ta to David for driving this time - I was so tired on Sunday I was happy to not be.

This coming weekend I am off to London to see friends from Uni including seeing Sarah's new home (all self-owned and everything).

D

OxCon Update

Sun, 22 Jan 2006 08:30:40 GMT

Or... alternatively: "Oh my God!"

Yesterday was the annual Diplomacy Tournament at Oxcon. Usually used as a good excuse to play Diplomacy once a year and to meet up with uni friends. (Many thanks to SoHardToBearIt (Richard), by the bye, for the floor space). This year I was drawn as another eastern power (Russia) which I can actually play a little. However , imagine my suprise when the tourni organiser announced that I had won!! W00t! A first tourni victory for Dip (and likely my last). Great fun game as it always is at OxCon, and many thanks to my fellow players for that.

/gulp

D

A little late but...

Mon, 02 Jan 2006 13:48:30 GMT

... Happy 2006 to one and all.