Tuesday 27 December 2016

Scottish View!

Ian Muckle from Hunting-Tips.Net A contributor for more than 3 years, reporting on Scottish news and events

SOME superb browns have been taken in late spring and early summer at Loch Leven, and with a variety of methods. I’d like to say that my own name featured on that roll of honour but my club’s trip to the “big puddle’ in mid- May was a personal failure, mainly due to my tunnel vision in persevering with sinking lines and sparkly lures, the technique I’d been advised was best to hit the brownies.
Charlie Kelly, indeed, had fished off Old Leven Mouth with those tactics and was rewarded with a magnificent fish into double-figures, the heaviest of the season at the time of writing.
In fact, Charlie and his partner Hugh Shaw boated three trout for 171b-a superb catch of wild browns, and all returned safely.



On my trip, buzzers were hatching in some profusion for awhile along the Hole of Inch, but I failed to get the message. One of our club members who did switched to a slow- sinking line and Buzzers, taking three lovely fish, more like sea trout, in the 2lb class.
The wind died and the sun shone; conditions which are the worst for catching on Loch Leven. However, it did give us a chance to visit various parts of the great water, looking for a puff of wind. I was on the engine, and insects hammered into my face, and when we came to the back of Castle Island, the number of empty buzzer shucks on the water beggared belief.
It’s no surprise then that Buzzers have been doing well for some anglers, with Rod McLennan and Rab Walls taking 12 fish. Others have found the sinking lines and lures doing well, though, and Lewis Kerr and Connor Campbell drifted from the East Buoy to the Elbow Buoy using Snatchers and small lures and a best rimfire scope on Di-3, Di-5 and Di-7 to catch and release 17 trout. Later in the month, Tony Black and Stevie O’Neill also fished the East Buoy and caught 22 browns on Di-7 lines and mini lures, all fish save one returned.
On the same day, Brendan McWilliam had another beautiful trout of 71b 120Z, this one fell for an Orkney pattern, the Merkister Maid, in the Hole of Inch area.
But it’s not only been on Leven that Buzzers have been catching. Most reports from Lake of Menteith have headlined their dominance, and Linlithgow Loch has had the most amazing season for these insects right from the word go, on March 15.
Some competitions have already taken place, especially on the Lake itself, Scotland’s top tournament water. Thirty anglers competed for the National Championships For Anglers With A Disability, fishing a two-fish limit then catch and release. Over 135 fish were caught, 81 of which were returned and those ubiquitous Buzzers played a major part. Champion was Jim Crawford of Ayr, with 12.
The top seven anglers and one reserve are invited to represent Scotland in the Home International, held at the Lake. Qualifiers are Jim Crawford, John Hood, Dave Stewart, Ossie Smith, Glen McHattie, George Bell, David Malcolm and Stuart Fraser.

In the Scottish Police Recreation Association National, the winning team, comprised Ronnie Turnbull, Bob McLean, Keith Anderson and Jimmy McBride, the latter was top individual with 15 fish. These anglers represent Scotland in the 2016 National at Chew Valley. Top tactics were, believe it or not, straight-lined buzzers...

Wednesday 8 June 2016

John Mayer says no "Pop Sweetness" on new album


John Mayer says his next album won't have the "pop sweetness" of current radio hits.

"It's a really tricky thing making music that can appeal to everybody without certain ingredients that have proven themselves as being very effective in appealing to people," Mayer recently told The Associated Press.

It's good to see someone actually trying to make music that won't be guaranteed to be radio friendly. There's a lot more to music then going platinum, and it's no surprise to me that John Mayer gets that. His latest release "Try" with the John Mayer Trio really has no "Poppy Sweetness" on it and I really like it. It's all blues.

I'm not trying to write my best Coldplay song the way I've tried before, he said. Instead I am writing what I am most prepared for writing, which is a blues or soul approach to a pop song. Hoping that in 20 years it lasts and it doesn't date itself."Blues never gets dated, the guitarist said. "You listen to Huey Lewis and the News and it might be the only thing that stands out from the `80s that's still really enjoyable and not a relic.

Blues never gets dated, the guitarist said. "You listen to Huey Lewis and the News and it might be the only thing that stands out from the `80s that's still really enjoyable and not a relic.

I think it's funny he mentioned Huey Lewis. I've been jamming to their greatest hits for 3 days now. This new style will probably disappoint a lot of the girls out there who enjoy the emo stuff, but I'm glad to see a change. His old music is the shit, but you can definitely tell blues has been where he wanted to go for a long time now. Look for this album when it comes out.

Merry Christmas!

Due to the holiday, I'm not sure how much time I will have on the computer the next few days. If I have time, I will update, and if I don't, I just wanted to say to everybody, Merry Christmas. I'll be heading home in a few hours, so hopefully I can find some time to get up my predictions for the week. I apologize to all those gambling addicts who depend on my inside info. Let's not forget who called the Indy loss last week, eh! Merry Christmas.

Wednesday 3 February 2016

Scary Article About The Future Of The Internet

"The nation's largest telephone and cable companies are crafting an alarming set of strategies that would transform the free, open and nondiscriminatory Internet of today to a privately run and branded service that would charge a fee for virtually everything we do online.

Verizon, Comcast, Bell South and other communications giants are developing strategies that would track and store information on our every move in cyberspace in a vast data-collection and marketing system, the scope of which could rival the National Security Agency. According to white papers now being circulated in the cable, telephone and telecommunications industries, those with the deepest pockets--corporations, special-interest groups and major advertisers--would get preferred treatment. Content from these providers would have first priority on our computer and television screens, while information seen as undesirable, such as peer-to-peer communications, could be relegated to a slow lane or simply shut out.

Under the plans they are considering, all of us--from content providers to individual users--would pay more to surf online, stream videos or even send e-mail. Industry planners are mulling new subscription plans that would further limit the online experience, establishing "platinum," "gold" and "silver" levels of Internet access that would set limits on the number of downloads, media streams or even e-mail messages that could be sent or received. "


This is only a small piece of the article. There is a whole plethora of things in this article that could change the way the internet is used, and from a consumers standpoint, it doesn't look very good. Give it a read.

Monday 27 March 2006

Steelers: Thank You!

I just want to thank the Steelers for making me eat my words. I've been dogging them all season, but they have definitely proven me wrong. Even if they don't win next weekend, I won't be all that disappointed. They beat 2 games to get where they are already. It's not easy beating two division champs on the road. Beating a 3rd will be pretty incredible.

In an interview, he said thanks to your brother, who buy for him a new beginner guitar. In the most difficult days, he plays guitar. Music bring happy to him, help him get back to life.

I didn't get to watch the game live yesterday, I only got to see it taped, but regardless it was exciting and I already knew the outcome. I watched the gamecast on a computer at work. I was sitting there and I see the Steelers sacked Manning and had the ball on the 2. I'm happy because I think it's over, and then all of the sudden I see it's Colts ball on the 20. I was like what the hell happened, so I ran down the mall to a restaurant and watched the end of the game. It was pretty fun being one of two people celebrating the Steelers victory. You'd think Baltimoreites would hate the Colts, but I guess they hate the Steelers more.

This AFC championship should be a damn good one. The Steelers are playing like a team possessed lately, and the Broncos are no slouch as I found out after watching them for the first time this season the other day. I didn't believe in them, but I do now. There aren't too many teams who can say the put it to the Patriots in the playoffs. This is what haves me worried. The Steelers really haven't run the ball all that well in the playoffs. They've done alright, but nothing exceptional. If the Steelers aren't running well next week, it scares me to think the game might be put on the Steelers passing game. Normally that doesn't work out too well.

Disregard everything I said negative about the Steelers this year, they are better then I thought and I am a dumbass. It's all about protecting my fragile little heart. So many times I've put my love out there only to have them disappoint me. I tried to protect myself this year,but I realized there is only one way to live as a fan. You have to put your heart out there, and if your team breaks your heart, so be it. Now wasn't that last paragraph gay or what?

Anyways, ESPN has a poll out about next weeks game and I want to make some observations based off that poll. A little over 87,000 people voted so I think that's a pretty good way to see how people feel. Here we go:

-First off, I'm surprised as hell that 48.8% of people think the Steelers will win in a close game. And if you add the 11.6% who think the Steelers will win big, that's a huge amount of support for the Steelers next week. It surprises me mainly because this game is in Denver, and that's not an easy place to play. I voted for Steelers victory in a close game

-Another surprising stat to me is that 51.7% of voters think the Steelers have a better pass defense. Like I said, I've only watched the Broncos play once this year, but if their pass defense is worse the ours then we should win by a score of 100-0. Our pass defense is kind of lackluster and I stick by that statement. That is definitely a weakness of the Steelers. Luckily, the Steelers blitz well.

-And this might be the most surprising stat of all time. Who would you rather have coaching your team: Bill Cowher or Mike Shannahan? 51.3% chose Cowher. I know that's basically even, but it shouldn't be. I wanna get this straight though. You would rather have a coach who has lost in a Super Bowl, and lost 4 AFC Championships, and one of those was against Shannahan's Broncos in '97. Not to mention the fact that Shannahan won 2 championships back to back. So I just wanna know how people come to make that pick. That is just stupid to me and shows a lack of knowledge. If the Steelers win the Super Bowl, they win despite Cowher, not because of him.

Now with all that said, I've taken off my bitter Steelers fan persona, and I'm breaking out the old Doug, the guy who thinks they can win no matter who they play. Here We Go Steelers!

Monday 6 February 2006

Sexy Dino Crest Baby

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Duckbilled dinosaurs of about 90 million years ago had huge crests with complex nasal passages, and used them to honk sexual and social messages, according to a new study in the journal Paleobiology.

"The crest likely evolved to play a role in behavior of both vocal and visual display -- to call to attract a mate or warn of predators or something like that," said David Evans, a researcher at the University of Toronto.

"We can now discount the idea that the structure evolved to increase the sense of smell."


For all the other people out there who never outgrew their love for dinosaurs, I offer you the previous information.

Super Bowl XL

Alright guys, I'm sure I've burned you all out on the Steelers talk yesterday and the countdown for the last two weeks, so this is the last bit I'll say on it. 

I'll be perfectly honest with everyone out there, if the Steelers weren't in this game, I might have caught myself flipping channels. It was just very anti-climatic and almost seemed like a regular season game. It was really a battle so see who would mess up the least, and Pittsburgh won that battle. 

I wouldn't say it swayed the game in our direction, but Seattle definitely has a right to be pissed about some referees decisions. The offensive pass interference in the end zone for Seattle was iffy. If I were the ref, I would have let that one go. Ben's touchdown, well there wasn't enough evidence to change the call. If the initial call was no touchdown, I would have agreed with the ref for upholding that call as well. And lastly and probably the worst call of the game was the illegal block or whatever was called on Matt Hasslebeck as he was trying to tackle the Steelers player after an INT.

With that said, I couldn't be happier the Steelers won the Super Bowl. I'm still kind of shock and really don't believe it. I always hoped, but never thought I'd see them win it all anytime soon. After the game was over, I kind of just sat there and smiled at the TV like a retard. And I couldn't fall asleep last night either. I kept thinking about the game. 

And lastly, just to defend ( and I only use that word because I can't think of another one) my position I held on the Steelers earlier this season, I'll point out a quote from one of myfavorite blogs concerning his favorite NCAA team, Illinois. After Illinois lost to Penn State, he had this to say about his team. "I'll still root for the team, but I have zero expectations anymore."

That quote pretty much summed up how I felt when the Steelers were losing and playing like crap a few months ago. They were always my favorite team, and I rooted for them every game, but I had zero expectations, and never thought in a million years they'd make the Super Bowl. I find it hard to believe anybody who said they did, but if you say you believed, good for you. Here's a cookie. I like to think I know enough about sports that I can root for my favorite team, but still be smart enough to admit when they play like crap and criticize them for it. Never in my life have I wanted to be the type of fan who loves their team and think they are great when they suck, and think every single call that goes against their team is wrong. You know who you are. 

Pittsburgh Steelers, you are the 2006 Super Bowl Champions, and you have surprised everyone. Congratulations. Take a month off and then get started working on next year, cause I want another.

Sunday 5 February 2006

Plunger Head

I haven't shared any personal stories with you guys in a long time, but tonight that's about to change. 

Tonight at work, it was a pretty slow night so I decided to wonder around and try to find something to do. Well, a few aisles down I run into a kid I work with named Joe. He just happened to be in the plumbing aisle, so as I start b.s.'ing with him, I pick up a plunger and start pushing it down on the ground and pulling it up. For some reason I always liked that popping sound it makes when you pull it up. 

In the middle of our conversation I begin to wonder if I can get one of these plungers to stick to my head. Turns out....you can. So here I am with a plunger stuck to my head, and Joe trying to get it stuck on his stomach, when low and behold (I don't know if that's how you spell that), a woman walks up behind us looking for some help. "Do you guys work here? Yeah, you guys with the plungers on your head." I don't really embarrass to easily when it comes to things like that, so I just laugh it off and turn around to see who was talking to us. Well, as I turn, I still have the plunger stuck to my head and I decided I should probably pull it off. Well when I did it made that same popping sound you get when you pull it off the floor, and that sound just killed me. It was funny as hell. 

So there you go. A long overdue story of something from my personal life. I hope you enjoy. I'm sure anybody who really knows me is enjoying this story.

Friday 3 February 2006

Christian group mad at Will & Grace

"A conservative advocacy group that urged a boycott of NBC's recently canceled drama about a pill-popping priest turned its wrath on Thursday to an upcoming "Will & Grace" episode that it says will mock Christ's crucifixion.

But NBC executives insist the group's objections stem from faulty details in a press release mistakenly issued by the network earlier this week, and that neither a script nor story line for the episode in question has been written.

The latest religious flap at NBC flared after the network announced on Tuesday that pop star Britney Spears will make an April 13 guest appearance on "Will & Grace," playing a Christian conservative talk-show sidekick to Jack, the gay character portrayed by series regular Sean Hayes."


I don't get these Christian groups. All they do is complain about the stupidest things possible. They must like hearing their own voice or something. Why do you care if they are making fun of a mock crucifixion? Mock means it's not real, and that you shouldn't care. It's just joke, and like I say to most things, if you don't like it, don't watch it. I think the people who watch Will & Grace are smart enough to know if they want to watch a show like that.

And as for protesting the show about the "pill-popping priest", get over it. Would you rather them portray a show about what priests have really been doing. I.E. getting off on little boys. 

People, stop worrying about what other people are doing and worry about yourself. Everyone has the smarts to watch what they want, and if you think something is immoral, change the channel.

Changes Are Upon Us

As you can see, there have been some changes made to the template. Hopefully, everybody likes them. I'm not quite sure how I feel about them, but I wanted to make a chance, and here it is. 

Personally, I like the Gorilla dropping a deuce. Joyce says I'm ape like, and who doesn't think a monkey going to the bathroom is funny? I'm not the only one who enjoys bathroom humor, am I?

So, this is the template at least for a month or two. I might make some changes to the background color and what not, but for the most part, it is what it is. 

I mentioned a week or two ago about some new features to the blog. All the new features will be starting this week. Tuesday will be the first one, and Thursday and Sunday will be the others. I'll be doing them every week and hopefully everyone enjoys them. If not, I'll scrap them and think of something else. In addition to those features, I'll still be doing all my regular updating, so be sure and check back daily for all the latest news in movies, music, video games, politics, science, and everything else. 

Have a good weekend everyone!

Super Bowl Champion Countdown

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Get used to it Bill. It'll be all yours Sunday Night

What Music Buyers Really Think

"While one-quarter of the nation's music fans say they've downloaded songs onto their computers — legally or otherwise  a new nationwide poll suggests music executives should look elsewhere to explain their business woes.

Three in every four fans complain that compact discs are too expensive, and 58 percent complain that music in general is getting worse, according to the poll conducted for The Associated Press and Rolling Stone magazine.

"Less talented people are able to get a song out there and make a quick million and you never hear from them again," said Kate Simkins, 30, of Cape Cod, Mass."


I can't believe that 58% of people actually thing music is getting worse. If that's the case, why is so much crap on the radio. And I don't mean songs that I don't like, I mean music that is absolute garbage. I can listen to every genre of music, but the last year or two I've given up on the radio.

"But the poll also found that 49 percent of music fans ages 18-to-34 — the target audience for the music business — say music is getting worse.

"Even if our parents didn't like how loud rock 'n' roll was, or that it was revolutionary, at least they could listen to some of it," said Christina Tjoelker, 49, from Snohomish, Wash. "It wasn't gross. It wasn't disgusting. It wasn't about beating up women or shooting the police."


I never thought I'd be one of those people who say "what is wrong with today's music". I always thought I'd like whatever music might be out. If I love music, why wouldn't I want to listen to it? Well, I didn't know that all this garbage music from down south was going to take over the airwaves.

Honestly, and I don't care who you are or who get's offended by this, if you listen to that god awful southern rap, you are brain dead musically. Don't you realize these song are ababsolutelyutly nothing?

I see a change, but for years now, there has been no true R&B, and if there was an R&B song out, it was alwaccompaniednied by a featured rapper. It's coolcollaboraterate, but not every single artist has to do the exact same thing.

And don't you realize that these artists are only making music to sale records, when in back to back singles, you'll have the same artist sing about how he found a girl worth settling down for, and then come back with a song about never loving hoes and treating them like crap.

I don't get it. I'm not trying to make music sspiritualiual thing, but damn, at least make the musicians put out quality music. Don't just soak up whatever they push at you. Half of you out there wouldn't know what music you like if they radio didn't tell you. Have a mind of your own please.

Read the Article

Sorry for my bi-monthly rant on how garbage music is, but it drives me nuts, and needs to be said.

Thursday 2 February 2006

Stephanie Tanner: How Rude

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"Former Full House cutie Jodie Sweetin has earned herself a spot on the lengthy list of child stars gone wrong.

During an appearance on Good Morning America Wednesday, Sweetin, who played middle sister Stephanie Tanner on the hit sitcom, revealed that she is arecovering meth addict and once battled a daily drug habit.

The ex-actress, 24, said she had trouble figuring out how to adjust to a regular childhood existence after Full House ended its run in 1995.

"There is a certain sense of loss when a series ends," Sweetin said. "It is kind of hard to figure out who you are when you've lost your job at age 13, when that was basically how you identified yourself." 


I can relate to Jodie. It wasn't too long ago when I was reveling in the fame of being a narrator of our church play about Christmas. One minute you are on top of the world with everyone admiring you and your work, and the next thing you know, Easter comes and you're nobody. To this day, I truly believe if it weren't for that damn Christmas play, I would have never developed this Crack habit. Unfortunately, the play was non-profit, thus I have no money to pay for rehab. Please say some prayers for me.

The Chronicles of Narnia Sequel

Image hosting by Photobucket"A sequel to one of 2005's top grossers, the Oscar-nominated blockbuster "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," will begin production later this year. The first film's cast, director and screenwriters have all signed on to

Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media, the film's backers, are said to be exploring a Christmas 2007 release for "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian." That both companies would greenlight a follow-up to "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," which is in contention for Best Visual Effects, Best Makeup and Best Sound Mixing at the 78th annual Academy Awards, should come as little surprise. The movie has earned $638 million worldwide, making it Disney's highest-grossing live-action film release. "Armageddon" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" hold second and third place, respectively." 


I don't even know if this is good news or not being that I never got a chance to see the first Narnia. I guess I'll have to catch it on DVD. I do, however, have the book sitting on my shelf, and I'll get to that asap. For you fans of this movie, and judging be the numbers there are a lot of you, there is something to look forward to.

6 more weeks of winter


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"Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, but it was hard to find a complainer in the crowd on Gobbler's Knob, where the morning temperature was well above freezing and Thursday's high was expected to hit 48 degrees.

There were a few boos at the groundhog's prediction of six more weeks of winter, but most of the hundreds of revelers instead turned the event into an impromptu Pittsburgh Steelers rally.

Fans in football jerseys sang "Here we go Steelers," and members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club's Inner Circle the top-hat- and tuxedo-wearing businessmen responsible for carrying on the groundhog tradition each year threw black and gold Steelers "Terrible Towels" as they waited to rouse Phil from his burrow."


If the 6 extra weeks of winter are anything like the past week, I don't mind it at all. I don't know if it's because I'm in Baltimore, or what it is, but the weather has been super warm. A few days I didn't even need a coat.

I think the highlight of this story is the impromptu Steeler Pep Rally held after Phil came out. I mean this in a good sense, but Steelers fans are dumb like that. Now sit down children, it's time for another one of Doug's high school stories.

I remember back in 10th grade when the Steelers played the Broncos in the AFC Championship (1997 me thinks), I decided I'd piss everybody off and where my Terrell Davis jersey. Well, my classmates weren't as bad as these kids (and if you didn't hear about that story yet, read it), but we were having a hoops pep rally that Friday before the game, and when they announced my name and I walked out there with my Broncos jersey, half the kids started the "Here We Go" chant. I was for the Steelers, but to this day I enjoy pissing people off. Why, I don't know but I like it. So there's my story. Now enjoy the extra 6 weeks of winter.