supergrass

The best way I found to learn was via lessons. That way you know you're getting the best technique and for me it motivated me to practice as I didn't want to turn up to the next one without improving. For guitar, before you got to lessons I would say looked up the chords and learn them (barre and F will take time), even if it's just E/Em, A/Am and work at changing between them. At least them the teacher has something to work with. I also found a good way to see what I was learning was to put it into song-form as soon as possible. After one lesson I could play C, G and D. Doesn't sound a lot, but then I found Love Me Do by The Beatles, which only had those chords. I felt better then knowing I could play songs. You don't need that many lessons. Get the basics, practice it alone and get the hang of it, then go back to learn more. It's good to play and talk with other musicians too, you'll learn a lot and it'll help you keep time etc.

I own an two acoustic guitars, two electrics (including my Gibson Melody Maker which is my most cherished item), a bass, two harmonicas and an accordion. And a ukelele. I've been playing guitar for about 3/4 years now, can't remember how long exactly and done a few gigs. Last year took advantage of the 'turn up and play' Nokia tent at Reading festival, which is probably the largest crowd my "band" ever played to - with less than brilliant consequences. Still, will do it again this year now that we have better material.

I've never been searched or even looked at when entering the camping site - bar a quick glance at the wristband to make sure you're a camper. Entering the arena they'll have a look at what you're taking in, but if you're entering at a busy time they can't check you properly. Entering the arena I'll take a clear bottle of vodka in a water bottle and then just buy cokes to mix it with. Elsewhere or costs, a 2/3 man from Tesco is only £20 or £30 I think and is quite good quality. Sleeping bags can't be any more than a tenner (I splashed out on a good one for twenty, though that's because I left it to the last minute and it was all I could get in London). You can get an air bed to sleep on on-site for about another tenner.

It's alleged in Italy that Adebayor has agreed to join Milan. If the £32m price is accurate I would sell in an instant. 30 goals in a season at Arsenal isn't bad, however if he could finish he would've pushed Ronaldo for the golden boot.

I own all of the Oasis ones which to be honest very rarely ever get a play anymore. Then are ill-judged Christmas presents such as RHCP and Coldplay which have been played once. I have the full collection of Later... with Jools Holland, I find they're good for a background play on the TV when I'm on my laptop. Hullabaloo and HAARP by Muse will get semi-frequent views as the girlfriend's a bit of a Muse nut. I frequently watch Puffing On A Coffin Nail by Dirty Pretty Things too as I was at the gip. I also ripped the audio from that and hear it a lot on my mp3 player.

My girlfriend works at Twickenham and will be heading up one of the bars in the ground. The drinking is pretty much what most of the people go for judging by the state of those hanging around the area after the game. They don't close the bars in the ground (the external ones facing out that is, not those in the stands) close until 8 or 9.

I don't think Lennon ever did anything for England in the few chances he was given. Fast, yes, but international defenders can usually deal with kick-and-chase tactics. Surely after last night it will be the end of Jermain Defore for England. He does everything ok, but that's about it. Good club player and would fit in to any team outside the top four (could probably make it in the top four, but it'd never happen), but just isn't international class. I think it's about time Agbonlahor and Young were given a chance. The pair of them have been key parts in Villa's season. I'd pick Barry and them two and try and get a familiar feel in the team as opposed to the individuals we normally come across as.

I've been getting back into Weezer, or was majorly while it was still sunny in London, hadn't put one of their albums on in a good year or two before that point. Beach Boys are good for the summer, Pet Sounds will spin again should the sun re-surface.

20 on Rangers to win 3-1

Summer time is generally when The Thrills CD comes back into rotation, 'Big Sur' is quite summery. Same for some Magic Numbers tracks. Dreaming Of You by The Coral is another one, also...forgetting the name...Oh My Corazon by Tim Burgess. Haven't heard that in quite some time.

Judging by the premise of the show and the clips e4 were showing I was expecting it to be another crap sitcom. Finally caught the first two episodes last night and they were quite funny. Unlike the overblown Skins, this is actually a rather close portrayal of what sixth form life is like and does bring back memories. Not laugh out loud funny, but amusing and will probably be a regular fixture in my watching. I like it when things you have no/low expectations of surprise you like that.

How can one happen without the other?

Somebody's going all out for it. Slow and steady wins the race. Or at least doesn't come last.

Bet 1 8 on Blackburn to beat Birmingham @12/5 Bet 5 4 on Blackburn to beat Birmingham 2-1 4 on Reading to beat Derby 2-1 4 on Reading to beat Derby 1-0

That's news to me. Considering I was catching The Cribs anyway should be a good chance to check them out properly - can't be bothered to get the album at present, will probably do so before Reading. Saw Lightspeed Champion last night but due to last train times had to depart half way through, this has only strengthened my resolve to see him again at Reading. I wish Reading was this weekend.

Eyes are on a top six finish now, hopefully a good last week of the league will see a decent run of late continued.

There are always people selling, touts are as present as any other gig. I've done ebay before, worked out at about £150 a ticket which isn't too inflated. Plus I got to do the exchnge in person (wasn't going to trust a tout over ebay with £300), it was some woman who never had intentions of going, I took my tickets then let her know my feelings on what she was doing.

While we're at it: That's got to be the worst retraction of a point I've ever seen, you've just reiterated the nonsense you were spouting. We're aware it was your opinion, we were pointing out your opinion was completely unfounded. Believe me, nobody was in any danger of mistaking your point for a fact. Regarding the Chelsea team debate, there is no way you can call that team average. They had some of the league's best players coming through the club at that point. Manchester United and Arsenal at that point were fantastic teams, average teams couldn't get anywhere near them at that point. Ultimately Chelsea couldn't challenge them down to the wire, but they were close and were often tipped by pundits to win the league (maybe it was the pressure that got to super Chris Sutton). I think that's spot on. An average team can't mount a challenge. A good team can, but can't always keep it up. A great team maintains the challenge over the season and wins it (or comes a close 2nd/3rd).

Sky One did better on their budget: http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/05/...gg_miriam,0.jpg

Egil Ostenstad was a Norway International who had spells at Blackburn & Southampton and where the fucks he? Haaland would of just floated into obscurity is what I mean, Championship or Norwegian First League most likely. Hell, poor old Alf Inge's names only ever mentioned for that incident. The fact remains, what did Haaland ever win? He was a nobody in a team full of nobodies! Keane was the Captain of one of the world's most prestigious clubs. Anyway enough talking about Haaland, this is the Top 25 footballers thread so let's talk about the situation at hand. Swiftly moving the end of your post back onto the title topic doesn't mean your points can just be overlooked. I'm quite sure that playing for Norway is a big deal in Norway, I wouldn't have thought Keane was a massive superstar over there. Most players do drift off into obscurity when age creeps up and they wind down their playing days, however if you do want to go into the merits of Haaland's career then being a part of World Cup squad isn't too bad. Didn't win anything but did alright for himself. And amongst the "nobodies" he played with are Harry Kewell, Alan Smith, Paul Robinson, Hasselbaink and Woodgate. I think Keane's challenge was that bad that it has overshadowed Haaland's career in the eyes of the general public in England. Not the best player in the world, no, but his career exists in its own right amongst the clubs and nation he represented. I see in your last post you've upped the ante on spurious claims. Good work.

Starting to wish I hadn't backed Reading to get a draw considering two of their key players are now dropped. Still, such is my lack of faith in Tottenham that some hope remains.

Three time league winner Steve Bould was fantastic, until he slightly ruined it by packing off to wind his career down with a small club not worthy of his contribution.

Why should he pay the prostitutes? He's Ronaldo. Does that count for nothing these days?

Nobody claims he did, it's a fact that Keane didn't end Haaland's career as I pointed out. I'll have to forgive Haaland for perhaps not knowing Keane's history of injuries, or for getting caught up in the heat of the game - because that's what Haaland's was, not a premeditated and cowardly attack. And your last point makes absolutely no sense. What do you mean by "Haaland would've been stuck in the lower leagues anyway"? He was already an established Norway international and had built a career at Forest, Leeds and Man City before any of this with Keane took place.

Bet 1 - 5 on Sunderland Bet 2 - 5 on Birmingham Bet 4 - 5 on draw (Reading/Tottenham) Bet 5 - 5 on Robbie Keane to score first