sm9

I got Peter Beardsley's autograph on a Mersey Ferry when he was playing for us, guess it must have been around 1987. I was shitting myself when I walked up to him - we were on a school trip though, so were in a bit of a queue to get to him! I also 'met' and 'talked to' John Aldridge - I bumped into him walking into the toilet in a McDonalds by Hunts Cross and we both said sorry to each other! This was around 1996. That's about it, so I'll have to clutch some straws now and bore people with players I've seen in the flesh but not met (as such) or spoke to... I always find it strange when I see someone famous in real life. Always wish afterwards that I'd spoke to them or got a picture or something, but always feel a bit nervous around them. I once saw Robbie Fowler in WH Smith's in town - I was just really surprised that he could walk through Liverpool city centre without getting mobbed! This was when he was still playing for us (1st time around) not long before he joined Leeds. I just stared at him as I walked past and it was like he was trying to stare me out! Speaking of have stare-outs with famous people, the same thing happened with Max Clifford when I saw him getting out of a taxi in Manchester last year! I thought I saw Riera driving down North John Street a few weeks ago in one of them sporty Audi's, in white. Wasn't 100% sure if it was him as his head was down looking at his mobile phone as he was driving past! 80% sure it was him though! Also saw Jason McAteer a few months ago on Victoria Street - he was talking to someone, but I wished I'd have said 'hey mate, didn't you used to play for Tranmere?!" I had a mate in uni who reckoned he him and his mate met him on a night out once and they went back to his place and ended up lending a porno! Not sure whether to believe that one! I saw a prick bombing around in a Lamborghini Gaylordardo by Victoria Street when the MTV awards were on, and later learned that it was Jermaine Pennant! Last year, we were sat on an early Virgin train to London at Lime Street and saw John Barnes walking past the carriage as he was on his way to London for that Strictly Come Dancing. I saw Igor Biscan outside the Thistle hotel in a Jeep a few years ago - he was wearing jogging pants and looked like he'd just got out of bed! I was surprised to drive past Steven Gerrard about a year ago in Maghull in a silver Range Rover! He was turning out of Ormonde Drive in Maghull into Gainsborough Avenue and I let him out and he waved to me. That made my day! Also saw Steve Staunton in Maghull years ago, around 1990 or whever he played for us around that time. He was a passenger in a car driving over the Red Lion bridge in Maghull and waved to me and my mates. I've also seen the whole Liverpool team on the pitch in Anfield, oh wait... :-)

On a related note, I once egged on a schoolmate to ask the Spanish exchange student to marry him: "chupo mi miembro" She clipped him around the ears as it actually means, suck my dick! I later found out that I got the verbs/tenses all wrong and he actually said, "I suck my dick!" :lol:

He's one dirty and sly bastard that Taylor. I can't remember the details, but he did something underhand to one of our players when we beat them 5-0 at St James Park, and I saw him do something sly in a recent game too. Plus he was featured on Match of the Day making some monumental defending cock-ups!

I can't help you with the specifics of this, but I've had server load issues on our web server in work during busy times. I'm no technical server expert, but we got our hosting company to look at the list if processes during a busy time and they offered advice on what was causing the high load etc (to help us make efficiency improvements). As it happened, it just seemed like the CMS was not working optimally, so we just had to tweak what we could and do our best at the time (it also doesn't help when Martin's Money Saving Expert links to your site in a newsletter that goes out to 2 million fucking people!!). But I was listening to the Boagworld podcast a few months ago (a podcast for web design geeks!) and they had an interview with some guy from Digg.com about server performance, and he managed all their hundreds of web servers so knew a thing or two! He seemed to swear by something called Memcached for reducing server load. Looking at this website, it even mentions HowardStern.com as an example of a popular website (with a vBulletin board) that uses this. I've not set this up myself, and will probably have to get someone more technical to do so anyway, but it's something I'd certainly recommend looking at based on what I've heard. If you have technical help, I've heard this can be setup within a few hours if you know what you're doing. A quick search on vBulletin.com has found this thread (amongst others) where this is mentioned. Not sure if this is going to help with your particular issue, but just an idea. I'm going to look into this myself (or more likely, get someone technical to look into it!) as a last resort before splashing out more money on upgrading our work's web server. Good luck! Ste

I'll second Adobe Lightroom 2, particularly if you're shooting RAW files. It's great for not only adjusting/processing images, but also for light re-touching, organising, and keywording. I have to admit though, when I've done serious pixel-peeping and testing in the past, the software that comes free (as Jaco says, above) usually produces the best results, although at the expense of being easy to use and full of other features. Ste

Hi mate, I think you might have to link to the actual jpg file on Flickr to make them appear here - the links work for me if I click them, but I've just tried editing the links above to that they link to the actual image rather than the web page. I'm new to posting stuff myself as I don't post that much, but if the images above now work, then that's it! :) Ste

Those are some great shots you've took there! I've seen shots like this before but never seen the clouds/fog like that myself - it's really flat where I live and I've yet ever get up any mountains! Ste

Thanks for the link - those photos look great! And you got a group shot from above, as well as the normal group shot - that's being too clever and rubbing salt in my wounds! ;) I've just checked my emails and you're right, the email was in my Gmail Spam folder. That spam filtering can be a pain in the arse at times. I've just emailed you with a reply to your original email. That £1,850 is a good price, but I don't know if they'll ever get the stock in! I know someone who was with Play.com and he cancelled his order in the end after even they weren't getting stock in. It's all really frustrating and I hope my girlfriend doesn't go changing her mind whilst I;m kept waiting! Ste

I've got my name down for a 5d mk2 (still bloody waiting!). I've had the 5D for a few years now so feel like I'm ready for an upgrade, even if I don't really need one for taking pictures of my cat! ;) I'm actually getting quite excited about the video on it - don't get me wrong, I've read it's not the best for handling or control, but the ability to video with any of my Canon lenses and with various apertures should be great. To show what's capable, check out this video, which was filmed with a 5D mk2 (obviously, they have a whole film crew with specialist lighting, sound men, etc): Canon Digital Learning Center - Sample EOS 5D Mark II Video: Reverie And this is a less 'Hollywood' clip but still looks 20 times better than anything I've ever filmed: pressphotographer : photos : Video- powered by SmugMug Ste p.s. You never did email me that link! ;)

Don't know if this has been said before, but did anyone see that shitty banner that said 'European Capital of Trophies' ? We should do a banner in response, listing all the trophies we've won in comparison to them, with a picture of Ricky Tomlinson saying "European Capital of Trophies? My arse!!!" ;)

I saw this interview on LFC TV earlier too. Thought it was funny when he was talking about the referee at the San Siro against Inter Milan. He was saying how the ref was on their side and after the match, he gave the ref a piece of his mind and kicked him on the way off the pitch. He then said that if the ref was genuine, he would have got the Police, but he never, and that's how he knew he was on the take...<whoosh>...And we'll be straight back after a commercial break!! He was probably right, but that girl interviewing him looked a bit on edge a few times in that interview, probably scared of being sued! Think Smith was getting a bit deluded when he was insinuating that the players threw him up second in line after Hughes to pick up a Cup (instead of the goalkeeper being second, as us customary), as if he was the 'players captain' or something. Just doesn't need to be said. Think he should shut up about Emlyn Hughes though, as it's disrespectful and not very classy to be talking about how you hated someone who is now dead. Almost like pissing on their grave or memory. Move on.

Regarding Keane, I've read the stuff about Benitez wanting to sign Barry first, but Parry pushing ahead with it, etc. I might be wrong, but I thought the last time he started was in the game where he was seen saying (just before he was subbed), 'I bet it's fucking me again' or words to that effect. The way Benitez didn't even play him last week and the excuses from Benitez about players in the middle not guaranteeing goals etc, just stunk to me, like he had a problem with Keane and was teaching him a lesson (almost cutting your nose to spite your face). As for Plessis, I'm assuming that the other players (such as Spearing) aren't showing any signs of discontent or anything else which may get back to Benitez and piss him off? I say that because I read TLW and get the impression that Spearing is a bit pissed off, so wonder what Benitez would be hearing from his communication channels. I get the impression that Benitez would be more annoyed by people mouthing off or questioning his authority/management/decisions than he would be about players showing poor form! I also assume that Benitez is watching the reserve games and isn't just taking the word/advice of his yes men that Plessis is doing okay? Just my views of course, and I'm a pro Benitez person! Finally, and without wanting to sound like a stalker, I've often wondered what would happen if someone waited outside Benitez's house after training and had a quick word with him about something. "Hey Rafa, has anyone told you that Plessis is stinking out the reserves and is playing awfully? Why don't you have a closer look at this and give Spearing a chance?" I wonder if he'd listen! I thought this about Peter Crouch a while back - "Hey Peter lad, you need to work harder mate, all that England stuff has gone to your head, sort it out!" :-) I've thought about things like this because I'm convinced that people like this are surrounded by 'yes men' and might sometimes be oblivious to what people on the street are thinking and saying. Probably get arrested!!! :lol:

I'm really surprised at that as I'd have thought Benitez would have been the first person to fuck someone off due to a bad attitude. He has given 1st team players the cold shoulder due to attitude (Crouch after letting his England robot dance get to his head? And this season, Keane for being pissed off about being subbed every game?). So why is Plessis, a young reserve player, getting away with this?!

First of all, it was really sad seeing De La Hoya standing there for 8 rounds, barely throwing anything, and get hit like a punch bag. He even said to Freddy Roach afterwards that he didn't have it anymore, but I'm sure he'll have one more fight, against a lesser opponent, so he can retire on a win. I've not seen too much of Pacquiao before, but I'm not going over the top with this performance. I think that against a live opponent, even a Hatton (who's just passed his best), I think he'll be in trouble at this weight. Maybe the word 'trouble' is a bit harsh, but I certainly don't think he's another Mayweather in class, certainly not at this weight. But credit where credit's due, he can only fight what's in front of him. I really think Hatton would out-muscle Pacquiao and rough him up. He certainly wouldn't (I hope!) just stand there and take the shots. By the way, did you see Hatton a ringside? He didn't waste time putting his weight back on did he! I guess he didn't listen to his trainers advice about watching what he eats and drinks from now on! As for Mayweather, he would absolutely batter Pacquiao, totally different class. Anyone who thinks Pacquiao would have a chance against him has been blinded by last night's bizarrely one-sided performance. De La Hoya in his prime would have won last night. The Froch v Pascal fight was excellent! A real all-action encounter. It's just a shame that they both tired badly (understandably due to the intentity of the fight) at the end so there was no KO. I thought Amir Khan looked good, albeit, against a small and limited opponent who's overhand rights were slower than my own! I think Khan could do well if he can stay away from big nasty punchers (like that Prescott). In fact, I think he'd have done a much better job against Pacquiao than De La Hoya did, but that's not saying much of course. But styles make fights, as they say. Audley Harrison is a joke, but he still has this Heavyweight Champion dream because he knows that the division is very weak. It's just a shame that he's got no stamina, or confidence in his stamina, and never really opens up and goes for it, never takes a chance. I really liked watching that Rogen 'go for it' and open up. Audley should take note!

Yeah, thanks for the neg, I saw it before I replied to you. I'll stop calling you a PRICK now, and certainly won't call you a CUNT, in case you neg me again!

It was closed on a Sunday morning and was always empty so don't worry about it. PRICK!

I think this thread would be getting more posts if it was about the politicians we hate! Then at the end, we could weed out who wasn't mentioned much get our favourite politicians that way! ;-) I don't follow politics that closely (I don't even know the difference between left and right wing unless I look it up on Wikipedia, and even then, I keep forgetting!), but I do catch the odd Question Time, This Week, and Politics Show. I hate that Vince Cable - he reminds me of the Emperor in Star Wars. It's like he's wheeled out by the Lib Dems at every PM question time to crack a few jokes! Can't stand the way he's grins as he talks (and trembles!), holding back his smug laughter! Also hate the way he was at the centre of getting rid of Charles Kennedy (who I've always liked actually, sober or not!). That Nick Clegg is very lightweight and is obviously a younger and 'cooler' puppet for the likes of Cable and the others... Can't stand David Milliband either - he's so fake! Watch him talk and you'll see the fake slow talking and the fake pauses as he tries to look authoritative. It's like he watched Tony Blair give the 'ad hoc' speech about Diana when she died and modeled his persona on that. But he cocks it up so much that he almost sounds like he's Chinese or something! Speaking of Milliband, I saw a post on here a few months ago that said he was on Sky News and there was an off-take of him putting on a straight face whilst talking about some deaths in Pakistan, then he burst into laughter in between takes, then put on a straight face again. I'd LOVE to see this. No doubt, it's been locked away until his leadership bid... Mandleson must be the ultimate political monster and smoozer! He must be so well connected if he's getting chance after chance and Prime Ministers keep wanting him back. I've not really seen him talk much about anything to be honest, other than on the news when there's some scandal! I think Gordon Brown is very naive too - he's being out-muscled by the Tory spin doctors and made to look a fool in the press. It's very weak of him and he needs someone like Alistair Cambell in his corner quick sharp if he's to make a fight of the next election! I think Cameron comes across well but he has no substance. All he can do is moan about Labour, but rarely has his own suggestions on the table. And I can't fucking stand that George Osbourne! He's such a little spoilt brat rich kid and watching him raise his voice in the house of commons makes me want to give him a punch on the nose! I saw George Howarth (my MP) on the train from London to Liverpool once. He was walking through my carriage on the way to his first class seat (good use of tax payers money...). I can't believe that guy's an MP - he has no charisma and seems very uncomfortable in his own skin! He must win that seat by default. I also hate that Charles Clarke - he was shite when he was a Minister, and now he's not, you see him digging his claws into Gordon Brown at every opportunity as if he's some great authority. Jesus, the guy couldn't do a decent job when he had power so why are the press lapping up his comments now?! I can't remember what he was like when Chancellor, but I've always quite liked Ken Clarke when he's been on TV. Probably a similar thing to the Portillo comments above. One MP who I can't stand is Yvette Cooper! She seems like a bitchy little madam and I once heard her on Radio 4 on the Today programme and she was such a little big mouth. I think she's married to Ed Balls, and he's good mates with Gordon Brown. So that's how she's got her job then! Did anyone see Question Time a few months ago when Theresa May (no, not the page 3 girl!) and Hazel Blears were on it? I was loving the pure bitchiness between those two! The men argue of course, but if you get two women like this in each corner, you always get the impression that if the cameras weren't there, they'd end up having a fight! Rant over!

I had 19 proper lessons and passed first time in Crosby, though I was probably ready earlier than that due to all the time driving around with my Dad. Used to drive around the Showcase Cinema car park on a Sunday morning with my Dad when I was 16 and also around Kirkby industrial estate when I was 17 and getting started on the roads This was in 1997. I think the year is important as before then, I've heard that you only had to know how to switch the ignition on to pass! :-P

He should have just said nothing until he'd stayed the night! And made sure they'd both had a few drinks on the night! :wallbutt:

I agree with Nick, I don't think he's playing at his best. Also, I'm not too keen on all those tattoos he has - makes him look like a cross between a smackhead and punk musician! ...Just winding you up!! :-) Back to the subject, I think it's absolutely bullshit that any Liverpool players should be making money on the side from selling spare tickets or any other sort of scam/loophole All the club needs to do is to tell them that passing tickets onto any ticket agencies (or the like) is strictly forbidden and will result in a club fine. Any spare tickets (which should be meant for family and friends only anyway) should be given back to the club. Simple! :thumbup:

We have them messages in work and they're setup from Exchange - not sure if you're working from an Exchange environment or not though. In the email itself, it should tell you how big your mailbox actually is and what the limit is, both in KB? I recently used something called Exmerge to create pst files of my annual emails so that I just kept my current year's worth of emails in my Outlook (with the pst files when I needed them), which saved me spending hours deleting through 7 year's worth of emails and stopped me getting the same messages!

Ha, I saw him! Unless there was someone else driving around in a white Gaylordardo at around 6pm'ish before the MTV awards! He turned left down North John Street, from Dale Street, and absolutely floored it. He didn't get far though as it was quite busy so he had to slam on to avoid going into the car in front of him! Me and my mate thought 'what an idiot' and thought it'd be some high roller in town for the MTV awards. That car is noisy as fuck too! The next morning, my mate texted to say he saw the same car again revving it engine in traffic and scaring the shit out of people walking in front of it! Hope he didn't have too much to drink if he was driving the next morning...

Haye is definitely chinny but if he can keep hitting others before they catch up to him... The heavyweight division is so crap these days. Don't think he'd last half a round with Mike Tyson in his prime!

Hypia is a brave fucker to score that header with that goalkeeper rushing out to try and punch anything he can reach! Good reflexes from Sami to slip the punch too!

If that's true, that's a really funny story! I once saw Gravesen eating in the Queens Square Burger King in town, during his Everton days. A healthy eater like myself then - those Whoppers are full of good nutritious salad!