What's Your Version

I decided that my self imposed blog exile would end today.  Ok the truth is I was just tired from my new job and too lazy to write.  I was sitting on the couch and thinking just how many cool versions of "Blue Moon" are there?  Well at least the ones on the YouTube. The song dates back to 1933. There are plenty more to find out there. So here are some of my favorites, whats yours?

Billie Holiday tops my list, because she had a great voice.

Elvis Presley and his 1954 version

Nat King Cole's jazzy version 1952

The Marcels Doo Wop style  1961

Bobby Vinton 1963

Dean Martin  Lounge Act style  1964

Jo Stafford 1952

The Last Drive 1986

New Edition  1986 

MxPx 1996

Beady Eye 2011

Bobby Kemp 2011

Komety whistling bass version 2002

Wembley Style!  16 April 2011

Last but not least, When Ricky Hatton enters the ring!

Racism Controls

Congratulations Zambia

Today I watched the African Cup final online.  Fox Soccer and ESPN or anyone else in the USA did not televise the final, or any match during the tournament.. WHY WHY WHY???

Think about this. Would they consider not showing the Euro Cup?  Would they skip out on the MLS season or not show the World Cup?   Sepp"Shake Hands" Blatter even said he would like the tournament in the summertime. Oh yeah MLS plays in the summertime and no one has a problem with that.

The cup every few years would compete with the Cycling events such as Le Tour de France and motor events.  It would compete with massive revenue makers in North America such as Baseball and Golf.  Lets not forget all the people who don't watch television in the summer and enjoy the great weather by traveling.

January is a great month for not only us in Europe and North America, but a great month weather wise for the African nations participating.  The only ones who don't like it are the massive profit making clubs in Europe.  I miss Yaya and Kolo as much as the next City fan, but not allowing them to support their country or dictating when they do it is not right.

 Companies spend billions on advertising for television and want their products shown among side your favorite shows, biggest sporting events, even Jersey Shore.  No one wanted to spend a dime to show the African Cup here?  They showed it throughout Europe.  The amount of immigrants this country has that come from places that follow football on a regular basis should be reason enough.  It is marginalization of an entire continent.

This week we saw Micah Richards quit Twitter over racist abuse, Luis Suarez refuse to shake Patrice Evra's hand and no live African Cup of Nations televised.  Racism is still well and alive and unfortunately for me the world has not done enough to stamp the abuse out.

What's lost in all this?   Zambia had a fairy tale finish over Cote d'Ivoire and won the tournament and part of the world missed it.  Zambia won, and the fans lost.  I hope next year will be different.

New Captain, New Boss

Terry has been stripped of being England's Captain, and now Fabio Capello has "resigned" as the boss.  What should happen next is just purely my opinion, and the opinion of others.

Joe Hart should be given the England armband and here is why.  Joe is not a media nightmare as John Terry has been.  I cannot think of any controversy City's keeper has been embroiled in that would not make him the man to lead his countrymen on the pitch.  he will be minding that net for years to come.  That is what England needs.

Speaking of controversy, Harry Redknapp has been found not guilty of tax evasion, even with his self admitted problem reading and writing and operating fax machines.  The bets are all on that he takes over as the new England boss, but lets slow down that horse and carriage.  I think he would be the wrong choice.

Once again we are talking about image.  Harry may have be innocent under the law, but his credibility is forever ruined.  OJ Simpson was found not guilty of murder, that didn't mean that NFL teams were about to offer him a job.  OK murder and income tax evasion are not the same thing, and neither is the NFL and the FA.  My point is it is time to clean up the image of the national team.  They after all were trying to do that when they stripped the armband off Terry.

This also doesn't mean I think England look outside the country for their next manager.  I think the talent to lead England to the top again is right there.  His name is Stuart Pearce.

The former City manager, and one time player nicknamed "Psycho" may be the best fit right now.  He has been leading the under 21 squad since 2007 with some success.  I think he has the credibility with players, managers and people within the FA that could give him the legitimate shot.  I'm sure Harry may seem like the big name to look at, but Stuart would be my choice.  Big names don't always equate success.

One more thing, whomever takes the job will undoubtedly have to have Micah Richards back in the squad on a regular basis.  That is not a request, but a requirement.  

Been Busy Sort Of

Well I have a new job starting so keeping up the blog fell off a bit, but I soldier on. This week City whipped Fulham 3-0 in the snow, and the other club who behind us were helped once again by Howard Webb and drew with Chelsea after being down 3 goals.  I decided this week to show off my lack of Gimp skills.  They are getting better with practice though., well I will post something more insightful at the end of the week.  Cheers.

Piers Morgan is definition of knob

Yeah Clowns!

Carling Cup

The title says it all

Howard Webb calling Puppy Bowl 2012

This is the robot from the film "The Phantom Creeps"  I made this to make fun of a friend who I called a muscle head, hence gargling peanut butter.

Tweet Club

I joined Twitter 21 April 2008.  I tweeted a few times to friends but did not find any real joy in it so I kind of just ignored it.  Fast Forward to 2012 and I love it.   I decided this season I would try it out to get more connected with City fans outside my area.  It has been a joy to say the least.

I have connected with not only so many City fans around the world, but ones in my local area.  It has lead us to form a supporters club here in Washington, D.C.  I have also had great conversation with people not even following City which has been great.   In 2011,  I had a handful of followers. I now have over 400 and I feel guilty not being able to read every thing in my timeline.

The great thing has been past and preset players on Twitter.   I think number one in my book has to be Paul Lake.  He answers his followers with some great answers, keeps the community up to date on things going on, like club news and charity. There is Eric Nixon and Nick Summerbee and his father the Mike aka The Buzzer . Shaun Wright-Phillips still engages the City fans since he left, because well we love him that much!

  Then you get the young players of today like Micah Richards who talks to the fans and gives out some prizes for trivia.  I still have not won anything!  Vincent Kompany, Nigel de Jong and Joleon Lescott are all on Twitter.  Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta also dole out bi-lingual messages to the fans after the matches.   Mario Balotelli is probably the most wanted man on Twitter, but we all have the sneaking suspicion that he is somehow banned by Mancini.   It's probably for the best.

There are also the media and top of this one has to be Ian Cheeseman.  Hosting BBC Blue Tuesday and doing matches Ian keeps the fans listening.  Stuart Brennen is over at Manchester Evening News is also keeping us in the know.

Did I mention Music?   Yes musicians watch football.  We all know about the Gallagher brothers, but what about a young and up and coming band Daystar.  OK so Simon is a Red, but he makes up for it with a great voice and the girls say he is sexy.  Plus Ste is the opposing force.  So listen to their music and talk football or whatever with them, great guys nevertheless. also add Ryan, Tom and "Budgie"


These are just a few of the City people you can follow on Twitter.  Search and you shall find more.

I have to also thank all of my followers.  Without them engaging me, it would never be that fun.  I have learned so much from all of you to generally think you are all decent people, young and old.  Norwegian Musings unwittingly you have driven me back into my writing, don't know how, you just have.  Thanks.

I also have to add 3 more to the "Tweet Club"   A great family and Die Hard Blues who I have had some great talks with and will be carrying bags for.   Cheryl , PAAMCFC and RaychieJ

and remember have fun with it

  #MCFC #CTWD