MU & What IF?

Manchester United and...

... what IF... the draw with Burton Albion was a deliberate decision to ensure another match and thus more takings at the gate to make up for the Champions League short fall?

... what IF... the current results are a ploy to force the Glazers to put in the money for team rebuilding?

... what IF... I finally run out of ways to defend this club that I love... sigh...

A Sudden Darkness to Greet the New Year

I started the year by going to a funeral of someone whom I'd never known until today. He was the brother of a friend.

Although in this case, it was a horrific accident, the sight of his flower covered coffin was a stark, and perhaps timely reminder to me to make good my pledge to make a change in my lifestyle.

I think of my lovely wife, my precious Evelyn and the excitement of expecting Josiah into our arms... and realise that it would be selfish of me to not try and secure a future with them.

Somewhere, sometime, I am sure we have heard the expression that our lives are like candles in the wind, easily snuffed by the blinded wind. Yet for some, more than others, the darkness thereafter is felt a lot more.

Remembering John Spencer

I cannot say for sure if he was the brains of the West Wing - somehow Jed Bartlett's IQ of 150 (see definition here) seemed to overshadow his sensibilities. Nor can I say he was the conscience of the show, because evidently that was why Communications Director Toby Ziegler was fired from the White House staff. One can look at it in oh so many ways, but when no reason is left standing, John Spencer remains in his death, an integral pillar that held up the show for what it was and in some ways always is - intelligent, loyal and personable. My short tribute - John Spencer, the wind beneath the West Wing...