On Thursday night disaster struck.
It started like any other Thursday evening: at about 5pm I put my new contact lenses in and prepared to leave work for the badminton court. I reached the courts at about 5:25 and was ready to play at just after 5:30. Unfortunately no one else had turned up. So I waited. And I waited. I was almost thinking of giving up fifteen minutes later when people started showing up. "Finally" says I, "I was beginning to think nobody would show up." "You could have played against yourself" exclaimed one wag. "At least I would get some decent competition" I goaded with a laugh.
And so, finally, the badminton was underway.
After a number of enjoyable games it reached 7pm and I prepared to go and shower. However, three people wanted to play and needed a fourth. "Will you not join us for one more game?" they pleaded" "Oh" says I, with gruesome prescience, "I'm sure you can twist my arm."
At this point time splits in two. In one time, a good time, I say (as I usually do) "sorry, I need to have a shower and eat." I have a shower. We order pizzas and garlic bread, and eat. I go off to see a band play in Sutton whilst the others go off to their various homes.
In the other, disaster!
I find myself paired with my tournament partner and fellow champion. "You realise" say I "that as reigning champions we cannot lose this game". He just laughs.
And so it began.
It was a valiant game with both pairs struggling for points. We gained an early lead but our opponents caught up, and then overtook. And then, contending over a vital point it happened. A high overhead shot had me running backwards. Somehow I went back too far. Gravity took over and I lost my balance. What happened next is just a jumble in my mind. I recall that I was dangerously close to the wall. I tried to save myself. And landed on my arm... badly. The pain was excruciating.
After I had composed myself to a certain degree I took myself to the other side of the court to clutch my arm in pain for a while. When it was clear the pain wasn't going away I went to the changing room to get myself back into normal clothing. Much to my chagrin I had to be helped to put on one of my socks and to tie my shoelaces (try tying your shoes with one hand).
By then it had been decided that I should go to the hospital to have it checked in case it was broken. I seemed to have a certain amount of movement so hope was good.
In Epsom General Hospital I am treated to long waits in several different waiting rooms between which I have blood taken and x-rays taken. The conclusion: I have a fractured elbow.
Bugger!
Still, I am a lot better off than the poor people who were blown up by the suicide bombs earlier that day. Unfortunately, due to said bombs all hospitals in and around London are on emergency footing and no beds are available for me. I am plastered up in a temporary cast and sent home.
To be continued...
Monday, July 11, 2005
Thursday, June 23, 2005
funkydory jam
I went to the second funkydory jam last night (I missed the first because I did not know they had started one). This jam session happens every other Wednesday at the Grove Tavern in Morden.
I was looking forward to seeing funkydory, as I had not seen them before. This band was formed by Jules Fothergill and Lorna Reilly of Roadhouse; together with guitarist Marc Le Guerrannic, drummer Hayden Doyle, and Fox on bass. I already knew that Jules was a brilliant guitarist and that Lorna was a fantastic singer (although she did not really get to use her voice properly in Roadhouse) so I was sure that the band would be fantastic. I was not disappointed. It was a little difficult to assess them properly as a band when only four or five songs were played, but what I heard I certainly liked a lot.
The jam itself was absolutely brilliant. There some amazing singers in (which makes a pleasant change) and some fantastic musicians. I do not know any of the names, but of particular note was a woman (who I think was called Sam) who had an absolutely blistering voice (I kept expecting the glasses to break) and a man who was not only a really good guitarist but who had an absolutely fantastic singing voice somewhat reminiscent of Little Richard.
All in all it was an exceptional night and I highly recommend anyone to go to see this jam.
I was looking forward to seeing funkydory, as I had not seen them before. This band was formed by Jules Fothergill and Lorna Reilly of Roadhouse; together with guitarist Marc Le Guerrannic, drummer Hayden Doyle, and Fox on bass. I already knew that Jules was a brilliant guitarist and that Lorna was a fantastic singer (although she did not really get to use her voice properly in Roadhouse) so I was sure that the band would be fantastic. I was not disappointed. It was a little difficult to assess them properly as a band when only four or five songs were played, but what I heard I certainly liked a lot.
The jam itself was absolutely brilliant. There some amazing singers in (which makes a pleasant change) and some fantastic musicians. I do not know any of the names, but of particular note was a woman (who I think was called Sam) who had an absolutely blistering voice (I kept expecting the glasses to break) and a man who was not only a really good guitarist but who had an absolutely fantastic singing voice somewhat reminiscent of Little Richard.
All in all it was an exceptional night and I highly recommend anyone to go to see this jam.
Monday, June 20, 2005
A proper summer weekend... Hurrah!!
The first "proper" weekend of summer has come and gone. What a truly glorious pair of days. I was unfortunately stuck indoors on the Saturday morning due to waiting for a package to arrive. (The courier company has decided to put a positive spin on their crap delivery times (anytime between 8am and 6pm) by claiming that it is for "security reasons". What a load of [bleeeeep].) Thankfully it turned up at about 11am so I could at least enjoy some of the afternoon.
I spent the majority of the time lolling in the sunshine reading whilst a large fan turgidly moved the warm air around in circles. At least I could open the windows wide enough for a cool(ish) summer breeze to blow out the stale winter air. What a shock to learn this morning that people in parts of Yorkshire were standing on their roofs whilst their homes were washed away.
I will finish off with a rather staggering fact I discovered yesterday. The Sahara desert has a greater total area (3.25 million square miles) than the 25 largest islands in the world put together. It's almost inconceivable.
I spent the majority of the time lolling in the sunshine reading whilst a large fan turgidly moved the warm air around in circles. At least I could open the windows wide enough for a cool(ish) summer breeze to blow out the stale winter air. What a shock to learn this morning that people in parts of Yorkshire were standing on their roofs whilst their homes were washed away.
I will finish off with a rather staggering fact I discovered yesterday. The Sahara desert has a greater total area (3.25 million square miles) than the 25 largest islands in the world put together. It's almost inconceivable.
Friday, June 10, 2005
Roar With Laughter
I had a particularly good time at Roar With Laughter last night.
It all started at 7:30 with a free barbecue. This set everyone up for a night of outstanding comedy. The three acts were Robin Ince, Tom Wrigglesworth, and Boothby Graffoe.
As Ed (the compere) was missing his brother to announce him onto the stage he press ganged regular members to the task (including yours truly). As he had graciously allowed me to have a second helping at the barbecue I could hardly refuse. It did at least earn me an extra large pile of chocolate bars :-)
Robin Ince started off the comedy with an act that was cruel, ranting, and very very funny. Tom Wrigglesworth was next and he was in the rather awkward position of having an ex girlfriend (of eight years before) sitting in the front row; she certainly got some stick. He was also very funny and had everyone in stitches. Finally, Boothby Graffoe did an extended, 45 minute set. I have seen him once before on television (a long time ago) and vaguely remembered that he was very funny. He did not disappoint. What I had not realised was that he is an extremely talented guitarist as well as being a fine comedian.
All in all it was an extremely enjoyable evening.
It all started at 7:30 with a free barbecue. This set everyone up for a night of outstanding comedy. The three acts were Robin Ince, Tom Wrigglesworth, and Boothby Graffoe.
As Ed (the compere) was missing his brother to announce him onto the stage he press ganged regular members to the task (including yours truly). As he had graciously allowed me to have a second helping at the barbecue I could hardly refuse. It did at least earn me an extra large pile of chocolate bars :-)
Robin Ince started off the comedy with an act that was cruel, ranting, and very very funny. Tom Wrigglesworth was next and he was in the rather awkward position of having an ex girlfriend (of eight years before) sitting in the front row; she certainly got some stick. He was also very funny and had everyone in stitches. Finally, Boothby Graffoe did an extended, 45 minute set. I have seen him once before on television (a long time ago) and vaguely remembered that he was very funny. He did not disappoint. What I had not realised was that he is an extremely talented guitarist as well as being a fine comedian.
All in all it was an extremely enjoyable evening.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Badminton Tournament Update
Pictures of the winners and runners up from the tournament are now online.
http://pandelon.co.uk/badminton_tournament_2005.xml
http://pandelon.co.uk/badminton_tournament_2005.xml
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Badminton Tournament Final
The final was about to begin. Nervous with anticipation I took to the court with my partner. Would we win? Could we win? We knew it was going to be tough; our opponents were older than us, and a lot more experienced. Both were previous champions; one of the shield, one of the plate. This was not going to be a walkover.
I had started the day with no expectation of winning; in fact when the day had started I did not even know who my partner was going to be. The seeding and draw was supposed to have taken place on the Thursday before, but one of the players had been forced to pull out unexpectedly, so there was a mad search to try to replace him. Until a replacement had been found the draw could not take place. A replacement was found the next day and the draw took place on the Friday evening. Unfortunately, due to previously made plans I could not attend so I was unaware of the name of my partner. As it happens, he was unaware as well.
The person I was partnered with was another very regular player in the club so I knew him well. Unfortunately, we had never played together particularly well previously, so we had no high hopes.
The match started with a round robin to determine who would play for the shield and who would play for the plate. Each team was to play three matches. Our first match was very close, but ultimately we lost 13-15. the next two matches were both decisive victories (15-7, 15-7).
Once this first round robin was over, it was determined that we had achieved enough points to play for the shield, the top prize. The next round consisted of two round robins, one for the shield and one for the plate. Each team was to play two games. Again we won decisive victories (15-11, 15-7), and were given the entirely unexpected news that we had made to the final. However, we still had to wait to see who we would play.
When the points were finally tallied up, the other teams were so close that it had to come down to point difference, and the pair who won the right to play us was so unexpected that one of the members had already taken a shower thinking that he was out of the match.
And so, it began...
Both teams knew that this was going to be a hard fight, but I was heartened by the fact that when one of the members of the opposite pair had learned that they were to play against us, she had let loose with an unexpected (and very out of character) expletive. I guess she was slightly worried.
I was desperate to win the first game. We were all tired and hungry from playing five games over four hours and I was longing for a hot shower and a big plate of food. I thought that if we could win the first two games then it would all be over and we would not have to play the third. It was not to be. It was a hard fought game, and a close one to boot; but in the end our opponents won. The next game was much more decisive, we won by quite a large margin. Maybe our opponents were tiring.
And so the last game, the decider...
If our opponents had been tiring they had obviously found their second wind. This was a tough fight. Almost every point was fought to the bitter end. Long rallies were the order of the day. Our opponents proved worthy to the end, fighting like trojans, matching us point for point. By thirteen points I was hurting. My leg, which had been troubling me for several weeks forcing me to wear a support, was hurting with every step. My forearm hurt from so many long drives. My chest hurt from the exertion. But I had to go on. We were so close. I could not give up now.
Finally, at 14-13, we did it. We made the match point. We won.
I could barely believe it. Up to then I had been convinced that I would never win a tournament. But here I was, a winner. All that was left was the obligatory shout of victory and the congratulatory handshakes and then I could finally get what I was really longing for... A hot shower and a big plate of food.
I had started the day with no expectation of winning; in fact when the day had started I did not even know who my partner was going to be. The seeding and draw was supposed to have taken place on the Thursday before, but one of the players had been forced to pull out unexpectedly, so there was a mad search to try to replace him. Until a replacement had been found the draw could not take place. A replacement was found the next day and the draw took place on the Friday evening. Unfortunately, due to previously made plans I could not attend so I was unaware of the name of my partner. As it happens, he was unaware as well.
The person I was partnered with was another very regular player in the club so I knew him well. Unfortunately, we had never played together particularly well previously, so we had no high hopes.
The match started with a round robin to determine who would play for the shield and who would play for the plate. Each team was to play three matches. Our first match was very close, but ultimately we lost 13-15. the next two matches were both decisive victories (15-7, 15-7).
Once this first round robin was over, it was determined that we had achieved enough points to play for the shield, the top prize. The next round consisted of two round robins, one for the shield and one for the plate. Each team was to play two games. Again we won decisive victories (15-11, 15-7), and were given the entirely unexpected news that we had made to the final. However, we still had to wait to see who we would play.
When the points were finally tallied up, the other teams were so close that it had to come down to point difference, and the pair who won the right to play us was so unexpected that one of the members had already taken a shower thinking that he was out of the match.
And so, it began...
Both teams knew that this was going to be a hard fight, but I was heartened by the fact that when one of the members of the opposite pair had learned that they were to play against us, she had let loose with an unexpected (and very out of character) expletive. I guess she was slightly worried.
I was desperate to win the first game. We were all tired and hungry from playing five games over four hours and I was longing for a hot shower and a big plate of food. I thought that if we could win the first two games then it would all be over and we would not have to play the third. It was not to be. It was a hard fought game, and a close one to boot; but in the end our opponents won. The next game was much more decisive, we won by quite a large margin. Maybe our opponents were tiring.
And so the last game, the decider...
If our opponents had been tiring they had obviously found their second wind. This was a tough fight. Almost every point was fought to the bitter end. Long rallies were the order of the day. Our opponents proved worthy to the end, fighting like trojans, matching us point for point. By thirteen points I was hurting. My leg, which had been troubling me for several weeks forcing me to wear a support, was hurting with every step. My forearm hurt from so many long drives. My chest hurt from the exertion. But I had to go on. We were so close. I could not give up now.
Finally, at 14-13, we did it. We made the match point. We won.
I could barely believe it. Up to then I had been convinced that I would never win a tournament. But here I was, a winner. All that was left was the obligatory shout of victory and the congratulatory handshakes and then I could finally get what I was really longing for... A hot shower and a big plate of food.
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