Roller Hockey Tournament

The East Coast Blaze roller hockey team were hosting an event this weekend at the Valley Leisure Centre. The even was well planned, the only flaw in the setup being the DJ..... me.

I was awoken from an otherwise loverly slumber by Phil from All Hockey Gear. The conversation went like this:

Phil: Matt, how are you?
Me: Who is this?
Phil: Phil. You coming to pay us a visit?
Me: What? Where? ..........Oh, hold on, *swears* Is your tournament thing today?
Phil: Yup. You coming down?
Me: What time do you start?
Phil: 9 Minutes ago.
Me: Bugger. When does your next game start?
Phil: 20 minutes.
Me: what about the one after that?
Phil: 39 minutes?
Me: That is more realistic. Um, i'll be right there.
Phil: Don't worry buddy, have your breakfast and a coffee, we're a bit light on the ground just yet.
Me: UUgghh, right, sorry, i'll see you soon.
Phil: *Giggles* *click*

I've only slept in for a gig past its starting time once, that was a Giants game a few years ago. I slept all night and all day to the face off time of 6pm. I had been really run down, just like i've been feeling lately. This time, just like the last, i felt like a right wab. The difference is, this time, I completely forgot the gig was even happening. That hasn't really happened before.


I made it down for just past 10.30.

Jo made it down around 4pm to take pictures. The problem is the lighting is orange in there, should make for interesting photos.

We're off back tomorrow for the last day of the competition. I'll try to get there for 9!

Currently listening to:
Track: "Tumble in the rough"
Artist: Stone Temple Pilots
Album: Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop

Paris Hilton...

...got out of jail yesterday, and just like that the world was a darker place.

I guess it is a bit late to start a t-shirt campaign?



Bugger.

Currently Listening to:
"I fought the law and the law won"
The Ramones

Guitar Tuning.....

I went with Nigel and Raj to check out guitars the other day.

I can't afford a new fancy guitar, so the best I can do is get a new set of strings.

Here's how I change them.....



Currently listening to:
Song: "La Cienega just smiled"
Artist: Ryan Adams
Album: Gold

POLICE, WINNING ON PENALTIES......

Eesh, It must be that time of year again.

I was driving to Coleraine to see the Armstrong clan on Thursday night, after Steria's corporate BBQ. You have to understand, I haven't seen these folks in 10 years, or there a-boots, as they now reside in Cana-dia.

Such was my excitement, rocketing towards Ulster's north coast, that I'd ignored the speed I was traveling at. Apparently it was about 86 miles an hour. Scratch that, it was EXACTLY 86 miles an hour. I know this as the kindly cop in question showed me just how he works that figure out on his radar thingie. This case of radar love, landed me 3 points and a £60 fine!

I've figured out that i get this 'temporary lapse of concentration' once or so every summer, and sometimes in the winter.

Here's to careful driving for the next 6 months till I loose some more.

Kart tastic!

Last night was the Matt McIvor challenge at Eddie Irvines's karting track. Let me explain...

Steria goes every year to this track for a bit of a social get together and friendly competition. Whoever wins the competition gets the tournament named after them next year. I won last year, so this years event was all mine!

Now, a word on that "friendly competition". In years gone past we've had people ejected from the building in the pursuit of "friendly competition". This year however, there was a thinner turnout. The key agitators were not present. Given this lack of friction I subconsciously decided to fill the gap.

On my second qualifier i was racing Simon Maynard, a fine fellow who used to work in our office.
We were heading around the fastest S bend on the track and i was travelling faster than Simon. Suddenly I found myself closed in with no where to go. Simon bit the tyre wall.

I didn't have the heart to pass, so Simon still won the race, and went on to come second in the final. I came 3rd.

Later investigation by the "experts" at Antrim Area Hospital revealed Simon has a cracked rib and severe muscle trauma. Still, he looked ok in the picture below. (sporting a white t-shirt).