I listened to:

"Grand Pianola Music" composed by John Adams and preformed by Solista New York, Conducted by Ransom Wilson.
"Vermont Counterpoint" and "Eight Lines" composed by Steve Reich performed by Solista New York conducted by Ransom Wilson.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Marshall Zhukov's Greatest Battles" written by Georgi K. Zhukov.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Double Concerto for Saxophone, Cello and Orchestra" composed by Michael Nyman performed by John Harle (Saxophone), Julian Lloyd Webber (Cello) and The Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Michael Nyman.
"Concerto for Harpsichord and String Orchestra" composed by Michael Nyman performed by Elisabeth Chojnacka (harpsichord) and The Michael Nyman String Orchestra conducted by Michael Nyman.
"Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra" composed by Michael Nyman performed by Christian Lindberg (trombone) and The BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Michael Nyman.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Introduziane all'ascuro" composed by Salvatore Sciarrino, "Nascosto (Nove Parti per Pierre Boulez)" composed by Sylvano Bussotti, "Differences" composed by Luciano Berio and "Waarg" composed by Iannis Xanakis. All were performed by Contempartensemble conducted by Mauro Ceccanti.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"A Spy at Twighlight" written by Bryan Forbes.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Glassworks" composed by Philip Glass performed by The Philip Glass ensemble conducted by Michael Reisman
"Itaipu" and "The Canyon" composed by Philip glass and performed by The Atlanta Symphony and Chorus conducted by Robert Shaw.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Reveille in Washington, 1860-1865" written by Margaret Leach.

-Richard

I listened to:

""Low" Symphony" composed by Philip Glass and performed by The Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Dennis Russell Davies.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Idmen" and "Pleiades" composed by Iannis Xenakis and performed by Les Pleiades conducted by Sylvio Gualdo.

-Richard

I finished reading "The Book of Judges" in my Chapter of the Bible a Day Reading.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"A Moveable Feast" by Ernest Hemingway.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Symphony No.1" composed by John Corigliano and performed by The Chicago Symphony Orchestra conducted by Daniel Barenboim.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Paul Revere and The World He Lived In" written by Esther Forbes.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Magical Mystery Tour" by The Beatles.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Las Cuatro Estaciones Portenas", "Oblivion", "Four Tangos" and "Le Grand Tango" composed by Astor Piazzolla and performed by Friedemann Eichhorn (Violin), Julius Berger (Cello) and Jose Gallardo (Piano).

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Operation Sea Lion" written by Peter Fleming
"Yevtushenko's Reader" written by Yevgeny Yevtushenko
"Russia and the West - Gorbachev and the Politics of Reform" written by Jerry Hough
"Double Cross Blind" written by Joel Ross.

-Richard

I've just got home from two trips.

The first was a weeks vacation with my parents who came in from England. We rented a cabin in Cherry Log Georgia and had a really nice week together.

The second was my first ever trip over the Northern Border up to Toronto, Canada. During these two weeks I only had one day at home.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Sinister Pig" by Tony Hillerman.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"A Traveller's History of Scotland"

-Richard

Thirty Years ago today I left home. A very naive, shy 18 year old. I left home to study Chemistry and Chemical Technology at The University of Bradford. This changed my life. I learnt a lot about who I am and diversity in life. Yes, I learnt some chemistry, but, I think the whole experience, the making of friends, the meeting of so many different people, learning to live on my own above all experiencing a much more diverse, exciting, understanding and deepening of my Spiritual Walk.

They are good times for which I will also have happy memories and will always be grateful for. So much of who I am, even now, goes back to those days. Yes, the were ideal and, in some ways, we lived in an Utopia, but, the foundations were set.

For the my first year I lived in the Revis Barber Halls (left) of residence which was a blast and for the last two years lived with some friends in a house in Number 36 Grantham Road (right). Great times!!

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Hunting Badger" by Tony Hillerman.

-Richard

The next cat we fostered was Venus. She came to us from the main foster home on Valentine's Day 2006. She was adopted out the week of April 11th 2006. Unfortunately this home did not work out for her and she came back to us the week of July 18th.


Not long after she came back to us we noticed that she was not acting right and had turned a yellow colour. We took her to our vets in Durham. She was diagnosed with "Fatty Liver Disease" a very serious illness in cats where the liver basically is not working properly. The chances of recovery were very slim. It treatment involved a process of intravenous fluids and eating several times a day. Jenn and I tag teamed it. To the vets amazement she started to pull through and now several months later she living in our house very happy and healthy. There is a major concern that this could reoccur so we will probably not be adopting her out as the risk of the change on environment is to great. She is happy playing and mixing with our animals. In fact, she is the only one of our foster cats that is out freely in our house. The rest are kept separated in different rooms of our house (every room is utilized!!).

This again another story why we believe in Snowflake as most other organisations would not have proceeded with the treatment, but, as there was a chance she would recover her quality of life we made the decision to proceed. As you can see from the story and the photograph above, taken earlier this year, it was worth it.

-Richard

National Poetry Day

One day set aside,
One day to encapsulate
The thoughts,
The hurts,
The art of many
Experiences past and present.
How?
How can it show?
How can it demonstrate
Life
In twenty-four hours?

13th October 1995 - Uxbridge, Middlesex, England.

-Richard

Sports Update:

Some Seasons or competitions have finished over the last couple of weeks.

International Cricket: England won only one game on the World Twenty20 Cup. This was enough to get to the second stage. The competition was eventually won by India who beat Australia in the final.

Cricket: Durham's remarkable season came to an end on Saturday. Apart from winning the 50 over competition and the Second Division of the 40 over competition they finished second in the Premier Championship, the County Championship by far their best every performance. They only lost out the last day of the Season when Sussex, the reigning Champions beat Worcestershire. They finished with 7 wins, 5 losses and 4 draws for a final points total of 197.5 points only 4 1/2 behind Sussex. A great Season.

Football: The Carolina RailHawks inaugural Season is over. For an expansion team I though it was a big success. At times they played very good football. At times they played like an expansion team. I think the nucleus of the team should be kept the same. Where improvement is needed is up front where they need better goal scorers, but, more importantly forwards who know how to run off the ball to create space. My only real complaint about the Season is that the forwards were far to static.
They made the semi-finals of the US Open Cup beating Chicago Fire of the MLS on the way, which was probably the best performance of the Season. They eventually lost to MLS's powerhouse New England Revolution in Extra Time.
In the league they made the play-offs, which is a good achievement in a teams first year. They finished 8th in the league with a final record of 8 wins, 12 losses and 8 draws. They lost to regular Season Champions, Seattle Sounders 3-0 on aggregate in the first round of the play-offs.

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls Season came to crashing end after Wigan Warriors knocked them out of the Super League play-offs with a 31-30 victory. This was after Bradford were leading 30-6 after an hour.
In the league table they finished third with a record of 17 wins, 1 draw and 9 defeats.

-Richard

I finished reading the Bible Book of Joshua. This is for my reading a chapter of the Bible every day. This book contains one of my favourite verses. It is the verse that myself and Louise, one of my best friends use to encourage each other. It is verse 9 from Chapter 1:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" NIV Version.

Easier said than done, but, it is something that I try to do and especially remember when there are difficult situations going on.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Moscow Under Lenin" written by Alfred Rosmer.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"A Thief of Time" written by Tony Hillerman.

-Richard

The North-East of England lost one of it's Sporting Football Legends last week. Ian Porterfield. He scored the winning goal in Sunderlands shocking 1-0 defeat of Leeds United in the 1973 F.A. Cup Final at Wembley. This is considered the greatest final shock in the history of the competition. Although, it was three years before the first final I can remember watching (1976, also an upset with Southampton beating Manchester United 1-0) I have seen the match many times as it is often replayed. It is also hard to imagine today that this could be an upset with Leeds in League One and Sunderland in the Premiership. However, in 1973 Leeds where the juggernaut and where considered one of the best teams in Europe and in fact where the reigning League Champions , in todays language, the Premiership (they won the league in 1969, 1973 and 1974 during their hayday). Sunderland on the other hand where struggling in the then Second Division aka The Championship. I guess it would be like say Hull City beating Manchester United in the FA Cup final in todays language, next to impossible,

Below is the goal captured from You Tube.



Thanks for the memories!!!

-Richard

Sports Update:

Durham County Cricket Club won their second Championship of the Season. This time it is a Second Division Championship. They won the Natwest Pro 40 (4o hour each side one day games) 2nd Division Championship by beating Glamorgan yesterday whilst Somerset lost to Middlesex.


-Richard

I finished reading:

"In Flanders Fields, The 1917 Campaign" by Leon Wolff.

-Richard

I Finished Reading:

"Listening Woman" by Tony Hillerman.

-Richard

In Memorium,

We lost a kitten on Thursday. Cumulous. She came into us four weeks ago. We rescued her from behind the local Red Lobster in Raleigh. In fact, this is the same place that we rescued eleven kittens from a couple of years ago, including Nimbus who is still with us.


She was a wild little spitball when she came in, but, became really sweet and friendly and was ready to get her "forever" home. We took her to be spayed, but, unfortunately towards the end of the operation her heart stopped and they could not resuscitate her and she did not make it. This is the first kitten that has come into our house that we have lost. She was a pleasure to foster and will be missed.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Indian Heritage of America" written by Alvin M. Josephy, Jr.

-Richard

Heroes

People we look up to,
Those that are worshiped
Fail so badly
Yet, we still praise;
Cheering the the adulterer
Hoping the murderer is released
Because he stared in films.
Then we ask why!
Why the world is a mess;
Societies crumbling?
We're breaking Gods basic laws.
We dare ask "Why?"
We dare to ask:-
"Where is God?"

3rd October 1995 - North Acton, London, England.

-Richard

Sports Update:

Yesterday was an historic day to be an England fan!!! All three of the major international teams played at the same time AND WON!!. I had fun jiggling between different matchtrackers and listening to the BBC Audio of the cricket team.

The results were:

England 28 USA 10 in the first game of the Rugby Union World Cup. Not a very good performance, but, a win is a win.



England beat India by 7 wickets in the deciding one day international match of a seven game series between the two countries. England win the series, the first in three years by 4 games to 3.





England 3 Israel 0 in a European Championship qualifying game. England move up to third place in group E. They have a MASSIVE game against second place Russia on Wednesday.




-Richard

It's been a while since I have posted about one of my favourite places that I have visited. As, I am taking the day off work today I figured it's time to do it.

This place is Arizona. We have been through it twice. Once, when driving from Texas to California when we relocated to the Bay Area and the other when we were re-locating to North Carolina. In both cases we stopped in Flagstaff and fell in love with place. It is just breath taking scenery. On the way to California we did a detour via the Grand Canyon. Sometimes when you visit one the famous tourist places there can be an anti-climax. However, the Grand Canyon was beyond my wildest dreams. It was awe inspiring and I don't have the words to describe it. If anyone has the chance to visit I would one hundred percent recommend it.

-Richard

Jazzy was the next cat we fostered. She was a return. By this I mean that she had been adopted out by Snowflake, but, for some reason the people that adopted her did not want her anymore. This is one of the traumatic things that we go through because we give all the cats in our care everything that we have and try our very best to place them in the right home. So, when they come back it hurts. It is generally very, very stressful for the cats. In fact, the first cat that Jenn and I adopted, Jubilee, was the first return we ever saw. She was so stressed and upset that we took her home. If, the people saw how badly affected there cats are I think, I hope they would think twice. In some cases there are genuine reasons, such as bad allergic reactions or illness not allowing them to take care of the cat properly, but, most are very tenuous and very, very weak. In Jazzy's case she came back due to "medical" and "temperament" problems that needed medication. Once she was in our home she was great and did not need any medication and was a very sweet cat. She came to us the week of January 31st 2006 and was adopted very quickly the week later. She is doing really well in her new home.

One of Snowflakes requirements when we adopt out is that if the cat is to be given up for any reason even if it a long time later they will be returned to us. The reason is that we once found a situation where one of our cats was taken to the local animal control and would have been euthanized but for sharp attention from someone there who recognized the Snowflake medical record and new that we would take them back.

-Richard

Another Day

Same Day.
Another Day.
One minute one day
The next another
(No it's not midnight!!).
One minute one life
Another minute a different life.
We live for the change
From day to the next.
Not the tick of a clock,
But the click of a turnstile
To the other side;
A new day!

2nd September 1995 - North Acton, London, England.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Dance Hall of the Dead" by Tony Hillerman.

-Richard

The next cats that we fostered, and in fact are still fostering came to us in January 2006. They came to Snowflake in 2005. They are actually related to Rollo our own cat. When Rollo was rescued Hannah, Hallie and Archie went somewhere else. Unfortunately that situation did not work out well and the person who took them went through some major problems and could not take care of them. They came to us completely freaked out, very sick and malnutritioned. In fact they were only 4 lbs. Because they were struggling in the main foster home they came to us so that they could go in a smaller room with fewer "roommates". We nicknamed them "The Little Rollo's"!!

Archie (above left), a very shy and timid orange tabby has heart problems so is basically unadoptable. He lives in my home office with Fred and Nimbus where he is happy and doing well. Hannah (above right),who is a very shy tabby girl and is deaf and her sister Hallie (left) is a very shy and scared little tabby girl. They share our adult foster room with Katrina, Addison, Mac, Splish and Splash and are doing well. Hallie, especially is staring to really blossom.

-Richard

An American in London

At last she's here!!
Dreams of showing her
My country,
My culture.
I'm nervous waiting.
What will she think,
Will she like it?
It's all so different
Although we speak the same language
(well, reputed to be):-
Driving on the wrong side of the road
Or is it right?
Who knows, I don't
I guess she won't soon.
Is it gas?
Is it petrol?
Pavement?
Sidewalk?
I could go on and on.
Do we speak anything the same?
Yes!
Christ on the Cross.
And of course:-
Our love!

2nd September 1995 - North Acton, London, England.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Three Who Made A Revolution" written by Bertram D. Wolfe.

-Richard

The next cats we fostered were a mother and six kittens that came into us on October 10th 2005. A pregnant mom was left behind in a rental home in Garner, NC. Fortunately the lady moving in was an animal lover and took care of the mother, and then mew born kittens until we had room. When they came to us they were healthy except Serenity (centre), the mother who was dehydrated. Fortunately she pulled through. The family was named after characters from the "Firefly" show on TV. We had Simon (top left), a grey tabby who was adopted out November 7th 2005, River (top right), a fluffy grey girl who was adopted by Dr Green, one of our vets on October 31st 2005. Mal (left) and Inara (right)two tabbies were adopted the week of November 7th along with Jayne (below left) an Orange tabby boy. Book (below right), another tabby boy, was actually the first to be adopted the week of October24th 2005. Their, mother, Serenity was herself adopted on February 13th 2006.





-Richard

Words

The same old story.
Words so simple,
Words so brief
Can heal,
Can hurt.
I love you.
Fuck off.
Meant or not
Go into the heart
And ferment, developing
To form and perhaps
Shape a character.
Forever.

13th August 1995 - Uxbridge, Middlesex, England.

-Richard

Yesterday there was a big upset in College Football when Appalachian State, from North Carolina, beat one of the most storied programs and the 5th ranked team in the country in their stadium. I love upsets (unless one of my sides are on the losing end!!). I think this is why Soccer is so special. It is arguably the major sports where upsets are most likely to happen on any given day. There are so many examples. Hereford United non-league team beating Newcastle United, York City beating Arsenal even my Hartlepool beating Crystal Palace. It's part of the excitement. This year I was there when the Carolina RailHawks beat the Chicago Fire.

In other sports American Football, Rugby, Cricket, Basketball etc... yes, upsets can happen, but, how regularly? For example the game yesterday was the first time a non-1A team had beaten a ranked opponent and as I mentioned in my previous post, Durham as a Minor County beat Yorkshire in cricket. Fans of lower teams, dream of the big one and in Soccer the dream has a little more chance to come true.

-Richard

Sports Update:

Durham County Cricket Club with their first "Professional" Championship. The won the Friends Provident One Day competition after destroying Hampshire in the final. It's been a tough 16 years since the County turned first class from being a very strong minor league team. They won the Minor County Championship several times. They are also famous for being the first minor county to beat a first class county when they beat Yorkshire in the Gillette cup in 1973.

-Richard

I finished reading the Book of Deuteronomy.

-Richard

Last Wednesday I finally got around to sending in my application for naturalization as a US Citizen. Boy, did I get a shock when I went to write the cheque for the fee. It went up from $400 to $675 at the end of July, an increase of approx 150%. People ask me why I am so against illegal
immigration. Well, here is one reason. The people trying to do it the right way are now being punished to cover the cost. Another example of this is a former c0-worker of mine, who ended up losing his job because his work permit had expired. He did nothing wrong, applied within the time required, but, because of a major backlog they couldn't and process his application in time so he ended up having to lose his job. Yup, I am 100% against Illegal immigration and any form of amnesty. There are thousands of people who have come here legally, followed due process, paid a lot of money to do it correctly so why should those who have broken the law get away with it?

I will post again on this when I get an update on my application.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Major Barbara" by George Bernard Shaw.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Old Man and the Sea" written by Ernest Hemingway.

-Richard

Drew Carey gets it, although he does have one flaw in being an LA Galaxy fan!!..



-Richard

I finished reading:

"Travels with Charley" written by John Steinbeck.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Piesni Spiewaja (..songs are sung) String Quartet No3. Op.67" composed by Henryk Gorecki and performed by the Kronos Quartet.

-Richard

David Beckham is here in case you missed it!!!

I am already irritated by the "saviour" of American Soccer that we are hearing about. The ignorance or deliberate bias of the main stream sports media in the States and back in England is staggering. Some facts:

1. US Soccer does not need saving. It is growing at a slow and steady rate. This may help it make a slightly quicker move forward due to the media presence. My concern however is that he will not score a lot of goals and he will not beat 5 men on the dribble. It is the intangibles that he could bring if he plays well that will be missed or misunderstood.
2. MLS is a good league. Of course it is not the Premier League, La Liga, Seria A etc... but, no other leagues are.
   
3. Is MLS slower than other leagues, especially Europe. Yes. However, put any Premier League team in Houston in the summer or Denver etc... they would soon struggle.

I think the negative media is due to two causes. The first in the States is that there is a threat from the World's most popular sport on the traditional American Sports. I don't think they have anything to worry about. Those sports all have their own niches and I myself am a massive NFL fan. Soccer is not an American sport so why support it? Neither is Golf, Tennis, Ice Hockey etc... For most of the World for the World's largest and most powerful country to be considered a great sporting Nation they have to be successful at soccer. This is the fear the rest of the World has, therefore, the constant picking on the sport over here. They are afraid that America will embrace the sport and turn the talent and potential into success. I think that really scares the traditional powers.

Time will tell how this is going to play out, and it's going to very interesting. At the end of the day I want MLS to be a success, but, hate LA so want them to fail. It could be an interesting conundrum.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Prince" by Niccolo Machiavelli.

-Richard

A taste of home!! Jenn took this photo when I took some folks from work to a traditional English Dinner at the newly opened London Fish and Chip Shop in Cary, NC. This is also our pre-game haunt before going to Saturday Carolina RailHawks football games. Some fish n'chips with Curry sauce, what more could you need before a football game?

-Richard

Say no more!!

-Richard

According to Soccer Silicon Valley and Sports Illustrated my Quakes are back in 2008!! I am still being slightly "superstitious" and not going to start celebrating until I hear it from Don Garber's mouth tomorrow it looks good!!!

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Winter of Our Discontent" by John Steinbeck.

-Richard

Powaqqatsi

The rhythm sounds,
Louder,louder.
Faster, faster.
To a crescendo,
A peak of intensity
Culminating in brass
Peeling above
In chords of passion
In harmonies of pain.
And tension.
Releasing
A melody singing
Out above the chaos
Bringing calm,
A resonance
And peace.
It's over.

17th July 1995 - Uxbridge, Middlesex, England.

-Richard

Score Update:

Again, due to the fact that I am way to busy at work and have been out of town so again am working on an abridged version of the score update.

International Cricket: England lost the one day international series to the West Indies 2-1

International Football: USA won the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
USA got knocked out in the Group Stages of The Copa America.

Cricket: Durham are in 3rd place in the County Championship Division 1, 17 1/2 points behind leaders Sussex.
Durham finished in 5th place in the Twenty twenty cup: North Division.

Football: The Carolina Railhawks drop to 10th place in the USL Division 1.

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls stay in 3rd place in The Superleague, 2 points behind leaders St. Helens, despite having two points deducted for Salary Cap Violations.

Baseball: The Houston Astros are 39-52 dropping to 5th place in the National League Central Division, 11 1/2 games behind leaders, The Milwaukee Brewers.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Scorched" composed by Mark-Anthony Turnage and John Scofield. It was performed by John Scofield (guitar), John Patitucci (electric bass), Peter Erskine (drums), The Radio-Sinfonie-Orchester Frankfurt and the HR Big Band conducted by Hugh Wolff.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Persecutor" by Sergei Kourdakov

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Liberal Hour" by John Kenneth Galbraith.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Presidency" by Marcus Cuncliffe.

-Richard

Texas

Long straight roads,
Driving on the wrong side
Mile and miles of pasture,
Interrupted only
By factory and smells;
Sulphorous or manure
Speed past at fifty-five.

Glorious sun, hot and humid
Surrounds us until suddenly
A blackness descends
From nowhere bringing
An almighty storm
Wicked but refreshing
As the visibility disapears.

Texas, The Lone Star State,
A low unto itself,
Just like the movies
J.R. appearing at every corner,
With a welcome ever so friendly
"Howdy - Y'all"
The rain is London, the welcome not.

18th June 1995 - Edna, Texas, USA.

I wrote this when David, who was my best man and I spent a couple of weeks on a trip to the US to visit friends. Two single guys having a good time on holiday together. We were went to Texas first to visit my friends and then to West Virginia to visit him. Well, just before we left David started dating Ruth, to whom he is now married and by the time we left Texas for West Virginia my relationship to Jenn and definitely changed. She would become the girl I would marry. It's a funny old world!!!


-Richard

A couple of weeks ago we encountered two different cases of animal abuse that came into Snowflake.

The first was a 5 month old black Lab that was hit by a car. The owner just chained him up to a post even though the poor puppy was screaming in agony. He refused to take him to the vets and it was only when a caring Snowflake volunteer agreed to pay $100 so that the owner would surrender him we could take him to the vet. He had a broken let and badly bruised neck and face. Fortunately he starting to recover. Although Snowflake is essentially a cat rescue we cannot see suffering such as this without doing anything about it.

The second was the case of a Mom cat and her kittens that came to our attention. The Mom cat was surrendered to a rescuer after the owner was threating to smash her against a wall. When we got her in she was no more than 5 or 6 months and weighed only 5 pounds and was badly bitten by fleas (pictured here a day after she came in). She is called Pixie and is really sweet and doing well in the Foster Home We could not get the kittens at this point. After two had died we finally got the third, but, it was too late. By then the little guy was far too aneamic after being almost "eaten" alive by fleas and didn't make it. Fortunately they experienced love at the end as they died in the rescuers arms. We named him sprite.

We did manage to rescue one little miracle kitten. Someone called Snowflake saying they had found a little kitten with a leg stuck in a hole in the ground in a strawberry patch. He thought the leg was broken. He agreed to take the little girl to our vets, where it became apparent that the leg had been bitten by a snake. After a brave attempt to save the leg, it had to be amputated. Strawberry, as she is not called is doing fantastic and you would never know that she had a leg missing. She is now 6 weeks old and recovering well. The photo was taken just after we got her home from the vets.

It's hard to understand how people can be so cruel to helpless animals and makes one think about how much this really goes on.. It says a lot about them and the world we live in, but, there also so many people out there willing to help which give us the happy stories of those that are rescued.


-Richard

I listened to:

"One God - Spring Harvest Live Worship" performed by Graham Kendrick, Tim Hughes, Geraldine Latty, Leigh Barnard, Kate Silber, Sue Rinaldi, Kristyn Getty and Martyn Layzell.

-Richard

I finished the book of "Numbers" in my reading a chapter of the Bible each day before I start work.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Mid Winter Songs" composed by Morten Lauridsen and performed by Polyphony and the Britten Sinfonia conducted by Stephen Layton.
"Les Chanson des Roses", "I Will Lift up Mine Eyes", "O come, let us Sing unto The Lord", "Ave, Dulcissima Maria" and "Nocturnes" all composed by Morten Lauridsen and performed by Polyphony conducted by Stephen Layton.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Requiem for Adam" composed by Terry Riley, performed by The Kronos Quartet.
"The Philosopher's Hand" composed by Terry Riley and performed by Terry Riley (Piano).

-Richard

I Finished Reading:

"Ashenden or The British Agent" written by W. Somerset Maugham.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Silent Thunder: In the Presence of Elephants" by Katy Payne.

-Richard

Latest Score Update:

Due to time constraints because of a promotion at work and the ever increasing work for Snowflake I am only going to post the results of my "big" sports: Rugby, Football, Cricket and NFL. I will update the standing of other teams.

International Cricket: England beat The West Indies by 60 runs. 3rd Test Match
England beat The West Indies by 7 wickets. 4th Test Match. England win series 3-0.

International Football: USA 4 El Salvador 0 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B. USA win the group.
USA 2 Panama 1. CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarter-Final
USA 2 Canada 1. CONCACAF Gold Cup Semi-Final

Rugby Union: Red Mountain 27 Raleigh 29. The US Rugby Championship, Division II National Championship Final. Raleigh are the Division II National Champions.

Cricket: Durham beat Nottinghamshire by 1 wicket. Friends Provident Trophy, North Conference
Warwickshire beat Durham by 39 runs. Friends Provident Trophy, North Conference. Durham finish first in the North Conference to qualify for the semi-finals.
Hamphire beat Durham by 50 runs. County Championship Division 1. Durham stay in 3rd place in the table, 7 1/2 points behind leaders, Yorkshire.
Durham beat Essex by 3 wickets. Friends Provident Trophy Semi-Final.
Lancashire beat Durham by 6 wickets. The Twenty Cup.

Football: Carolina RailHawks 4 RWB Adria 1. US Open Cup 1st Round.
Carolina RailHawks 0 Seattle Sounders 1. USL Division 1.
Carolina RailHawks 2 Charelston Battery o. USL Division 1. The RailHawks stay in 6th place in the table 7 points behind leaders, Vancouver Whitecaps.

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls 34 Hull FC 8. Superleague. Bradford stay in 3rd place, 2 points behind leaders St. Helens.

Baseball: The Houston Astros are 31-43, staying in 4th place in the National League Central Divsion, 12 games behind leaders, The Milwaukee Brewers.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"When Elephants Weep: The Emotional Lives of Animals" written by Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Sam Houston: The Life and Times of the Liberator of Texas, an Authentic American Hero" by John Hoyt Williams.

-Richard

Isaiah 53

The world is complaining
Blaming Jesus for everything,
Poverty,
Death,
War.
Oh, Jesus it's all your fault.
Jesus what do you say?

(silence)

Look at The Cross!

16th April 1995 - Skegness, Lincolnshire, England.

Score Update:

International Football: Estonia 0 England 3. European Qualifying Group E. England are in 4th place in the group 3 points behind leaders Croatia.
USA 1 Guatemala 0. CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B
USA 2 Trinidad and Tobego 0. CONCACAF Gold Cup Group B. USA are in 1st place in the group and have qualified for the Quarter-Finals.

Rugby Union: Tulsa 20 Raleigh 34. US Rugby Championship, Divison II National Semi-Final.

Cricket: Durham drew with Lancashire. County Championship Division 1. Durham stay in 3rd place 5 1/2 points behind leaders Yorkshire.

Football: Carolina RailHawks 2 Rochester Raging Rhinos 2. USL Division 1. The RailHawks fall to 6th place 6 points behind leaders, The Rochester Raging Rhinos.

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls 54 Huddersfield Giants 20. Challenge Cup Quarter-Final.

Baseball: Houston Astros 6 St. Louis Cardinals 8
Colorado Rockies 1 Houston Astros 4
Colorado Rockies 8 Houston Astros 7
Colorado Rockies 7 Houston Astros 6
Chicago White Sox 2 Houston Astros 5
Chicago White Sox 2 Houston Astros 3. The Astros stay in 4th place in the National League Central Division. with a record 0f 26-35 and 6 1/2 games behind leaders, Milwaukee Brewers.

-Richard

The next cats we fostered were three kittens. They were the nicknames the "dessert" kittens. They were Pudding (below centre), Trifle (below left) and Treacle (right). They came into us the week of August 20th 2005. Trifle and Treacle were two little grey guys. They were adopted 11th October 2005. Pudding was a little live wire. He was a little grey and white guy. He was adopted 8th November 2005. I bumped into the lady who adopted him about a month ago and she said that he is doing very well.

-Richard

Saturday

It's Saturday,
Another week gone.
Time to look forward
To what?

Twelve-fifteen
Time for Grandstand
Anxiously waiting
For the results
A win will mean
A good week ahead
A loss - the unthinkable.

Seven - fifty
Time for the lottery
Hoping, praying, waiting -
Will it be me
Then life will be sorted.

Saturday's over.
Tomorrow's Sunday.
Then Monday and another week.

25th March 1995 - North Acton, London, England.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Beyond the Ural Mountains: The Adventures of a Siberian Hunter" by Ivan Aramilev.

-Richard

Latest Score Update:

International Rugby: South Africa 58 England 10
South Africa 55 England 22

International Cricket: England drew with The West Indies. 1st Test Match.
England beat The West Indies by an innings and 289 runs. 2nd Test Match. England lead the series 2-0.

International Football: England 1 Brazil 1. Friendly
USA 4 China 1. Friendly

Cricket: Durham beat Northamptonshire by 4 wickets. Friends Provident Trophy.
Durham beat Yorkshire by 6 wickets. County Championship Division 1. Durham stay in 3rd place in the table 4 1/2 points behind leaders Warwickshire.
Durham beat Scotland by 5 wickets. Friends Provident Trophy.
Durham beat Worcestershire by 143 runs. Friends Provident Trophy.
Durham beat Yorkshire by 53 runs, Friends Provident Trophy. Durham move up to 1st place in the North Conference 1 points ahead of Nottinghamshire.

Football: Carolina RailHawks 1 Charleston Battery 0. USL Division 1.
Seattle Sounders 1 Carolina RailHawks 0. USL Division 1.
Vancouver Whitecaps 0 Carolina RailHawks 1. USL Division 1.
Portland Timbers 0 Carolina RailHawks 0. USL Divison 1. The RailHawks move up to 4th place, 5 points behind leaders, Vancouver Whitecaps.

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls 44 Harlequins Rugby League 18. Superleague.
Catalan Dragons 20 Bradford Bulls 28. Superleague. Bradford stay in 3rd place 2 points behind leaders, St. Helens.

Baseball: Houston Astros 6 Texas Rangers 1
Houston Astros 1 Texas Rangers 14
San Fransisco Giants 4 Houston Astros 0
San Fransisco Giants 4 Houston Astros 2
San Fransisco Giants 9 Houston Astros 1
Arizona Diamondbacks 9 Houston Astros 1
Arizona Diamondbacks 13 Houston Astros 3
Arizona Diamondbacks 5 Houston Astros 4
Arizona Diamondbacks 8 Houston Astros 4
Houston Astros 1 Cincinatti Reds 2
Houston Astros 3 Cincinatti Reds 4
Houston Astros 10 Cincinatti Reds 2
Houston Astros 1 St. Louis Cardinals 9
Houston Astros 8 St. Louis Cardinals 3. The Astros fall to 4th place in the National League Central Division with a record of 23-30 and 7 1/2 games behind Division Leaders, Milwaukee Brewers.

-Richard

We have just got back from our first Vacation for a long time. It was our 10th Wedding Anniversary on Thursday. We rented a cottage in Ellijay, Georgia which is in the Chattahoochee National Forest and the foothills of the Appalacians.

We had a good time. We read, listened to music, wrote, ate and just spent time together. Of our kids we just took Nilla who enjoyed the time as the only child. It was a great way to celebrate our 10 Years together.

-Richard

I Finished Reading:

"The Brother Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky.

-Richard

I listened to:

"The Walrus in Memorium" composed by Terry Riley and performed by Gloria Cheng-Cochran (piano)
"China Gates" composed by John Adams, performed by Gloria Cheng-Cochran (piano)
"The Heaven Ladder, Book 7" composed by Terry Riley, performed by Gloria Cheng-Cochran (paino)
"Phrygian Gates" composed by John Adams, performed by Gloria Cheng-Cochran (piano).

-Richard

The next kitten we fostered was Custard. A little orange guy that came into us August 15th 2005. He was only with us a short time as he ws adopted out on September 9th 2005. He was named after the Classic kids Cartoon "Roobarb and Custard" a favourite from my childhood. Custard is the cat in the cartoon. See a small clip below.



-Richard

Latest Score Update:

Buffalo 7 Raleigh 43. US Rugby Division 2 Quarter Final.

Cricket: Durham drew with Warwickshire. County Championship Division 1. Durham stay in 3rd place 19 1/2 points behind leaders, Yorkshire.

Football: Atlanta Silverbacks 1 Carolina RailHawks 2. USL Division 1. The RailHawks move up to 7th place in the table 5 points behind leaders, Atlanta Silverbacks.

Rugby League: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 4 Bradford Bulls 14. Challenge Cup.
Huddersfield Giants 36 Bradforld Bulls 12. Superleague. Bradford stay in 3rd place 2 points behind leaders St. Helens.

Baseball: Houston Astros 10 Arizona Diamondbacks 4
Houston Astros 5 Arizona Diamondbacks 2
Houston Astros 6 San Fransisco Giants 5
Houston Astros 2 San Fransisco Giants 1
Houston Astros 1 San Fransisco Giants 2
Houston Astros 4 Texas Rangers 7. The Astros move up to 2nd place in the National League Central Divsion, 5 1/2 games behind Division Leaders, Milwaukee Brewers.

-Richard

Today was the first "meaningful" game at the new Wembley Stadium. For so long the Mecca of the Football World Wembley was knocked down and re-built. The most controversial decision was to take away the famous twin towers. For me those towers always got the heart beating as I took the walk up Wembley Way. I was lucky to be able to go to several events at the old Stadium. Some of the most memourable where seeing England play there. There game I saw there was England vs USSR in May 1991. England won 3-1. The other memorable England games I saw were a chance to see Brazil in 1992, a 1-1 tie. I also saw the USA play for the first time at Wembley in a 2-0 win to England on two Alan Shearer goals in September 1994.

On of the most special events I went too was actually a non-League cup final. I new some one had a spare press pass so I got to watch the 1995 final between Woking and Runcorn in the press box. Just thinking about the history recorded on that box was amazing (as well as getting free food!!). Woking won the game 2-1.

I also went to one Rugby League Challenge Cup final there. I can't remember who played in the final, but, I do remember Wigan winning because the friend I went with is a Wigan fan.


I also, went to concerts there. The best was taking Jenn, as a surprise to hear one her favourite groups, the Eagles. This was the occasion of the photo (above) in this post, which she took on the way in.

Theses are just a few of my memories of the place. I can't say that Wembley was my favourite place to watch events. It did have the greatest aura and history about it. I think the best place that I have watched a football game was Old Trafford (my favourite though, Spartan Stadium for a San Jose / LA game) and my favourite Stadium of all is Twickenhm, the home of England Rugby. There is no feeling compared to the singing of hymns in unison by everyone in the Stadium such as happens when England fans sing "Swing Low" (for example).

Despite the new facade the history cannot be taken away from the infamous first FA Cup final there in 1923 when thousands of fans ended on the pitch in a 2-0 Bolton win over West Ham, to European Cups, to Euro 2006, to Live Aid to perhaps the most famous and spectacular of all, England winning the World Cup in 1966. Hopefully the new version will have as many memorable events.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Major British Poets" edited by Oscar Williams. A compilation of poets from William Blake to Dylan Thomas. This included my favourite all time poem "Dulce Et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owen.

-Richard

Latest Score Update:

Rugby Union: Raleigh 83 Memphis 5. US Rugby Division II Championship Last 16.

Cricket: Durham beat Lancashire by 57 runs. Friends Provident Trophy. Durham are in 3rd place in the North Pool, 2 points behind leaders Yorkshire.
Durham beat Kent by 157 runs. County Championship Division 1. Durham move up to the 3rd place in the Championship trailing Leaders Yorkshire by 18 points.

Football: Atlanta Silverbacks 2 Carolina RailHawks 0. USL Division 1. The RailHawks fall to 9th place in the league, 5 points behind leaders, Atlanta Silverbacks.
Carolina RailHawks 2 Chivas USA 0. Friendly.

Rugby League. Bradford Bulls 38 Leeds Rhinos 42. Superleague. Bradford fall to 3rd place in the table 2 points behind leaders, Leeds Rhinos.

Baseball: St.Louis Cardinals 0 Houston Astros 13
St. Louis Cardinals 3 Houston Astros 1
Cincinnati Reds 4 Houston Astros 5
Cincinnati Reds 6 Houston Astros 7
Cincinnati Reds 2 Houston Astros 3
Cincinnati Reds 9 Houston Astros 5
Houston Astros 1 Arizona Diamondbacks 3

Basketball: Houston Rockets 99 Utah Jazz 103. Western Conference 1st round play-off. The Rockets are eliminated 4-3.

-Richard

I listened to:

"Angel Voices" performed by Libera.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Chester A. Arthur: 21st President of the United States" written by Rita Stevens.

-Richard

I finished reading Leviticus, in my chapter of the Bible a day.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"Bob Dole" by Richard Ben Cramer.

-Richard

The next cat we fostered was Chamomille. She was the mother of Assam, Ceylon, Tetley and Typhoo. She came to us the 2nd August 2005. When she came in she was completed freaked and almost semi-feral. Infact she climbed up the wall of the room when she first came in. However, she soon came to trust us, and especially Jenn who worked with her. Although she still was very shy and scared a couple saw her picture on the web and came to see her. They immediatley fell in love with her and she found her "forever" home on Jan 31st 2006.



-Richard

Yesterday we went to the third game of the Carolina RailHawks. The team is still unbeaten, but, unfortunatley also have yet to win. However, the standard of play is still surprising me with some great football played. I think the win and goals will come soon as they improve with every game. We took some photos at the game. The ones to the top left and right are both sides of the Stadium before the game. The action shot (below) was during a RailHawks corner kick. The Puerto Rico goalkeeper is Josh Saunders and ex-Quake. Talking of "ex-players" the RailHawks of to former Quake: Dario Brose and Chris Carrieri and one former Hartlepool United player - Stuart Brightwell. The photo below is of me taken just after the game. It was a damp and cold Carolina evening.


-Richard

Football

It's called our National game,
But, perhaps it should be
Our National disgrace.
We watch in horror
The pictures on T.V.
Of maniacal fans
Tearing Dublin apart
And those from Millwall
Marauding across the pitch.

It's not just the fans that go astray,
But the players, the heroes,
For so many, young and old alike.
Eric Cantona's kung fu
In front of Children too.
Vinny Jones thriving in violence.
Sport or not
It just shows how much
Societies are crumbling.

18th February 1995 - Uxbridge, Middlesex, England.

-Richard

Latest Score Update:

Rugby Union: Norfolk 34 Raleigh 30. MARFU Division II Final.

Cricket: Durham beat Leicestershirt by 8 wickets. Friends Provident Trophy
Yorkshire beat Durham by 9 wickets. County Championship Division 1. Durham are in 6th place in the table 31 points behind leaders Warwickshire.
Derbyshire beat Durham by 4 wickets. Friends Provident Trophy. Durham are in 5th place in the North Conference 2 points behind leaders, Yorkshire.
Durham beat Durham UCCE by 163 runs. MCC University Match

Football: Rochdale 2 Hartlepool United 0. League 2
Hartlepool United 1 Bristol Rovers 2. League 2. Hartlepool finish the Season with 88 points and finish in 2nd place one point behind champions Walsall.
Carolina RailHawks 0 Atlanta Silverbacks 0. USL Division 1
Carolina RailHawks 0 Puerto Rico Islanders 0 USL Divison 1. The RailHawks are in 8th place with 3 points, 2 points behind leaders, Atlanta Silverbacks.

Rugby League: Bradford Bulls 36 Warrington Wolves 24. Superleague. Bradford fall to 2nd place in the league trailing leaders, Leeds Rhinos on points difference.

Baseball: Milwaukee Brewers 4 Houston Astros 3
Philadelphia Phillies 11 Houston Astros 4
Pittsburgh Pirates 3 Houston Astros 0
Pittsburgh Pirates 4 Houston Astros 3
Pittsburgh Pirares 5 Houston Astros 3
Houston Astros 1 Milwaukee Brewers 4
Houston Astros 10 Milwaukee Brewers 1
Houston Astros 1 Milwaukee Brewers 3
Houston Astros 2 Cincinatti Reds 11
Houston Astros 3 Cincinatti Reds 1
Houston Astros 7 Cincinattie Reds 5
St. Louis Cardinals 3 Houston Astros 2. The Astros fall to 5th place in the National League Central Division with a record of 12-16. They are 6 1/2 games behind division leaders, Milwaukee Brewers.

Basketball: Houston Rockets 98 Utah Jazz 90
Utah Jazz 81 Houston Rockets 67
Utah Jazz 98 Houston Rockets 85
Houston Rockets 98 Utah Jazz 92
Utah Jazz 94 Houston Rockets 82. All games Western Conference play-off 1st round. Series is tied 3-3.

-Richard

I finished reading:

"The Power and The Glory" written by Graham Greene.

-Richard