Thursday, January 26, 2006

Finished reading "Neither Here nor There" Bill Bryson's tale about travelling around Europe.

-Richard

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

Finished reading "The Reason Why". This is the story about Lord Lucan and the Earl of Cardigan and their roles in the disasterous Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War. One of the results of the incompetance was the end of the priviledge system in obtaining commissions in the British Army. The book was written by Cecil Woodham Smith.

-Richard
Score update:

US National Team 0 Canada 0 Friendly

West Hartlepool 21 Durham City 5 League North 2 East. West move to 6th place.
Swansea City 1 Hartlepool United 1 League 1. Pools stay in 19th position.

Hudersfield Giants 10 Bradford Bulls 28 Friendly
Carolina Hurricanes 4 St. Louis Blues 2
Philadelphia Flyers 3 Carolina Hurricanes 4
Carolina Hurricanes 4
New York Islanders 3
Washington Capitals 5 Carolina Hurricanes 2
Carolina Hurricanes 7
Montreal Canadiens 3 Canes are now 17 points clear of Atlanta Thrashers.
Houston Rockets 80 New Orleans Hornets 86
Atlanta Hawks 94 Houston Rockets 83
Houston Rockets 76 Dallas Mavericks 103
Chicago Bulls 108 Houston Rockets 109
Detroit Pistons 99 Houston Rockets 97
Milwaukee Bucks 80 Houston Rockets 97 Rockets now 16 games behind San Antonio

-Richard

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Finished reading "Echoes of Mercy" by Nanct Alcorn. It is the story of mercy ministries, an Christian Organisation to help abused and pregnent teens. A must read for those against abortion as it shows someone who gives a solution without condemnation.

-Richard

Monday, January 16, 2006

Finished reading "Adams and American Dynasty" by Francis Russell
the story of the first four generations of the John Adams family.

-Richard

Saturday, January 14, 2006

Score update:

West Hartlepool 28 Horden 3 - Friendly
Morpeth 23 West Hartlepool 13 - League 2 North East. West fall to 7th place
Hartlepool United 1 Swindon Town 1 - League 1
Yeovil Town 2 Hartlepool United 0 - League 1
Hartlepool United 0 - Tranmere Rovers 0 - League 1. Hartlepool slump to 19th place in League 1
New York Giants 0 Carolina Panthers 23 - Wild Card play-off. Giants eliminated

Carolina Hurricanes 4 Atlanta Thrashers 3
Carolina Hurricanes 4 New York Islanders 1
New York Islanders 0 Carolina Hurricanes 3
Carolina Hurricanes 3 Detroit Red Winds 2
Carolina Hurricanes 5 Nashville Predators 4 Hurricanes increase their lead to 12 points in the South East Division, now over Atlanta
Wahington Wizards 111 Houston Rockets 123
Cleveland Cavaliers 81 Houston Rockets 90
Toronto Rapters 112 Houston Rockets 92
Houston Rockets 90 Denver Nuggets 92
Charlotte Bobcats 111 Houston Rockets 106
Houston Rockets 80 Sacramento King 88 The Rocets are still in last place in the South West Division now trailing division leader, San Antonio by 14 games.

-Richard

Saturday, January 07, 2006

Finished reading "The Shipping News" the Pultizer Prize winning novel by E. Annie Proulx.

-Richard

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Weekly Score Update:

Barnsley 1 Hartlepool United 1 - League 1
Hartlepool United 1 Southend United 2 - League 1
Oldham Athletic 2 Hartlepool United 1 - Leage 1. Hartlepool drop to 16th in the League.
Oakland Raiders 21 New York Giants 30 Giants win NFC East Championship

Tampa Bay Lightening 5 Carolina Hurricanes 4 (OT)
Ottawa Senators 6 Carolina Hurricanes 2
Carolina Hurricanes 3
Philadelphia Flyers 4 (OT)
Carolina Hurricanes 5 Montreal Canadiens 3 - Hurricanes lead South-East Division by 11 Points.
Houston Rockets 74 Utah Jazz 82
New Orleans Hornets 92 Houston Rockets 90
Houston Rockets 89
Goldn State Warriers 94 - Rockets still last in South West Division trailing San Antonio by 12 1/2 games

-Richard
A New Year. A time to reflect and move forward or a time to reflect and keep the Status Quo? I would hope to think that I will be able to move forward to grow in all aspects of my life.

2005 was in many ways a year of a "holding pattern". No great moves or upheavels. It was a busy year. In the key aspects there were good and bad times, but, at the end of the day I am blessed to have a wonderful wife, a wonderful family and a Faith that sustains through all things.

Work was busy. After the uncertainties of the previous year I finish 2005 to still have a job, in fact a job that has expanded slightly by gaining one person working for me. There was a bit of travel, which lead to 4 nights away from Jenn for the first time since we've been married. One was in Boston and three were in the Bay Area of California. However, I was fortunte that she could go with me for the two longest trips. One again to California and a two week trip to Chicago. For 2006 my goal is simple to do the best I can in all tasks that I am given, but, to also really invetigate where I want to be at the end of this year.

Our volunteer work for Snowflake Animal Rescue has increased. I am now on the board of Directors which is a new and interesting experience. We adopted out a lot of the cats that we are fostering. We also went through losing Baby Boy a Foster cat that Jenn invested a lot of time and love into. He affected her profoundly him dieing. However, that is what fostering is about giving yourself to all the animals no matter how much a tenure they have in your home.

Spiritually we have settled into a Church and small group. However, one thing we havn't done such a job of is going to Church. Due to commitments for Snowflake once every other Sunday we can't go, but, we need to go more on the other Sunday,

Our family has the same number, although we lost our hampster Gimlie , but, adopted Clara a little black cat.

The sporting front was a story of close shaves. Hartlepool United minutes from winning the play-off final, The Astros getting to the World Series but falling short, The Quakes winning the regular Season, failing in the play-offs then getting moved. The year finished off with the Giants winning their Division with 20 minutes to go in the old year. Time to get over the hump or another dissapointment.

One thing I do want to do is to listen to more music, write more and use my creative "juices" more.

In closing I would like to wish everyone a peaceful, happy and prosperous New Year.

-Richard