Gladstone

Yeah - I reckon it would be good to hear what all the officials are saying. It would be an interesting insight to hear the discussions between the assistants and the referees when you see a decision given apparently by the assistant. Sometimes it's impossible to tell what a decision has been given for etc. It could also cut out a lot of the crap that referees take from players - maybe. All that said - I wonder if this would put referees under even greater pressure to get everything absolutely spot on. What I mean there is that I would imagine that sometimes the chat between the assistant and the referee could reveal that neither know what the fuck just happened and they're making a huge judgement call or something. It could put a referee's inadequacies (I don't really mean that in a derogatory way - I mean, they're all human and can't be 100% spot on and see absolutely everything that happens on the pitch all of the time) in sharp focus. Not sure - I've always thought that rugby appears to be refereed way better than football and the referees hold much more respect from the players because they're able to be much firmer with the players it seems. Moving forward 10 yards if any descent and all that stuff. Sin bins probably help slightly too - instead of getting a couple of warnings and then binned completely, rugby players get a chance to cool down and come back on after leaving their team short for a period of the game. If referees knew the red card they pulled out wouldn't be quite as big a decision, they may be more keen to pull out the second yellow for diving or for swearing at the ref or whatever. I digress... I was going on to say that microphones on rugby referees seem to work. Different game etc. but it could work in football.

You know - I used to think the workstation assessment thing was stupid - there are a couple of levers on your chair, one to go up and down, one to move your backrest. These new chairs are a bit weird with lots of moving parts etc. No instructions etc. I think I've finally cracked it - but I've been sitting in this chair for 18 months... But yes - very boring chat. But, I appear to have got what I want from the Quick Questions thread. A victory for the people. As you were.

I think I may have worked it out. The bottom of the seat rest felt like it was pushing my arse forward when I really thought about it. I've lowered my seat a bit so that it's easier to get my feet flat on the floor straight down and the lumbar support thing is moveable at the back - I've moved it up a bit so it's above my arse now - think that was the main problem. We'll see. I'll probably still find myself half under my desk in half an hour...

I'm not sure. I think the problem is I can't look at myself when I'm sitting here so I'm not sure if I'm doing it right or not. I need one of those workstation assessments which I've not had for about a million years. I've never had one at this job.

Ooft. What a stat to pull out of the bag.

I like that idea. I hate the fact that I sit on my arse for a long time. There was a guy in an office I worked in years ago who had an actual stand up desk. He had a chair - more like a bar stool kind of idea that he would occasionally use to rest his legs but he stood for most of the day. But - can't imagine my work entertaining that. I think that guy had a genuine reason for standing up rather than just not liking sitting down. I'm out of here in a couple of months in any case so a foot rest is about as much as I'll get I think. I can't work out how to tip the front of my seat up a bit as suggested by someone earlier. I've fucked about with all the levers etc and my seat is less comfortable than it was before. I'll have to have another fuck about with it shortly... We got new seats when we moved into this office a couple of years ago and were never shown how to use the various bits. The lumbar support feels like a piece of wood resting against my lower back. It's not tremendous.

That is how I sit generally, but at some point I slide down into a slouch and when I notice, I correct it. I think my posture is generally okay - I don't want to be a sloucher but can't seem to stop it.

Would that work? I've never even contemplated a footrest. I don't think my feet are any further away after I've slouched if you know what I mean? Cheers - I'll certainly give that a go.

Brilliant idea - haven't watched yet but will try and give it a watch at some point. I would hazard a guess that the bands being 'showcased' will be pretty much anyone - much in the same way that the old Fat Hippy Showcases gave all bands in Aberdeen a shotty. We played at least 2 showcases that I can remember and were asked numerous other times despite not being a Fat Hippy band. And the Fat Hippy compilation CDs aren't all Fat Hippy bands. But, yeah, sounds great and the fact that Scott Ironside is presenting makes me want to watch it even more. Good stuff.

How do I stop sliding down my chair at work? I constantly find myself slouched like some sort of sloth at my desk with my chin almost touching my desk. I never notice myself sliding down my chair, nor do I do I intentionally slouch like that, nor am I wearing a shiny slidy suit or anything ridiculous like that. However, every so often, I have to make a conscious effort to push myself back up in my chair and sit up straight.

I don't see how/why Liverpool are any worse than Chelsea or City. It was refreshing when Chelsea and City first started challenging again (despite the fact it was just because they'd thrown millions of pounds around) and it is refreshing that Liverpool are now challenging (seriously challenging) for the title. It's refreshing to see Everton in with a great chance of 4th place too. This is by far the most interesting season there's been in England for years - I think that would be devalued slightly if it finishes with Chelsea securing another title, City second and Liverpool third (and Arsenal secure the CL spot). It would feel a bit samey. That, and I think Mourinho is a bit of a dick, really. I'd rather City than Chelsea. I hope Chelsea come third. I'm going to stick with my prediction (that I gave my Liverpool supporting brother at the start of last week) of: 1. Liverpool 2. City 3. Chelsea 4. Everton 5. MAN UNITED 6. Arsenal 7. Spurs

Yeah - in my massively long post, I forgot to mention that the Chelsea game will be tougher for Liverpool than the City game. Chelsea are a team that are much harder to beat than City. City are better as an all out attacking force than Chelsea, as are Liverpool, but Chelsea will be well organised, and very difficult to break down. I still think Liverpool will beat them and win the league. It's very nearly 50/50 though. Chelsea could definitely beat Liverpool and go on and win the title. I'd prefer Liverpool to win out of the top 3. Everton Rovers will win the title next year, and the Champions League and will go on to secure world peace under the stewardship of Bobby Martinez. Meanwhile, David Moyes will be polishing Derek McKinnes's shoes.

Why do you never see hippos hiding in the trees? Because they're really good at it.

I agree - I say Liverpool are firmly in the driving seat but perhaps that's a bit strong. They have to be favourites though based on form and the fact the Chelsea game is at home. Looking at the top 3's remaining fixtures you'd expect them to generally win their remaining games, with the Liverpool v Chelsea being the decider. There are a few tricky ones in there though: City and Liverpool have to go to Crystal Palace. City have to go to Everton. Chelsea have to go to Cardiff. I fancy Everton to take something from City but the Palace and Cardiff ties should be 3 points for the top teams (far from easy though). Fancy Liverpool to beat Chelsea at home but it will be massive. 4 to go and still 3 teams firmly in contention for the title. That's great. Pretty good battle in store for the last CL spot too. And, lots of teams still in the relegation fight.

I thought St Johnstone deserved the victory yesterday. Couple of small things that made a huge impact - Rooney taking too many touches when Mcginn sent him clear at 1-0. If he'd tucked that away, I think it would have been a rout. Aberdeen were looking really in the mood at that point but just failed to convert that into many real chances and put St Johnstone out if sight when they were really toiling. The other one was the lead up to St Johnstone's first goal. The ball should never really bounce in the 6 yard box. Langfield should have been all over that. Logan should also not have been standing back waiting for someone (Langfield) to deal with it. Ideally, Langfield gives a massive shout that he's coming for it and Logan can stand back but if you don't hear the keeper, you go and get a head on it. Great credit to them for coming out second half and really going for it. Two great instinctive finishes from a real talent. After the first goal, it just never looked like the Dons were going to get back in top. I really hope St Johnstone can go and top off their season with a trophy. That, and Aberdeen hold onto second spot obviously! The English league is getting interesting. Liverpool firmly in the driving seat now.

I saw him a couple of times but the main one was at New Deer - first time I'd seen them and I was absolutely astounded by his drumming. It was actually ridiculous. Spoke to him at Wizard Festival that year too - seemed like a really nice bloke. What a shame.

Aw man - was that the Gerry Jablonski drummer? He was incredible. Presumably this was an illness - he couldn't have been old? Very sad - RIP.

Officers' mess

I remember reading about Celtic playing in the equivalent of the World Club Championships final back in probably 1967ish. "Final" being the only match I think. I think it was basically champions of Europe vs champions of South America. Celtic played an Argentine team - I may have some of this wrong as it's a bit of a distant memory... To save typing out an incorrect bad memory - I googled it - here it is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_Intercontinental_Cup Three legs played, culminating in an all out violent battle in the third. Brilliant.

Just read this on BBC Sport: Atletico vs Bayern final. It's written in the stars.

Well - I wasn't shocked when Atletico beat Barca. I was more shocked when it was labelled a "major shock" in the news. It is definitely impressive though and I hope they win the league and the CL. That would be great to see. It wasn't that long ago that Aberdeen qualified out of a Europe League group that contained Atletico Madrid...

Exactly. If the two results happened a couple of seasons ago I would have been surprised by both. Atletico are more than holding their own in domestic competition, sitting top at this very late stage. I'm not saying Atletico's consistency, title bid and CL form aren't surprising. I'm just saying that standalone result last night was nothing like a major shock in the context of the past 6 months or so which is far more relevant than what happened 15 years ago.

It's not surprising in the context of this season though. Man Utd getting pumped out of the CL by Bayern comprehensively isn't a shock because Man Utd have been shite this season. I don't think Atletico getting to the semi final and putting out Barca is a shock. Atletico's fantastic form over the course of this season and them sitting top of the Spanish league is certainly a shock from what everyone would have expected at the start of the season. But having got the score draw in the first leg I can't believe anyone is surprised that Atletico completed the job last night. Equally, it wouldn't have been surprising if Barca had gone through. The reports I've heard we're calling the fact that Atletico put Barca out a 'major shock'. Do you really agree with that?

I've heard a couple of times today already that Atletico pulled off a major shock by beating Barca. How on earth does that constitute a major shock? The team sitting top of the Spanish League beats the team sitting second 1-0 at home after drawing 1-1 away from home. It's not even remotely surprising let alone a major shock.